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Worried

Everleigh's POV...

I set down my book, got up to go check on Alaska, and get a cold glass of water. The clock that laid upon the wall only read 11:28. I huffed out hot air from my lungs and thought back to earlier this morning. I had made a fool of myself, but I just couldn’t believe that he had stood right there in front of me. I felt the heat that fell from him. The familiar smell. He isn’t even supposed to be home. I didn’t want to see him, or at least I think I didn’t. He left me, right? He left without saying a word to me. Without a note or letting someone else know to tell me. I had to hear front our small town talk, and my heart and head hurt for him. I tried calling, messaging, emailing. Everything and yet all I got was nothing. Absolutely nothing. After a while I stopped caring. After

But Colton, he is back, and for what? I spent months crying in my bed, depressed, alone, and sad.

I walked down hallway, and rounded the corner to peek up on Alaska. She slept peacefully. Like she was finally free.I walked into the kitchen to grab some water when Chloii walked in. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and then yawned while trying to spit out some words.

“What are you still doing up? You are usually in bed asleep by now.” her eyes searched me.

“I couldn't sleep much.” I looked down at the ground, and then fiddle some more in the kitchen hoping she wouldn't ask more questions.

“E’ whats up? Is everything okay?” she looked at me with such concern and love. A single tear slipped from my eye.

“He is back, Chloii. He is back and I don’t know what to do.” A cry came from within me and came out from my mouth. I brought my hand to my mouth fast to hush myself, so I wouldn't wake up Alaska. She didn't know which person was back even though they both were, but I wasn't ready to talk about them both

Chloii came to me and wrapped her arms around, and I fell to her.

“Who? Who are you talking about?” her eyebrows pushed together to make a v shape.

“Colton. He is back.” I spit out from the depths of my soul, even though it hurt to say so.

“Colton? What, where did you see him?” her expression changed.

“I ran into him at Kustard Kones. I wasn't even expecting to see him. I walked in the door and ran into Aiden, and I looked passed him because I thought that I had saw Colton, and I did see him. Chloii, he walked right up to me, and i just stood there like a child. I thought I was dreaming, but no it was all so real.”

“Oh E, you were in shock. Plus he was the one that left you. You have nothing to explain to him. Nothing at all." she said with love, and a mix of anger. I stood there in her embrace and just let the tears flow. All the hurt and anger I felt fell from my eyes. She waiting until I dried my tears, and was ready to talk.

"You want to go sit on the couch and talk about it?" she asked rubbing my arm. I nodded yes, and walked toward the living room. I plopped myself down on the couch, brought my knees to my chest, and closed myself off. My head hurt, and my body was shaking.

"After all this time, I still wanted to crawl back in his arms, and kiss him." I said looking up at her, " He was so close to me, and I could reach out and touch him. When he said my name it was like i just melted into a puddle. It felt all to familiar." Chloii let out a big sigh and looked right at me. I knew she cared and loved Colton like a big brother. It hurt her too when he left. It hurt all of us.

"What are you gonna do? What if he comes and looks for you? Are you just going to ignore him?" she said all to fast.

"I'm not sure Chloii. What he did hurt me. It hurt me bad. But him standing there, All the anger I had towards him left. I just stared at him." I looked down and noticed I was was making circles again, and stopped. My eyes felt heavy and my head pounded from crying.

"You look tired E'. You need to get some sleep." Chloii said looking at me.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to go to bed" I got up, and so did Chloii. She reached over and pulled me into a hug.

"We will get through this together. You and me." her lips curved up into a smile. I left her embrace, and headed to my bed.

I took off my clothes and jumped into the shower. I let the hot water hit me in the face. I couldn't tell between the water on my face and the tears I let fall which was which. They mixed in together, and I sank down on to the floor of the tub, and cried for everything that was going on.

I cried for Alaska, and the things she had going on. How was i going to raise her? Her Mom wasn't going to get her back this time. Was I even able to adopt her, could I handle that? I cried for the phone call from my mom. I couldn't face him, not now, not ever. I cried for Colton, and the things that were to come with him. Was I going to see him again? Would we get back together? Did he even want me anymore? What if he was married now, and had kids. I mean it has been two years since he left. A lot could happen in that time. I got up, washed my hair and body and got out. I walked to my closet and slipped on Colton's shirt, and crawled in bed. I laid there for about thirty minutes, until I drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning I got up, put some pants on, and went to let Gracie out. I was greeted by Alaska sitting at the kitchen table with her head in her head. I put Gracie outside and walked up to her at the table. I rubbed her back, and she peered up at me with tired eyes.

"You okay?" I said sitting down next to her.

"Yeah, i'm just tired and didn't get much sleep." I knew she was lying the moment the words came out of her mouth. I raised my eyebrows, and she caught on to what I was doing.

"I promise E. I'm Okay." She said with wide eyes, " Have you talk to my mom at all?" She said looking down. So this is what this is about.

"When I go into work this morning I will stop by on my way and see, but you should know. I cant always tell you things. Its for your own safety. Its just how things are." I said looking at her with worry linked into my voice.

"I know E. I know you will make it your goal for me to get home. You always do." She kissed my cheek and went off to her room.

The problem was I don't think this time she will be able to go back. The judge is going to see this is the fourth or fifth time her mom has done this within the past two years. The odds are not in her moms favor, and its going to be so hard on Alaska. and I don't even know if I will be able to adopt her. She has other family in another state. They aren't the best people, but they are way better then her mom. I was only able to be a temporary home for two weeks until I could find a true foster home for her. I got up from where I sat, let Gracie back inside, and then headed straight for my room. I got dressed in black slacks and a white blouse, put my hair up in a messy bun, said goodbye to the girls, and walked out the door. What was waiting for me was not going to be fun.