Tragic Soul by Jeanisse Bella

Author:Jeanisse, Bella [Jeanisse, Bella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xynobooks, LLC
Published: 2015-03-28T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

We stayed in the pool long after Chad and I had ourselves back together. Then we laid out in the shade. They didn’t make me feel like a third wheel again. We were just three friends hanging out.

“Crystal!” Valerie, Chad’s mom, sounded excited as she stepped onto the deck. “Good to see you.”

I smiled, knowing she and my mother had talked about my depression. “Hi, Ma.”

“You look great.” She leaned over me and kissed my forehead. “I hope you don’t mind. We’re having your parents over tonight for a barbecue.” That was typical in the summer.

Chad sat up. “Need help?”

“No. No,” His mother told him. “Stay with Crystal.” She laid a hand on my face and smiled. “You want a drink? Lemonade, maybe?”

I nodded. “Sure. Thanks.” My voice was not strong. I felt better than I did before Chad found me, but I was not myself. “I’m fine.”

Chad put his hand over mine. “You don’t haveta pretend. We know this ain’t easy.” He tipped his chair to get closer to me and kissed my cheek. “Give it time.”

Squeezing his hand, I nodded again. What else could I do? I didn’t let go of him as I settled back onto the lounge chair again. His fingers entwined in mine were reassuring. Amy was on my other side and didn’t give off even a hint of jealousy. That helped as well.

“Crystal, your mom’s here.” Valerie came back outside and handed me a glass of pink lemonade.

With a smile, I said, “Thanks. Tell her I’m OK.”

“Wow.” My mother’s voice came from just inside the back door. “You got her out of the house?” She came to me quickly and kissed my forehead. “I knew Chad could do it. She moved to him and kissed his forehead as well. “Thank you, honey.” She smiled at him. “Always taking care of my girl.”

Chad blushed slightly. “I try.” He bit his lip.

I stared at his trunks as his hips shifted. He was staring at my mom, obviously trying not to look my way. When she turned away, I had the urge to tease him, but I worried my mother would hear. It was then I realized that I was feeling more normal.

Luke, Chad’s father, came outside. “Chad, can you help Will with the ice in the trunk? Then grab the burgers and cheese.”

“Sure, Dad.” Chad swung his legs my way and kissed my hand. “I’ll be back.”

Amy reached over and rubbed my arm. “You all right?”

“Yeah.” I closed my eyes and listened to everyone move around us for a while. Then my bladder announced it was still functioning. “I’ll be back.”

Grabbing my hand, Amy looked alarmed. “Where’re you going?”

“Bathroom.” I smiled. “I feel better. Really.”

The downstairs bathroom was occupied, so I went upstairs. It was oddly quiet. With only Will still living at home, it made sense, though. I peeked into Chad’s room. He only kept some clothes and things he didn’t need there. Then I used the bathroom.

When I was done, I looked in the mirror.

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