20 Days In His Bedroom

Chaper Sixty

After a week

Twyla's POV

He didn't show up. Not today, not yesterday, not in any of the days since. And that number? It never called again. Was it even him? I can't be sure. Maybe after hearing I was in a relationship, he decided to leave me behind. But how could he think that? He knows me better than anyone—he knows I love him. I haven't dated anyone before him. It's always been Kyle. He just isn't trying, Twyla. He's not.

My phone rings, making me jump. The screen flashes Jakob's name.

"Hey." I answer, trying to keep my voice steady. I'm not excited for this call. He's been so kind, so caring lately, but I'm not ready—at least not for him.

"Hey, T," Jakob says, sounding a little nervous. "I... uh... I wanted to ask if you'd come with me to my prom night."

My heart stutters. Prom night? I wasn't expecting that. "Oh." That's all I manage to say, unsure how to feel.

Before I can say anything else, Jakob adds, "Before you decide, I want you to know it means a lot to me. Really a lot."

I stare at the phone, overwhelmed. I don't know if I can do this. I'm scared he might read my yes as something more than just a friend going to prom. But maybe... maybe if Kyle's not here, Jakob deserves this chance. Maybe I need it too.

"What?" His voice sounds disappointed, like I'm rejecting him.

"Okay, fine." I bite my lip and say it before I overthink it. "I think it's a good idea."

"I can't believe it!" Jakob practically shouts with excitement. "It's next week, Sunday at 7 p.m. Okay?"

"Alright. Bye." I hang up.

Jakob is kind. Funny, even. Maybe if I hadn't met Kyle, I would've fallen for him. But Kyle... he's heart-capturing. Attractive in a way that you don't just fall for him—you get pulled in by his eyes, his presence. He's... enough, Twy. Enough.

I miss him, more than words can say. All I do now is check his Facebook profile. But it's strange—he hasn't changed his profile picture or shared anything new. His timeline is dull, empty. No clues. No signs.

I think about what to wear to Jakob's prom. I want something new, something that makes me feel like I belong there. I decide I'll take Emma shopping with me for this mission.

⸻

After a week

I stand in front of the mirror, holding the dress up to myself. "What do you think, Mom? Is it okay for prom?"

A dull ache curls inside my chest when I think about Kyle—how he almost forgot me. Maybe I should've known better. Maybe he never really loved me. The truth stings.

"You look gorgeous," Mom says, smiling softly.

"Thanks." I glance at Emma, who's sitting nearby ready with the makeup kit. She knows everything. She knows I'm still thinking about Kyle. She keeps rubbing my hands to comfort me.

"Sure," Emma says quietly and begins applying makeup with expert strokes. Her gentle touch calms me.

Jakob arrives to give me a ride. He's dressed in a sharp black tuxedo. Honestly, he looks adorable. His green eyes catch mine the moment he sees me. His hair is neat, and he has that confident smile.

"I'm the luckiest guy on Earth," he says as he opens the car door for me.

I smile shyly, looking down at my heels. "Oh, not to that extent."

"You're so beautiful, Twyla." He eyes me up and down slowly, and my cheeks flush.

"Really?" I blink, feeling shy and wishing, just for a second, that Kyle was the one looking at me like this. I shake the thought away.

"Definitely. Thanks for coming with me."

I get in the car. Jakob drives his sleek blue Opel. We don't talk much, but he puts on music, and we listen quietly. Every now and then, he steals glances at me. He looks cute doing that.

When we arrive, his friends wink at him. Is it because I'm with him? I don't know, but somehow I feel more confident. I don't want to think about Kyle now. I don't want to cry at a party.

We dance, laugh, and take pictures together. I even snap a few selfies with Jakob.

"I'll post this one. What do you think?" I ask him when we sit down.

"Sure. Do whatever you want," he smiles warmly.

For no real reason, I check if Kyle is online. I want him to see the pictures. I want to hurt him the way he hurts me every day. I expect to find news about him dating someone else.

Instead, my fingers freeze. What is this? So many posts about his dad... and an interview with Kyle and his mom.

Oh my God. No.

His dad died three days ago.

I wasn't there for him. He must be so broken.

I read on—Kyle has been in the hospital almost a month. That's why he didn't show up. Why he disappeared.

I delete all the photos I just posted. I can't fake this night anymore.

"Twyla, I was just about to comment on that post. Why did you delete it?" Jakob frowns.

"Jakob, I... I need to go home." My voice is tight. I'm done.

"Why? What happened? Did someone annoy you?" He narrows his eyes.

"No, no. I just want to be alone." I stand.

"I'll give you a ride," he says, grabbing his keys.

"No. I'll go home alone." I raise my hand to stop him.

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