Chemistry (Otis Milburn)

43

He hung up. The phone was still in my ear. Did Otis Milburn just threaten me??

I didn't feel anything. I wasn't scared. I wasn't angry. I didn't panic. What Otis told me only encouraged me to further proceed with the plan I had all along. His phone call was my last source of validation. I turned my phone off and finally went to sleep. 

I woke up the next day and didn't say a word to Nick. He made me some breakfast- Belgian waffles with coconut whipped cream and maple syrup, and a side of green tea to wash it down. He took a photo of me with it and uploaded it on Instagram. 

"Can I get one of you eating, too?" I finally spoke. 

"Only if you tell me what the caption will be first." He gave me a surprised look.

"My everything." I responded without hesitation.

He gave me a warm smile. "I like that."

I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

"What was that for?"

"For putting up with me. For tolerating me." I chuckled. 

"Of course, after all we are a team." 

The room was silent afterwards as we began eating our breakfast, until I broke the silence.

"Otis called me last night and told me that if I didn't tell him what I'm hiding from him he's going to call the police and blame everything on me."

He suddenly froze. "He said that? Are you kidding?"

"No, he called me late last night. But, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine. On yours and his end. You guys have nothing to worry about."

"Should we tell Amy?" He was about to reach for his phone.

I suddenly jumped in my seat and went up closer to him, grabbing his hand away from his phone.

"Do not tell her. What ever you do, please do not say a word to her. I know you guys strangely get along and you like to keep her updated on certain things, but not with this. Please." He looked into my eyes as he went into deep thought. 

"I won't say anything. I promise." He went into deep thought and didn't say a word after that.

_____________________________________________

I decided to go to school that day. I sat in my Chemistry class and paid attention like I have never paid attention before, while taking notes and listening to Mr. Anderson lecture. He reminded us that he extended the project until the end of the year, which I completely tuned out. It no longer applied to me. 

I ate lunch with a group of students that I had some classes with and had a genuinely great time. We laughed, we talked, we vented, and we ate lots of snacks. I almost did not want it to end.

I started writing a handwritten letter to Otis that I was going to give him on the last day of my two-day deadline. However, I had decided to give it to him early-tomorrow.

I folded up the letter as small as I could and placed it inside the envelope, sealed completely. It sat on my desk with Otis's name signed on the back of the envelope. 

Nick and I went out that night as a swarm of paparazzi surrounded us as we were about to leave the restaurant. 

There was absolutely nothing to hide anymore. However, at least I looked cute. 

I lay in bed that night, glancing over at the envelope and wondering how Otis would react, and where I would be when he decides to read it-if I would even still be here.