Beside

32 - hallowed

"Jellybean, what if I don't wanna go home?"

"Is it the dragon again?"

"..."

"You can stay here with me, Fox. For as long as you want."

ｃｈｒｉｓ

He didn't come home yesterday. We waited, Cam and I, but when the sun set outside the balcony window, she said, "Fox is a bit of a runner, he'll just need time," and she went upstairs with Noah. I sat in the dark, worry settled so deep in my chest it had lulled me to sleep on the couch.

But now it's morning, and he's still gone.

I shuffle around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients for cereal—just the box and the milk—and hope the clink of spoons and bowls might fill the silence. I've nearly bitten my lip off. I try to imagine where he went, what he's doing, and I try not to think about baby Gwen and pain and fires and Whispering Pines—or pine trees whispering secrets in the forest.

Or whatever happened out there that was so bad Fox didn't come home.

I shakily pour milk over my Cheerios and glance around again. When I see that Fox's boxing gloves are still by the door, a ripple of worry spiders through me. He was supposed to train today, he'd mentioned that a few mornings before today. He never leaves without his gloves. Did he even eat? He always skips breakfast when he's upset.

It's just... It's too quiet in here.

I glance toward the balcony and see a figure—a lone silhouette softened in the morning light. Jed's leaning on the rail, staring out at the hazy cotton candy clouds as if he's waiting for something.

Maybe it's the quiet, or maybe it's that lost, longing look on his face, but I take my cereal to go.

I pad over to the sliding door, knocking softly. He startles, his head jerking up to see me. I smile, hoping it doesn't look forced, and glide the glass open to slip out into the crisp air.

"Hey, want some company?"

He considers it for a moment, but he nods. I stand beside him at the railing, clutching my bowl, looking out at the city below, the busy downtown streets and flattop roofs.

"Why did you stay?" I ask quietly, trying to be gentle. "In the apartment, I mean. Not that it's bad you did, I'm just curious as to why."

He looks at me, surprise flashing in his eyes. "I speak to Camila about these things. She is my friend."

I frown, but I understand. "Well, I have two friends now. Maybe you can too."

He blinks at me, looking stunned. "Oh. Well...Oh." It's adorable, what blooms across his face. There's a flicker of something vulnerable there, the same look I've seen before in people who don't know they're allowed to belong.

"I'm going to meet Whitney for breakfast at Hallowed Grounds. You could come with me if you want."

There it is again—the look that says, But why?

"Would you like me to go?" he asks to check.

"Yes," I say, smiling.

He's staring at me, waiting for me to change my mind. But I just hold his gaze, and I wait too.

"Okay," he says. "Yes."

After I finish my cereal, and we ready ourselves, I stall another few minutes for Fox to walk in, but he doesn't, so we leave.