Understanding

Gabe

Stumbling to my feet, all of the blood rushes to my head and the world spins. I focus on Olivia’s jacket on the chair across the room and try to get a grip.

“Please stop spinning,” I breathe.

A firm grip steadies me and my eyes slide over Odis by my side. His hands hold me up as he looks at everything but me.

I swallow.

Breathe.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

I can do this.

“You can’t,” the darkness whispers. For Ady… I can pretend for today.

“You look like shit,” Odis grumbles, “and you smell even worse if that’s possible.” My lip curls on one side. Funny. I probably do. “You need to be presentable for Luna,” he says quietly.

I nodded unsure of what I can say. No words are spoken between the two of us for a while but I know the almighty stone-faced Odis is my friend for a few moments. And I almost cry, knowing there’s someone else who mourns her as much as I do. Having him close feels like the closest I’ve been to her since…