I hope you guys enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! These characters are becoming real to me and sharing their story with you gives me so much satisfaction. I am already working on the third (most likely last) chapter!
As always, let me know what you think!
XOXO-SkylerLuv
******
The phone rings over and over and over again. The voice mailbox is full and eventually there is no ringing anymore. I check my email but there is nothing. I have sent over fifty emails and yet there is no reply. I decide to buy a small-prepaid phone I can use for emergencies. I have a feeling she knows I try to call from Scar's landline. The phone rings once, twice: "This is Dani."
I breathe of relief "Dani," I haven't heard her voice in weeks. I want to tell her so much, ask her about even more things. "Dani?" I repeat.
That is all I get to say before she hangs up.
******
"I meant what I said yesterday." I say quietly in the back seat.
I still feel the sting of her slight rejection of my declaration of love for her. I do love her and I wanted her to know that yesterday when she was crying in my arms. I wanted to provide her comfort and in return I was met with silence. We cuddled for the rest of the night but we haven't talked about it since it happened.
Dani is staring out the window lost in thought. At the sound of my voice her expression changes. She turns her head slightly but doesn't make eye contact with me.
"I wish you didn't."
I suck in a breath and wrap my arms around myself. My heart feels tender from the second blow. I feel the tears threatening to overflow. What did I expect? Dani has told me time and time again that she can't do serious relationships. She has a dangerous past that I still don't completely understand and her heart is closed off to anyone who tries to get near her. So why am I taking on the role of the loyal puppy who keeps running back to the owner after it has been kicked a couple of times? I know why, I can't imagine letting go of this so soon. Especially not when I will be in an unknown town, with an unknown person, for the next couple of years
"Well I do." I say in a stubborn tone. My voice is thick. I want to give her every reason why I think we will be good together and why we need to stay in each other's lives but I can see she's just as stubborn as I am. While I am willing to put everything out on the line for her, Dani wants to keep me safe and if that means giving me up, then so be it.
The car makes a final turn and we end up in a quiet neighborhood in front of a small brick house.
A tall Asian girl wearing sweats and a white t-shirt walks out of the front door. She looks like she means business and I'm immediately intimidated. There is no warm smile or even any sign of happiness to see the car pull up.
The driver opens my door and I look at Dani before stepping out. She follows behind me and makes a quick gesture between the beautiful stranger and myself.
"This is Scarlet," The tall girl barely looks at me "Scar, this is Amber."
Scar gives me a quick nod but turns to Dani. Dani points to the house.
"Dave will bring in your bags. I'll be right behind you." The driver pops the trunk and throws two bags over his shoulder. These are all clothing and things Dani got for me this morning. She gave the sales lady my sizes and the lady kept piling close on top of each other until I was too embarrassed to look. I had not money to pay her back for this. Dani scoffed when I told her so.
Feeling dismissed, I lower my head and walk through the front doors.
The house looks like it has been lived in for generations. There are pictures of Scar with her family from when she was a young girl to her early twenties. The furniture is something my grandmother would pick out in a heartbeat. I'm almost surprised when I don't see plastic covers on the couches. I walk to the kitchen and lean against the island. I put my head in my hands trying to keep the tears at bay. I shake my head and look past the refrigerator with multiple pictures. I see a phone against the wall.
My feet slowly move to it. I want to call my mom but I don't think I can hide my fear in my tone just yet. I rub the sweat off my hands before picking up the receiver. After hearing the dial tone I call the only other number I know by heart.
It goes straight to voicemail.
"Hey Stacy..." I take a deep breath and clear my throat. "It me, your best friend in the whole universe." I feel my smile wavering. "Just calling to keep you posted. There are a couple of changes coming my way..."I bite my lip trying to think of the best way to say this, "I'm going back to school. Yay!" There is no excitement in my voice. "I decided it was about time. I'm tired of showing up to work expecting more out of my life when I'm not actually doing anything to it." I twirl the cord around my finger. "I got a full ride to a school...in Nevada. I know, I know, don't kill me. We'll talk more later, just know that I'm okay and I love you. And I will see you soon." I hope the last part isn't a lie.
******
I wake up yelling her name. Calling for her. My eyes have tears in them and I sit up hyperventilating.
Scar rushes to my room and turns on the lamp light on my nightstand.
I sit up and hiccup a couple of times before crying more loudly. The first couple of times this happened I was mortified and didn't want Scar to even see me like this, it is pathetic. But by the third month, I didn't care anymore.
"I'm here." She hugs me tight and runs her hands through my hair.
I hug her back and calm my breathing.
"I have to see her." I tell her again. It is a constant conversation we have every time this happens. "Scar, please tell her to come see me." I sound like a child.
She shushes me and rubs my back to calm my tears.
Six months of not seeing Dani is driving me insane, which is ridiculous considering I lived my life just fine before I even knew she existed. But on nights like this, I just want to feel her arms around me. Giving me the comfort I need. Being homesick makes this whole ordeal almost too much to bear.
"Why can't I talk to her?"
Scar sighs and pulls back. This is another question I ask every time but don't get a response. She brings up her hand and brushes a tear from my eye.