Splinters: Part One

Part One | 40

"I'm not sure I want him driving with screaming little girls," Melissa whispered. "It could distract him."

"Have Odera, Bella, and Ursa go with him. I'll take Paydie, Sherry, Marlie, Net, Eda, and you can take the rest."

My stomach fell just as Collie bit her lip. She wasn't going to like the ride home.

"That sounds like a good idea." Melissa turned to me. "Can you take them?"

Collie's head jerked towards me. By the look in her eyes, I could silently hear her say "No, Brayden. Don't let them go with us."

But I couldn't do that. Bella would know that it'd be because I told Collie, and Ursanne would never have it. Besides, Greg and Melissa went through great struggles getting us all down here and now they're taking almost ten girls back to the house in only two cars. I can help.

"Sure, yeah."

Collie closed her eyes for a moment in frustration.

"Oh, good! Bella, Ursa, Dera! You guys are riding with Brayden!" Melissa told the three who were inside the car Greg would drive.

"What? Why us?" Ursa whined.

"Because you guys won't distract him from the road and I know the younger girls might."

"Fine."

I pointed to Melissa. "You have my keys."

"Oh!" She hurriedly looked through her purse over her shoulder, but it began to take a longer time than expected.

"Liss, it's starting to rain harder," Greg reminded.

"I know! I don't know where I put them!"

Greg felt through his short pockets and made an annoyed face when he put his hand inside and realized he had the keys. "I forgot you gave them to me."

Handing them to me, Melissa gave him a disapproving look.

"Alright," I told my sisters and girlfriend. "Let's go."

We walked to my car in the most awkward silence possible, Collie no longer holding my hand either. I knew she'd be angry, but it isn't my fault that much.

Unlocking the car, Ursanne, Odera, and Bella piled in while I opened Collie's door for her. She didn't say thank you, which was expected. Feeling a little upset now, I got in myself and started the car.

The first twenty minutes of the drive was awkward, and everyone could tell. Ursa was the first to stop it.

"Hey, Brayden, can you turn up the radio?"

"I got it," Collie said, reaching over and turning the volume knob.

"Thanks," Ursa replied, much to my surprise.

"Brayden, do you think Mom would let us stop at a gas station?" Dera inquired.

I shook my head, glancing at the rearview mirror. "Probably not. I keep seeing her making sure I'm right behind her."

"I do, too," Collie laughed.

I looked back to my sister. "Why?"

"I need to go to the bathroom."

"Why didn't you go at the beach?" Ursanne scolded.

"I didn't have to go then."

I turned on the windshield wipers as the rain began to pour harder.

"Can you text Melissa, Ursanne, and tell her we're gonna stop?"

"Yeah."

Another fifteen minutes later, we met a gas station. The moment I parked, Odera bolted out the door so quickly, I didn't even see her go inside.

"Someone needs to pee," Bella laughed.

Collie blinked three times, annoyed. I placed a hand on hers.

"You okay?" I whispered.

She raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "I don't know."

I sighed, leaning back against my seat and waited until Odera came back. She did only a few minutes later and we continued our trip home.

It wasn't raining back at the house, but the roads and driveways were wet and dark. When I parked the car, everyone got out except for Collie and I.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

"No. I can just tell she still likes you."

"No she-"

"She glanced at you every second, Brayden. I saw in the mirror."

I cracked a smile. "You were watching her?"

She shook her head angrily, opening the door. "You're not even taking this seriously."

"Wait, Collie," I grabbed her wrist. "Are you really that mad at me?"

She sighed, sitting back. "No. I'm mad at her."

"She didn't do anything."

"Fine. I'm threatened by her."

"You don't have to be."

"I know, but-"

"Stop thinking about it. I don't like Bella, Collie, okay?" I didn't mean to, but my voice was firm and stern. I honestly felt like it was starting to get stupid. Collie can't possibly be that jealous.

"Okay," she said quietly.

I nodded. "Let's go inside. We can watch a movie or something."

...

As I planned, Collie and I did watch a movie. In about two hours, she left, but all the rest of the girls stayed, including Bella. It didn't matter all that much though. Collie just needed a bit of reassurance, and I was sure to give that to her.

At the end of the night, I headed to bed, but not before I told Net happy birthday and thanking Greg and Melissa for all they did. They couldn't possibly be better parents, and I was very thankful for them.

Very thankful.

—-

Thank you guys so much for being patient.

Lucky for me, Finals is all next week so I've got to get studying.

I hope this chapter was even a little interesting.

Splinters is slowly getting to its climax. I hope you love the story!

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