CHAPTER 22

DEREK

I stared at Antonio and Mirabel from the door.

My friend gazed back at me, but Mirabel didn't. She just took her eyes elsewhere, getting comfy on Antonio's lap.

And the sight of this was beginning to eat me up.

"What's up? " Antonio asked, running his hand in Mirabel's hair, and petting her.

I held back my feelings towards this, pulling myself together. I needed to be calm than getting annoyed.

Cooling my mood, I asked Antonio, " I thought you said you'd head home as soon as we arrived?"

"Oh, shoot! That's true, " He exclaimed, lifting Mirabel's head off his lap and jumping out of bed.

"I haven't been at home for days. I promised my parents I'd be home today, " He shared, smiling at me then at Mirabel.

When he said that, Mirabel's face came all dull. She stared at Antonio with sadness in her eyes, like she was begging him not to leave her alone.

And my friend noticed this mood from Mirabel.

He smiled at her, cupping her face, saying, "Hey, don't worry. You're home now. I just