Page 44 of Always Mine

He found absolutely nothing of worth.Only, Constance’s interview had taken place while he was hiding in the closet.Luckily, after that interview the guidance counselor then left for lunch, which was how he was able to make it out without being trapped.

During that brief visit, he heard Constance and knew she was upset at the prospect of never going to college.Her family couldn’t afford it, and they refused to spend any money they did have on her education.

She wanted the chance to go, but it was never going to happen for her.That was when he got the idea of helping to fund her education, to give her the experience she always wanted.

“And you made that decision for me?”Constance asked.

“Did you have a good time?”Miles asked.“Did you get to do all the things you wanted?Did you at least get to experience it to know it wasn’t what you were looking for?”

“Yes,” Constance said.

“Then that is all that matters.”

“What do you want in return?”Contance asked.

“What?”

“I know how this works and people don’t do nice things and expect nothing back.They do this and they want ...stuff back.What do you want?”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.How messed up is your family that even a gift comes with a price?You know what, fuck you.”He turned on his heel and left.

****

Constance sat backand growled.This was not what she wanted to happen.The truth was, she had hoped to just thank him.When she realized what Miles had done for her, she knew it had been a gift.

She always had feelings for Miles, not that she would ever act on them and ruin their friendship.She would never be that foolish.But that didn’t stop her from hoping one day that he would.

She returned her attention to Daisy, taking hold of her hand.“I’m so sorry,” Constance said.“You shouldn’t have to hear us arguing.He just ...makes me so mad at times.I mean, did he send me away because he didn’t like me, or was he just being sweet and thoughtful, and I am thinking too much into this?”She growled.“Just ignore me.I don’t have a clue what I am even saying right now.”

She let out a sigh.

“It’s just that I know Miles has always been kind of a strange person for me.I mean, he has lots of girls, I mean women, hanging around him.At school there were a lot of girls.”She blew out a breath.“Can I tell you a secret, Daisy?I am still a virgin.There were guys at college but none of them reminded me of Miles.He is a one-of-a-kind, kind of guy.”She blew out another breath.“I’ve got to talk to him.I’ve got to thank him and stop sounding like a bitch.”

She went to get up but then realized there was no one with Daisy.

“You know what, Miles can wait.He can always wait, and I’m going to stay and keep you company.You really need to wake up, Daisy.I know Anthony is keeping it together right now, but it won’t be long before he snaps.You know it.I know it.I think it is safe to say everyone knows it.”Constance pressed her lips together, hoping for a sign, for anything.

“I love you, Daisy.I love all of you guys, and I love the Skulls.You’ve made me feel like part of a family in ways my own family never did.Please come back to us.Come back to us.”

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