The Thing That Happened

Chapter Five

Adelaine: This is Adelaine

Adelaine: You have my phone, Viv

Adelaine: I know you do

Adelaine: Give it back to me

Adelaine: I swear to God, Vivian

Adelaine: VIVIAN

Adelaine: I will literally fight you the next time I see you

I set his phone down before I ended up throwing it at the living room wall. I sat down on the floor, not wanting to sit on the nice couch, and pull my knees to my chest.

He sits next to me on the floor, and his arm hits my leg. "Do you need to punch something?"

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I say suddenly.

"Why not?"

"I mean, you haven't exactly been nice to me." I fiddle with my fingers.

"You haven't given me the opportunity."

"You had an opportunity to be nice in the library. When all of my friends were there."

"Sorry," he mumbles. His face is bright red now and I almost laugh at the sight if him blushing.

"You are capable of apologizing?" I can't help but grin at grin.

"It would seem so," he responds.

"Where did you come from?" I ask, and I realize I should reword it. "You're new at school. Where did you move from?"

"Do I have to tell you?" He tilts his head.

"Well, now you definitely do," I grin, not being able to help it.

"I moved here from Idaho." He says simply.

I can't help but let out a laugh. "I guess now I can say that, you're-daho."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that. But when you say it, it's so much funnier."

"What are you implying?"

"That it's funnier." He shrugs. "Ade, why were you outside?"

"I can-" I hear his phone go off, and it's not a text tone. He's getting a call. I stand up at the same time as him and he looks at his phone before handing it to me. I look at it and my heart drops to my toes. It's not Vivian's number, but it's my moms.

---

It was only then that I felt the most guilty. I left my house without permission. I was in a boys house. I- I needed to answer the phone.

I put the phone against my ear and turn away from Torrance. I didn't want to think about him watching me.

"Mom?"

"Oh my god, sweetie!" She yells into the phone. "Are you hurt? Where are you? Who's phone number is this?"

"I'm fine, calm down."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at a friend's house. I'll be home soon. I'm not leaving you."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't need to tell you everything. I should be able to step outside without having to tell you."

There's only silence on the other end, and I can't tell if she hung up or if she was crying.

"Mo-"

"I'm coming home."

"No-"

"I'm coming home now. And I want you home once I get there."