Will Vinny
It was my turn to take Stella to a play date. This time, at Rookie's house.
"Are you excited?" I asked Stella, looking down at her as she swung our conjoined hands. She always loved to hold my hand whenever we went places, it's breaking my heart now because of what's going on.
And Stella has no clue.
She always said it brought her comfort to hold my hand. Who knew a six year old knew what comfort was? Then again, she was a smart cookie.
"I am! I am!" She happily jumped with that famous beaming smile. I smiled back, happy to see her in a good mood while everyone is thinking the most absurd thing about me.
She happily knocked on the door, beating me to it before I could. I guess she really is excited. The door swung open and there stood Hillary, matching the smile Stella was giving her.
"Hey, Hillary!" I said to her. She looked at me, still smiling and said, "Hi Willy!" She giggled. I shook my head at the mischief my sister has been enrolling her.
Aka, calling me Willy.
Soon, the girls took off into the house and if it weren't for Stella's immediate tug on my hand and let go, I wouldn't have noticed. They were that fast.
"You just going to stand there?" A familiar voice echoed through the hall. Rookie. I shook my head as a light chuckle left my throat and walked in, shutting the door behind me. He gestured towards the stairs with his head once I was in full eyeshot. I nodded, trailing behind him as he skipped every two steps on the way up. He led me to his bedroom and shut the door behind him as he let me go in first.
"God, I need a fucking smoke." He groaned as he slumped against his door. I shot a brow at him. "What? I thought it was obvious I smoke!" He protested. But that wasn't why I was shocked.
"That's the first time I heard you swear." I said, my face probably looking like I saw a fucking ghost by his statement. He shrugged. "Not much about me other than I am not what people assume about me nowadays. I did swear when you said we were in, and I quote, deep, deep shit, though." He chuckled.
When I think about it...he did mock me that day and said 'shit'.
"How are you holding up, by the way?" He asked. "Well. One of us got accused and the other...well...assumed. I need a goddamn fucking smoke too, honestly." He breathed out a sad sigh before pulling two cigarettes out of a pack, along with his lighter. I immediately pictured how that snoob bitched at him and made him walk home, which made me frown.
My frown didn't go unnoticed.
"You know I don't believe what people are saying. Right?" He said as he took a puff of his smoke. "Yeah, same with me. I don't know what happened but I trust you didn't do it. And with Stella having no idea all of this is happening makes it easier but still heartbreaking, you know?" He nodded, taking another puff as I did so, too.
"I know why people think I did it." He muttered under his breath, the smoke slowly becoming pure ash. "Why?" I asked, genuinely curious.
He took a deep breath before he said, "I never had a good relationship with him. I also lash out on everyone out of control."
YOU ARE READING
The look behind those tired eyes
Historical Fiction"It's the look behind those tired eyes, Chandler. They tell a story not many could comprehend. Not a lot of people in your position are able to speak up about their mental health as much as you, you talking about it is a great thing!" "The only good...
