JUSTICE
Justice
I had been cringing with every bump, jostle and turn, fearing her head would fall from my shoulder and she’d wake up. Her constant touch, and her being safe enough to doze, might be the only thing keeping my head above water.
I kept my eyes out the front windows. The constant moving scenery kept the dark away. But not her scream from my ears. It bounced and ricocheted around my head, chased by an echoing “my fault.” I knew if I closed my eyes, I’d see her spin and fall off that cliff again and again and again. I pretended I could still taste her on my lips. I kept touching them like I could feel the kiss.
The bus squeaked to a stop after an agonizing eternity. I let everyone off first before I let my fists unclench. I brushed my knuckles down her cheek and whispered, “hey.”
She made those yummy little sounds you make when you wake up next to someone you want to be with. Or at least I let myself believe that lie.
“We’re back.” I said softly.
She stretched one arm up and snuggled into my arm like I was her favorite stuffie.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“Adrenaline crash will do that to you.”
Reluctantly, I stood up, avoiding looking down at her legs. Every cell in my body protested having to let go of her. She slid her hand down my arm and laced her fingers with mine, using me to pull herself to standing. I stepped back to let her go first. I focused on keeping my grip loose, her fingers light in my hand. My desperation to not let go would crush her bones.
But she was the one who held on tight, awkwardly twisting her arm as we went down the bus steps.
She chattered. I knew she was talking, but the scream and the blame got louder with each step. The gangway was crowded. She led the way, stepping into me to avoid people.
She halted. “Shit. I don’t have my phone. What time is it?” Her worried look jacked up my heart rate.
There was a giant clock along the boardwalk. I could barely make it out.
“Quarter to four.”
“Shit. The auracle reading. I promised Theo.” She turned and pulled me through the crowd, not quite at a run.
We got caught in the bottleneck to check our IDs, but Mackenzie wiggled ahead and through the crowd, alphas stepping back to get out of our way.
“Theo!” She spotted him in the sea of people like she had a homing beacon.
“Hey!” He rushed to meet us. He took a double take at me, his brows all crinkled, and then turned to Mackenzie. “How were the ATVs?”
“We’re late. We have to go. It’s first come, served, remember?”
She stepped away and then turned back to me. Her smile was the very air. “I…” she paused, her face fell slightly becoming serious. She put the smile back on her face. “I had a great time. You are wonderful.” She pulled me down and kissed my cheek.
And then she was gone, into the crowd, taking all the air with her. My vision tunneled to Mackenzie and Theo leaving me.
My head swam. I heard a lock click and then screams.
“Just.”