Still Dreaming - Treebros

Chapter 18: "To Think I Almost Had It Going, But I Let You Down"

Wednesday, November 27th

The room is a whirlwind as Devon and Noelle talk to each other and at me. They need to pack their suitcases but instead, they're flitting about my room. Noelle is straightening random things while Devon checks on the food. "This milk expired almost a month ago. What the hell?" he asks, setting the carton gingerly on the counter like it's going to explode. "I'm not even gonna pour that down the sink, it's gotta be toxic waste at this point."

"Do you need any laundry done before we leave?" Noelle asks. I groan and bury my face in my hands.

The two of them have taken turns mother-henning me ever since Sam left. I haven't seen him since he dumped me. From what I hear, no one's seen much of him. I think Devon might have texted him a bit, but he's probably hiding out in Cole's dorm until the holidays are over, at least. I've been fussed over for the last five days like a toddler whose mom left.

"I can do laundry and I can get my own groceries, thank you." I can, but I won't. I haven't been eating much at all since Sam left. And Noelle forgets that she just bothered Connor into doing my laundry for me a few days ago which was humiliating.

He hasn't been around much since Sam dumped me. I'm surprised he didn't jump at the chance to say I told you so, but it's still not all that shocking. He hung around just long enough to make sure the one other guy who made me happy was gone. Maybe he never actually wanted to be friends again. Maybe he just wanted to make sure I never loved another guy again. I don't know. I miss him.

"Well, you don't have any good food in your fridge. Everything is expired or junk food. I'm pretty sure the only time you eat is when we come over and force you to. We're gonna be gone for half a week, you have to eat while we're gone," Devon chastises, sitting down on Sam's bed. Noelle crosses her arms with a small sigh. They're right, I don't eat except for when they make me, but I'm not gonna tell them that. Then they'll tell Connor who will confront me about it and maybe tell my mom and then it'll be a whole thing. It's not a thing. It's not even a thing.

"Maybe I can bring home some Thanksgiving leftovers and we can watch trashy TV?" Noelle asks, a patient smile on her face. I roll my eyes.

"Both of us hate trashy TV. Charlie made you watch The Real Housewives of some place or whatever once and you nearly tore your hair out." I just need them gone. I don't feel like being babied and it's kind of embarrassing to have them in here. The place is a mess and I haven't showered in days so it probably smells terrible too. "Listen, I'm really tired. You guys need to go pack anyway," I sigh, trying to just get them out the door.

They exchange a brief look. Devon nods and looks around the room. His eye catches on a straw wrapper that's been on the ground for weeks. Sam got Five Guys and we shared a milkshake. He picks it up and tosses it into the trash can in one smooth motion. After another look around the room, he nods again. "Have a good holiday, man," he says, turning towards the door. He stops just before he reaches for the doorknob. "Hey, if you need anything, I live like actually 10 minutes away. I'm just down the highway, off of the next exit. You have my number."

I nod. "Thanks, man. Have a good, uh, have fun with your family," I say. He nods and he's gone. It's me and Noelle.

There's a moment of silence before she speaks up. "Heard anything from your mom?" she asks gingerly. I scoff.

"Hospitals understaffed. She's busy all week." I haven't spent a Thanksgiving with Mom since middle school. It was a miracle I even saw all week her last year.