wild and running || a.b. (series on hold)

Songs for this chapter:

I'm a Mess- Ed Sheeran

If It Means a Lot To You- A Day to Remember

Lay Me Down- Sam Smith

Fix You- Coldplay

-

My eyes flutter open to slight murmuring from Marie. I opened my eyes slowly, they seemed to want to stay closed. She was chatting quietly with James and her eyes were a bit glossy. She must be telling him about William. I wonder if she's heard from him? I close my eyes again to be sure I don't interrupt. A few seconds later, the door slams, giving me a reason to open my eyes. In walks Clay with plastic bags in his hands. 

"I see sleeping beauty is awake." He smiles. "Yeah, only because you slammed the door." I explained raspily and threw a pillow over my face. He laughs a hearty laugh, a laugh I haven't heard in so long. It rings throughout the house, and I can't help but giggle myself. It's so strange seeing him again.

"I got you some Chinese." He says while placing a take out container on the coffee table in front of me. "Oh, yum. Thank you so much. I don't remember the last time I've eaten." I say quickly and sit up. I watch as he places the rest of the food on the other coffee table. 

"What did you get yourself?" I ask him, remembering that he hates Chinese food. "Some barbecue from a store uptown." He explains.

He's always had a thing for meat. His family actually owns a meat shop.

I open my to go box to see a giant serving of shrimp fried rice and lo mein. "Ah, yes. My favorites." I say happily. Either Marie told him or by far chance he remembered. I feel a lot better today around him than last night. Maybe because I'm still really tired and my senses are dull. I eat my food gratefully and listen to Clay talk about his police training. James is his friend and trains with him. 

"So what else is there to clean up?" I ask Marie. "Just upstairs." She says. I close my takeout box and throw it in the trash. "Alright, well I'm going start on it." I yell while going upstairs with the trash can. I walk into the guest bedroom and sigh. This probably would have been for their baby, now it's filled with dirty cups and cans. 

The door opens slowly, and I look to see who it is. "James and Marie and getting the bathroom. It's bad in there." He says while running his hand through his hair with a soft giggle. "Alright." I reply while cautiously picking up cups. "Marie said she told some people they could bring friends. That turned out for the worse." I explained. "Clearly." He mutters. 

"So who's this Andy guy?" He asks. I freeze. 

I'd rather not discuss this with him.

"I met him in my English class a while back." I say. "So you guys are a thing?" He asks. The tone of his voice is unreadable. Even if he was happy or upset I wouldn't be able to tell. He's impossible to figure out. He always hides his emotions. "Yeah," I say shortly, "What about you?" I return the question. 

"It's only ever been you." He replies quietly. 

The phrase was like a knife through my heart. 

I stopped what I was doing, and I looked at him. He was standing straight up with a twisted, anxious expression on his face. "Only your skin, your lips, your smile, your hands, your laughter, Ivory." He says. 

"So, I wasn't the only one suffering all these years?" I said while trying to prevent my voice from cracking and ignoring the stinging in my eyes.

"No." He whispers. His stunning blue eyes sparkle with the sunlight shining through the window. "I've missed you so much." He puts his head down, as if he was in shame.