"I want to give you all the love you deserve."
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Hadley Carter has struggled with her sexuality ever since childhood. She keeps her feelings hidden out of fear of judgement and not being accepted by oth...
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The drive to my house is silent, even with Devon sitting in the driver's seat next to me.
She must be able to sense that I am in no mood to talk—that my emotions are fried and I need space. I can't seem to comprehend anything at the moment. Time feels as if it is moving in slow motion and hyper speed all at once.
I don't recall telling Devon goodbye, though I must have because I catch her response. I don't even remember reaching my house. I merely go through the motions without a thought as I climb out of her car and trek up my driveway, soon entering my house absentmindedly.
At first, I don't notice my mother sitting in the living room. The glow from the lamp propped atop the side table is what catches my attention, my gaze moving to find my mother's silhouette perched on the couch. She doesn't look up as I approach the living room doorway, though I know she senses my presence. She must have been waiting up for me. It's far too late for her to be awake otherwise.
I know without having to ask. There isn't a doubt in my mind that my mother has seen the picture of me and Devon. Delaney never misses a beat, the arrows she shoots always hit the target. Delaney wanted to bring me down, so she attacked my roots. The thought is so ridiculous, I almost want to laugh.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I'm surprised that I manage to speak. I have felt like a zombie since I first left the dance—as if I am not in control of my body, but instead hovering outside of it, watching from afar.
Mom lifts her head to glance in my direction, staring me down with hollow eyes. She appears tired, her face pale and rimmed with red. She must have been crying. I'm too emotionally exhausted to care.
Mom slowly shakes her head, which is the only answer I need. I am able to hold her stare for only a moment longer before forcing myself to look away.
"I'll be in my room," I murmur finally.
For yet a second time tonight, I walk away from my problems, refusing to look back.
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a/n: this chapter is so short which bothers me, but we're so close to the end of this story guys! i'm feeling a little bittersweet rn.
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