Page 16 of Killer Confections

I wither, feeling as if my whole life is crashing down around me. It’s ridiculous considering I left all of my old friends back in New York, but all I can think of is Atlas.

I feel shallow for putting him above the people I’ve known for years, but he’s different. Over the last year, he’s become my rock. He’s my best friend, and I was always silently hoping this day would never come.

I can feel the pressure building behind my eyes, the pain of leaving Atlas behind becoming too much for me to handle.

“Lox, honey, are you okay?” Mom tries to reach a hand out to me, but I stand from the table, pushing my chair over in the process before I race from the room.

I feel as dramatic as any teenage girl when I throw mybedroom door open and slam it behind me. As the tears fall, I sink to my ass, pressing my back against the door.

My sobs wrack me as I cry, the crushing feeling becoming consuming.

This isn’t fair.

We were supposed to have more time…

***

As I walk into school the next day, my chest feels hollow. My eyes are still puffy from all of my crying last night, and I know they’re bloodshot.

Atlas is going to know something is wrong.

I had the bright idea to bring us both coffee this morning, hoping it would serve as an ‘I’m sorry for leaving,’ but now the tumblers in my hands just feel as heavy as my heart does.

As students bustle around me, I search through the crowd, looking for messy black hair. Atlas is easy to spot since he’s grown at least another two inches in the last few months.

He spots me, giving me a breathtaking smile that makes my heart race. But when he notices my eyes, his face falls, a scowl overtaking his features as he pushes through the crowd.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, his tone hard.

I give an awkward laugh, hoping to ease his mind. Knowing him, he’s thinking the absolute worst. “Not even a good morning? I brought you coffee and—”

“Loxley,” he warns. “I know you. Something is wrong. Did someone hurt you?”

He’s so protective.

I can feel the pounding in my chest and the butterflies swarming in my stomach. Even though I have the worst news possible, I can’t deny the feelings that have grown for my friend. I don’t know if he feels the same, but for the sake of keeping him a friend, I haven’t said anything.

I take a deep breath, attempting to swallow down the emotion clogged in my throat. “I have to tell you something—”

The bell rings, signaling the beginning of classes. Atlas curses before taking one coffee from my hand and lacing our fingers together.

“Come on,” he commands, pushing through students and serving as a barrier so no one runs into me.

My face heats as my eyes soak in our joined hands. His are rough, large, and calloused, but so warm and comforting. It swallows mine entirely, making my blush travel even further down my chest.

He pulls me into the empty library, walking past the shelves of books until we get to our usual back corner where we sit in the study hall. It’s a cozy spot with a little reading nook, hidden away from the rest of the world.

But today, it doesn’t have its same luster.

He sits me down on one of the plush seats before taking the one beside me. He turns to face me, his brows furrowed with concern as he rests our laced fingers on top of his knee. He reaches his other hand up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before rubbing a thumb over the bags under my eye.

I gasp at the touch, my eyes nearly fluttering. He’s so gentle and I just want to break down.

“Talk to me, Short Stack,” he says softly.

My lip wobbles, the dam breaking as my eyes water. “I’m moving.”

His face falls, the immediate look of disbelief a dagger straight into my heart. He shakes his head. “What? But your mom said it would take two years.”