****Two Days Later****
Wes helped me drag my overly-packed bags down the stairs and out into the trunk of the Trail Blazer. Seeing as he had decided to spend two nights instead of just the one, packing was a lot easier and a lot less time-consuming--even though there were times when Wes would comment about something I had in my wardrobe, the perv.
Ironically enough, Jaylin arrived just as my parents suggested that I say my goodbyes. So, with dread, depression, and dismay, I trudged, first, over to Jaylin and gave her a hug.
"I'll text you constantly, don't worry, hon," she stated with a smile and a laugh before returning my hug.
"Yeah, okay," I responded nonchalantly, trying to make her happy, "Plus, I have my laptop, so we can webchat whenever I get the chance." I then directed my gaze to Wes, and walked into his open arms.
"I'll miss you, Creeper," he whispered, tightening his grip on me before releasing it altogether.
"I'll miss you, too, Wes," I almost cried. He smiled warmly and winked at me, patting my shoulder. I took the opportunity to pull him in for another hug before my dad pulled us apart--he didn't particularly care for Wes, to put it nicely.
"Take care, babe," Wes said, just to piss my dad off, and smirked.
"You too," I said, laughing and trying to hold in tears that were threatening to escape; I was about to leave two of the most important people in my life behind for good, and I wouldn't get the chance to come back. Either that, or by the time I could come back, it would be too late and they would both be gone somewhere in another state for college. I sniffled and crawled into the crammed back seat of the Trail Blazer, and my mom immediately pulled off.
When Wes and Jaylin were out of sight, I finally turned my aching neck toward the road ahead; my mom hadn't even specifically told me where we were going yet, so I wondered in suspense. All I knew was that we were headed for the Keys. Woo, I'm filled with excitement....not.
As we drove 'down south'--what most southerners call anything in the southernly direction--toward Hell, I sighed in deep thought, and my childhood curiosity took over; what would it be like there? was the stereotype for Southern Floridians correct--were they all a bunch of overly-tan hicks with blonde hair and I-Try-Too-Hard-For-These-Looks attitudes? would the weather be hot and sticky and humid, just as the rest of Florida was most of the time, or would it be worse? worst of all, what was school going to be like?
My saturnine mood only added to the nervous swelling taking place in my chest, and I wrapped my now-shaking arms around my shoulders, cranked my iPod--my only solace--up, and laid my head full of purple-black hair back against the seat. My eyes now closed, I let the melanchology French tunes of Dark Sanctuary drown out the certain calamity about to unfold before me.
.............
I awoke to the sound of a car door slamming shut; sitting up in the backseat, I could see dad pumping gas to my left, and mom walking toward the store before me. I huffed and dug out some money from my jacket, which had somehow made its way to the floorboard; getting out of the car, I followed mom into the store. After scanning the store, I sought my prey in the candy aisle. I silently "mwuahaha"ed the poor Twix and Butterfinger I had chosen and trudged to the counter, money and candy in hand.
"Hey mom," I began when we both made our way back to the car, "how far til we get there now? I fell asleep, so I don't know how long it's been." I unwrapped the Twix and began gnawing away, awaiting her answer.
"We should be there in about half an hour, Dot, okay?" She smiled. I almost dropped my candy bar.
"How long was I asleep?!"
"About...six and a half hours. Your father and I didn't want to wake you. But, there is some twenty-minute old burgers from McDonald's in the console if you're hungry." Her eyes traveled from my candy-filled hands to my candy-filled mouth, and she laughed. "I can see that you are--"
"Alright, you two," dad interjected, "get your chatty butts in the car so we can get a move on." He chuckled and hung up the gas pump-thingy. We all climbed in and set off, once again, for 'the Keys." I grabbed for the McDonald's bag, but hesitated as nostalgia kicked on in high gear; Wes loved McDonald's...and it was Jaylin's one weakness. I was suddenly no longer hungry.
I went, once again, at my candy bars to ease the grief rising in my gut--even though I wasn't hungry--and counted the passing palm trees. Woo, Florida. Land of Sunshine and Bi-polar weather. How astounding. Suddenly,as if it were reading my mind, the Sirius satellite radio we had set on Musicals and Broadway started playing "The Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I loudly sang along, and it annoyed the hell out of my parents.
"It's astounding
Time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely
Not for very much longer
I've go to keep control
I remeeember doin' the Tiiiime Waaaarp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me
And the void would be calling
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the riiiight
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tiiiight
But it's the pelvic thruuuust
That really drives you insaaaaaaaane
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!
It's so dreamy
Oh, fantasy free me
So you can't see me
No, not at all
In another dimension
With voyeuristic intention
Well secluded, I see all
With a bit of a mind flip
You're into the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation
Like you're under sedaaaaation
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
Well I was walkin down the street
Just a having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pick up truck and the devil's eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again--"
"Dottie, Dottie," my dad interrupted my screaming and cut the radio off completely.
"Huh?" I had gotten so into the sound, I had forgotten that my entire reason for singing was to annoy my mom and dad.
"We managed to get here early, McScream, so go check out the house," my Dad replied, trying desperately to hold in his laughter. I was oblivious to the fact that the car was now parked, and that there were people standing, staring, at the 'new arrivals.' I cleared my throat with embarrassment; I was sorely mislead by the theory that no one had heard me, however, because as soon as I stepped out of the car, a guy standing about two houses down with another guy was laughing his head off, his fist to his mouth-to keep from hacking up a lung, I presumed. I rolled my eyes, my cheeks now burning, and headed off toward the front door, where the large palmetto bush shielded me from the two guys.
Mom patted my shoulder with a small giggle as she walked by and unlocked the door to our new home. I hadn't even realized, until I stepped inside, that it was a two-story beach house with a nice big balcony directly overlooking the white sand and clear blue waters of the beach.
"Mom, where are we exactly?" I gazed around the first floor, rooted to the spot.
"Key Largo, honey. Oh, by the way, I called the school while you were sleeping and enrolled you. If you're up to it, you can start going tomorrow--" she paused, taking in my raised eyebrow, and reconsidered "or maybe the next day. Your choice, hon." With that, she walked back outside to help dad unpack. Seeing as I was too lazy--and embarrassed--to do so, I walked up the stairs and explored the rooms.
After about twenty minutes of completely scopiung out each and every room, I chose the one I wanted; it had its own little private balcony, a pair of french doors complete with long, flowy white curtains, a mini-loft where the large king-size plush bed was located, an ancient-looking wardrobe, and airy white walls (those would have to go). It was almost perfect. I climbed the small ladder to the loft and fell onto the bed, air resistance at a minimal. Wallering around, I hummed to myself and savored the moment...it didn't hurt that the bed was really soft, either.
"Dottie," I heard my dad's booming voice from downstairs. I reluctantly got up and made my way downstairs to see what he wanted.
"Sir?" I would be all but bitch-slapped if I replied like a normal teenager would with a simple, 'yeah?' Manners were a must, mom always said.
"Did you pick a room already?" He raised an eyebrow, amused. I guess he thought that I had fallen in love with the place or something.
'Yes sir," I replied apathetically, not showing any interest.
"Good," he rebuttled, handing me my bags. I took them and headed back up to my new room. I would be crazy if I thought I was going to unpack any time soon.
...........
That night, and a large chunk of the next morning, I did nothing but webchat with Jaylin and Wes. After about one, however, Jaylin left, leaving Wes and I alone. But, nevertheless, she returned hours later, wanting to talk about her new boyfriend. I listened, amused, to Wes scolding Jaylin about dating guys she had just met, and Jaylin scolding Wesley for scolding her and acting like her 'dad.' While that might have been true, Wes was only doing so because he cared about her. Before we left each other, Wes gave me the same warning.
"You better not just go throw yourself to any guy, either, Dot. Not that I want you dating at all, but..who am I to say that? Hehe. Well, you know what I mean."
"Hnhn. Yes, Wes, I love you too." I joked, chuckling. "Get some sleep. I've kept you up all nightand day. I'll talk to you later."
"Night." He smiled, but it didn't show in his eyes.
"Bye," I choked out, and turned off my webcam. I all but threw my computer on the floor, and jerked the thick covers over my entire body--head included. If I was lucky, I wouldn't cry, and I would get some sleep before dinner. And after that, my schedule was full of sleep, sleep, and more sleep--I had to have it if I was going to start school tomorrow.
****************************
I promise: the action starts up in the next chapter.
Here's a pic of Dottie ========= >