Shine Again

Shine Again - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Wyatt did, indeed, come and pick Janelle up as soon as she explained everything to him over the phone. She promised to call me later and keep me updated, and as soon as she was gone, I got into the shower.

   Letting the hot water pour down my body, I shut my eyes and tried not to think about anything. There was too much going on. I'd lived in Oak Harbour from April to early July with nothing going on. I had felt nothing, besides pain and darkness and grief, for over three months. Now, it seemed like the universe was trying to make up for it. I had Miller - feelings, desires, uncertainties, still - and my aunt, now being pregnant. And I had Janelle, my best friend, who was going through so much as well.

   After the water was running cold, I ended my shower and got dressed again, and then sat down to read a book for awhile. I just wanted to get lost in some other world - the world of another girl, her love story. It worked, and two hours passed before my phone was ringing and my stomach was growling.

   "Hey," I answered after two rings, seeing that it was Miller. Being brought back to reality by hearing his voice was definitely not a bad thing.

   "Hi," he said sweetly, into my ear. "How's your aunt?"

   "Oh. Sorry I didn't... let you know. She's okay. She has to stay another night, but she'll be home tomorrow," I answered, leaving out the baby part for now.

   "Oh, good to hear." He paused, and I heard him breathing for a second. "So, tomorrow, our date."

   "What?" I asked, confused.

   "I'm taking you on a date. If that's okay." He sounded so cute but also a bit unsure.

   "Yeah. Um, okay."

   "Don't sound too excited," he joked, then cleared his throat. "I should be done here by 5P.M. I can come get you and... well, it's a surprise."

   "A surprise?" I repeated.

   "Yes. Okay?"

   "Okay."

   "Is everything... are you good? You sound unsure."

   "Oh... I'm just worried about Janelle. She... did you talk to Wyatt today?" I asked him, unsure if I should even bring it up.

   "No, what's going on? I've been working all day."

   "Oh. Uh, so her mom is taking off, to California, and wants her to leave with her. Her dad is coming here today, but..."

   "Shit. Really? I'll call Wyatt and see what's up. Addison... we won't let Janelle leave, okay?"

   How could he even say that? He had no way of knowing what was going to happen or if Janelle was going to have to move away. I knew he was just trying to make me feel better, but it was not enough. Not right now.

   "Yeah, okay," I finished, finally.

   "I'll call you later?" he asked, but I could tell he didn't want to end the call at all.

   "Yeah."

   My dad's here now. I'm going back to Seattle tonight with him. My mom's making all these plans for California and acting sketch but her car's not even working, so we don't think she'll be going anytime soon.

   This text from Janelle a little bit later pretty much broke my heart. It was just so obvious by how she wrote it that this wasn't even weird for her. This seemed like just stuff she'd dealt with before.