Black & White [Jeremiah Fisher]

sixteen

ROWAN

When Steven and I returned back to the beach house it was dark. Other houses around us were already setting off fireworks, but surprisingly, none were coming from the beach. This morning, Jeremiah seemed extremely excited to light off fireworks with his father. I wonder what happened?

We both walked into the house and the only people who sat in the kitchen were my mom and Laurel. The two of them seemed to be in a deep and serious conversation until our presence cut them off.

"Rowan Grace, where the hell were you?" My mother gasps worriedly, stepping down from the stool she was sitting on. The two of us immediately embraced one another in a hug.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I was just upset and needed to take a walk. Please don't be mad." I let go of her, but she kept both her hands on my forearms, her eyes were filled with sympathy and concern.

"Sweetie, I'm not mad, you just scared me." She sighs.

I send her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I really hope I didn't ruin your night." I look at my mom and then to my aunt.

Laurel shakes her head. "Trust me, what you did compares nothing to what happened after." I watch as she takes a sip of her wine. I knew she was talking about Belly.

"We are just happy you're safe." My mom pulls me in for another hug. I love my mom's hugs. Somehow her hugs can make me feel better every time.

"I love you, I'm sorry again." I whisper into her shoulder.

"It's okay, sweetie, but there is a boy who was almost as worried as me upstairs." She whispers back. I don't even have to ask who she is referring to because I know she is talking about Jeremiah.

"I should probably show him that I'm not dead then." I chuckle to try and make light out of this situation, as much as I am dreading it.

"Yes, you should."

I say my goodnight to both of them. Steven follows behind me upstairs and before we make our separate ways, he sends me a thumbs up.

"You got this."

I smile. "And you need to go get your girl back."

He smiles.

"Goodnight, Rowie."

"Night, Stevie."

My heartbeat accelerates as I walk towards Jeremiah's bedroom door. I know I need to lay everything out on the table tonight. He deserves to know the truth and I deserve to get everything off my chest.

But fuck, it's going to be hard.

I gather up all my courage, which isn't a lot, and knock twice on his door. I wait a few seconds but hear no response. So I knock louder, and this time around I hear shuffling which only causes me to go into cardiac arrest because this is it, this conversation is going to happen.

My heart stops when a disheveled, curly-headed boy opens his door. His eyes are bloodshot red along with his nose as if he's used too many tissues.

His eyes say enough for me to know I am allowed in. Jeremiah moves out of the way, letting me walk past him and as I do, he shuts the door behind me softly.

Without hesitation, I sit down on his bed which is made neatly, but I can tell he has been lying on top of the covers. This is the first time I've sat on his bed and let me tell you, it is the most comfortable bed I have ever been on.

Jeremiah slowly trudges over to me and sits down beside me, not saying a word. This worries me, but I know if he didn't want me in here he would have shut the door in my face.