Chapter Ten (Part Two)
Hadley
Several hours later, I locked my front door, threw my duffle bag over my shoulder, and headed toward my car. Sirens wailed in the background. Another emergency, I thought to myself sadly. Shaking my head, I got in my car and started the engine.
Cutting through the backgrounds, I avoided the congested highway. The gently sloping mountains were shrouded in a thin mist as I made my way out of the city.
After taking a left, to avoid a busy intersection, I slowed down to take in the scene before me. Flames licked the sides of an old building as firefighters desperately tried to put out the fire. Firefighters rushed a handful of people out of the building as they coughed and made their way to the paramedics. The men were wearing one-piece uniforms that looked like something a mechanic would wear.
With wide eyes, I watched as another firefighter brought out a limp body slumped over his shoulder. He placed the body gently on a stretcher and shouted something I couldn't make out.
Blinking hard, I swallowed and watched as one of the EMTs motioned over a police officer. The police officer leaned in and frowned. He looked at the paramedic and nodded. My hands trembled as I watched the paramedic pull a white sheet over the body and then give the signal to have it loaded into the ambulance.
A loud honk startled me. Looking in my review mirror, I made eye contact with an angry bald man with a full beard. He held his hands in the air and shouted a slew of curse words.
Taking one last look at the scene, I took my foot off of the break and pressed on the gas pedal. Death is everywhere, I thought to myself, feeling my chest tighten.
I clicked on the phone button on my car, the voice prompt asked me to state the name of the person I wanted to call. "Nathalie Parker," I said. The phone rang twice before my boss picked up the phone. "Hey, Nathalie, I'm not feeling well. I'm not going to be able to make it in today or tomorrow." I paused, waiting for my boss to respond.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Hadley," she said. "Take all of the time you need."
"Thanks, Nathalie. I really appreciate it. I'll put in extra hours next week to make up for it, okay?"
"Sounds good," she said.
"Thanks again," I responded. Clicking another button on my steering wheel, I hung up and let out a sigh. My boss and practically everyone at work had treated me with kid gloves since my brother had passed away. I appreciated it, but hated it at the same time. Everyone was always asking if I was okay or if I needed anything. It just reminded me of Hudson. I bit my thumbnail. I guess I'd rather have people concerned about me then not.
After driving for twenty minutes, I turned up Bullhead Mountain. I followed the familiar paved road that wound around and around until I reached my parent's stone mailbox. Turning left, I followed the driveway until my parent's house came into view. Two stories, covered in the same stone as the mailbox, and surrounded by flowerbeds filled with bright beautiful flowers. Pink, yellow, and orange petals lined the walkway to the door.
Parking my car, I reached for my duffle bag and made my way toward the door. Before I could even knock the door swung open and my mother wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace.
***
"You'll come for dinner on Sunday, right?" asked my mother.
"Of course," I responded.
"Are you sure you're ready to go back?" she asked with a concerned look on her face. "You'll find someone else to see? Too help you through this loss as well?"
I blinked back tears as I nodded. "I'll be okay, Mom. I promise."
She embraced me and kissed me on the cheek. "I love you, Hadley."
Squeezing her back, I said, "Love you too, Mom."
"And you're going to bring this Sawyer over one night soon?" she asked with a slight smile.
I returned the smile and took a step back. "We've only gone out like once, Mom. I don't even know if he really likes me." My mind flashed back to his lips trailing kisses down my neck.
"Well you two spent quite a bit of time on the phone over the past two days," she said nudging me with a grin. "He seems really supportive of everything with Dr. Charlie."
"Yeah, he is definitely supportive," I agreed. I took a step toward my door and said, "I've got to get going or I'm going to be late for work."
"Okay, love you," she said for the second time.
"Love you too," I responded.
***
I checked my watch. It read three fifty-four. Ugh, I though to myself. This afternoon is crawling by so slow I think time is actually moving backwards.
My lunch with Scarlet had gone well. At first, she had given me the same look she had when I first saw her after the accident. After I convinced her that I was really fine, she changed the subject and asked about Sawyer.
"Do you really like him?" Scarlett had asked.
Shrugging my shoulders, I took a bite of my sandwich. "I think so, Scar."
"You think so," she asked with a big smile. "Is that why you keep checking your phone?"
"He's taking me for drinks tonight," I said, my cheeks turning pink.
"You have to call me as soon as you get home," said Scarlet. "I want to hear everything!"
I nodded, as I took a drink of my water.
"Quite playing it like you're this calm," she said.
"Okay, okay," I agreed. "I'm kind of freaking out. I really like him and I think it could be the start of something real."
"Eek!" said Scarlet. "I'm so excited for you!"
I don't know what made me happier, the fact that Scarlet had stopped looking at me like a baby deer, or the fact that she was practically more excited about my date with Sawyer then me.
***
I stood and looked in the mirror one last time. Making sure my lip gloss had been applied perfectly and that it went with my dark grey tank top that buttoned up the front and the short jean shorts, showing off my legs.
The bell rang. Rushing to the door, I stopped before opening it. Take a deep breath, Hadley! This could be the start to something really special.
I twisted the handle and pulled back the door. A bouquet of unique flowers were immediately thrust into my face. A grin spread across my face as I inhaled the sweet scent.
As I accepted the flowers, I pulled them into my chest and raised my eyes. Instead of meeting Sawyer's dimples and picture perfect smile, they landed on a complete stranger.
I frowned. Looking down at the flowers, gossebumps erupted over my arms. "Wh, wh, who are you?" I stammered in a shaky voice.
"Hadley Jasper, I'm the love of your life," the stranger said in a calm voice. "And I'm here to sweep you off your feet."
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Phew! I'm so glad to finally have shared the second part of Chapter Ten with all of you! I apologize it took so long. Unfortunately, I was wrong about feeling better a few weeks ago. I have been extremely sick for the past six weeks. My severe bronchitis turned into a horrible case of shingles (super rare for someone so young to get, but basically it is constant pain 24/7, it TERRIBLE)! :(
Anyways, I'm working on getting better and it felt AWESOME to get some writing in! :) Yay! Here's to more writing this week!
Also, how seriously amazing is it that Under was selected by @unfriended (http://www.wattpad.com/user/unfriended) for their Best of Horror list?!? EEEEEEEK! I'm so grateful!
OOOOH! Also! Guess who stopped by the Wattpad Block Party? ANNA FREAKING TODD! Yes, I'm serious! Anna Todd a.k.a. @imaginator1d shared an awesome post on the Wattpad Block Party (http://www.wattpad.com/114971793-the-wattpad-block-party-anna-todd%27s-imaginator1d) AND she has an amazing GIVEAWAY going on as well (http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Mjc4NTRhNzkwYzMwOGFiNmVjMzE4ODJkMWIzMDgxOjM=/?). Which you can click on directly from my profile page or the link above.
Okay, hearts to all of you! Miss you loads and can't wait to hear what you think of Chapter Ten, Part Two of Under!
Kelly Anne Blount xoxo