Chapter 23: Talk

Alex~

I lie on my back staring at the ceiling, the dim yellow glow from the streetlight cutting faint stripes across the room. My sheets are tangled around my legs and my phone is heavy in my hand, screen dark.

It’s past midnight.

Seth’s bed is still empty.

I’ve scrolled through his contact a hundred times without typing a thing. My chest feels hollow, like someone’s scooped everything out and left me with just the echoes. Tracey’s voice keeps playing in my head—then why does it feel like you’re lying to me?

The door handle turns and I flinch before I can help it.

The door eases open and Seth steps inside, shutting it softly behind him. His hair’s damp like he showered at the gym, his hoodie sleeves pushed to his elbows. He looks tired in a way that goes deeper than practice—shoulders tight, mouth pressed in a line.

He notices I’m awake and pauses in the low light. “Hey,” he says quietly, voice rough, like he hasn’t spoken in hours.

I swallow. “Hey.”

He sets his bag down by his bed.