The Checklist (Explicit Version)

Chapter 21

Mom glared. "Shut up and smile at the camera before I will."

After that, dad smiled brightly while whispering teasing retorts he would never say to mom's face. And for the first time in over a month, the tension in my body loosened. For the first time in a long time, it didn't feel like my parents were keeping a relationship because they pitied me.

At one point, mom asked another set of parents if they would take a picture of us. They had, and we ended up taking a picture for them and their graduate.

Instead of us separating after that, mom and dad ended up talking to the girl's parents, who introduced themselves as the Maldorfs'. We both exchanged awkward smiles while mom rambled about their trip, which seemed to inspire the pair. My mind ended up drifting away from their conversation, and without their distraction, the heaviness in my chest returned.

There's been a tight feeling consuming me ever since I'd uncovered the truth from Myles. At first, I assumed it would go away with time—similar to what happened to Remi. Instead, the sinking feeling only worsened.

I've been better at smiling, though. After Nellie sat me down and explained with watery eyes that she was worried about me the week after my interview, I decided that I had to stop worrying the person—maybe the only person—who cared about my well-being.

She seemed to believe my act. So, maybe I should try acting if journalism didn't work out.

Myles didn't make my recovery any easier, though. I've expressed more than once that I didn't want anything to do with him, but goddamn it, the man was more stubborn than his brother. I wasn't sure what he was trying to prove, but since Spike told me the truth, he hasn't let me go.

And I didn't want to even think about the day of my interview. Getting drunk. Rambling to Myles. I barely remembered that night, but Nellie filled the blank spots in my memory. That Myles carried me home in his arms and tucked me in. She even mockingly laughed at his instructions for my aftercare.

She claimed, "Unlike him, I know how to treat a girl."

But that wasn't the last time I'd seen him. Even though I've ignored his presence, he hadn't been ignoring me. He showed up every few days, dropping something off for me. More often, it would be my favourite food or snacks, but sometimes, he'd bring sketches he drew that made him think of me.

It was really hard to ignore him on those days. But a few days ago would have been the hardest.

He spoke to Nellie at the door while I hid away from his sight. They had a short conversation before she closed the door and gradually twisted, until I could see her still gawking expression. My mouth parted to ask what happened when my gaze fell to what she held in her arms. Then I lost my voice.

Myles brought me a plant. And it came with a letter.

With shaky hands, I opened the letter and breathed in sharply. You always wanted a plant, but said you couldn't trust yourself to take care of one. This one apparently "thrives on neglect". All it needs is sun and some water. But over-watering will kill. I got you a water meter or whatever the fuck it's called. It tells you when to water the plant, so you don't drown it, but I know you can keep it alive. I believe in you.

I thought the message was over, until I saw a single sentence scrawled on the bottom of the paper. Please talk to me.

I nearly did.

And I still considered it, but ever since he dropped off the note, he hadn't shown up to my door. Glancing around the main foyer outside of where my ceremony was held, I tried to stop my disappointment from showing, but the longer I glanced around my surroundings, the more my chest deflated.