Thursday (Sequel to 'From Eden')

ten

* IMPORTANT: Still Chloe's POV**

My pen was sloppy on the paper when I wrote Paige back after our phone call for my assignment, but it was just because I was so fucking excited to be on better terms with her again. I just couldn't believe she was willing to forgive me and understood when I told her how pressured I had felt when she was using me as her source of happiness when she was trying to get sober. That was what I was most scared to admit to her, honestly.

Since the letter would arrive in Pittsburgh at least five days from now (it was Thursday), I figured that would be enough time for her to process what we had talked about on the phone. I decided that I would reiterate my feelings for her in this next letter and maybe even propose meeting back up with her when she's out of rehab and I'm in Pennsylvania.

As soon as I wrote it down, I scribbled it out. Maybe that was overkill. Too soon. I would have to wait until Paige felt comfortable enough to talk on the phone again, at least. This was probably really overwhelming for someone in recovery. God, I was just so floored that we had agreed to start over that I was getting ahead of myself!

I took a break from writing to regather my thoughts and let my mother know where we stood as of earlier today. She never said it out loud, but I knew she resented me at least a little for her severed relationship with Kelly and the other Hylands. They all were so close before what I did, and now they don't even say hello if they see each other at the grocery store.

"Hey, mom," I began, sitting back in my desk chair. I gently kicked my feet up onto the table so I didn't disturb my cat, who was napping on my lap.

"Hey, Chlo, how are you?" My mother sounded tired, likely having worked all day. "I'm about to make some late dinner, so I don't have a ton of time, but what's going on?"

"You can't repeat this," I took a breath, and I heard her shift loudly in the background. Drama would always bring Christi Lukasiak to her feet. "You need to swear, because I feel like it's not my place to be telling anyone yet."

"Okay, I swear...what is it already?" She squeaked, definitely curious. I smiled at her eagerness.

"I just talked to Paige on the phone."

"What?!" She yelped, and I heard a crash in the background. My cat jumped, and I let out an airy laugh at both of their shock. "What? What did you say? Did she reach out to you? She couldn't have!"

I finally explained the project to her, and what we had said to each other in letters and on the phone. When I finished, my mother sighed deeply and said, "Wow, baby. I just don't know what to say. I can't believe you both spoke again. And your school got assigned Monroeville, out of all of the rehabs in America? That's insanity."

"Yeah, it was..like fate. And maybe," I said gently, "if we really do end up rebuilding our connection, you and Kelly..."

My mother sighed once more, pausing. I could tell she was still sensitive about losing her closest and longest friend. I was, too. She said quietly, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Paige might...she might forgive you for the purpose of her own peace, but honestly Chlo, it doesn't mean you'll ever be as close as you used to be."

Here it was. She was telling me for months that Paige and I probably wouldn't ever completely salvage our friendship even if she did end up reaching out, and that I should move on. Find someone new, like Brooklinn. She's been saying this ever since our childhood, now that I think about it. Ever since I came crying to her when I was ten about having a crush on a girl.

I felt a twinge of frustration and hardened my gaze at the wall as I spoke. "Mom, I promise it was different. She actually said she wanted to try and start over. And I know you're trying to protect me and yourself, and using the same logic with your friendship with Kelly, but it...it was different. I know it was."