EIGHTY-SEVEN

“I – What do you mean?” I pressed a hand flat against my stomach and his eyes followed the movement so I let my hand drop. “Right about what?” To draw his attention away from my suspicious movement, I continued to question him.

“When you said –“ His words dragged. “When you said I would fall first.” It had been a poorly thought out joke that didn’t even evoke a ghost of a smile on his lips so why was he bringing it up now?

“Oh – That. Haha.” My laughter sounded strained in my ears. “That was just –“ I continued to laugh, trying to brush aside the topic but then realization struck me silent. “Ah – I don’t –“ I didn’t know what to say. All I could do was murmur some words as my heart pounded harder and swallowing became difficult.

“Are you saying – I was right?” I chanced a glance at his face but went back to staring at the spot beside him, unable to look him in the eye.

“It depends,” he said in a soft voice, settling beside me. Suddenly, I became hyperaware of him. I felt his body heat