Learning To Love

chapter 51

As the following week passed, I noticed my stomach became more and more itchy. But usually cuts itch and burn as they heal, so I wasn't too worried about it. Besides, the medicine had slowly been wearing off as the week went on and I had nothing else to take. I was taking the pain completely raw now. Lucas obviously didn't know. Everyday he asked though, and every day I rolled my eyes and said yes.

This morning it burned even more and for a moment I thought about checking it, but I was scared to. I wouldn't want to ruin the bandage and who knew when Lucas was going to check it again. And I couldn't ask him about it because then he'd find out that I wasn't taking any of the medication.

When I woke up my sore back added to the pain from sitting on my crappy desk chair all week drawing portraits. I finished two fully shaded and detailed ones but most of them were doodles and sketches.

I sat up, my body feeling heavy. I could hear banging around the house, loud footsteps and for a moment I wondered if someone else was here. I got up slowly, stifling a groan.

Carefully walking out of my bedroom and down the hall, the heavy footsteps sped down into the basement, where more banging occurred.

As I stepped out into the living room, I noticed the entire house was a complete wreck. There were things everywhere, papers, boxes, envelopes, miscellaneous items spread all over the place. The dining table was covered, the chairs occupied with boxes. I stood at the top of the basement stairs, looking down.

I could see the light on for Robert's office and I heard him rummaging through it. We haven't really talked much since I came home and for the most part he wasn't really around much. I couldn't really understand what was going on, if he was looking for something or just going on another spontaneous cleaning spree.

"Hey Rob?" I called down. He paused for a moment but the sounds of rifling through papers continued. "Is someone else here?" no answer again. I started to grow anxious, curious.

Cautiously, I ascended down the stairs, the light seeming too bright and the noises seeming too loud.

"Rob?" I called again as I reached the bottom and saw his office completely torn apart. The drawers all out and emptied, papers covering the floor, his desk and computer completely taken apart. His book shelf was a mess, with books taken out and displayed out in front of it. Random bags and suitcases were open with random booklets flowing out of them.

"What the-" Robert looked back at me for one second and then remained looking through a box of cords and wires.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, lingering in the doorway. "Maybe I could help."

"If I can't find it, then you can't find it. Trust me Ollie." His tone had this edge to it, one that I haven't heard before.

"Well, is there anything I can do?" I felt the need to ask, since clearly whatever is missing must be very important.

"Yeah, you could fuck off!" He scowled and threw a bunch of cords onto the ground, rummaging through the box.

"Alright." I said curtly and climbed back up the stairs. I rolled my eyes. Why do I even bother sometimes? I thought about making something to eat but since the kitchen was a mess, the thought came and went.

I heard my phone go off in my room and I checked the clock on the oven as I passed the kitchen into the living room. It was 11 AM. Which meant that it was probably Lucas texting me.

When I reached my bedroom, I picked up my phone and surly, it was Lucas.

L: Good Morning handsome ;)

O: Hello....