Connect Us ✔

Chapter 25

Maddie and I spend the day together. I try to talk to her between movies, but she shuts me down—of course. She just asks if we can watch another one, and neither of us mentions that she has to go home tonight. Later, I tell my mom that she's with me and that I'll bring her home afterward.

But in the evening, Maddie asks me, "Can I stay the night?" I call my mom and ask her. She says no. Naturally. Tomorrow is school. She has to focus. She has homework. It awakens something in me. Memories. Homework. School problems. Home problems. The creaking of my bedroom door...

So I bring Maddie home. I tell her once again that she can always call me, always talk to me about anything. But she just nods and waves, not even a smile. It tears my heart apart. I have to do something, damn it, but I can't even cope with myself. How can I help Maddie when I'm still clinging to the past?

When I get home that evening, I have two messages. Maddie asks if she can come over for the weekend. I immediately agree.

The guy, whose name I still refuse to accept, wrote: Felix called you??

lets not talk abt it

I would welcome that

When do we meet?

its not a good moment rn

ill tell u soon

Ok

But I don't text him the next day either. Two hours earlier at work, barely slept, on my feet all day, and straight to training afterward. It's a fucking hard day. I come home and crash immediately, sleeping through the night. Oversleep the next morning. Show up late to work.

"It's all a bit much right now," I try to explain to Ki and apologize.

"That's how you look," she replies. I don't quite understand what she means, but it doesn't matter. "Why don't you take a break," she suggests, giving me the next day off. "And come in on time the day after tomorrow or get sick leave in time, okay?"

I get home at eight. I only lie down briefly, but sleep for almost an hour—and then I jump up the moment I wake. Eight messages from Michelle, and two missed calls. Shit... I don't even read the messages; I just call her.

"Oscar?"

"I am so sorry," I say. "I fell asleep after work. I'll be there in ten."

"Oh, don't worry," Michelle says. "We can train without you. You looked so tired yesterday. Maybe it's good if you take a rest. We're training almost every day—it's a lot."

"No, no, no. I can't just stay while you're all training. I'm your t—"

"Oscar, relax. We're not children. We didn't plan to train that long today anyway. We're all a little tired, and Robin is sick. You shouldn't get sick from all that stress too. See you tomorrow, okay?"

I close my eyes for a moment, cursing under my breath. How could this happen to me? I oversleep for work, sure, but never for training. It's my passion. The only thing I live for.
"Okay," I finally give in, my voice quieter now. "Sorry again. See you tomorrow."

"See you."

I let myself fall back onto the bed. My eyes close for a second—then I remember him. I haven't heard from him in two days. And I haven't texted him either. A sigh slips out as I sit up and glance at my watch. Almost 9 p.m.

im free rn

He replies after a few minutes when I'm almost about to lie down again.

Critical

I have half an hour until I have to leave

I hate stress

well

How long do you need to get here?

few min

I stay in the chat and wait. Sitting up, my foot taps nervously against the floor. Then his reply pops up.

Okay

Come over

But hurry up please.