Reclamation

3 - Trouble

TWO WEEKS LATER

"Well, Kellin." Vic starts, walking up to me as I lead an arts and crafts project on the floor. "You're definitely hired."

I stand up and follow him to the office. He hands me an envelope. "What's this?" I ask.

"You did so well during probation, here's your two weeks pay." He smiles.

I can't keep the smile off my face. Not only did I get the job but I already have my first check. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much."

"Thank you, Kellin. You're a great worker." He looks at me for a few moments and I start to get nervous that he'll think I'm weird because I can't think of anything to say. He steps closer and looks down at my lips. I'm sure he's gonna kiss me but instead he pulls me into the warmest, nicest hug I've ever had. I close my eyes and hug him back.

"Thank you, Vic." I say again. I open my eyes and gasp when I see the clock on the wall. I pull out of his arms and start panicking. "Oh no, ooh no."

"What's wrong?" He asks, looking concerned.

"It's three o'clock I had to leave an hour ago." I say, gathering my things from the office. "Do you think you could hold my check for a bit? Thanks."

I run out of the room and grab Ella by the arm, hauling her out of the building.

"Mommy wait, where are we going?" She yells. "I want to stay! I want to stay!" She starts crying so I pick her up and rush down the street.

I don't bother with the elevator, taking the stairs to my apartment two at a time. The whole time we're running I'm praying the Trevor chose today to work late. When I finally burst into the apartment I find that I'm not so lucky.

Trevor sits on the couch, facing the door. The game is on but it's like he doesn't even notice, he's staring right at me.

"Hey." I say carefully. I step inside and let the door close behind me. Ella has calmed down by now and is silently watching the both of us. "Sorry, we were at the park."

"No you weren't." He says quietly.

"What?" I say. My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure that he can hear it.

"I drove past the park, you weren't there." He states. "Where have you been?"

"Just on a walk, Trevor. What's the big deal?" I try to laugh it off.

"The big deal is that for the past few weeks you've been out doing who knows what while I've been slaving away at work." He says, voice raising.

"Two weeks?" How did he know?

"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm the love of your life and you think I wouldn't notice how you've changed?" He asks. His voice cracks and I realize that he's hurt.

"I'm sorry, I've just been taking Ella out more." I say, walking to him and taking his hands in mine.

"Don't lie to me!" He grabs my wrists and yells in my face.

Ella starts crying.

"I'm not. You're hurting me." I tell him, wrenching my wrists out of his grip.

"Shut up, okay!" He yells. Ella starts crying harder. "I said shut up!" This time directed at her.

"Hey, don't yell at her!" I say, standing in front of him. "What is wrong with you?"

"You're what's wrong! Don't make me out to be someone I'm not." He sneers. "You guys had it coming."

He stomps off towards our room and slams the door.

"Come here," I coo, holding Ella in my arms. "It's okay, you don't need to cry."

"Mommy, I don't like Trevor." She cried. "I want to live with Vic."

"Shh, never say that name or Trevor will get mad. Okay?" I whisper.

She nods.

I turn on the TV and sit her on the couch with some cookies. I approach the bedroom door slowly, listening for any sounds before going in. Trevor lays on the bed, staring into space. He doesn't even look up when I come in. I lock the door behind me and sit next to him.

"I'm sorry." I say, stroking his hair. "I love you."

"Do you?" He asks quietly.

"Of course I do." I smile but he still doesn't move.

"Okay." He sits up a bit and kisses me. It's filled with more passion than the entire last year of our relationship combined. I try not to act to surprised.

Soon he's pushing me down and getting on top. I quickly try to get myself in the mood, it's hard when he moves so fast.

"You were my first, Kellin." He whispers, holding me close.

"Really?" I ask. Trevor acted so experienced when we hooked up that first weekend of freshman year. He was a senior, I assumed he had done it many times before. "You were my first too." I smile at him, pushing some of his hair from his face.

He kisses me again and for the first time in over a year I actually enjoy sex.

When it's over he holds me tight and kisses my head. Maybe I can tell him about my job now, with my extra income maybe we can be happy.

"Kellin." He sighs.

"Hmm?" I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat. I never want to leave this bed even though I have to go check on Ella soon.

"I can't do this anymore." He says.

"Do what?" I ask, sitting up.

"This relationship." He looks down at the stained sheets between us. "It's too hard. On both of us."

"It's not hard on me. I'm fine." I say quickly. "Where is all this coming from?"

"Whatever you've been doing these past few weeks, it's making you happier. You should go live your life. I wanna go live mine." He stands up and starts getting dressed.

"Wait, Trevor. No," I don't want to but I start crying. "Please don't go, don't get dressed. Stay." I pull his arm, looking up at him tearfully. "I got a job, I can make us money now."

He just shakes his head. "It's not about that, Kellin. We want different things."

"I just want you." I argue. "Us."

"That's not what I want." He states. "I'm moving out, heading down south. Try to find your own place. I've got somewhere to stay for tonight so you can think it over."

"Trevor, I love you." I cry.

"Goodbye, Kellin."