Dead Inside (Temporary Bliss #1) by Alexander Ward

Author:Alexander Ward [Ward, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.W. Publishing
Published: 2018-09-22T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“It’s from the head wound,” I say when I notice his tightened jaw and the angry way he’s staring at me. That’s almost endearing and makes me a bit giddy out of a sudden. Which makes me wonder. Does he really care about my integrity or about his informant’s? Hm? Hard to say. “Don’t worry.”

I pat him on the chest and take off my shoes, going down the hallway without bothering to look over my shoulder. I know he’s coming after me. He grabs my arm gently and turns me around, brushing his fingertips against the bruise I have under my eye.

“And the one on your cheek?” His voice is low and husky.

“Didn’t I tell you? Some idiots jumped Denis at school that day. And I managed to get myself suspended. That’s why I was at the mall, because Chris had my backpack. Don’t worry, I’m fine.” I wave my hand, dismissing it as if it’s nothing.

“You’re… impressive,” he says, blank faced, voice expressionless. “Tell me more.”

I look sideways at him, unable to realize if that’s an order or a request. Well, it bloody well sounded like something to me.

“The fuckin’ idiot started selling weed around the school is what happened. Without telling me, you know. And then he started a bloody fight in the middle of the day during break, jumping five or six idiots by himself. I had to do something. I mean, I couldn’t let him get beaten all by himself.”

His eyes grow big and he looks so funny and unguarded that I actually laugh at that. His fingers linger on my face. His parted lips still curled in disbelief as he shakes his head, then a smile adorns his face and warms his expression. I stagger at that. I don’t know how to interpret it. He looks… happy. Happy because he stares at me almost like an idiot, eyes glistening, face lit up like a Christmas tree, as if he’s seeing something incredibly satisfying and he can’t break away from it. It’s intoxicating, so I give him a shy smile, bathing under his gaze, those fascinating blue eyes shimmering like crystals. I feel small under his scrutiny. Small and insignificant, yet different somehow. In a way, I wish it would never stop. On the other hand, it feels like too much. It’s suffocating.

I drop my gaze and gulp, shifting uncomfortably and frowning down at my feet. “I, uh. I got this from Stefan.” I show him the pictures I managed to snap on my phone. He stares at them dumbfounded, lips parted, incredulity crossing his face. Speechless.

“Where were you when you took these?”

“Behind a pile of crates outside the club!?” I shrug uncomfortably.

“Fuck. Jesus. Alex, don’t…” he shakes his head disbelievingly and drops the phone on the table. “You could’ve been seen. Do you realize what could’ve happened to you, taking such a risk? Don’t do it again.”

I let out a nervous chuckle. I must detach myself from that feeling I got earlier. That weird ripple of wings that was sprouting in my stomach.

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