AN: Hey! So in this chapter there will be some tension between Jenna and Spencer. I'm timing this right after Spencer's dilaudid recovery in season 3, so he'll be craving and acting out. So yeah, enjoy!
Chapter 9
Spencer's pace picked up as we got closer and closer to the car. After the combination of dance and being forced into a social situation, I was completely drained and not in the mood to practically jog to the car.
We reached the blue Volvo and climbed in, all the while not speaking a word to each other. Spencer started the engine and backed out of the parking spot relatively fast, yanking me around beneath my seatbelt. As we got onto the high way he sped up even faster, then faster and faster. My stomach started churning from the speed and sharp turns.
"Spencer, don't you think you're going a little fast?"
He didn't answer. He kept his eyes glued to the road.
He maintained the speedy pace for miles and miles, only slowing down at stop signs occasionally. "This is so unlike him" I thought quietly. Although I had only been living with him for a week and barely knew anything about him, his behavior was off. He wasn't his usual gentle, painfully awkward, hyper-aware of everything self. This was a side of him I was yet to see.
"Spencer, I think you should slow down"
Still no answer.
He continued to ignore me. It was as if I didn't exist. I thought I was done being overlooked the moment my aunt and uncle were killed on impact, but it seemed as though thing hadn't changed. He was doing so well, being friendly and caring, then suddenly took three huge steps back.
The car came to a screeching halt and I realized we were at our apartment building. Spencer practically jumped out of the car and started towards the door. I followed of course, given he had the keys.
We approached the apartment door rather quickly, not surprising due to our increased speed. Spencer jammed the keys into the door and swung it open. We were halfway into the apartment when I finally got fed up with the silence.
"What's your problem all of a sudden?"
Spencer stopped in his tracks, spinning around on his heels. I instantly wished I could take back my words.
"What's my problem? What's my problem? My life has been flipped upside down and you're complaining that I'm a little angry?" Spencer's tone was cold. I didn't understand why he was being so bitter, this wasn't like him whatsoever.
"You're life has been flipped upside down? Every one I've ever cared about is either dead or doesn't want me, and I've moved hundreds of miles away from my home to live with a complete stranger because I was never enough for anyone to stick around. Reality check Spencer, I'm being affected by this too" I was fuming. I gave Spencer a moment to respond, but was met with silence. I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut with rage. The slam generated a shake throughout my room, knocking over a picture frame. Irritated, I picked up the frame from the floor and gazed at the picture it held. It was from my 6th birthday party. I was smiling from ear to ear, with my parents on either side of me. Judging from the picture, we looked happy, normal even. No one would have guessed my father left three weeks later, or my mother slit her wrists six months after that. I set the picture frame back down on my dresser in fear of upsetting myself any further.
A sudden wave of exhaustion hit me. Naturally, I went to lie down on my bed. I was strangely warm, so I opened up my window took a whiff of fresh air. As I fought to find a comfortable position, a single tear soaked my black cotton pillow case. I missed my family, my real family. I missed my father, the way he use to sneak hot chocolate into my room before bed, even though my mother said I would never get to sleep. I missed my mother, too. I missed the times when she was happy, when we were happy.
All of a sudden, in the midst of my tears, there was a knock at my bedroom door.