Eliana's POV
The air was chilly when I stepped outside, compelling me to wrap my arms around myself. I immediately regretted not reaching for a jacket after I'd gotten Professor Matthews'—Derrick’s text to meet up. I'd been on my bed, as I had for the last five hours, when I got the text. After calling Wade and using a false sickness as an excuse to miss work, I'd spent the rest of the evening and the first few hours of the night cooped up in bed. But my thoughts denied me the rest I hoped to get.
I might as well be really sick because I felt nothing close to being okay. The only thing that chose to spare me from its presence that evening was tears. No matter how overwhelming the thoughts that weighed on my mind were, the tears refused to turn up. And that was what I needed the most.
