East Kids - Tessa & Elijah

Chapter 21

Tessa

The door of my bathroom opens with a soft creak and Jil steps back into my room. There is still a deep sadness in her eyes that I have never seen before, but the corners of her mouth are no longer so knitted down.

She wears a dark T-shirt and long pyjama pants from me. Only the socks she wears belong to her. I stretch out my hands to her and ask her to sit down next to me on the bed: "Do you need anything else? Maybe a sweater, so that you don't get too cold at night? I can hear that I'm worried about her. After all, I have no idea what's wrong with her.

Silently she shakes her head, but still comes slowly shuffling towards me and drops onto the soft mattress next to me. "Thank you for being there for me," she looks down on the floor: "You're really my best friend." Gently I put my hand on hers and hook my fingers with hers: "And you are mine". I give her a soft smile and hope to show her with my gestures that I am always there for her when she needs me.

For a while we just sit there, our hands crossed, her shoulder on my head, staring silently at us. Somehow I have the desire to say something, but I have no idea what. I'd like to know what's going on with her, but if I ask now, I might lose her and I don't want that. Torn between these thoughts, I ponder, waiting for her to say something.

At last I have found the courage to open my mouth to say something, my mother's voice sounds from the lower floor. "Tessa? Do you have a visitor? I pinch my eyes together. I have completely forgotten my mother.

Actually I had planned to talk to her, but she had been in her office most of the time since Jil's arrival and I didn't want to disturb her. Unfortunately, I was so busy with my girlfriend that I forgot to go down to see her.

Immediately I feel my girlfriend's fingers cramping. "Don't worry. I'll sort it out," I detach myself from her and get up from bed: "My mother won't mind. After all, you almost belong to the family. My last words make sure that she can finally bring herself to a smile, albeit a small one.

"I'll be right back,' I promise her: 'Should I bring anything to eat up with me? I have already noticed that her stomach is growling. First she hardly reacts, but then she nods.

With a confirming nod I disappear from the room. How to explain all this to my mother remains a mystery to me. If I at least knew what was going on, my chance of understanding would probably be much greater. But somehow I can manage it. I have to make it. Jil counts on me.