Reach For The Stars (Dallas Liu & Ian Ousley)

58

STAR'S POV

I wait by the door, eager to welcome Ian and Dallas home. Breakfast was ready for them, as was their freshly cleaned room.

Their car arrives, and I swing the door open, eager to see my boys.

"Welcome back!" I shout as I see them exit the car.

"Hi Star." Ian stretches as he closes the door.

"Star!" Dallas shares my excitement.

I walk down to their car and hug them both.

"How was it?" I ask.

"It was good. It was really busy but it was fun." Ian reacts.

I try to help them with their baggage, but they say they've got it.

"Breakfast is ready!" I tell them.

"Wow we should go away more often." Dallas jokes.

"Oh shut up." I nudge him and giggle.

We returned inside the house, and they immediately put their belongings in their room.

They came into the kitchen and praised me for making food.

"Before we eat, we do need to do the search." Ian brings it up.

"You understand, right Star?" Dallas asks.

"Yeah." I nod my head. "Go ahead."

"We'll be back." Ian replies as they wander off.

I sat on the chair by my island, swinging around in it.

Last night, on my way back from Jacob's place, I brought back something I shouldn't have.

Honestly, I should be owning up to my mistakes and taking responsibility for my actions. I just can't bring myself to do it, even though it would be the correct thing to do.

After four months in treatment, I became accustomed to these checks, and the more often they were performed, the more I would follow them around and observe them. I've noticed that they never, ever inspect the plants.

So I hid the bag of coke in the corner of my room, beneath the faux monstera I have. I sit here now, feeling both guilty and at ease.

A part of me refuses to believe that I should ruin everything after I made it this far. The feeling is just beyond words.

"Okay let's eat." Returning to the kitchen with Ian, Dallas says.

As they come to join me on the island, I give them a smile.

"So how was it for you?"

"Very busy as well." I say, savoring my waffle. "But it was pleasant, you know? This album makes me feel incredibly good."

"I'll go ahead and say it." Ian lets loose.

I was aware of what he was about to say.

"Oh that." My eyebrows raise.

"What was that all about?" Dallas questions.

"My day basically ended with Blaise. It was great that his little ones wanted to celebrate the release of the new album, but Blaise then wanted to talk to me about my, uh, addictions."

Every word I spoke was being heard by the boys.

"We just had a really deep conversation, and I felt like it put me in a horrible state of mind, so instead of going home to be alone, I went to the bookshop. I suppose Jacob was there too, and he approached me."