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“No. I need to go back home, make sure he’s gone and speak to Mum.”
“Does she know?”
He looks forward and doesn’t answer me, but I can see the tension harden his jaw.
“Okay then.” I jump out and watch as he drives off.
I don’t hear from him for over a week.
He vanished. He wouldn’t answer his phone, and he didn’t come to school. We were weeks away from our exams, and he was bailing.
And I couldn’t even be that mad at him because his dad did this awful thing, and it completely blew up his life.
I felt sick not knowing where he was or if he was okay. After spending so much time together, it was debilitating being apart for so long. It was like a part of me was missing, yet even admitting that made me wonder if that was a good thing. We’d be going off to university in a matter of months. A little distance might be good.
Make us stronger.
I loved Jeremy and couldn’t imagine my life without him, despite what had happened.
And my heart physically hurt at being apart — I didn’t want space — I wanted Jeremy.
Mum was worried and kept pushing me to talk to her, but I couldn’t. Shame, wrongly placed, prevented me from confessing, even though I knew I didn’t do anything wrong. But it cast shade over my relationship with Jeremy, and I didn’t want that.
So, I tried to concentrate on school, ignoring the looks and questions on everyone’s lips. They didn’t ask me anything — I wasn’t the cool kid — despite being Jeremy’s girlfriend.
“Come on, Anna. You’re going to be late.”
“Okay, okay,” I yell back at Mum.
I grab my things and finally run out of the door and hit a wall of muscle.
“Jeremy!”
He wraps me in his arms and swings me around. I feel like I’m about to burst, he’s squeezing so tight, but I don’t care. I need this — I’ve missed this.
“Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.” I smack his chest but then go back to trying to suffocate him with my arms.
“Sorry. Look, want to go for a ride?”
“We have school.” I furrow my brow in confusion. It was Tuesday, and he’d already missed a week.
“One day won’t hurt, Anna. I really need you, and it’s been a pretty shit week.” He takes my hand and threads his fingers through mine. He looks at me, his eyes filled with a sorrow that drowns out all the colour. It reminds me of how he used to look — when I’d glance at him at school or that time at the restaurant. I hate that look.
“Just the morning. I have test papers to hand in this afternoon.”
“Fair enough.” He pulls me towards the car and opens the door for me. Before I jump in, I look at him, hoping to really take him in. Despite my agreement, his eyes are still sad. They don’t shine, and all I want to do is make them light up again. “Okay?” he asks.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I tilt my head, trying to get a read of him. He smiles, but it doesn’t beam. He does smack me on the arse, encouraging me into the car.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He starts to drive, and I settle in.
Something in my chest relaxes, as though my heart can take a rest now Jeremy is back next to me, and I reach out and rest my arm on the centre console. He picks up my hand and brings it to his lips before placing it back and taking the wheel again.
“Can we grab breakfast somewhere?”
“How about brunch? I know this place you like.” He smiles at me, and this time, it’s the smile I’ve fallen in love with.
