Our Hill Of Stars

fifteen

SEBASTIAN LITTLER

We arrived at my home, the gravel driveway seeming longer and longer as the silence between us grew defeaning.

The front porch light was on but the windows in the house were dark.

I mentally cursed myself and prayed that my Mom stayed asleep.

I parked the car, hopping out quickly as I got to the other side and opened the door for Wren, "Thank you." She smiled weakly, her feet hitting the ground.

We walked to the door, the sound of my keys the only sound present aside from our breathing.

A gust of warm air welcomed us as we clambered inside. I managed to flick on the small light switch, emitting a low yellow glow in the foyer as I pointed to the stairs, "Up there is my room, go." I whispered, noticing a line of goosebumps rise on Wren's skin as she looked up at me.

"First door on the left, right?" She gave me a cheeky smile, black mascara stained under her eyes as I nodded, watching her carefully. She took her time, her brunette locks of hair no longer in sight as I heard the faint sound of a door closing.

I turned off the light and used my phone flash light to guide my way, basically tip toeing as I navigated myself into the kitchen, flicking on the main light.

I almost had a heart attack when I saw my Mom standing at the kitchen island, a disapproving look on her face as a wine glass sat, with a small puddle of red wine at the bottle.

"Care to explain yourself, Sebastian?" My Mom said quietly, glaring at me.

I stumbled over my words, unsure of what to say. I can't tell her the truth, because that's not business to say, it's Wrens.

"Who's upstairs?" She said, nodding to the roof. I swallowed, "Uh- nobody." I said, scratching the back of my head uncomfortably. My Mom sighed, "I don't care who the hell it is, I want to know why you're so late!" Mom said rigid, not breaking eye contact with me.

"I had to take a friend to the hospital after the party, she hurt her wrist pretty bad." I said, telling half the truth.

My Mom sighed, taking her glasses off her nose and folding them, "Okay. But you're going to school tomorrow, understand me?" She warned, pointing her finger at me.

I nodded my head, "I mean it. If you're not up, I'll be coming in there to wake you up." Her voice was stern.

I looked down at my feet, feeling fatigued.

"Now go to bed, you look exhausted." My Mom kissing my forehead before switching off the light. I heard her retreating footsteps and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Reaching up to grab two glasses of water, I filled them to the top before carefully carrying them up the stairs.

I managed to open the door with my elbow and I closed it with my foot.

Wren was nowhere in sight.

"Wren?" I called out.

She emerged from my closet, one of my hoodies draped over her small frame, "I'm sorry. I was super uncomfortable in my dress and you were taking a long time. I know I didn't ask first but-" She said overwhelmed, stumbling over her words.

"It's okay!" I said quickly, cutting her off.

She looked up at me, cheeks read.

"Do you want a pair or shorts or something to sleep in?" I asked awkwardly, seeing her head no slightly. I handed her the water, she took it gratefully and took a sip.

I rummaged around in my drawers and found the smallest pair that didn't fit me anymore.

I turned around when she got changed. The sound of rustling material all that I heard and I heard her small voice say I could 'turn around'.

"You know where the spare toothbrushes are, right?" I told her. She nodded, switching on the light in my bathroom.

I got changed, my mind swimming with thoughts as I listened to the sound of running water, sleep wanting to take over my body.

It was almost 3am when I guided Wren to the spare bedroom. She thanked me a million times before shutting the door.

I don't know why I stood outside her door. But I did. For about 5 minutes, before I finally retreated back to my own room.

I lay in bed, tossing and turning.

I can't her face out of my head. I'm supposed to hate her, but I can't anymore.

Guilt is etching it's way into my emotions and taking over. I've done so much horrible shit to her only to found out that she hasn't done anything wrong. In fact, she's done the opposite.

When we were kids all she's tried to do, was be friends with me. But I've been a jerk.

I rubbed my face with my hands, not feeling tired anymore, quite the opposite.

My mind was flooding with hopeless memories I'd tried to forget.

Like when Wren invited me to her eleventh birthday party, but I told everyone she invited not to go because she had cooties. And no one did go.

I remember the next day when Wren went to school. She cried, alone at her desk and people started to call her a loner.

I don't want to believe it's my fault that people started to belittle her, but it is.

I almost wanted to cry.

The day I got taken away, Wren and I were bickering like we always did. I was mad at her for becoming friends with Lacey, my ex-girlfriend and she complained to me that she can be friends with whoever she wants.

I remember my exact words that day and the teary look in her eye as she excused herself from the lunch table and walked away.

'You don't have any friends anyway, so what's the point in trying to befriend Lacey, she's the hottest girl in school, unlike you.'

I cringed, mentally.

I wanted nothing more than apologise profusely until she forgave me. I'd get on my knees and beg if I had too.

I want her to know how sorry I am.

+ + + 

hopefully that adds a bit of backstory to why Wren and Sebastian have a 'feud'.

xx