Chapter 22 Traveling
I cleared my truth as I said. “There’s this jewelry show tomorrow,” I said, looking between them. “It’s supposed to be really unique. Thought maybe you’d want to come with me?”
t
Noel looked up from his phone, his
expression unreadable, and I felt a flicker of hope. Adrian, too, paused what he was doing beside Avery, his gaze briefly meeting mine. For a second, I could see us together, the three of us laughing and enjoying ourselves, maybe even grabbing a late dinner afterward to talk about all the ridiculous, over–the–top pieces we’d seen.
But then, Noel’s eyes slid over to Avery.
“Actually… we told Avery we’d hang out,” he
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said, almost apologetic. “We’ve been kind of behind on plans with her, you know?”
I felt my stomach drop a little. I tried to keep my voice light, pretending it didn’t matter. “Oh. Right, of course. I get it.
“Yeah, sorry, Cynthia, Adrian added with a slight shrug, giving Avery a small, affectionate smile. “We can catch the next one, maybe? It’s just… we already promised her.”
I nodded, fighting to keep my
disappointment from showing. I didn’t want them to see how much it hurt, how I felt like a kid left out of a game. “No, it’s fine, I said quickly, plastering a smile on my face. “I totally understand. You guys. have fun.”
But the sting was there, sharp and undeniable. I tried to ignore the
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uncomfortable knot in my stomach as I headed to my bedroom. Lying in bed later, staring at the ceiling, I felt foolish for being so affected. It was just a jewelry show. It wasn’t a big deal, really–so why did it feel like I’d lost something more?
I woke up early that morning, still a little stung from last night.I knew they didn’t care about glitz or designer pieces, but I d hoped they still cared about me even if it was just a little. Instead, they’d made some excuse about wanting to spend time with Avery again. I tried to ignore the feeling it stirred up, that gnawing insecurity that seemed to creep in more and more whenever she was around.
Still, today was going to be different. Miami was alive and humming, and I wasn’t going to let last night’s rejection ruin my mood. I left my bedroom and moved toward the
kitchen, my bare feet cool against the marble floors of our apartment. I froze as I caught Avery’s voice drifting from around the corner.
I heard “… she’s so uptight, you know her murmur, her tone sweet but sharp–edged.
Ledged closer, quietly stepping just near the doorway, enough to overhear but not be seen. She was on the phone.
“She’s so self important, like she’s the only one who matters,” she continued.
“It’s no wonder Noel and Ade spend so much time with me now.”
Mina’s voice crackled faintly on the other end of the line, and Avery giggled, the sound making my skin prickle. I had to take a deep breath, trying to swallow down the growing ache of her words. I’d always felt that
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Avery didn’t like me, but I’d never imagined she would be so… cruel about it. The fact that Noel and Ade didn’t see through her manipulative charm stung even more.
When I finally walked into the room, she ended the call with a smile, her eyes darting toward Noel and Ade, who were perched on the kitchen stools, watching her with fond amusement. Avery glanced up at me, her grin widening.
“Oh, Cynthia, you’re just in time!” she chirped, holding out a plate toward me. Nestled on it was a neatly frosted cupcake.
“I made these myself.”
I forced a smile, even as something in me recoiled. I didn’t want to indulge her–didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. But Noel and Ade were watching me expectantly, their
expressions so relaxed, so… trusting. Did they not see what I did?
“Cynthia, come on,” Ade said, urging me with
a smirk. “Don’t be rude. You’ve been… distant lately. It’s not a big deal to try one, right?”
The remark stung, and before I could respond, Noel chimed in.
“Yeah, you should at least taste it. Avery went to the trouble of making these for us.” His tone was casual, but his gaze held a subtle challenge. They weren’t asking–they were demanding, their eyes silently accusing me of looking down on her.
I bit back a sigh, knowing that no answer I gave would satisfy them. So, reluctantly, I reached out, taking one of the small cupcakes. I took a hesitant nibble, hoping a small taste would be enough to make them.
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As soon as the flavor hit my tongue, alarm shot through me. Almond. I could taste it immediately, that distinct, slightly bitter taste. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Avery, what’s in this?” I asked, desperately trying to hide my panic.
She blinked, looking slightly taken aback.
“Oh, just a touch of almond extract, she replied breezily. “For flavor.”
The fear rose in my throat, thick and suffocating. “I–I’m I’m,” I managed to choke out, tossing the cupcake aside as the reaction began to set in.
Noel scowled, his expression darkening. “What’s wrong with you, Cynthia? Avery put
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effort into these, and you’re just… throwing it on the ground?”
I could barely hear him. My throat was starting to feel tight, my breathing more labored. I didn’t have time to argue, didn’t have time to explain. I turned away. shakily grabbing my phone, dialing 911 as I felt my hands trembling.
Through the haze of my panic, I could hear Avery’s voice in the background, a faint thread of feigned concern winding through her tone. “Why is she acting like that? Was my cupcake really that bad? Is she usually this dramatic?”
“No. Avie, your cupcake is amazing, Cynthia is just….” Adrian trailed off with gritted teeth.
Noel slow, exasperated murmur reached me. “It s Cynthia. You know how she is.”
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The operator picked up, and I managed to tell them my address and explain my reaction, though my words felt thick and heavy. I could feel my vision swimming as the reaction took hold. But I couldn’t forget the last thing I’d overheard: the dismissive indifference in their voices as they spoke about me, as though I were nothing more than an inconvenience interrupting their perfect morning.
I stumbled to the living room and dropped onto the couch, waiting for the help I knew was coming. The irony of it was almost laughable. Here I was, fighting for air in my own home, the place that was supposed to be safe–a place I had built with them, where I should feel loved, protected.
Noel and Ade finally came over, their expressions more annoyed than concerned.
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Ade knelt beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder as though to keep me still. “Jesus Christ, Cynthia, why do you have to be so fucking dramatic about everything?” he said, his tone irritated rather than reassuring.
I glanced at him, my breath hitching painfully. I couldn’t believe it–couldn’t believe any of it. These were the two people I’d given everything to, the two people I trusted most. And in my moment of vulnerability, they stood there, indifferent
Avery watched from the doorway, her expression unreadable, but her lips were curled into a subtle, satisfied smile.
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