This One's For You //cth

dieciocho.

hi tayonna

there's a single panel wall in my house that connects the two rooms. it's not much wider than two people standing shoulder to shoulder. while i was away, keep in mind i'd been out of my house since i was 16, my mother thought over the three years i've been gone it'd be a brilliant idea to cover the entire panel with pictures. the pictures ranged from baby pictures and family photos to first kisses and vacations. there was one specific picture i wish she hadn't put up there.

calum questioned me for a solid hour about previous relationships. i felt so bad for lying to him. after we got home, which the walk home was me basically dragging him because he was so sleepy all of a sudden, he laid down on my bed and fell asleep. i couldn't sleep, considering it was daylight and i wasn't tired in general. i guess i miscalculated when my mom would be home, because the front door was opened.

"hello? is somebody there?" my mother's frail voice called into the seemingly empty house. when she turned the corner, i heard a little gasp fill the air. "noelle? is that really you?" i nod.

"yes, mom. it really is me. i thought it'd be a good idea to come home for a visit. i didn't know you were out." i said, biting the inside of my cheek. i lied, of course. i didn't want my mom to think i didn't want to see her. of course i did, i just hoped she wouldn't ask about-

"is ashton here?" what a shocker..

"n-no, uhm, i'm here with my boyfriend." i said quickly.

"isn't ashton your boyfriend?" my mom questioned, and i sighed.

"no, he broke up with me in senior year, mom. i thought i told you."

"no, you never tell me anything. why did you break up?"

"ashton fell for another girl." i said rather bitterly.

"oh. who?" dammit, mom, stop, i wanted to say, it still hurts.

"kaylee." i gritted my teeth, hoping she would stop pushing.

"is kaylee dating ashton now, then?" i shook my head no.

"who's your boyfriend now?" mom finally moved on.

"calum, he's um, he's sleeping in my room."

"are any of your other friends here?" jesus, why do mothers ask so many questions? i didn't want to explain this again. i'd already explained this so many times.

"no, mom.." i hesitated before actually continuing to speak. i almost lied, but explained, "they, uhm, they died."

before my mom could ask another question, a sleepy looking calum came from my room rubbing his eyes and coming up behind me. he rested his chin on top of my head, smiling at my mother. i saw him glance at me, and by the look in his eyes, i could tell he had heard the whole conversation. my heart ached.