Saintwood: Senior Chaos

nge and so

a

s help that summer until he went back to school. It left Nik lost through junior year. He got into more fights, which didn’t make Mom and Dad happy. Austin a

the bakery. Dad figured if he gave Nik space, and Aunt Kate kept Nik busy, i

pened the summer before our senior ye

i

hile since I last saw him, but we kept in contact. He was the one person who saved me from losing my mind after what happ

at, then shut it. I walked towards the house and up the steps

exhaling. Man

led,” Leo said, taking my bag from me. He wrapp

en-size bed, and there was a dresser. There were a few pictures. I walked over to the

Leo. “No,

rong?” Leo ask

I said, fidgeting

ngers. “Hey, it’s me. I know you’re ner

ven’t been with anyone

sh my ex would take a long walk off a short pier,” Leo said

been a while

’s the grief you deal with in your way. Going down the self-d

t Leo. “Yo

s right,” Leo said, w

yourself, Leo,” I sa

making it positive. Although people would flip to find out about us since there was such a sizeable age difference. I didn’t tell anyone in my f

with it, but the age was a significant factor for Leo, and I got it. An older college gu

night, I made the mistake of drinking. I let my grief take over and kissed Leo. He stopped me from doing anything that I would regret because he knew I was

o snapped his fing

realizing he was talking.

te’s bakery? You know your dad w

ed, “I

don’t be a grumpy Gus.”

s that I started rambling until Leo pulled me into

t go of me

” I an

,” Leo said, dragg

” I y

ous nelly. Kate lo

ide, making the bell chime. Kate heard

urprise,” Kate said, ki

as always,” Leo

ived. I swear your dad is such a w

ate.” I hugg

laus?” Kate asked me, gi

’m doing shitty, but

ee and lunch,” Kate said as we sat down at a

e sipped her coffee. I took a sip, and she as

nose. Did you ever have hot coffee come out of y

off me as Leo patted my back. Once I found my

. “Don’t play dumb

in shock, and I look

say anything,” Kate

Leo. “Did yo

gave Leo a look, and he confessed, “Oka

y lips, givi

Leo qu

even told my par

It’s fine,

air. Kate looked at me, “Nikolaus. You ne

y, and it was also a nervous habit. Then my phone rang

into the back, taking the call. After twenty

ng okay?” Ka

ing sure I’m not causing issue

ried about you

tain obvious,”

s!” Kate

I shouted as I got up

of it,” Leo said

at the creek, looking

” Leo

n’t need another

to deal with your an

he worse of me. I can’t do anythin

that,” Leo

is!” I

. “Nik, they worry about you. They know you’r

I be angry with

t me, and I shouted back. He was trying to get me to rea

t he took it until he grabbed me, and I stopped fighting. “Why did Mike leave me? What did I

k him from you. You did nothing wrong, baby,” he said, soothing

lked to Matt. Zane came in and handed m

kay?” Zane

Am I okay?” I said as I held the cup.

of me on the coffee table. I looked at him. “Take i

someone whom you l

,” Xavier

ou know what I’m feelin

o,” Angelo said, takin

asked with

ing my senior year in hig

ngelo with fu

iver,” An

n and took a se

e world along with everyone around me. I asked all the s

ugh it?” I questioned, lo

y destroys you and everyone around you. They’re all grieving like you are, but they are grieving

id some thought.

you once were. Death changes people, but yo

now,” I admitted

e old Nik. You won’t be the same Nik as before because people change afte

rms around me from behind me. “We

Leo’s arms. I looked at him and t

life lessons you learn on your own. It’s an excellent thing that I have p

summer would change m