The Shadows Of Yesterday

The Shadows Of Yesterday {29}

Arlo and I showered in the morning and he let me borrow his clothes. We were meeting his friends for breakfast.

I hadn't slept well last night, but every time I woke up, I at least had the comfort of Arlo's body against mine. Still, what Brynn had said yesterday was bothering me, so I grabbed his hand as he went to leave the room.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said. "Arlo, I don't want to...Please just tell me if I'm getting...clingy." I couldn't bring myself to say dependent. It felt like a betrayal to Seth's loyalty.

"Jeremy, you're going through a rough time. Stop overthinking," he said, tugging me in for a hug. "Yea, man, I'll be aware of that, but it ain't gonna happen. I talk too much for someone to get that clingy on me."

I smiled a little at that. Arlo caught it and grinned, dipping his head in for a quick kiss before pulling the door open.

"C'mon," he said, holding my hand as we left the dorm together.

We made our way to the dining hall. My stomach knotted with anxiety and I did an immediate eye-sweep of the tables, guilty and relieved when I didn't spot Seth, Brynn, or Vin anywhere. Still, the initial fear threw off my appetite, so I grabbed a piece of toast and some coffee.

Arlo frowned when he saw my meager breakfast, but thankfully didn't push me on it. He led me to the table his friends were at and the two of us joined them.

"Enjoy the night?" Nicky said.

Arlo flicked his straw wrapper at Nicky. "We just watched a movie. We haven't violated the virgin sanctity of your room, Nicky."

"'Virgin'," Nicky scoffed. Arlo took Brooks' straw wrapper to flick at Nicky next.

Harley ignored them and looked at me instead. "If you don't want to talk about yesterday, we won't. I just want to make sure you're okay."

I dropped my gaze to my coffee. "I'm fine."

Far from it, but she took the hint and didn't press for more than that. She busied herself breaking up the wrapper war starting between Arlo and Nicky instead, growing exasperated when Brooks joined in for seemingly no reason.

Chief fidgeted with his fork nervously before finally clearing his throat. "Jeremy, did we...make it worse for you?"

I stiffened. "I-"

"Oscar, he doesn't want to talk about it, and that's okay," Harley said, putting her hand over his to get him to stop fidgeting.

"Yea," I muttered. I glanced up at Chief. "But, uh, thanks. For looking out for me. And speaking out for me."

I knew how hard that had to be for him. Chief blushed a little and nodded.

"It's what friends do," he said.

"Yea, it is," I said.

And they were my friends. But in bonding with them, had I abandoned Seth?

It ate at me all through breakfast. I barely even touched the excuse of a meal I'd grabbed, struggling to focus on any conversations they had at the table.

Finally, I pushed my plate away. "I've, uh, got to go."

"Hey," Arlo said, looking worried. "You do what you need to do, Jeremy. But will you text me when you have a free minute?"

"Sure," I said. I stood up, then bit my lip. "I'll see you tonight, if that's okay? I can't steal your clothes forever."

"Hell no you can't, I lose those pants," Arlo said. He gave me a smile. "See you tonight then, Jeremy."