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Chapter 35 – Happy to See Me (Javier Junior POV) Pt. 3
When you know someone. Truly know them, sometimes you can tell when there is a shift in them. Whether it's a somber attitude, a downhearted smile, secretive behavior, or just a feeling inside that you cannot explain but you know there is something wrong.
That's how I was with Talia.
She really was strong and intelligent but the minute something was playing on her mind, I knew it. She could try to pretend that nothing was wrong but there was a difference.
Faking content and being truthfully happy were not the same thing to someone who knew you. A stranger might be able to accept the outward smile worn, but fake that smile in front of someone who loves you and they may see it.
"Do you maybe want to go out this weekend? We can drive down to the beach house your family has after school Friday? Spend the weekend there?" I asked Talia as sat up in her bed doing homework side by side a few days after the shitty weekend.
Shaking her head, she doesn't answer me with words.
"How about dinner out?" I ask, knowing that Talia must be going crazy not getting out as much as she's always had since her accident.
Hell not coincidence.
The fire was started on purpose and she was drugged and meant to die. There was nothing accidental about anything that happened.
Biting her lip, I note her hands still on the keyboard so I wait for a response, "I'm not in the mood to go out, Javi." My face scrunches up in confusion, as she doesn't even look at me.
Returning to her work, I sit still now running over the last few days since Samson, Taylor and Faith had that blowup. We were fine.
Hell better than fine, laughing and joking before dad came to get me.
Did she get bad news?
"What's the matter?" I asked Talia when I can't pinpoint anything going wrong with us. When she just shakes her head giving me a half-hearted smile, I frown all the more.
And so I reach outside of Talia and I for whatever is the problem. "Is this because your parents won't let Taylor and Devin stay here? Do you think it bothers me?" I ask quickly, answering before Talia can even blink, "It doesn't! I understand why they do not want them here after everything... Samson too. This is his home were all friends but it would just be too chaotic with Brennan and Devin also broken-" I stop as my thoughts all shift.
"Is – what ever is bothering you is about Brennan?" I deduce feeling a bit more confident in my assumption than when it was about my sisters living in the Conrads' home. My body so attuned to hers tenses only because her's does.
"Stop Javi," she groans shaking her head. "Stop trying to guess what's wrong with me, I'm allowed to having a funny off day. I'm just..." she sighs, frustration rolling off of her in waves.
Noting her distress and not wanting to add, I just nod. Letting go whatever subject I was very close to nitpicking.
But in a moment of insecurity I turn to Talia, "I – uh – we're good right? I mean you're not angry with me about something?" I ask searching her eyes, which instantly pool with unshed tears, though she shakes her head.
Confused as hell, I only blink worriedly.
Talia clears her throat, swallowing thickly, before responding.
"I'm not going to break up with you just because Brennan and Devin have, or because Samson isn't giving Taylor the time of day," I nod slowly.
It's the only response I could think of giving her.
As Talia spoke, I had one of those moments where someone is telling me something; yet, what they're telling me isn't what they mean to tell me. It's like in the last minute instead of telling me I look terrible in something I'm wearing they decide to comment on my gym shoes.
The bad feeling in my stomach doesn't go away, but I know Talia will eventually just come to me when she's ready. Maybe nothing is wrong but she's just worried about the arsonist or she's worried about Brennan.
It could be anything causing this reaction I tell myself.
