A week had passed.

It was now Monday and we would all be returning to school, even Eve, who had begun the semester late due to her needing to adjust at home first.

I was sitting in bed while Clay took a slept, braiding his hair idly as it wasn't a suitable time for me to be this awake.

I would never wake him up purposefully for my own entertainment, but even my slow and calming movements were enough to pull him out of his sleep.

The sky was dark, and the pitch black room made me feel lonely and uneasy, pulling me into memories of a time where I couldn't sleep for fear my father would enter the house without consent.

My mother had been scared, but she still loved him, so she kept the door open, hoping that one day he would stay. 

Hoping that one day he'd realize that he had been manipulated. 

He never did, and he never would.

Unfortunately, my mother had fallen into her own kind of depression, and I realize that I didnt help her with that.

She was stressed, and being a single mother was never easy. 

I didn't see her breaking, breaking down at night in her bedroom, her sobs mixing with my own across the house. 

I didn't see her breaking off contact with me to save herself, knowing that my feelings would only infest her own, rendering us both useless. 

She couldn't do that to Eve. 

So she neglected me. 

And I nearly died. 

Only thing is, when I returned the action, she did die. 

And, though Clay would never want me to think it, I admit that it was my fault. The truth would have always been a burden on me the longer I chose not to admit it. 

I caused my mother's death. 

"It was better than keeping my distance in life"

I had finally made her snap when I closed her off from my life, keeping her wedged in between her need for her children and distress for the life she'd subconsciously unwillingly fallen into.

I allowed slow tears to fall from my eyes. 

I had been crying for a week. I'd shut Clay out, or attempted to. 

However, Clay knew me better than even I might at times, and he stayed by my side knowing that I truly needed and wanted him there. 

My mother would never get to meet my boyfriend. 

Sure she'd met Clay a few times when he was my best friend, but the 12-year-old blonde was different from who he'd grown into 6 years later. 

I felt alone again, wanting for the blonde to hold me, but I'd never wake him from his slumber for my own entertainment, however, my minimally slow movements caused his eyes to flutter open, halflidded by his eyelashes. 

"Good morning, pretty. What are you doing up so early?" Clay says, continuing to lay down so I could keep braiding his hair.

"Felt too uneasy to sleep. It's honestly pretty stupid, this paranoia I have of people entering the house without permission. I guess I get it from my father."

Clay nods, knowing that I don't need confirmation of my fears not being stupid.

We'd already had conversations about my traumas, but he never wanted to talk his through. 

I respected his decisions, however still feeling uneasy at the pent up pain he was keeping to himself. 

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the soft ringtone of my phone. 

I pulled it out from under the pillow, squinting through the bright light, trying to read the caller ID.

Alex. 

After 3 years, he had the audacity to call without even considering the time difference. 

I frowned, looking at Clay as he gazed idly at the ceiling, unaware of the events. 

His relaxed demeanor calmed me, my shoulders being released from their tense state as I answered the call, venom on my tongue. 

"What do you want, Alex?" I spit, making the blonde turn to me, sitting up and placing a consoling hand on my shoulder.  

"G-George.... I'm s-s-s-o s-sorry... I..." his voice trailed off, making me even more upset. 

"WHat do you want? I'm not here to listen to your apologies." I roll my eyes. 

"N-Nick is in t-the hospital." 

😈 Just realized that this is my story and that I can do whatever the fuck I want. 

Anyway, I would say that happier times will come for George, but I'm not so sure. 

His mum died, and now his best friend has called after cutting contact, and his other best friend is in the hospital with unsaid casualties. 

Also, we haven't gotten enough backstory on Clay yet...

Not to mention, Gogy's dad and sister are still out there, and so are Clay's siblings. They haven't seen him in a long time. 

Anyway, I hope your enjoying your day/night/evening/morning/afternoon/midmorning/dusk/dawn 

You deserve to.

It is hot where I am and so I'm gonna go make me a banana smoothie to freeze. 

You are all great, you've made me so, so happy, motivating me to write so I can return the feeling. 

The comments are hilarious and never fail to make me laugh/smile. 

I enjoy interacting with ppl in the comments so, drop a comment and I'll probably come talk to and follow you. 

Love you all. 

Ur amazing. 

883 words. Short chapter this time...