Waking up to the sound of rain is one of the most amazing melodies to awaken to. I turned on my stomach and pulled the duvet over my warm body. My hair cascaded around my face reasoning for my nose and cheek to itch. I didn't bother flipping my hair back because I was too lazy to do so. I buried my head deeper into my chilly pillow, feeling sleep nearly conquering me again. But the moment I nearly fell asleep was the moment when my bedroom door opened.
"Two more minutes, please. That's all I'm asking," I groaned. I completely pulled my comforter over my head, not wanting the light to hit my eyes.
Instead of Aiden saying anything, I felt the bed dip down and the huge quilt pulled back just slightly.
"It's so dark in here," Aiden muttered into my pillow. He pulled the duvet over his head and I could tell he was nearly asleep by the quietness that took over his consciousness.
"What day is it?"
"Thursday. It's supposed to rain today, tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday." I actually like the rain; it gives me a reason to stay in and watch movies, sleep, and stay warm, definitely in the fall and winter seasons.
"Are you mad at me and Baylor?" I asked. I never got the chance to ask him yesterday since he had left, so now was a good time to inquire.
"Why would I be mad? About you two dating?"
"Yeah," I said.
"No, just took me by surprise, really. I know he's liked you for a while now, but I've never seen the day where you liked him back," Aiden answered.
"Oh, well I was just wondering because I know you hate your friends trying to date me and all, and Baylor is your friend," I noted.
"Yeah, but he's better for you, so I don't care about Baylor dating you," Aiden voiced.
I yawned and huffed. "Instead of brushing your hair first, brush your teeth because your breath reeks," Aiden's tone filled with amusement.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Alright, you've got to get up." Aiden ran his hand up and down my back.
I moaned in laziness and dreadfulness of the day ahead of me. Aiden left the room and as he did, I slowly tried to peel myself from my warm, cozy bed. But I couldn't do it.
"Adalynne Rose Claire! Get your lazy ass out of bed before I drag you," menaced my brother. I got up and went straight to my bathroom. Once I shut the door behind me, I grabbed a fluffy white towel and a washcloth from the bathroom cabinet and laid it on the toilet. As I let the water run behind the shower door, I brushed my teeth. Once I was done, I knew the water was hot just the way I liked it in the mornings.
***
After my warm shower, I got dressed for the weather outside. Since it was raining out, I threw my long, thick hair in a messy bun. Eye liner, mascara, and a little bit of blush completed my schedule of getting ready for the day. All I had to do was eat something because my stomach would not stop sounding like a dying whale. I turned my iHome off and pulled my iPod from the speaker and threw my iPod in my bag. I shoved my phone in the pocket of my sweat leggings just to simply pull it out when it came in use.
A knock on my door suddenly echoed through my room. "Yeah?" I called out to my brother.
Aiden opened my door and hung onto the wall as he poked his head in. "I brought you a McDonald's sausage McGriddle, a hash brown, and an iced mocha coffee. Now pay up," Aiden said.
"Sorry, I'm broke. But thank you for the food." With a simple shrug of shoulders and no words spoken, Aiden closed my door. Within six minutes, I devoured the delicious food. All that was left was my iced coffee, which was half full.
"How did it go with meeting Jo's dad?" I asked, quite curious to know if her dad was the type to hog Jo, telling her boyfriend that she's "daddy's little girl" or if he's the cool, laid back dad.
"He welcomed me to the family. It turned out better than I expected knowing how fathers are about their daughters dating guys."
"I miss Dad and Mom," I sighed and began playing with the strings that hanged from the elastics of my sweat leggings. My chest tightened and my throat began to shrink as it felt like I couldn't breathe.
"You're not the only one."
"Tell me something about Mom." Aiden and I were on the way to my school now. With the heat generating through his truck and the radio playing in the background, it felt relaxing. I trailed my fingers down the window, chasing the trickling rain.
I wanted to know more about Mom for I was only six when she passed away.
"When she was in and out of the hospital, puking twenty-four/seven, barely eating, she still remained positive. Y'know, you remind me a lot of Mom. To me, you look like her. It's like you're her clone."
I tried spotting Baylor's Jeep. Among the cars parked everywhere in lot one, he could be in lot two or three. Once I reached the wing which my first class was on, I pulled out my phone.
Baylor: Are you at school yet?
Me: Yeah, where are you?
Baylor: I'm just pulling onto campus. Sorry I didn't pick you up.
Me: It's fine, nice spending a little time with Aiden.
Baylor: Meet me in the main hallway?
Me: Yeah, see you in a minute.
Baylor was leaning against one of the brick posts in the wide corridor. He was on his phone, his finger sliding vertically across the screen as different lighting crossed his face. He looked up and spotted me and fixed his stature, smiling. As I glanced at him with a mirrored grin, a weak expression took over his face. He pecked my lips.
"You look tired," I spoke up. We began walking slowly back to my class.
"Three hours of sleep is pure shit." And then I remember he said he would stay over until I was ready to go to bed. But while I was already in bed, I fell asleep with him lying wide awake, which made me feel sorry.
"When did you leave my place?" I asked. We trailed right beside each other, our arms brushing every now and then.
"Around four," he answered.
"Why so late?"
"Because I wanted to stay with you so you would get some sleep," he said. Just a few months ago when I first encountered him, I never thought he'd help me through this nightmare that occurred every night.
"Did you stay up all night?" I wondered.
"I dozed off here and there. But every time you moved, you woke me up and I stayed close by you so you wouldn't go through that last night."
"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I'm trying to get over this. I don't know why it keeps replaying in my mind over and over again."
"Don't apologize. Three hours of sleep is better than nothing."
***
BAYLOR
"Why her? She's a nobody. That must be embarrassing. I mean, you're all about sex and popularity, and from what I know, she's the complete opposite of you," she paused, sighed, and continued. "I just don't see how you two are going to work out."
She began scoping at her nails, and then ran her hand through her hair. "Shut the hell up. She isn't trashy like you and the rest of you whores," I defended Adalynne. I knew that people were going to doubt things about us being together. But I really didn't give a damn.
"You didn't count me as being trashy when you told me to come home with you."
"Stay away from Adalynne. I don't want you going around her, screaming in her face about what we did. What happened back then stays there in its place. You mean nothing to me," I declared.
"Don't worry. I won't go around your dog," Morgan smiled.
"Do not call her a dog," I said through gritted teeth. All she did was giggle. I regret getting drunk and high and the times I hooked up with girls. Just one simple word about my past will make her despise me. I promised Adalynne I wasn't going to play her, and I'm keeping my word.
As the bell rung, I grabbed my binders and walked out of class. The day just seemed as if it'd last forever and ever and ever. I dislike the girls that I've had something to do with; Derek; the people that despise my relationship. Just as I rounded the corner of the hallway, heading towards my next class, a hand with long fingernails wrapped around my arm. I snatched my limb with a scowl.
"Don't run away from me."
"Leave me the hell alone!" I yelled, her expression was taken aback. I didn't care if I hurt her feelings or embarrassed her by the gazes that were thrown at the scene I made. I may look like a jerk that yells at girls, but when someone like Morgan tries and tries and tries to get attention, it pisses me off. She should clearly know that I don't want her and I don't want anything to do with her.
Once everyone went their separate way, before Morgan left, she snickered. "You're a dick," her laugh stopped. I don't care, psycho. "But once Adalynee realizes that, don't forget to call me." Obsessive girls like her piss me off.
***
"So you're not mad?" I posed as I watched her amused expression glow.
"No," she answered simply. I told her about Morgan, and to my surprise, she isn't mad.
"I think I should find it as a compliment that other girls want you, but they can't have you." And as sappy as it seems, my heart pounded at her words. It boasted so fast, I could hear it in my ears.
"Nope, they can't. But I can't admit that I wouldn't get mad if a guy tried hitting on you," I tended, telling the definitive truth.
"Oh, really now?" Her tone was engrossing, joking at that.
"Yep; really," I teased even though it was the truth.
***
As we sit on the balcony under the roof, we watched the rain pour onto everything. The cold air bit at my skin that was showing, and I couldn't help but go back inside and grab a cover big enough for the both of us. I felt Adalynne's body shivering constantly; I asked if she wanted to go inside. Instead she shook her head negatively, clearly wanting to stay out longer but I knew she was nearly frozen.
"You sure? You're shaking and I can hear your teeth chattering," I asked, making sure that she's assured she wants to stay out here.
Just before I wrapped the blanket around her body, I ripped my hoodie off of my core and forced her to put it on. I had on a long-sleeved sweater anyway, and luckily the blanket was big enough just to cover up my body. My arms were barricading her small figure from anymore freezing weather by wrapping them tightly around her body. My hands ran up and down her back, my fingers running over creases of the fabric due to it being oversized. Her body stopped shaking. Since her cheek was on my chest, I could once feel the coldness radiate from her cheek. But it wasn't there anymore, and I couldn't hear the chattering of her teeth.
"What's your middle name?" Adalynne asked. She turned her head, apparently more comfortable by staying in the position she laid in. I liked the way that we laid like this; her laying on my body for support, chest to chest; her face buried in the curve of my neck; my arms wrapped around her small body; it all felt wonderful and comfortable to lay like this.
"Kent," I answered.
"How come you've never told me before?" she wondered.
"Because I hate that name," I said.
"I like that name; it's unique," she complimented.
"You're the only person that knows my middle name," I minded, wanting her to know and feel special for being the only girl knowing.
"Really?" she quizzed.
"I've just always hated that name. I wanted Mom to change it but that never happened."
"Aiden's is Rhett, but I don't think he wants anyone knowing that because he finds middle names stupid," Adalynne said.
"How long have we known each other?" Adalynne asked, curiosity seeping through her soft voice.
"For a long time," I answered.
"When did you get here? I know it was at the beginning of the school year 'cause it was near the end of summer."
"Well it's almost November, so about three months," I estimated. It took
"How come I don't remember?" she inquired.
So Aiden has never told her, I guess. I couldn't help but rethink the idea over and over again. Should I tell her or should I not? Should that be Aiden's place to tell her? But then again, she is old enough to understand what happened to her. I took a deep breath and hoped she wouldn't break down. But as the words left my mouth, I knew that my hopes were given up.
"You lost your memory on the plane crash."