Seven Sins

Chapter 24: The Absence

The next morning, I was awoken by Juli's wet nose rubbing against me.

"Ugh, Juli!" I whined, rubbing my eyes as I slowly got up.

I yawned as I pet her.

My eyes were pink and a little puffy from the night before.

I think the heavier weight was that Cody was upset with me. I had to fix things with him, no matter what.

I hurried to get ready and fed Juli before rushing to breakfast.

I took a seat next to Alex who was trying hard to show me the tooth he had removed.

Some time had passed and the twins had left, that left Carter, Alex and Axel at the table

Carter stood getting Alex' bag for school.

"Ready to go?" Axel asked, we were going to walk to school together.

"Uhm...yeah I think Cody forgot to get up, I'll go check on him and we can leave"

"Cody?" Carter chuckled
"Well Cody's left, early this morning, his flight left for Switzerland"

I looked at him confused

"What? He didn't tell you?" Carter asked also looking confused

"He left? Where did he go?" Axel asked

"My God, you guys are supposed to be siblings" Carter rolled his eyes

"He got the scholarship at the Swiss school, he'll be back for the holidays end of term, he said he was going to surprise you guys at the lodge, don't know why he wouldn't have told you guys"

Carter gathered Alex and his things and left.

"Lucky son of a-" Axel began

"Let's go" I interrupted, getting up off my seat.

I hurried to get my bag and walk out the door.

I couldn't believe it... he left without saying a word... was he so upset... and now I can't even speak with him until he gets back.

A part of me hurt inside...

"Wait up!" Axel called behind me

Too busy thinking I just walked on

The day went by quickly, I numbingly sat through all the lectures constantly thinking of him.

Wondering if he went happy or worried, or simply maybe care free

When the day ended I was in a rush to get home once again when I heard Axel calling out to me

"Yara! Hey!" I ignored him and walked on again

"Yara!" He yelled jogging up to me and holding me by my arm

"What?" I asked annoyed

"Damn. You need some cheering up..."

I ignored his comment, sighing

"Anyway, there's this party and trust me you don't wanna miss this one, because the-"

"Axel. Just stop. OK, I don't wanna go to your parties. I don't want anymore of your notes and I don't want to walk in on you ontop of another girl, so just do your thing and leave me out of it, I'm not gonna snitch on you, so you can save your sympathy invite"

He looked at me... the smile fading from his face

"Yara...I never did that out of sympathy... but I'm starting to see why you'd feel that way" He looked me head to toe and walked away quietly.

"Ugh" i moaned again making my walk.

Great. More emotional baggage for me to carry around.

I got home and looked around for Juli since no one was home.

She was nowhere to be found.
There was one place I knew of that she might be.

I made my way up the stairs, creeped out from the eery sunset silence in the empty penthouse.

I walked to Cody's door which was cracked open.

As I entered, I saw his room was very minimal. White sheets, still a mess, and Juli sleeping stretched out between them.

"Juli" I smiled as I sat next to her, looking around.

I could smell him and he smelt so comforting. I could already feel his absence.

I ran my hand over his soft pillow, laying my head on it to rest.

Letting out a sigh, I closed my eyes and lay next to Juli for a bit, not wanting to wake her, i stared at Codys trophy and medal shelf, full of achievements glittering gold, trying to count them all I drifted off to sleep in the dark room.

When I woke it was from the fresh scent of Cody from his bed.

I smiled slightly at how weirdly comforting it was, when I realized...I wasn't alone.

An arm around my waist held me firmly from behind, it was warm, just holding me.

"Didn't want you to wake up so soon" his voice whispered in my ear.

I squirmed trying to get out of his hold and he held on cheekily.

Finally I managed to push him off and fell right off the side of the bed.

The room was even darker now like it was night time, Juli had also left.

I looked at the lump in the bed and it was non other than Evan, laying in the bed with a black tank top on and some sweats.

"What the fuck Evan!" I scolded

"Woah- relax, you're the one in my room" He retaliated still calm

"Cody's room" I corrected

"Oh so you wanted him?" He diverted

"No-I...I was looking for- Ugh what are you even doing here?"

"Came down for finals week" He replied.
"Now if you don't mind-" He held me by my shoulders leading me out the room
"You'd better not be in my room this late"

He shut the door behind me

"Hey!" I said as I was pushed out

I sighed, irritated by how pompous he was.

Just then I heard a scoff to my right.

It was Axel, with his arms crossed watching through his black hair.

He tuts and walks into his room, shaking his head as if disappointed.

"Fuck my life" I whispered as I made my way downstairs.

It was 11:23 pm. I guess I must've slept a while..

I found Juli sleeping again in my bed this time

"I guess you don't like Evan either" I pet her and got ready for bed, trying to ignore how comfortable of a nap I had just had...

I still couldn't tell him to stay away...