I'm not sure who's more embarrassed: him for how his mom is acting in front of a friend, or me, for having a friend's mom treat me like I'm dirt. Can't say that I'm not used to it. Corey's parents hated my guts. But I can't help but feel abandoned. This was supposed to be our night to hang out. He's not a kid, so why is he letting his mom push him around?

Unless he never really wanted to go in the first place. Thinking back to our conversation in the car, I wonder if he only agreed because I was being pushy.

So I smile. Thinly, but the effort is there. I say, "Okay. Nice meeting you, Mrs. Rockswell," and I leave without complaint, without argument.

I hope I never have to see that woman again.

#

To: NowhereMan <[email protected]>

From: HARBINGER <[email protected]>

Subject: RE: SW Activity

connections are pointless. they feel great at first. but what happens when the person gets tired of you and decides to leave? it's human nature. people look out for themselves. when they outgrow someone or don't want to be around them, but don't want the drama of dealing with hurt feelings, they brush you off.

everyone is replaceable.

everyone lets you down.

you know,

maybe you and i could

The message cuts off.

#

Suicide Watch is down. There is no maintenance being performed notification, just...a 404 error and that's it. Bizarre. I shoot Casper a text about it, and she calls to say, "It's been down for a few hours. Who knows? Maybe Harbinger's hosting company realized the kind of site he was running and killed his account."

Cut off the website, cut off his email to me but still sent it? I try not to think about it. And I sure as hell won't tell Casper about Harbinger's emails now. So all I really say is, "Oh, weird."

"Weird, yeah." Her voice is off. Like there's something she isn't telling me. "Isn't Adam with you?"

My stomach flip-flops. "No. I took him home. Why?"

"Are you kidding? Please tell me you're kidding."

"Why would I be?" Should I tell her about Adam's crazy mom? I wonder if she's seen his house. If they've met. I can't picture Casper keeping her mouth shut if Mrs. Rockswell tried removing her from the premises. She also would've told Adam off for not having a spine.

"Because I totally gave up my night out so you two would have some alone time," she says, exasperated.

"But you said your parents were coming home."

"They are. Tomorrow night."

I run a hand through my hair, sighing heavily. "Okay. Do I want to know what the point of that was, then? Giving us alone time?"

Casper bites back a laugh. "Oh, come on, Vinny. Do you think I don't see how you look at him? I'm always half a second away from telling you to wipe the drool off your face."

My cheeks burn with the onslaught of blood to my face. "It's not like that. He's—I don't even know if he's..."