So much for uploading more frequently -.- … Well, here is chapter 11… Hope you enjoy and thanks for response, it's good to know that someone is reading it ^-^
Chapter 11
The cold water made my skin go numb and my body shiver. As always I used the icy water to chase away the nightmares. I let the cold water run a couple more minutes than usual before slowly turning up the heat. Last night the nightmares had been slightly different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something about the atmosphere was… different. I don't know. Maybe I was just imagining things, as there was so much happened in such short time. Who would have thought that a broken car could get you to meet so many new people? Or that the people you thought couldn't get any lower, would drug you without even caring what happened to you? I sighed. I really didn't want to think about the drug episode. It still nagged me why anyone would drug me, but I knew I would never know. It was probably just a cruel joke.
My thoughts moved to my car and Kyle. Just like the drug thing, I couldn't help but still wonder why a guy like Kyle was so far from town that day. It seemed weird he would have just been out on a walk in the woods, because I knew for a fact, that there were no tracks in that area and Kyle really didn't seem like the kind of guy, who would just randomly walk through the woods, but then again, I really didn't know much about him except where he work, lives and the fact that his brother are a dick. When I thought about, it really didn't matter why or how he got there that day, when my car broke down. The important part is that he was there. I would probably never have become friends with him, if he hadn't been there and I was grateful to get to know, not just him, but all of the guys – and Sarah of course – from the garage. This reminded me; I shouldn't let the visits to Lloyd be so rare. I've really missed him and there was no excuse of not visiting.
I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body before wiping the steam of the mirror taking a look on my reflection. My hair stuck to my face, neck and shoulders. Drops of water decorated my skin and made delicate patterns when they got to heavy and soundlessly rolled downwards. I sighed as I reminded myself that it was a school day and I really couldn't waste time staring holes in the air. It was going to be a tiresome day. Not only was there a long day at school ahead, but right after school I had to go to work and when I finally got home late tonight, there was the homework and I had to study for a soon to come test. I sighed again. I really wasn't looking forward to it. I just wanted to curl up in my bed and not think of anything. Just sleep without any nightmares or dreams or anything. I was so freaking tired of waking up, feeling like I not even got what could pass for being sleep. Maybe I could get Charlie to knock me out and see if that helped.
Ok, that might be a bit rash… or was it?
I stepped out of Charlie's car at the schools parking lot and went to my best friend's side. He had insisted on picking me up until my car had been fixed and seeing as I would save a lot of time by not walking back and forth, he really didn't have to insist that hard.
"How was it at that guy's place?" he asked trying to sound casual, but falling because… well, I knew him too well. He hadn't spoken the entire drive to school and I knew something was nagging him. And the fact that he didn't want to say Kyle's name only confirmed my suspicions about what had been nagging my best friend. He could be so childish at times. I smiled teasingly, not giving up a chance to screw with him.
"Well, I won't go into any gory details, but it was pretty good and it only got better when his brother joined in" I teased and laughed at Charlie's expression. He scowled as he quickly realized I was joking.
"It's not funny. You're disturbed" he made a sick face. I put an arm around his shoulders, the smile never leaving my lips.
"I apologize, but you can just be so cute sometimes, big brother" I teased happily and I could see him struggling not to smile.
"It's not cool calling a guy 'cute', sis" he retorted and was awarded with a peck on the cheek. I immediately thought of the peck on the cheek I gave Kyle and how different it was from the ones I often gave Charlie. With Charlie it was playful and like giving an actual brother a peck on the cheek. With Kyle it had felt rather intimate and made me want more. I pushed the thought away startled by myself.
"But seriously. It was fine at Kyle's. The gang – and before you comment; no, they are not a real gang, they are just looking the part – was there and we hung out. Kyle's brother did actually make an appearance, but luckily he was quick to leave" I briefly remembered the awkwardness he left in his wake. His words had been so weird and it had felt like I was the only one who didn't get the entire meaning behind them.
"Luckily?" Charlie lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
"He's an ass and acts like he's above everyone" I shortly explained, but before he could respond to that we both stopped at the shrill that was the voice of Violet Summers. My arm fell to my side as we had to turn around to look at her – I would have preferred if we had just went with the old ignore-and-keep-walking tactic, but of course Charlie is not the kind of person to do that. Not even to the likes of Violet, but then again I don't think Charlie is actually capable of seeing how evil some people can be. He still thinks there is good in everyone. I had lost that kind of faith in people a long time ago – at least when it came to Charlie's friends.
"Ew, why are you letting it touch you, Charlie? Doesn't your pet know its place?" she mocked in disgust and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"Violet, you really can't speak to people like that. You don't have to be so spiteful" he answered trying to avoid a verbal fight between the two of us.
The girl simply huffed as if this wasn't even worth her time. And just as I thought Charlie and I could start walking again, came the rest of the group which I oh so loved to spend my time with. Not.
Jasmine entwined her arm with Violet's just as Tyler, Scott and Matthew joined in.
"I hear you got a free ride home with one of the emo-riders at Wright's party" Matthew smirked mockingly at me.
"Oh really?" I retorted without really caring what he had heard.
"Well, I hear you got so wasted, you had to be carried" Tyler joined in, looking bemused and arrogantly at me. If they didn't like me, then way on earth did the intent on talking to me?
"You guys hear a lot. Congratulations" I smiled innocently at them, but my voices dripped with cold sarcasm. Charlie shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Tyler and Matthew simply smiled wickedly and I knew they had probably heard rumors of me doing all kind of weird stuff with "the emo-riders" as the simpleminded douche Matthew called Kyle, Timmy and Logan. It was so typical and it wouldn't be the first time that such rumors had started about me. Let's just say that even when I'm best friends with Charlie, I'm still in the danger-zone when it comes to being made fun of and picked on, because I was one of the few who actually talked back to the "popular kids" at school.
Have I ever told you how fun it is to me?
"You can always get a ride with me" Scott winked mockingly and they laughed. Charlie looked confused as to why they were laughing and before I can answer, I'm interrupted by a much welcome voice.
"Cailyn! Over here!" Sarah yells from the parking lot. She and the other guys must have just arrived, because they were either getting of their bikes or standing beside it. I smile and wave before turning to Charlie's friends.
"As much fun as this has been, I have people I rather be with" then I look at Charlie.
"See you later" I say friendly and he smiles reluctantly. I know he doesn't like me hanging out with Kyle and company, but I also know he would like them, if he got to know them.
"I'm going to the shooting range after school with my dad, but I'll still drive you home, so no worries" he reminds me and I thank him before leaving them. His dad had been taking him to the shooting range since he was small as a father-and-son-bonding-thing, and as soon Charlie was old enough, his dad got him a rifle and they started going hunting together. It was very difficult for me to see a guy like Charlie going hunting, because he was so innocent, but I knew he did it for his dad's sake. He enjoyed spending time with his dad where they were the only ones.
Sarah meets me halfway and gives me a hug and I greet the guys – my eyes locking with Kyle's for just a brief moment and I smile shyly.
"Your timing couldn't have been better" I tell Sarah with a relieved and thankful look. She smiles brightly.
"Well, my timing has always been exquisite" she says with her nose in the sky and I giggle. Josh takes her hand and gives her a peck on the cheek.
"Yes, my queen, indeed it is"
"Uhh, 'my queen', I like the sound of that" she answers.
"Don't get too used to it" Winston jokes.
"Your homeboy looks after you like a lost puppy" Timmy smiles and throws his head lightly in the direction I came from. I follow his gaze and caught Charlie looking at me, before he turned his eyes away. I smile slightly.
"Yeah, he's just not sure you guys are good company for me" I mock playfully.
"Maybe Kyle isn't, but we certainly are" Josh says and gets paid with a smack on the arm by Sarah.
"He's certainly better company than you, but then again that doesn't say much" Timmy joins in and Josh feigns hurt.
"Aw, you guys. Could you please shut up now?" Kyle jokes sweetly and rolls his eyes with a smile.
"Well, I think you are very good company" I says with a smile in his direction and he gives me a soft look I'm not sure he's even aware of.
"Cailyn, you better don't. It'll just rise to his head and it's big enough already" Logan comments as he opens his mouth for the first time today. I giggle.
"Oh, yeah, I see what you mean" I act like I'm takes measuring looks at Kyle's head and he sighs smiling.
"God, you're easily corrupted. I thought you were on my side"
I shrug with a smile as if saying: what can I do?
"See you tomorrow. Same time?" I ask as I step out of Charlie's car which is holding at idle in front of my house in the moment.
"Of course. See you" he smiles back at me before driving off.
I ran inside to change out of my clothes and into my work clothes. There was no time to shower, but I splashed some water in my face and gathered my hair in a ponytail, before walking to the kitchen. I checked the fridge and cabinets to see if I needed to bring buy something before coming home when my shift was over and mentally noted what was needed. Luckily it wasn't much – my mother barely ate a thing, if I didn't cook something and put it in front of her and even then it was rare for her to even touch the food. It goes without saying that the woman was skinny, but somehow she got by. She must eat something when I'm not at home or else she would have died from malnutrition a long time ago, then again she probably got some fat from the alcohol she devoured or whatever.
As I walk the short way to work, I realize that I have rushed too much and still have about 20 minutes to burn before I have to sign in. I make a short detour past Lloyd's place. I really see him much too rarely and I might as well go by and say hello as I have time anyway.
I feel the smile spread on my lips as I walk up the stairs on the nostalgic porch and knock on the net door. My smile grows wider when I see Abigail open both doors and she is quickly to smile back to me and give me her trademark motherly hug. God, I've missed her! Just like Lloyd has been like a father to me, Abigail had been more of a mother to me than my real mother has ever been or ever could be.
"Hi, Abigail, it's been too long" I regret not coming over a little more frequently, because even if I had been over a couple of times to eat dinner with the middle-aged married-couple with no kids of their own, after I didn't need them to look after me in the same way anymore – let's face it, they would never stop to look after me, even though I wasn't a child anymore – they were someone I loved and adored. It was so easy to see why my dad was best friends with Lloyd when they went to school together and why it was Lloyd and his sweet wife Abigail that had taken up the task to watch over me. Even though I never really knew my dad, because he ran from us before I could remember, Lloyd had always spoken fondly of him, which made me hate him just an inch less for leaving me with my immature, weak mother, 'cause that's how I've always seen her. Weak and immature. So damn weak for letting the loss of my father and god knows what else control her and immature for just being her, I mean, seriously, even if she got me at a very young age – with an older man, I might add. My dad was about 10 years older than her – it didn't give her the right to dress like she did and drink away the few brain cells she got left or let her daughter be the grown up.
"Lloyd says you've been in the garage and started making friends with the kids there" Abigail starts leading me into the living room where Lloyd gets up from his chair. He comes over to hug me.
"Yeah, they are cool and if I become friends with them, Sarah will be the first girlfriend I've had" I says playfully and jokes with how sad that sounds.
"Don't be like that of course you'll become friends real quick. They are good kids the hole lot" Abigail says warmhearted.
"Yep, and they are damn good at what they do too, but don't tell them I said that or I'll never hear the end of it" Lloyd comments casually.
"Were you on your way to work?" Abigail notices my cloths.
"Had a couple of minutes to spare which is…" I look down at my wristwatch. "… almost over" I finish with a slight smile.
"Well, it was nice of you to spend them on us. Do you want a bite to eat when you're shift is over? I'll just put something aside for you then" Abigail smiles sweetly at me.
"My shift is over really late, but thanks. I can come by one of these days if I may?" I always hate to say no to this woman. It's the same thing with my grandmother.
"Of course you can! You're always welcome here, right, honey?" Abigail doesn't even look towards her husband as she asks him, but he nods and easily agrees anyway.
"Well, I really have to go. I was good to see you again" I state reluctantly.
"You too, darling. Come back soon" Abigail hugs me and gives me a peck on the cheek before letting me go. Lloyd grabs my shoulder as he walks me to the door.
"I know you're probably already aware of it, but I have to say it anyways. Even though you don't get them any better and it's in no way their fault, Kyle and the lot all have some baggage and I don't want you…" he starts in a hushed voice so Abigail won't hear.
"I trust them and you know, I've been friends with Logan most of my life. Not to even start about my own baggage" I smiles reassuringly and he sighs.
"I'm just…" he begins again, but I cut in once more.
"… looking out for me, I know and thanks. See you tomorrow at the garage?" I ask with my hand on the doorknob.
"Yeah, I'm at work all day, so I'll know if you sneak in again" he winks in a fatherly manner and I give him a last hug before running of to work.
God, time flies when you really need it to just slow down a bit.
Oh, and I promise there'll a little more "action" in the next chapter both between Cailyn and her mum, and Cailyn and Kyle… I think…? I haven't really planed much ahead, just thinking of something as I'm writing… or when I'm about to go to sleep (which is really annoying because then I can't sleep before I've written it down) Well, enough of my blabbering xD