Getting Wilder ✔️

issue thirtieth: not my bed

A little while later, I took a deep breath and stepped onto Wilder's front porch. He held my hand in his throughout our entire walk from my home. The gesture warmed me till I could literally feel the fuzzy feeling in my chest that I had only read or heard about. 

He rang the bell and a moment later, his mother opened the door and smiled brightly at me.

"Nico!" She hugged me and it took me a moment to respond with an awkward hug back at her. She leaned back, her brows furrowed as she studied my face. "What...happened?"

"Argued with his mom," Wilder said, shaking his head. His mother's eyes darkened and she nodded in understanding. 

"Come on in, honey. Let's get you some dinner. My special chicken noodles have been known to cure blues!"

I was stunned that she immediately welcomed Arfie into the house. He seemed a little wary but remained quiet like the good boy he is and kept sitting near my feet as we entered the kitchen and I sat at the dining table. I knew for a fact that the Collins were rich, however, not until I saw the highly polished mantelpiece, the modular equipment and the smooth, polished wooden shelves and cupboards did I realize how rich they were. I felt like I had never really noticed it before. Perhaps I had been too innocent to realize how different we really were. But I knew it didn't matter now. 

Modern ceiling fixtures bathed the room in a gentle golden glow, a home theatre was set at the very end of the living room which was visible from the kitchen. Their living room looked lavish, consisting of a large, furry carpet and leather couches that were placed in an L shape. A glass table stood at the centre with a bonsai placed on it. In fact, houseplants were common even along the staircases and near the door. I came to realize that Mrs Collins was deeply interested in gardening. A habit which she had only recently picked up I assumed. 

I was stunned to see how supportive his mom was. She talked eagerly to me as if she was honestly interested to know more. I told her about my love for poetry and was shocked when she told me she too had seen Cam's video.

"Wils showed it to me," She shook her head, smiling. Her eyes twinkled as she went on, "He talks about how talented you are all the time."

I gaped at Wilder across the table. He shoved a forkful of noodles into his mouth, his cheeks bright red. He kept his eyes glued on the food. My heart fluttered. Did he really talk about me?

I took a bite of the spicy, tangy noodles and bit into the soft, juicy chicken. "Mm, this is amazing, Mrs Collins!" I said as I tasted the flavours that burst on my tongue. She opened her mouth to say something but stuttered when there was the loud noise of a plate sliding across the floor. I glanced at where Arfie was chewing ravenously on a bone, picking it clean and in his excitement had sent the plate scuttling away. 

Mrs Collins laughed. "I'm glad to see that Arfie approves of it as well." She returned to smile at me again. "By the way Nico, you can stay here for as long as you want, alright? There's no rush."

I felt my throat close up at her unexpected kindness. Even though I had met her before, now, during a time when I felt practically homeless, her kindness was making my heart flood with overwhelming emotions. Unable to respond, I nodded, eating another piece of chicken to avoid speaking in case my voice broke. 

After dinner, she sat me down on the couch and talked for a long time. I could hear the sound of the water running as Wilder washed up the dishes. Arfie sat on the floor near me, placing his head on my lap as I gently stroked it. I answered all of her questions politely, still surprised as to why she was so keenly interested in me.