The Virginia Threat

10. Family Bonding

Stephanie's POV

I hug my knees closer to my chest as I stare out of the window. Heavy raindrops fall from the clouded sky. Some of the clear drops hit the slightly fogged window—combining with other drops before they roll down the glass. I lean closer towards the window as I focus on more of these raindrops.

I did not go to school today—By some miracle, I was able to convince the Hartley's that I was sick. Though, they probably think that I mean homesick as opposed to an actual respiratory sickness. I also stayed home sick from work. After what happened yesterday I just couldn't bare to show my face there.

This could just be me being dramatic, but I feel sadder than usual today. While I want to blame it on the rain and otherwise upsetting weather, deep down I know that is not the sole reasoning. Typically, my anger will overpower my sadness. However, that is not the case for today. I have officially been in Virginia for four days and yet it feels like it has been four months.

These have been the longest four days of my life.

I have not left this room since I woke up this morning. I physically do not have the energy to. When Mrs. Hartley came upstairs to tell me that dinner was ready I just told her that I was not hungry. She was trying to hide it behind a smile, but I saw the look of concern in her eyes. Unfortunately, I think that I am beginning to worry the woman and that makes me feel guilty.

The sound of Marsden's bedroom door opening and closing is heard throughout the room. I do not turn in the direction of the door. There is only one person that it could be.

"You know, you could've at least made your bed while you pretended to be sick." The girl's sour tone meets my ears.

I turn to look at my side of the room—My bed is completely unmade, the bedding and pillows all laying haphazardly around the bed. My dirty clothes surround my bed in large piles. The suitcases that I came here with lay unzipped on the floor, the contents laying messily inside of it. I do not move to clean my side of the room, turning my head to face the raindrop-covered window again.

A heavy groan leaves the brunette's mouth as she storms over to my side of the room. I turn to face her just in time to see her grab my blanket and fix it so that it lays flat across the mattress. This hides my messy sheets from our view.

"It's not that fucking hard!" She voices with evident frustration.

The brunette-haired girl stomps back over to her side of the room when I do not reward her with an answer. Not having the energy to argue with the girl, I climb down from the window seat. While the girl is busy digging through her backpack, I make my way over to my side of the room.

I kneel down and grab a few of my dirty clothes off of the floor before throwing them into the hamper near my bed. I do this with quite a few of my clothes before I feel someone kneel down beside me. I turn my head to face the person only for my eyes to land on Marsden. She does not say anything to me, remaining silent as she helps me pick up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. With the two of us doing this, it only takes around five minutes before we finish.

As the two of us stand from our kneeled positions, I finally look at the brunette—Marsden's usually chocolate brown hair is practically black, soaked from the heavy rain pour. She is still dressed in her work uniform, appearing to have left work in it. Her tennis shoes are also soaking wet, clumps of dirt sticking to the fabric, as if she stepped in a puddle or two on the way here. My eyes trail back up to her face only to notice Marsden's conflicted facial expression. I furrow my eyebrows at this, not used to seeing this emotion from her.

"What's wrong?" I ask before my brain can register that the words have left my mouth.

The green-eyed girl hesitates for a few moments before a small exhale eventually leaves her parted lips.