Late nights

XXXV

Tom woke up. He remembered he had all the time in the world since he didn't give a precise answer of how long he needed to be alone. Even though he promised to make the revenge plan better, he had no intention of giving it any thought. 

He went to his garage to check up on everything he had put aside for the plan. Being alone made him relaxed and happy, even though he was still thinking about the plan from time to time.

Emily, on the other hand, was helping Caroline progress the plan by texting Harry. They had to improvise every message but that only made it more fun. 

- What's the end goal again? - Caroline asked in the middle of chatting.

- To teach him a lesson by putting him in a position he hates the most - being locked in his room without any plans.

- How do you plan to do that? He can walk out whenever he feels like it.

- You're right about that, but he can't drive anywhere, he can't spend too much money and now he's under constant supervision from Olivia. We have three ways blocked just for him. This isn't the end.

- And what happens when summer ends? It won't last forever and you two are in the same class.

- ...I don't know, I didn't think about that yet. - Emily got worried.

- You still have time, but you need to figure all that out. But to not fill up your mind, do you want some weed, ma'am? - Caroline smiled.

- I think I'm good, thank you. 

- Ah damn, well, you do you, I guess. I remember when we used to get high together. What happened?

- You know exactly what happened. I grew up. No, just kidding, I don't know, I guess I'm just putting effort into things. Also, when I'm high I can't do any school work, so I better not.

- It's summer, there is no school work.

- I understand that perfectly well, - Emily laid down on her bed, - I just don't feel like I need it, you know? Lola doesn't smoke either.

- Lola is a different person. You two are nothing alike, - Caroline lit her joint, - also, she sometimes does, but only to support me. She's busy a lot of the time.

- She smokes to make you happy? - Emily asked.

- Well don't put it that way, it doesn't sound nice. She just does it so I'm not alone. She also asks for me to play chess with her in exchange but I'm really bad. I don't really tell her because I simply don't know how, but honestly, I'm so proud of her. It's difficult to express emotions, isn't it?

- I don't know, emotions seem pretty fine to me. I think you're just scared to open up. Honestly, the best way to communicate is to just tell the truth. You're gonna bottle up all of your emotions, and what then?

- Get a bigger bottle?

- No, what? You need to let them out because if you don't, the bottle is gonna break at some point. It's better to release that pressure instead of letting it explode.

- Yeah, you're probably right. I have to tell her somehow because I am proud of her and I want her to know that.

- Listen, if you want her to know that, just tell her. Straight up, don't try to be funny or do something, just go up to her and say that you're proud of her. Because now you haven't told her anything like that. She's a grandmaster Caroline, a grandmaster. That's like a master, but grand.

- I know. You're right, I should just tell her the next time we meet. Today is a different day. It's a day of getting high and laying in bed, maybe eating in the process. 

- A productive day ahead, I see.

- By the way, - Caroline fell onto her bed, - you smoke anyway, so why not choose the better alternative?

- Hey, I'm trying to fix that problem too, so don't even.

- Okay okay, fair game.

Everyone had split up for a couple of days. Some to think, some to rest. Whatever the reasons were, they knew they couldn't be alone for very long.