Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 8

Jason to be specific. Morgan and I dared him to walk on a frozen lake that had warning signs posted all around the perimeter. He obviously fell through. We got him out before any real damage could be done, but there were still consequences. Jason blamed me more than he blamed Morgan. I guess I joked about the dare first, but even if I hadn't, I have a feeling Jason would've sided with Morgan anyway.

People always side with Morgan.

"You're gonna tell me that story at some point," Clara says.

"I will." I won't. Not if I want to keep her as a friend.

Nathan's eyes are wide as he studies me. "Well... let's not do that and head to Poems and Tales instead."

Clara nods her head vigorously, but where Nathan looks at me, Clara looks at Nathan. Before he can see it, she's turning away. "Yeah. Let's head back to Poems and Tales."

Clara lets me take the passenger seat while she settles in the backseat. We're just shutting the doors when my phone starts ringing. I dig it out of my pocket, staring at Hannah's name on the screen. I let it ring for a few more seconds before answering.

"Hello?"

"Are you coming home soon?" she asks.

I check the time on my phone. It's a little past four. "No. Why? Do you need me home?"

"Not need, but it's getting late, don't you think?" No. I don't think. Not that I would say that, but I don't have to because Hannah keeps talking. "The sun will set in like an hour. Don't you think it'd be... safer... if you got home sooner than later? You promised not to stay out too late, remember?"

"Well, yeah, but—"

"So you're coming home?"

There's a desperation in her voice that makes me shut up. I don't have to see her expression to know she has a worried look on her face. I think that's the only expression I really get from her these days. It's practically ingrained into the back of my eyelids. I can't blame her for it, though.

"Yeah, sure," I say. "I'll be right there."

Hannah lets out a breath. "I'll see you soon."

I nod like she can see me. "Yeah. See you soon."

I hang up and clutch my phone to my chest as I stare at the dashboard. My mind goes blank, and it feels like I'm not even here right now. Yet I can still feel Nathan and Clara watching me while the engine idles.

I take a deep breath, turning to them. "My sister wants me home." I focus on Nathan. "You don't have to drive me. I can walk."

Nathan ignores the last sentence, already driving towards Hannah's house. "I didn't realize you meant you had to go home this early when you said you couldn't stay out as late as you did last night."

Frankly, I didn't either. "Overprotective big sister."

Clara scoffs. "I think this is a lot more than being overprotective."

I shrug. "Hannah cares a lot."

Nathan glances at me. "Sounds like a good older sister."

A better one than me.

When Nathan parks in front of the house, Clara pokes her head between the two front seats and asks, "Is it cool if we hang out with you here? You're home, so it's not like you're breaking any rules."

I hesitate. After this morning, I don't know if I want Nathan and Clara to interact with my family. Maybe it'll make Hannah trust them a little more, but I don't want her scrutinizing them all the time and scaring them away. Not to mention Kate's strange mood this morning when we were talking about whether I'll keep hanging out with them. I think Clara's already weirded out enough.