| Twenty-Four |

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

When the session ended, Dr. Cho approached Jules and I. She handed me a list of different hotlines with the suicide hotline at the top bolded in black. Then she included her business card if I ever wanted to book an appointment with her.

"I live out of state." I told her with a thoughtful smile that I didn't want to put up with my puffy, red eyes. She understood and still placed it in my cold hand.

"Even a call helps." She muttered before walking to another group that hung around the room. I folded the hotline paper and tossed it in the garbage outside the building. Jules looked over her shoulder and stared at the garbage can as we both walked to our parked cars.

It was night out and the temperature dropped low. It was cold and I stuffed my hands in my coat pockets.

She followed me to my car and sighed, "I'm sorry if this was too much."

I whirled around and sniffled, "Too much? Jules I don't need this shit."

"I'm sorry I wasn't around but I wanted to make sure you're okay with Rubies being gone."

I unlocked the door to my car and held it against my firm grip. I ran my teeth together and ignored the cold breeze brushing against my bare skin.

"Why haven't you asked any of the girls to come too? Why only me?" I questioned, turning to her with one hand still on the opened door.

"Because you don't share your emotions. You hide them until it's too late. I don't want it to be too late and you end up like Rubies." Her voice cracked and tears spilled down her soft face. I began breathing deeply as well, finding a way to stop it. Her makeup was running down and her hands were covering her mouth.

She shook her head as she sobbed quietly. I reached out for her until one stroke of my hand made her collapse on the pavement. Following suit, I kneeled down before her and cradled her in my arms.

"Sh, Jules. I'm here." I promised, holding in a cry that was trying to crawl out of my throat. "I'm never leaving. Rubies did what she did as a choice but I will not leave, you hear me? I know I haven't been around but I will always be here for as long as I can be." I told her, my chin rested on her head when her face was buried in my chest.

I don't know who heard us or watched but I didn't let that deafen us. I spoke to her in soft, smothering words that there was a life ahead of us. We just needed to stitch this mending wound and find the tranquility we've been looking for.

~*~

Clarry wanted to get breakfast but I told her I wasn't feeling well. After last night, I made sure Jules got home safely. Then I sat at the desk with a blank mind and roaming thoughts. I didn't know I scared Jules that much. I cried myself to sleep.

Vivi: You better be at the party tonight! She texts in the group-chat when I tell them I'm not feeling well. Tonight is Ian's house party and a part of me doesn't want to go.

Penny: Yeah, please Theo? You can't keep us hanging.

Me: I will try to eat something and see if that will help.

I reply and as I wait for a response, I get none. Turning over, I pull the comforter over my head and sleep in.

Waking up for a second time, it's a knock on the door.

"Cleaning service," A woman says on the other side of the door. Abruptly, I spring out of bed and ignoring the head rush, I move the bolt and crack the door open. The woman looks up at me and her eyes widen in surprise.

"Sorry," I mutter, hanging the 'do not disturb' sign on the doorknob before closing the door again. Groggy and tired, I go to the bathroom to wash my face and possibly wake up. It's afternoon when I check the time and I flip through the hotel's restaurant menu.

I order food and search for a decent going out outfit for tonight. There will be many familiar faces I will encounter and I'd like to look somewhat my age. Room service drops off my meal and I place the bowl of soup on the desk and push my laptop to the side.

Straying away from writing has been helping me cope. Although writing does help, sometimes it brings in only pain and I still suffer. Now, my mind has been relieved and the pain throbbing by my right temple is going away. I lie to Francine and tell her my writing is going well.

When I finish my soup, I scroll down the names in my contacts and click on the name I've been struggling to call. It continuously rings and I wonder if I will ever get to made amends with him. By surprise, the call is answered at the last minute.

There are muffled voices in the back, "Hello? Theo?"

My mouth is open but nothing comes out. He calls my name again and I have to clear my throat to find my voice. "Dad?" I question, his voice almost unfamiliar. "Hey, dad." I answer, fully aware that it's him and the noise in the background talking are random people around him.

"Theo! I'm sorry I haven't been able to call back. I've been really busy with work and the family." Family. I'm his family but completely forgotten. I want to hang up but I don't.

"It's okay. I called to let you know that I'm back in New York."

"You're home? Oh, I-I didn't know." I find him calling New York my home amusing. The background goes completely silent and I wonder where he is. Is he at a restaurant with his family? Did I disrupt him telling a story I've heard millions of times? Or is he at work but I caught him on his break?

I turn at the clock on the nightstand and check what time it is. Spinning back in the chair and staring at the odd wall art in front of me, I sigh.

"Yeah, I am." I agree at the meaning of home. "I don't know how long I will be around though. I was wondering if I can visit?" It feels weird to ask him. He's my parent, it is awkward to call for a rejoice and the word visit is almost insulting to me.

"Is everything okay? Is one of your tour locations in New York?" It's as though he doesn't want to see me and avoids the question. My heart begins to race again and I fumble with the car keychain I'm playing with. It falls to the ground with a faint thud and I don't bother to pick it up.

"No, I did that last year. My friend died and I came back for her wake." The word died comes out tense and there is silence on the other line. "Dad?"

"Which friend?" He asks me and if I say who, it won't matter. None of it will matter because she is gone.

"Rubies," I reply, running a hand through my greasy hair, reminding me to wash it later. I can't reach for my bruise and I stare at it. 

"Rubies? I don't think I remember her." He says it almost embarrassingly. I suck my teeth and bite my tongue.

Obviously you don't. You haven't been around in years and forgot who these people are in my life.

"It's fine." I clear the air and a voice returns on the line. He mutters something to someone and I hear a woman laugh. I roll my eyes and cough for attention, "Is it a bad time?"

"No, Theo. Sorry, it's Jean." There is a pause and he adds, "I'd love to see you. I can text you when I'm free? Work is a little light the next few days."

"Sure, that's okay with me." My voice has grown low and tiring. It's tiring to talk to him sometimes. I can't even get a word out without being disrupted.

"Okay, perfect. Can I call later? Jean and I are waiting for Nolan to be dismissed from school." I glance at the clock again and realize that elementary schools are done for the day. Wheeling to the bed, I push myself off the chair and flop on the clothes I took out for tonight.

Monotonously, I force out, "No problem."

"Thanks for calling Theo."

"Yep." I hang up and watch the call end and turn back to my lock screen. It's a photo of Nella sunbathing by the window. My neighbor has been feeding her everyday since I left but I still miss her dearly. This is what I hate most about having a pet and constantly traveling. They are alone as much as you are.

Going back into the group-chat I text: I will be there tonight. Anybody need a ride?

Penny: I'm coming with Gavin.

Clarry: Can somebody tell me why sneaking out of my childhood home at twenty-five is scandalous?

We all laugh at her message...even Em.

Vivi: Clarry I feel you. It's as though you never left.

Jules: I'll take a ride.

Em: Can I have one too, Theo? I don't need one home though.

Me: Of course, I will pick up anybody and make sure we are safe.

~*~

Next update is when the story is going to pick up.
Can't wait for the next few chapters!
Vote, comment, follow me :)


You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net