Page 150 of The Breaking Pointe
“What are you doing, huh?” Noelle asks, approaching me from the step below me, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel, happily.
Perplexed by her presence, I scratch the back of my neck. “Thinking.”
“Well stop that, and enjoy yourself.”She lightly whips the towel at me, playfully directing me with her words.
“Not in a bad way.” I shake my head, stepping down the last stair so we’re on the same level. “I’m just taking it all in,” I add, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I glance at her. “He looks so happy, you know? I want it to be a forever thing…” I think for a moment, then continue. “What if he’s not doing well at school, Elle? Or worse—what if his mental health is below the gutter?” I ramble.
She gives me a puzzled stare, snuggling her hands in the towel. “That escalated quickly,” she says. “It sounds like you want him to come back home.If I’m reaching, let me know,” she suggests.
“No…you aren’t,” I respond as Steven walks inside, pass- ing through us as he gives each of us a quick smile and wave. As he jogs up the stairs, my gaze follows him, intensely.
“Well, while you’re having your brotherly talk, I’m gonna finish making pie.So make yourself hungry,” Noelle directs
me.
“Again?Elle, how many courses do you guys serve?”I hold my hands out, giving her the third degree.
“I thought you liked eating?Or are you not my big, strong, man who has the hardiest appetite anymore?Who am I gonna feed?” Her voice becomes soft and dainty-like while she pokes her bottom lip into a pout, raising a hand to my chest.
“I am,” I say quickly, in distress. “That’s me. Nobody is taking my spot—I worked hard to get here,” I say, pointing at the wooden floor.
She raises her eyebrows with a quiet, high-pitched laugh. “Go talk to Steven, crazy man.” She pats my chest, turning around to go resume her task.
Laugh all she wants, but I mean it.I won‘t have some imbecile taking my place in her life, especially when she’s entrusted me with all that she has.
I follow the rug-covered stairs and make my way to the top, already seeing Steven in another spare room, removing his drenched clothing. Walking to the entrance of the room, I knock on it before walking in.
“Having fun?”I ask.
He raises his head to look at me before pulling his shirt over it.
“Her cousins are sick, but I’m freezing,” he says, shaking out his hair after his shirt falls to the ground.
Backing away from flying droplets, I chuckle. “Do you not do these things with your friends, back home?”I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me as another question rolls out.
Thejoyinhisfacemeltsawayasheglancesatmeagain,
and in return, my smile dilutes to a scowl.
“Wanna talk about it?”I try my luck at one more question. He picks up a pair of track pants to cover his reddened legs, thatareprobablyicecold,andslidesthemuphislowerbody
before sitting on the bed.
“I don’t have friends like that. Why do you assume that I do?And college is even lonelier,” he grumbles with vexation. “I didn’t know, Steven. I’m sorry,” I answer in a relaxed tone, shutting the door behind me gently before taking a
seat next to him.
“Jake moved to Texas.He was the only person I considered to be a real friend,” he tells me.
I nod, listening, then offer what I think is my attempt at brotherly advice. “Maybe things will change at university? You’ve only been there for a couple of months.”
He shakes his head.“I’m not good at that.I get along with the guys at the skate park, but it’s complicated,” he says, looking in the area in front of him.
I rest my hands on my lap, fishing for a way to further the conversation.
“What about it is complicated?” I question.
He side eyes me then looks down. “I don’t know if telling you is a good idea.”
