If Only (18+)

Chapter 8

Here is the second cover I made for this story.😅🙈☺️

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Asted101 because he played a big factor in helping me want to post this story & I wouldn't be on this journey without his thoughtful, kind, & encouraging words, so thank you.❤️

Enjoy the chapter, darlings.♡

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The next morning, I was feeling motivated to clean my white blouse as soon as possible to give back Nathan his shirt that I borrowed.

"Trenton, do you have 6 quarters?" I asked my brother, who was just waking up from a deep sleep.

"What for?" He grumbled, frowning at the sunlight shining through the window that landed on his face.

Spotting Trenton's pile of dirty clothes, I answered, "So I can wash our clothes."

"Alright, gimme' a sec," He mumbled, before stretching and leaning over to reach a pair of pants that held his wallet.

Despite the fact that we're siblings, he didn't trust me with anything that involves money. You would think that drugs were precious to him, but it was actually money.

And, to prove my point:

"Here. Be back in an hour." He said, then tossed the quarters at me.

I only caught four of the six, then heard the sound of the other two rolling across the wooden floor.

"Don't lose them, kid," He said sleepily, but I could hear the warning in his voice.

"Okay, I'll see you in an hour," I said, then thought about telling him something. A few words which haven't been spoken in a long time.

I love you, brother.

But, those words were thrown out a long time ago, and sunk to the bottom of the ocean without a trace. Maybe one day, we could both dive to the bottom together, and find our way back to each other again.

If only life were that simple...

Picking up the two quarters on the floor, I grabbed Trenton's pile of dirty clothes while discreetly fitting my dirty blouse with them. After stuffing all of the clothes in a plastic bag, I walked downstairs and outside, to the beautiful, poisonous world.

The sun was shining, so I decided to wear light denim shorts and an olive green tank top with dark brown sandals.

Thank God for Goodwill.

Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I felt the wind blow against me, making goosebumps rise on my fair skin and my hair wave delicately in the atmosphere.

Then, I began my breezy stroll to the local town laundromat.

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After about ten minutes, I finally made it to the laundromat.

Opening the main entrance door, I heard the familiar sound of a bell ringing, signaling the cashier there was a customer present. Aka, me.

"Hey, honey! How've you been?" Miss Lahaye, the owner of the laundromat, greeted me with a wide smile, showing off her gums.

"Hello, Miss Lahaye. I've been well, and how about you?" I grinned earnestly.