Squeeze the Day

🍋F I F T E E N🍋

MUCH TO MY misfortune, we were all seated together in the living room. Austin was sprawled across the carpet, and I was sitting on the couch with Shane and Oliver on either side of me. The flashlight was propped on the coffee table, serving as our only source of light. We sat in complete silence, no one wanting to talk.

Oliver looked up at me. "Can I sleep?"

"Of course."

He let out a yawn and crawled into my lap. I adjusted myself as he snuggled against my stomach, but after tossing and turning for a bit, he gave up. He scrunched his nose in discontent. "You're not comfy." I didn't even know what that meant, but I was offended.

Oliver then surprised all of us by climbing over me and into Shane's lap. I was half expecting Shane to shoo him off, but I was baffled when he didn't. Oliver settled in his lap, his eyes closed as he instantly dozed off.

"Guess you're Oliver approved," I joked, but Shane didn't say anything. I stroked Oliver's hair as I silently prayed for a blackhole to open beneath me and suck me in instead of letting myself endure any more of this awkward silence.

"I'm going to my room." Austin abruptly stood up, taking me by surprise.

"Aren't you scared?" I couldn't help but ask.

He snickered. "No! What wusses are scared of the dark?" With that he left, not even needing the flashlight. I gawked at his retreating figure. He was one strange kid.

Unfortunately Austin's leaving and Oliver sleeping meant that it was just Shane and I now, trapped in this awkward silence. I knew I was mad earlier, and I still wasn't pleased with him, but I was willing to pretend nothing happened today just while we waited for the hurricane to be over. Shane, however, seemed annoyed at me.

"Did I do something?" I found myself asking. When he didn't answer, I nudged his arm. "I'm talking to you." Shane simply looked down at Oliver's sleeping body, refusing to make eye contact with me. Fed up with his behaviour, I stood up.

I didn't even make it two steps when he said, "Stay." I immediately froze, reminded of when I uttered the same word to him all those nights ago. Confused with what he wanted from me, I slowly turned around and returned to my spot.

I eyed Shane strangely as I sat, my gaze flickering to his jaw. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw the bruising, knowing that was caused by me. It didn't sit well with me that I was capable of doing that much damage to someone, and I wasn't even trying that hard. Imagine if I had actually intended to hurt him.

Absentmindedly, I extended my hand out toward him, my fingers grazing his bruised face. Shane winced a little, but he didn't move or stop me. I lightly brushed his injuries with my finger, my face forming a frown when I felt his warm, tender skin. I felt like such a crappy person. How could I do that to him? Sure he was out of line, but punching him was uncalled for.

"Don't," he said all of a sudden, making me raise an eyebrow. "It's not as bad as it looks."

"What do you mean?"

"It means I'm fine, so don't cry," he said with an eye roll.

"Why would I cry?" I snapped.

"You're holding back tears," he said in a bored tone. "It's fine. I'm fine."

My frown deepened. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me, and I..."

He held a hand up, silencing me. "I shouldn't have kissed you," he said. "Clearly you don't feel the same way, and I shouldn't have forced anything."

"No!" I exclaimed, taking us both by surprise. It felt like I forgot how to speak when I tried to wrack my brain for anything to say. "I-I mean, don't apologize," I stammered.