I wasn't keen on leaving Abby and Roy in the back seat at all—especially since everything about this car reminded me of last night. Did it ever cross her mind, too? Sighing, I started the engine, clueless about our direction.

"We should visit National Museum in Oklahoma City. I want to see the graveyards of the people who were killed in the bombing."

That was impressive, especially coming from Roy. He wasn't interested in museums. He had never been. In fact, he was the least intelligent person I'd ever met. However, Abby was the opposite—she loved museums. Thus, at the mention of the museum, it wasn't surprising to see the fireworks going off her eyes. She was amazed by Roy—that asshole was playing his shit well. "Fine," I replied, throwing him a brief look over the rearview mirror. He didn't notice me, though, for he was busy with goggling Abby.

Abby Whittaker was gorgeous. She hadn't ever tried to use her charm on anyone and was totally oblivious to all the stares around her, but she could bring any guys to their knees. I'd always considered myself lucky to be the only guy she was ever close with, for she wasn't good at interacting with people. She was a gem—she was my gem. I shouldn't have taken her to that stupid party.

"George," Rachel said, pulling me back from my thoughts. "We don't have to enter if you want. I hate museums."

"Well, I want to get in,"—there was no way I was leaving them alone there—"and I think you should see it, too. It's a one-time experience." As if I'd invited her, Rachel nodded, biting her lip. Her glances toward me under her eyelashes were far from sexy if that was what she intended for. They actually made her look like she was troubled and someone got to tell this girl that she didn't need to do that to look hot.

Throughout the ride, Roy made silly jokes that made Rachel laugh. Literally, Rachel was his only fan. I gazed at Abby from time to time to check on her but she remained silent, looking out of the window. Her lack of enthusiasm puzzled me but I didn't want to draw attention to her. I could ask her what was wrong when we were alone.

After parking, we first visited the graveyards of the victims and prayed to them in our own ways. Rachel pulled out her phone and started taking selfies—in a graveyard—and when she asked me to take a selfie together, I kindly reminded her that it wasn't the place for that. She looked at me like I was a mood killer but I couldn't care in the slightest. My attention slipped on Abby as always, and my gaze lingered on her as she kneeled down at a grave to read the stone.

It had only been an hour and I was already looking for an escape.

Pretending had been a part of my life. I pretended to like Rachel in front of my friends. I pretended to be a fuckboy because it was considered cool. I pretended to be fearless of things that I was shit scared of. However, this time, it was so hard to pretend that I was okay with this. Them being together. And that Roy made me a huge favor by letting Rachel tag along.

I didn't want to pretend anymore. I wanted to stand in front of Abby and tell her that last night was something beyond my dreams. That I'd loved her, and that I was pretending not to when she asked me the other night. That I was dumb. But in love with her.

Alas, that courage was within me somewhere but I couldn't find it just yet.

I started walking further from the yard, taking out a cigarette from my pocket and lit it. I hadn't smoked in days because Abby asked me not to, but this time, it felt like the only thing that could help me to put up with this shit. I shivered when a hand touched my shoulder and when I spun around, I was slightly disappointed to see Rachel. She asked for a cig, so I extended her the package and lit her cigarette.

"They are dating, huh?" She said, buffing the smoke out. "Roy told me about it in the flight. Honestly, I always thought you guys were secretly dating." She held my gaze with a smile. "But I'm happy you are just friends."

I'm in love with her. "Hmm."

"I like that about you, George," she suddenly said. "You aren't an asshole like most guys are. You are actually shy, and this is not something I'm used to." She laughed as if at a secret joke between us but I had no clue what she was talking about. I gave her a puzzled look. "Gosh, I was actually going to wait until you say it...but it looks like it'll take time."

"What do you mean?"

Our conversation interfered when Roy and Abby joined us. "Guys, I'm hungry. Abby says we can eat onion burgers in El Reno. You up for that?"

"Sure," I chimed, avoiding Rachel's unpleasant look. It dawned on me that she was talking about my fake crush on her. I should have guessed she would hear it sooner or later. Roy was playing his game excellently. My eyes slid on Abby, and then, on her hand intertwined with Roy's. If my heart was made of glass, it would have shattered; but it ached instead.

It was Roy's turn to claim the wheel and Abby rode shotgun.

I sat at a safe distance with Rachel in the back, keeping my gaze out of the window as we made our way to El Reno. She'd touched my hand a few times to get my attention and asked me some questions to maintain a conversation but I usually replied with short answers that made her run out of questions to ask. She probably couldn't tell why I was being this grumpy or if I was too shy.

The car was buried in silence with a low tune in the background. I first cast my eyes on Abby's back. It was bothersome that she was too close yet so far—and this was what we became in a day. I didn't want to imagine what Roy's presence would do to us in the span of a week—a month. I couldn't help the rage rising within me but it quickly backfired. It was fucking my fault. I had no right to hate Roy because he went and confessed to Abby.

We finally arrived at one of the famous onion burger restaurants in El Reno. Roy was talking about how he watched videos on Instagram about these burgers as we walked out of the car and made our way inside. The more he talked the more I lost my appetite.

Then, suddenly, it dawned on me that Abby wasn't with us. I looked behind to find her walking in a distance, texting on her phone. How could she do that? To be invisible to an extent that you've forgotten that she existed? I paused to let her catch up with me. When she did, she tilted her head from the screen and looked at me surprised.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," she replied smilingly. No, Abby, you're not good at pretending.

"You sure? You seem absent."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "My father."

"What did he do?"

"Susan is pregnant."

"Oh," I replied. This wasn't actually bad news but I could imagine how Abby could feel. She didn't even like Susan for stealing the scene and now, a baby. "Maybe things will get better, you know. A baby."

"Susan's baby."

"Your sibling, Ab," I said, slinging an arm around her neck. It happened out of instinct because we hugged each other whenever the other needed it. Though things shifted lately between us. Her eyes found me—they were like the sky with lots of clouds. I wanted to clear them out to see the Sun behind them.

"Yeah," she said weakly. "My father is so happy. I shouldn't ruin it for him. And,"—she let out a breathy laugh—"I'll be gone from their lives when I go to New York."

Before I could deny what she'd said, a call cut our conversation. "Abby. George." I turned my head to see Roy waiting for us with the door held open. "Come on, you can continue on the table."

Unwillingly, I did what he said, mainly because Abby already started walking in that direction. Was this how it was going to be? He was like an elephant sitting right between us. Inside, there were only two tables occupied and I could tell one was the owner of the place since he ordered the workers around with a firm voice.

I sat beside Roy and across from Rachel—as if they already planned it so. I shot Abby a smile, which she returned slimly, and ordered Coke when everyone went for burgers. "Why don't you eat, dude?" Roy asked.

"I'm not hungry," I replied. There were actually two reasons why I didn't want to eat: first, my budget was running out and it was only the sixth day. Abby's hotel cost me a lot so I had to eat less, and crash in the car if I wanted to make money to go around for the rest of the trip. And secondly, I lost my appetite.

He didn't push it. Because he only asked it for the courtesy and he didn't genuinely care. When I gave it a thought, we were good friends with Roy because we were the cool kids. We didn't have much in common but the basketball team pulled us together and we stuck together, for our circles intersected as well. I never knew his true intentions for me—I didn't care. I never gave him a secret, and neither did he. Our friendship wasn't built on trust but on popularity. We shamelessly used each other.

When their orders came, Rachel offered to share with me. Though I told her it wasn't necessary, and that I would order one if I wanted, my stomach sang a different song. So, when they all started to eat, I sort of regretted not taking the offer.

"Can we get another onion burger with fries, please?" Abby suddenly said. As the waiter nodded, we all looked at her in shock. She was too small to be eating double.

"Wow, there's a beast living within you," Roy laughed.

"It's for George," she said, looking at me. "You haven't eaten since breakfast. It's my treat." There were moments that could make you lose control. That you just wanted to ignore the ethics, the rules, and go to hell with it. I wanted to kiss Abby Whittaker at that moment.

"Thank you."

An odd silence conquered the table after my order arrived and we all ate in peace. The burger was so delicious. Or I was too hungry to criticize. When my stomach was full, I leaned back and smiled at Abby. She smiled back. If only I could get the other two out of the picture, everything would be perfect.

Rachel seemed pissed off. Maybe she couldn't handle that I didn't take on her offer but accepted Abby's. Girls were weird creatures so I didn't know for sure.

Afterward, we drove off to Clinton—where we were going to spend the night. Since it was impossible for all of us to stay in the car, they said we could book two rooms in a hotel and split into two. I quickly picked Roy as my roommate, before he could claim Abby. The last thing I could handle was to spend a night with Rachel when Abby was with Roy next-door.

As if the world was plotting against me, they had picked a nice hotel. I shouldn't have been too stubborn and should've taken my mother's credit card when she offered. When Roy went to the receptionist to book two double rooms, Abby approached me. "I'm covering your hotel expenses."

"No need," I replied. "I've got money."

"I already made you spend more than you should when we went to that hotel. My father reactivated my card so it won't be a problem. Don't be a pain in the ass and let me pay, George. Please."

I didn't have the luxury, anyway. She knew it. "Okay. Thanks." I wish a hole swallowed me whole there.

Flashing me a contented grin, she joined Roy. He threw me a glance as if he wasn't really getting what was going on and patted Abby's hand when she took out her card. A conversation went on between them, finalized by a sigh from Abby and a murmur before she came back to me with folded arms. She handed me one of the room cards. "It's his treat. Four of us. He said he's not making me pay."

I flushed in anger and embarrassment. Of course, he didn't. Shit, what did this make me in front of Abby's eyes?

"This makes me feel like shit, you know," she suddenly said, looking at me. "We are equal. It's like he's showing his greatness with his father's money."

Then, Roy joined us, wrapping an arm around Abby, and smiled at me. "Why didn't you tell me you're running short of money?"

"Because I'm not," I replied defensively. "I paid for Abby a few days ago so she was returning the favor."

"You always pay for a girl. Always." He winked at Abby, and she smiled. Why the fuck did she fake around him? "Gotta learn these tactics to get a girl."

"George doesn't need any tactics," Rachel popped in with a smile directed at me. When she held onto my arm, I didn't stop her because it felt like she was the only one who stood up for me. The girl who I'd grown to know suddenly turned into someone I barely knew. My gaze searched for Abby's, hoping that I could catch a glimpse of thoughts passing through her mind but she was laughing at something Roy was saying.

This trip was testing my patience, but I wasn't sure where I would go off.

***

Hello beautiful people!

I have a few chapters in stock and I know I'll cry a few weeks later when the midterms kick in but I still wanted to give an early update to cure Monday Blues. 💙

I'm failing nano, by the way. I am writing but still failing — 50K words is so hard to reach but wish me luck. There might be a miracle because I believe in this story, anyway.

Thank you so much for over 20K reads! I really appreciate it so much. Please keep your votes/comments coming as well 💕

👀

❤️

See you soon!

Sev xx