Playlist: Bed Peace (feat. Childish Gambino) - Jhene Aiko
The sheets were wrapped around my legs, the cool air from the summer breeze filtering in through the window. I stared at the ceiling, catching the curtains flowing softly out of the corner of my eye. I sighed, running a hand through my sleep mussed hair. I turned to stare at the neon numbers blinking from my alarm clock; 3:16 AM. I rested my arm above my head, absently spinning the ring on my left finger around. I glanced at the man fast asleep next to me. The fingers on my right hand twitched as I rejected the feeling of running my hand over his buzzed hair. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to still the rumblings in my stomach. I should be happy; looking forward to the big day. Only one more week and I'd be Mrs. Derek Stanger. I took a deep breath, turning my body away from my fiancé, pulling the sheets further up to cover my chest.
I curled onto my side, thinking about all the choices that led me here. I wasn't unhappy, but I definitely wasn't in love. The man I agreed to marry was the epitome of the perfect boyfriend, fiancé and soon-to-be husband. He really was perfect, but also incredibly normal. Why was I constantly rethinking my decision? This was the path in my life that I had chosen. I wanted to live a normal life. No ghosts. No poltergeists. No demons. No angels. Nothing of the paranormal variety.
The shimmer of the moonlight reflected off the diamond on my finger. My eyes trailed up to admire the intricately detailed ring that I had been adorned with. I was never one for pretty things, I liked simplicity. Something Derek didn't seem to grasp. I didn't need the finer things in life. Not with my history; history that I would never be able to confide in with my fiancé.
I closed my eyes, hoping to find sleep but found that I all I could see were those dark brown eyes staring back at me. I brought my palms up to my eyes, pushing them into my sockets, trying to expel the memories from my mind. What would he say if he saw the ring I was sporting? He'd laugh and make some asinine comment about how gaudy it looked. I twisted my hands into fists, missing the first and only love of my life. I managed to live for years without a single thought of him, now one week away from my wedding day and he was plaguing my thoughts. I even found myself comparing Derek to him. It was unfair of me to compare two different men to each other but I couldn't help but notice all the things that Derek didn't understand about me. Was he blind? Or unobservant? Derek didn't even seem to notice how withdrawn I'd become. Maybe he did notice and was blaming it on stress?
I let out another involuntary sigh and pulled my body into the fetal position. I snuggled into the sheets, shoving my face into my pillow. I willed the tears that had welled to disappear and began counting down from one hundred. I would fall asleep and start fresh tomorrow, locking away all memories of Sam Winchester.
~(SPN)~
I slammed the gas latch closed, hanging the nozzle back up. I rounded my Range Rover, climbing into the front seat, starting the ignition. Only two more days to go. The ceremony was going to be small, I didn't have any family to attend, only his. The little friends I had made in town were invited, but they weren't really all that close. I pulled out of the gas station, making my way to the dress shop across town.
As I drove along, I heard the echoed vibrating of my phone from the cup holder. I rolled my eyes, assuming it was Derek checking up on me. His intentions were always admirable, but I was a grown woman, I didn't need a keeper. I let the phone ring, ignoring it. I reached the boutique and parked directly out front. Only grabbing my wallet and keys, I jumped down from the SUV making my way to the front door.
The clerk at the front desk brandished a brilliant smile my way, guiding me to where my dress was being kept. I kept the fake smile plastered to my face, fooling all the women in the shop. We made small talk while I waited for them to get everything they needed in order. I paid them the difference of the hold and gingerly carried the dress out, back to the car.
I looped the hanger onto the hook by the back door, laying the dress out across the back seat. I shut the door, hopping into the front again. Out of habit I picked up my smart phone expecting to see a few missed calls and texts from my fiancé. I scrolled through my unread messages and found one from an unknown number. I opened it, staring at the words written out across my screen…
Can I see you?
There was only one person in the entire world who would contact me from an unknown number. Straying away from my better judgement I typed back.
Where're you staying?
I gripped the sides of the phone while I waited for the reply. Would it come immediately? Or would he make me wait. My heart pounded, blood rushing through my veins. I jumped when the reply came causing the phone to vibrate in the palm of my hand.
Dusted Inn, Room 16.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I dropped my phone into the cup holder, forgetting all plans to respond to my fiancé. I threw the car into drive and drove the fifteen minutes to the far side of town. I deliberately parked the car in front of the diner across the street, just in case someone came looking. I turned off the ignition, staring out the windshield, staring at the no vacancy sign that was now flashing in front of my eyes. Six years and now he's suddenly in town? Why was he here? Was I ready to see him again? Was he working a case? I know I'd been out of the game for a long while but I like to think I'd notice something odd happening on my own doorstep. I gripped the steering wheel deciding on whether I was really going to walk across the street. Maybe this was my closure. We never properly ended whatever we were. This was my chance to make it clear, once and for all.
