i pushed the familiar bedroom door open, flipping on the lights to reveal my very clean bedroom. it'd been two and a half months since i'd seen it. my senior year started on monday and here i was, fresh out of a mental hospital.
"hey," i heard my mom's soft voice as her hand touched my back. "it should be dust free, i washed your sheets weekly and made sure everything was clean."
"i'm not going to lie." i said. "i was hoping i'd open the door to elliot."
"i know honey, he wanted to be here but he's got exams." she kissed my head. "i promise he'll come as soon as he can."
i nodded and looked at her.
"how does pizza sound for dinner?"
"actually, i want to go out, monet's?" i suggested.
"yeah, that sounds great. i'll let your father know, you just drop your things." she stated and walked away. i placed my backpack on the bed and left my large suitcase standing up straight.
i walked over to my window and pulled the curtains back and let the sunlight hit my face and bounce off the white walls. i sighed and realized how used to being alone i was.
"oh, nicolette." my mom said. i turned and looked at her. she reached in her pocket and pulled out my phone. "i forgot to give this to you."
"i'm allowed to have it back?"
"yeah," she smiled.
"thank you," i grabbed it and hugged her.
"don't text your friends until after dinner." she nodded.
"of course," i told her.
she walked out and i went on to instagram. when i got on though, the first post broke my heart.
....
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liked by cheerstojess, jacktaylor and 792 others
monty: happy birthday to my girl, i hope junior year treats you right. @alyssataylor
comments
alyssataylor: out of all the pictures we took
cheerstojess: you look dumb
scottyreed: love the face
jacktaylor: ew
zdempsey: crazy shit
itsfoley: text me bro, PARTY TOMORROW AT JESS'S -cheerstojess: ok i guess
....
i let out a sigh. i guess everything i'd hoped for all summer, didn't matter. the only reason i made it two and a half months was because i wanted to for my friends, for my brother, for monty.
"nicolette," my dad said. i looked up at him.
"monet's time," he smiled.
....
when we walked into monet's it was mostly full of older adults. i looked over and saw jack standing at the counter.
"hey, just order me a small something." i told my parents. "i'm going to sit."
they both nodded and continued to the counter. i found a table in the back corner, sliding into it. i sighed, staring out the window. the crestmont movie theater was across the road. and i'd almost forgotten hannah and clay worked there until they walked out, hand in hand. hannah was smiling wide, pulling hair from her face. a smile spread across my face until my parents sat down.
"why are you so happy?" my dad asked.
"i'm just glad to be back," i answered, "honestly."
....
when we were done at monet's, i told my parent's i'd be out in the car in just a second. i headed over to the counter, jack had his back to me, wiping the counter.
"hey," i said which caused him to look over. he smiled wide.
"hey," he replied.
"i just, uh, i just wanted to tell you that no on really knows i'm back. at least i don't think they do, they all know it was only for the summer but i haven't talked to or seen any of them..."
"you don't want me to tell anyone." he cut me off.
"yeah...especially not monty or your sister."
"my sister doesn't even know you."
"she's dating monty, i'm sure she knows about me." i said. he opened his mouth but i didn't let him speak. "just, please don't tell anyone, i'll see them all on monday."
"sure," he nodded.
"it was great to see you, bye jack." i said and began walking away.
"we're still hiring if you ever want to come back." he yelled after me. i turned and smiled.
