Mabel wakes with puffy pink eyes and heads down to the kitchen. Goddammit, Aiden. A breakfast of French Toast and eggs waited for her on the kitchen counter. A bump came from upstairs. Aiden was already beginning to pack her things, Does he want me out that badly? She stood awkwardly in front of the door to her room, “Is something wrong?” She let out a weak nod and stared at her old suitcase. Should I tell him? She couldn’t bring herself to say anything, He probably wouldn’t care... All she could do was stare at the ground. “Mabel?” He comes around and lifts her head when he hears a sniffle, “Mabs?” She buries herself into his cloak and hears her stifled cries, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” she wails. She keeps apologizing for nothing and he stands there not sure of what to do. It isn’t until the 13th ‘sorry’ he pulls her away. Her cheeks are red and puffy. The tears keep coming no matter how much he wipes them off, “I’m sorry…”
“Mabel, why are you apologizing?”
“You-you don’t like me being here don’t you?” She held onto his cloak like a child would, “That’s why you broke the contract didn’t you?”
“No!” He kneels so they are face level, “I didn’t break it because I don’t like you. I do like you.” I really like you...
“Then why do you want me to leave?”
“I thought you’d be happier, being with your family. And not with some ugly, scary monster living by himself in the woods.”
She’s quiet for a bit and then kisses his forehead, “You’re not scary.” He scoffs, “What?”
“You’re telling me you weren’t scared that night in the hall? Or my room?”
“I...was,” She plays with the fluffy edge of his cloak, “But I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“I could.”
“It’ll be fine.” He could tell she wasn’t gonna let up.
He holds her face gently, “Why do you want to stay?”
Mabel simply shrugs and tries to go back downstairs. He grabs her arm and pulls her back, “Tell me and I’ll let you stay.” She didn’t say anything for a while, “Mabel, please.”
She sighs heavily and gives in, “I don’t want to go back home.” He stays quiet waiting for more, “My family is just...overbearing. It’s suffocating…” He’s reminded of feeling like that long ago. Not with his family, but someone else, “So, when you came for me that day. And told my mom I wasn’t stupid, I was relieved. Scared. But still relieved that someone else thought I didn’t do the wrong thing. And I like the freedom I have here. I can’t do much, but I can do what I want on my own time, and it’s nice.” She feels her cheeks warm up and she looks at him with some guilt, “Is -Is that a good enough reason?”
He smiles and pecks her head, “Yeah, it is.” She lets out a huge smile, “But as roommates, I don’t own you anymore.”
“So...I don’t need to go get groceries for you?”
“Uh, well,” He scratches under his chin, “I mean...if you don’t mind picking up some stuff for me when you go out…” She giggles and nods, “Thanks…”
“You're welcome.” She turns to leave but he stops her, “What’s wrong?”
“Write a letter to your mom.” She grunted, “Is there any reason you shouldn’t?” She shook her head, “Just keep in touch with them.”
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