Afraid • l.h

Chapter 25 • "We're still going to be best friends, right?"

Tilly's POV

It was nine o'clock when I woke up in a small room I did not recognise for a split second until I realised I had fallen asleep on the sofa in my newly found get away. Usually I would try and find a spot in the woods but that was a little hard to do in California. I should probably go back inside because it was late enough and I needed a hair wash. As I stepped outside of the small for the sky was still light just about to set and fade into the night. It look beautiful so I had to take a picture and post it on my tumblr account. The back door still stands open from earlier on when I came out here to just explore the garden but it turned into a DIY project something I was very into. When I came in from outside I went straight up stairs noticing my mother was yet again not home but she did say this would all be over next week. Once I get out the shower having down everything I needed to I have a text from Michael from 5 hours ago.

"Congratulations. I didn't want to say it today in case not everyone knew." It reads.

"Thanks Mikey but more importantly thanks for being there with Luke." I reply and set my phone on the side.

I wasn't tired anymore seen as I had been asleep for a couple of hours already and so I pulled my laptop from underneath my bed to watch a film. Almost twenty minutes into the movie I receive another text from Michael and not long after my mum comes home.

"No problem. He is a lot happier recently. But I need to ask you something?" Michaels text says and I start overthinking about what he could ask

"Sure. Go ahead." I reply.

"We're still going to be best friends right?" The text comes through just moments later.

"Of course Mikey. You'll always be one of my best friends." I answer his question.

"Good good. Thanks Tils, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight Mikey."

"Goodnight."

I put my phone down and go downstairs to see my mum. Sometimes I wonder why she is back so late but then I remember her answer every time is work. Surely she doesn't have to stay this late every night.

"Hey mum." I say as she scurries around the kitchen trying to find something. "Do you need help?"

"No. I'm just trying to find something." She replies.

"Okay. Well I will be upstairs if you need me."

Don't get me wrong I love my mum but why she has to stay so late for work I don't know. It's quite upsetting that she doesn't have a lot of time for me but being a single parent must be hard but that's hopefully something I will never have to experience.

I lay in bed watching TV until twenty minutes late when there is a knock at my bedroom door.

"Tilly?" My mums voice comes from the other side of my door.

"Yeah." I reply.

"Can I come in?" She asks. It's her house she can do what she likes.

"Yeah." I repeat my previous answer.

"I um I just wondered whether you wanted to go shopping this weekend? Do you need any new clothes?" She asks.

"I could do with a few more clothes. Are you going to come with me?" I question and her face drops.

"I'm sorry."

"No it's okay. I get it, you have work stuff to do."

"Please don't be annoyed." She pleads and I don't reply.