Different Sides To The Same Story

Chapter twenty-eight - Jason Dalton

   I wake up later with Lily still in my arms. I slowly slide my arm from around her, I reach on the floor grabbing my jeans, I find my phone in the back pocket. 4 am. Ugh, I hated how these new meds affected my sleep. I roll out of bed, slipping on my jeans before popping my head through my shirt.

"Are you leaving?" A sleepy voice came from behind me.

I looked back, crawling onto the bed and kissing her forehead, "Just getting a drink of water." I tell her, standing up. She doesn't bother replying to me, just drifting to sleep instead.

I walk to her kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. A dark shadow in the corner caught my eye giving me a heart attack.

Before I can react the figure moves into the light, revealing Dillion. "Jesus christ Dillion." I exclaim in a hushed whisper.

"Hey man." He greets me, "Thought you and my sister broke up or something, haven't seen you in a while." He says calmly.

"Oh yeah." I breathe, trying to calm myself. He wasn't accusing me of anything so maybe Lily didn't tell him.

"So did you?" He questions.

I shrug, "What did Lily tell you?" I ask, not wanting to undermine her.

"Nothing, she's barely said anything for the past week, she's been moping around and getting high all the time. I thought maybe it was because of you." He explains.

"Yeah, we broke up." I say, confiding in him. "But we're back together."

He scoffs, "Well obviously." He tells me.

"So how's your life?" I ask, trying to make small talk.

He shrugs, "Life's life." He mumbles, pushing off the counter and walking down the hall.

I wait a minute, pouring myself another glass before I head back to Lily's room. I take my shirt and jeans off again, sliding under the covers.

For a week Lily wasn't okay. All because of me, stupid me. I pull Lily back to my chest, hugging her close. I wasn't gonna hurt her again. I'm making that promise right now. Never again.

---

"Morning Lil." I mumble. I know she's awake because for the past five minutes she's been touching different parts of my stomach.

"Your bruises are pretty bad, what's this?" She questions, pointing to a spot on my abdomen.

I open my eyes peering down at what she's pointing out, the long cut at the base of my stomach, "I had to get surgery a few days ago." I tell her, closing my eyes again.

I felt her breath hitch, "Surgery? What surgery?" She asks, worry lacing her voice.

"Emily's boyfriend and his pal came to give me a visit, ended up beating me pretty bad, had to go to the hospital, had to do surgery to stop my internal bleeding. Can we have sex again?" I ask, hoping to change the topic.

"So the surgery went well?" She asks, ignoring my question.

I nod, "Oh yeah I got a therapist." I tell her.

She looks intrigued, her eyebrows raise, "Seriously?"

I shrug, "Close enough. My doctor got pretty invested in me and since she took an undergrad in psychology she agreed to meet me once a week at coffee shops and shit." I explain, "She does it for free which is really nice." I add.

"Jason that's amazing. I'm so proud of you."

I nod smiling a bit, "She even helped me get in contact with a psychiatrist that gave me anti depressants. So far they do shit except make sure I can't sleep but hopefully after a few weeks." I say.

Her grin grows, "That's really incredible." She tells me.

"Is it incredible enough to get you to sleep with me?" I joke, earning a laugh. "Lily can I ask you something?" I ask, she nods in return, sitting up cross legged. "You accepted the UCLA spot right?"

She purses her lips, probably worried about my reaction, "I did." she idmites.

I smile at her, "You know what that means Lil?" She shakes her head, looking nervous, "That means we're gonna graduate together." I tell her, beaming at her.

"Jason move to California with me." She states, looking at me hopefully.

"You really want me to?" I ask. I don't wanna hold her back, but maybe I won't, maybe there's a chance for us.

She nods enthusiastically, "I can't live without you Jason and frankly I don't wanna."

"Then yeah. Fuck yeah I'll move with you." I say, pulling her into a quick kiss before a hug.

---

"Momma I finally decided what I wanna do after high school." I announce, working up the courage for a long time.

She pauses the tv, looking at me expectantly. "Well what is it?" She sounds excited.

"I wanna be a cop. Like Teddy." I tell her.

The look on her face changes immediately, "Jason it's dangerous." She tells me.

"I know Momma."

"I wanna be happy for you, but I'm worried." My mom says, paining my heart.

I look her in the eyes, putting my hand over hers, "I'm not gonna end up like Teddy. I wanna help people, like he did. Please support me."

She smiles a sad soft smile, "I do Ce s̄ạn, of course I do." She tells me, pulling me into a hug. "I just want you to be happy."

"I wanna move to California." I announce. She looks at me shocked, "Some of my friends are going to school there, I'm gonna move in with Lily." I tell her, hoping she'll be okay with it.

She smiles again, "I'll miss you but I'm happy for you and her. She's a nice girl Jason, treat her right." She says, earning a laugh from me.