Page 44 of Sunset Catchers

“I didn’t know it was a bruise.”

Fair. This hurt doesn’t show as mottled skin on my body; it is a tissue-deep hematoma. It’s an invisible bleed inside my chest.

“Whatever, Levi. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He wants to say something more, but he just dips his chin, remorsefully slumped.

I get it that it bothers him, not being able to know the big details of my life. But that’s the best I can offer him right now; the small stuff.

And if that’s not enough for him, I don’t know where that leaves us.

11

Babe, what’s with the sad puppy face?”

The sight of Junie’s angelic face immediately chases away some of my glumness. My best friend always has this effect on me; she is a balm that soothes my hurts. Plus, she kind of looks like a literal angel with her—completely fake and extremely expensive to upkeep—blonde hair and hazel eyes.

Her mouth is set in a worried line while she roams my face through the screen of my tablet, trying to learn the reason behind my sulkiness.

“I just got into a small scuffle with Levi.”

“Lay it on me.” I shake my head, shrugging my shoulders loosely.

“I don’t know. I thought we were becoming sort of friends, but I’m not sure it’s going to work out.”

“How, so?”

“Yesterday, we went to the beach together, and he served me an interrogation on all of my favorite things. I answered every one of his questions and even told him something of my own volition. The thing about horror movies.”

“That’s great. You grow girl.” I snort, since I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this exact same phrase written on a plant pot.

“Still, today after he brought me to his friend’s place for brunch—.”

“Wait, he brought you to brunch?” I recognize the glimmer of interest, making the dots of green in her irises overtake the brown.

“Actually, I drove us there, so technically, I brought us to brunch.”

She winces. “Oh, no. The poor man. Did he survive your unhinged driving?”

“He did!”

Junie waits.

“He also insisted on driving us back afterward,” I confess.

“Of course he did,” she says while getting a faraway look. Probably remembering the one—okay, several times I had to jerk on the brakes because I was trailing someone way too closely. If people would only, you know, use the gas pedal. “Please, continue on,” she prompts.

“Then, he made a jab about how I was closed up.”

She hums, rolling her lips together.

“Did you…did you hear what I just said?”

“I did.”

“Okay!” She says nothing. “Quick question: why then, are you not destroying Levi’s persona right now?”

I’m confused is all. Junie does finally say something.