Chapter 5: Again
I've been searching for you
I heard a cry within my soul
I never had a yearning quite like this before
Now that you are walking right through my door
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
A sacred gift of heaven
For better worse wherever
And I would never let somebody break you down
Or take your crown, never
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I've searched through time, I've always known
That you where there, upon your throne
A lonely queen, without her king
I've longed for you, my love forever
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
-Lenny Kravitz
Shelby pulled her hair quickly back in a ponytail. Scott was supposed to pick her up in 10 minutes for lunch, yet she felt strangely hesitant. Like she needed to stay home. She shook off the feeling and applied some mascara to her eyelashes. She was so glad she'd taken this week off work. Had she ever needed it! The buzzer on her door went off and she jumped. Shelby felt stupid, being so edgy but she had a right to, after all she'd been through this weekend. She answered her apartment door and found Scott, once again, smiling at her door.
"Hey," she greeted him.
"Hi," he replied simply back. The phone rang. Shelby was busy trying to find her purse, so she ignored it. She didn't want to keep Scott waiting. Then, for a reason unknown to her, she answered it. Shelby regretted it the minute she touched the phone.
"Shelby?" she heard over the receiver. "It's me, Jess." Shelby nearly dropped the phone. What was her younger sister calling her for?
"Hey Jess," Shelby said, hoisting herself up on the counter top. "What's up?"
"It's mom." Jess said nervously. "She's in rough shape."
"What happened?" Shelby nearly screamed.
"She was in a car accident." There was a long pause. "Shelby I need you here."
"Oh my god." Shelby said. Then she watched, almost in slow motion, the phone slipping from her hand and hitting the floor. She buried her face in her hands, her newly applied mascara running down her face. Scott rushed over to her.
"What happened?" He demanded. Shelby pushed him away and ran into her room. She felt like a teenager all over again, going through one of her mood swings. She listened to Scott talking to her sister on the phone while she sat there, hugging her knees and staring at the wall through watery eyes. Scott would make it all better. She knew that.
* * * *
Shelby heard the click of a door handle being turned. She knew it was Scott.
"Shelby-" He began. Shelby stood up quickly. Her head swam and she could feel tears in her eyes. The two of them stood there for a moment, watching each other through new eyes. Suddenly Shelby rushed over to Scott, a fresh wave of tears cascading down her face. She huddled against him and let him wrap his arms around her.
"Shelby," He said very slowly. "Your mother needs you now. Your sister has arranged for a flight to Edmonton for you. You need to pack and call in to work. Then I can take you to the airport." Shelby replied with small, hiccup-like sobs. She knew she was being an emotional wreck, but this morning when she had woken up, her biggest plans were to go out to lunch with someone who meant a great deal to her. Now her world had been turned upside down. Scott released her from his arms and she floated over to her bureau and began to choose clothing to pack. She pulled out and old duffel bag and carefully put her chosen belongings into it. She felt like she was packing for a holiday. Only this was no vacation.
* * * *
The drive to the airport was full of silent emotion. Shelby sat there, clutching her bag. Scott kept his eyes on the road, not really knowing what to say. They arrived before schedule and Scott walked Shelby into the lobby. She turned to face him and say goodbye.
"I guess I'll be seeing you." She said. She was not going to permit her emotions to control her again.
"Yep." Scott replied. They stood in silence for a moment.
"I-" They both started at the same time. Shelby blushed and looked down.
"You go first." Scott said, smirking. Shelby waited for a moment.
"I want to thank you for everything, Scott." She handed him a set of keys. "You can stay at my place if you want and use my car until I get back." Scott nodded in reply. There was silence again.
"I guess I better be going now." Shelby said, getting ready to leave.
"Wait." Scott said forcefully." I have something for you." He pulled a dime-store ring out of his pocket. It was a plastic purple one, with a shiny purple "gem" on it. He slipped it on to Shelby's pinkie finger. "That'll have to do until you get back." He grinned. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
"Thank you." Shelby whispered, barely audible. Scott turned and walked away. Shelby watched him leave and then realized something she had never felt before. She felt loved.
Hope you guys enjoyed that! I'll be working on the follow-up soon.