For the third night in a row I woke in a cold sweat only to roll over and see my clock telling me it was still far from morning. Dreams with images of intertwined bodies and fists swept through my mind again sending a shiver up my spine. Just as I knew it would the thought of seeing Koal terrified me and only Vern knew half of the reason why, I never told her to whole truth about anything with Koal and I would keep it that way. Retrieving my mp3 player off the night side table where it resided by my clock that read 3:48 in the morning I turned over on my side, put in my headphones and tugged the blankets snug around my body. The only thing that seemed to calm me enough to return to sleep was my music which I guess is understandable. New Found Glory flooded through my head and I closed my eyes to the world focusing only on the music and not the clamor of thoughts in my head, the reunion, Koal, and past memories.
"Theres been a change in the plans" Vern entered the kitchen where I sat hunched over my bowl of cereal fighting to keep my eyes open. The lack of a good nights sleep over the past few days was taking its toll on me.
"What?" Her words had barely even registered in my mind as I shoved another spoon full of raisin bran into my mouth.
"Its not a week anymore, its been extended to two weeks because of the lack of people. Kristy's dad must be loaded I heard he was pay- oh my god you look horrible Laken! Are you sick?!" 'Wow she noticed' I thought to myself lifting my eyes to see her worried face.
"Yea, just haven't been getting much sleep" I was going to pretend to be sick, to get out of that bloody reunion as it had just clicked it my mind that thats what she had been blabbering on about but I knew she'd probably drag me anyway citing it'd help me if I got away or some other bullshit excuse.
"Oh I see..." She trailed off, walking over to the cupboard to get herself a bowl. I watched her from under my eyebrows as she sat down and got some cereal, waiting for her to continue with the previous subject but she didn't and I let it slide hoping she'd get the point and surrender to me staying home. "I'm going out with Marc tonight, club hopping, you should come it'd be good for you to get out." Again I stuffed more cereal into my mouth 'Sure Vern. I'm over tired, exhausted and being kept up all night by nightmares. Clubbing seems like a great idea!'
"No, thanks. You two go have fun, I'd rather chill home, try to catch up on some sleep" Clubbing wasn't really my thing anymore, hadn't been my thing since him and plus I didn't feel like being the designated driver for the whole town which I would end up being with my lack of taste for alcohol and all.
"Have it your way" Silence fell over us, which it seemed like it did a lot now since that cursed letter.
That evening I had the house to myself and it was probably the most boring night of my life, I was almost regretting tagging along with Vern. There was nothing on tv at all and I couldn't seem to just fall asleep out of boredom so I settled for playing along with some music. I wasn't a great guitarist, hell I wasn't even good but I practiced a lot...well..ok not a lot but I did practice. Eventually I ended up getting frustrated, my fingers sore and left with marks from the strings, and went back to the tv.
At around 1 in the morning, I was still mindlessly staring at the flashing pictures on the screen, when Vern practically busted down the front door, making me jump out of my skin.
"Woo hoo! Hey Laken your awake" She stopped in mid stride and gazed at me as I peered at her over the back of the couch trying to calm my heart.
"Well even if I was asleep you would have woken me up!" Her face fell only a fraction before that smile reappeared and she bounded over to me, kissing my cheek.
"Your my best friend you know that!" Then she was off again heading for the kitchen, kicking off her chucks along the way.
"How drunk are you!?" My shouting barely reached her ears as she started singing very loudly from the kitchen, taking down a big bowl and some glasses.
"Not even, shes pretty damn sober, two beer that is it" Marc was standing in the door way taking of his own shoes.
"Really? Well then what the hell is wrong with her?" Shoes off, he came into the living room, head down, and sat on the chair at the other end of the couch, both together made a right angle.
"Shes just happy thats all" His eyes were fixed on the tv, he hadn't looked at me once.
"So what's on the boob tube Laken!" Suddenly she was there again, setting three big glasses of pop and a giant bowl of popcorn on the small coffee table in front of us, before jumping back on the couch, did I mention shes awesome at her waitressing job too.
"Nothing" I eyed her suspiciously as she gave me a huge smile. "There hasn't been anything on since you guys left".
"I knew you should have come with us!" With that she was done talking, shoving a handful of popcorn in her mouth, she sat back and joined Marc in staring at the screen.
"What drugs are you guys on, seriously" Both just shrugged, completely off in their own worlds. Sighing I stood up, took my drink and headed off to bed, suddenly I felt really tired.