Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
He studies me, his expression softening. "And you think you do?"
I swallow thickly, unable to meet his concerned gaze. "It's all I've got left."
Arrow moves closer, gently placing his hands on my shoulders. The warmth and steadiness of his touch almost undoes me. "You're not alone, Junebug. You never were."
I want to lean into him, to admit how exhausted I am from carrying this weight alone, but the darkness I've waded into feels contagious. Arrow doesn't deserve this burden. He's always been my safe place, my dependable, slightly nerdy counterpart. Dragging him down isn't an option.
Instead, I summon a shaky smile. "Okay, fine. You can help, and order a pizza."
He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"Extra cheese," I call out as he retreats to the kitchen to place the order.
The moment he's out of sight, I open my laptop. My screen illuminates instantly, revealing the dark web forum I've been frequenting. Tonight, an anonymous vigilante expert has agreed to meet me to discuss tracking down Arby's murderers.
The sound of Arrow's footsteps jolts me back, and I snap the laptop closed guiltily.
"What were you doing?" he asks suspiciously, setting the laptop aside gently. His brown eyes search mine carefully. "Juno?"
My heart thuds heavily. I've never been able to lie convincingly to Arrow, but the alternative—admitting the lengths I've gone—is unbearable. "Nothing," I say quietly, my voice thick with deception.
We lapse into silence when the pizza arrives, the familiar aroma breaking some tension. We eat quietly, Netflix playing softly in the background, an old favorite series that we both know by heart.
"Seen this one already," I tease gently.
Arrow shrugs. "Familiarity is comforting."
Comforting. That's Arrow in a nutshell. He's steady ground beneath my crumbling feet, and recently I've found myself noticing him differently. The easy, boyish smile, the warmth in his eyes when he laughs. But it feels wrong to even think about romance while Arby's killers still walk free.
Arrow catches me staring, tilting his head curiously. "Something on my face, Junebug?"
Heat creeps up my neck, and I quickly look away. "Just pity," I joke weakly.
He grins, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil inside me. "I'll take it."
As we settle deeper into the couch, an unsettling calm descends. It's as though, for just a moment, the ugliness of reality is held at bay. Arrow's presence has always made the unbearable feel slightly manageable.
"Thanks," I whisper.
"For what?" His voice is soft, genuine confusion flickering in his gaze.
"For always being here. I don't say it enough."
Arrow smiles, eyes glinting. "Always, Junebug."
Later, after he leaves, the emptiness returns instantly, swallowing me whole. I open my laptop again, pulse racing as I see a new message from my mysterious contact:
"Ready to catch your sister's killers? Meet me tonight at midnight."
My breath catches. This is dangerous. Reckless. But my desperation outweighs any caution. "I'll be there," I reply quickly.
Glancing at Arrow's empty spot beside me, guilt stings my throat. If he knew what I'm planning, he'd stop me. Maybe I secretly hope he will. But I can't let Arby's death remain unavenged. The ache of her absence is unbearable; it shadows every waking moment. I owe it to her to find closure, even if it costs me everything.
With shaky resolve, I close my laptop. Tomorrow, everything might change. Tonight, though, the familiar loneliness is all I have.
2
Arrow
I walk into my apartment and toss my keys on the cluttered entryway table, narrowly avoiding knocking over a precarious tower of mail and pizza coupons. My roommate, Gage, sprawls across our couch, staring intensely at his video game. The glow from the TV reflects off his glasses, and the room is filled with the sound of explosions and robotic taunts.
"You're home early," Gage observes, without taking his eyes from the screen.
"Yeah, pizza and Netflix didn't run too late tonight," I reply, sinking into the armchair across from him.
Gage finally pauses his game, turning his full attention to me. "How's Juno doing? Any better?"
I rub my temples, the worry for Juno still gnawing at my gut. "Not really. She’s putting up a brave front, but I can tell she's struggling. Losing Arby...it's destroyed her."
Gage gives me a sympathetic look, his voice softer. "Have you finally told her yet?"
I frown, feigning ignorance even though I know exactly what he's getting at. "Told her what?"
"Come on, man." Gage tosses the controller aside and leans forward. "Have you admitted to her that you're head over heels in love with her yet?"
My face flushes hot, and I glance away. Gage has known about my feelings for Juno since freshman year, probably longer than I have myself. Gage and I met on the first day of high school, and he knows Juno well. We were inseparable. But this isn’t the time. It can’t be. "Now isn't exactly the moment for that conversation. She just lost her sister, Gage."