chapter 26(1)

Abbie I sit with Ivy on the pier that overlooks the man-made lake by the stables. Ivy eats very little despite my trying to encourage her to eat. We enjoy the morning sun, enjoying the rays heating my cold skin. I tell her everything that happened in the castle last night. Though I don’t think she is really listening; she seems stuck in her head no matter how hard I try to pull her back to the present moment. I hate seeing her like this. Ivy leans against one of the logs on the pier, watching me, yet I draw closer to the water. I wish I was swimming with Gannon or even just going for a run; it is strange to me to have the freedoms we have here. Another thing I haven’t told her about. I want to tell her, yet I can’t bring myself to because I don’t want to risk upsetting her more. “Abbie!” Ivy hisses as I sat on the edge and tossed my legs over the side and into the water. “Gannon is right there,” I tell her, pointing him out, and she lets out a sigh. I wade my feet through the water, lo