The City Is at War

Adam and I sit down at a table in The Amulet and I blush at all the couples making out around us. The entire restaurant is dimly lit, perfect for making out.

"Maybe we should do this somewhere else," I mutter.

"We can just go outside, if you're uncomfortable," Adam suggests.

"Please."

We leave the restaurant and I smile gratefully at Adam.

"So, um what did you need to talk to me about?" I ask.

"Right, I got this crazy message the other day," Adam says, pulling out his cell phone.

He presses a couple of buttons before handing it to me.

Sabrina Serrano is crazy.
You should stay away from her.
She’s been stalking you for weeks.

My face heats up and I try to hold back my anger, because it's not Adam's fault. I look up at Adam and realize he probably thinks it's true. Why would someone do this?

"I...um..."

No words come to mind.

What am I supposed to say?

I bite my bottom lip and sit down on the cold concrete sidewalk.

How could I think it would be any different here?

That people would be nicer?

"Hey calm down. I don't believe any of that, Sabrina. I just thought you should know," Adam says softly, sitting down next to me.

He puts one arm around me and pulls me closer to him.

"Do you know who sent it?" I ask quietly, staring at the floor.

Adam shakes his head and lifts my head so I'm staring directly into his brown eyes. We sit like that for a few seconds, before I turn away.

"We should go," I mumble, still slightly shaken.

"We really should," Adam agrees, before kissing me softly on the lips.

It's nothing like the kiss with Gabe, it's innocent and sweet and I like it. Adam pulls away, smiling happily and stands up. He reaches for my hand and pulls me up from the ground.

"C'mon, I'll walk you home."

I smile and give Adam a peck on the cheek and we walk to my house.

"What are you guys doing here?!" I exclaim.

Sisky and I have finally reached my house and Victoria, Patrick and William are all sitting on my front porch. William's eyes immediately fall to my right hand which is entwined in Adam's.

"William, had something to say to you but...um...Sabrina, I need to talk to you," Victoria says hastily.

She grabs my arm and pulls me away from Sisky.

"Are you out of your mind?!" she exclaims.

"What did I-"

"Sabrina, you have to tell Sisky to leave," she orders.

"Wh-"

"Now Sabrina!" she yells.

Her face is filled with alarm and she keeps glancing back at William.

"Fine," I mutter.

I walk back over to Sisky and we hug and say goodbye.

"You two dating now?" William asks and he sounds almost bitter.

"No, of course not," Victoria interrupts.

"I'd like to talk to Sabrina alone," William requests.

"Don't say something stupid Sabrina," Patrick pleads, before he and Victoria walk away.

"I'm sorry, I blew you off Bill. It's just that, I really like Adam," I apologize.

William lowers his head and his hair falls around his face, "all I want is for you to be happy."

I smile, "don't worry about me. I'm fine."

I pull him into a hug, but he still doesn't lift his head.

"C'mon, Bill, I'm sorry."

"Yeah," he says lifting his head, "so am I."

"What is that-"

William stands up and calls Patrick and Victoria over.

"Let's go," he mutters and he and Patrick walk off.

Victoria raises an eyebrow and I shrug.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand his crazy mood swings.

We go up to my room, where I tell her exactly what happened.

"All you have to do is keep Bill and Sisky away from each other," she says.

"Yeah, I guess," I mutter.

"So what about you and Gabe?" she asks abruptly.

"What are you-"

"Cut the crap Sabrina. I know something happened."

"Is it really that obvious?" I ask.

Victoria nods and I sigh, "I don't wanna talk about it."

Victoria laughs, "When are you two gonna stop fighting and just make out?"

"What!? Never! Are you-" I yell, jumping up.

"Relax, it was a joke," Victoria smirks. Oh.