When it Stops Hurting (Royce)

9

Elijah's P.O.V.

"Oh, baby, we had so much fun last night". I forced a small smile, watching her give me a big smile of her own. "I felt so free".

"That's good, mom. I'm happy for you" I said, trying not to let my true depressed state show. "Really happy, tell me about what you did, I know you want to ".

She sat down at my desk and began to ramble on about how her night went, I zoned out on most of it, only tuning into small bits and pieces. "We walked around town" and "the view was beautiful" and "it was perfect". I smiled, "how was your night, baby?" She asked.

My smile faded as I thought about last night, I remembered popping the top off the pill bottle and being disappointed when it was empty. "It was okay" I lied, "nothing really happened". My chest felt tight, I felt like I couldn't breathe all that well as I sat in front of my happy mother. I didn't want to ruin her happiness by telling her about my unhappiness.

"Are you okay, honey?"

I looked at her, I bit my nail, something I did when I felt stressed. I cleared my throat, "I'm fine".

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, totally".

I watched her stand to her feet, "okay, I'm going to go downstairs and I'll see what I can whip up for lunch, okay?"

I nodded a little, "okay, mom". I sighed lightly, watching her go. I wish my mom and I had the same relationship like we had before. Things changed after she met Steven, we were so close before he came along and broke us apart. I just didn't see what she saw in him, he wasn't that kind, he didn't have some type of flawless face, and he wasn't funny; and if he did try and make a joy, it was probably offensive in some type of way. I know my mother and I don't have the same interests in people, but I would've never thought she would pick up a guy like Steven.

I focused my attention on my phone when it vibrated. It was a text message from Aaron. I hadn't heard from him in weeks, I frowned as I read the message.

Aaron: hey, boo

Me: don't 'hey, boo' me. You talking to me now that all your other hoes aren't?

Aaron: ...

Me: wtf is that supposed to mean? It's a yes or no answer

Aaron: y u gotta b like that?

Me: why can't I?

Aaron: cause we not even together. U actin like I asked u out.. ur being unnecessary

Me: oh, but I wasn't being unnecessary when you were flirting with me, huh? I wasn't being unnecessary then, but I'm being unnecessary now, okay. I gotchu Aaron. You ain't shit anyway.

Aaron: How the hell am I not shit?

Me: lmao how r u not? Ur a man whore

Aaron: Oh and u aren't?

Me: How am I a man whore?

Aaron: You're constantly flirting with people, Elijah.

I rolled my eyes, I left out of my messages with Aaron and sent Jacob a quick text.

Me: Jacob, am I a man whore because I flirt a lot?

Jacob: um, no. I see a man whore as a guy who sleeps around a lot. U don't do that, so you're not a man whore.