Crimson High
A/N: Well, this is the last chapter in this story. Thank you all for following me on this journey. I really have enjoyed your feedback and amazing comments. Thank you all.
Chapter eleven
It didn't take long to sort out everything we needed to. Patrick and I flew back to California at the end of Spring Break. James, Michael and Tommy would be flying down the next week. Grace and Rigsby were waiting for us at the airport. Grace gave me a hug, being careful of my broken shoulder. Rigsby, having heard the full story from Grace, shook Patrick's hand. I could see the respect flowing between them, and smiled to Grace. The four of us headed out to the car, where Cho was waiting. He shook Patrick's hand, and I smiled again. We all got in and Cho drove us back to Patrick's house. As we rounded the corner, a figure waiting in front of Patrick's house caught our attention. As Cho pulled the car to a stop, we could see that it was Lorelei. I turned to Patrick. "Grace and I can handle this."
He nodded as Grace and I got out of the car. Lorelei stalked over to us. "So, Teresa," she spat. "You still think that Patrick won't come back to me?"
I nodded. Grace took a menacing step forward. "You leave Patrick and Teresa alone," she growled. "Or there will be a war. Understand?"
Lorelei was in shock. She had never heard that kind of fierceness from Grace before. I knew that she meant business. Lorelei turned and walked away. I turned to Grace. "I don't think we will be having any more problems from her."
Grace laughed as the three guys got out of the car to join us. Rigsby carried my bag for me as I followed Patrick up the path to his front door. He pushed the door open, and Charlotte appeared from the next room. "Teresa," she said with a smile. "It's lovely to see you again."
"And you too, Mrs Jane."
"Please, Teresa, call me Charlotte." She turned to the rest of our group. "That goes for all of you. You are all welcome here any time."
The rest of the group smiled and nodded. It felt really good to be home.
Three months later…
I met up with Patrick near the front door of the school. "What's going on?" he asked me.
A large crowd of students had gathered near the door, watching some spectacle unfold. The two of us pushed to almost at the front and watched in amazement as Red John was being arrested. He was being put into handcuffs and led away from his room. We all parted as the police officer led him towards the door. "Thomas McAllister, you're under arrest for illegally distributing classified information to school students. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and to have your attorney present during questioning…"
The police officer's voice faded out as he led Red John down the stairs and into the squad car. Patrick looped his arm around my waist as we walked out of the building. "So, Teresa," he said. "What shall we do today?"
I smiled as he pressed his lips to my cheek. "I'm working this afternoon, but I'll be over at your house for dinner tonight."
Patrick pulled me to a stop and pressed his lips to mine. I could feel the stares of everyone in the parking lot, but I didn't care. Patrick and I had been dating since the Chicago trip, but we were still relatively hot gossip. I figured that dating someone as attractive as Patrick would always make the relationship hot gossip. I wound my fingers into his hair and pulled him closer. A tap on my shoulder forced me to pull away from Patrick in mild annoyance. James looked at Patrick and raised an eyebrow. "You ready to go?" asked James.
Patrick nodded, and I followed them as we headed over to Patrick's car. I ruffled James' hair. "See you later. I'm working today."
James nodded, and the two of them got into Patrick's car. I headed over to my car and pulled the door open. I pulled myself into the front seat and started the engine. As I drove to work, my mind wandered to my brothers. They had settled in really well, and were all attending schools in the area. My dad had been sentenced to three years in prison for assault. I didn't feel too upset about the outcome, because that would give him a chance to finally kick his dependence on alcohol. I rolled my shoulder. It was sore, but only in cold weather. I pulled up to my job, and smiled to myself. I didn't need to keep working, but I figured that it was only fair for me to contribute something towards the raising of my brothers.
At the end of my shift, I got back into the car and drove to Patrick's house. He was waiting outside for me, and he pulled me into a hug. I pressed my lips to his, and held it there for a long moment. "I love you, Teresa," he whispered as I pulled away.
"I love you too, Patrick," I replied.
Together, hand in hand, we walked up to his house and through the door. Tommy grabbed me by the hand and dragged me to where he had been making something for school. For the first time since I had received that news of the accident at the age of twelve, I was truly happy. I smiled at Patrick, and he smiled back at me. Life had become happy for all of us again.
Einde
A/N2: Thank you for reading this story. Please review and tell me what you think of my efforts. I will be back soon with another story. Until then, I wish you all happiness.
S.