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Maybe rifling through his things was an exaggeration, but I still plan on checking this swanky place out. The current floor is mainly bedrooms.
Peeking my head in one, I guess it’s his parents’. There’s a lived-in quality, even with the bed neatly made. Books sit on each nightstand, and a makeup table is covered in perfume bottles and a bunch of cosmetics. A cracked door reveals a walk-in closet that I am pretty sure is the same size as my roommate’s bedroom. I don’t go any further than leaning in through the doorway. I’m not a total creep.
Down a bit farther, I think I’ve found Ben’s old room. It’s the only other one with some personality. The rest are all pastel, places you’d have a guest sleep.
I take a careful step into the space, vowing I won’t touch anything. Only look.
This isn’t the TV version of a high school boy’s room with posters of half-naked women next to pictures of sports idols. Instead, there’s artwork, mainly paintings of landscapes. Gorgeous nature scenes with trees and rolling hills. Even some mountains.
I examine the bookshelves and find a decent amount of sci-fi novels. Looks like Ben is a bit of a nerd. But, on closer inspection, I realize he actually has a wider range of tastes. There are classics, like Dracula and The Jungle, along with nonfiction authors like Malcolm Gladwell. I have to smile when I find all seven Harry Potter books in hardback. Good to know he’s not opposed to a bit of magic in his reading.
His bed is perfectly made up. I go to peek beneath the covers, only to be disappointed. I was hoping that he might have fully committed to a fandom with a set of Star Wars or Batman sheets.
Oh well.
Back out in the hall, I realize that the stairs go up another floor. When I head up them, I come out in a sitting room. This one seems warmer than the space downstairs. Like the first floor is for show, and this floor is for living. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls. Seems like the Gerhards are big readers. More couches are spread around, paired with dark wooden coffee tables. On the far wall, there’s a set of glass doors.
When I push through them, I walk out onto a large rooftop patio. Metal furniture with thick cushions sits around an empty firepit. In the corner is a covered hot tub big enough to seat eight.
But the best part is the view. The Philly backdrop makes this a city dweller’s paradise. I can imagine having strings of lights hung around, burning bright after the sun goes down. People laughing and drinking fancy cocktails as they discuss their extravagant lives. Just like a scene from a movie.
I’ve never been in a house this nice before. My grandma’s place was a decent size with three bedrooms and a yard. But things always felt a bit cramped. There was a short time, after Marcus moved out, that the place seemed vast but for all the wrong reasons. Pops’s house was better; Marcus was there, and I had my own room. But neither come close to this towering townhouse.
My brother would probably love this place, maybe even try to design something similar. Me, I’m a little overwhelmed. Should’ve just stuck to one room or one floor. Piling it all together at once is like trying to read an entire textbook in one sitting.
I let my thoughts trail off at the sound of the glass doors opening. Dr. Stevens steps out to join me, and we gaze across the top of the city.
“They really have a great view here.” I gesture to the sight, as if he needed any help in finding the sprawling scene.
“Mmhmm.” He glances over at me. I’m not sure what he sees, but he gives me a kind smile and a pat on the shoulder. “They’re nice people.”
From what I can tell, he’s right. And that’s a good thing because it means Fred is probably nice, too. Less likely to have a change of heart. The exchange shouldn’t be in jeopardy.
I want to be friends with Ben and Fred. Friendships connect you. And they’re easy. Uncomplicated.
That’s all I want. No flutters. No sparks.
Just friends.
Dr. Stevens clears his throat and turns to leave. “Ben has started his treatment. You’re good to join him whenever you’re finished exploring.”
I follow after him. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve got to grab something anyway.”
BEN
Holly passes by my room with only a quick wave as she and Dr. Stevens head down the hall.
Is she leaving? Without even saying good-bye?
That doesn’t make any sense. She offered to come. And we took my car.
Tubes stick into my arm, holding me in the chair. I want to rip them out and follow her.
For a moment, I seriously consider it.
