Lonely Together

'You're mine.'

The ride back was mostly silent; neither of us knew what to say to each other. What a difference a few hours had made. I snuck glances at Warren every so often as he drove; he seemed deep in thought frowning seriously with his eyes permanently on the road in front of him. We pulled up into Warren's drive and I gathered my stuff.

  'Thank you, for taking me to the beach.'

  'You're welcome.' He had avoided eye contact since our talk on the beach.

  'I...umm...Well I'll see you soon.' I hoped. I walked to my house again trying to force the tears away.

  'Edie.' He called.

I turned back to him glad to hear him call my name.

  'Friends?' He said with a small smile.

I smiled back as relief flooded through me.

  'Yes friends.' I wished so hard it could be otherwise, but this way I had him for just a bit longer.

                                                                                         ~:~:~

I spent the next few days trying not to think about our little trip to the beach, but would find myself going back to the memory of our night whatever I was doing. I had nearly burned the kitchen down when I had begun to fantasise about the back of Warren's car while cooking on the stove. I knew I had to push it all away in order for our friendship to go back to normal but it was easier said than done. I wondered if he felt the same as I did. Wednesday night Warren turned up as usual, I was glad of that. I wanted us to get back to whatever was normal for us. We hadn't done much, just hung out in mine together watching tv until late while discussing our favourite films, his was Gladiator, that didn't shock me. Finding out he was a fan because he enjoyed historical films, documentaries and books definitely had. I never had Warren pegged as the type to enjoy things like that. It was good talking about normal everyday things with each other. He hadn't stayed too late because my Mom would be home the next day. We hadn't even attempted to talk about what had happened at the beach. It was probably for the best. My Mother woke me up the next morning with a bag of goodies on the breakfast bar.

  'Mom you didn't have to, I completely understood you had to work.'

  'I know you do and that's why you deserve this. It's all your favourite snack foods.' Mom explained.

I gave her the biggest hug. She really was the best, I was lucky to have a Mother that was willing to work so hard to provide for me.

  'I had a card off Dad while you were gone.' I recalled.

  'Did you? How much did he send you this time?'

  'A couple of hundred dollars or so I think. But I sent them back to him with a note telling him I didn't need his money, because I don't. I don't need anything from him, I meant what I said the other night I have you I don't need anything else.' I smiled at her.

  'I'm proud of you honey.' She told me as her eyes began to fill up, she sniffed to stop them falling.

We spent the rest of the day pigging out on the bag of goodies and watching Rupaul's drag race. Friday afternoon, she had to leave for her usual work days. Jodie had arrived home that morning and Colbie and Theo were on their way down too. We were all meeting at the burger bar later that night. I got ready putting on a burgundy knee length dress. I paired it with a thin brown leather belt and brown leather knee high boots and a dark denim jacket. I kept my hair down and glasses off. I was getting used to it. Jodie picked me up and we made our way to meet the boys.