CHAPTER 6


    I search my backpack until I find the keys and let myself into the house.


    "Hello?" I call out, pushing open the door and stepping inside. "Dad? Are you here?"


    No answer.


    He usually leaves for work early in the morning before Jedd and I wake up and doesn''t return untilte


    at night. I don''t see much of him and Jedd is more of a parent to me which isn''t Dad''s fault. I''ve always


    been grateful for both of them but I do wish I could see Dad more often.


    I sigh and drop my backpack in the hallway before heading straight for the kitchen. Whenever I''m home


    alone, the house instantly bes eerie. . . Like I''m starring in a horror movie. I pull open the fridge,


    ncing inside at the contents —


    Milk, cheese, a few takeaway boxes fromst night and one single strawberry yoghurt. Fabulous.


    I let out a low groan, hearing my stomach rumble from theck of food I''ve consumed today. I don''t


    ever eat lunch at school, the cafeteria is too intimidating for me. Walking inside a room crammed with


    students chattering and socialising is my idea of a nightmare. Instead I''d throw a sandwich or an apple


    inside my bag and eat it outside in thefort of my ownpany.


    My eyes scan the kitchen andnd on a note stuck to the front of the fridge. Sprawled across it messily


    is my Dad''s handwriting —


    Casserole in the oven, see you both tonight. Dad x


    “Yes!" I cheer, doing a little happy dance that resembles a penguin. I te up some casserole along


    with a drink and some carrot sticks before heading upstairs. My room is my safe haven and I can spend


    the rest of my life locked up in here as long as I have food.


    It''s time tounch Netflix and find myself another legendary romance movie.


    *****


    There''s a soft knock on my bedroom door and I pause the movie, sniffling a little —


    "Come in!" I yell, my voice wobbling slightly. The door opens and Jedd appears, looking rmed at my


    tear stricken face.


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    "You''ve been watching soppy movies again, haven''t you?" Jedd says, shaking his head. I don''t miss his


    lips turning up into an amused smile.


    "Yep." I reply, shutting myptop screen and sitting up on my bed. I grab a cushion and hold it close to


    me.


    "The girl in the movie finds her true love on holiday but it turns out he''s a cancer victim and doesn''t


    have long to live. They both go on this epic journey to do awesome things together before he dies. . .


    I''m almost at the end. It''s so sad, isn''t it?" I sniffle once again, wiping away a tear from my cheek.


    "Cliché more like," Jedd scoffs, taking a seat at the end of my bed. I watch him out of curiosity,


    wondering what he''s doing here. He crosses his legs and looks at me with an intense stare that makes


    me squirm.


    "What is this . . . a one man intervention?" I joke half heartedly.


    "I think we should talk." Jedd responds slowly, choosing his words carefully. Talk?


    "Talk about what?" I frown, fiddling with the stringing undone on my fuzzy pyjama socks.


    "How did school go?"


    He sounds awkward and his eyes drift to the floor to avoid holding eye contact with me. I practically see


    the pity ooze from him and I wince. My thoughts turn towards Beatrice and how her gang bullied and


    embarrassed me.


    "School was fine."


    I climb off my bed, heading to the other side of my room so Jedd can''t see any expression on my face.


    I''ve never told him how difficult school is for me, admitting to your sibling that you''re struggling isn''t


    exactly easy to do. Jedd has always been popr, surrounded by constant friends. He


    wouldn''t understand how it feels to be like me, a loner.


    I hear him sigh heavily from behind me and I close my eyes for a moment, trying to mask over the hurt


    in my features.


    "Bells, I care about you. I know you''re struggling in school." Jedd says softly. I turn around, feeling


    myself grow defensive.


    "I''m not struggling."


    "Youe home from school unhappy every single day Be. You rarely leave the house and you


    never have friends over. It''s unhealthy." Jedd says, his tone bing desperate.


    I stare at him, my chest rising and falling heavily. I feel the back of my throat tighten up but my eyes


    remained glued to his. He looks back at me with the same intensity, brown eyes masked over with


    concern. I watch as his hand reaches up,bing through the strands of his dirty blonde hair.


    "I care Be, that''s all."


    "I''m fine," I whisper, my voice husky with emotion. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to break


    down crying in front of Jedd right now. I don''t know why I can''t do it, admit how lonely I am to him.


    Maybe I know that if I say the words out loud, they be a reality and I don''t want to face that.


    "Can you leave my room please?" I whisper, watching sadly as he pauses for a moment before


    standing up. He walks over to me and hesitates before rethinking his actions and heading for the door.


    I wait until I hear the soft click behind him before I let out the first cries of many.