26. A Realization

"Ari." Seb's soft voice brings hot tears to my eyes. Of course, he knows where I am. Even if Dina or Dave hadn't told him. He always knows. "I need to see you. Can I go there, please?"

"Seb, I---" I begin, but the words stick in my throat. "I'm sorry but I don't really want to see you right now."

I'm still so ashamed about what happened. Last night, I really thought about it, and I am scared for him, too. Who knows what secrets of his will be revealed to the world? Maybe...maybe if I stayed away from him, away from the others, too, the blackmailer won't target them. I even had to file a leave of absence from school just to do exactly that.

I hear Seb's sigh on the other line, "Okay..." he says begrudgingly, and I almost smile at the thought that he's pouting right now, "But A, not for long, okay? I miss you. We miss you. You know we do stupid things when you're not around...so once we get all this stuff figured out, you better come back to us. Do you hear me?"

I blink, "Wh--what