The Arrangement | Completed | Wattys2020

32

Author's Note!

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I don't put up much of a fight when Matty tells us that we would be staying with him at his parent's house. I'm actually really relieved that he told me this, because I don't know where else we would go. Yeah, I could probably stay with Steph if I asked her, but I know that eventually that would be a burden. Plus, I know that Lizzie won't mind taking care of Phoebe while I'm at work. As much as I don't want to admit it, having Matty under the same roof as me makes me feel safe right now. I know that this can't last forever, but for right now, I am going to enjoy the comfort that it brings. 

"Okay, are you hungry? Do you need anything?" Matty asks, holding my bags in his arm.

"No, I'm good. Thanks." I mutter, walking behind him and into his parent's house.

"Okay, well my mom is making dinner right now. I'm going to help you get settled in, okay?" He asks. He has been asking me everything. I just want to be left alone.

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks." I mutter again.

Phoebe walks into the house behind us and holds onto Matty's leg as he walks.

"You guys can have the spare room. It only has one bed, but I can get a blow up mattress for you if you want. Or you can take my bedroom here and I can sleep on the couch. It honestly-"

"The one bed is fine." I say, no emotion really in my voice.

"Okay. I just want you two to be comfortable here." He sighs, running his hand through his hair.

I am exhausted. Fucking exhausted. I can tell that Matty is exhausted too. He has seen way more than he expected to. I think we all did. Phoebe is heartbroken. She is sad that she won't get to see our dad anymore, and there isn't anything I can do to make it any better. She doesn't know that he killed himself, but she does know that he's dead. She's only four. She doesn't know how to handle shit like this. Hell, I don't even know how to fucking handle it.

As we walked upstairs and into the spare room, Matty sets our bags onto the floor next to the bed. "Okay, well this is the room. You've seen it before. Uhh...I'm going to let you get settled in." I offer him a tight smile and a short nod of my head before I start to unpack our clothes for the next few days.

"Will you be down for dinner?" He asks quietly, scratching at the back of his head.

"Yeah." I reply.

"Can I stay with you, Matty?" Phoebe asks him.

"Uhh...don't you want to stay with Candace for a little bit?" He kneels down to ask her.

"No." She sighs.

"I think your sister needs you to stay with her right now." He says softly to her.

"I'm fine." I snap, throwing items I have in my hand onto the bed.

Matty looks up at me with confusion and guilt written all over his face.

"Candace, I'm sorry. I just thought-"

"Okay, well you have no idea what I am feeling and what I need right now. I appreciate you for allowing us to stay with you right now, but I need you to leave me alone right now. Phoebe, go with him." I snap at the two of them. Matty's hurt expression makes me feel guilty instantly, but he turns his attention back to Phoebe and gives her a smile.