Rain poured down outside, making puddles form. The water droplets streaked across my window. I rested my head on the cold glass. The power was out and the sky was covered in haunting, gray clouds.
I wrapped a blanket around my freezing arms and drew a breathe. The doorbell rang. Sighing, I got up and went to the door.
"Jade? What are you doing here?" I raised my eyebrows at the sight of my soaked sister carrying heavy luggage. Her wet, dark brown hair hung in her face. Her blue shirt was dotted with raindrops. Jade looked exhausted.
"Tess, you were supposed to pick me up from the airport, remember?" She threw the luggage to the floor and closed the door behind her.
"How would mom and dad expect me to do that? I can't drive yet," I crossed my arms.
"I don't know, get a taxi," My sister narrowed her eyes," Now where am I sleeping?"
I gave her a puzzled look," You didn't even remember to get me a place to sleep? Ugh. Fine I'll sleep on the couch!"
Jade picked up her bags and carried them to the living room. I just shrugged and followed her.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" She glanced around.
"Out shopping," I answered.
"In this weather?" She reached into her bag and pulled out some gum.
"Yes," I looked at her pack of spear mint gum.
"You want some?" She handed me a piece.
I unwrapped it and slipped it in my mouth,"Never thought I would see the day my sister was nice to me," I joked.
"I wasn't. That piece fell on the floor," Jade said with a glimmer in her eye.
"Ewe!" I spit the piece out and wiped my tongue.
Jade laughed," Never gets old."
I glared at her.
Beep! Beep!
My phone's screen flashed with a new text from Derick.
Hey
Hi, I replied.
What's up?, Derick asked.
Nm, u?, The only sounds were the clicking of my keypad and the soft patter of rain on the roof. My sister's laptop hummed as she turned it on.
Same :/, Derick said.
"Riveting conversation," Jade leaned over my shoulder.
"Shut up," I pushed her playfully.
"I'm just saying," She shrugged.
So..., I sent.
So... U wanna meet up at Winterfield Square?, Derick asked?
Winterfeild Square was a street cars weren't allowed to drive on. It had little shops that sold jewelry and clothes, plus there were cafes and ice cream parlors. It was packed with people and always smelled like chocolate. My favorite little place on that street was a cafe called Rita's Delights. They had the best hot chocolate with small fluffy marshmallows. Soft music hummed as you sipped the warm drink by a small fireplace in every corner of the cafe. Even though it was California, it made you feel like you were in the mountains. It always felt warm and cozy. I had only been there once, but I fell in love with the small place.
But It's raining..., I pointed out.
Best time 2 go 2 Rita's, He knew me so well, and he had a point.
Ok, sure, I smiled at my phone.
"You'll get the hang of it," My sister said without looking up from her computer.
"The hang of what?" I raised an eyebrow.
Jade looked up and closed her laptop. Sighing, she crossed her arms," Having a real conversation."
"I can have a real conversation," I convinced her.
"Doesn't seem like it. A real conversation has punctuation, proper grammar, and they don't say 'so...' every five minutes."
"I know, but this is what we say when we don't know what to talk about," I closed my phone and set it on the coffee table.
"Oh really?" She grabbed my phone and opened up my texts to Derick.
"Hey, give me my phone!" I reached out for it.
"Nope, not until you know how to talk to someone," Jade held it out of reach. "What's this? Does my little sis have a boyfriend?" She teased.
"That's none of your business," I crossed my arms. She stuck her tongue out at me.
Beep! Beep!
Startled, my sister dropped my phone. I quickly grabbed it," Ha!"
Ok, so when do u want me 2 pick u up?, Derick texted.
Give me 20 minutes, I replied, running to my room.
K, He said.
After tossing shirts and pants all over the floor, I pulled on some jeans, a green tank-top layered with a black scarf, and lime green sandals.
"You going on a date tonight?" Jade was leaning against the frame of my door.
"Yes," I sighed.
She smirked," With that Derick guy?"
"Yea," I popped a bubble with my gum.
"Well, have fun, I guess," She started messing with her fingernails.
"Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden. You've always hated me," I crossed my arms and raised an eyebow at my sister.
"I just thought we need to get rid of some bad blood, Tess," Jade sighed.
"If you say so," I just shrugged, not really believing her.
Ding! Dong! The doorbell freed me from continuing the conversation.
"Hey," I opened the door to reveil Derick holding a bright green umbrella.
"Hey," I gave Derick a hug. He was dressed in a blue shirt with a gray jacket and jeans. Derick flipped his dirty blonde hair out of his bright blue eyes and took my hand. I closed the door and got under the umbrella.
We got into his black 2010 Ford Fusion. The leather seats were splattered with raindrops from when the door had opened. Derick turned the radio on to my favorite station. "Own the Night" by Lady Antebellum started playing.
Derick started singing along with the radio,"Tell me have you ever wanted someone so much it hurts? Your lips keep trying to speak, but you just can't find the words. Well I had this dream once, I held it in my hands. She was the purest beauty, but not the common kind, she had a way about her, that made you feel alive. And for a moment, you made the world stand still."
I joined in," Yea we owned the night. You had me dim the lights, you danced just like a child. The wine spilled on your dress, and all you did was smile. Yeah, it was perfect, I hold it in my mind. Yea, we owned the night."
We looked at each other and laughed. "You're really good," Derick took my hand again.
I smiled," Thanks."
Derick started the engine and put his foot down on the acceleration. Trees sped by, leaves blew in the summer breeze. We got to the main road and made a left towards Winterfeild Square. I opened the window and stuck my hand out to feel the cool air. Closing my eyes, I let my imagination take me away.
A loud screeching of tires brought me back. I glanced out the window and saw a motorcycle barreling towards us. I heard a scream, glass shattering, and then everything went black.
~~~
My vision was blurry. All I saw were shapes of what seemed to be people surrounding and rushing around me. I heard the beeping of a hospital monitor and carts being pushed around.
"She's waking up!" It sounded like my mom was next to me.
"Tess?" I could hear Derick's voice whisper in my ear.
Suddenly, everything became clear. I could see Derick with a something wrapped around his wrist leaning over me. My mom sat on the other side and was stroking my arm. My dad was there, his hands resting on Sherry's shoulders. Even Jade was there.
"Derick, what happened?" I asked, rubbing my eye.
"We were going to Winterfeild Square, when a motorcycle hit us and..." He started.
"I know that," I replied," I mean your wrist," I pointed.
"Oh, I just sprained it. I got some scratches and bruises, too, but you're a little more serious," Derick glanced down at my leg.
"What?" I tried to sit up and get a look, but Derick pushed me back down.
"You're not suppoesed to get up, you have a broken leg," He said.
"Just great! First I almost drown, then I get attacked by some burly men, then a guy on a bike nearly runs me over at Walmart, and now this! Three of those events are because of motorcyclists. Coincidence? I think not!" A tear slowly fell down my cheek.
Derick squeezed my hand," It's ok. Everything will be fine."
"No, it won't! Motorcyclists are after me, and my ex is trying to kill me!" More tears exscaped.
"Tyler is not trying to kill you," Derick tried to reasure me.
"Yes, he is!" I screamed.
"What makes you think that?" He asked.
I glanced at my mom and dad," His parents are spies. and I think he is too."
Derick's eyes widened," Are.. are you sure?"
"Not really, but my parents..." I started.
My parents both sighed," It's true."
Derick stepped back. Sherry and Kert filled him in, and by the end of the story, Derick understood.
"Okay, so my girlfriend's not crazy..." Derick rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
I looked up at him," Girlfriend?"
"Uh, well yeah... I..." He stuttered.
I smiled at him. Jade snorted across the room, and he glared at her. Then he swooped down and kissed my forehead.
A nurse walked in," Uh, there aren't supposed to be so many people in here. I'm gonna have to ask a few of you to please leave," She pointed to the door.
Everyone but Derick shuffled out of the room, we were alone. Derick glaced around just to make sure and gave me another kiss, this time on the lips. For once, it finally felt like everything was finally going to be okay.
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Gave u a long chapter cuz i didnt post 4 a while. hope u enjoyed it! comment, vote and fan if u havent yet! thnx! and i always fan back!
-Lauren