One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡

Tanner

I couldn't find a way to tell them. After my classes the next day, I had to tell them. The quicker it was taken, the quicker we could do this. I took my earphones out as I wandered to my parents.

"Where are Mom and Dad?" I asked Susie, unable to find them in our medium-sized house.

"They went out a few seconds ago. Just missed them."

"I need your opinion. Nothing bad, but it's still big and I don't know what to do."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Shelly and I-"

"Aha dah be."

"What was that noise?"

"That's me saying I don't want to know," she grimaced.

"No. Not that. We just want to be able to be together."

"But you can't."

"But we can."

"And how is that?" she asked in the same tone.

"By getting the vaccine. It'll ensure safety but it also means we all have to take it or else it'll be redundant."

"First of all, what 18-year-old says ensure, and second, how are you planning on telling Mom and Dad?"

Why were we treating this like it was a bad thing? All vaccines were of the same rules. A piece of the virus entered your body to help build immunity. Susie and I had taken our flu shots every year. Why would this be any different?

"I don't know. But will you take it?"

"If it means I'll get to see her, I'd get it shoved in my brain. Or at least, that's what people say they'll do to you. Either way, anything for you, Tanner," Susie smiled at me.

A sudden relief fell off my chest. If my sister was willing to do it, then she could help if my parents weren't. I had to tell myself it wasn't a big deal, I had already gone over that, but it felt like one.

"Hey, it'll all be fine. Plus, just tell them that you wanted us to be safe too. You want to see Shelly, which is a mature thing to take the shot if you ask me, which you are," she laughed, "and it'll ensure that we are all being safe. It's a perfect time for it. It might also mean that they'll let me explore the town more.  I'm tired of being home all the time already."

"Thanks, Susie."

I hugged her gently before going to my room. Laying on my bed, I looked over at my laptop and decided to call Shelly. She should be off of school right now. I opened my laptop but as I was going to video call her, I got one from one of my old friends.

Russel.

"Hey, whatcha need?" I questioned him as I connected the call.

"Nothing much. I just haven't heard from you lately and neither had Ian or Tristan," he replied.

"I've been busy. College just started and it's hectic because I'm not literally there."

"How is that hectic? It's just school. I'm glad I didn't sign up for that shit."

"I forgot you didn't want to go to college, hell, you barely even went to high school," I laughed at the memories.

"I was always high anyway. But, what's up? Leslie said she heard from you but that's wack, right? You said you were done with her before you left."

I cringed. I had said that. I didn't want anyone to know. It amazed me how different I was. Even if we had barely talked initially, Shelly was the cause. I was a rude and evil guy before but now I just felt guilty for everything I had done.

Or maybe she hadn't done that, the world had given me time to notice what I did and I was grateful. For both of them really.

"Not really. I was with her right before we left," my hand went up to scratch the back of my neck in embarrassment and shame, "I just didn't tell anyone. I figured it was better if it wasn't publicized."

"What? What else have you been keeping secret? Got a buddy over there too?" Russel laughed.

Even though he knew nothing of her, I still felt panic. Shelly really had become my Bella, I wanted her hidden from the world. She didn't need to know who I was somewhat friends with. I wanted to see her warmth every day without anyone knowing about it because it became our thing.

"Something like that."

"Oh really? And who would like a guy like you? Tanner I knew didn't like to be with girls for that long. Isn't that why you didn't want to be with Les? Too much commitment?"

"No, it's not that. I was just...I figured it was awkward when I left for college. But I mean, now it's different. I really like this girl."

"Ahh, she's only with you for the time being. She's going to go off and find someone else. Trust me, I should know. Remember Sarah? She was with me because she liked me as I did her but then Steve came, ugh! She always squealed about the same letter's this and so much like her that. 

It got annoying. And then he whisked her away. But look at her now. Had she been with me, she would've had a better life. Now she's stuck with him for the rest of her life."

"Yeah, having a kid young is probably not a good idea. To each their own, though" I tittered, uncomfortable with his words. I knew he was hurt over Sarah leaving him but from what I had seen, Sarah was happy with her life. 

There was no need for Russel to talk badly about her happiness if he truly liked her.

"True. Anyway, no one stays forever. And not during this time."

"I think you are wrong. I have faith in us."

And I did. Nothing was going to drive a wedge between me and Shelly. She was put in my life as it was getting crazier by the minute. And she would stay there until we couldn't be there. Until she either got tired of me or I died.

Whichever came first.

I heard the front door open and said goodbye to Russel. He was mad I had to leave so quickly but I didn't care. I decided to talk to my parents about the shot now. There was no way around it. Summoning all of my courage, I strode out of my room to ask them.

******

A/N:

I lowkey hate Russel. He's got a skewed outlook on people's lives. Sarah is happy with her baby and boyfriend. She's got a good and healthy family, and yeah she's young and left him for someone else but she went about it in a mature manner. Something someone couldn't even imagine doing.