Boundless Love

Chapter Four - Four inches

"Trevil! What are you doing at home?" I hug him as soon as I see him when I come through the door. 

"Hey, Lizzy. Have you seen my charger? I left it here I think," he asks me as I let him go. 

I get a good look at him before I answer. He stands a good six inches above me, at 6'1. He looks stronger than when I last saw him, and I can only assume hockey has been going well. His big brown eyes are bright and his hair needs a trim, but he looks healthy.

"I put it on your nightstand. You left it on the counter." I look past him at his duffle bag that's sitting on the table. "You're not staying for dinner?"

"No, I'm staying at Theo's house." he runs up the stairs for his charger and I start putting the groceries I had on my arm away. When he comes back down I ask him where mom is. 

He scoffs at the mention of her. "She was gone when I got here. It beats me if I know."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as I nodded, holding up a can of Campbell's Spaghettios and Meatballs. "You sure you don't want to stay for a little? I got your favorite," I try to bribe him. 

"I can't, Sis, I'm sorry. Thoe's mom is picking me up any minute," he says, giving me a sorry look and I begin to feel a little discouraged.

"It's fine. Did you bring home your laundry? Do you need me to do it?" Honk! Honk! A car horn honks from outside as I finish my sentence. 

"Yeah, it's in my basket," he looks out the window in the door as he answers me. "I gotta go, they're here." 

"Stay safe. I love you," I tell him as he opens the door. 

He gives me a thumbs-up on his way out. He didn't say it back. I sigh again as I put the can down. No matter. I ignore the small pang of hurt I feel in my chest as I finish putting away groceries and then clean. 

******

The rest of my evening was uneventful and I was left unbothered, even after my mom came home last night, which I'm ever so grateful for. I was able to sleep quite well and I feel better than I did last night. It's even a beautiful new day. Sun's out and everything. I open my window and breathe in the fresh morning air.

I make up my mind that I will have a good day as I look through my dresser for clothes to wear. To match my good mood I wear my absolute favorite outfit and leave my hair down, even adding a little mascara. I grab my high-heeled combat boots and tiptoe out of my room and downstairs to the front door. 

I decide not to grab breakfast or anything since I wasted enough time getting ready, and instead just go right out the door. I make sure to shut it quietly before sitting down to put my shoes on. I would have put them on in my house, but I didn't want the noise of me walking to wake my mother or whoever she had with her. I didn't mind though; I still sported my smile as I walked to school. 

The morning air seemed fresher today and everything was peaceful. I admired the greening trees and grass more than usual as I walked. Took in the way the leaves danced as the wind caressed them, the way the morning dew still kissed the grass, and how the birds sang their wonderous song as I walked on autopilot. Everything seems so much brighter today. I didn't know why, but I'm not complaining about the joyous spirit that I'm suddenly filled with after the last few days I've had. 

Even the school seemed a little brighter today. The colors just popped. 

"Liz!" Az yells for me from across the commons, waving her hand in the air for me to see her. 

I make my way through many people to get to her, greeting her warmly with a big hug. "Azzy!!" When I pull back I look around for Ilaria to realize she's not here. "Where's Ria?"