Happier

Chapter 8

Monday is the day everyone despises. This day means that the weekend is over and everyone has to go back to hell, whether that's work or school. For other people, those annoying Instagram people, Monday means a clean slate. Starting over. Doing better. It's like the new year's resolutions every single week. Cole hates those people. Well, he hates all people. Except Lacey.
That specific Monday morning after the game, Cole gets out of bed around 6am to get ready, maybe even a little pepped for school. He exits his bedroom and goes to take a shower. On his way there, he bumps into someone, making him jump. No one's supposed to be here. Cole's blue eyes dart up to the person he's just bumped into and when his eyes meet hers, he gasps.
"Cole?" the confusion is apparent in her voice as she looks him up and down. He's wearing his pyjamas with his hair all messily across his forehead. "What are you doing so early in school? In your... pyjamas?" she asks, a giggle escaping her mouth.
"Well... Err-because I kind of live here now..." he trails off a little at the end, ashamed of his condition. He doesn't want everyone to know how homeless he is. Especially not Lacey.
"You live here?" she questions. Her eyes are wide and her face is struck with confusion and worry.
"Yeah, I live in the janitor's closet," he replies honestly.
"Why aren't you home?" she wants to know. Cole averts his eyes from her, too ashamed of his family, of his state, to answer any of her questions. "C?" she tries to catch his glance, but he avoids any eye contact. "Hey," she puts her left hand on his cheek and that's what makes him look up. His blue eyes look darker than they did the other day. It scares Lacey a little. "Cole, you can tell me everything, you know that, right?" She watches as he breathes out a long breath.
"I... My situation at home isn't the greatest," he then finally cracks. Lacey lets go of his cheek and just stares at him, urging him to continue, "My mother and sister left a couple months ago, because my father... He's not someone you want to meet in the dark. Hell, not even in daylight," he explains a little further. Lacey listens and feels her heart break with every word that rolls over those lips of his.
"How long have you been living here?" she asks.
"Over a month," he replies. Lacey's mouth drops a little.
"That time I dropped you off at home, that wasn't actually your home?" Cole shakes his head.
"That was just a random house around the corner," Lacey nods, trying to wrap her head around all the information she's just gotten.
"Cole..." she sighs, slightly disappointed. The boy looks away again, so Lacey puts her hand on his cheek again, "Why didn't you tell me?" Another sigh leaves his body.
"Because, LaceyLay, I don't want you to worry about me or pity me, okay? I'm doing fine, I've always been. You're the first one who ever really cares and knows," Lacey's hand stays upon his cheek, her thumb rubbing the soft skin. A tingle goes through his whole body.
"Please, come and live with me?" she suggests, now letting go of his cheek. Cole blinks a couple of times, giving her a quizzical look. "We have a couple of guestrooms and I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind. Neither would Stacey," she tells him. Cole stares at her, contemplating whether to take the offer. He then nods and it makes Lacey smile so widely, her eyes sparkle too.
"Thank you, LaceyLay," he whispers as he takes her in for a hug.
"It's alright, Coley Smoley," the nickname makes both of them giggle and let go, "That was awful, I'm sorry." Cole shakes his head, again.
"No, no. I like it," he reassures her, "I'm going to go and take advantage of the school of the art facilities now," he informs her, looking down to his legs, signalling the fact he's still wearing his pyjamas.
"Alright, I'll see you in class," Lacey says and he nods with a smile on his face. The girl now makes her way to her locker the way she was supposed to when she first came here. She wanted to turn in her cheerleading costume, but after seeing Cole, she somehow changed her mind. Maybe she needed the popularity, the status to survive at school. Especially since she's hanging out with Cole. Quitting the Roosevelt Roses is going to be her social suicide. So, instead of handing her uniform to coach Rivers, she puts it in her locker in the girl's locker room. She must tell Cole. And Archie.
For a second, she steps back and ponders for a while. Her legs hit the bench, making her sit down automatically.
"Thought I'd find you here," the familiar voice of Cole sounds behind her. She smiles a little to herself as she hears the footsteps come closer. "Are you officially going to give up cheerleading?" he questions as he sits down next to her.
"I don't think so," she replies, but avoids making eye contact.
"I thought it didn't make you happy anymore?" he remembers, now completely confused.
"At some points, it still does," her voice is soft, as if she's telling him a secret. Cole chuckles next to her as he shakes his head.
"You are one special girl, Lacey Goldberg," the girl looks at him and for a moment, they just stare and smile, like they always do. Then Lacey sighs deeply and rests her head onto Cole's shoulder. He freezes for a second, but then relaxes under her touch.
"Can we just stay like this for a moment?" Those nine words make the biggest smile on Cole's face appear. He'd rather stay like this forever than just a moment, but he'll take what he gets.