All That's Left

Chapter 18 | Vania

Two years ago

Two weeks had passed since since the unsettling night, and life had returned to a semblance of normalcy. Lucas still hadn't bothered me since the day in the cafeteria, which meant he was doing better.

It was another late night, and I was on the phone with Dorian, as usual. His soccer team had a match in a different city today, but I couldn't attend it like I always did, because I had a literature test this morning, and another test tomorrow which I had studied for the rest of the day.

"So, how was the game?" I asked, settling into my bed, the phone pressed to my ear.

"We won," Dorian's voice crackled with excitement though the line. "It was a close match, but we pulled through in the end. Carlson scored the winning goal."

"I knew you guys would do great. You always do," I replied, genuinely happy for him.

"Yeah, it was amazing. I wish you could've been there, though."

"Me too," I said, glancing at my pile of textbooks on my desk. "But that test wasn't that bad. I think I did well."

"I'm sure you aced it," Dorian said with confidence.

"So where are you guys?"

"About halfway home," Dorian replied, and I could hear the chatter of his teammates in the background. "We got onto the bus about an hour ago, but Coach decided to treat us with pizza for winning today."

We chatted for a while longer about the game and other things that happened throughout the day. I was about to end the call when Dorian's voice took on a different tone, more hesitant and excited.

"Hey, Van, there's something else I wanted to tell you."

"What's up?" I asked, curious.

"I met someone. Her name is Cali. We met after the game, and we really hit it off. She's...she's amazing, Van. I really like her."

"That's great, Dorian. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. I wasn't expecting it, but she's something special."

"We'll talk more about her tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure, Van. Get some rest."

"Goodnight, Dorian."

"Night, Van."

I end the call and lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Dorian had met someone. The realization hit me harder than I expected. I was genuinely happy for him, but I couldn't help the strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Was this how Dorian felt when Lucas and I got together?

Shaking my head, I tried to push the thoughts away. I was happy for him, and that's all that mattered. With that, I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, the echo of Dorian's excitement still ringing in my ears.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and and waffles wafting up from the kitchen. I stretched, feeling the lingering sleepiness fade away, and made my way downstairs.

Dad was already in the kitchen, humming to himself as he plated blueberry waffles for us.

"Morning, Dad," I greeted, sliding onto a stool at the kitchen island.

"Morning, sweetheart," he replied, glancing at me with a warm smile. "How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty well, actually," I said, pouring us both a cup of the freshly brewed coffee. "How about you?"

"Can't complain," he said, turning back to the waffle maker. "So what time did Dorian get home last night?"

"Around midnight, I guess," I answered, taking a sip of my coffee. "Why do you ask?"

Dad slid my plate of waffles in front of me. "You should tell Dorian that the next time he wants to sneak into your room late at night, he can just use the front door. I don't care how late it is, midnight or three o'clock in the damn morning. He has a key, he may just as well use it."

I blinked, completely taken aback. "What? Dorian wasn't in my room last night, Dad."

Dad raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical for a moment, then he shrugged. "Well, then close your windows at night, Vanny. The temperatures are starting to drop. You're going to get sick."

A chill ran down my spine. "Dad, I closed my windows last night. I know I did."

"Well, maybe you should just double-check next time, just to be safe, because when I went for my jog around five this morning, your windows was still open," Dad said, his tone light but his eyes serious.

I nodded slowly, my mind racing. I t couldn't have been Dorian. He would have been too tired to come over last night, and even if he did, he always closed my windows. And I know for certain I closed my windows last night.

The unsettling feeling from two weeks ago came rushing back.

What if someone had been in my room?

What if there really was someone watching me that night and had decided to take their chances and get closer?

I shivered involuntarily, the thought sending a chill down my spine. Mu first instinct was to tell Dad about the feeling I had weeks ago, and now this. But Penasco was a safe town, a place where everyone knew everyone, and the idea of a stranger lurking around seemed also impossible. Besides, I didn't want to start worrying Dad again. Things had just calmed down with Lucas, he didn't need to worry about this too.

And then there was Dorian. He would want to be told about this. But he had been so excited last night, his voice animated at the mention of Cali. I didn't want to spoil his happiness with my paranoia. I couldn't bear to dampen his spirits with what could very well be nothing more than my mind playing tricks on me.

But the chill in my bones wouldn't go away. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that there was someone watching my every move from somewhere unseen. I glanced at the window, half-expecting to see a face peering in, but there was nothing. Just the morning light streaming through, casting familiar patters on the floor.

"Vania?" Dad's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "You okay?"

I forced a smile, nodding again. "Yeah, Dad. Just thinking."

"Another waffle for your thoughts?" Dad asked with a smile, as he set a fresh, golden waffle on my plate.

I hesitated. I wasn't going to lie to my Dad, so instead, I said, "Dorian met someone yesterday. Her name is Cali."

Dad raised an eyebrows as he put whipped cream on my waffle. "Oh? And what do you think about that?"

I shrugged, pushing my waffle around on my plate. "I don't know. I'm happy for him, I really am. It's just...unexpected."

Dad watched me carefully, his eyes soft with understanding. "You two have been through everything together. It's natural to feel a but unsettled when things start to change."

"Yeah," I admitted. "It's just weird, you know? He's never had a girlfriend before, and now...And I feel so bad, because what if Dorian felt this way when Lucas and I got together? He never said anything."

Dad leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Dorian has always been there for you, Van, and you for him. Even when you were with Lucas, he stayed by your side. That says a lot about his character and how much he cares for you. Besides, do you not remember how you asked him about three times if he was okay with bringing Lucas into your life?"

He could've lied.

I sighed, picking at my waffle. "I guess. I just don't want to lose him, Dad. He's the most important person in my life, next to you of course."

"You won't lose him sweetheart," Dad reassured me. "You two have a bind that goes beyond anything new. Trust in that."

I nodded. "Thanks, Dad."

He ruffled my hair, smiling at me as he stood up and moved over to the sink.

"Anytime, Vanny. You know where to find me if you want to talk about anything else."

I finished my breakfast in silence, my mind still churning with unease. Once I was done, I helped Dad with the dishes then headed back upstairs to get dressed for the day. As I changed, I couldn't help but glance at the window again, making sure it was securely latched.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I had to believe that it was nothing, that I was just overreacting. But the chill in my bones told me otherwise. Something was off, and I needed to figure out what it was before I drove myself insane.

As I grabbed my jacket and headed back downstairs, I resolved to keep my eyes open, to stay vigilant. This was my home, I wouldn't let fear take away the comfort that it brought me.