All Chapters of Excluded and Uninvited: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I quit the group chat, only for my phone to buzz with a notification.It was a message from Clarice Bell. “What is it this time?"I stared at her text for a long time. This time?So that was all this was to Clarice. Every time I felt hurt, it was just another moment of being dramatic. I didn’t reply to her text message. Out in the living room, Kyle Tenner’s laughter echoed from the door. “Clarice, I got you your favorite iced Americano, easy on the ice, no sweetener.” Clarice took the drink, her tone casual. “Thanks.” Spotting me, Kyle paused and chuckled. “Oh, I wasn’t expecting to see you here, James. I thought you’d be working late tonight.” I slapped my phone face down on the table. “This is my place.” The smile on Kyle’s face froze before the tension along his facial lines eased. “I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t take this the wrong way.” Clarice met my gaze. “It was just an offhand remark. What’s with the attitude?” I chuckled softly. “Am I wrong, though?”

My eyes dropped to the paper bag. It had a blue cover featuring Lake Tahoe. Before, I would’ve just given in. It was a little habit of mine to keep my train tickets, admission tickets, and photos in a journal. The journal from our high school graduation trip still sat on the top shelf of my bookcase.It held the first picture we ever took as a group.That was the first time Clarice ever wrote anything to me. “From now on, you’re coming with me wherever I go.” I lowered my gaze. “No, thanks.” Kyle’s arm was left hanging in the air. “Do you despise me or something?” Clarice’s voice was laced with criticism. “James, he’s hurting.” I replied, “How so?” Kyle’s eyes glistened with tears. “Forget it. I’ll just go, Clarice. I don’t want to be the reason you’re fighting.” Clarice glanced at me before grabbing her jacket. “I’ll walk him out.” I didn’t stop her. The door shut with a soft click. Yet somehow, that moment seemed to carry away the last trace of warmth i

I hadn’t even been gone for a minute. With that, I dialed Clarice’s number. The call was connected right away, and Clarice’s angry voice rang through. “So you finally decided to talk?” I asked, “Where’s the journal?” She paused. “Home.” “Snap a picture and send it to me.” “James, must you be so aggressive? Kyle feels bad enough.” I clutched my phone. “Just send me the photo.” The line went quiet for a few seconds. Then Kyle’s sobbing voice came in the background. “I’m sorry, James. I didn’t mean to. I thought it was junk and put it on the table because it looked old, but coffee got on it.” I closed my eyes. “Clarice, pass the phone to him.” Clarice didn’t sound pleased. “What are you trying to do?” “I want to ask him why he felt the need to go through my suitcase.”Kyle’s crying grew louder. “I wasn’t digging through your stuff. I wanted to pack you a scarf. I swear that was all.Clarice said, “He’s only trying to help. Stop assuming the worst of people.” I

“James’ scarf was hanging on the clothes rack. How did you even know he had the journal tucked away in the inner compartment of his suitcase?” Discoloration washed over Kyle’s face. Clarice closed the journal, her voice icy. “Kyle, you’d better not be lying to me.” …The next day, two girls joined us on the trail. One went by Anne, and the other was Rosie. They kept up a lively chatter without overstepping any boundaries. Anne asked, “Do you work freelance? You seem really good at planning travel itineraries.” I grinned. “I made them often in the past, though they rarely came in handy.” Rosie uttered, “That’s a shame.” I nodded. “It is.” My phone buzzed. It was a call from an unknown number. I took the call but kept my silence. Clarice’s voice came on. “It’s me, James.” I hung up. Seconds later, a text message arrived. “I know you’re in Tahoe. I wasn’t tracking you. Your shared trip details were still visible in the travel app. That’s all. I’ll find som

I looked back at Clarice. “Don’t give me more reasons to hate you, Clarice.” Her fingers stiffened. I yanked my hand free As the door swung shut, I saw Clarice standing in the wind, looking as though it finally registered that I was never coming back. …The next morning, Kyle showed up too. Dressed in white, Kyle wheeled his suitcase and stood in front of the lodge, his eyes swollen as if he had been crying all night. “James, let’s have a talk.” Clarice approached from the side, her expression more dreadful than his. “What are you doing here?” Kyle met her gaze. “Why shouldn’t I be here if you are?” Standing on the steps, I just found the whole thing absurd. In the past, Clarice and Kyle wouldn’t take me along on their trips. Yet, here they were, coming to me one after another. Kyle took a few steps toward me. “James, I know you blame me, but you can’t take Clarice away from me.” I broke into a grin. “When was she ever yours?” His jaw locked. “That’s not wh