The Insiders

Chapter 43

Chapter 43- Amy
"Bryce just get in the shower!" I scream at him. There's only fifteen minutes until we have to leave to get the chips. Sharlene and Coren left an hour early, leaving Thomas in his bed reading a book.
"Fine." Bryce sighs while he leans past me to grab his towel from our bed.
"You know there's always room for one more." He murmurs in my ear once he's stood back up. I make a giggle screaming sound as I shove his clean clothes at his chest. He laughs as he begins to walk toward the bathroom.
"You're disgusting!" I giggle as he shuts the door. I shake my head and sit on the bed. God, I love him. He's the only thing I have left. Before I thought Joy was the only one, but now that she's gone... It's official, Bryce is all I have left. Sure there's Sharlene, Thomas, and Coren, but Bryce is the only one I can picture spending everyday with for the rest of my life.
I hear Thomas move, which causes me to glance over. I can't see him because of the angle of the beds. I wish I could though. He's become distant for what feels like forever. I don't know why this started, but it did and I hate it. Maybe I should start a conversation...
"Thomas." I begin, though I'm not sure he heard it, due to his lack of response.
"Thomas." I try a little louder. This time I know he heard me because I hear his covers move.
"Why won't you talk to me?" I practically whine. I feel pathetic for saying it like that, but I have to know what is going on with him.
Suddenly he stands up and I have a sudden bliss of hope in me that he's coming to talk to me. The hope disappears as he begins toward the door. With sudden anger coursing through my veins, I sprint to the door. I reach it just as he's opening it. I slam it shut. WIth a quick annoyed glance at me, he begins towards the other door. Desperate to talk to him, I run to the other door and plant my body in front of the door. As soon as Thomas sees what I am doing he turns back around.
"Thomas!" I beg, but he continues toward the door. A sudden rage causes me to shoot light from my hands. The light travels to the door and hits the handle. Thomas cries out as the light reflects off the door handle and hits him in the eyes.
"Ow!" He shouts. "What the hell Amy?" Thomas angles himself towards me. I run toward him.
"Sorry," I squeak. "are you okay?" In a panic I place my hands on his shoulders. He freezes for a moment, but then continues to rub his eyes and swear under his breath.
"Yep, I'm fine." He moans. He pulls his hands away revealing his turquoise eyes.
"Now that I have you here acknowledging my presence, can we talk?" I smile.
"No Amy." Thomas sighs as he brushes my hands off his shoulders.
"Why not?" He dwells on the question for a minute.
"It's complicated."
"I don't care." I instantly reply.
"Well, I do." He brushes past me.
"I need my best friend back." I shout after him. He stops.
"I need you, Thomas," I continue. "I need to see you smile again. I need to hear your laugh," I begin to walk toward him. "I need you to come back to me, Thomas." I stare desperately at the back of him, hoping he will turn around.
"You don't need me," He continues to face the door. "You have Bryce."
"That's not the same thing-"
"Fine it isn't," He turns back to me with a look of desperation and anger. "You have Sharlene and Coren."
"But they're not you." I grab his shoulders.
"Why are you saying all this?" He mumbles. He gives me a look that at first I think is curiosity, but full of... hope? I slowly slide my hands down his arms.
"Like I said before," I say. "I need my best friend back." Thomas doesn't look at me. He looks at the floor.
"I've lost so many people," I begin to walk away. "I just never thought you would be one of them." I walk toward my bed, wanting at least a little privacy.
"You didn't lose me." Thomas says. I turn back around to see him actually looking at me. He hasn't moved from his spot.
"Then prove it to me." I choke on the tears beginning to form in my eyes. We stand there for a moment just looking at each other. I sigh and begin to turn back around. He's not going to do anything. I flinch as he places his arms on my shoulders and turns me around. I have a confused moment, but that's when he hugs me. I question what is happening, then hug him back.
"I'm sorry." He says over and over with his head resting on my shoulder.
"It's okay." I tell my best friend. I did it, I got him back.