Welcome back! I'm so excited for this update because this chapter is just the beginning of all the changes that are about to happen! Enjoy!
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When the evening marks the sky with its gloomy presence, I step into the house, still pondering about the stranger.
I take off my brown coat, leaving it on a coat hanger by the door. The mansion is oddly silent. I amble into the living room, surprised by an easel that stands by one of the windows. On its wooden bones rests a canvas, big and already started. I study the thick coating of paint, too preliminary to decipher what it might depict in the future.
"You're back." Will's voice startles me out.
"You're very observant," I state evenly, then slowly turn around.
His body glistens from water, and so does the floor as he left wet footprints all over it. He's got nothing on except for a drenched pair of dark swimming shorts. A while ago, this view would have sparked a flurry of excitement within me. Now however, I feel nothing at all. He doesn't attract me anymore. I feel nothing for him.
He grabs a towel that he's left on the dresser and begins to dry his hair. "I've only started it." He points with his head at the canvas. He must've seen me look at it.
"Fair," I mutter back. "I'm gonna go upstairs."
"Davina, wait." His words are rushed.
I halt my steps and raise a quizzical brow.
"I was thinking . . ." he ventures. "It's been a while . . . Maybe we could go out together soon? I'd really like to take you on that date that we've planned."
My lips tip up. It's not a genuine smile. It's a ridicule to his offer, but he must've read it wrong as he continues.
"You're smiling. Is that a yes?" He sounds so hopeful.
I frown at him. "No. It's a no."
His expression changes. He looks beyond confused. "Could you at least tell my why?"
I let out a sigh. "I just don't want to."
"You don't seem to be so unwilling when your friends invite you out. Or Nathan." He keeps his voice calm but there is more than just a hint of metal to his words.
"Is there a problem?" I raise both brows.
"Clearly there is," he reiterates, throwing the towel on the sofa.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He huffs, way louder than I'd ever expected anyone to be able to. "Just fucking stop, okay!?" His voice lifts in the quiet room. He places his fingers on his temples. "You're not fucking dumb. You know exactly what you're doing. It's fucking exhausting, mate."
I blink, stupefied and offended at the same time. "I'm too tired for this. I'm going upstairs." I shake my head and begin trudging up the staircase.
His voice follows behind me. "Yeah, just fucking go! Go and hide like you've been doing it this whole fucking time because you're too childish to have a normal adult-like conversation!"
I come to an instantaneous halt and turn around, hand gripped into the railing. "What did you just say?"
"I said what I said, but at least I've got the balls to open my fucking mouth and express myself. I don't linger around for weeks like a damned zombie, pretending to like whoever I fucking live with." He stares at me, chest moving up and down in anger. "Just admit it. Just fucking admit that you hate my guts." He watches me closely, eyes burning with rage. "Actually, don't do it. I already know that you can't stand looking at me, but at least have the decency to tell me why before you pack your bags and get the fuck out of here."
I gape at him, stunned. It takes a great lot of effort not to bark back. "I'll pack my stuff and leave. It shouldn't take me longer than an hour," I state calmly but my whole body buzzes with wrath.
"Oh my God!" He laughs hysterically. "You really are a bitch!" He gawks at me, mouth open. "I've been doing what I only can for you–"
Now it's me who bursts out laughing. "You're kidding me, right?" I stare at him in disbelief. "You're really going to make yourself the victim again, aren't you? Poor little Will whose life has always been unfair. Poor Will who pushed everyone away and acted like a fucking prick for years because he felt entitled to because of what happened to him. It's always Will! No one else. No one can grieve, no one can withdraw into themselves, no one can act like a bitch unless it's you! Everyone has to praise you and kiss your fucking ass because that's what you are used to! Because that's what you want! When your father died and you told me to fuck off that was absolutely fine, wasn't it?" I glare at him, teeth clenched and hands balled into fists.
"I pushed everyone away! Not just you! And that's exactly what you're doing! I am the only person you don't want to be around!"
"Because I've always been around you, you fucking idiot!!!" I shriek at him. "I've been there when you were my friend, when you made yourself my master, when you told me about Beverly and when you pushed me away because your dad died! I've always been there! And where did it get me!??" I glare at him, eyes welled up with hot tears. "I've lost my boyfriend, my dignity, my friends!!! I've lost everyone because I wanted to be around you so badly, because I wanted you to want me! I've done things I shouldn't have done for you, and that ruined my relationship with my mother. The exact same mother who lied for you because you were a coward. Because you couldn't tell me your father died, so guess what? The fact that she died whilst I was still angry with her is your fault. The fact that I will never get the chance to apologize to her is your fault!
He peers at me, no longer angry but shocked. His eyes scrutinize my face, as if striving to see whether I meant what I said, then they quickly divert to the side as he brushes past me and runs up to his room.
I can hear the door close. He didn't it slam it. He's hurt.
Overwhelmed by the situation that has just taken place, I remain in the same spot, motionless.
Moments later, the door opens again, and Will rushes down the stairs, totally oblivious to my presence.
I study his grey sweatpants and a black hoodie. "What are you doing?" I ask, watching him slip his trainers on.
He ignores me again and puts his earphones in. Then, without saying a word or even looking at me, he disappears behind the door.
I sit down on the stairs and inhale deeply. This is not how it was supposed to happen. I gave myself time and wanted to have more of it to understand whether I'll ever be able to forgive him. I know that I played a big part in why my mother and I argued, but the ultimate reason for why I've not been willing to speak to her was the secret she agreed to keep for Will.
Because again, it was all about Will.
Infuriated anew, I get off the step and make my way to the bedroom. I need to pack. I need to go . . . home.
My heart picks up its pace. Home. I haven't thought this through. I doubt that I am ready to return to the house where I'll be surrounded by nothing but silence and memories. So many memories. Can I even withstand all the emotions that will hurl themselves at me the moment I cross the threshold?
You haven't got a choice. You said you'll move out and he doesn't want you here anymore. After a very long time, my subconscious returns.
Fuck it. It's not like I want to stay here anyway.
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I was wrong. Packing took me less than an hour. Now I am pulling my suitcase down to the foyer, definitely damaging the tiny wheels as they bang on the stone stairs.
The mansion is absolutely dead. Will still hasn't returned. What a simultaneous relief and inconvenience. I need to give him back the keys. No matter what, I need to thank him for letting me stay here. A bitch or not, I do have some manners.
I take out my phone and try to ring him. He doesn't answer. I try again. Still nothing. After the seventh time, I decide to give up my futile efforts. I walk out the house and lock the door, hiding the keys behind its ornamental piece that Will's father had once informed me about.
As I amble along the lengthy driveway, I remind myself of Snapchat. I can check his location, considering he hasn't changed it to a ghost mode.
I open the app and look at the map. Immediately, I spot his Bitmoji, which is a few miles away.
I zoom in. Where the hell is he? This place looks inhabited. It almost looks like . . .
I think about his sweatpants and trainers.
My heart lurches up to my throat.
The overpass.
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Also, a big thank you to serra_0009 for being honest in the last update! I appreciate every feedback, even the negative one as it helps me keep the events in an interesting order! Hope this chapter is more of what you were looking for!