Page 11 of Locked

"I'm sorry, Zelle. But you know how I feel about this."

I did. Rifyr was the most vocal about his dislike of Mother. Basil's and his opinions definitely coincided most of the time.

"I'm sorry, Rif. I really can't do that… right now." I knew it was probably wrong to tease him, but I really wanted to give him good news.

"Don't you dare apologize, Zelle."

He'd hit enter, but he was still typing, so I waited.

"Right… now?"

I beamed. Even though he couldn't see me. "Not right now."

"But someday?"

"Maybe."

He sent like fifty grinning emojis.

I'd have to check up on that soon. I'd love to see him grin in person. I'd love to see him doanythingin person.

Well. Via video chat. In person was definitely too much to wish for. I wondered, not for the first time, if he felt the same way about me that I did about him. If any of them did.

"Hey… can I ask you something?" I typed out, pressing send before I could chicken out.

"Sure thing, ask me anything, Z."

My cheeks flushed crimson and I panicked. I couldn't ask himanything. Notanything. I couldn't ask him what I was to him. That was maybe better for video chat.

Even as I had the thought, I knew it wouldn't be any easier when I could see his face. If anything it'd be more difficult. But I often lied to myself to make my decisions seem like better ones. This lie was no different.

"What did you do today?" I asked. A weak substitute for what I'd originally wanted to ask, but at least it'd keep him in chat for longer.

"Lol," he replied. "Thought you were gonna ask me something serious."

"Thisisserious. I have a whole two weeks to catch up on!" I replied, adding a few smilies at the end to lighten the mood.

"That's true. You've been MIA for a half month of monotony. Alright, Zelle. If you really want to know, I'll give you a rundown of everything I've done this week. None of the boring details will be left out."

"Good," I replied, laughing to myself. "The boring details are my faves."

"Lucky for you then. I have alotof them."