Hey everyone. Thank you so much for all the positive feedback. I just got done editing this chapter, so I thought I'd come post it for you. Here's a thank you for each person who replied:
mackenzie175: Hey, girl! I definitely remember you. How have you been? Well, I'm sorry to have crushed you when I stopped posting, but things aren't as crazy now and I am absolutely going to finish this time. :) Thank you so so much for saying my story was your favorite. You have no idea how much that means to me. You're the best:)
HJS-NS-23: Thank you for reviewing. I'm really glad you enjoyed the first chapter and I hope I don't disappoint with this next one.
troryrogan: Thanks! I'm glad you couldn't wait for the next chapter. I like putting readers on the edge of their seats. :)
BeautifulMe-89: I'm so happy you reviewed. And obviously, I'm really happy that you're interested. Thank you for the praise!
xxlovin-laffertyxx: Haha, I'm lovin your username. It's true for so many girls. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reviewing. It was really awesome of you to say you loved it. :)
Nathanlvr: Hey, I'm guessing you were reading this on the site that messedUP was posting on? Well, I kind of disappeared for awhile and I just got my life back (lol), so I decided to continue with this story. Thank you so much for all of your really nice compliments, I'm so happy you loved it that much. I actually have written a brand new chapter written, so if you want me to send it to you, you can send me a message or email me.
pingshui: Hey! Glad to have found another old reader. Thanks so much for reviewing and I'm glad you were hooked. :) Yeah, I think this story might've gotten deleted or something on the other site, but I will be finishing it on this one. I have chapter 14 written already and I can send it to you if you want. Just let me know. Thanks again!
lIKe-A-dRoWnInG-fIrE: Thank you so much for a good review. Compliments will get you far in life and with me, well in the way of new updates that is. lol.
daddyzangel108: Hey! Wow, I missed you. I remember way back when I wrote that series and you used to reply all the time. As always, you were really sweet. Thanks for always being here to make me feel good about my writing. :) You rock!
Chapter 2:
Fuck. That's the brilliant thought racing through my mind as I finish packing. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Coming in telling me I have to pick up and leave Alabama to go live in some little rinky dink town called Tree Hill. In North Carolina. As if Alabama isn't bad enough. If there was ever a time I needed a miracle, it would have to be right now.
He's probably getting a kick out of this. I'll bet you he's downstairs right now laughing his ass off. I mean, who wouldn't be? Coming to pick up a bitch of a 16 year old from some place in Alabama that isn't even on the map, whose own grandmother doesn't know her name and is certifiably insane, to take her to live with her cousin who tried to put the moves on her. It was hysterical. If you weren't said bitch.
I can't believe this is happening. My own flesh and blood is doing this to me. It's like they're playing hot potato. I mean, seriously, am I really that bad? Don't answer that. Oh crap. I am. I'm already dying, now my own family doesn't want me? Why don't I just sit down and throw myself a nice little pity party? I mean, victims of situations like these should be allowed to wallow, right?
I take a few deep breaths, the kind that are supposed to help your nerves or something, but I know it'll take a hell of a lot more than a little oxygen to calm me down. Could things possibly go any more wrong? I close the bag I've just finished packing roughly. I hope Grandma won't mind that I took a few totes from her. Then again, she probably won't notice.
Now, I can go downstairs and get back to the hot, cocky bastard that has nothing better to do than come here and waste my time, feeding me some lame shit about how, well, your aunt doesn't think your grandmother's responsible enough to take care of you. Of course she's not dickhead! I should be the one taking care of her!
But we'll not discuss this guy's obviously low IQ and severely limited mental capabilities. They are no concern of mine.
Suddenly, a voice comes from behind me, a voice I've already begun to recognize. Which is unfortunate seeing as I have no intention of ever associating with him after this little incidental encounter. No sir, me and Mr. Cocky Ass will never have to converse again. "Are you almost done yet?"
Damn it!
"Excuse me?"
Whoops, guess I said that out loud.
"Yeah, actually. You did." Sensing my confusion, he adds, "No, I can't read minds. You said that out loud too."
I raise a brow at him. "Guess I'm not perfect. Try not to be too shocked."
He smirks. "Oh, trust me sweetheart, I'm not."
I roll my eyes. "Well, obviously. You're one dumbass of a guy."
"Whatever," he mumbles. Must be his catch phrase. "So, are you done?" Damn, he's impatient.
I glare at him. "No, I'm not, asshole . Now, please leave."
He leans against the door frame. "I'm not going nowhere until you're done."
"Anywhere, you're not going anywhere," I correct.
He just shrugs, not amused, and with another of my infamous eye rolls, I return to the task at hand. Five minutes later, I finish and look up. Surprise. He's still there. Somehow, this revelation doesn't exactly make my heart beat wildly in anticipation. In fact, the only reason it just sped up is because I'm pissed. Yes, I am livid with anger. I am furious. You can just see the sparks. Yeah…. Right.
"Done," I don't feel the need to speak in anything other than monosyllables to him, this oblivious… oblivious… I believe I've already used the words bastard and asshole. Therefore, he's an oblivious, for lack of a better word, idiot. I wince, though he doesn't know why. Damn, that was lame, I think. Better start polishing those witty remarks if I'm in for a long journey with this Nathan kid.
Why do I call him kid, you ask? Well, I believe maturity wise, he is on a level far beneath mine. Aside from this, there are various other reasons we will not name. It would be too humiliating for him. Yes, too humiliating. It isn't because I can't seem to think of any other ones right now seeing as how he is standing mere inches away from me. No, that can't possibly be it. Now, what was it I was saying earlier? Oh yes, I'm furious. Absolutely livid with anger.
He quirks a brow, that already too familiar smirk distorting his lips. "Well, then, I guess it's time for me to give you a ride."
I sigh. "Yeah, yeah, I'm tired of your perverted, egotistical remarks. This trip will be so much more enjoyable if you just keep those little comments to yourself. That, and you will never, under any circumstances, ever touch me for any reason at all. Got it? Good."
He follows me out the door and down the stairs, back into the kitchen. "Alright, I won't…. until you fall asleep at least."
I stop and spin abruptly to face him, surprised at how close his face is to mine. But I shouldn't be thinking of such things right now…. Because I'm furious, yes! Livid with anger. I can feel the fury quickly dissolving as I try desperately to hold onto the hate I felt for him earlier. But it's to no avail. Of course, he can't know that.
So I quip back, making sure I sound much angrier than I actually do, "I'd appreciate it if you'd just stop with all those little jokes you think are so completely original. Cause let me tell you, they're not. And I will knee you in the balls if I hear one again."
His smirk remains firmly in place. "Sounds kinky."
I throw my hands up. "You are impossible. I swear, it's guys like you who think women will just fall all over themselves hearing that shit. You think with your dicks. And I refuse to placate you, so shut up and let's go."
He raises his eyebrows in surprise for a few moments, then laughs loudly.
Now, I'm pissed. "What the hell is so funny?"
He calms down a bit before retorting, "You. I've never seen someone so short who could get so angry."
I glare at him, then realize there's really nothing I can do. "Let's go."
He glances into the living room. "Shouldn't you say goodbye to your grandmother?"
I look at him incredulously, something I've already grown accustomed to doing. "You mean, the one who thinks my name's Daisy? I think not."
He shrugs. "Whatever, it's your life."
"Damn it! Why does everyone always say that?"
His brow wrinkles in confusion. "What, you got some kind of problem with it?"
"No," I grumble. "Let's just go."
He doesn't move. "NOW!" I shout. Damn, this guy is slow.
"Your mistake," he mutters.
Just breathe, Haley I tell myself. And then, it comes back to me easily. I am furious! And this time, I really am.
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I step outside and really take a good look, for the first time, at the car sitting in my driveway. Ah hell no! This car is hideous. Well, to most, it would be one of those top notch cars celebrities parade around in, but since it is his, it's just plain tacky. He's leaning against it and halfway out the front door, I stop. "Hurry up!" he yells.
"What? And get in that thing?" I shout back. "No chance in hell I'm riding in there. You picked the wrong girl to escort."
He groans in frustration and stalks toward me. "What? Are you in like permanent PMS mode or something? Is there any way to shut it off?" he throws out, cupping my wrist roughly and dragging me toward his car.
"Haha, very funny. I…"
"Look Haley or Daisy or whoever the hell you are! I'm not in the mood for your complaints right now. I volunteered to come get you, yes, but I never thought you'd be this bitchy. Now, I'm tired of your whining, so shut the fuck up, get in the car, and don't say another word, or I swear I will strand you on the side of the road." As we reach the car, he lets me go and takes my bags, tossing them into the trunk with ease. 'Damn, he must work out or something,' I think. Whoa, where'd that come from? No, no, no Haley. This guy is a pain in the ass and he is harassing you.
I watch as he slides into the driver's seat, but make no move to get into the car, instead opting to tap my foot impatiently on the concrete. He stares at me for a minute, then rolls down the window. "You coming or not?"
I give him a sarcastic smile and, being the sweetheart that I am, I respond with, "Well, I thought you were going all gentleman on me, seeing as you took my bags. Not gonna open my door for me, huh?"
He scoffs. "Just get in the damn car!"
I roll my eyes and get in the car as he instructed, intentionally slamming the door behind me and feeling a deep sense of satisfaction when he winces. "Wouldn't want to harm your precious little trophy car now, would I?"
Much to my chagrin (note sarcasm), he ignores me and pulls out of the drive, irritated frown intact. I suppose if we'll be traveling all the way to North Carolina together, I should be just a bit pleasant-er, you know, wouldn't want the entire ride to be spent this way.
But then I decide, what the hell? This is too much fun to stop.
I hope you liked that chapter. I know it was still a little short, but like I said: Be patient because the updates will get longer and better. And the more reviews I get, the faster that is likely to happen. Though I'm not selfish, so it will still happen no matter how many I get. I just really appreciate them. Anyway, thanks again to all who replied for the last chapter. I'll be back soon with the next.
Love, Ashley