True Colors (The Masks #1)(11)

No, she was sad for me, but...but the longer I looked, the more I saw the sadness slip away. It was like a layer of falsehood fell off her expression and I could see the quiet glee. I gasped and sat back from her.

“Caity, are you okay?” Her voice sounded concerned, but her irritated frown told me something completely different. She didn’t want to have to deal with her upset friend right now. She didn’t even care that Chase was being a jerk...she was happy about it.

“Stella...” I didn’t know what to say to her. I shook my head, bile surging in my stomach.

“Caitlyn?” Stella patted my back. “You look kind of pale. Please don’t puke on my carpet, okay?” She said it with a giggle, but her expression told me not to dare become sick near her.

What the hell was wrong with people today? Why was everyone so mad with me?

“I gotta go.” I jerked off the bed and nearly crashed into the door. Wrestling with the handle, I finally yanked it open and made a beeline for the door.

“Caity?” Stella rushed after me. I didn’t want to, but couldn’t help myself; I paused at the door and turned to look at her. Her brow was creased with worry, her lips slightly parted. There she was. The Stella I knew and loved, but once again, the longer I looked, the more I could see. As her worry slipped away, I saw it all - her irritation with my pathetic, crying self, and her complete lack of concern for me.

Bereft of words, I flung the door shut and raced down the stairs. This day was too weird. Why were the people closest to me acting like selfish jerks?

Finding a steady rhythm, I made it back to the beach quickly. Nature and exercise usually calmed me. It sort of worked, but by the time I hit the sand, my head was killing me. I slowed to a walk, stopping to whip off my shoes, so I could feel the grains between my toes. I scanned the beach, hoping not to see Chase. Thankfully I didn’t spot him amongst the scattered faces. Not wanting to catch anyone’s eye, I kept my head down and focused instead on the lumpy sand and the sound of the ocean.

I made it to the section of beach that was parallel to my house. We were about eight blocks inland and I was more than happy to walk that. I didn’t want to go home yet. I needed the fresh air kissing my skin and I certainly didn’t want to talk to anybody.

I headed up to the road, not taking notice of those around me. I did spot one surfer hustling up the beach out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored him, hunching my shoulders and keeping my eyes on the ground.

“Hey Caitlyn.”

I jolted at his friendly greeting and couldn’t help looking up.

Eric? Why was he talking to me? I stared at his friendly smile and waited...waited for it to slide away and be replaced with something else...like anger or frustration. But nothing. His smile stayed in place only transitioning slightly to a look of genuine concern.

“Hey, are you okay?" He pushed his surfboard into the sand and held it to his side.

"No." I have no idea what compelled me to be honest. I think it was utter confusion at the friendly expression on his face.

"What's up?" He tipped his head, his expression and voice matching perfectly.

I squinted up at him, my sore eyes and head making me unaware of his luscious form. Maybe I was imagining Chase and Stella’s reactions to me. Maybe I was just projecting.

No, wait a sec. That doesn’t work. If today was normal then Eric Shore would not be looking at me as if he were interested in what I had to say.

"You're not an asshole." I shook my head, rubbing at my aching temples.

"Um...” He frowned, but not a mean one, more like a confused, comical one. “Okay, uh thank you? I think.” His brows dipped together and he grinned. “How am I supposed to respond to that?"

"You're not.” I waved my hand, feeling out of it. “It's just...why are you being nice to me?"

His hazel eyes softened. “Because I've never seen you look so pale. Plus I'm a nice guy.” He shrugged, putting on a nonchalant air, but I saw straight through it. Was he blushing?

"No, you're not a nice guy.” What did I just say? Where was this honesty coming from? “You're always ignoring me."

He pursed his lips and looked out to the ocean, wrinkling his nose. “That’s only because you're always with your friends...and your friends seem to make a past time of drooling over me. I'm not a huge fan of being mentally undressed every time I step out my front door.”

I loved his answer and if I hadn’t been feeling so sick I would have smiled and no doubt giggled like his little sister always does. Instead I went for sarcasm and rolled my eyes. “It must suck being so good looking."

"Well, you should know." He grinned.

I don’t know how I remained standing. Was he flirting with me right now? My eyes must have been totally bugging out, because he kind of snickered and looked to the ground, trying to hide the fact he’d just blown his cover, but I saw it. He thought I was cute.

Eric Shore thought I was cute!

"This day could not get any weirder,” I mumbled.

His steady gazed pierced me, his concern obvious. I didn’t think he’d be that interested in me explaining it all and to be honest, I didn’t even know if I could. I had no idea what was going on. I was freaked out, tired, aching and confused. I just wanted to crawl into bed and forget this day had even started.