The soft feel of Miles' fingers rubbing circles in my shoulders makes me sigh in content."Mmm," I encourage with a smile. "Keep going.""You're tense," he tells me with a frown."It's been a stressful week," I sigh.It's Friday and I could not be happier that this week from hell is almost over. I don't know what was worse, having three assessments all due today, or having Samara continually make snide remarks to me, making me feel worthless. I'm so lucky to have Kiarra and Miles by my side, otherwise, I probably would have had an anxiety attack or an emotional breakdown by now.I had only just accepted the fact that I'd lost my best friend. I didn't expect to gain a bully. I should have expected things to be bad, but I didn't think it would be this bad. It seems like years of friendship mean nothing to her."You definitely don't want to go to the party?" he asks me.I lean back into his touch. He removes his ha

 "Are you staring?""No..." I trail off sheepishly."I think you might be," he teases.I pout. "I can't help it. You're so adorable when you're sleepy."A lazy smile spreads across Miles' face as he peers down at me through his half-closed lid."Thanks, babe."My stomach flutters at his word choice. I reach up and run my fingers through his ashy blond hair. He lets out a deep sound of agreement in the back of his throat, before pushing his head harder into my nails, reminding me of a cat that wants to be scratched.After cuddling up to Miles for longer than I intended, I reluctantly leave him to shower and get changed into a loose sundress. While Miles showers, I head downstairs, to see that Finn is lightly snoring in the lounge room, his mouth open as he lays in an unattractive sprawl.I walk over to him and poke him in the cheek."Ergh," he groans and swats my hand away lethargically."Wake up, slee

 "You're an idiot.""I think you mean charming?""No, I mean idiot," I huff as I grit my teeth together, pulling Finn from out of the passenger seat of my car."I've gone from practice and working out almost every day, to nothing. I need this," he whines to me and pouts, making my glare soften."Yeah, I know," I reply quietly as I loop my hand around his waist, to make sure he doesn't fall, while I fling the door shut with my other. I swiftly press the button on my keys and hear the distinct click as the doors lock.He pushes off from the car and straightens. I pass him one crutch, and then the other. He settles his arms over them and wriggles for a moment, before getting comfortable."Ready?" I ask."Yep."I walk slowly beside him as he hobbles towards the entrance of the gym. I feel really stupid bringing my brother, with a broken leg, to the gym, but he insists. As I hold the door open for him

  As I walk up the driveway towards Miles' share house, the sun beats down onto my skin and I tilt my head back. My hair is wrapped in a loose bun on the top of my head, allowing the humid air and the heat of the sun to brush my face.I sweep my eyes over the overgrown lawn, where four cars and Miles' motorbike are spread messily across it. I recognise Damon's truck and Emily's Mazda. The other two vehicles I have never seen before.Like always, the front door is ajar. I step inside and am engulfed with hipster music blaring from one of the speakers in the lounge room and a stench of stale cigarettes in the musky air. I make my way down the hallway quickly, trying to move as fast, but as quietly as possible.I arrive at Miles' door with no incidents and step inside without knocking. Miles is perched at his splintered desk, one of his long legs scooped under him, the other folded to his chest, his chin resting on his knee. He has a blue

 When I scramble to my feet, my tear-stained cheeks cold from the wind, I feel incredibly stupid.Has this been his plan all along? Surely, someone could not fake those words, those feelings... He couldn't be that good of an actor.Something... Something has happened. That is the only thing I can believe. That thought is the very string keeping my sanity together. My fingers feel numb when I dial his number again."Hello, you've reached the voice mail of ---" I let out a groan of anger as I am tempted to throw my phone at the ground.I numbly walk to the locker room. It's dark. The only sounds I can hear is my quickened breathing and one of the taps drizzling water into the basin beneath it."Miles?" I whisper, before clearing my throat. "Miles?"No answer.Beginning to feel creeped out, I take a deep breath and turn my phone light on. I roam through the darkroom, hoping that nothing will jump out to scare m