quarantined

chapter two

I woke up to an empty bed.

I rolled over, trying to shield my eyes from the bright sunlight, and groaned.

I was just dozing off when the smell of bacon made me open my eyes again. I got up, used the bathroom and brushed my teeth, and headed downstairs.

"Morning, Sunshine," Dylan said, flicking a piece of cheese at me.

I frowned and sat down at the table, resting my chin in my hands.

"Bonjour, Cochon. J'allais partir. Allez-vous nettoyer la salle de bain en bas aujourd'hui?" my mom spoke quickly, kissing me on the forehead and grabbing her coffee. "Et merci, Dylan, pour la petit dejuener."

"D'accord," I mumbled, eyelids still heavy.

She left, locking the door behind her.

Dylan sat down across from me.

"I talked to your mom before this. About you."

"What about me?"

"Uh," he hesitated. "Your, um- mental health."

I raised an eyebrow. "Ok, and?"

"And about you and Vincent," he said quickly, words rushed.

I reeled back in shock. "Sorry, you did what?" It was way too early in the morning to be talking about this.

"We're both worried about you," he replied. "I don't like seeing you like this."

"Like what?" I exclaimed. "I'm perfectly f-"

"Fine," he interrupted. "You're always fine. But, April, you're not. I can see that."

I bit my lip. "I cannot believe you told my mom."

Vincent and I were talking for what felt like forever before we started dating, but it quickly turned abusive. Mentally, physically, sexually- you name it. Dylan knows (or should know) not to bring it up. Ever. And he also promised to not tell my mom.

"You had absolutely no right to do that," I added.

He sighed. "Look, April-"

I glared at him. "Drop it," I said, an edge to my voice.

"I'm not dropping it," he said defiantly, and I rolled my eyes. "I care about you, April. A lot. That's why I'm not dropping this."

He looked at me as if he expected me to say something.

"I want to help you. I get it, there are bad days, but you've been having more and more bad days. How much school have you missed?"

I shook my head, licking my lips. "That's none of your business. In fact, why would I tell you anything anymore?" I asked, laughing.

I hated fighting with Dylan. It never ended well. We both had type-A personalities and both had to win the argument.

"God, April! I'm trying to help you! Why can't you just-" he took a breath. "Look," he said, voice calm. "Your mom said we could go up to your guys' house in South Point for a few days. Get out of here. Change of scenery."

Our beach house a few hours south! I hadn't been there in forever.

I remembered I was still mad, and I just looked at him. "Why would I want to go anywhere with you right now?"

"With me? Who else would-"

"No, listen!" I interrupted, voice shaking. "You came to me, in my house, told my mom something about me that you promised not to, and you expect me to just magically be ok with it?"