Chapter 25

Jerome POV

"My head hurts," I announced to Alfie, sitting on the floor, my back leaning onto my mattress.

"Take some Ibuprofen," Alfie suggested.

"Listen, I don't like talking serious with you, but I have no one else to go to, so…"

"Hit me," Alfie tested, sitting up and looking at me.

"Am I a bad person?" I wondered hesitantly. I'm not completely sure I wanted to hear the answer.

Alfie just shrugged.

"Come on. I'm being serious."

Alfie sighed, "I mean, I don't know. What makes a person bad?"

"I don't want to be getting into all the philosophical shit. Just do you think I'm a good friend? Do people trust me? That stuff," I corrected.

"Ok, well, if we're saying good friends then yeah, totally. We get along great. And hey, people trust you… in the beginning at least," Alfie joked. "But if you're asking what I think you're asking… Uhh, maybe there's a few things you need to work on."

"Like what?"

"Like… You're holding back or maybe you're sharing too much? I used to be so good at this, but I got confused. Who's Ellen?" Alfie asked.

"Ellen's Gen's coworker, the one that she went to the teen parent support group with," I informed bitterly.

"You're mad," Alfie noticed.

"Am not."

"Are too. Besides, it's understandable considering you're feeling pushed out even though you said that's what you wanted but you haven't really had time to process your feelings, because you're too worried about Gen," Alfie theorized. "I've got it back."

"But I've been complaining to Gen," I reminded.

"Yeah, you are and it's annoying the hell out of her," Alfie said.

"What's your point here?"

"I have absolutely no idea," Alfie genuinely revealed.

I sighed, "Could you try to make a point?"

"Ok, ok, let's see. You can only control your own emotions and even then there's barely any control. Just focus on yourself and don't annoy Genevieve because she's probably having an even more difficult time controlling her emotions. Cool?" Alfie advised.

"Cool," I accepted, standing up to get ready for bed. I couldn't help but still feel a slight twinge in my head.

I barely left my room all of Sunday. I guess I didn't really have any reason to considering my homework assignments were starting to pile up.

Now, Monday, however, was a real treat.

Apparently Gen hadn't told Rebound that she would've been out for the afternoon. Therefore, I was painfully greeted by his smug ignorant face searching for Gen.

unfortunately was in great need of a glass of water. If only I could've been born without a throat! Unfortunately, I was in great need of a glass of water. Why couldn't I have been born without a throat?!

I was walking back to my room, a cup of cold hydration in my hand, when I heard the doorbell ring. I put my glass down on the entry table and opened the door.

There stood Theo - smug ass motherfucker, big hair, oddly short jacket, I-I just don't want to look at him.

"What do you want?" I asked rather sharply. Ugh, I didn't mind.

"I'm looking for Gen," Theo answered.

"Why?" I questioned. I wasn't going to let Theo know that Gen was out of the house without getting some information first. That would be just stupid.

Theo sighed, "I wanted to surprise her. Maybe bring her down to visit her grandmother. I mean, she hasn't been able to see her since the heart attack and-"

"Wait, wait, heart attack?" Gen didn't tell me her grandmother had a heart attack! Gen usually tells me everything. Her mum, her brother, all of it. Why didn't she tell me? Oh, wait…

"Yeah, did she not tell you? I totally thought she would," Theo subtly insulted. "Anyway, is she here?"

"No," I responded flatly.

"Where is she?" Theo wondered.

I hesitated with my answer. "Library," I lied.

"There's a library?" Theo wondered.

"S… yes," I stuttered.

"Oh, well, call me when she-"

"Who are you?" Victor called from the top of the staircase.

Theo's eyes widened with fear. That happens when you first meet Victor. Happens years later.

"I...I'm Theo Stunton. I was looking for Gen but-

"Genevieve is not here right now," Victor reminded abruptly.

"Yeah, I know that, I just, I'll go," Theo muttered, turning to the exit.

Victor walked down the stairs, playing with his keys. "Where did he come from?"

"Oh, um, he's in Mut House. He's Gen's boyfriend," I admitted.

Victor glanced at me confusingly. "Vermin," he muttered, strutting into the dining room.

"Love you too, Victor," I teased.

I picked up my glass from the entry table and made my way back to my room, my face heating up from anger. Theo gives me bad feelings. He makes my stomach swirl in a nauseating way and makes my knuckles clench. I wished I could say it was completely unbiased, but I could hear the little voice of my subconsciousness whispering my own prejudice and jealousy. I seriously can't believe that Gen told Theo about her grandmother before me. I guess we haven't been talking about anything other than the baby. I guess we haven't had the same relationship we used to. Honestly, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm surprised she's told me anything recently. Ugh, just stop thinking, Jerome. Gen can tell me what she wants to tell me. I can only know what I hear.