As She Fades(18)

Everything was fresh here. Different.

I stood up and went to the first box. Right on top was the photo of Crawford and me at prom. It was in a silver frame that I’d shopped for just a week before the accident. I sat the picture on the nightstand and the familiar stabbing in my chest returned.

I missed him. I missed him so much.

That smile wasn’t one I’d seen in—it seemed forever now. Just seeing him smile used to make me feel at ease. I would do anything to get him to smile. But I realized that often I did whatever he asked, and didn’t think about what I actually wanted. Had I really lost myself over the years in trying to please him? Had he noticed?

I looked around the room again. One thing was for sure—I was finding me now. When he did wake up, I wouldn’t be the same girl. I’d be the one he fell in love with in the beginning.

Mom was right. This was my new start. I had to be strong and learn to live my life. It didn’t mean I’d forget the life I’d had with Crawford. That was part of who I was. It would always be there.

When he woke up, so much would change yet again. I shook my head. I couldn’t think about that right now. I would finish unpacking and find food. Maybe go to the gathering hall downstairs and see if Mae was around. I liked her better than my roommate anyway. And with that thought, I glanced back at the pink furry pillow on my bed and rolled my eyes.

My clothes barely fit in my closet. Mom had gone overboard. I had more pairs of shoes than one actually needed and my matching teal-blue towels had V monogrammed on them simply because my mother had a monogramming machine and she thought I wouldn’t lose them this way.

The bathroom that I was to share with Everly was packed with all her stuff, so I was thankful I had baskets to put my things in and neatly stack against the wall by my closet. Once everything had a place, I broke down the boxes and went to read my welcome letter again because I knew it had said something about where to take the recyclables. Especially the boxes, since there would be plenty this weekend.

After reading over the directions twice and memorizing them, I picked up my stack and headed for the door. The line for the elevator was worse, so I decided to take the stairs since I was just on the third floor. I had to go to the bottom, then out the back entrance, take a left, and find the first blue Dumpster.

I dropped a few boxes off the top three times before I got to the bottom of the stairs. The elevator may have been easier. But I was here now, so I headed out the door and toward the Dumpster. My forehead had broken out into a sweat and my arms were burning.

“Here, let me help,” a guy I couldn’t see because of the stack of boxes said, and then they were gone. I had never been so thankful. “Got them,” he said, as if I hadn’t already realized that.

“Thanks,” I told him, sounding way too winded and out of shape.

“No problem. I just hauled my sister’s down here.”

He was tall and a ginger. He was the attractive kind of ginger, though. Very Prince Harry. His muscles were impressive and on display with his T-shirt. I didn’t stare, though. That would be rude.

“That’s nice of you. My brother didn’t hang around that long, but in his defense he had to go unpack himself. “

“I don’t know how nice it was of me. My parents made me swear I’d help Mae until she was finished. And if I bailed she’d have called our dad. So…” He shrugged, then grinned.

“Mae, as in the girl who writes unique names in a journal?” I asked, thinking it would make sense for them to be siblings. Both redheads with friendly personalities.

“That would be Mae, her and that stupid journal,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

I laughed. “I made it into that journal, thank you very much.”

“Did you, now? Well, I need to hear your name then. I’m Charlie, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand.

“Vale,” I replied, and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Charlie.”

“If you’re wondering, we have a younger sister named Anne. My parents never once got creative with the names. Guess that’s part of Mae’s issues.”

He made me smile. Much like his sister. “I think Charlie, Mae, and Anne are very respectable names.”

He chuckled. “My mother is British. She’d like that comment. She agrees with you.”

“Really? I was just thinking you reminded me a bit of Prince Harry.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “And here I thought we were going to be friends.”

That made me laugh, and laughing felt really good. The tightness in my chest eased, and I took a deep breath.

“Could be worse. You could have said William. At least I’m the rebel son.”

I nodded. “A compliment for sure.”

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Here comes Mae. She’s ready for me to go. I can see it in her eyes.”

I turned to see Mae headed our way. “Stop flirting with my potential new friend, Charlie.” She paused and looked at me. “Another common, boring name. My parents, gah!”

“He was actually helping me with my empty boxes. They were kind of heavy,” I explained.

“Oh, good. He’s being helpful. Thank you, now run along. It’s time I take Vale here for a good cup of coffee and some of the best ice cream she’s ever had.”