Sometimes life can leave you blind, but still you try to cover all the lies and ignore all the signs.
"That's right folks, it's Valentines day, who's your special person this year?"
The talk show host's annoying voice echoed through my head. I groaned and rolled over, pinning a pillow over my head.
I felt around beneath the blankets for the remote, I found it and aimlessly changed the channel. Sleep chased me down and soon I was back in the divine world of dreaming.
There was a light knock at the door.
"No!" I groaned, my voice muffled by the pillow.
The door opened slowly and Shannon walked in, his Mohawk was gelled into the air. I pulled the pillow back and gave him a confused look.
He smiled, "It's three in the afternoon, I know you're tired, cause we stayed out late last night, but you need to wake up."
"No." I said sternly then clamped the pillow over my head again.
The bed shifted as Shannon sat down, "Come on, you have to get ready. I'm dropping you off at Jeff's."
I pulled the pillow back, just enough for me to see him.
"What?"
Shannon sighed, "I know you're probably pissed at me still, for how I've been acting. It's stupid for me to try to control you. You're 19 years old, you can do what you want. So everyone else is going out to dinner but Jeff wanted to spend Valentine's day alone with you."
I smiled shyly.
He smacked my butt through the blanket, "So get up and get ready, I'm taking you up there in an hour."
"Are you serious?"
Shannon laughed, "She speaks!"
I slapped his leg then pushed the blankets back. I swung my legs over top of Shannon and onto the floor then sat up.
"I love you, brother." I said as I hugged him tightly.
He patted my arm, "I love you too, hulk."
I laughed, "Thank you."
Shannon nodded then left the room. I stood up, ran my fingers through my hair and went into the bathroom.
--
I looked myself up and down in the mirror, purple skinny jeans, a baggy black shirt and ballet flats.
Shannon knocked at the door, "Ready?"
"Of course, "
Shannon grabbed my tote and walked out of the room. I turned the light switch off and followed him through the house and into the garage.
I opened the passengers side door and climbed into the hummer. I'm a short little girl, at about 5' 5". It's pretty much needless to say that everyone else is about a foot taller than me.
Shannon handed me my bag and started the vehicle. He reached for the gear shift but hesitated before he pulled it into drive. He glanced at me and sighed.
"Listen, if you need me at all, for anything just call. I'll have my phone on."
I smiled, he's being caring in a caring way not in a 'if you do that I'll kill you' fashion.
"Okay, " I agreed then pushed the Atreyu cd into the cd player.
Shannon gave himself a proud smile as he pulled the gearshift into drive and pulled out of the driveway.
Does it all simply end in a blanket of darkness.
Ah, once again I find myself at the hardy house. It's becoming my second home.
I jumped out of the hummer with my bag over my shoulder. It looked like rain outside. Raining on Valentines day?
"Bye, bubby!" I said as I waved bye to him.
He stuck his head out the window, "Hey! Tell Jeff to come out here."
I gave him a weird look, "Uh, sure."
I jogged up the steps and onto the porch.
Jeff was waiting at the door. He put his hands on my hips and kissed me softly.
"Hm, I see you're spending the night once again." He smiled.
"It's valentines day, I'm not spending it alone." I said as I walked into the house
He laughed softly then went to close the door.
"Oh, hey, uh…Shannon wants you to come out there. I think he wants to tell you something, or something." I said as I put my bag down next to the door.
He raised an eyebrow, "Okay, I'll be right back then."
Jeff ran outside.
"Hey Jess." Matt said. He looked down at his horrible attempt at tying a tie.
I laughed, "Do you need some help?"
He nodded.
"Come over here,"
He took his tie off and walked to me.
"It's really easy, " I retied his tie.
"Thank you!" He said excitedly then hugged me.
I laughed and patted his back.
"Why are you all fancy?" I said as I sat down on the couch.
"I'm taking Stephanie out tonight. Somewhere nice, Shannon told her we were going to the bar. He's a cheap ass. But, I've got to go, the reservation is at eight and it's gonna take her an hour to get ready when she finds out where we're going. Tell Jeff I said: 'wrap your whacker before you attack her'."
I laughed and slapped his arm playfully, "I think he'd have to do something real fucking sweet before that would happen."
Matt clicked his tongue and inhaled sharply, "I think…my prediction will come true."
"Bye, Matt." I said as I ruffled his hair.
"Do not, under any circumstances mess up the 'do. Took me an hour to get this perfect."
I laughed.