Pages of You

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Dear Atlas,

I know - I know... It's been months since I've written. There wasn't much to write about except what happened recently.

Yesterday, I begged my parents to let Chiron sleep over tonight since it's Friday. I know they were uncomfortable with a boy sleeping in the same room as me, so I suggested he and I sleep in the living room. My mom was okay with it, but my dad was still hesitant. I didn't tell them why I wanted Chiron to stay over. I don't think Chiron knows why either...

But... I believe Chiron gets beaten up. He comes to class sometimes with these weird bruises on his face and arms. I've noticed it for a while, but I thought it was because he played hockey after school. I don't even know if he's actually in hockey because when I asked him where he was playing, I went there to surprise him. He wasn't there. When I asked one of the players, they said they didn't know Chiron Bontemps. I probably went to the wrong place. Chiron wouldn't lie to me.

Anyway, he's sleeping over tonight.

Love always, Rosie (April 13th, 2012)

Dear Atlas,

I'm worried. Chiron didn't go to school today... Right now, I'm sitting by myself in our usual spot in the quad. I texted him, and he never responded. He's never missed a day of school. He hates missing a day. He thinks it's irresponsible and always has perfect attendance. Maybe I'm just overreacting. Perhaps he's just sick. I might bike over to his house and see if he's okay.

I have to go. The bell just rang.

Love always, Rosie (May 9th, 2012)

"When are you going to let me read your diary?"

I looked up an alarm, not realizing Chiron was standing at the entrance of my bedroom watching me. We had just finished dinner, and Chiron made us classic chocolate chip cookies, making our house smell divine. I closed my diary and put it inside my drawer before whirling around to face him.

"Never." I stuck my tongue out.

He grinned, striding over to me and looking around the room slowly. I crossed my arms, watching him. My bedroom was decent. Definitely not how it was when I was a teenager, but I had pictures of me, and Adeline hung on the walls along with some other college friends. Chiron walked over to one of the hung pictures and peered at the people in them.

I walked over and stood beside him to better see the picture. It was taken during a quick trip to Europe, and in the photo, I was posing with a fluffy croissant while sitting next to Adeline and two guys.

Chiron tilted his head and looked at me questioningly.

I let out a deep breath, grinning at the memories. "That's us and some guys we met in France. We were feeling so burnt out from college that we both decided we needed to escape for a bit to Europe."

He raised an eyebrow, "Some guys?" He repeated.

I bumped him teasingly. "They were our tour guides, Chiron. They were very nice."

He looked like he wanted to ask more but decided against it. Instead, he nodded and threw me another shy smile. "What did you guys end up doing?"

I shrugged as I followed him around my room while he moved on to other photos. "We didn't get to spend much in France, honestly. Our trip was at the last minute, so we didn't plan properly. We just had a day in Paris and then went to London and Edinburgh for the rest of the trip."