Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 16

Nathan practically slams the journal down on the counter. "You have to read this tomorrow."

It started to snow, so we moved to Poems and Tales. Most of the room glances in our direction, giving us curious looks before turning back to their own work.

Clara leans across the counter and hits Nathan in the shoulder. "Calm down. I like it, too, but I'm not embarrassing her."

Nathan gestures to the poem. "But you agree it's good, so she should read it tomorrow."

I laugh nervously, taking my journal back. "I'd rather not."

Nathan's smile slips. "Why not?"

"I could barely get the story out to you guys. How can I read an entire poem about Morgan to a crowd of strangers?"

His expression softens. "I think if they don't know the story, they probably can't guess what the poem is about."

Clara leans towards us and holds the back of her hand against the side of her mouth. She stage-whispers, "That's why you talk about it."

Nathan ignores her, smiling at me. "So what do you say? Do you wanna read it tomorrow?"

I press my hands together, tucking them between my thighs as I cross my legs. "No... but I guess I'll give it a try."

Nathan's smile widens. "You're gonna do great."

I let out a breath. "I hope so." I eye Nathan's journal. "It's probably nothing compared to your poem, though." I glance at Nathan. "Can I read it?"

"No." I blink, and Nathan gives me a sheepish smile, his cheeks turning a light shade of red. He shuts the journal and pulls it towards him for good measure. "You'll hear it tomorrow."

"Why can't I read it now?" I ask. "You got to read mine."

He shakes his head. "You'll... hear it tomorrow."

I frown. "Right because that's fair."

Clara laughs, propping her head up on the counter. "Wow, I didn't think I'd ever hear you be sarcastic."

I shrug. "Old habit."

She nods, her eyes narrowing. "And when you read texts... Are those from Morgan?" I nod. "Is that an old habit, too?"

"No. I've been doing that since Morgan died."

Clara straightens. I see the questions in her eyes, but I feel like I've been talking about myself for too long. I feel like I've been talking about Morgan for too long.

"You seemed upset about not being close with your siblings, Nathan," I say before Clara can ask anything else.

Nathan shrugs, adjusting his jacket. "It's hard not to be. They're my siblings. Of course, I want to be close to them, but I still can't separate them from everything else that happened."

Clara frowns, resting her crossed arms on the counter. "The affair isn't their fault."

Nathan gives her an exasperated look. "I know it's not their fault. But knowing something and feeling something aren't the same thing."

"Maybe being around them will help you feel differently," I say.

Clara smiles at me. "You should take your own advice."

I know she's right, but it's a lot easier said than done. Especially with everything that happened and everything that's still going through my head. I'm about to say so, but my phone rings on the countertop. I pull it towards me and frown. I check the time. It's barely six, so why is Hannah already calling?