Living The Prime Years

Questions, Answers and....Heartbreak?

Hey! I hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter, as it took forever to figure out where it was supposed to be heading. I just wanted to let you guys know that if you want to find me on Twitter, I'm TheOGCaylie. Hope you guys enjoy this next part, and I'll see you at the end of the chapter!

You sigh, fingers tapping on the steering wheel as you drive to the hospital. Water was being released today, and you were the only one who didn't have work. You turned the corner, stopping at the stop sign and returning to drumming your fingers on the steering wheel.

"I hope he's feeling better." He hadn't spoken much to you when you visited, which was unusual, as he talked at least a bit to you whenever you saw him.

Frederick was a different story. He was constantly talking to you, smiling and laughing every five minutes, or at least that's what it felt like. Fire and Water. Loud and Quiet. Extrovert and Introvert. They really are complete opposites. It struck you how long it took you to realize this, as Water had been in the hospital for almost two weeks now.

As soon as you had parked outside the front of the hospital, you headed inside, before turning around and grabbing your keys, wallet, and phone, as you might not want to leave those. "I'm here to see Mr. Walter Foxe?" You were still against the very obvious alias, but you had to use it, as that's what he'd been registered under.

"Right this way. You're here to pick him up, correct?" You nod, appreciating the fact that this nurse was much more peppy and kind.

"Well then, you must be Shelby. His fiancee called ahead and said you'd be the one picking him up." You nod, still bothered by that word. Fiancee. Are he and Watty engaged? I mean, good for them, it's not like I should be jealous, it's just...wouldn't she have introduced him as her fiancee when we met?

"Shelby, nice to see you." You nod, tapping you wallet nervously as the nurse starts to roll the wheelchair to the front desk, where they needed Water to sign some papers.

(After all the paperwork and whatever, I don't really know what goes on.)

The ride home is quiet, you just repeatedly tapping your fingers on the steering wheel, while the explanation to the question that's been running through your head still remains unsaid.

"Shelby, is everything okay?" Water startles you, making you turn to look at him. "It's just," he goes on to explain, eyes shining with concern, "you haven't said one word to me this whole drive, and frankly, I'm worried." You sigh, turning to look back at the road.

"Yeah. Everything's fine." Out of the corner of your eye, you see him turn more toward you.

"Shelby, please." He sounds almost...hurt. Why would he be hurt?

"I've just got a lot on my mind, Water, don't worry." He rests a hand on your arm, frowning.

"Okay. But if you need to talk, I'm here for you." You bite your lip, staring straight out the windshield, wondering if you should tell him the truth.

You pull up to his house in almost no time, mumbling a 'Hope you feel better' as Water gets out of the car.

"Thanks for the ride, Shelby." He smiles at you, making you feel ten times worse about not telling him the truth.

You hum in reply, shutting off the engine and helping him carry his bag into his house.

His house is moderately sized, a nice turquoise color, almost matching his hair color. He smiles at you, inviting you in.

"I can't stay long," You murmur, gazing at the paintings on his walls, each one a tiny bit more captivating than the last. You walk down the hall, finding Water sitting at the table in his dining room.

It's gorgeous, Water. Did you make all these paintings yourself? Your thoughts are going everywhere, and he laughs, shaking you out of your thoughts.

"It's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?" You nod, sitting down next to him.

"Hey, Water?" He looks over at you, cocking his head slightly.

"Yeah, Shelby?" His eyes are just as captivating as the paintings, and you have to look away in order to remember what you were going to ask him.

"Are you and Watty, you know...engaged?" He gives you a smile, though he's quite clearly confused, and you groan, slamming your head down on the table.

"I knew I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry, it's just, she said she was your fiancee, and I just-" He cuts you off with a laugh; it rings clearly throughout the house, and he clutches his sides, continuing to laugh.

"N-no, it's okay, Shelby, I," He continues to laugh, gasping for breath as he continues, "I know how it looks. That was just something we made up so that way she was given visiting rights. We are in no way engaged, or dating." He's finally calmed down, though he's still grinning.

"O-oh...." You blush, feeling quite embarrassed for ignoring him this whole time due to a lie they both told the nurses.

"Trust me, you're not the first person to be so surprised by it. Fan wouldn't talk to us for a week after 'finding out'. We finally just had to have Fiction tell her the truth." You smile, being able to imagine Fan as a little fangirl, crushed by the fact that her ship didn't sail.

"It's because she ships Ink and Watty, and let's be honest, they're definitely going to start dating sometime soon." You giggle, nodding in agreement.

"Just one thing, Shelby. Is that why you were ignoring me? Because you thought Watty and I were engaged?" You shake your head, smiling at him.

"No, I was just mentally exhausted from trying to figure out why Watty didn't introduce you as her fiance when we met." He laughs again, this time for a shorter period of time, and you pay attention to it. It's so bright, and warm. Kinda like a nice summer day.

"Well, I really should be going, call me if you need anything, okay? And remember, the doctor said not to put any pressure on your right foot for at least a week." He nods, standing up and hugging you.

"Thanks, Shelby." It's so warm, you don't want to leave it.

"Yeah," You whisper back, hugging him back. You let him go and turn to head out the door, pulling your keys out of your jacket pocket.

You leave, sitting in your car for a few moments, wishing you'd hugged Water for just a little longer. So he and Watty aren't dating. I still don't know why it mattered so much to me. I mean, he can date whomever he wants, right?

You sigh, knowing the real reason. I'm a twenty-something-year-old adult, I shouldn't be getting crushes and then proceed to be a whiny little girl when they're taken.

You let out a sigh, starting your car and heading home. On your way, you see Watty standing outside your house, waiting patiently for you.

"Hey, Shelby!" She greets you with a smile, waving at you. You wave back, yawning.

"Hey, Watty. What's up?" Her smile turns sheepish, and she gives you puppy dog eyes.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind letting me stay over for a couple of days? I need to have my house exterminated, I found a bunch of ants inside it." You sigh, nodding and letting her in.

"Thanks a bunch, Shelby! You're the best!" You nod, smiling back at her. How could I have thought that she'd keep anything from me, especially concerning her significant other?

"It's late, I'm gonna head to bed. Let me know if you need anything, okay?" Watty nods, heading into the guest room she usually stays in when she sleeps over.

And with that, your long day ends, and you sleep peacefully, at ease with the whole Water and Watty situation.

Whew! That was a long chapter! 1,339 words! I hope you enjoyed, and I'll have chapter nine up soon(hopefully).

See you next time! ~Caylie