My Pace

Chapter 14

Anabelle's POV
I turned on the water. I heard them talking. I put my ear against the door.

"What do you think, we should do?"

"I dunno. Maybe get her outta town for a while. Maybe...she can get her mind off if. I know that probably sounds shitty but...that's all I can think right now."

"You'd probably have to come."

"I figured."

"You're right though. I should get her away. This town...it's not healthy for her to be in any more."

"Where do you think you'd take her?"

They're talking about me moving?

Curran why are you agreeing?!

"I don't know. East Stroudsburg maybe? It's about 20 minutes away. She can go to a new school too."

Why are they talking about this?!

Should I say something?!

I can't live 20 minutes away!

What if I need him right away?!

A new school?!

What's going on?!

"That might work. Maybe, she'll make a friend or two?"

"I hope. She's pretty lonely when you're not around."

"She's gonna be miserable if you move that far away."

"I don't know what else to do though."

"Either way, she's gonna fight us on it."

"Yeah. You're right."

You're damn right, I'm gonna fight you on it.

I stopped listening and took a quick shower. When I was done, there were still talking about me moving.

"She should do mellow things for a while. You should look up things there before you figure it out."

"That's a good idea."

I walked out of the bathroom.

"Curran? Why are you agreeing?"

"Oh fuck. How long have you been listening?"

I shrugged.

"You don't want me around?" I asked as my voice cracked.

"Ani I swear, that's not what this is. I-I DO want you around. Trust me. I do. This...this town isn't safe for you anymore. You should be somewhere safe."

"It's because, I'm younger, isn't it?"

"No no. That has nothing to do with that."

"I'm gonna uh. Leave you both alone to talk this out"

My mom left my room and closed my bedroom door.

"You want someone else, don't you?"

He walked up to me.

"Where is this coming from?"

"It's because...you're gonna graduate this year. You don't want to deal with me "

He cupped my face.

"Baby no..."

"You promised me...you wouldn't leave me the way you left your exes."

"And I'm not. I swear, I'm not. Paul knows where you live probably. His friends can hurt you. You need to be somewhere safe. This town...isn't the place for you anymore."

I sniffled. I pushed him away.

"Ani..."

"Why are you doing this to me? Did I do something? Did you lie to me? Are you actually mad?"

"No. I'm not mad. You didn't do anything. I promise you didn't do anything."

"Do you though? Do you?"

"What's wrong? Why are you talking like this?"

"I heard the entire conversation. You suggested, I leave."

"Tha-that's not what I said. I said, your mom should bring you somewhere else for a bit. I never said anything about you moving."