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I don’t know what the future holds.
But maybe, just maybe everything will be okay.
* * *
“Shh, she’s sleeping.”
“How is she?”
“I think she’s going to be okay.”
“Did she… open up to you?”
“Not really but she cried a lot. I think that’s a good sign.”
Their whispers get further away as I slowly rouse from a deep sleep. When I finally crack my eyes open, the girls are gone, and Theo is pulling off his hoodie.
He doesn’t realise I’m watching until he climbs into bed and lies on his side, facing me. “Did I wake you?” he asks.
“Yeah, but it’s okay. What time is it?”
“Like three or something. The boys put me through my paces, and I ache like a bitch. Did you have a nice time with the girls?”
“I cried… a lot,” I admit with a small shrug.
“Did it help?”
“You know, I think it did. I’ve been holding so much in, trying to separate who I was before I came here and the girl I am now. I didn’t realise how much it was affecting me.”
Theo reaches for my face, brushing the fine hairs away from my eyes. “You are so strong, sunshine. I’m in awe of you.”
“Let’s be honest,” brittle laughter spills out of me, “I’m a mess.”
“Then we can be a mess together.”
“I… I think I’d like that.”
His body goes rigid as he stares down at me with wide eyes. “I think I’m going to need you to repeat that, because I’m not sure—”
“I love you, Theo,” I rush out. “I’m in love with you. I have been for a while.”
“You love me, sunshine?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Fuck… fuck. I—” The blare of his phone cuts through the air and he mutters something under his breath. “I’ll ignore it,” he says.
“Maybe you should answer it,” I reply when it doesn’t stop ringing.
“Fuck’s sake. Hello? Yeah, that’s me.” He goes deathly still, the blood draining from his face. “Yeah, okay. No, that’s great, thank you. I appreciate you letting me know.”
“Theo, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“He’s dead. That sick fuck is dead.”
“Vaughn is…” The words lodge in my throat as shock spreads through me.
Theo watches me, giving me space to absorb the words.
