Shine Again

Shine Again - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The drive back to Oak Harbour was quiet. There were too many feelings - too many more opportunities for me to cry - so I didn't talk at all.  I felt like I was out of tears. Caroline knew something had happened between Isabelle and I, but she didn't ask. She must have understood that I needed to be quiet for this drive.

   It was almost three hours before we were at her house again, and I was just drained. I hadn't checked my phone at all on the drive and when I did now, there were three texts from Janelle and Miller. Everything came back to me suddenly. I'd lost a friend that day, but I had new friends, there.

   Janelle : Hey how was your day? Let me know when you're back.

   Miller: I hope your day was okay. We miss you at movie night

   Janelle : Hey. Everything ok?

   I sent back to Isabelle, Yeah I'm okay. Just got back.

   Janelle: Oh damn. Long day. We are at Wyatt's but I understand if you don't want to come.

   I wanted to go. I felt drawn to them, knowing they made me feel good. Knowing I was wanted and excepted with them. I wanted to go and to not feel this emptiness I had felt since I left Tacoma again. But I felt like I'd just be downer if I went and crashed Movie Night.  

   Me: I'm really tired.

   Janelle : Okay, the movies half over anyway. Call me tomorrow?

   Me: Yes.

   I walked past the boxes that were now in a stack in the kitchen, until we decided what to do with it all. This wasn't a big house. I'd have to put my box into my closet. But not tonight. Tonight I was going to try to pretend that everything was okay.  At least we'd made it through that.

   "Goodnight," Aunt Caroline called out, tapping on my mostly closed door.

   "Night!" I called back.

   Ding.

   I was trying hard to sleep, but I hadn't drifted off yet. I checked my phone and it told me that it was almost 11PM. And then I saw the text across the middle of the screen.

   Are you still up?

   Miller.

   I quickly typed back yes, why and, my heart racing, waited for a reply.

   Miller: I'm sort of outside your house. I came from Wyatt's when the movie was over. I just wanted to make sure you're okay.

   Me: Yeah. I'm okay. I talked to Janelle

   Miller:  I know. but you didn't answer my text earlier.

   Me: Sorry. It was a busy day.

   Wait, Miller was outside my house? At 11pm? What the hell was he doing? Why was I just realizing this now?

  Miller: So, can you come outside?

   He wanted me to get out of bed and go outside to see him? What would my aunt say if she saw or heard me? Was this worth it? I didn't know what to say, so while I was hesitating, he sent another text.

   Sorry. My bad. I'll go.

   I can come out, I sent quickly. Just getting dressed.