“Will you uh…will you go out with me…?” he asked sheepishly.

I giggled at his awkwardness nodding yes, which lead to him kissing me again, this time just a little longer.

I couldn’t have him standing in my doorway all night, and he wouldn’t have been able to stay over until morning because I had to get ready for school, and I didn’t want him getting in the way.

So after what seemed like only half of the time we actually spent out there, I had him on his way. I kissed him on the cheek saying, “Goodnight Mikey,” and then watch him descend down the hall to the stairs.

I shut the door making my way back towards my bedroom. Once I finally got back under the covers and comfortable again, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I was too busy going over everything
that had just happened in my head.

Things were really looking up.

*

I didn’t sleep very much that night, so I just stared at the ceiling drifting in and out of sleep until five o’clock.

When that time came, I hopped out of bed and to the kitchen, making breakfast and lunch.
Harley came out of his bedroom soon after and he looked very happy. “Morning. Did you speak to Mr. Toro yet? And who was at the door last night? Or was it dad?” he asked.

“Whoa there bud, one question at a time,” I chuckled, setting his cereal on the table for him. “But yeah, I spoke to Ray and he was super excited. Said we could come over whenever we were ready.” I said, grabbing a spoon and taking a bite out of his cereal. If there was one thing I loved more than Monster energy drinks, it was frosted flakes. Generally speaking about food I mean.

“That’s great! When are we leaving?” he asked; mouth full.

“I was thinking either Friday or Monday. However long it takes for you to get your stuff together. Or mine for that matter.”

“I can start packing when I get home today!”

I laughed. “Wow, you’re more excited about this than I am.”

At this point I had went to my room to get dressed, coming back out to grab the lunch I set out on the counter.

As I walked to the door to go see Frank, Harley stopped me by asking, “So who was knocking on the door last night?”

I turned around smiling at him. “Mikey Way. Gerard’s brother.”

“The tall one?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, the tall one.”

And before he could ask what happened, I was out the door, and down the street.

*

When school was let out later that day, I left with a smile on my face. I hadn’t told Frank what happened the night before when I saw him but I could tell he noticed I was a bit more upbeat than usual.

As I waited at the corner for the light to change, the memory from last night started to resurface. I still couldn’t tell if what had happened last night was real, but I hoped to God it was.

I broke from my thoughts when the streetlight turned green, signaling for me to walk. Once Harley got home from school (which would probably be before I got home,) we’d pack up and gradually we’d make our way out of that dump of an apartment. It just isn’t healthy to stay there
anymore.

Finally arriving at my building, I trekked up the stairs and to my door, and – just as I’d suspected – Harley’s door was wide open, and he was shoving all of his clothes in a suitcase.

“Whoa, whoa, slow down there,” I laughed. “Let me help.”

After dumping everything out of the suitcase and then folding it all and placing it back in, Harley was pretty much packed up. I didn’t think an 8 year old had that much clothing. Believe me when I say that he had to sit on the damned thing before I got the zipper to zip closed.

*

The week went by fairly quickly, and by Friday Harley and I were all packed up. All there was left to do was leave, but I had to do one last thing.

Harley was waiting on the couch with our two suitcases standing next to him, as I sat at the kitchen table with a pen and paper.

I tapped my fingers against the wood table as I thought of what to write, and then it came to me.

Dad,
Don’t know if you’ll ever get to read this but I thought I’d try anyway. I guess I’ll come right out with it then; I’m taking Harley and we’re moving in with a close friend of mine. There’s nothing for me or him here anymore. Since mom left you completely forgot about us to wallow in your own self misery and that sucks. I would’ve killed to just have a normal conversation with you the first couple of days after she was gone. But now I realize it isn’t even worth it. So this is me telling you goodbye probably for the last time. I don’t know if you’ll ever come to your senses, but if you do I hope that you realize it’s too late to fix everything. Just know that even though Harley and I are gone, we still love you daddy.
With love,
Alina

I read the letter over quickly, giving myself a small nod at how it came out. Scooting out of the chair, I placed the paper in an envelope. I walked over to his bedroom door and slid the envelope underneath.

“Alright Harley lets go. Ray’s waiting for us,” I smiled, walking back over to the couch.

I gripped the handle of my suitcase and he followed suit following me to the door. He waited out in the hallway as I stood in the doorframe looking at our so called ‘home’ for the last time.

I finally shut the door and we walked down the stairs and out of the building, a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders as I took the first step out onto the sidewalk.

Any feeling of regret I had disappeared when Harley smiled up at me as we waited on Ray’s doorstep.

Notes

Hey guys I know it's been months, but I just haven't been able to think of what to do for this story. I know that's no excuse though and I'm sosososo sorry.
This story was never going to be that long and I might end it in the next chapter. I don't want you to think it's cause I just gave up; trust me it was originally only going to be about 9 or 10 chapters anyway.
I know this is really short and I apologize but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless
Your comments and subscriptions are greatly appreciated and I love you all
xoxopoison