Chapter 11
H...Hey mom ?
Gracie, where in the hell are you? We're searching for you everywhere ?
I looked at Colleen and I knew she could hear what my mother said when I saw her expression changed at least 3 times in a matter of seconds until she finally became really pale.
I...I went on a w...walk ? Colleen sighed in relief at my answer and I did the same, amazed by my ability to find a decent excuse on the spot.
A walk? ? My mom, however, sounded less pleased by my answer ? With the state of your leg? ?
Ah shit, how could I forget about that? The excuse suddenly felt a bit ridiculous. I needed a save. Quick, Gracie, think.
I sa...sat on a bench for so...some time ? Seemed good enough.
Gracie, you should have told me or your friends, someone should be with you ?
Oh, not that again. I wasn't a baby I could be left alone sometimes.
Since I've been out the coma I was never alone, not even in my room; everyone kept checking on me and I knew they were worried but it was too much.
I couldn't be left alone in my own thoughts.
Maybe that walk wasn't a terrible excuse after all. I terribly needed time for myself.
Besides, mom, someone was with me it's just that you wouldn't like who it is. I glanced at the girl in question who was nervously shaking her leg up and down.
I wan...wanted to be alone, Mo...mom. I nee...needed to think ?
Well, next time tell us at least...Where are you? I'm coming to get you ?
No ? I shouted, startling Colleen who almost fell from her chair. If she saw me with Colleen it was over. No more free time for me. Also, how would I even begin to explain properly my relationship with Colleen.
Why not? ? My mom started to sound angry. Shit, nothing good could come out from that.
I wi...will come ba...back alone. I will be th...there in fif...fifteen minutes...please ? I tried my best to plead my case and I heard her sigh on the other end.
15 minutes after that I'll search you myself and you better believe we're going to talk about this once you're home, understand? ?
OK mom ?
My head started to hurt. Great, like I wasn't in enough pain already.
Good. 15 minutes, Gracie ?
With that, she hung up making me release the breath I was holding.
Fuck ? Colleen let out, making me look up. She had gotten up from her chair and was desperately pacing the room.
Fuck, fuck, fuck ?
I should be the one to freak out and yet I was the calmest one in this room even if what just happened definitely left me far from calm.
Colleen, calm down ?
She stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath.
Sorry ? she said in embarrassment, passing her hand through her hair.
My hand grazed on my watch, reminding me that time kept ticking. I got up rather quickly assessing the support of my leg. It was better but still hurt like a bitch.
We need to go down ?
Yeah...yeah ?
She closed the window and placed back the chairs near the table; as she got near me she extended me her hand. I frowned.
Let me help you go down ? she murmured.
She was so soft, she was like....a giant teddy bear. I kept wondering how could anyone hate her. It's just that they never bothered to get to know her, they just stopped at the superficial and judged her for that, even her own family. That drove me insane to think I did the same.
I offered her a smile, placing my hand in hers and that satisfying feeling in my stomach reappeared. Was it love or just friendship? It was too early to know yet; either way, I liked the feeling.
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The descent from the treehouse was another trip to hell.
Once my feet touched the ground all I wanted was to sit down again but I couldn't, I was on a clock.
Colleen offered me her arm for support again and I gladly took it.
We walked in silence, a really comfortable one.
That's what I liked about Colleen for the little that I knew her, we didn't have to speak all the time and it wasn't awkward.
My parents and the girls always talked or tried to initiate a conversation and sometimes I liked it but I also liked some quiet time.
With Colleen, however, she let me time to think, time to process my feelings and gather my thoughts. She wasn't pressing me to talk.
Likewise, the warmth emanating from her body brought me some comfort, it wasn't cold outside on the contrary but it's just that feeling of closeness that warmed me.
It wasn't about falling in love at that moment, it was about being close to someone emotionally.
She loved me and I could feel it radiating from her entire being.
In the same way, I knew I liked her too.
It was too soon to determine anything beyond but she became really dear to my heart.
The fact that we just got to know each other, I mean for my part anyway, fascinated me by how close I felt to her already.
Today was our first true conversation together yet it felt like we already shared so much.
And of course, I knew we did...before. Nonetheless, for my part, now I could feel it.
Without trying really hard there was an undeniable connection between us.
When we reached the hem of the forest Colleen stopped, forcing me to do as well.
I can't go with you anymore ? her voice cracked and she tried to avoid my gaze ? No one can see us together. We already risked it too much earlier ?
Even though it broke my heart as well I knew she was right. I needed to know more about myself, about Colleen and about our relationship, as well as my current feelings before I could collide all of my worlds together.
Text me when you're home or if anything happens ? she looked into my eyes this time and hers were sparkling so beautifully, however, I didn't know if it was with sadness or something much deeper, and either way I was drawn in them.
I felt something new emerged in my chest, a kind of burning and I had to take a deep breath to control myself.
It wasn't hurting me but it was definitely overwhelming. ? Anything, ok? ? She insisted.
I nodded, eventually detaching myself from her and it felt like I lost a part of me. I felt so cold even if the sun was shining so brightly on us. Was I getting attached too quickly? We only had a few interactions.
Colleen too seemed reluctant to let go but again she controlled her facial expression really well. As soon as disappointment appeared on her face it was gone, she was back at smiling so genuinely it was impressive.
Maybe we can talk some more soon? ? she hesitantly asked, scratching the back of her neck.
I nodded, grinning at the thought and looked at my watch. Shit, only 9 minutes left.
Go ? Colleen said still smiling.
I reciprocated her smile and began walking. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay with her and talk even if it was about meaningless things or even don't talk at all. We could lie down on the blankets like I imagined we used to.
Abruptly, I turned around seeing her walk in the other direction.
Her shoulders were down and she had put back her hands in her trouser's pockets, her hair was slightly blowing due to the weak breeze.
At that moment, my heart skipped a beat, it was like a slow-motion scene in a movie or that one perfect frame in a graphic novel.
Colleen ? I yelled.
She turned around just as fast as I did.
Are you ok? ? was her first reaction. She was slightly frowning and I could see she was examining every part of my body. I laughed, I must have seemed silly laughing like that without apparent reason but even in her distress, she was still cute and so attentive.
Yeah, it is just...can we te...text tonight or talk ??
Her smile became so large that you could have thought she just won the lottery.
Definitely ?
I started turning around and she sent me a little wave. She was so cute.
I turned completely, limping my way out of the woods.
I couldn't help but look over my shoulder and I was surprised when I saw she hadn't budged.
She waved again with a shy smile and took a few steps back almost falling over some branches.
I couldn't help but giggle, she was also clumsy apparently.
I could see why I fell in love with her. She was really endearing.
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I only had one minute left and I had just entered my street. I tried to walk as fast as I could but it was like I was walking in slow motion. The entire journey had been this way, my limp was as worse as it had been since I began reeducation.
30 seconds, only one house to pass.
I was almost at the door when it busted open revealing the furious face of my mother. She looked like a mess, her blonde hair was parting in multiple directions, she was slightly sweating and it looked like she rushed to dress.
When she saw me her contorted face softened a bit but she still looked like she was going to murder me. She sighed heavily and moved over for me to come in.
Gracie Anne Slater ? she exclaimed ? Get inside ?
Shit, that wasn't good. I swallowed, limping my way inside. I heard my mom sigh once more as I passed by. My condition must be really pathetic.
Look in what state you are ? she slammed the door behind us.
Sorry ? I muttered. What else could I possibly say, I knew I was in the wrong on that one.
Sorry? Really Gracie? Sorry? ? she scoffed ? I was worried sick. I thought something happened to you again. Your dad almost left work to find you. ?
The worry was evident in her voice and I felt a bit guilty to have caused it. It's true I should have called but at the same time if I did she wouldn't have left me alone. Like always. Every time I tried to be on my own she would be there or ask someone to babysit me.
Where were you? ?
On a walk ? I tried to sound as convincing as I could; I wasn't a very good liar even if apparently I managed to hide my entire relationship with Colleen for years, which was particularly impressive.
I didn't know why she asked me again when I already told her over the phone yet she scoffed again this time in clear disbelief.
Really? Care to elaborate? ?
Oh, no. I needed to be quick on that one, where could have I went?
Ye...yes really...I.…
Gracie, you don't have to lie to me ?
My heart began racing.
Wait.
Did she know? Did someone see us?
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Alex