Bittersweet Heartstrings

Chapter 7: Coffee Stop

This flu was just not going to go away. Nor was the food going to stay down. Not even the soup. It was just so annoying and nauseating, but what did I expect? Good thing the pills stayed down, or else I don't know what I'd do. At least I got slightly better. I haven't gotten any headaches lately, but I shouldn't jinx anything.

About two hours after my mom had left on her date, I tried calling the Tiller twins again, hoping they would answer. I had no such luck. Apparently, I was destined to be forever alone. No joke. Sure, I had tons of friends–okay, maybe ten–but I didn't know any of them good enough to invited them over while I was sick and explain why I was too scared to stay by myself while my mom was out. 

Having nothing to do but wonder around moping about being sick, I went out to my backyard thinking a little fresh air would do me good. So, I walked outside and stood on the patio.

The yard was small and fenced in, but I suppose most yards were unless you were rich. The grass was green and there were bushes in the front with flower buds already appearing. This spring was pretty warm, but so was the winter. The lowest was about twenty degrees. 

It was a sunny day today, too. The sun was high in the blue, cloudless sky. Too bad there wasn't anyone I could spend it with.

In my bare feet, I walked across the lawn and sat down in the middle, bringing my knees to my chest. There was a breeze, making strands of my hair come loose. I breathed in, closing my eyes. This was one of the best days of the year in my opinion. 

If this moment outside hadn't relaxed me so much, I would've been more aware of my surroundings. And if my eyes hadn't been closed, I would've seen the person enter my backyard. But no, stupid me wasn't thinking and decided to block out everything.

"Enjoying the weather?" He asked.

I was so startled, I shrieked until I realized who it was. Declan.

"Quiet down before someone thinks I'm attacking you or something." He chided. 

"Oh my god! What are you doing here?" My voice came out angry. 

"I thought you'd be happy to see me." He scowled, moving his hands to his pocket.

"I am, but," I stood up and walked over to him, stopping a few feet away. "I'm surprised you even came."

"Even though I'm pissed, I can't just leave you here alone today." He rubbed a hand over his face.

"So what you're saying is, you came here because you'd feel guilty if I got kidnapped again?" I definitely did not have the energy to fight, but I couldn't stop what I was saying.

"Yeah..." He trailed off, looking anywhere but at my face. 

"I can't believe you." I whispered.

"You can't believe me?" He asked, incredulous. 

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I was out of line. I knew I was. He was still mad and I had the nerve to be mad at him for being nice? Well, not exactly nice. His reason for coming was selfish, but he still came.

"You're fucking unbelievable." He growled, lifting his eyes to glare at me.

I was too stubborn to take back what I said. I knew I should, but I just couldn't. He scoffed at me before walking out of the backyard. Moments later, a car door slammed. And it's just a guess, but that was probably Declan.

Crumpling to the grass, I hid my face in my hands. How could I be such a stubborn idiot? Not only did I miss my chance to apologize, but I started another fight. Who knows if he would even forgive me after this? Sure, he was overreacting, but I was still in the wrong.