It’s been days since Arrick left my room, and I am barely functioning. I have moped around, either at home until my mom’s pandering efforts have driven me mad or at Emma or Leilas’, who are equally suffocating me. Jake is my only respite, with his shrugged-off chill and his ‘life’s too short’ attitude. He tends not to dwell on ‘matters’ with me and lets me hang out. He’s keeping me sane while everyone else is mothering me to insanity.

I’m restless, listless, and ...