Playing Along
OPAL
I throw my arms around my best friend and the tears cascade down my face. Everything I've been holding during the car ride just pours out of me.
I forget my surroundings. I even forget that Bruce is standing somewhere behind us, watching like a hawk.
"I need to talk to you," Gwen whispers before sniffing. There's an urgency in her voice that I pick up right away. I nod, and we head toward the kitchen together. Her living room is crowded with people who used to know her parents, but we don't stop to greet anyone.
We just keep going.
Her kitchen's only style, as Gwen's mother was a lover of everything old and antique. So, it has a door, and it isn't an open plan like most kitchens are. Once the door closes, the sounds coming from the living room quiet down completely.
"Tell me what's wrong," I urge her before taking her hands in mine. "What happened?"
"Oh, Opal," she sniffles as more tears snake down her face. "So much has happened! I don't even know where to begin...I'll start with this, though. Their deaths weren't an accident as everyone's being led to believe."
I become alarmed. "What do you mean?"
"It was a rogue attack," she proclaims. Her eyes are hardened with anger, and the tears stop flowing for a few seconds. "They're on the rise again, and my parents paid for it because the Alpha King is too incompetent or selfish to inform everyone that we're at war with them!"
I frown and blink a few times as I stare at her face, trying to process all of this. "I...Are you sure about this, Gwen?"
She nods. "My parents were discussing it before they were killed. Apparently, the Alpha King and other Alphas know about this, and they're keeping the truth from the public to prevent a panic of sorts. They don't want people to retaliate. But in doing so, they're giving rogues the chance to attack harmless people!"
I run a hand down my face. This is all so much to take.
After the rogues were defeated many years ago, they went into hiding and it was said that their numbers had depleted drastically to the point of extinction. I can't believe there'd be enough rogues to attack people and even cause a problem big enough for Alphas to want to hide from the public.
I don't really believe it.
But I don't tell her that.
Instead, I hold her. It feels like the only thing I can do at the moment. I rub her arms and her tears wet my shirt. "It's okay. I'm here with you, alright? And I'll stick with you through it all."
"You have to do something," she pleads. "Speak to your husband. Find out what's going on. My parents need justice. They can't get away with what they've done."
"I'll talk to him. I promise, okay?"
I think this is worth bringing up with Bruce. If rogues are attacking us, then he has to know so that the matter can be investigated.
There's a knock on the kitchen door, and we both turn around to see who it is. Gwen clears her throat and says, "Come in."
I'm shocked to see Bruce staring back at me. He says, "I need to speak with you, Opal."
What is it now?
"I'll be right back," I tell Gwen before meeting him outside.
He closes the door, his eyes on my face. I fold my arms and ask, "What is it?"
"We have to go."
"What?" I shoot back. "I just got here. What do you mean, we have to go?"
"The plan was never for you to stay long."
"Says who?"
"Me, Opal," he grits out. "It's not safe for you to stay here for long."
"My friend means a lot to me and she just lost her parents," I argue. "I can't just up and leave! I'm her only support system. I'm not going anywhere, Bruce."
He steps closer to me. "Did you hear a word I said? It's not safe for you to stay out long."
"Why?" I ask. "Why isn't it safe? If you explained it to me, maybe I'd understand, Bruce."
He falls silent and as I stare at his face, I vaguely wonder if this has anything to do with what Gwen mentioned. Why wouldn't he have said a thing, though?
And why would I be in danger?
"You won't come."
"No," I answer. "Gwen needs me and I'll stay here with her until I feel like it."
Bruce studies my face. I see exhaustion in his eyes, but I'm determined. I know that things between us are rough and it's unlikely that we'll ever get along, but I won't agree to his terms for the sake of peace.
I've got a say in this, too, because this is my life. My best friend. My loss. I loved Gwen's parents. I spent some of the best times in my life with them.
And if he doesn't understand that, then we can end whatever this is right now.
I won't play along.
I'm tired of it.
Bruce finally nods. "Fine. You can stay. But I'm going to call for extra security. I hope your friend won't mind."
She won't. I don't think Gwen will really care as long as I get to stay with her. Bruce walks past me, his shoulder brushing against mine. I can't help but look back at him and feel a tiny drop of sadness inside of me.
At some point, it felt like we were actually getting along, as crazy as that might seem. And now, it's like we're strangers all over again.
I blame him. He's the one who hasn't been honest with me from the start. My only fault is being too attracted to him.
When he touches me, I can't resist him.
The same way I couldn't that first night.
I take a deep breath and return to the kitchen, where Gwen is waiting. Her eyes are wide as she searches my face. "Are you okay, Opal? Do you have to go?"
"Don't worry about it," I assure her.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."