A.N. I didn't know if I'd be able to update on time today, because I had literally 6 or 7 tests in the past 2 weeks (mostly this past week.) On top of that, when I went to write today I couldn't concentrate because I felt like crap. I only got a little sleep because I had 2 finish a book 4 book group overnight... So please enjoy! Here are today's songs:
Half of my Heart – John Mayer
Where I Stood – Missy Higgins
Haven't Met You Yet – Michael Buble
Enjoy!!!!!
I couldn't concentrate on my work all the next week, between being kissed (kind of) by Chase and losing Halley. The fifth time Renee caught me milking the same cow within a span of an hour, she told me to go home.
"Are you okay, Angela?" She asked, walking alongside me. I was a little irked at the fact that she seemed to think I needed a babysitter, but also comforted by her presence. I nodded slowly, then thought better of lying and shook my head vehemently. I crossed my arms as if to hold in a secret physically, and refused to tell her why when she asked.
"Sorry," I whispered. "I just don't want to talk about it." Renee frowned, grabbing my arm and dragging me away from home. "Wha-"
"This calls for drastic measures," she explained, pulling me along with strength equivalent to six energetic, well, cows, I guess. I groaned, not bothering to fight the iron vice that was her grip, rather letting myself be dragged along unceremoniously. "In with you," she commanded firmly, pushing me towards a building I hadn't been in before. Honestly, I'd hardly noticed Sonata Tailoring before now. I was thrust into the shop and immediately assaulted by it's cotton candy inspired paint job. A short girl with huge pink buns, or curls, or something on the sides of her head approached, all business. There were pretty daisies placed throughout her hair, and I tentatively fingered my short hair, wondering briefly if I should consider doing something to my do, before dismissing the idea. How much hairspray does she use anyways?
"Hello, Renee. Who's that?" If I had been emotionally stable I'm sure I wouldn't have been as offended as I was by this girl talking about me like I wasn't here.
"Angela," I said stiffly. "Kevin's younger sister. And you are?" The girl stiffened at my attitude, and I resisted the childish urge to stick my tongue out at her.
"Luna," she spat out, glaring at me dangerously. Renee looked thoroughly confused by our hostile greetings, and quickly fought the flames of our encounter.
"Claws away," she snapped, letting out a rarely seen assertive side. Reluctantly, we backed down, throwing each other one more glare meant to pique the other. Needless to say, those cross stares would have sprung up a cat fight had Renee not been right there. I had a sudden desire to make that un-marred face of hers crooked with my cast, and admonished myself for my sudden violent tendencies. What was wrong with me?
"What do you need?" asked Luna, barely friendly.
"Do you know where Candace is?" asked Renee, seemingly unaffected by our attitudes once again. "We have an emergency that only her guidance can help." Luna nodded stiffly.
"Candace!" Her yell was short and loud, making me jump slightly. Seconds later a girl with long, indigo hair pulled into twin braids appeared from the other side of the shop where the kitchen was situated. Unlike Luna, who sported a bright dress, Candace wore a modest cardigan over a high-necked shirt and a long, modest skirt.
"Y-yes?" she whispered. Renee smiled, giving Candace a hug suddenly, then making short work of introductions. I found that although Candace was painfully shy, she had an air about her that seemed to draw people to her. I found myself smiling genuinely as she gazed at her feet while Renee talked at her.
"Candace, Angela here has got something bothering her in a big way, and she won't tell me. I assume she isn't caught up in Russian gangs or drugs, but because she won't talk about it I can't be sure." My eyes widened in surprised that Renee of all people would say such a thing.
"Hey!" I cried, slapping her arm lightly. "I'm so offended right now, it's not even funny!" Candace giggled softly and I turned a horrified expression to her. "Not you too! I hardly even know you and you're already teaming up with Renee against me?" Candace shook her head, slowly opening up to us and losing her shy demeanor.
"Angela," she said, choosing her words carefully, "I don't know you that well, and I can already tell that something is bothering you." I leveled a glare at the girls, who both just stared back blankly until I let my face drop into my hands.
"Are you going to hold me captive or something until I talk?" I moaned. My question was met with silence, and I raised my head to see both of them seriously considering what I'd just said. "Wait a minute," I protested, throwing up my hands. "You can't seriously be considering holding me against my will to work out a non-existant problem!" I cried, backing away slowly.
"Last resort?" Renee asked Candace, completely ignoring my comment. Candace nodded in serious agreement, and I grew desperate. "I've just been having a hard time sleeping, and adjusting after Halley's death!" Both true, but not the whole story. Unfortunately, neither of the girls were exceedingly stupid, and knew that.
"Candace don't let her leave," commanded Renee, and she sprinted out of the shop. If I had wanted to leave, I suppose I could have, but one look at Candace's pleading eyes kept me rooted in place. I hated to admit it, but I was trapped in a place that I didn't particularly want to be. The silence between us wasn't exactly awkward as Candace was a naturally quiet person, but it wasn't quite comfortable either. I shifted my weight from foot to foot until Candace finally told me I could sit down. No sooner had I done that, then Renee burst back through the door in a cloud of giggles and smiles with a petite blonde in tow.
"Renee?" I said, waiting for an explanation.
"Oh, you'll never believe who I ran into at the General Store!" cried Renee, dropping a bag on the table with a 'thunk.'
"Um, Kathy?" asked Candace, motioning to the incredulous blonde behind Renee.
"How'd you guess?" asked Renee, spinning to Candace with wide eyes. I could feel my mouth hanging open in disbelief, and Candace's face mirrored my own.
"You brought her with you?" Candace said, wording it as a question. Understanding lit Renee's face and she slapped her forehead lightly.
"Duh! Sorry, I had a Kevin moment." She turned to me. "No offense." I shook my head in dismissal, eyeing the parcel suspiciously.
"What's in the bag, Renee?" I asked, shrinking into my seat in an unconscious attempt to disappear. Her face lit up with joy, and she dumped it on the table. I groaned inwardly, planning my escape. "Makeup? Really?"
"There's nail polish, too," Kathy pointed out, flipping her blonde ponytail over her shoulder to play with her lengthy locks.
"Why me?" I asked no one in particular.
"What was that?" asked Renee, raising an eyebrow at me. She looked, well, dangerous. I gulped nervously.
"Nothing. Why all the beauty products?" All three of the girls looked at me like I was a small child who was having a hard time understanding something basic.
"You have something you're not telling us." Renee.
"We're really worried." Candace.
"I have no clue, but I need to get to work soon." Kathy.
"Ow! What was that for, Renee?" cried Kathy.
"Don't be so callous," she reprimanded.
"Um, guys," I stated hesitantly, "my only problem is that three crazies are holding me hostage, and are about to torture me until I make up a problem to share in hopes that they'll stop." That was met with silence, and three girls advancing slowly, each with their own weapon of choice. Kathy was wielding a tube of lipstick like a pro, and Renee was advancing with a sharpened eyeliner. I wondered absently where she would stab me with it, as it served no other purpose. A furrow formed between my brows as I noticed what Candace was holding.
"A tape measure?" I asked, confused.
"I make clothes, Angela. It's my job." I nodded, understanding now, but not any happier.
"How is this supposed to get me to talk?" I asked, not understanding their plan. Renee stopped advancing just long enough to explain.
"We're going to earn your trust one way or another, and this seemed like a good way to get in some female bonding time." I shook my head. They were way off the mark if they thought makeup would make me open up.
"I do trust you. I just don't have anything to-" I trailed off as the door slammed open and I heard a familiar voice that made my breath catch.
"If you would just get that stove fixed then my shirt wouldn't be-" He stopped talking as his eyes met mine. My breath caught in my throat, half clogged from tears, half from longing. His shirt was unbuttoned, and the entire right side of it was partially charred. Apparently he had lost a fight with a malfunctioning stove at the bar. I hardly noticed as Hayden walked in behind him, shaking his head at Chase's temper. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears and I felt faint, the whooshing of Chase's breath reaching to me across the room. I felt so close to him, our hearts connected, but so far away. I wanted to walk over to where I could reach out and touch him, but I restrained.
"Oh," breathed Renee, understanding what I had only just begun to. The hurt look in Chase's eyes reminded me of the last time we'd seen each other, and I felt suddenly as if my heart had been torn from my chest. I would gladly give him my heart, but I was too scared. I felt a reassuring hand rest on my shoulder lightly, but I pulled away, stumbling away. I was experiencing an emotional overload—my brain short circuiting as it was asked to process so many emotions in a matter of seconds.
Without a word, I shoved past Chase, gasping as our skin made contact and fire lept across my skin. I know he felt it too, as he stiffened noticeably. I didn't know why I couldn't let him into my life; didn't know why the heat I felt when I was near him was too much for me to handle. We could easily fall in love if I could let go of my inhibitions. Our passion would be unrivaled, burning slow and hot like molten lava.
"Angela!" cried Renee and Candace, but I ignored them as I shot out of the building and sprinted out of town. I tripped my way down a sandy embankment, not sure where I wanted to be—what I wanted. Falling to my knees as the waters edge, I let all my frustration out as I screamed long and loud, hearing my voice echo over the choppy waters. The sound was raw and infuriating; infuriating because it symbolized that I couldn't deal with my own emotions. I dug my hands into the sand as my scream tapered off into body wracking sobs. I was digging violently, scraping the sand aside in a wild manner. I was digging for something that was just out of my grasp—control. I could see my blood staining the ground at my feet, could feel the pain splitting apart my fingers, but I couldn't stop.
I felt strong arms encircle me suddenly, and I fought wildly, thrashing about.
"Stop!" I sobbed brokenly, beating at the loving embrace wildly. "I've-I've got to..." I stopped, not sure what I needed.
"Angela, it's okay," whispered Kevin, turning me around to hold me close in his broad chest. It made me reminiscent of my childhood. I weakly hit his chest repetitively then slowly calmed, my arms falling limp at my sides, my cries quieting to pathetic hiccups. I absently studied the blood that was spattered on Kevin's shirt, searching the obscure patterns for a pattern; looking closely should there be a hidden message telling me what I was looking for. I had sunk to an all-time low, searching for the meaning of life in blood patterns from my masochism. I needed to talk to Chase. I needed to hold Chase close and never let him go.
Or I could just talk to him—that could work.
A.N. Sooooo..... What do you think? I have this story planned out for a few chapters, and I hope you guys like it so far. I'm always open for suggestions and changes, even though I have a rough outline... Thanks to all my reviewers! You guys are amazing!
Thanks to the following for reviewing on the last chapter:
iChocoLove
Yutzii
Rinrin-09
shadetheechidna666
Rini (not an account)
Now please review everyone! That periwinkle button looks so appealing, right? Go ahead and make my day (or week, or maybe even month!) Let's try and go for 10 reviews this week! Dream big, right?
