Finish Line

10

I'm currently sitting in front of Dylan Keely, with a white sheet being the only thing covering my body. My pure embarrassment is showing on my face. I'm bright red and reaching for the first article of clothing I see. Dylan is in pure shock, but he doesn't take his eyes off of me. 

And here's exactly how we got to this moment. 

                                                                                                         ~

It was Friday. The last thing I wanted to do was go out. I was in a really pissy mood and I just wanted to lie around all day. My plans included 13 Reasons Why and a box of tissues. Considering what happened with Jeff Atkins in the last episode I watched, the tissues are crucial. 

However, Paris and Kendall have insisted on dragging me to some stupid party at their friend Mason's house tomorrow night. I really really don't want to go but they are two very persistent females. I have decided that I might as well just go. This way I don't have to deal with the wrath of Kendall and Paris. On the other hand, I know damn well that with my luck something is going to happen and it won't be good. 

I decide to wear a dress that Ally gave me in my junior year. It's open shoulder but has long sleeves. The black elastic stretches out across my shoulder blades. It's simple and cute, it comes down to slightly above mid-thigh. I choose a pair of black pumps to match and lay them out across my bed. 

I then skip downstairs for breakfast. It's been a week since Dylan and I arrived home. We haven't spoken since. It's been a lot of brushing past each other and sometimes a scoff slips out. It's uncomfortable and awkward. I haven't told Cole that I'm leaving next week. I haven't even told Sammy. I don't want to tell Dylan. It just breaks my heart to leave but I don't want to stay here like this. Where I have to avoid my room neighbor and where I have to constantly try to fit in. 

I don't wanna stay here if it's going to be like this. I have decided to tell Cole today. I can't put this off any longer. I have to just do it. 

"Hey Cole, can I talk to you for a minute," I approach his office downstairs and lean against the doorway. 

"Sure thing, kiddo, what's up?" He turns his attention away from his computer and looks me into my eyes. I sit down in the chair directly opposite of his desk. 

I am hesitant to start speaking, "So, umm, I'm going back to Cannon next week. Mom already knows and I just feel like I should spend the rest of the summer there. She really needs help with the wedding and everything." 

"Oh," He begins, this breaks my heart into a million pieces. His face falls and he looks down at his feet, "may I ask why? Did we do something wrong? Are you uncomfortable in any way?" 

I look at him again. I want to tell him the truth. I want to tell him how I really feel. However I don't want to at the same time. I don't want to have him spit it back in my face. I don't want to try to convince me to stay because I don't want to stay, "No, nothing's uncomfortable at all. I love it here so much and it breaks my heart to have to leave but mom needs me right now. She's been there for me through everything and I need to be there for her now." 

I see a flash of hurt scan across his face but it is quickly replaced with a stoic look. It's his business look. It's scary and intimidating. 

"I understand Danny, just please visit again soon. We love having you here. Especially Sammy," He is clearly trying to pull on my heart strings a little bit. He is successful. I know I have to tell Sammy next. 

I escape his office and skip up the stairs. Before I know it, I'm standing in front of Sammy's door. I look at the door for a solid two minutes before finally bringing myself to knock on the door.