If Only

"You're A Child"

Around 7:30 the next morning, after getting ready for the day, I went into Ian's room. He was still sleeping and snored ever so quietly. Using my crutches, I made my way across the dark brown hardwood floor over to his bed. His eyes were closed, and he didn't look stressed or worried. I didn't think I had ever seen him so relaxed. I put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle shake.

"Ian," I whispered.

He barely opened his eyes and mumbled, "what?"

"I was kinda hoping you could take me home 'cause I need my car."

"You're ankle's broken," he rolled over onto his back. "You shouldn't be driving."

"Well, then you'll have to take me."

"Fine," he glanced at the clock, "where the hell do you have to go at seven in the morning anyway?"

"School."

His eyes shot open, "oh, right. Just, uh, give me a minute, and I'll be right out."

"Okay," I left his room.

This was weird. Ian usually only saw me at the office. School and work were like two different worlds to me, especially since I never talked about school at work. Although I only worked on weekends and weekdays after three, I don't think it ever occurred to him that I still went to high school, even if he knew that I was seventeen.

He came out of his room wearing an old merch shirt from the channel, sweatpants, and sneakers. I let out a soft chuckle. I had seen him tired before, but he was always still wearing work clothes.

"What?" He smiled, "are you making fun of me?"

"No, no," I held back laughter. "I'm just admiring this whole ensemble."

"Sorry?" He put his hand up to his ear. "I can't hear you over the sound of you falling down."

I gasped sarcastically. He walked down the hall and grabbed his keys. We took the elevator down to the ground floor.

When we made it inside his car, he asked, "so where is this school you speak of?"

"It's actually the high school that you went to."

"Wow," he started the ignition, "I haven't driven there in a while."

"I would hope not," I looked over at him. "You'd be a pretty dumb thirty three year old."

He chuckled.

When we got to the school, he pulled up to the entrance. He stared at the school and the swarms of kids going into it.

"It looks exactly the same and completely different at the same time," he said taken back.

"I get what you mean."

"How could you get what I mean?" He said rather serious, "you're literally still in high school."

"Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I haven't gone through shit," I crossed my arms.

"You're not just younger than me, Katie. I'm an adult," he turned his head to face me, "and you're a child."

I looked at him shocked and angry for a few seconds.

"You're such an asshole," I left the car and slammed the door shut.

I couldn't believe Ian would say something like that. I always felt like we were on the same page. He treated me like an adult. He was careful around me, yeah, but he never called me a child. If he thinks I'm a child, then fine, I'll be a child.

***

*Ian's POV*

It was a quarter after four. I was still at work. Katie should have been out of school a couple hours before then, but she wasn't answering any of my calls. I didn't want her to have to walk home with that stupid broken ankle. But what was I supposed to do if she wasn't answering my calls? Goddammit. When the hell did this become my responsibility?