ASMTD Ch. 06

"Might be from the outside," Em says, throwing plastic Guinness bags on her bed. "Hey, Rai!"

I nod and finish off the sentence I'd been writing, saving it, before shutting down my computer. "See you all went shopping."

"Nick wanted a t-shirt from the Guinness factory," Zora says, flopping on her bed and cracking open her laptop. Three minutes later, the nightmare of Nick and Zora trying to hump each other through the computer screen begins. "Hey, baby," she cooes, effectively ignoring the rest of us.

I turn to Kate, needing a distraction before I reach over and toss the computer out of the window. If I have to see that skin covering Zora's computer with the picture of her and Nick doing a selfie kiss again, I'll shoot myself. "What'd you get?"

She dumps out the bags as Em does the same, the ladies taking turns showing off the gifts they'll give to their loved ones. I haven't been able to do the same thing because I have to travel. Carrying what would end up being a backpack full of gifts as I traipse across six countries isn't exactly smart.

"Are you feeling better, Rai?" Em asks as she drags her suitcase onto her bed and begins packing.

I told the Joanna and Zayne I had stomach pains yesterday because I knew I'd be spending the day with Leo. The lie carried to the girls and I saw no reason to correct them. Thank God I didn't or we'd be talking about Leo leaving.

"Yeah," I reply. "Threw up. Got it over with."

"Think it was the sushi yesterday?"

"Who knows?" I shrug. "Did Zayne and Joanna tell you where we're having our end of the program dinner thing?"

"No, but I think we're headed over there as a group."

"Okay. Know what time?"

Em shakes her head as she folds a sweatshirt and stuffs it between two pint glasses.

I feign looking at the time, but check my texts. Not a single one from Leo. No missed calls either. Expecting it and seeing it are two different things; the latter always hurt more. Without a second thought I delete his information and turn off my phone.