Chapter 73

Celeste

“What is so special about my twentieth birthday?”

I’ve tried to work it out before. There are some birthdays that are important. Your sweet sixteen, becoming an adult at eighteen, being able to drink at twenty-one.

But twenty? What was so significant? I felt like I was going crazy from my inability to understand.

My confusion only ran deeper as I continued to stare at Jack, watching his entire face run white as his lips pressed into a thin line. It was as if a monster had suddenly appeared behind me, or as though I’d turned into one myself.

“Jack?” I asked. “What are you not telling me?”

“Nothing,” Jack stated, but he was still as white as a sheet and there was a distracted look in his eyes.

Immediately, my brow furrowed. “You’re lying,” I stated with a clench in my heart. “If you can’t be honest then I’m serious. I’m moving -“

“No, Celeste. Please,” Jack began, his eyes back to normal as he pleaded with me. Again, the shock of his actions had me freeze.

“I’m lying, okay? I am,” Jack threw out. “But it’s because I can’t tell you.”

Can’t…

I can’t tell you.

Did he mean that he legitimately couldn’t tell me? Like an invisible force was locking up his tongue? Could that even be possible…?

Staring at my brother, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was another act of cruelty from him. Maybe he was just playing with me, putting on an act. But then again…the desperation in his eyes suggested otherwise.

I’d never seen Jack desperate.

Finally, I sighed, my shoulders falling. “Okay,” I stated, watching as hope and relief came across Jack’s features.

“But,” I quickly began again. “I’m holding you to your promise. When I turn twenty, you have to tell me everything.”

Slowly, Jack nodded. “Just as long as you listen,” he stated, a slight and familiar sternness hinting in his words.

“Then…then you’ll also be nicer to me?” I reminded him of his previous statement.

“Yeah…I’ll try,” he said and the brief softness in his eyes made me want to believe him. So - at least in that moment - I did.

“Okay,” I finished. “Then I’ll stay.”

~

As I walked into my class the following morning, Fiona was already waiting for me.

“What the hell happened last night?” she rushed out, keeping her voice quiet as she linked her arm through mine. Quickly, she pulled us off to the side of the room for privacy.

“Last I saw you, you were sprinting out of the forest screaming about a giant wolf!” she rattled on, still hushed. “And then Jack dragged you out of there, looking like he was going to kill you, Celeste! I was so worried, and you didn’t answer any of my texts.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry,” I said, wincing. “Jack and I got into it when I got home. It was just…complicated. But I guess we worked it out.”

Fiona sighed, but softened. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay. But really - a text would have been nice.”

“I’m sorry, Fi,” I offered again, a frown pulling at my lips. “I just…I was sort of ignoring my phone because I don’t want to talk to…you know who.”

Surprise glimmered through Fiona’s eyes as she stared at me. “What? You’re not talking to him anymore?”

“Or seeing him,” I replied, talking over a knot forming in my throat. “After last night…I just can’t. It’s over. Officially over.”

Fiona tilted her head, a sadness replacing the surprise that had previously sat within her gaze.

“Is that really what you want?” she asked gently.

Again, I swallowed. “No,” I said quietly. “Of course not. But I don’t know what else to do…I think ending it is for the best.”

Even if ending things made my heart feel like it was being split in two.

~

After class, Fiona and I walked out together as we discussed if we should try to grab some coffee before our next class. We’d almost come to our decision as we rounded the corner, but our conversation was immediately cut short.

My voice was practically lodged down my throat as I nearly ran smack into someone’s chest. Thankfully, I stopped myself by putting my hands on the person’s stomach while they simultaneously braced my waist.

But that was all it took. Just that small touch and the whiff of a familiar cologne, and my body straightened. I knew exactly who I’d nearly bulldozed over.

Slowly, I looked up, my knees wobbling as my eyes found Matt’s deep blue gaze. A gaze that seemed awfully distressed.

“Oh, Matt,” I jumbled out once I came to my full senses. Matt also seemed to snap out of it, causing us both to jump away from one another.

“S-sorry,” I said awkwardly as my heart began to pound in my chest.

“That’s okay,” Matt replied, his deep voice causing my heart to squeeze instead. He ran a hand through his hair, making the unruly strands even more messy. It was easy to tell he’d been tossing it around all day.

Plus, he also had patches of purple under his eyes, indicating that he probably hadn’t slept very much - or maybe even at all.

Guilt prickled over my skin as I continued to study him. I didn’t want to give Rose too much credit, but I couldn't help but think Matt’s stress was somehow tied to her.

“Did you get home from the party alright?” Matt asked me then, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Oh… oh yeah. Yes, I did,” I replied. “Did you?”

He nodded, his hand then absentmindedly moving through his hair again. I stared at his dark locks for a moment, but when my gaze fell to meet his again, I found Matt watching me rather suspiciously.

“Hey, Celeste,” he began, making my heart take off again.

“Y-yes?” I asked.

“You wouldn’t happen to have talked to anyone named ‘Rose’ lately…have you?”

My breath caught in my lungs and my eyes widened ever so slightly. I tried to read his expression, but couldn’t quite make out what he was thinking. Was he just asking…or had I been caught?

I glanced over to Fiona, seeing the same acute look of panic on her face. All I could think to do was try to recover and play it cool.

“No,” I stated tightly as I looked back at Matt. “I’m sorry - I don’t know anymore named Rose.”

I hated how easily the lie fell from my lips, but I hated the disappointment that came over Matt’s face even more.

“I figured,” Matt murmured. “I’m asking around because I haven’t heard from her since the party.”

The worry in his voice makes my blood feel cold and heavy in my veins, my stomach becoming lead.

“I’m worried something happened to her,” he continued, his voice tired and regretful. “She might have gotten hurt when that bear attacked.”

Bear attack? What did he mean by bear attack? I was certain I had seen -

“So if you could keep an eye out,” Matt interrupted my thoughts again. “I’d appreciate it.”

Lost in Matt’s hurt expression, I tried not to let my own heartache show on my features. Instead, I forced whatever brave smile I could as I nodded.

“I will. If I hear or see anything then I’ll let you know,” I told him.

The smile that Matt flashed back at me was nearly enough to make me collapse. I wished that I could just grab him and kiss him right then and there, ease every concern he’d ever had.

But I didn’t. Instead, I just watched him walk away, feeling like he was taking a piece of me with him. I had nearly forgotten Fiona was still at my side until she grabbed my arm.

“Celeste,” she began, her stern voice causing my eyes to snap over. Her expression was painfully serious.

“You need to stop this,” she continued. “He’s miserable.”

“I know,” I said quietly, on the verge of crying.

Fiona sighed, giving a shake of her head.

“End it. Officially end it with him as ‘Rose’ so he doesn’t have to worry like this anymore. He…he deserves it.”