"What did you think you were trying to do?" Rowen asked, handing me a glass of water.

I glared at the floor, refusing to speak. I couldn't believe I chickened out of my own scheme so early. If our roles had been reversed, Rowen wouldn't have backed down until he had me shouting at him. I couldn't even get him angry. 

Rowen sat in front of me on the coffee table so that I would have no choice but to look at him. "You provoked me on purpose," he accused. I looked away in annoyance, but he took my chin firmly and made me face him. "Kevin," he warned.

The words I had been wanting to say to him ever since I had overheard his conversation with Rick burst forth before I could stop them. "You've been lying to me," I stated.

Rowen raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't act like it's not obvious!" I snapped. "I know you're moving."

The dumbfounded look on his face lasted a total of two seconds before it was wiped away and replaced with a scoff that was almost too good. "That's absurd," he lied. "Where did you hear something like that?"

When I realized he didn't plan on being any more honest with me now than he had been before, I stormed past him into the bedroom. He followed after me, his act wavering in desperation. "Did Rick tell you that? He is always playing pranks. I mean, look at what he did to you just a week ago? Honestly, I have no intention of-"

I whipped around, glaring at him. "I can't believe you! Don't you dare blame this on someone else!" His words had spiked more anger in me than either of us had expected. "Do you know how hurt I was to find out you weren't going to tell me? I trusted you!"

He opened his mouth to protest, but I was far from finished.

"After everything that has happened between us, I thought you could at least be honest with me. I thought we could be honest with each other," I said. "I was stupid for believing you would ever be anything more than a selfish liar! But then again, all you've ever done is lie to me, so why am I surprised? I should have expected it by now."

I turned on my heal and slammed the bathroom door in his face. He attempted to open it, but I locked it. He rattled the handle. "Kevin, please-"

"Fuck off!" I shouted over my shoulder.

I braced myself against the sink as I ran a hand through my hair. My breathing was ragged like I had been running and my eyes burning with hot, angry tears. I was so immature, I couldn't even face him when it mattered most. I splashed water on my face to cool myself down, but it didn't help, especially when I could hear Rowen pacing the floor outside the bathroom. All the built-up stress combusted at once as salty warmth spilled down my cheeks. How could I be so blind? Rowen had never been honest with me. He only looked out for himself. Whatever reason he had for moving, he didn't care who got hurt in the process.

That was the worst part, I realized. I shouldn't be hurt by this, I shouldn't even be surprised. Rowen was making me care, and I hated him for it.

*******

That night, I stayed locked away in the bathroom. I couldn't bring myself to leave. In the morning, I found myself alone in the house. Rowen left a note saying he was going to make a phone call in town and would be back by noon. At least I would have some time to sort out my thoughts.

I made myself some breakfast and retired to the living room. I watched the weather as I ate. They were saying that the flooding had died down quite a bit and that most cars could make it through. I glanced out the window at the semi-clouded sky. It looked humid, but not rainy.

The next thing I did was start packing. I got the few clothes I had and put them in a disposable bag that Rowen wouldn't miss. Finished with that, I wrote a note for Rowen so he'd know where I went. I hesitated slightly when I went to sign my name. He would probably be disappointed that I left without saying goodbye. But he was leaving me the same way, so what did it matter now? I set the note on the bar top and left the cabin.

In a few minutes, I reached Rick's place. I knocked lightly. Rick opened the door and poked his head out. When he saw me, he raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Kevin. Did things go okay last night?" he asked.

"I want to go home," I said. "Today."

He glanced behind me as if looking for Rowen. "I'll take that as a no," he muttered. "Did something happen?"

"It doesn't matter," I said, remembering the events of the night before. "I just want to go home."

He looked hesitant, but he held the door open for me. "It's a long drive," he said. "Make yourself comfortable while I get some stuff together."

I sat down on the couch, resting my chin on the top of my bag to wait. About an hour later Rick called me from the front door and we got into his truck. We pulled away from the house slowly, driving down the main road, heading towards town. I hoped we didn't run in Rowen as we were leaving. That would cause nothing but trouble.

Thankfully, we didn't. The air in the car was tense for a while, but as we started into the deserted trees, I relaxed back in my seat. It was twenty hours of driving ahead and weeks of memories to leave behind.

*******

Rowen opened the front door of the cabin to silence. Kevin was nowhere to be seen. He must still be locked in the bathroom. Rowen set his keys on the counter in the kitchen and started looking through the fridge for something to eat. He managed to swallow down a sandwich and some water, leaving his plate on the counter. He was passing the bedroom door when he stopped to listen.

Kevin was being quiet.

Rowen doubted he was still sleeping, but it was unusual for him to stay angry for so long. Normally, he would have swallowed his pride by now. Rowen remembered their argument. How had he known about the move? Rowen hadn't told him anything, and even if he had blamed Rick initially, he knew Rick wouldn't have told him either. But Kevin had known and he had been angry about it. He was right though; Rowen had lied to him, in more ways than one. The more Rowen thought about it, the more worried he began to get. He decided to come clean before he made things worse... if that was even possible.

Rowen entered the bedroom quietly and knocked on the bathroom door. "Kevin?" he called softly. "Can I come in?"

There was no reply. Rowen frowned and turned the door handle. The bathroom was empty. Rowen started calling around the house, but he eventually stopped, realizing he wouldn't get a reply. Kevin wasn't there.

Intent on checking around outside, Rowen was walking towards the door when he saw a piece of folded paper sitting on the bar top counter. He hadn't noticed it when he walked in. Opening it, Rowen read the contents.

"Sorry I couldn't tell you in person, but I'm going home. My mom is probably worried and I have things that I have to finish before the school year starts again. I know you would have preferred to take me yourself now that the flooding has stopped, but I don't want to go with you. I think it's best if we keep our distance from each other. No hard feelings about last night. I'd appreciate it if you just forgot about it. Once again, sorry for the short notice. Have a good rest of your summer.

- Kevin"

Rowen dropped onto the couch in defeat, staring out the living room window. He left. He didn't even say goodbye... Rowen's shoulders slumped. He knew it was his fault. He had, yet again, driven away the only person who cared.

*******

Subscribe to my YouTube at: Melanie Eberheart

Donate to my Patreon at: patreon.com/MelanieEberheart

Buy me a coffee on my Ko-fi at: Ko-fi.com/melanie_eberheart

Tweet me on Twitter at: twitter.com/MelanieEberhea1

Check out my Facebook at: www.facebook.com/melanie.eberheart.1

Or follow me on Tumblr at: nekosaysmeow333

- Nekoco