Page 5 of Run To You
“Oh my god, guys. What did you do?”
Mom is beaming as I walk around, open mouthed, trying to take it all in.
“Do you like it?” Dad asks.
Spinning on my heel to face them, I can’t stop the little squeal from leaving my mouth. “Like it? I love it! Oh my god!”
Mom and Dad laugh, taking a step towards me and pulling me in. That’s when the waterworks start. I’ve been so overwhelmed for so long, it’s great to have nothing to worry about. Knowing Mom she’ll have had the fridge stocked, so I won’t even have to worry about grocery shopping.
“Have a look around. We’ve got the landscaper coming tomorrow. We’re having a separate entrance added in for you.”
“Wow, that’s…you really don’t have to do that. This is way more than enough,” waving my hand about the pool apartment.
“Nonsense, honey. You need to be independent.”
The pool house is set far enough back in the yard and surrounded on three sides by conifers that it’s practically invisible from the main house. A private driveway would be the icing on the cake. I’ll practically be living in my own place but will have the safety of my parents. I’m far enough down my recovery to know I need them close by.
“We’ll leave you to it for a little while, sweetie. If it’s okay with you, we’d love to have a family dinner tonight. To celebrate graduating, and…” Mom chokes on her words.
“Mom,” I choke back, holding her closer.
“Sorry, sorry,” she replies, chuckling and wiping away her tears. “I’m just so happy to have you home.”
After we’ve spent a little more time crying and hugging, Mom and Dad leave me alone. The silence usually unsettles me. I always had to have music or the TV on in my dorm room to stay relaxed, but here…here the silence and smell of home calms me immediately.
The bedroom is large and bright. The room’s double windows look out onto the pool, which is reflecting the sun, making the backyard look like an oasis. Mom has done a great job transforming the pool area into a paradise, and now I get to look at it every day. Much better than staring out of my dorm room and seeing nothing but cars and pedestrians looking pissed off at life.
My phone buzzes on the kitchen island. Still, after all this time, my first reaction to my phone buzzing is excitement that Eden may have messaged me. It takes zero point two seconds for my brain to remind me that the notification isn’t from her, and it never will be.
Swallowing my disappointment, I grab my phone and swipe at the screen. It’s not Eden, but it is the closest person to her…Jenna.
For a reason I can’t quite figure out, Jenna has been the only person from my old life who is still in contact with me. After I ghosted my best friends, I never expected Jenna to seek me out and practically force a friendship on me. If anyone had the right to never speak to me ever again—not counting Eden—it’s Jenna.
But she’s been nothing but perfect. Jenna knows I’m back in town and is already on her way over. We haven’t seen each other since Christmas. She came and visited me atschool, which blew my mind. We have weekly calls, where she checks up on me and we talk about cheerleading, which she does fantastically.
Jenna became the captain of Holcroft’s squad and received a full ride to college on a cheerleading scholarship, starting in the fall. The only thing we don’t talk about is Eden. It’s not a rule, but I don’t think either of us wants to cross into that territory. I have no idea if Eden knows her sister is talking to me. I can’t imagine she does, and that makes me feel worse.
“Well, look who’s back in town,” Jenna calls from the door. Turning, I take in my friend. It hurts a little to look at her because she is the spitting image of Eden, although that’s where the comparison ends. Where Eden is all black jeans, hoodies and punk hair, Jenna is bright colored skirts and vests and smooth long hair.
“Jenna,” I breathe. She winks, skips over and hugs me to within an inch of my life.
“It’s so good to see you, Sloane.”
Pulling back, I hold her at arm’s length and look her over. She’s grown into a strong young woman. I bet she could bench press me now.
“You look fabulous, Jenna!”
She flips her hair. “I know.”
We laugh together and I feel another knot of anxiety unfurl. Leading Jenna to the bedroom, I gesture for her to sit down as I start to unpack. If I don’t do it now, I’ll still be living out of my suitcase in a month.
“How did you know I was home already?”
Scooting up my new massive bed, Jenna fluffs the pillow and leans back. “Your mum, obvs,” she replies. “We’re regular old besties now.”
Turning from the closet, I cock my head to the side. “You message with my mom?”
Scoffing, Jenna rifles through my open bag, checking out my clothes. “Of course. Sloane, you’re like my best friend.”
