Redemption

DON'T MISS OUT BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID

I woke up to the curtains whipping wildly in the wind. The soft material brushed my nose a few times, waking me from a sleep I didn't know I had fallen into. My eyes immediately looked over to the wicker chair, finding it empty. Carter left, and while I didn't expect him to stay, I questioned how long he stayed after I fell asleep. I hardly remember anything beyond listening to his voice.

My body relaxed, allowing the cushions to swallow my body. The deeper I pushed into the fuzzy white blanket on my lap, the more secure I felt. As I rested my head against the pillow, I thought about today. I hadn't slept for long, but to me it felt like an eternity. I didn't dream of my dad once. Not about the abuse or the pain. Within my two hours of slumber, I dreamt of nothing. I slept silently and I didn't stir once.

The clock on the dresser said it's only five in the afternoon, but the days are getting darker because winter's approaching, and I start to think how differently life is compared to the day I showed up on Fletcher's doorstep. The fear is still there, but the house is quiet. I hear footsteps on the stairs, but they're not coming for me. People are laughing, but no one is shouting, and I'm trying to make that my new reality.

I wondered why Carter hadn't asked any questions. He didn't acknowledge my bruises or ask why I abruptly showed up one night. Instead, he talked about how he met Fletcher. I remember fighting the sleep. I wanted to listen, but I couldn't. The last thing I wanted to know before closing my eyes if why he stayed behind to be with me.

I asked myself a million questions, and in the middle of doing so, a knock came from my door. A familiar head of chocolate brown hair popped inside, revealing the tattooed boy with a grin on his face.

"I figured you were hungry," he pushed through the door. "So, I picked up some burgers from the diner in town."

I could smell it from where I sat, and before I could say a word, my stomach grumbled. Loud enough for the both of us to hear. A toothy grin spread across his lips as he fell back onto the chair beside me.

"Okay," he pulled the bag open. "I got a bit of everything. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I told the lady french fries and onion rings. I also got ranch, ketchup, mayo, and a spicy jalapeno ranch. There's two loaded burgers with everything including bacon. I also got regular ones without sauce, so you could pick your own. In case you don't like mustard or really any condiments. Oh, I also forgot I got cheese curds. Can't go wrong with Rosie's cheese curds. She's famous for them."

I watched him spread the food across the table beside us, but I focused on the way he set everything up. He spread it all out, telling me what to try first, and how to mix the mayo with ketchup for the best taste.

I sat there staring at him for so long that he looked up from the burger he peeled open. "Try this."

He dipped a french dry into the mixture he made. He even watched as I brought it to my lips as if he needed to be sure I'd eat it. Almost as if he also wanted to see my reaction.

My eyes widened at the burst of flavor, and the boy in front of me smiled.

"Good; isn't it? Come on," he shoved a burger toward me. "Dig in."

I didn't hesitate. We sat in silence other than the occasional groan from Carter as he popped a cheese curd into his mouth.

I wanted to question why he bought me food or why he came back to see me. He offered me food and hasn't asked for anything in return. Yet. It doesn't work that way. I have nothing to give him. I never would. But he's sitting next to me, shoveling food down his throat as if he didn't share my same thoughts. So, I tried to ignore them.

"I noticed how you disappeared when Fletch asked everyone to go out," he sipped from his drink. "Why was that?"

"I didn't want to go."

"Bullshit."

He waited for me to say something else, but I didn't know how to respond. What was I supposed to tell him? I didn't have any money, and I wouldn't rely on my brother, who I haven't seen in years, to pay for me? Or how the way I look makes me want to stay locked up until I'm healed because I hate the way people stare at me.

He looked up, his eyes roaming my face. "Come to my game tonight."

"What?"

"I have a football game tonight," he murmured. "Please come."

Before I could answer, Joey shoved through the door. "Am I interrupting something?"

Carter rushed to toss his trash in the empty bag before getting up to push past the red-headed girl without saying a word.

"What was that?" She pointed behind her, but I could only shrug in response because I didn't know. Everything was fine. He was just asking me to come to his football game. "Anyway. Do you want to come with us tonight? We're going to Carter's game and stopping for milkshakes afterward."

"I don't know," I mumbled. "Look at me. People will stare."

"People will stare regardless. They'll judge. They'll be mean. They'll project their insecurities, but none of that matters because you didn't go through what you did to lock yourself in a room all day and hide. Don't miss out because you're afraid, Sawyer."

"Okay."

"Okay, what?"

"I'll go."

Se jumped with excitement. "We're gonna have so much fun! I need to do my hair. Do you want me to do yours?"

I didn't know what to say, so I nodded, and watched her squeal with happiness as she raced off into the hallway. When she came barreling through the bedroom, she brought a pink suit case with her. "I brought my makeup, and all my hair stuff. This is kind of my shit. I figured I could be your guide."

"My guide?"

"There's no better girl for the job," she snickered. "I've spent years weeding out the best products, and I'm gonna show you them all. I'm your how to save money guide!"

"Save money?"

"Yup!"

"By spending it?"

She pursed her lips. "Right."

I snorted, smiling at the girl as she opened up her makeup case. "Let's get started!"