The Boy Next Door

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

"I saw Matthew again today when Evan and I were out."

"Really? What happened?" At least he sounded concerned, I thought.

"Nothing really. Evan told me to leave, and Matthew wouldn't talk to him."

"I'm glad Evan was there then, just in case something did happen."

I nodded and asked how he'd feel about me moving out after my eighteenth.

"Why? You're not going to college that soon, are you?"

"No, I just wanted to slowly ease away, because of Madelyn."

He nodded. "As long as you figure out a budget first."

I agreed and stood up. Evan was in his room, so we pulled our window panes up to talk. "It's been a while since we've been able to do this."

"Yeah, it's strange."

"Definitely," I agreed. "I talked to my dad. He's alright with me moving out, but he doesn't know I won't be the only one living in the house."

He chuckled. "He knows me. There's nothing for him to worry about."

I shrugged. "Oh! I forgot to tell you! I'm supposed to be receiving a letter from CVU in the next few days." CVU stands for Carlson Veterinary University, the university I'd been longing to be accepted to my whole life.

He smiled. "You'll definitely get in. There's not a person in the works more dedicated to helping animals."

"Thanks. Gotta go, I need to study."

"Nerd."

I stuck my tongue out at him before chuckling and closing the window.

Instead of studying I started to work out a budget. If Evan got a job and made as much as I, which I figured to be a safe assumption, then I could subtract the amount for electric and water. I got those numbers from an average off the internet for two people. That was almost not enough. I decided I needed to talk to Evan about getting a job that paid more than mine so that we could easily pay off the bills and get food.

"Liliana?" asked Mom hesitantly, peeking through my door. I looked up from the papers and my computer and rubbed my eyes. I wouldn't be rude to her, I just might not be kind to her. "It's midnight, you should get to sleep pretty soon."

I nodded. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetie."

Sighing dejectedly, I closed the computer and shoved papers on top. I can fine tune it when I'm actually awake, I decided.