The Story Of Us

Chapter 23

Devin's POV
"Can I use it now?"

"In a minute. I gotta connect it."

I connected the controller and gave it to her.

"Yay! How do I use this?"

"Here. Give me your hands."

"O-okay?"

My mom came in and gave me, my medicine.

"Now? But..."

She started staring at me.

"Fine. Give me the thing."

She handed me the mini measuring cup. I started staring at it.

"I'm dreading this."

"Just take it."

I quickly drank it.

"Fuck me! That's fucking disgusting!"

I started coughing. My mom gave me soda to get rid of the taste.

"Oh my god. That should be illegal."

Emilia started playing with the controller.

"Hmm. I think...I'm getting the hang of it."

"How often do I have to take that horrid thing?"

"Three times a day."

I groaned.

"He shouldn't be contagious starting tomorrow. You probably won't need to wear a mask."

Emilia's phone started going off.

"Oh no. It's my mom."

She answered.

"Hi mom. Yes. He's feeling better."

She started to look upset.

"A-are you sure? Wh-what did Aunt Sharon say?"

Tears started to form.

Oh no.

I know that look.

"T-this is because we left? But...mom...h-he's ruining us. I-I can't talk to Alexandra anymore? Mom...but...she doesn't know anything. I know, you can't control his family. No. I-I never said anything. I only talked to Devin about that."

Emilia grabbed my hand and started squeezing it.

"Emi? What's going on?"

"I uh...uh...would like to not go to school tomorrow. I-I need to process everything. N-no. I won't be home tonight. C-can you do something for me? C-can you hide every picture we have of dad's family? I-it'll be too painful to see them. I'll uh...see if I can stay with Devin. I-if not, I'll just go get a hotel room for the night."

"Emi what's going on?"

"H-hang on Devy. C-can I stay here?"

"Yeah. You're scaring me."

"I-I'll explain in a few."

I wiped a tear away.

"Yes. Please hide everything from his side of the family. Yes. I-I mean it. I-I do not ask for much. Please just do, those things for me. Yes. Anything. Cards, toys, pictures, everything. Get rid of it all. Okay. Goodnight. I love you too."

She put her phone down.

"Emi?"

"My dad's side of the family...just cut me and my mom off. Did my dad move yet? I saw the for sign the other day."

"Oh yeah. H-he's gone."

"He's been gone for weeks now."

She relaxed a bit.

"Good. That's good."

She started hugging me.

"Wh-what're you doing? I'm still sick."

She sniffled.

"I-I honestly do not care right now."

I started hugging her tightly. She started crying.

"You're okay."

Don't cough!

Don't fuckin cough!

I moved her away from me and started coughing into my arm.

This is the worse time to be sick.

Why am I sick now?!

"I-I'm so sorry."

She sniffled.

"I-it's okay."