The ghost of him

Chapter 12

Mom has been really weird since I told her dad has a girlfriend. She's not herself. She doesn't care that I spend hours in my room anymore, and she's been quieter, less on my case. I kind of like this new mom, but at the same time, I want the old one back. It's scaring and worrying me that she's like this. It means the news really got to her.

This new mom is letting me stay home for the first time in forever. I was shocked when she gave me the option to stay home. I didn't even ask her, she offered it to me. I said yes immediately.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Mom says as she grabs her purse. "Because I can take you with me..."

"Mom, I'll be okay. I promise." I reassure her. I give her a nice smile to seal the deal.

"I guess. It'll only be two to three hours. I hid the knives and the scissors so you can't do anything stupid." She opens the door as she talks to me. "And you don't leave this house. Got it?" She points her finger at me.

"Got it. I got it." I hold up my hands in defense.

"Well, I'll be on my way. This is your one chance, don't screw it up." She says, and then she slams the door in my face.

Yes! I'm finally alone! What do I do first? Should I break mom's rules and go somewhere? Or should I stay? I could go and see mich...Michael! How could I forget?

I jump on the sofa and pull out my phone, going to messages and clicking on Michael.

I ask him what he's doing and he says nothing, so then I ask if he wants to come over because my mom isn't home.

He asks where my dad is. I don't know if I should tell him about the divorce, but I say it anyway and ask him again and he says yes. I give my address and he says he'll be over as soon as he can.

***

I tidy up a bit before he gets here, folding the blankets, fixing the pillows. I even made my bed, and I stuffed all my loose clothes in the closet. When I'm tidying up my room, that feeling comes back, the staring feeling, and I look to the left of me where my dresser is, and I stare at the picture of me and Aaron. It's like the universe made me look at it. It's trying to tell me something.

I've been missing Aaron a lot since my last therapy session. I'm not really sure why. It all started with that cry sesh in the car. I've had a few cry sessions after that, and I hate it. I don't want to cry anymore. I just want to accept, like Dr. Miller said to do. But I can't. It's impossible.

I ignore the feeling and go back to cleaning.

***

15 minutes later I hear a knock at the door followed by a text that says I'm here. I smile as I stop what I'm doing and open the door for him.

Hey!" I say as I smile at him. He's dressed quite nicely, with a button-down shirt and tight jeans with dress shoes. He looks so handsome, he didn't have to dress up just for me.

"Hey." He smiles back at me closing the door behind him.

I blush hard. Like really hard. "Is that your car outside?" I look out the window and see a gray Toyota Camry. It's kind of beat up, but at least he isn't driving his mom's car.

"Yeah. It used to be my dad's. It's a 2014 Toyota Camry. Kind of old, but it's my baby."

"Lucky. I have to share a car with my mom." I roll my eyes and chuckle.

He chuckles as well. "Yeah. So, what do you want to do?"

I look over at the stairs and an idea pops in my head. "We should watch a movie. Upstairs." I say. "You know, just for if my mom happens to come home unannounced. I don't want her to see you." I felt like I needed to explain because I don't want him to think I'm one of those girls. Aka all the girls at my school. Well, old school now.