Laney:
I sat out front of Riley’s house hoping he wouldn’t follow me. I tapped my phone and scrolled to Addie in my contact list. I thought about calling her but I knew I wouldn’t know what to say so I settled on sending her a text.
Laney:
Pick me up at Moe’s? We have to talk!
Her reply came almost immediately.
Addie:
I’ll be right there!
I put the phone back into my pocket and walked to the corner store a few blocks away. It was opened so I walked inside and headed toward the coolers. I felt disgusting. I hadn’t showered in about a day and my hair was a mess. I was wearing the same clothes from the day before, and on top of all that I had just kissed two boys in less than 48 hours. I grabbed a yoohoo from the fridge and brought it to the counter. I swiped my blue card and picked up the drink just as Addie walked into the store.
She looked excited. It was then that I realized it was only 9 am. She was standing there in a pair of white socks and pink plaid lounge pants. She had a white t shirt pulled over her torso and her hair was up in a messy bun. She waved at me, as if I didn’t see her there.
We walked out to her car and she flooded my ears with questions. “What is it?” “What do you need to tell me?” “Did Niall ask you out?” I opened the passenger side door and fell into the seat. I ran my fingers over my entire face and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Addie started the car and began driving. “Tell me when you’re ready.” She said, laying a hand on my knee. “And shave when you get the chance.” We both laughed.
I looked out my window and started to talk. “I slept at Riley’s last night.” I felt Addie turn to face me. I met her confused eyes as she asked “So?” I shook my head. “Let me continue.” She nodded and drove onto the highway. She could tell it was going to take a while. “I woke up and everything was normal, but then he pulled me into his lap and he kissed me. And I kissed him back.” I watched as her eyes widened from the side and her jaw dropped.
“Okay, so you kissed Riley. Is that all?” I shook my head. I let the tears find their way down my cheeks. They were cool on my hot skin. My eyes began to burn. “I kissed Niall on the beach the other day, and then he went home to London. I’m disgusting Addie. I’m so gross I shouldn’t even be here. I don’t deserve either of them. And my mom is ripping me out of Ethan’s life and I think I genuinely hate her.” She snapped at me “Don’t say that!” I turned to Addie. My lip was trembling and my eyes were barely open. My face was tear stained and probably beat red. “Addie, she told me I was dead to her and then threw me to the floor.”
We drove silently down a long road and then parked in the empty parking lot of a closed down supermarket. Addie undid her seat belt and leaned over to give me a hug. I sobbed into her shoulder as she rubbed my back.
As we began to drive again Addie asked me if me and Niall were official. I shook my head. “Do you want to be?” her voice was sincere. I nodded. “More than anything, but he could never accept Ethan. He doesn’t need that stress. And on top of that he wouldn’t even want me. I’m nothing special at all. I probably wont even hear from him again.” As if on cue my phone buzzed against my thigh. I pulled it out of my pocket to see a skype message from Niall.
Mullingar_pimp13:
Sorry I haven’t messaged ya, been sleeping. Miss you :(
As if things weren’t complicated enough. I handed the phone to Addie so she could read the message. I watched as her fingers quickly tapped the screen and she handed it back before I could stop her from hitting send.
Princess_Foster:
Glad to hear you’re safe. Video me in an hour?
The message was desperate. I slapped Addie’s thigh and she just smirked. As another message came through I let out a sigh.
Mullingar_pimp13:
Sounds great pretty lady ;)
My face got covered in a smile and Addie knew it was okay to go home. She pulled up in front of my house and all three of the cars were gone. I pulled the big red door open and stepped into the empty house. There was a note on the table. I picked it up and read it.
Laney, your father has gone to North Carolina for work. Ethan and I are staying at a hotel for the next couple of nights. Sam will be home from work around eight. Don’t bother calling, my phone is off. Don’t bother looking for us it’ll only waste your time. I assure you Ethan is safe. Love, Mom xx
I crumpled the paper in my hands as a single tear rolled down my face. I knew it was useless to look for them, they could’ve gone anywhere. She definitely had the money. As I inspected the paper crumpled in my hands I realized there was something written on the back. I smoothed the paper out on the table.
This is what’s best for both you and Ethan. I hope you understand that.
I ripped the paper into small pieces and threw it into the garbage can. I led myself up the oak stairs and pushed open the door marked with a black letter E. His crib held his blankets and his favorite stuffed dinosaur. I opened his drawers to find them empty. I sat down in his rocking chair and let myself fall apart.
A half hour later I looked at my watch and realized I was supposed to be video calling Niall. I left Ethan’s room and walked to my own. In the mirror I stared at myself in the same old clothes from yesterday. I took out my phone and quickly sent a message to Niall’s skype.
Princess_Foster:
Erm… give me thirty minutes?
Niall:
It’ll cost you.
Princess_Foster:
It’s worth it, trust me.
I threw my phone down onto my neatly made bed and walked into my bathroom. I let my clothes fall to the ground and took a quick shower. I scrubbed all of the wear and tear of yesterday away and pulled myself out of the shower feeling clean. Once I was back in my bedroom I brushed my hair and pulled on a light denim romper. I lifted my laptop onto my legs and opened it. I quickly checked my email and found one from seventeen saying my story would be published in next month’s issue. I rolled my eyes and clicked open skype. I clicked on Niall’s name and typed him a chat message. “ready?” he sent me a “yes” quickly and I clicked on the button to start a video call.
Immediately after seeing his blue eyes show up on the screen a huge smile crawled across my lips. Suddenly I was shy and I didn’t know how to say the simplest of things. “Hello” he mumbled with a half smile. I found the confidence to reply buried somewhere deep inside and with a hiccup I let out a “hi” a little too loudly.
