Desolate

Chapter Two

"Dylan. You scared me." I breathed out and wrapped my arms around his waist in a tight embrace. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Ocean." He rasped out, wrapping his arms around me. My heart fluttered at his nickname for me, he's always said my eyes were as magical as the ocean. "I've sent so many texts and calls, you never replied."

He look hurt and it broke my heart to see him this way. In all honesty, I just hadn't had the time and it seemed as though he sent texts whenever I couldn't reply. I was so busy now, juggling homework, school and work. I was just happy to see him.

"I'm so sorry Dyll." I said looking down with regret. "I've been so busy. Forgive me?"

His eyes softened at the sight of my frown and he grasped my hands, pulling me into another one of his famous hugs. "Hey it's okay, I've been busy too. I got a call from Martha saying you'd be leaving late, so I thought I'd meet up with you." He said to me whilst pulling out of the hug. "You know better than to walk home alone."

I smiled at his scolding tone which only confused him. "Come on," I laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling him with me. "I want to hear all about Uncle Tom's great idea to home school you whilst you walk me home."

He groaned, and I knew that Thomas must've been giving him a hard time. "You wouldn't even begin to understand how hard it is." He said with a deflated look. "It's nothing like how we are taught in Woodland high."

"Aww come on, how would you even know how we are taught in Woodland," I cast him a confused face, "you never even payed attention." We both let out a little chuckle, swinging our joined hands back and forth.

"It's not my fault," he says with a shrug. "Those damn girls just wouldn't leave me alone." I rolled my eyes when he sent me a wink. Dylan hadn't always been popular with the girls with his chubby cheeks and geeky glasses. But after one summer, he turned up to school looking like a whole new man.

He was tall and well built, a brand new sharp jawline made to cut, with cropped hair and natural contacts instead of sporting his wide framed glasses. He was still Dylan to me though. "Ugh you're so full of yourself Dyll." I laughed punching him lightly.

"Hey! It's not my fault they threw themselves at me." He winked and we laughed again. By now we were almost at my house and it made me sad to think I probably won't talk to him again for a while.

"Hey Mae, you know I'm just a phone call away right?" He asked, squeezing my hand a little. "I mean, I promise you will see more of me. Uncle Tom said he'll loosen up on the tr-school work. Now that I'm used to it."

I looked up to meet his eyes with confusion once we were at my door step. "Yeah I know that Dyll," I said with a frown. "What's wrong? You're acting kind of strange."

"Just missing my best friend." He breathed out, fidgeting with his hands a little as he rocked back and forth on his feet. I shot up on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, keeping him in a tight embrace.

"I miss you too. Please don't disappear again." I say with a smile stepping backwards. "Thank you for walking me home."

"I'll try not to," he chuckles and gives my hand a quick squeeze before he sets off home.

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Stepping into my house I notice that my father isn't home yet and I'm thankful that his late night shifts prevent him from seeing my late returns. Im thankful that they also kept him busy. It was obvious he was suffering and his little 'accident' a few months back made it evident. I take off my coat, placing it on the coat rack before heading up stairs to bed.

My room is cold when I walk in, a result of the window being open and so I go to shut it. The winter air nips at my bare arms as I shut it with a loud slam. I don't bother to undress before bed, way too exhausted from the day's work. I go to sleep with a smile on my face because of a goodnight message from Dylan, but an odd unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach when I can't seem to erase the memory of the low growling of that cars engine.

Dylan is played by Dylan O'brien because I couldn't resist. I mean, who wouldn't want him for a best friend?