I'd gotten little to no sleep the night before. Though the bed was comfortable I couldn't find serenity. The daylight shined beautiful through the blinds that were pulled against the window. I lay in thought as I grabbed my phone from the nightstand table. As I powered it on it began to sound with the many notifications I'd been missing. I didn't bothering with studying them, rather just wanting to know the time. I'd been about to sit it back when it vibrated suddenly in my hand. My hesitance to answer likely came from the fact that he'd probably called her by now.

Winter:
"Hey, mom."

She didn't answer immediately but honestly I didn't ponder it.

Linda:
"How are you?"

Winter:
" Haven't gotten sick for a few hours so I'd say that's a positive."

Linda:
"Aww, sweetheart. Have you eaten?"

I played in my hair against the pillow.

Winter:
"I ordered room service. I ate most of it."

Linda:
"Why aren't you with Harry?"

Mentioning his name kind of brought to me a disappointment. And suddenly I wished she never called.

Winter:
"I'm sure you know why. Listen mom, I'll talk to you later oka-"

Linda:
"Sure you will. But we're talking now. Do you understand?"

One thing about growing up...it would never count in your parents eyes. I sighed without disrespect, rolling my eyes only because she wasn't able to see it.

Winter:
"Yes, mom."

Linda:
"Good. Now explain it."

I turned to my side as I became overwhelmed. Though I lacked fatigue and a day without headaches it was important I didn't take any pills, in fear I'd harm the baby.

Winter:
"It's nothing okay. I just needed some space before I said something I didn't mean."

Linda:
"Like what?"

Winter:
"Like: I hate you, I wish we never met, I don't want this baby with you."

Quite harsh I knew, but I honestly couldn't care right now.

Linda:
"…You said you don't mean that, right?"

Winter:
"But I wish I did. I don't like when he lies to me, mom. I hate it."

Linda:
"He didn't lie."

So she had spoken with him.

Winter:
"If you know so much why do I have to explain it. And lying to me verbally and keeping secrets is the same thing...it's obvious why he didn't tell me."

Linda:
"You have to let him explain, Winter. Why haven't you been answering him when you know he's worried sick about you?"

Winter:
"I'm sorry. I thought I was an adult."

She sighed to let me know I was being difficult.

Winter:
"...what if they planned this mom."

The aching in my chest hadn't gone away since I'd left him there at the beach house. I didn't expect it to.

Linda:
"Don't be ridiculous. He loves you."

Winter:
"Not enough to tell me the truth… You seem to think he's perfect."

Linda:
"Oh stop. So do you. You're not fooling me... Now I want you to talk to him."

I pulled the covers up with the thought of even leaving the bed.

Winter:
"...I'll think about it."

---

I sat at the computer desk across the room. I figured it'd give my mind something to do because I was too afraid of going out and becoming sick.

His name flashed across my screen as an incoming call once again. I let my thoughts linger while it buzzed. It was picked up on likely the last ring, and slid to unlock.

I held it to my ear without saying a word and I knew that he’d picked up on it. He listened for a while the same as I did as I buried my face into the palm of my hand against the desk.

Harry:
"...You know I hate missing you."

A smooth and comforting voice. That always did it.
He breathed evenly and patiently as if waiting for me to answer. I wanted to but I wouldn't allow myself to fall. I never reached the bottom, with him.

Harry:
"...I found out that I knew him the day I went to see him in the park. We aren't mates....but we do have mutual friends."

I didn't feel relief. I didn't feel anything.

Harry:
"He's been to a few of my parties. We were always pretty cool but I didn't know he was your boyfriend Winter... Do you believe me when I say that?"

Everything I believed to be true these days always simmered for a time to prove me otherwise. I hated being so open and painfully drawn to one person this way...but it was also what I loved.

Harry:
"Tell me where you are, we'll talk."

Winter:
"I don't know if I want to right now."

He paused as if surprised I'd answered to that, quickly continuing before I resumed silence.

Harry:
"You have to stop walking out on me like this Winter. I'm not going anywhere."

Winter:
"You should be glad I did, my words can hurt when I'm pissed..."

Harry:
"...are you saying you aren't now?"

Winter:
"No I'm saying I can't see you right now."

He became silent. I felt dizzy again from the lack of fatigue I'd been experiencing.

Winter:
"I'm going home when the weekend comes... so I can work next week...that's where I want to be."

Harry:
"No, Win-"

Winter:
"Don't argue with me. I'm hanging up now."

It hurt more than I thought to do that but it was time I did something for me. Everything beautiful about this place was just a constant reminder of my argument with him now. What I needed was my work desk. Isolation. It wouldn't hurt to take advantage of early in the pregnancy while I was still able to. I powered off the phone, and walked toward the couch to find comfort. I huddled under the blanket in hopes I could at least take a nap to rid the withdrawal from my body. I closed my eyes to start.

I pretended the satin of the quilt was his skin against me. I became tangled between it the more I'd given it that personification. The longer I lay, the longer I imagined him. The last I remembered before slipping into unconsciousness was a peck to my forehead and I was out.

--


Harry:

It was a plus walking out of the house without a coat or intense layers of clothing for once. My stomach twisted as I started the car to head for her. I hoped she wouldn't reject me like she had on the phone, and there was no way I could just allow her to leave by herself. I'd gotten her destination from her mother who apparently always tracked her phone. I guess she was a lot like my mom in that way.

I approached the desk of the hotel to greet the older guy who now stood across from me.

"How can I help you today?"

Harry:
"I'm actually trying to find which room my girlfriend is in."

He seemed polite enough though I could tell he would be difficult. His index tapped against the marveled desk as if in processing mode. I stood quietly.

"I'm afraid we're not entirely able to disclose that information."

Harry:
"So you can't even tell me the room number?"

It made me a little angry to hear, but I remained polite. Winter always liked that.

"I'm afraid not."

Annoyance brewed as I ruffled through my hair in habit.

Harry:
"Okay."

I reached in my pocket for the money I'd brought along for the trip. I could feel his eyes on me as I peeled away several large bills without counting, before sliding them across the counter to him.

He eyed me for a moment but it wasn't in disbelief.

Harry:
"Her name is Winter Rylie."

He picked it quickly from the counter before searching through the computer behind the desk. He'd finished when a family of people arrived in a line behind me. His hand slid the key-card as he kept my eye contact.

"Room 316."

I nodded with a thanks before heading for the elevator. My stomach created knots at the thought of seeing her on the way up.

Notes

Thanks for reading ! Posting again Wednesday.