Unconditional Validation

Chapter 12

I headed out of town with hate in my heart, and a determination to lead a new life. I drove out of New York and headed to Nantucket, Massachusetts. Our aunt, uncle, and cousins live there in their huge beachfront mansion. They're rich like us, however, our cousins' parents don't force them into very early careers while they're in school. Aunt Rachel is the kind of person who will take care of everyone, even if that person has done her wrong in the past. I need to go somewhere where I can't be seen around my two siblings. I know I sound like an asshole because they can't get out of their situation so easily like how I can do it. That's if I ever wanted to. I didn't tell anyone where I am, not even my own girlfriend.

The Luke Combs rendition of "Fast Car" was playing on the radio as background noise to help me with how I feel I guess. It's at least something, right?

My stomach rumbles from not eating since the night of the party, and what happened during that stupid party. I knew Killian was up to something, the way he was looking at my brother.

"FUCK!" I angrily smacked the steering wheel while I was at a stoplight in New Haven, Connecticut. I looked around to see if anyone saw that, which unfortunately, someone did. The old lady looked at me with a concerned and weird stare.

"I'm sorry", I regretfully waved before zooming off in the direction of my destination when the light turned green.

As I continued driving on, my stomach rumbled again, and I winced in pain again.

I really need to get something to eat, my body is definitely hurting itself, I thought wearily to myself.

I started to look around for places quickly. It was about to be noon. There was a sign in the distance that I wasn't wanting to see, but it would do because it was open 24/7 all the time. It was Taylor's Diner, just like the one back at home. There were franchises all over the east coast and the Midwest. One of the things I still had with me, luckily, was my wallet. I parked my car in the parking lot and then headed inside to finally get some food in me. Taking in the vibes of the diner while I seated myself at the window booth towards the back, it reminded me of home. I shook off the memories and nostalgia that were trying to form in my head and looked down at the menu.

"Ahem", I jumped a little from the sudden presence of a voice and looked quickly up from the menu. It was one of the only two waiters who were working in the diner today. He looked like he was around my age, he looked pretty handsome as well with his curly burnt blonde hair, his chiseled muscles, and his caramel skin.

WAIT! Why am I thinking like that? I'm definitely not into guys and I literally have a girlfriend! I forcefully pushed those weird thoughts out of my head. Maybe it's from my hunger and my sleep deprivation.

"Hello! Welcome! What can I get you started to drink?" the guy smiled softly while opening his notepad.

"I'll just have water", I quickly responded with a slight smile.

"Okay! I'll be right back with that", the waiter smiled and briskly walked away to fetch me my water.

I looked over the menu again because I still didn't know what I wanted. After a few minutes of finally deciding, the waiter came back with my drink.

"What would you like to order?" The waiter still gave me his best smile.

"I'd like a deluxe cheeseburger, a side of fries, and I'll get a chocolate milkshake as well", I responded with a big smile back at him.

"Of course! I'll go put your order in!" The waiter quickly flipped his notepad shut, gave me a wink, and walked over to the kitchen doors.

Did..did he just wink at me? I kind of blushed while being in my thoughts. No! I can't think like this. I have a girlfriend! I paused for a bit and looked down at my dead phone's black screen. Speaking of her..I need to find a charger to see what everyone has been sending to me. I don't know anyone out here though, maybe I could ask that waiter. I don't want to just be twiddling my thumbs the whole time.