Trouble Times Two

Chapter Forty-Nine

Thursday

Vincent hasn't set foot back on the premises of the house but I always saw him waiting for her after she drove back from her job.

We were sitting on her bed packing and she starts to clean. I put all her stuff into suitcases after folding them.

I was sort of sad to see her go but I honestly couldn't live with Vincent, definitely not right now. The memories were still raw and my home was a place where I could live in peace and come here for comfort.

It was definitely empty but it calmed me down and gave me a place to create a stimulation free zone.

Vincent was never very understanding of my needs. None of siblings were, but I never had to share with any of the rest of them.

However, when Vincent and I were small, we shared rooms because our parents wanted us to bond really well, so they did make us share until ages eight or nine.

Vincent always made fun of me when I would stim and regardless of whether he knew or not, my parents did. They should have told him to stop.

I guess I kind of always was screwed with how I was treated as I always last in my parents mind.

For some moronic reason, they always thought that they needed to treat everyone's needs in order from first to last, even though it made no sense.

If you have ten children, learn to treat their needs in a way that feels equal. Even if you have two, find a way to treat needs equally.

"We'll be paying some sort of rent." She says and I look up in confusion.

"Why? I don't need it." I respond as I help her fold some clothes and stop when I see her uniform. "Wow. They never bought you a new one did they?"

"Nope! You remember the policy though. Only your parents or guardians can put in the uniform request. Then they would need to bring the money in person. That is just two things my parents would never do. It served me well though." She puts it inside out and I see a little hidden gem.

It was a stitch with her and my name on it so that we could commemorate our time together. It was lovely.

I had one on mine as well. It was very old and stuffed in the back of a closet.

Surprisingly, they didn't make us wear long sleeves but I and anyone else who had tattoos had to cover them up whenever we had events or visitors.

There was very different lifestyles within that school as a result of the categories, which were: military adjacent, meaning those who wanted to go into the military and were ages sixteen to eighteen. Behaviour reinforcement, meaning those of us who had to go to improve our behaviour within our sentences and that included Jess and I. Clinical, meaning those who struggled with mental health concerns and opted to go to the school and could opt out at any time. Generally, they stayed because it was an amazing school. Education only, meaning those were there for sports and education.

Some students boarded, some of us didn't. Jess and I were part of the group that couldn't make a choice on what we did.

"Yeah we are absolutely going to pay rent. I've been living here for free apart from a meaningless expense here and there. I am putting my foot down. Tell us how much you want, considering utility costs too. I will need to see proof so you don't undercharge me. We can figure it out together if need be." She was being very firm, just like how she always has been.

Jess being abandoned by her family wrecked her confidence to an unimaginable level.

I was so glad to see she was regaining her tenacious and strong-willed character, the very one I had grown to love her for.

My best friend was truly back with me.

"I really don't need you guys to pay me anything. What if Vincent rags on me for making you guys pay?" I ask and she puts her hands firmly on my shoulder.

"Gia, if he does that, I swear to high hell and back that if he ever gets intolerable about you, if he ever gets out of line when it comes to you, even makes one suggestion I don't like when it comes to you, I will break up with him. I've had this discussion with him because you've always been the first ally in my corner and you come before him nine times out of ten. I can always break up with him but I would NEVER break up with you. You've been the one who supported me, got your family to help me out and because of them and you, I managed to accumulate enough money to get out of Remoir and to here with you. I didn't leave Remoir for Vincent, I did it for you. I want to be near you. Even if I don't see you everyday, knowing that you, my best friend in the whole world will be here if I need you, is enough for me. Knowing that I can be here for you, and I know you need me because you've had such a hard time, is enough for me. Vincent is here because he loves me and I do love him, a whole lot. But honestly Gia, I love you more. You're the one who's always been here for me, no matter what I did. No matter my crime. So yes, we'll pay rent and we'll figure it out after my clothes are packed." We have a big and we continue to pack. Only when she's done, do we decide on a cost for rent.

After the figure is decided, I help her pack her stuff.

I wave goodbye to her as she leaves, before I trudge my way back upstairs and mope in my bed.

It was irrational for me to be upset, as I was the one who made the choice that resulted in Jess not living here.

It's just the fact that I was alone in this house again that made me sad.