Page 107 of The Breaking Pointe
future of things and the well-being of people you deeply care about.Unlike the past few mornings, this one has differences. I want a warm body to hold in bed, but when I reach for one, I feel an empty space beside me. Now, lying here, I think I can be patient enough to wait for him to return to bed, but thinking I could was senseless.
I’mtoocurious.
Sitting up, I push the large comforter off of my body and swing my feet onto the floor.The house is oddly quiet, minus the faint sound of the living room television that reached my ears around five minutes ago.Rubbing each of my eyes, I stand up and start trekking my way out of the room, exiting out of the already somewhat opened door.
As I trudge through the hallway, my feet take me in the direction of Colton’s art room. My intuition and its closed door tells me that he’s in there.Nearing the door, I takemy hand to the knob, twisting it and getting no movement. Once more, I jiggle it, parting my lips to call his name, but halting. I can’t make out if this is good or bad, but nagging him won’t solve anything. That’s what he hates.
Letting go of the knob, I run a hand through my fuzzy, unkempt bed hair, and turn around to walk back down the hall, out to the living area.
Steven’s chocolate brown hair pokes up from the couch, sitting up to look my way.
“Hi, honey,” I say, clearing my throat quickly from my morning voice.
“Hey,” he says, continuing to watch me walk into the kitchen from his pit view.
“Did you eat breakfast?” I ask, focusing my attention on the coffee maker.
“No,” he responds, his voice sounding closer this time. Glancing behind me, I see him picking a seat at the island.“I can make you something?Do you like pancakes?”I question him, reaching for ingredients from the cupboard above me. “Seriously?” he asks with disbelief.
“Yeah, why not? I’m kind of hungry, too. If I make them from scratch, they’ll still be somewhat healthy, and vegan. If I tell your brother they’re filled with protein, maybe he’ll eat them.”I smile to myself, thinking of Colton’s picky, athletic food preferences.
“Good luck. He never eats when he’s in one of his moods. And if he does, grab a bucket and be ready for him to blow chunks.” Steven scoffs.
I set my mug under the coffee dispenser and turn to face him, taking a strand of my hair to twist around.
“Well I’ll be there with a bucket then.”I nod, breathing out as I speak.
His upper lip raises in disgust.“Yeah, no wonder he’s like—in love with you. You’re definitely not like Hannah.” He laughs quietly.
I straighten my posture, nervously smiling. “What do you mean? She couldn’t handle puke or something?”
“She didn’t like much of anything except using his money and telling him what he was doing wrong. Imagine dealing with those arguments at the dinner table.” His eyes widen, shaking his head.
“Oh…” I say, dropping my hands from my hair. “Sounds brutal.”
“It was. I know I rag on him a lot about his attitude, but I blame her. She made him bitter. I’m trying to understand howyou,ofallwomen,areintothat.It’sgross.How
romantic you both are.” He purses his lips, resting his arms on the island.
“He’s not as bitter as you think. When we’re alone, he can be funny and sweet.Shy and discerning.He listens to me like we’re the only ones in the universe, existing together.”I bounce my shoulders softly. “Maybe that’s why we get each other. My ex wasn’t nice, either. It feels nice to be seen. You might understand better when you get into a relationship.” “Yeah, well, I miss whoever he was before this happened. And before Hannah. Sometimes I think he’s back to normal, butthenheprovesmewrong.He’sangrier,andmore uptightthanI’veeverseen.He’smostlydeadinside,”he
says,loweringhisvoice.
Picking up my cup of coffee, I turn back to Steven, setting it on the island.
“He isn’t dead inside.Not at all.I think he’s trying to overcome a lot. Just like you, Steve,” I gently respond.
He looks at the counter, tracing a finger on it.“He doesn’t understand anything I’m overcoming, and he never will.”
My lips press together as I listen to him. “Well…maybe I can understand?” I suggest.
“I doubt it.But you are the better option to talk to.”He sighs.
“Better option?” I furrow my brows.
“Yeah.Cause you like men.So do I. And Colton doesn’t know, so can you like—keep it to yourself?”
My heart skips a beat, hearing him quickly confess such a deep secret. Nodding quickly, I say nothing.
