Chapter 32: An Invitation That Feels Wrong
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A Quiet Evening, A Heavy Mind
The sky is dark when I finally leave school.
The air is cool, crisp—too fresh for how suffocating my thoughts feel.
I should go home.
I should push today out of my head, collapse onto my bed, and let the night pass in the haze of exhaustion.
But I don't.
Instead, I find myself walking.
Not toward home.
But nowhere, really.
Just moving.
Because if I stop—if I let myself sit in my room, trapped in my own head—
I might not like where my thoughts take me.
And then—
A buzz in my pocket.
I pull out my phone.
A message.
From Jason Carter.
JASON: Karaoke bar. 8 PM. Don't overthink it.
I stare at the screen.
At the words.
At the absolute absurdity of this entire situation.
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A Proposition I Didn't Expect
Earlier today, Jason's shoulders eased after my acceptance.
Like he finally crossed off a task he didn't want to do.
But then—
He took it a step further.
"You know…" Jason cleared his throat, his usual cocky confidence strangely absent. "We should go out tonight. Karaoke bar. Drinks. Start over or whatever."
I blinked.
I wasn't sure I heard that right.
Jason Carter.
The same Jason Carter who's spent months making my life hell.
Now wants to hang out?
His friends murmured their agreement, nodding along as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
Luke grinned, nudging my arm. "Yeah, man. Just one night. No bad blood."
Brandon smirked. "It's a good place. Real fun. You should come."
Ryan, usually the quietest of the group, actually looked hopeful.
The invitation hung in the air, their words a bizarre mix of forced enthusiasm and something almost… nervous.
Like they were waiting for me to say yes.
Like it wasn't just a casual invite—
But something more.
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A Choice That Should Be Simple
I didn't answer immediately.
Because how was I supposed to react to this?
A karaoke bar?
Loud music. Flashing lights. Strangers singing off-key.
It was the complete opposite of where I was mentally right now.
The thought of being in that kind of environment felt wrong.
Like forcing a smile at a funeral.
Yet…
The invitation felt like a bridge.
A way to at least pretend everything was normal.
A way to pretend I'm normal.
I felt the weight of their eyes pressing down on me.
Waiting.
Expecting.
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The Bell Rings – The Decision Lingers
Before I could answer, the bell rang.
Students began filing out of their classrooms, voices filling the hallway.
Jason gave me a mocking smirk, but it lacked his usual malice.
"Well?" he asked, tilting his head. "You coming, or what?"
I hesitated.
"…I'll think about it."
It was a neutral answer.
Not a yes.
Not a no.
Jason shrugged, but I saw the way his eyes narrowed slightly, like he was trying to figure me out.
"Cool. Think fast."
He and his group turned, walking away, their usual swagger returning.
But there was something off about it.
Something that made my stomach twist.
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A Decision That Feels Heavier Than It Should
And now, here I am.
Staring at my phone.
At Jason's message.
At the choice sitting in front of me.
I should ignore it.
I should go home.
I should pretend today never happened.
But I don't.
Because something about this feels important.
Not in a good way.
Not in a safe way.
But in a way that tells me—
If I go, things will never be the same again.