One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭

Shelly

Waiting a few extra minutes for him was no big deal. I had waited for weeks not that long ago. Waiting five more minutes wasn't going to harm anyone. I didn't need to worry myself but I felt the dread fill my stomach. Swallowing to wet my mouth, I looked up.

The stars had started to appear and the sun had been down. The moon was full and I took the moment of isolation to look for my grandfather. Finding him, I smiled and waved. It was weird to do but it felt right. He was there and watching me be happy.

Turning to the fence, I peeked through to try to see if he was on his way. Tanner had never been this late. It was more than an hour after our usual meeting time. My chest swirled with unease as my mind started to spiral.

Was he ditching me? Had something wrong happened? Did his family tell him no and he was angry? I had bet on the last thought more. It could only explain it all.

So I gave him time to come to me. The night grew chillier and it didn't help that I was wearing a thin sweater. I didn't want to be too hot when Tanner had himself wrapped around me so I wore thin things. I shivered as another breeze went by.

Checking my phone, I didn't see anything from him. I wiggled my cold nose as I felt it sting. My heart followed suit as I felt rejection settle in. Standing up, I peeked once more at the gate.

Nothing.

"It's going to be fine. He's angry, give him time and space and it will be alright again. Don't overthink it. He is still your stalker and you are his," I whispered to myself in encouragement.

Slowly going to my room, I took my shoes off and dived into my heated blankets. Snuggling in, I let my hands warm up before getting my phone back out. Still nothing. Willing myself not to cry, I set my phone down and plugged it in.

I was going to be fine, we were going to be fine. And even if I couldn't shake the feeling of sadness off, I let myself think about the happiness we would get in a few short weeks. We would be able to freely touch without it having to be in the middle of the cold nights. We would be going to our houses and sharing a part of ourselves that we were once not allowed to seek.

"Don't think badly, it'll be fine."

And then it all fell apart. I knew he wasn't my father, he wasn't leaving for no reason, but the wound my father left was still fresh. I found myself walking to my mom's room and shaking her. Seeing me when she turned over, she reached her hand up and patted the bed with her other one.

I climbed in and she cuddled me. She rubbed my hands in hers, still feeling faintly cold, and I sighed into her embrace. If Tanner couldn't warm me up tonight, my mother would do it. Just like she'd be there anytime he wasn't.

And hopefully, there wouldn't be many days like this in the future.

******

A/N: 

I think it's important to remember, Tan can't change his anger in a single night. As much as I dislike him inadvertently hurting Shelly, it's something he's working on. He barely started realizing he needed to fix it.

That's just a reminder!

Also, I love her bond with her mother. I love strong mother-daughter bonds.