Adrianna
My heart is hammering at a thousand miles an hour as I watch him walk away, thankful that he left before Eva made it over. That would have been highly awkward, as the last thing I want is my friends to know that I let that creep get to me the way he has.
The door at the other end of the corridor swings open and Eva comes marching through with bags of snacks, brow furrowing when she sees me standing half in the corridor.
“Everything alright?” she asks as she approaches.
I nod. “Yeah, just had my bag dropped off,” I lie, nodding to the bags just past the doorway.
“Fair enough. I’ve got snacks.” She holds the bags up. “I think there’s enough to feed your immense appetite.”
I laugh at that, some of the tension easing. “Possibly,” I say, looking at the bags, which are stuffed full of chips and candy. “Although if Azira arrives soon, we’ll be in trouble.” I nod at the door. “Come on in.”
I slump down on the sofa, and Eva makes herself at home next to me.
“So no clue as to why we’ve come back a day early?”
Eva purses her lips. “I just really want to tell you all together.”
I nod. “Fair enough. I can wait, but don’t expect Azira to be so understanding. She’ll badger you constantly until Nat gets here.”
Eva sighs. “I can imagine she will.”
“What movie do you want to watch?” I ask.
“Whatever, I’m not bothered.”
My brow furrows. “How come you never pitch in on what you want to watch? You must have a preference?”
Eva sits up a little straighter, her cheeks flushing a bit. “If I’m honest, the kind of movies you guys watch aren’t really my thing.”
“Chick flicks?” I confirm.
She nods.
“Thank God, because they’re not mine either. What movies do you like?”
“I generally love a good thriller. Something with lots of suspense.”
“Have you watched Gone Girl?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, but I’ve heard it’s good. I want to see it.”
“It’s amazing. That’s what we are watching,” I say.
“Sounds good to me.”
I select the film on the TV and play it, settling in with a bag of potato chips. And suddenly I feel a little more at ease with Eva. It turns out we have one thing in common, our love for a good thriller. I’ve got nothing against chick flicks now and again, but they don’t exactly have much substance.
After half an hour of the movie, my phone dings and I check it.
“Azira is here. Shall I tell her we’re in my room?”
Eva purses her lips. “She’s going to ruin the movie, isn’t she?”
I laugh. “Yeah, but we can watch the rest another time?”
She looks disappointed, but nods. “I guess. I’m already really into it.”
“I promise, we’ll find some time to watch the rest when we won’t get disturbed.”
Within minutes, there’s a rap at the door. I get up and open it to find Azira standing there with wide eyes. “Where is she? What’s the news?”
I sigh heavily. “She’s not telling us until we’re all here.”
Azira pushes inside. “Eva, you can’t do that. I’m dying to find out here. Have you won the lottery or something?”
Eva laughs. “No, patience. Nat will be here soon, I hope.”
Azira sits on the armchair, brow furrowed. “That’s not fair. She’ll be at least a couple of hours.” Her attention moves to the screen where Eva has paused the movie. “What are you watching?”
“Gone Girl,” I reply.
“Oh my God, I love that film.” She settles in. “Well, don’t pause it on my account. At least it will be something to keep my mind off of whatever you’re going to tell us.” She glares at Eva. “It’s very unfair to tell someone you’ve got huge news and then not spill it immediately.”
“Why? Is that some rule?” Eva replies.
“No, but it should be.” Azira notices the bag of food. “Pass me some snacks.”
I throw the bag at her and she selects a few before tossing it onto the coffee table in the middle.
“Let’s get this movie started,” Azira says.
“It’s part way through,” I warn.
Azira waves her hand dismissively. “I’ve already seen it about three times. I know what’s going on.”
We all settle in and start the movie, watching in silence. It’s surprising that Azira is into this, as I always thought it was her that only liked chick flicks. I try my best to keep my mind off of Coach, his visit and the gift he gave me, but it’s almost impossible.