Dusty POV
Tara was saying words that seemed important by the way her eyebrows were pointed down seriously and her hand motions were big and precise. Even Buster looked serious as he nodded along to her message.
I, however, couldn't seem to focus on much of anything. We were all sitting in the kitchen except for my sister who was still outside pouting. Most of us were sitting at the island, but Marlee came in a little late and stood next to my seat instead of taking hers.
This was a problem because I was too distracted to listen to the meeting. She was standing so very close to me and the intoxicatingly comfortable smell of an old library wafted off of her in the best way. Her scent felt like home. She felt like home.
Of course I was home in this house, but the sense of home that came from her was different, more comfortable, like if she left I would be completely lost.
Despite the comfortable feeling, my stomach was taking a roller coaster ride and my heart was beating so loud and fast I was sure everyone in the room could hear it. I glanced up at her beautiful face and she gave a soft smile that made my head spin in circles.
I was lost in the thought of Marlee, so bold, beautiful, and brave, when I heard my name. It took Tara saying it again before my head snapped toward her. "Yeah?"
"Could you do that for us?" Tara asked with her serious eyes.
"Uh..." I said intelligently "sure, yeah." Shoot. I would just have to ask Buster what the heck I'm supposed to do.
Tara sighed with relief. "Thanks, Dust, you're the best."
I smiled and nodded. What did I just agree to?
I glanced around as everyone left the room to do their own thing and grabbed Busters shoulder before he too could exit the kitchen.
"Hey, what's up?" He asked.
"I, uh, forgot to listen while Tara was talking. What am I supposed to do?" I spoke quietly so no one else would hear.
He shook his head and smiled. "You have got to do something about Marlee, man."
"What do you mean?" My face felt hot.
"Dude, it's totally obvious you're into her." His smiled grew wider and I smacked his shoulder.
"Shh, she doesn't know that." Everyone else in the room had finally cleared out.
He laughed. "Yes she does. Marlee knows everything."
"Okay, you're probably right." I paused and wondered for just a second if maybe Marlee was waiting for me to say something. I shook my head. "I still don't know what Tara asked me to do."
"Oh yeah. You're supposed to talk to Killer about finding Iz and Morgan and bringing them home. Tara misses Iz like crazy and I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to know Morgan that well. Everyone else agrees that we liked having them here, but no one is finding anyone until Killer agrees to it." He told me.
"Oh man. Why do I have to do it?" I dreaded challenging my sisters judgment on anything.
"Because your her brother and your the least likely to get killed."
"Not true. Peep is the least likely to get killed." I said.
"Whatever, man, you agreed to it." He patted my shoulder and walked upstairs.
I groaned and started toward the back of the house. The closer I got to the back door the more dread filled my chest.
I pushed on the back door and it squeaked open. The smell of grass hit me and filled my lungs as I stepped onto the soft material.
Killer sat on the wooden bench scowling at the horizon as if it was the cause of all her problems. "Hey." I said softly as I approached with caution.
She snapped her head toward me and glared. "What do you want?" Her voice was cold and sour.
I sat beside her. "You're not going to like this." I shook my head.
"Then maybe you shouldn't say it." She raised an eyebrow.
I sighed. "I definitely need to, but why don't you tell me what's going on with you first?"
"What do you mean? Everything is fine now that that stupid red head is gone." She crossed her arms.
"Are you just going to tell me why you really hate Iz so much or do I have to force it out of you?" A raised two of my blonde eyebrows at her and smirked.
She huffed and looked at me for second. "It's complicated, okay? Everyone in this house has their own little love thing going on except me. Buster and Tara are happier when they're together, you and Marlee have your weird thing, and I'm left with nothing. I didn't realize that being a leader meant I could never find love! Then Morgan showed up and he's perfect. He's literally the son of the woman I shaped my life after, he's incredibly attractive, and he's been really kind. It would be the perfect scenario if he and Iz weren't so in love that they're blind to anyone else's feelings. If Iz just didn't exist he could be all mine and everything would be perfect. So I kicked her out thinking maybe he would stay, but of course he followed her like a lost puppy as he always does. What's so special about her anyway? She's annoying and bratty and she thinks she can just welcome herself places she's not invited to! Maybe I shouldn't have kicked them out. I could've kept them here, secretly killed Iz, and then been there for him when he's mourning!" Her eyes looked insane and broken.
"Chloe Margaret Keller!" I scolded. "You sound completely insane! You can't just kill people to get what you want for the rest of your life! You'll never be happy like that."
She tipped her head back and took in a deep breath. "I know. That seems to be the problem. I'm never going to be happy." She faced the horizon again and her eyes were red with her effort to hold back tears. She hated crying in front of anyone.
I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed reassuringly. "It's going to be alright, Chlo'." She leaned her head on my shoulder. I loved my sister more than anything. We had been through everything together. "I love you. Which is why I think I have to tell you."
She groaned. "What?"
"The whole group got together and decided they wanted Iz and Morgan back. Tara has this whole plan to find them. We all miss them, Chlo'."
Her head snapped quickly off my shoulder and she looked at me with her face an angry red. "So that's why your out here? Really?!" She crossed her arms, probably to keep herself from strangling me.
"I'm sorry. They sent me to tell you."
"To tell me? Not even to discuss with me? Where's my say in this?"
"You didn't really give any of us a say in it when you just kicked her out. You saw how much it hurt Tara. They really just sent me out here to let you know. They didn't see it as fair for you to be part of the decision when you didn't include us." I shrugged.
"That was different! It was a moments notice thing!"
"It didn't have to be. You just couldn't control your anger. You either get to be mad about this or just except it because they are coming back whether you like it or not."
"This is my house! I prepare the food and provide for everyone. How can I just be overlooked?"
"You're thinking like a boss instead of a leader." I stood up and went inside to join my friends.
Iz POV
Sleeping on the ground of the woods against a tree is only comfortable if you're with Morgan. He seems to make most situations better. We sat there cuddled in each other's arms not wanting to move.
"I suppose we should get walking, huh?" Morgan said half heartedly.
"Yeah, it's too bad we still don't know where we're going." I snuggled closer to him.
"When I was little my friends told me their moms said to stay where you are when you're lost and let people come find you." He suggested.
I nodded. "Sounds like a good plan."
..hey guys.. so it's been a hot second. How are you? I'm okay I guess. Here's this chapter finally. Sorry it took so long. I've been really stressed and busy with school, but thanks for staying and reading anyway! I hope you like it!
-me:)