20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Twenty nine

"I'm not kissing you. And you're going to let me go."

"I love how confident you are." He grins.

"Kyle, I'm not joking. I swear—I need to cry right now. Let me go."

He softens. "Tell me what you're feeling."

"I can't. I'm just... tired. Tired of everything."

"You know," he says, brushing my cheek, "I love hearing you say my name. If I'd known, I would've told you the truth from the start."

I jerk away, silent.

"Kyle... what if I don't find my parents? What if this time... I lose them forever?"

"Stay with me."

"What if they're gone forever?"

"So pessimistic?"

"A bit," I whisper.

"You can stay with me. Forever, if you want."

"What?" My eyes widen.

"Or go back to your country. You've got relatives, I assume. People who are worried about you."

"Without my parents? What would I tell them? How would I live without them? They're my everything." I yell, my voice cracking.

"Okay, okay. Stay with me until you find them."

"And where exactly?"

"Here, or... at my friend's place."

"You never mentioned a friend."

"I'm moving in three days. I could stay here longer, but not forever."

"You're not going back home? Not to your family?"

"Not now."

"Don't you miss them? Haven't they called?"

He laughs bitterly. "If they knew where I was, they'd be here in a heartbeat."

"What?! You didn't call them?"

"Nope. Twy, my parents aren't like yours. They probably haven't even noticed I'm gone."

"You still can't do that to them..."

"Whatever. If you don't find your parents, I'll ask my friend to take you too."

"No."

"No?"

"Yes. I've chased you enough. I'll find somewhere. Anywhere." Tears spill from my eyes.

"What's wrong?" He pulls me into a hug, and I let him.

"I miss them so much," I whisper.

"You'll find them." His hand gently rubs my back, and I feel myself melt against him.

⸻

Two nights pass.

I haven't left the hotel. I learned Kyle doesn't eat cold food, hates reading, has never ridden a bike, and can't sit home all day.

"Jack agreed," he says, walking in.

"Jack who?"

"My friend. The one I told you about. He's fine with you staying too."

"Oh... right." I nod. "But I'm not coming with you. Thank you, though."

"What?" He leans against the wall, arms full of clothes. "Didn't hear anything from Alex?"

"Alex? No, I miss her."

"Don't change the subject. Why won't you come? I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I'll miss you."

"You're serious?"

"Completely."

"As you like," he says and disappears into the bathroom.

I wish he'd tell me not to leave. That he'd ask me to stay. Kyle... I love you. You'll never know how deeply. I need to tell you. Somehow.

I grab a pen and paper from the drawer and start to write before he finishes his shower.

Kyle, I'm Twi. There's something you don't know. I think I—no, I'm sure I lo—

The door opens. Kyle walks in with damp hair.

"Oh," I say, startled, hiding the letter behind my back.

"What's behind you?" he asks immediately.

"Nothing."

"Show me, little girl." He steps closer, and I try to escape, but he catches me and snatches the paper.

"Kyle, don't read it! It's private."

"To whom?"

"No one! It's for me—please!"

"To Jace? Is that who you'll stay with?"

"You're insane. I swear it's not Jace! Don't torture me."

"Then let me read it."

I try to snatch it back, but he raises his hand, and I'm too short.

"Who's nosy now?" he smirks.

"It's a diary," I lie.

"Perfect. I always wanted to know how you think. If I won't see you again, let me read it."

I go quiet. He reads.

"You're sure you're what?" he says, stunned.

"I just wanted to say I'll miss you. You've been a great roommate. You saved me, fed me, helped me. I'll never forget you."

"Me too," he says simply.

"That's it?"

"No, not just that." He opens his bag and pulls out a phone—an iPhone.

"What's that?"

"For you. If you won't come with me, at least stay connected."

"I can't accept this—"

"You'll need it. Facebook, messages... maybe you can find your family."

I accept it. "Thank you. So... you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Gotta pack."

"Me too... though I have nothing." He laughs.

"Twyla, you're the luckiest girl in the world. You changed a guy no one ever could. Not even my sleep habits."

Your words give me butterflies.

"Luckiest? Really? I thought I was cursed. But maybe I got lucky. Watching you every day—how you eat, drink, move. I'll miss that."

"You're still a virgin, huh? Can't believe it."

Oh my God. Shut up.

"Just because I'm not attractive doesn't mean you changed." What am I saying?

"Twyla, you're beautiful—inside and out. You have a soul that's rare. I envy the man who'll steal your heart. He'll be the luckiest."

You envy yourself, Kyle. You are that man. Please—hear what my heart is screaming.