East Kids - Tessa & Elijah

Chapter 22

Tessa

I stumble down the last steps and immediately face my mother. She has her arms crossed in front of her chest and gives me a look that I can't quite categorize. It resembles the way she looks at me when she sees a new guy in my room, but this time it's not just that. Instead, there is also a bit of uncertainty in it. I don't often see that with her. Otherwise she is the self-confidence in person.

"Do you have anything to say to me?" she points to Jil's wet jacket hanging from her coat hook. I swallow. How am I supposed to explain that to her?

"Yes, but I don't know how to explain it," I honestly say. "It's best just to start by explaining which guest we have here in our house," she suggests. "It's Jil", I bite my lip. "Jil", she asks again: "How did it come to that? "I can't describe it that precisely," I say cautiously. "Please just try," she gently puts a hand on my shoulder. "I don't know exactly what's wrong with her, but she showed up here about half an hour ago. With a face completely covered in tears. She was totally exhausted and asked if she could stay here for today."

Worry flickers in her eyes: "And what did you say? "I said that she could always stay here if she wanted to," I look at her uncertainly.

Normally I have enough self-confidence to stand by my decisions, but at this moment I have no idea how my mother will react. I'm just afraid that she will forbid Jil to stay here and send her back to her parents. I wouldn't want to do that to my best friend. It's not like she has bad parents, but today something seemed to be going wrong at home. Otherwise she wouldn't have asked if she could stay here for today. Then she would just have gone home.

She sighs thoughtfully and stares at me with a firm look. One could almost think that what she should answer is written in my face. In this situation she also seems completely helpless. We both want to help the girl, but we do not know what is going on and what we can do for her. That is probably what we call the famous dilemma.

"All right, she breathes deeply: "She can stay here for today, but I have to call her parents and tell them that she is sleeping here today. Besides, it would be nice if you would try to find out a little more. I'd love to help her too."

A happy grin creeps up on my lips: "Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate that." "Come here," she spreads her arms out a bit and quietly asks me to hug: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before that I wanted to move in with Cole. I should have warned you." "Yes, maybe you should have", I let myself in on the hug: "But I'm also sorry that I reacted like this. I should have given the whole thing a chance. But I've known Elijah for quite some time and we've never understood each other before." She doesn't answer, but she doesn't have to say it. I know for myself that she doesn't like this statement. After all, she so desires an intact family that will finally make her happy. I am totally in the way.