Part two is finished! I had already written most of this before I uploaded the first part which is why this is done so quickly.
Chapter three is going to take some time because I haven't even though about where I want this story to go. I'm really happy with the feedback I've gotten so far, I hope this lives up to expectation and I welcome any feedback, comments and suggestions any of you have!
Enjoy!!
July 2006 -- Callie
Pulling into my drive after dropping Lexie off I still can't wipe the smile off of my face, my car is still filled with the smell of her perfume. What is wrong with me? No girl has ever had an effect on me like this, usually when I meet someone I've bedded them by now and will already be chasing the next piece of tail. But there's something about her I just can't seem to shake, something that's making me feel... I don't know. I give my head a good shake before turning the ignition off and making my way into the house.
The second I step through the door the hairs on the back of my hair stand on end, somethings not right. It's eerily quiet, the lights are on and I can hear the television in the front room but there's something wrong. "Lana?" I call out for my sister, she should be home tonight. I know she likes to party with her friends, I don't encourage it but seeing as Dad usually is usually propping up a bar somewhere or is in his study too drunk to function, it's just the two of us. She makes me aware of her plans and I make sure she gets home safe.
"Callie?" I can hear a muffled response come from the kitchen, it's my sisters voice but she doesn't sound right.
When I step into the kitchen I drop to my knees and shuffle to where she's cowered in a corner, her eyes are red and there are clear tear stains on her cheeks falling across an angry looking red welt.
"Jesus, Lana. What the fucks gone on tonight?" I can't keep the panic out of my voice as I pull her into my arms, I can feel my baby sister shake in my arms and a surge of rage flows through me. "Did he hit you?"
Dad's an angry drunk, he usually contends himself with just shouting about something but he's never hit either of us. He usually acts like it never happened in the morning but the peace is always short lived. I can feel Lana nod against my chest and I pull away.
"Where is he?" I think she can sense the rage in my body by the grip I have on her bare arms, my blue eyes sit on her deep brown ones. Unfortunately I inherited my father's appearance. Lana is all mum, she has all the Italian beauty my mother had, dark hair, dark eyes, gorgeous olive skin. People never believe us when we say we're sisters.
"Callie, please don't. He's asleep. Don't leave me." I pull her to me again and smooth her hair down. I know in that instant I need to get her out of here.
"Go get some shit together, it's late we'll go to a hotel tonight and then I'm driving you to Nona's tomorrow."
"What about you?"
I run a hand through my hair and pause for a moment, Nona lives a good two hours away and even though I've only just met her I don't think I want to be that far away from Lexie. "I'll visit. It'll only be for a few weeks whilst I calm things down here, try and get him sober long enough to make him see he needs to sort his shit out. But you'll be safe there and I'm old enough to handle daddy."
We both go upstairs silently, I can hear my father snoring in his room, turning to Lana I hold a finger to my lips to keep her quiet and gesture to her room. I peel off and step into mine and throw some clothes and necessities into a holdall and wait downstairs for her. My car keys are in my hand and my legs feel restless, all the good feelings from earlier this evening have well and truly vanished. It's taking every ounce of self-control I have not to run upstairs and beat the shit out of the man that gave me life. He was always a drinker but since mum died, it's gotten worse, there are some days where I don't even recognise him anymore.
Eventually Lana comes downstairs with a large suitcase, I sling my hold all over a shoulder and take her case off of her and she follows me back out to my car. Filling my boot with our things I get in start the ignition and pull out of the driveway at speed.
"Where are we staying tonight Cal?" Lana's voice is quiet when she speaks, I glance over at her and take her hand in mine.
"I don't know, I'm going to drive to a few hotels in the area and hope we get lucky. I have plans in the morning that I can't cancel but once I'm done we'll make the journey to Nona's ok?"
"Sure."
We fall into silence as I drive from hotel to hotel in the hopes of finding somewhere with a vacant room, I'm about to give up when we finally get lucky. It's a rundown place with threadbare carpets and tired looking decorations but it has a bed, a bathroom and that's all we need.
Lana climbs into bed without even getting undressed and falls asleep almost instantly, I switch out a light and change into the pyjamas I've packed myself before lying next to her and for the first time since dropping Lexie off I check my phone. When I see I have a message from her the panic and anger I've been feeling not vanish but ease, like she has some kind of calming influence on me.
I had such a good time with you tonight, I had every intention of waiting for you to get in touch first but I got impatient. I hope you got home safely. Xx
Hey baby, yeah got home fine. I had a good time as well, I didn't want to take you home but I'm trying this new thing where I actually try and act like a decent human being. I'm going to be frank with you, I've had some stuff go on at home tonight and for reasons I don't want to get into I won't be alone when we go for breakfast tomorrow. My sister will be with me is that ok? I'm driving her to my grandparents tomorrow and I really don't want to not see you. Xx
I feel nervous about the way she'll react to meeting Lana, I mean we've had one date. I've never let anyone meet my family, for good reasons to be honest. Why would I let anyone close to the train wreck that is my father? Before I can contemplate this anymore my phone chimes in my hand and with bated breath I look down and open the message.
Are you OK? Of course that's fine, I know you said you don't want to talk about it but I'll listen if you ever change your mind. Callie, I have a feeling you're harder on yourself than you need to be. The person I met tonight... well let's just say that regardless of any past transgressions, the only reason people have those opinions of you is because I doubt you've ever let anyone see the person I saw tonight. I want to see more of this person. I can't stop thinking about this person. Xx
One day I'll tell you all about it but not yet. You're quite the romantic aren't you? Here's me thinking it'd be me sending you all the messages in the attempt to charm you but here I am, well and truly charmed. What time do you want picking up tomorrow? Xx
Ha, I wouldn't say I'm romantic but I have a few moves of my own. Is 9 too early? Xx
I wait with baited breath to see these 'moves' (; 9 is perfect. Just like you. Xx
You're so full of shit. Baby I only hope you can handle my moves (; I'll leave you with that because I'm going to sleep. It's been quite the night. Before you ask, yes I will. Sleep well gorgeous. Xx
I don't reply I just set an alarm, put it on charge and tuck my hands under my head. Staring up at the ceiling I have the biggest smile on my face. For the first time in I don't know how long I feel like I have this shining light at the end of my long dark tunnel. The last few years have been rough since losing mum, Lana had just started secondary school, I was just about to do GCSE's. Things at home had never been easy but mum was great, dad drank but he actually wanted to be around his family. He was never the angry, hateful piece of shit he is now. Mum did everything for us, she taught us to speak Italian, she taught me how to play piano and guitar. She cooked with us, sang, laughed and played with us. And after she died... well there's no point in dwelling on it.
