To Build a Home- The Cinematic Orchestra
I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. I found Cass sitting at the breakfast bar downstairs, flipping through an old photo album. I placed a hand on his back in greeting. He didn't turn to me.
"What're you doing up, babe? It's 2:30 in the morning." He smiled over his shoulder slightly. Almost weakly.
"Are you okay?" I kept my voice quiet, as to not wake the others.
He didn't answer the question. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Go back to bed, Teddy."
"Cass...."
"Please."
"You know I can't."
He sighed, finally turning to me. He eyes were red and his cheeks were tear-stained. "Fine. Do what you want. Just don't bother me."
"Don't talk to me like that."
He froze, realization dawning on him. "I'm sorry. It just came out. I didn't mean...."
"I know," I sat down beside him.
"What're you doing?"
"If you're not going to bed, neither am I."
He was quiet for a minute. "Mom and I used to lay out in the garden and just...talk. We'd be running around in our bathing suits playing with the garden hose on a hot day, and then we'd just lay down and talk like we were best friends. That's why I have all those freckles on my back. She loved them, too. She'd always try to count them, but I could never sit still long enough for it. Dad would make lemonade and bring it out to us, and the three of us would sit in the shade together, under that oak tree that's outside. Mom and Dad were so in love. She gave up everything for him. He never asked for it, he didn't want her hurt, but she was so willing to just...be with him, that it didn't matter."
"Man, that reminds me of a couple I know of."
His eyes went wide. "You gave up everything."
"It was so worth it."
"I don't...feel worth it."
"Do you think your dad was worth it?"
"Yeah. Of course. She loved him with her whole heart."
"Then what makes you any different?"
His face broke into a smile. He kissed me. "I love you, too. Come on, let's go to bed. We'll need energy for all these days off of school, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I'm going to go stay with April and Ari," I teased, starting to walk away, and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back into his chest.
"It's almost our first Christmas."
"Here's to a lot more," I kissed his cheek. "How much mistletoe are you going to cover our room with?"
"Every. Damn. Square. Inch."
YOU ARE READING
Heaven
Teen Fiction[COMPLETED] Teddy Martin was sheltered, raised by a strict preacher and his beautiful wife. But once he starts public school at the age of 16, he struggles with believing that what he's always been taught is right. And maybe, just maybe, a boy with...
