Chapter:
A/N: Thank you for being patient. Hope you enjoy this new chapter. Not sure if I'm gonna connect Linda to Erika or not, but it is something of an intriguing idea.
Disclaimer: I own none but the ones you never saw on TV.
Linda shut the door slowly, her eyes narrowing. She fought to keep her voice at an even pitch. "Do you know me?"
The momentary elation Bradin had felt flattened in an instant. That wasn't Erika's voice, and upon closer inspection, looking past the bruises, not her face. Similar, but not her. He shook his head, "No." He picked his bag up off the floor and tossed it unceremoniously onto the couch. The white pallor of his face turned crimson. He became accusatory. "What are you doing here?" he snapped. "Who let you in?"
Linda's head reeled back, surprised by the teen's sudden change in mood. "I...I uh...I'm staying here for a while." She chewed nervously on her lower lip. "I'm a friend of Jay's." Ava reached the back door just in time to hear Linda utter the last words. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing that Linda wouldn't realize what was going on, but wishing she hadn't said it just the same.
A thundercloud rolled over Bradin's eyes. His hands clenched the wheels of his chair, knuckles bone white against the rubber. He spat venom when he spoke, and aimed most of it in the direction of his aunt. "A friend?" he snarled. His head snapped in Ava's direction. "And you're just letting her stay?"
His voice rose progressively as he yelled. "That's sick Aunt Ava!" He wheeled forward, stopping beside a small end table. "How could you let him? Can't you see! What? Does he think it's gonna bring her back, screwing some random girl that looks like her? He doesn't even care!" Tears glistened in the boy's eyes.
Ava came in slowly, her heart going out to her nephew. Still, his attacks were unfair, and that he had to know. "You don't understand Bradin, honey."
"Bullshit! I understand...."
Linda moved for the kitchen steps, eyeing the back door longingly. She set the peanut butter on the counter. "I think I'd better just go. I'll wait for Jay in his room."
Bradin's rage was boiling over now, his frustrations and anger of the last months ballooning beyond his control. He peeled his eyes from his aunt and trained them on the imposter. "Get out," he snarled. He struck out with his arm, swiping two picture frames and a vase off the table. Glass shattered and skittered across the ground, making Linda jump. "Get out!!" The dark haired girl darted for the door, brushing past Ava without so much as a glance.
Ava tried to placate him. "Bradin, please calm down and listen...."
"No! I don't want to listen to any more bull Aunt Ava, no more lies. Just leave me alone!" He turned his chair and sped into his room, slamming the door shut behind him. Ava's shoulder sagged. She was going to be late to pick up Derrick. The house was empty, silent. Her knees trembled and she sank to the floor, sobbing with her head in hands.
--
Linda paced Jay's tiny room off the side of the house. She'd flipped on the lights, but it still seemed dark. There was a silent, almost palpable despair lingering in the stagnant air. The room was in utter disarray, clothes strewn about the floor. A surf board hung on pegs on the wall, and papers had scattered off of Jay's small desk.
Linda sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped tightly in her lap. She chewed on her lower lip, as she stared edgily around the room. She didn't dare go back into the house. She sat there for a few minutes, till she began incessantly tapping her foot on the floor. She rose with a sigh, pacing the small space. She stopped in front of the desk, her fingers resting lightly on the wood.
Grasping the drawer handle, she pulled it open slowly. It stuck, and she noticed that it was overstuffed. She pulled harder, and the drawer shot open. Papers practically exploded, spilling out onto the floor. There were pictures too. She noticed the edge of a picture frame near the rear and she grasped it gingerly, spilling more papers and pictures as she removed it. The glass was cracked, obscuring the photo inside. Curiosity piqued, she undid the clasps at the back of the frame and removed the photo.
Linda sucked in a short breath. Goosebumps raised up on her arms. Jay, a much happier, tanner, heavier looking Jay stared back at her. His eyes were lit and a wide smile played upon his face. But what surprised her was the girl next to him, arms wrapped around his shoulder and looking just as happy. They could have been related, they could have been sisters. She set the picture down on the desk and rooted around. All the pictures in the desk had the girl. Many were dusty, some crumpled or torn, but in all they were happy pictures. A weight settled on her chest. "What the hell did I get myself into?"
The sun rose the following morning in a cloudless sky. Shimmering pink streaks gave way to a crystal blue canvas. Jay trudged through the sand banks up to the house. He didn't go to the main building, peeling off to his apartment. He rapped lightly on the door with his knuckles, but no one answered. He pushed the door open. The room was pitch dark and he went to the window first, pulling back the blinds. He turned, his gaze sweeping down to his bed.
Linda lay on her side, legs slightly splayed below her knees, on top off the sheets. She hadn't changed out of her clothes from the day before, not even kicked off her shoes. Her right arm was slung across a pillow hugged tight to her chest. Her head was nestled in the crook of her left arm. He moved back for the door, not wanting to wake her, and sighted his desk. His jaw tightened when he saw the pictures strewn over the surface. His hands clenched, and he cracked his thumbs. Behind him Linda began to stir.
The dark haired girl sat up in the bed, brushing her hair away from her face. "Hey," she greeted. "Morning." Jay didn't turn, didn't answer. "Jay?"
The Australian walked over to the desk. He held out his hand for the photos, but stopped just short of touching them. His fingers trembled. "What were you doing?" he asked darkly.
"I was just looking around a little."
"Why? What gives you the right?"
Linda stood slowly, but stayed near the bed. "Who was she Jay? And why am I here?"
He spun, face red. "You don't go digging up the past!" he yelled. "Especially when it's not yours to dig through."
"You didn't answer my question. I feel like I'm in a sideshow of freaks! And I just want somebody to tell me what the hell is going on!" Her back was up. This was the second time in two days she was being screamed at because of the girl in the photo and she still didn't know why.
"You're here because you needed someplace to stay, but that's it. Stay out of my things, and out of my past." He stalked toward the door.
"Who is Erika?"
He stopped mid-stride, resting one hand on the worn wood doorframe. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "How do you know her name?"
"I caught the name in the midst of the verbal barrage I got hit with last night. Here I am diggin through your fridge when all of a sudden this kid in a wheelchair no less starts freakin out on me. And I'm sorry for rooting through your desk, but I was just looking for some answers. I've all these questions," she sat back on the bed, voice going quiet, "and no answers."
Jay squeezed his eyes shut. "Bradin. I didn't even think."
"What did I do?"
"You didn't do anything." His shoulders sagged and he sighed heavily.
"It's because I look like that girl, isn't it?" Jay nodded, his jaw clenched as if in pain. "What happened?" she implored.
His chin fell to his chest. "She died, and you're a ghost." An uneasy silence settled between them. He glanced over his shoulder, "It's not your fault. It just is. Go inside huh? I'll be in in a minute." Linda complied soundlessly, scooting by Jay and heading up to the back door. Jay went back to the bed, picking up the picture of him and Erika as he went, and sat staring at it.
Inside the house Ava puttered around the kitchen, preparing pancake batter while Johnny brewed coffee. He leaned against the countertop, steaming cup in hand. He was fighting back a grim smile. "Come on Ava, I think you're letting everything get to you."
"You didn't see her Johnny. She was all beat up and..." Ava snipped. She ladled the first of the batter into a hot pan. "And you didn't see Jay and Bradin's faces when they saw her."
"All I'm saying is that there is no way this girl could look that much like......whoa." Johnny's eyebrows shot skyward, his jaw slack. Ava's gaze darted to the door, where Linda tentatively stood.
Linda's face flushed. "I really wish people would stop doing that."
Ava elbowed Johnny's side. "I told you." The designer set down the batter. "Come in, please. Have some coffee, something to eat. You didn't come in for dinner yesterday."
Linda leaned in, though her feet didn't move. "Is uh, your boy up? I don't want to upset him again."
"No, the kids will be asleep for another half hour at least." She waved her hand at her. "Come in. You sleep all right?"
Linda ascended the small flight of stairs, accepting a mug of coffee. "Yes, for the most part. Have a headache though," she touched the side of her head gingerly, "no great surprise there though huh?" She managed a weak smile.
"Do you need anything?"
"Um...clothes maybe. Think these are starting to get a bit rank."
"Okay, well, I may have some samples that would fit...."
"I've got it covered Ava," Jay's voice interrupted. "There are some boxes...at the back of my closet. Take what you need."
"Jay..."
"It's okay Ava, really. I mean come on, they'll definitely fit." No one laughed at the weak joke. "It's okay." The other woman nodded slowly. "So?" The Aussie questioned. "Do I smell pancakes?"
--
Bradin wheeled himself down the nearly empty corridors at the high school. The lunch room was at the opposite end of the school from his English class. He'd been in a dark mood all day, not saying a word to anyone, not that he was particularly chatty on a good day. Everyone else in the house seemed fine with Jay bringing home an Erika look alike, but he wasn't. He couldn't believe Jay had replaced the so called 'love of his life' so easily.
Ava had tried talking to him again on the way to school that morning, but he'd turned up the volume on his CD player to drown her out. He didn't want to hear it. Now he wished he'd kept the player on him, when he heard another all too familiar voice. "Bradin!" He didn't stop. Footfalls came fast up behind him. Callie darted in front of him and stopped dead, making him halt as well. "Bradin I need to talk to you."
"I don't want to talk Callie."
"No, I need to talk to you."
He didn't look at her, but started back toward the cafeteria. "Go away."
"But Bradin...."
"No!" he rounded the corner in the hall. Suddenly his hands fell away from his wheels, and he felt like his heart had stopped in his chest. Everything was cold and the roar in his ears made him near deaf.
There she was, just as he remembered. Blonde, skinny, with her little ski jump nose and face best called cute. Sarah. She stood outside the cafeteria door, hanging on the arm of an Junior Bradin couldn't recall the name of. She turned, her hair flipping around her shoulders and her eyes locked onto his. Her smile died, and she pulled her boyfriend away. He was dimly aware of Callie still at his side. "I wanted to tell you Sarah was back," the other girl muttered softly. "I thought you should be prepared."
Bradin didn't answer. He spun his chair and headed away from the cafeteria, away from Sarah. "Bradin!" Callie called after him. To her credit she didn't follow, a small favor for which he was grateful. His heart was hammering, he had to get away. The bell rang and kids flooded into the hall. It was then that he noticed a kid in dark, baggy clothes, the same one from the day before.
He wound his way through the crowd, eyes locked onto his target. "Hey!" he called. The kid kept moving, into the back hallway. Bradin followed. "Hey! Wait up."
The kid spun. "I thought I told you yesterday to keep your nose out of my business."
"I know."
"Then what are you, stupid?"
"No." bradin twisted in his seat, digging around his bag. He pulled out a twenty and leveled the other kid with his stare. "I'm desperate. What have you got?"
Chapter 7
Okay,I know this has taken a while, but hope it was worth the wait. Obviously bradin has some issues, and so does Jay. No, Callie and Bradin never got to the point where they were considered a 'thing', but it's a nice plot device. Please read, enjoy and review!