love is always love - lgbtqa+

26 || loud and clear, part 1/2

"You seem happier," Mom says, a gentle smile on her face.

The rare airiness of her expression makes me want to float.

I think of a few days ago; of how Tristan and I just sat together in the dark, looking at the stars and reminiscing and drawing and talking. His presence and essence all the ence's, and just him in general.

Tristan has a way of making you feel at peace.

The more I think about him, the more I feel myself start to grin and want to laugh, but then it hits me: I haven't seen my mom this happy in awhile, either.

And I know why. Glancing at Joseph's closed office door, always closed, I shake my head and force myself to look my mom in the eyes.

"Do I, really?" I tug on my backpack strap.

"Yes. Is there something you're not telling me, erzi?"

I look at the stairwell. "Umm. No."

"You know, West, you look to the right when you lie."

"What? No, I don't."

Crap, I do.

Mom pats my head. "Yes, you do."

"Okay, maybe."

She laughs, and I hold onto the sound for as long as possible; I store it away, file it into a drawer in my mind, and lock it with a key; all to make sure that it's preserved as safely as possible.

"You know I'm right. Anyway, hurry up and go to Tristan's house, you don't want to be late for your ride to school."

I grin and wave my hand in the air, "Okay, okay. But are you sure you're good? I can stay home to look after you."

"Of course I'm good, you need your education, so go. I'll be fine."

I know that she's lying. But I know even more that she wants me to go to school and not stay here to take care of her. I can see the guilt in her eyes when she thinks that she's not being a good enough mother.

Even though I wouldn't trade her for the world. Or two.

But I shrug, and then I smile. My mom and I have to be strong for each other, and with each other.

"Hmm. Okay mom, just remember that the cough syrup is in the cabinet next to the fridge. Wo ai ni."

And at this, I know everything is as best as it can be when I see the lively gleam in her eyes. "Cough syrup, I know, Westlyn. Wo ai ni. Now go!"

She practically shoves me out the front door with a cough and a wink, and before I have time to wave goodbye, she slams it on my face.

I sigh.

Then I shake my head and laugh.

❦

Running up the stairs to the Hammond household's front door, I notice that one of my shoes is untied and quickly bend down.

West, you're so coordinated it's actually annoying.

You always wear Adidas!

Try some Nike or Reebok or something for a change! I mean... not that Adidas doesn't look good. Ugh, that came out wrong.

Tristan's voice rings loud and clear in my head, and I can't help but grin at the thought of him and laugh at his words.

After lacing up my Adidas sneaker—haha—I straighten and knock three times on the door.

As usual.

I expect to hear a loud 'Coming!' and the familiar sound of Tristan's wheelchair , but I don't get any of that.

Instead, the door tentatively creaks open, and Aunt Lila is the one behind it. There are dark circles under her eyes. She looks...

She looks wrong without a smile.

"Good morning, West," she greets without the usual cheer in her tone.

"Good morning. Where is Tristan?"

There's a slight pause, and then: "Sorry, honey, but Tristan won't be going to school today." Aunt Lila lowers her voice, "I'll tell you in the car, okay?"

I nod. "Okay. I-I'm sorry to burden you."

She shakes her head, smiling sadly now, "You will never be a burden. I'll be outside in a second, can you wait by my car?"

"Yes. Thank you."

The door closes shut, and my eyes shoot straight up and to the side of the house where Tristan's bedroom window is. Is this why you didn't answer my texts or calls? Are you okay, Trist? Are you okay?

I think about how Tristan's mood and mannerisms have changed since he told me about his sister. I could sense something was wrong, but I couldn't quite place my finger on it.

Why am I so stupid? I should notice these things, I should ask about them.

But I don't want to be pushy, and I would never make Tristan do anything he wouldn't want to do.

Sighing, I cross my fingers and give the Hammond house a last glance before I get into Lila's car.

Please be okay, Tristan Mason Hammond. Please remember that I care about you.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

❦

Woah!! I'm not dead!

Good news, guys. I'm back on Wattpad after nearly 24 days. It feels good.

PLEASE DON'T MISS THE NEXT CHAPTER. I POSTED TWO UPDATES!!!!

Thanks for reading!

- W

Mandarin Vocab in This Chapter:
Wo ai ni - pronounced "wuh aye knee" - definition: I love you
Erzi - pronounced "err-zuh" - definition: son