Evanescent

The Ninth Chapter

After my story, Reid rarely left my side. Curious glances from Benson. Glares from Reyes. It was only a few days later when I got the news. Visitation day. I spent the morning getting ready. Of course, it was only after the insistence of three specific boys.

Donning a dusty rose pink dress with long lace sleeves, I pulled my nut brown tendrils back. Placing a pair of black flats on my feet, I left the room. Benson was waiting with Reid against the opposite wall.

Benson signed. "Thanks, Benny."

"What did he say?" Reid didn't know how to sign.

"He said I looked pretty."

"He's right."

Reid took my hand in his and led me down the hall. Sparks. What is this? Is it...

Mother. Jaime. Older now. Taller.

I ran to them, overjoyed.

"Oh, my dear girl." We hugged for some time. Talked and caught up. Introduced her. She liked the boys. Chatted with Reid. Jaime caught Reyes up on baseball. I signed with Benson and his parents. Mother pulled me away from them.

"Lapis, I have some news. I spoke to your therapist and he believes that it would be okay to bring you home."

"What?"

"You can come home, Lahn. To me. To Jaime. Come home."

Reid... I looked for him. In the corner, alone. Curious. Mother caught my glance.

"You like him?"

My eyes widened. Like? Reid? What did that mean?

"Since he is of age, he can leave on his own."

"Wait, what? He's not of age."

"Honey, he turned 18 a few days after you turned 17."

But... That meant... I turned and stalked towards Reid. He met my gaze.

"Hey."

"You. Why did you do it? Why did you stay?"

Confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You're 18, Reid! Why didn't you leave? You've been 18 since the day I... wound up in the hospital. Why are you still here?"

He sighed. Ran a hand through his long, black hair. Blue eyes stared hard at me.

"Because of you."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Once more.

"What?"

"I couldn't leave you, Lahn. You were in so much pain. But you were only worried about me. About my pain. And where would I have gone? To the apartment my aunt set up so she wouldn't have to deal with me? I couldn't leave. You are the only person to truly see what happened to me."

He took a deep breath. Continued.

"I was thrown through a window by my mother. My father did his fair share with a pocketknife and a lighter. I was half dead once the cops finally showed up."

I stopped him. Pressed my chapped lips to his soft ones. Wrapped my arms around him. Stayed for a moment. Then looked for mother. It was time.