Decay by J. F. Jenkins

needed some rehabilitation from his former jock days, but he was almost to the point of being tolerable. Once he stopped clinging to the past, he could be worth her attraction. Something about him would always drive her up a wall, however, and she was pretty sure they'd never last. One of them would be dead within a week.
    Dallas laughed and shook his head. “You're a riot, Nia.”
    â€œI didn't realize I did something funny,” she said and turned into the drive for the cemetery. She parked in front of his mausoleum. “Gonna let me in on the joke?”
    â€œThere's no joke. You just have an interesting way of viewing the world, and that's what I like about you,” he said and unbuckled his seatbelt.
    They both got out of the car, and she walked him up to the door. “You better like me after everything I've done for you.”
    â€œI liked you even before,” he said with a smile. “Thanks for indulging me and taking me out. A change of scenery is nice. And thanks for the new books. I'm guessing I'm not going to see you until Sunday?”
    â€œProbably not. Maybe late Saturday night, depending on how everything goes on my play date with Orly. Either way you'll have company, even if it's not me, don't worry.”
    â€œYou going to tell him everything?”
    â€œThat remains to be seen. Ideally, yes, I'll be spilling it all so he's not blindsided. I'd like to present it like an option, and we can see just how much he's really changed,” she said and tried to hide the bitterness in her heart. Orlando had betrayed Dallas, and the two were supposed to be best friends. She didn't understand how Dallas could so easily forgive it. It broke her heart, and she wasn't even involved.
    He grabbed her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don't be so hard on him when you two hang out, okay? He is a good guy.”
    â€œWhen he wants to be.”
    â€œAlways. We all make stupid mistakes. You should know that better than anyone else. All I'm saying, is save the judgment for after you've gained your own experiences to do it with. Okay?”
    She snorted. “Okay. I promise to try and cool it. I am nice to him when we're together, just so you know.”
    â€œFake nice. He'll see through it eventually, probably why he hasn't agreed to hang out with you for the past two months.”
    â€œHe's the one who's missing out,” she said confidently. “I need to get going. Curfew is coming up, and while I don't want to go just yet, I should. It might be one of those nights, if you catch my drift.”
    â€œI do, and I'm here if you need me.”
    Gently, she held onto his wrist, shivering as her skin made contact with his. He was still so cold to the touch. She closed her eyes, and focused on giving him more life. Every little bit helped. Even if it took her a million years to bring him back to life, she was going to make sure it happened.
    â€œBe safe,” he whispered. Nia pulled away from him and gazed up into his eyes.
    â€œI always am.”
    He walked into his mausoleum, and she put the lock back in place on the door. She'd purchased a new one that was much sturdier. If she could easily bust through the old one, then anyone could, and she didn't want to risk his safety. Grave robbing wasn't a common practice anymore, but bored teenagers looking for a good prank were always around. Plus, now she had a key. It made things a lot easier.
    With a sigh, she got back into her car and drove home. She made sure to pull into the garage as quietly as possible and then sneaked back into the house. Sure enough, her mother was on the couch in the living room with an open bottle of wine. Nia was almost able to get away to her room without being seen when her mother spoke.
    â€œAnd where were you?” she asked, voice slurred.
    â€œOut with a friend. I'm back an hour before curfew,” Nia said.
    Her mother sat up on the couch and stared down the hallway at her. “You need