Four Page Letters (TeacherxStudent)

Chapter 38

Charlotte

*two months later

"God, Abby that's awful." I said making a face at the disgusting taste of bland coffee in my mouth. "Hey! It's actually not that bad. Your tastebuds just suck. Its quite nice, actually." I shrugged as I ran my hands through my hair. "I'll just stick to what I know." She laughed. "Sooo, how are you feeling about your prom-posal?" I shook my head as I bit my lip. "Im actually a little nervous. Its just.. so much has happened and I just want it to be perfect. I want to give her a perfect night. She deserves it you know?" Abby smiled at me. "And it will be! We've got it all figured out. Relax, Char, she's going to love it." She looked down at her phone and responded to a message and I looked around the coffee shop we were in. She was right. I practically have embedded this plan in her mind over the last two weeks. Knowing Ros didn't get to go to her own prom added a little more stress to the situation. I wanted her to have everything she should've had back then. "Hey Abby." "Yeah?" She responded without looking up. "Thank you. For everything. Helping me with Ros and just.. being here. I couldn't do anything without you by my side." She smiled at me as she held up the coffee cup in her hands. "You've literally been thanking me everyday for the last two months Char. 4Lifers babe. Don't you forget it."

A lot has happened since that night. We dont discuss it. No one brings it up. Only in therapy. Which Ros didn't hesitate to get us all into fairly quickly. I don't give specifics that would implicate me in anything, but I'm pretty candid for the most part. And honestly it helps me so much. It took a while to get here but I've finally found peace. Im working on myself more and more every day and I really like who I am becoming, so Im okay being alone with my thoughts now. Abby spends more time at the house with us now that I've moved in. She comes over some weekends. Sometimes unannounced. Rosalynn is always so welcoming to my best friend but she doesn't hesitate to tell her to go to home especially when she wants me to herself. I also make myself scarce whenever she has company which is usually only Liz, bit still I make sure to give her some time and space to herself. Even though she says she doesn't need it. I encourage her to still go out whenever she wants and not feel obligated to stay home with me. It's something about her stumbling into the house after she's had one too many margaritas and she finds me wherever I am in the house, be it the bedroom or lounging on the couch, she will walk in the room, smile at me, then come and fall on top of me and usually falls asleep. It's my favorite part of her nights out . She always comes home to me.

So its still important we maintain relationships outside of one another. Our living arrangements have been working out really nicely for us. Usually Abby will come and pick me up for school and take me home after. I have to force her to accept my gas money, though. On days she can't make it for whatever reason, I get up early with Ros and have her drop me at the coffee shop two blocks from school and she meets me there after. I don't want to risk anyone seeing us or getting suspicious by us coming and going constantly. On days where the weather isnt the nicest we take our chances though.

Rosalynn usually does all of the cooking. She makes the most amazing meals. We share dinner together, always at the table. Never with our phones nearby so no distractions. We discuss the day we had and anything that comes to mind. Any household needs or things of that nature. Afterwards I always clear the table and clean the kitchen. I typically would run a bath or start the shower for Ros also. I've found I enjoy the moments where at the end of the night when Im in bed with my favorite book; I watch Rosalynn rummage through her closet for clothes for work, asking my opinion on every option she brings out. I know its something so simple but it means a lot to me. I feel like we are constantly learning more and more about one another and thats so special to me. I've learned to speak her love language, which is physical touch. So whenever we're driving I place my hand on her thigh. I rub her feet when I know she's had a long day. I always make sure I touch the small of her back when I'm passing by her. She likes to feel me near her. She says she can't sleep without me. I don't know how I ever did.