Neighbors

Chapter Twelve, Sleepover Confessions

“Oh!” Both of them rush to my side. “Here let’s get you inside.” Owen tries to help me in and Chris stands on the other side of me trying somewhat. I dart away from both of them and rush into Chris’s bathroom and slam the door shut. I threw up more but luckily in the toilet this time. A few minutes later I hear a slight knock on the door. “Quinn…it’s me Chris.” “GO AWAY!” I hear his footsteps fade away and then I hear another knock. “Quinn it’s Owen…you ok?” As if in response I get another wave of nausea. After spending ten minutes or more in the bathroom I finally get up and walk out into the living room to find Chris sitting on the couch by himself. “Where is Owen?” Chris looks at me. “He had to go cover someone’s shift at the restaurant. Are you ok?” I shake my head. “I feel better now but not all the way.” He points to my dress. “You have some on your dress…here I figured you’d need this.” He tosses a pair of sweatpants and a grey t-shirt at me. “Thanks.” I went into his room and changed out of my dress. I go back and sit down on the couch. “You can kick me out if you want.” He shakes his head. “I’m not kicking you out when you're sick and have nowhere to go. Where is Peyton?” “She is on a date and chances that she will check her messages until tomorrow morning aren’t likely.” Chris nods. “So how sick do you feel?” I hesitate to answer him. “I’m not sick… I stressed myself too much.” “Because you realized that the guy you were on a date with is my friend?” I sigh. “How are you so good at that?” He looks at me curiously. “So good at what?” “Guessing what I’m thinking and getting it right?” He laughs. “I don’t know, I guess it’s one of my techniques. I can tell pretty well what someone is thinking.” I nod. We sit in silence until something inside me breaks. I start crying. At first it is silent and I hope he won’t notice but he does. “Quinn…” When he says my name it turns into full on sobs. He sits shocked for a minute then he scotches closer to me and holds me. “Shh…it’s ok I’m here.” I’m taken back to that day in the hospital when I lied to the nurse and I saw the pain itch across Chris’s face. “I’m sorry about that day in the hospital.” I managed to choke out. He looks at me and holds me tighter. “I’m ready…” He looks into my eyes. “For what?” I try to hold back my sobs and manage to quiet them to just tears. “To open up.” He lets go of me but stays right beside me. I sigh and then I begin. “That day at the hospital I was having a nightmare about my father, that's what you saw. I lied because I was embarrassed that you’d seen me in a weak moment. I don’t have the nightmares anymore but when I was seven Steven told me he was going to the store and he’d be back…he never did though and ever since then I’d had a recurring nightmare about him saying he’d come back and then it shows younger me, teenage me, and grown me shouting he is lying. I called him a week or two ago and got the closure I needed but I discovered I didn't really need it anyways. What I really needed was to know if he was my father or just another man I knew once upon a time. That’s what he was and I was fine with that. I have my sister and my brother. I don't need him or my Mom. She was messed up my entire childhood. She's the reason he left but when I was younger my siblings took care of me and then she finally left. It turns out she got arrested. I don’t let people in because I can’t trust anyone. It took me years to get this close with Peyton and just recently I shared all of my backstory with Amy even though I’ve known her for two years now. I’m sorry I hurt you. It wasn't my intention I thought I was protecting you but now I realize I was protecting me not you. I don't want to end up like my Mother with three kids and no man to help. I refuse to ever end up like her so I shut people out.” The tears start flowing more and more. “I’ll leave now.” I go to stand but Chris pulls me back down and holds me tightly. I cry into his chest and he doesn't move. “Quinn…I’m so sorry for all those things I said. I was totally in the wrong, I understand now.” I hold on to him not wanting to let go. Suddenly my phone vibrates. Chris picks it up and looks at it. “Peyton is calling.” I answer. “QUINN!? ARE YOU CRYING!?” I take a deep breath. “I’m fine Peyton..” “I’m coming!” “No.. stay with Cole I’m fine…I’m good with Chris.” There is a pause. “Are you sure?” “Yes, tell Cole I say hi…have fun!” “Ok! Night!” “Night.” I hung up and put the phone down. “It is ok if I stay right?” Chris laughs. “Are you kidding of course!” I lay my head against Chris’s chest and calm down. My eyes start to get heavy and I fall asleep. I open my eyes to see sunlight slipping through the cracks in Chris’s blinds. I go to move but realize his arms are around me. I turned slightly to see that he never moved when I fell asleep on his chest he stayed right beside me holding me. I lean into his embrace, never wanting to let move from this spot. “Morning..” I roll over to see Chris staring at me. “Sorry did I wake you?” He laughs. “No, I have been awake for about five minutes now watching you sleep.” I smile. “I can make coffee.” “Ok, I’m going to take a shower.” I went into his kitchen and started the coffee. I opened his fridge to find barely anything besides water and apples. I managed to find a box of cornbread and some jam so I made corn cakes. Chris came up behind me wearing a towel around his waist and wrapped his arms around me while I made breakfast. “You barely have any food.” He laughs. “I normally go out to eat or order in.. I’m no cook.” “Well I am…so get ready to have an amazing breakfast.” I turn slightly while tossing the corn cakes to look at Chris’s scar. “You want to know how I got it now?” I smile sheepishly. “I’m sorry about that day..” “No need to apologize, it's forgotten.” I smile. “Yes.” “Well I am going to throw some shorts on and then I’ll tell you.” He disappears into his room and I finish up the corn cakes. I hear my phone ringing so I run into the living room and answer it.