Before our groupâs hideout comes into view, a foreign voice makes me stop in my tracks. Itâs a female voice which was the last thing I expected to hear.
After convincing myself I was fine and taking some time to collect myself, I decided to stop wallowing in self-pity and pick Jamie up on his offer. I also felt like I owed him an apology for my rude behavior earlier. It was unlike myself and he didnât deserve that. Besides, I kind of wanted to check up on Elija, make sure I didnât make him uncomfortable or anything, and see if we were okay.
Now here I am, spying past a tree to see whoâs at our place. After all, we did choose it to be away from others right? Not that I mind hanging out with strangers but the guys said it was for Marcusâ sake. I hope no one followed them here. Marcus would probably be upset and Iâm sure no one wants to look for a new spot to hang out the last two nights. Not with Liam.
What I didnât expect to see was the guys hanging out with a girl Iâve never seen before while Elija sits apart from them, laughing with another girl. I hate the way my stomach tightens uncomfortably. I have no right to feel jealous. Elija is my friend so I should be happy to see him have fun, even when itâs not with me.
With that, I slowly turn back to where I came from. I can accept that Elija doesnât see me as more than a friend or that he has a date or whatever with another girl but I wonât force myself to witness it unless I have to. Nope, Iâll just go back to my tent and call it a night. Might be best to just go to sleep.
Taking the first step away from the guys, I curse myself when a twig snaps beneath my boot.
âHey, whoâs there?â I hear Orion yell. They clearly havenât been able to make me out in the dark and I seriously consider making a run for it. âShow yourself, Creep!â Elsa adds.
With no doubt red cheeks, I turn once more and finally walk up to my friends. Although I do take care not to look at Elija, even as I feel his eyes on me.
âHi,â I say sheepishly. âSorry, didnât mean to scare you. I changed my mind about coming but I think it was a mistake. Iâm kind of tired,â I tell them with a smile.
For the first time ever, I hate it. I hate the stupid smile on my face because with every second I avoid meeting Elijaâs eyes my heart seems to sink a little more. I felt better before coming here but now Iâm barely able to smile at my friends. Especially knowing Elija can tell Iâm wearing a mask makes it that much less appealing to wear. Itâs useless and certainly adds to his impression of me. That Iâm a sensitive, ingenuine wimp. A liar, even.
âNonsense, Flo. Youâre here now, stay a little,â Benji tells me, patting the ground next to him. Groaning inwardly, I sit down next to him.
âHi, Iâm Florence,â I finally introduce myself, looking at the girl closest to me before quickly glancing at the blonde girl next to Elija. Even in the dark and with the short second I looked at her I can tell sheâs really pretty. Full cheeks and awake, upturned eyes framed by gold curtain bangs.
Comparing myself to her I canât help but notice weâre opposites. Her features are soft and easy on the eyes while mine are sharp. Too sharp.
No wonder Elija fled my tent.
âIâm Miley. Nice to meet you,â the darkskin girl tells me, a warm smile taking up her whole face. Sheâs just as beautiful but I refuse to beat myself up any further. Without trying, she makes me feel welcomed in my own friend group. It doesnât matter what I look like, these are my friends. Theyâve seen me before and they obviously donât care. Iâm just tired, thatâs why Iâm acting so unlike myself.
âIâm Joe,â the other girl says. I smile at the two of them before Benji picks up a conversation with me and everyone starts doing their own thing.
As the night drags on Iâm barely able to sit upright. Honestly, itâs more exhausting than youâd think to ignore a person youâve gotten used to paying attention to. Especially when his loud laughter mocks me every time I try to relax, reminding me Iâm not the cause for it.
âFlo, did you hear what I said?â Jamie asks. I smile at him apologetically and shake my head.
At some point, my friend sat down on the other side of me and started talking.
âI was just telling you about the time I stuck a Hello Kitty sticker on Orionâs skateboard. He chased me with it afterward, threatening to smash it over my head,â he tells me wistfully before zoning back. âCome here, why donât you lay down?â he asks, motioning to his legs expectantly.
âThat sounds nice,â I tell him, getting ready to lie down even though Iâd rather go back to camp.
âThereâs no need for that,â a voice interrupts me, successfully making me meet the dark eyes Iâve been trying not to think about. âIâm walking Joe back to camp. Come on, Flo,â Elija says. Flo. He called me Flo, not Florence.
Itâs my nickname, I know. It really shouldnât bother me but my tired mind and exhausted heart both protest at the sound of it from his lips. The grim expression on his face doesnât help either.
Averting my eyes, I get up and mutter a quick goodbye to Miley and the guys. Joeâs already a few feet ahead and Elija catches up with her effortlessly, leaving me to trail behind them like a beaten dog. The two of them have a fluent conversation but Iâm too tired to listen to it, much less engage in it.
Halfway back I decide Iâve had enough. This isnât me. Iâm not some pushover to order around and treat like dirt. Iâm Florence fucking Lite and even though Iâm tired I wonât let myself sink that low. With that in mind, I stop in my tracks. As expected, the two people in front of me keep walking, unaware of my change in attitude and I gladly watch them go.
Itâs best they didnât turn to talk to me since Iâm sure I would have regretted speaking my mind right now. Elija might have been rude tonight but thatâs not a reason for me to be as well. I just need to cool off. Alone.