Chapter 32: An Excuse to Stay

I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through whatever happened to show up on my feed. I wasn't really paying attention to any of it. Chloe and Nicole were talking about something across the table, but I couldn't make out most of the conversation, and I wasn't particularly interested in interrupting them.

Nicole ate slowly, taking her time between small bites. She didn't eat much, which wasn't surprising considering she was sick, but at least she was getting something into her stomach.

I kept scrolling through my phone, occasionally glancing up to check on her.

After a while, I felt someone sit down beside me.

I looked over and found Nicole next to me.

She was smiling, and her eyes were noticeably brighter than they had been a few minutes ago. There was something almost excited about the way she was looking at me.

I already knew that look.