A New Beginning

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

I woke up on Monday to Elliot hopping in the shower. I could hear the water running. I took a pill and carefully stood up. Elliot walked out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Sorry." I said as I walked out the door. I felt my cheeks turning red. I saw my mom in the kitchen. She gasped.

"PJ, what the hell are you doing outta bed?" she asked worriedly.

"Elliot took a shower, and I gave him some privacy. Relax mom, it's not like I'm dying." I said while hugging her.

"I know, I know. Sit down until Elliot comes out though, ok?" she pleaded.

"Fine." I said with a sigh. I liked to be independent, and I hated how everyone was fussing over me.

Elliot walked out of the room, and my mom gave me a look that said 'you better get your ass in there.'

"Can I at least grab the laptop?" I asked.

"I'll get it. Go lay down." Elliot said.

I let out a frustrated sigh and walked into my room. I was shortly followed by Elliot.

"Thanks." I said as he handed me the laptop. "You know I really do hate it when people fuss over me. I mean I appreciate it really, but it's not like I only have one breath left."

"I know, we are just worried about you." He said as he put his hand on mine. I didn't pull away.

"Thanks." I said as I smiled at him. He returned the smile. "I'm really glad you guys came."

"Me too." He replied. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and left the room.

I turned on the laptop and began searching the web for stupid things. I soon got bored and grabbed my sketch book. I walked onto the balcony and decided to draw the ocean.

It was beautiful, and I got so caught up in the drawing, that I hadn't noticed someone standing behind me.

"I love your sketches." Elliot stated as he strolled towards me. I shrugged.

"Thanks." I said while still sketching. I was almost finished.

"You know your mom is worried sick about you. You were wrong about how she feels about you." Elliot said while staring at me. I could feel his eyes on my head. I smiled.

"Yeah, I guess I did. We both kind of shut each other out though. It wasn't just her fault, it was mine as well." I said with a sad smile. "Now that I think about it, it was stupid. Instead of pushing each other away, we should have grown closer."

I looked out at the ocean and finished my sketch. A thought came to mind.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked him.

"Shoot." He said while looking at me. I looked into his brilliant blue eyes.

"You don't have to answer, but what happened to your dad?" I asked, hoping that I hadn't upset him.

"I never knew him. He walked out on my mom when she was pregnant." He said casually.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled. He shrugged.

"Don't be. I never knew him, and he never knew me. You can't miss something you never had." He said. I looked over at him, and he walked over to me. "Now can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I said.

"Why have you been so distant from me lately?" he asked while looking me right in the eyes. Dammit, the one question that I didn't want him to ask. I bit my lip.

"Uh, this is gonna have to wait until we get back to New York." I said while pulling my eyes from his. I did not want to ruin this vacation any more than I already had.

"Ok, but you know you can talk to me." He said with a sad smile.

"I know." I said while still biting my lip.

"I'll let you sketch now." He said as he walked off the balcony and out of the room. I groaned.

I walked back into the room and crawled under the covers.