Meanwhile...
"Are you all packed Shelby?" I roll my eyes at Skyler as I heave my sage green bag up shoulders along with my travel messenger bag.
"Don't call me that," I reply, but I can't bother to put much emphasis behind it as I make my way towards his black camaro instead I give him a withering stare before opening the passenger side door while completely ignoring the teasing smirk that pulls at the edge of his lips.
As Skyler finally gets inside and starts the car I take to looking through my big purse for my cell-phone, trying not to let on that I'm practically freezing my damn ovaries off. Once I find my phone underneath a pile of gum wrappers and a bottle of foundation I smile in victory before replying to messages from Jessica and Casey.
I laugh at how similar these two tend to be even though if I told them they'd probably think I've lost it. Both messages consist of multiple sad face and kissing emojis and a few choice words for me, but a moment later another text comes through with a picture of Jessica and Casey fake strangling each other and I laugh only replying with a simple 'Behave you two' and two kissy faces.
"What's so funny?" Skyler asks and I finally look up at him only to see him focusing on the road ahead. I look at our surroundings and notice that we're downtown now.
"Just Jessica and Casey," I say and I mentally groan at how fond I sound, but I can't help it, okay! I show Skyler the picture Jessica sent and he glances at it briefly with a snort.
"From what you've told me I didn't peg them to be so violent with each other," He jokes. "I'm starting to wonder about your safety and well-being."
I click my teeth before pushing him gently, a smile secretly curving my lips. I place my phone back in my bag and relax in the leather seat letting the steady heat pouring from the vents warm my body up.
"Aren't you the same guy that convinced me to smoke my first joint," we both laugh at the memory.
"It's, like, totally cool Shell, I swear, you're just gonna feel fuzzy and shit," I mock Skyler's high-school drug induced voice.
"Hey, I didn't sound like that."
"You did, you shit. I still can't believe you actually pulled girls with that scratchy voice of yours."
"Pulled you didn't I," Skyler says and in the past, and even months ago I would've lashed out at his statement or even flat-out denied it, but crazily enough I don't feel like doing anything of the sort. I just chuckle, "Right. Got me there." Skyler gives me a curious look, but I ignore it in favor of closing my eyes and listening to the sound of whatever song is playing on the radio.
When the car finally stops Skyler says something about being right back and I hum in acknowledgement, eyes still closed. At the sound of a loud shrill, my eyes snap open, heart beat elevated momentarily before realizing that it's just my fucking phone. The shrilling stops and I sigh in peace. Until the car door is opened and a gust of freezing air hits me as Skyler enters.
"I got you this and a whole lotta other shit," He says handing me a large glass bottle before putting a few bags in the backseat.
"Thanks," I say turning the bottle around in my palm in awe. I hadn't had one of these in a while.
"Moji Orange, it's your favorite, right?"
I swallow the lump in my throat, "Yeah."
I crack the top as Skyler pulls out of the small convenience store parking lot, "I remember you used to always crave those in high school. Whenever I was late to school you'll ask me to score you one of these for lunch."
I take my first sip of the creamy orange substance and I instantly melt, eyes rolling in the back of my head at the first taste I've had in what feels like years. I want to make a comment like, 'Oh, I can't believe you remembered' or some shit, but it doesn't feel natural and Skyler would probably snort at how cheesy I am. Thankfully Skyler changes the subject completely a second later after drinking from something called a Green monster smoothie.
"Excited for Cali?" He asks looking at me and I laugh, reaching up to wipe the green smoothing from the top of his lip with my thumb. He looks frozen as I remove my finger and I laugh at that before answering.
"Yeah, I think it's going to be awesome. I've kind of wanted to visit there for a while now, plus it'd be great to beat the South Park snow if only for a little while."
"Right, I really need a tan, or a couple. I'm pale as fuck."
"When haven't you been?"
"I'm ignoring that. Anyway, I talked to my friend and she's going to set up a surprise meeting with you two." I nod at this while taking small savoring sips of my drink. I don't really like 'surprises.' But what if this is the only way he'll want to talk to me because I mean he never tried to seek me out or anything.
And it makes sense considering we were kids when we 'dated' but it couldn't be too weird to admit that his 'death' affected me badly and that the mere memory of him would occasionally would cause me to tear up until the day Skyler said that there was a chance that he was still alive. Or maybe I'm thinking too much into it...I didn't try to search him out either, I just kind of accepted that he had died. I'll be satisfied just to see him happy and alive.
"Who is your 'friend' by the way? You never gave me her name."
"My friend's name is Jamie and she's awesome," He says and I'm pretty sure he's sporting a smile at the mention of this Jamie girl.
"That's cool. So did you guys ever hook up?" I could laugh at the mock incredulous look Skyler gives me instead I just shrug. He knows I barely even have a brain-to-mouth filter.
"My, how nosy of you. Even though it's nothing that concerns you, no. Me and Jamie haven't fucked."
"And you call me scandalous, plus I thought you liked it when I keep up with you," Skyler just hums at this and I eventually finish my smoothie and discard the empty bottle in my bag.
Remembering that my phone went off earlier I pull my phone out to check my messages. My blood instantly runs cold despite the warm cocoon the car has become. Goosebumps run up and down my arms as I read the two words on my screen.
"Big mistake."
I quickly delete the message, turn off my location and phone. I close my eyes trying to slow my heartbeat. I've lost track now of the amount of times I've received an anonymous text from unknown numbers since September. They are all along the same lines and consist of only a few inconspicuous words that have no meaning to me what-so-ever.
At least I would hope not. It started as just messages and I just brushed it off as someone that had the wrong number and politely told them so, but when I started to receive weird phone calls I realized that it couldn't be a mistake. And as creepy as this is I just really want an explanation. Or not. Yeah...it would be probably be best if these messages just stop. No explanation needed.
I take to staring out of the window at the endless amount of trees and cars along the highway. I don't know how much time passes in which I've been zoned out in my own head (seconds, minutes, an hour?) before I open my mouth and force the words that have placed itself within my mind.
"Have you," I swallow hard and try to steady my voice before speaking, "Have you ever had someone call your phone and not say anything?"
"Yeah, like someone has called me at like three o'clock in the morning and did nothing, but breathe on the other line," Skyler replies sarcastically and I'm so unhinged that I can't be assed to entertain him.
"No, like…" I bite my lip and continue to stare outside at what is now a long field of wet grass. "No breathing. Just complete silence, but you know someone's there because the call time is still ticking on."
This is the best way I can describe the weird phone calls. Skyler doesn't say anything for a long time and I've given up on the thought that he would somehow be able to relate. Maybe I've creeped him out-
"Yeah," I finally hear and my eyes widen as I continue to stare out of my slightly fogged up window. "A while back someone started calling my phone in the middle of the night and even at the ass crack of dawn doing the exact same thing."
I stare at Skyler and I can't tell if I'm more relieved or alarmed to know that it isn't just me. And from the way his right hand is squeezing the wheel in a white-knuckled grip, the set of his jaw, and slightly furrowed eyebrows I know that he's not humoring me.
"Did anyone ever say anything?" I find the nerve to ask.
"No. But once I swore I could hear the sound of mumbling in the background. I couldn't make out a single word before I decided to hang up."
"Oh," Is all I can bring myself to say despite the loud thumping of my heart. This officially became more terrifying than I originally thought. We don't say anything else and I close my eyes hating the intense air between us, hoping it'll dissipate if I let myself fall asleep.
I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion as I feel weight on top of my left hand, opening my eyes I look beside me and see Skyler's hand take mine within his. Our fingers don't connect and slot themselves together, he just merely holds my hand and I let him as I will myself to calm down and rest.
When I finally drift off my dreams are encompassed with me in a never ending dark abyss, dirt and burnt rubber filling my nostrils. And in front of is a single large crow covered in dark inky feathers that drop in front of me no matter what direction I take. I can't see what's ahead of me as I continue to travel and the longer I do so it feels as though I'm going nowhere at all. I walk until my legs become numb and I drop to my knees and I cry.
I don't understand why I'm crying, but an incredible pang pulls at my heart that causes me to sob furiously, feathers falling all around me. My eyes are closed and don't cooperate as I try to pry them open. I claw at my face, but I barely feel the pain as my nails bite into my face continuously.
"Shhh," Someone whispers in my ear and I stop my motions, letting my hands fall to my sides as I strain to hear the deep, smooth sound in my ear. The clunky sounds of boots surround me following the feeling of a body kneeled behind me.
The figure traces their sharp nail across my cheek to my earlobe and I can smell the strong pungent scent of blood surrounding us. My blood, but it is mixed with a hint of something familiar that causes my blood to curdle.
"Some things are meant to be left... as they are," The voice is charming and melodic, but their words confuse me. I open my mouth in question, but nothing comes out. A finger nudges my mouth closed and I internally panic at the thought of who is kneeled beside me, but it does not last for a second, at the sound of a snap my eyes are wincing open.
(*)
As my eyes fully open I notice that it's now become dark outside and that the car is parked somewhere in a parking lot. I sit up and look around quickly and take in the building behind me. I relax a bit, but sit up straight in my seat.
Looking in the rearview mirror I spot Skyler making his way towards the car and I undo my seatbelt in case I have to get out. I'm proved correct as Skyler opens his door begins pulling out the bags from behind us.
"Hey sleepyhead, you slept for a good nine hours. I missed your light and amusing compliments aimed at me."
"Don't flatter yourself." Did I really sleep all of nine hours? Considering the night before, I can believe it.
"I don't have to, you do enough of that babe," Skyler says causing me to groan and him to laugh loudly as he takes the keys out of the ignition. "We are sleeping here for the night, then early tomorrow morning or whenever we both wake up and refuse to go back to sleep we will hit the road."
I yawn grabbing my messenger bag and my large purse, "How long do we have before we get there?"
"Well, Jamie lives in LA so, about… a little over four hours, which won't even be half of our day tomorrow."
"Great." We both exit the car and walk a while until we finally enter the gorgeous lobby of the hotel and immediately as if there was some sort of silent agreement we race each other to the elevator doors like the little kids we resemble.
I make it there first and proceed to press the button that closes the doors, but unfortunately Skyler slides through before they can close, nevermind the families and posh people staring at us in mild confusion and annoyance at our childish antics.
Skyler presses our room floor and we talk aimlessly as we wait to arrive and I find out that we're actually in Las Vegas which would explain the lavish hotel we are in. Once on our floor we hurry to our room to finally drop off our things and I watch anxiously as he slides his key card in and opens the door.
I sigh as we enter the fresh smelling room and instantly walk through the makeshift open concept living space and kitchen to seek out the eyes widen at the sight of one giant bed present and seeing as I didn't spot any other bedrooms on my way here I take it that this is the only one. Seeing that I've stopped in the middle of the room Skyler stops in the doorway and wears an apologetic expression I never thought I'd see on his face.
"Sorry, because the hotel is hosting some sort of event they only had single bed suites available." I stare at the king sized bed in front of me in all of its comfy goodness, my body yearning to lay on top of it. "You know what, I can take the sofa," Skyler continues, his left hand gesturing behind him towards the spacious living area.
I snap out of my hazy thoughts of face-planting on this bed to say, "No, its...cool. You don't have to sleep on the sofa." Skyler looks unsure at my statement.
"Really, Shelly, it's alright," he protests and I roll my eyes at this. I can't believe ass, Mr. I'd-love-to-have-you-wrapped-in-my-sheets is afraid to share a fucking bed with me. Ridiculous, I swear.
"Skyler, get in the fucking room and on the bed." At my words Skyler hesitates before finally...ducking sauntering in, dropping his bags and flopping on the bed a smile proudly covering his lips.
"I didn't think you'd be so adamant about me getting into bed with yo-"
"Don't," I say before he can even finish that thought, dropping one of my bags and heading to the bathroom, "Freaking don't!" I yell as I walk into the large ensuite bathroom to get ready for bed (even though I just slept for nine hours) Skyler's loud laughter howling behind me.
(*)
After showering and brushing my teeth I walk back out into the bedroom and Skyler jumps off the bed with his bag to head into the bathroom gently bumping my shoulder in passing. As Skyler showers I remove my phone from my bag and plug it in to charge before deciding to flop back on the bed and turn on the large flat screen TV hanging off of the brick wall.
And as I flip channels I wonder how much this suite cost because it resembles something straight out of the Hangover and I hope Sky isn't breaking his wallet to treat me-wait, Sky? I shudder at that, but continue to flip channels.
I haven't called Skyler that since we last dated. Why did my mind decide to somehow throw that up again. I settle on one of my favorite reality TV shows and curl up under the duvet and sheets barely even watching as time ticks by. Once I feel a dip in the bed beside me I slowly open my eyes, noticing that the room is enveloped in complete darkness and silence.
I watch Skyler get comfortable in bed, his back muscles flexing as he gets comfortable before finally settling reminding me of when we dated in high school and how I used to sneak him through the backdoor late at night.
It never took him long to fall asleep whereas I always tossed and turned (still do) but once his breathing finally slowed down to a steady tempo I would trace my fingers against his smooth back until I would grow tired myself. Even now I have the urge to touch him, but I don't and despite the weird feeling in my gut as if I've forgotten something I soon let my droopy eyes fall closed once again.