Claustrophobic (Teddy Duchamp)

10

Teddy had been siting on the from steps of his house since he got out of the car almost an entire hour ago.

His mom had quietly mumbled something about lying down, but Teddy knew she was crying as much as he was right then.

He finally wiped his wet cheeks dry. He had the feeling someone was looking at him and looked over at his neighbors house.
_____

Cecelia quickly looked away when she saw that Teddy was looking her way.

Her cheeks burned from embarrassment. She had to have been staring at him for a good couple minutes now.

When she chanced a look back at him, he was still looking at her, his eyes visibly red and puffy.
_____

"I know, I'm a real pussy, right?" Teddy laughed dryly.

Cecelia gave him a confused look. "No... That's definitely not what you are."

"Really? Then what am I?" he asked, a sense of pleading in his voice. It was like he needed be told that he wasn't a baby to believe it.

Cecelia thought for a moment. "I guess, I would say that you're just hurt. People who are hurt are allowed to cry. At least, that's what I grew up hearing."

Teddy nodded. "Right." He crossed his arms over his raised knees and settled his head on them.

Cecelia figured the best thing to do at the moment was to go ver to him, so she did. She stepped off the porch and walked over to Teddy's front steps and sat herself on the step below him.

"What's wrong?"

He shook his head slightly. "What're you even doing here? Din't you live over on Brewer?"

"It's Agatha's birthday," she answered, almost impatienty. "But you didn't answer my question. What's the matter?"

"Well, why're you out here if it's your friend's birthday? I mean, that's not a very good friend thing to do," he persisted to evade the topic. He had a slight smirk that said that he knew he was bugging her.

Cecelia huffed. "I... I just couldn't be in there. Alright? But I don't wanna talk about that." She looked down at her hands that were awkwardly sitting in her lap.

Teddy's expression changed a little. "Look, I'm sorry. Just- just don't cry. We don't need two crybabies out here."

Cecelia laughed lightly; it was like she had just breathed in humor. "Are you gonna tell me what's wrong?"

He looked at her for a little while, taking in her presence. "Only if you tell me why you can't be in there." He nodded towards the Blake's house.

Cecelia sighed. "Then, I suppose," she stood up, "we'll tall another time. Bye, Teddy. I've gotta be a good friend, you know?"

He laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, you do that."
_____

Cecelia slipped back into the house in time to see Agatha and her cousins running into the dining room.

"Caaaakkke!" the younger kids exclaimed.

Cecelia followed the crowds of kids and other family members into the dining room. This time, she made sure she stood in the door way.
_____

Teddy finally stood up from the front steps. He walked inside and went to his mom's room.

She was lying on her bed, facing away from the door. Teddy went over and lied next to her, wrapping one arm around her.

"I love you, Mom," he whispered to his quietly crying mother.

So depressing... I'm legit sad now. Oh well, I'm literally about to take my geometry exam (TNReady needs to get its crap together) in about half an hour, so wish me luck! M'kay.

~Mariah