Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Theo
2013- Freshman Year of College
The background chatter in the cafeteria goes in one ear and out the other. A gorgeous blonde with long hair is sitting across from me. I think her name is Amanda, but I can’t be sure. We met a few days ago. She approached me because she wanted to make a video with me, and how could I say no? She has the body of a model with great tits. We agreed to meet today to figure out logistics, but I can’t focus. My mind is consumed with my phone, or rather, with someone who isn’t answering my texts.
Me: What do you mean you watch that as a comfort show? I haven’t seen it in ages! How can you watch a show about a family who cooks burgers for a living 24-7?
Me: We may need to have your brain evaluated lol.
Ten minutes later.
Me: Wren, are you still there?
Me: I was kidding. I think it’s cute that you watch that show all the time.
Twenty minutes later.
Me: Are you okay?
It’s been over ten hours now, and I couldn’t sleep. Wren and I haven’t seen one another in a few weeks. With her going to a local community college and working part-time and me hating life in a university that’s far too big, we’re like ships in the night, and I didn’t realize how much I relied on her until I didn’t have her around the corner.
I miss her.
I know her like the back of my hand. Years of friendship will do that to you. I can read her like an open book. So, I give into my instincts.
“I was thinking we could title the video ‘Petite Teen Gets Her Fill.’ What do you think?”
Me: I don’t know what’s wrong, but I know your home. Stay there. I’m coming over.
“Theo?” Amanda leans toward me and tries to catch my eye.
Shoving my phone in my back pocket, I stand and look at her. “Yeah, whatever.” I have no idea what she said, and frankly, I don’t care at the moment. “I have to run. I’ll text you later so we can reconvene.”
Without waiting for a response, I weave through others until the exit comes into view. Once it does, I burst through and run down the path toward the parking lot.
Screeching to a stop, I turn off the ignition, unbuckle my seat belt, and nearly fly out of the car. Moving boxes are piled high near the trash cans. Wren and her family had to move again. Her parents can’t budget to save their damn lives. Walking up the unfamiliar path, I knock on the door and force myself to take calming breaths.
Wren’s mom, Marilyn, and I are never on good terms. But the last thing Wren needs is additional stress because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. So, I force it closed and plaster a fake smile across my face when the door opens. My stomach convulses, and my nostrils flare when she’s the one who opens the door. The scent of freshly burned weed assaults my nose. I waft it away without thinking.
“Oh, Theo, how are you?” She greets me with a faux smile, flashing her yellow teeth.
“Fantastic, where’s Wren?” I aim to walk past her, but she steps to the side to block me from entering.
“Now isn’t a good time.”
“Why not?” I ask, not holding back my irritation.
“She’s decided her stomach hurts today.”
“She’s decided her stomach hurts today,” I repeat and click my tongue. “I didn’t know you could choose when that happens.”
Marilyn scoffs and rolls her eyes. “You’ll have to come back later.”
“I’m already here, now is a perfect time.”
We stare at one another for a moment, almost as if we’re gauging each other’s stubbornness. I won’t back down, and neither will she. I have knowledge on my side, though, and in a couple of minutes, her phone will ring. It will be her husband’s best friend, and she’ll answer it because she wants to get laid.
“Mom!” one of Wren’s sisters calls from the other room. “Your phone is ringing!”
Right on cue.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Marilyn snaps before starting toward her phone.
I step inside and close the door. Wren’s sisters wave at me from the living room, so I wave back with a soft grin. “Is Wren upstairs?” I ask.
“Yeah, she was up all night with a stomachache,” Pensley answers.
“What happened?”
“Mom lied,” Amelia offers
“Where’s her room?” I ask.
“Last door on the left.”
Using the railing, I propel myself up the staircase and walk as fast as possible down the hall. Stopping at the closed door, I tap on it. “Wren? It’s me. Can I come in?” A few seconds pass with no response. “You better be decent.” I put on my teasing voice, hoping to crack a smile.
I turn the doorknob and push it open. When I glance into her room, the sight before me makes my heart drop into my stomach.
They haven’t been here for long, maybe a month, if I remember correctly. Wren has yet to unpack. Boxes are opened, but it looks like she’s living out of them. A pile of blankets is in the corner of the room. Some light filters in through the closed blinds, and the scent of apples fills the room from a candle she has yet to light.
They didn’t have time to take the mattresses from the last move a year ago, leaving most of them sleeping on the floor. The faint sound of the show I made fun of her about sounds from the corner.
With a soft, slightly heart-broken smile, I walk toward her. “Hey, you,” I whisper while settling on my knees.
A pained groan vibrates from beneath the blankets. After a few beats, she reaches out, pauses her show, and removes the covers from her face.
“Fucking, hell, Wren.” I cup her cheeks as I take her in.
She’s pale, more so than usual. The contour of her jawline is visible through her skin, and her eyes have deep purple bags under them.
I rub my thumb against her cheek, and she leans into my touch. “She got you good, didn’t she?” I murmur.
She nods before saying, “Sorry. . . for not texting you back. I couldn’t. . .” She frowns before whimpering a curse.
“Shh, it’s okay. Don’t apologize to me.”
“I hate this,” she cries.
My heart snaps into a million pieces. All I can do is wipe away her tears as she sobs.
Her fingers tremble as she tries to lift the blanket off her, but she gives up and lets out a long, shuddering breath. “Why can’t I just be normal? I’m so tired. I’m so fucking tired of this. My family feels like shit because they can’t afford to feed me. I’m always the problem. Why do I have to be such a burden? Why?—”
“Stop,” I say through clenched teeth. “Don’t utter another word.”
Closing my eyes, I work on silencing my anger. I continue to wipe away her tears, and when they stop, I meet her gaze again.
“Don’t talk about my best friend like that,” I whisper. “You can’t say stuff like that about yourself. You’re everything to me.”
“I’m sorry?—”
“Don’t apologize,” I sigh. “Please, don’t.”
“I’m sor?—”
I give her a pointed look, and she zips her lips.
“We need to work on your constant need to use that word,” I say, and she smiles. “Move over.”
“I probably stink.” She purses her lips.
“I don’t care; scoot over.”
Lifting her blankets, I don’t remark on how warm she is compared to the cool temperature of her room. I lie on my side, and she rolls onto hers. Reaching up, I brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear and allow my knuckles to graze her skin.
“How are you not sick of this?” she mumbles.
“Sick of what?”
“Dealing with me.”
I stop mid-stroke, and she peers up at me. “How do you not see what I do?” I ask in a low whisper.
Color rushes to her cheeks, and it’s a sight I want to see over and over again.
“What do you see?” Her tone is hushed, like she’s nervous to ask the question.
The answer is simple, but when I open my mouth, the words don’t come.
Wren is beautiful inside and out. Her wavy auburn hair is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. With kind eyes, she can make anyone feel safe with one glance. She emits warmth, and parts of me want to hoard her all to myself. Yet, I know if I do, the world will never experience her soul, and that’s not something I’m allowed to withhold.
“You’re everything,” I murmur as my heart flutters to life. “I was lost before I met you. I wandered the halls in darkness, consumed by negativity. I had friends, but no one compared to you. No one will ever compare to you.”
Narrowing her eyes, she examines me, attempting to gauge whether I’m lying.
Has anyone ever told her how wonderful she is? Did her parents ever tell her how good of a person she is? No, I doubt they ever did because, to them, she’s someone they can’t afford to care for. They’d rather risk poisoning her with the hope it won’t make her sick.
“One day, when we’re older, I’ll take care of you.” I vow to her. “You won’t have to worry about getting sick. You’ll be safe; you’re always safe with me. I promise, Wren.”
Before I can wipe them away for her, she dries her face with the back of her hand and sniffles. “Do you want to know my dream?”
I nod while resting my forehead against hers.
“When we’re older, I want to be able to take care of myself. I’ll get a good job, get my own apartment, and I’ll ensure I never gluten myself. You’re far too good to me, and I refuse to burden you for the rest of your life?—”
“You’re not?—”
“I am,” she states firmly. “I’ve been told time and time again. I won’t allow myself to ruin anyone’s life. You deserve everything there is, and I won’t hold you back.” She takes in a long inhale as her face contorts in pain. “I also hope that we’ll stay friends no matter what.”
“Always,” I promise without a second thought. “And I also promise to prove to you that you’re not and will never be a burden. Not to me.”
With a small smile, she nods. I thumb the rest of her tears before she snuggles close to my chest. Reaching behind me, I press play on her phone, resuming the show that she paused. With a peaceful sigh, I rest my chin on top of her head and listen as her breathing slows.
“I wish things were different,” I whisper and kiss her crown. “One day, they will be, and we’ll be two totally different people. Although, I hope we never change.”