𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 || ✍︎︎

𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

♬ Void - The Neighborhood

☆彡

"I don't do hugs."
"You don't do hugs?"

I stare at Caden, surprisingly shocked by this fact about him.

I put my coffee down, we decided to stop at a café since I was hungry and the chairs are pink.

"So you've just never hugged someone before?" I furrow my eyebrows, I mean, it's not that big of a shock, judging on how he is.

"I have," He says after a moment, looking at the wall behind me. I cock my head. curious now. I ask him when and his answer shocks me to my core. "Fourteen years ago."

I repeat his answer, gaping at him, "How are you not, like, severely depressed?" I ask and he shoots me a confused look. "Everybody needs hugs, it's literally scientifically proven that hugs reduce stress and release dopamine."

He shrugs, "I don't need that."

"You also don't need cigarettes, but I'm surprised when I see you without one." I shoot back, leaning back in my chair. He shoots me a quick glare.

"You're insufferable," He replies. "And you like it." I mock smile, and he doesn't deny it.

My eyes fall on a hooded man walking through the doors, an uneasy feeling forming in my gut.

Maybe it's just paranoia given the last few days, but I can't help fearing something's gonna happen whenever I'm out.

I hate it, I hate feeling this clueless.

His movements are erratic, like he could do anything at any given moment.

I'm being insane.

"Has your father sent anything in the past few days?" The question slips out, but I can't help asking. "No, he's laying low." His reply is smooth, not even paying much attention.

"It's his way of scaring me, or— attempting to. He wants to seem unpredictable."

"Why—"

Shot.

Gunshot.

Screams.

I wasn't being paranoid, and I've never hated being right more than now.

Emerald eyes. Whiskey. Warmth.