One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞

Shelly

I knew that some things were going to change. Tanner wasn't allowing himself over anymore so I tended to get more cranky without his touch. I felt like one of those werewolves in books that I've read where they get angsty without their mate's touch.

"You good Shelly?"

"Yeah, Mom."

So she noticed. I didn't think that I had changed that much since that evening three days ago. But Tanner did have a way of affecting my life like that. I had a love-hate relationship with it. I was once a not-so-independent girl and now I had depended on Tanner to always be there.

But one day, he wasn't and I'd have to manage without him. It also wasn't a bad thing, I knew relationships didn't work out all the time. One day he wouldn't be there for me and that would be okay.

We'd just have to deal with it when we get there.

"You sure? You've been...sulky?"

"It's nothing," I waved it off.

"Can you please tell me what is wrong? Is it this boy? Did he hurt you again?"

She huffed at me. I didn't understand why she was being that way. She saw how happy he had made me. He wasn't going to hurt me again, I knew and trusted that with little doubt, but she hadn't believed me when I told her that. My mom was a woman who didn't trust anyone with me, not even herself.

"No, it's just that his family told him no. He took it hard and so I'm taking it hard. It's nothing, I'll be fine."

"Oh, now why would they say no? Wouldn't parents want their kids to be happy? I'm taking the test for you because your happiness is worth everything. Even having that needle in my arm," she said with a shiver.

I laughed at her. She joined in soon after. And then she groaned and wrapped her hands around me. I brought my hands up to place over them and she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry honey. Is this still going to work?"

"I don't know. Maybe?"

"Okay, well, I could talk to his parents if they don't give up this week. Our appointment is next week, Friday."

I sighed as I thought about it. She slapped me softly on the arm before she released her hold. I went to my room as she busied herself with the dishes. Once inside, I picked up my phone.

To see a text from Tanner. A smile spread onto my face as I reread it. Letting out a noise of excitement, I ran out to my mom. Jumping everywhere, she gave me a weird look. I understood it though, I was just down a few seconds ago.

She didn't question me though as I continued my happy dance. She joined in too for no reason. I didn't know how to express how happy I was. The pressure on my chest had been eased. We danced like no one was watching.

But someone was because soon, I heard the bell ring. Containing myself, I walked to the door and opened it. Slowly the door opened and I saw Tanner and his sister standing outside of the screen door.

"What was that?" Tanner asked muffled by his mask.

"Nothing," I panted.

Jumping got me tired.

"It's nice to see you again Shelly," his sister said.

"You too, Susie."

"She remembered my name? Can I have her? We met once and she remembered my name!" Susie squealed.

A blush littered my face but I was glad they couldn't see it since they were glaring at each other. I smiled at him as she continued to hit his arm. Tanner just brushed her off each time. When she wouldn't stop, he turned to her and jabbed her stomach once.

"She's mine, back off," he murmured.

But I caught it. It made my stomach fill with what felt like nerves but were really butterflies. There was no difference between the two. I was happy but some part of me was still scared that something bad was going to happen. Tanner turned back to me and the feeling increases as I saw his eyes crinkled, he was smiling.

"So, I'm assuming you read it?"

"Yep!" I nodded.

"When is yours?"

"Friday, next week."

"Only thirteen days left," he sighed as he took a step forward.

"I know. Sorta scared, sorta excited. Mostly excited though."

"Don't worry. It's not even a big deal when you think about it. It's just a shot, and bam, you're done," he said softly as he leaned his forehead on the screen.

I reached up to lean mine on his. This was the closest we were going to get for now. Sighing, both of us stepped back. Susie looked at us like we both suddenly went headless. I tried not to focus on how my mother was a few steps away either. If Tanner didn't mind, neither would I.

"I have to go now," he said as Susie followed him off the porch, "but I just wanted to see you."

"I'm your stalker," I said as I opened my screen door and took a step outside.

"And I'm yours," he chuckled, eyes crinkling once more before he motioned Susie to follow him.

And then it clicked. As soon as they were at a good enough distance that my mother wouldn't mind, I ran out of there. I reached the lawn but he had turned around by then. I looked at him with a mirror reflection, wide eyes, and a tense body.

We then busted up laughing as we were basically too attached to leave the other. Susie continued to walk back to their house. It took a second before we had been able to stand back up.

"She's your Alice."

"Huh?" He quirked his head.

"Susie is your Alice. She's your sister, always there, she wants me. Alice all the way."

"You. Are. Right. That's what I was going to say."

But he didn't seem like it. His chest was moving too fast to be thinking of telling me that. His eyes seemed more tense now than before. I knew how to read him, he became my person. Biting my lip, I smiled at him softly.

"Okay, I gotta go before my parents think you kidnapped me."

"Again, I'm your stalker."

"And I l...I'm yours," he stumbled.

He quickly walked away but the possibility of his wording made me stand there shocked in the middle of my yard as he disappeared behind the last house on the corner.