Sketch

Chapter 8

When I woke up, Devon was still by my side, his arm draped across my waist. I slowly out his arm around a pillow and slide from the bed, tip toeing out of the room. Devon's house was fairly large for a not very wealthy family in New York and it was very nice. I made my way to the kitchen, where I found Liliana sitting at the table, sipping some coffee.

"Good morning dear," She smiled, "How did you sleep?"

"Good morning. And fine, thank you," I said, taking the seat opposite of her.

"Are you hungry?" She asked, pointing to the stove.

"Oh, no," I tugged on a smile, "I'm fine."

"Just tell me if you change your mind," She said into her coffee cup. She looked over the rim at me and lowered her mug with a frown. Liliana sighed and clasped her hands in front of her.

"I want to ask you a question but I don't want to be rude," She sighed.

"It's fine, Ms. Foster," I smiled lightly, "Go ahead and ask."

"Okay then," She frowned. "Where are your parents?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, your mother didn't come to the hospital after you got injured. Where were your parents when your house was broken into?" She inquired.

"Oh," I sighed, "My mother... Let's just say she's comes home late every single night."

"And you're father?" She asked with a thin eyebrow raised.

"He's... Away. He has been for a long time," I said, looking down at my lap.

"Where is he?" She asked lightly, as if she was afraid she was prying.

"He's...," I began. I had no idea to put this. I wish I could say he was dead, it was be easier. But I didn't want to lie to Liliana. She had been nothing but kind to me. I opened my mouth to say something but quickly closed it when I heard a grunt from behind me.

"Morning Natalia, Mom," He groaned, running his hands through his disheveled red brown hair.

"What breakfast?" His mother offered.

"No thanks," He reclined, "I need to get Natalia to her job interview."

"How did you know I was still planning on going?" I asked.

"Because," He smirked, "You're very stubborn and I know you too well."

"I'll give you that one," I laughed.

"You're going to an interview after you were just shot?" Liliana gasped.

"Technically, I was grazed," I corrected lightly, nodding towards my bandaged arm.

"Teenagers," She snorted into her coffee mug.

"Yeah, yeah. We're insane," Devon chuckled.

"You got it boy," Liliana smirked. Devon disappeared into his room and reappeared a few minutes later, hair brushed and fully dressed for the day.

"I'll take you to get something to wear," Devon offered. I just nodded and muttered a quick thank you and good bye to his mother, then followed him out to his car. We drove in silence to my house, the tarp over the broken window flapping in the wind.

"Do you need me to go in with you?" Devon offered. I looked to the house and imagined the man, then his daughter that he mentioned. I still felt very guilty about it and I had a feeling that if I went in alone, my very active imagination would make it worse. I looked back at Devon and nodded slowly. He jumped out of his car and grabbed my hand, leading me up the concrete steps.

I swung open the door after hesitating for a moment and stepped in, dropping Devon's hand in the process. He followed me to my room and sat on my bed as I shuffled through my closet, looking for my black dress I had bought a year ago. As I pulled it from my closet, Devon got up and headed to the door to let me change but stopped half way there.

I looked at him quizzically as he strode towards my art wall, heading towards a specific drawing. He stared at the drawing and turned towards me, a small smile playing its way onto his lips.

"I thought you only drew things that you wanted or things that you want but you can't have," He smiled, pointing towards the sketch on the wall.

"I do," I said, flushing and turning towards my closet, pretending to be busy again.

"So why is there a drawing of me here?" He asked.

"Just because," I huffed. He grabbed my good arm and spun me around to face him, a grin on his face.

"I knew you liked me!" He exclaimed, grinning like a kid on Christmas.

"Oh shut up," I snapped. "I don't like you. Now get out, I need to get ready."

"Fine, fine," He smirked. "Whatever you say."

He left the room and I slammed the door shut behind him, sliding down it until I hit the floor. How could I have been so stupid! I had put the drawing up after we had fought and I thought we woundn't see each other again. I sighed and jumped to feet, grabbing the black dress from my bed. I tugged it on and ran a brush through my hair, letting it fall to my elbows in natural waves. Slipping on my flats, I cautiously opened my door. I expected Devon to bother me about the drawing but he was no where in sight.

I searched the living room and dining room before I finally found him in the kitchen, staring a piece of mail. He looked up at me, a curious but cautious look on his face.

"What is this?" He asked, waving the paper at me. I tilted my head in confusion and snatched the page from him. I read the letter and felt my mouth go dry. I felt the color drain from my face and my head began to spin. There's no way. This can't be true. There must be a mistake. There has to be!

"Natalia?" Devon called striding towards me. I swayed on my feet and he grabbed my elbows before I could fall. "Natalia, what's wrong?"

"Their letting him out Devon," I whispered, "Their letting my dad out of the psychiatric prison."

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Sorry for such a late update! I've been super busy its crazy. I'll try to update at least one more time today before I'm gone for three days. Or maybe I should leave you in suspense? Muahaha!

Nah, I wouldn't do that.

Please comment and vote, Thanks so much for reading!