Next Door Lover

17.

Scarlett's POV
Lizzie's question makes my heart start pounding in my chest. It's clear she knows something, she's been questioning me for a while. But how much longer can I hide my feelings, if that's really what they are.

Part of me thinks I just like the attention. Maybe I'm so deprived of it, and so lonely, Katie's the first one to show it to me in so long and that's why I like her. But then, would I be thinking about her when my heart is content. Like when I'm happy and playing with my kids, I wonder how Katie's day is going. It'll be the most random time too, and Katie's smile pops up in my head or I think I hear her and have to go check outside if it was her or not.

"I-I don't know Liz. I thought it was a loneliness thing. But i think it's more than that." I slightly confess as Lizzie scoots under the blanket and rests her head on the pillow facing me.

"When did that more feeling change?" She asks. My eyes flicker up at her and my silence makes her eyes go wide. "I knew that kiss when she was having a panic attack meant more!" She gasps.

"Lizzieee" I groan and roll over to look up at the ceiling. "That time was honest to my intentions. But she's sneaky, and bold as hell. Then I helped her find an outfit for her first day with your sisters and I'm not sure what came over me." I admit

"Jeez Scar, I'm not sure what to say exactly. Do you want me to tell you what you want to hear or do you want my honest opinion?" She asks and I tilts my head and give her a look like 'cmon'

"Okay, I think you're really curious about her. I think Colin fucking up gives you the opportunity to explore that, if you end things with him but I don't think it's going to be easy. She's 18. She could lean for college in 3 months half way across the country." Lizzie softly says and it's the first time that's crossed my mind.

"That's probably going to be her best bet. Get far away from her mother. You know she got into photography programs at NyU and Stanford but she's afraid her parents won't pay for it. I wish I could help her figure out a way to go because her photographs are amazing. She should experience college and learn all she can. Who knows where she will end up." I ramble and when I look back over to Lizzie she has a smirk on her face.

"Uh so yeah, I don't think it's an attention thing. Scar, you need to explore this." She says and I look at her confused

"What? Why?"

"You were just bragging about her and even though you were explaining her conflict your eyes were shining  so bright and determined. You looked like my old Scarlett." She smiles.

Maybe Lizzie's right, maybe I need to dive right into Katie. Help her with her home problems and maybe she'll be helping me with my own problems at the same time. But that would first be confronting my biggest problem. Colin.

Katies POV
*BOOM BOOM BOOM* "open the door Katie!!!" I jolt out of my bed and look at my door, wondering if it was a dream.

*BOOM BOOM BOOM*

"Kathleen Eleanor Jackson, get your ass out here now!!!" Rings through my door and I'm quick to scramble and unlock it. It flies open once I click it to unlock and my mother storms in and practically runs me over. The only reason I don't fall is because her hands are fisted around my tshirt as she pins me to my dresser.

"There's broken glass all over the house. It still reeks like burnt pizza and you cleared the tequila bottle. Was anyone else in this house." She seethes and I flinch when she pulls my shirt tighter and gets more in my face.

"N-no." I muster up enough courage to utter that word.

"You opened all the windows?" She asks. And I nod frantically. "I guess you're not as stupid as you look." She releases her grip in my shirt but doesn't back away. "So then I guess you were going to run away but the alcohol took over and you passed out, yet again. Huh?" She taunts me and I close my eyes to think. I wasn't going to run away?