Chapter 20: Part 18

Arden and Colton were in the front seat making jokes about the fight. Arden has a  few  bruises on  his face. Colton has   a cut on his cheek.

"The way Ace tackled you!" Arden laughed while hitting the wheel.

"Arden as if you were better. Tolan threw a whole drink." Colton stated while leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah, but you nearly killed Tolan." Arden  sounded worried. "You would do the same he spat in my face. I'm getting hot just thinking about it." Colton seethes.

" Thanks, for helping me." Arden murmured  to Colton.

"Wait, what did you say." Colton cupped his ear, acting as if he couldn't hear. Arden tightens his hands around the wheel," You heard me, I'm not repeating myself." Colton laughed at his response. "We got to look, out for each other." Colton added.

I just watched them. Watch them laughing and guilt, started tapping  on my shoulder.  "Guys I'm sorry. If I would have had better control ....over my emotions."   I tried to explain.   "Even though you guys fought. I handled the situation badly."

"Like I said earlier. We need to protect  each other." Colton said

" Don't be too hard on yourself. Tolan didn't have to dog you out. I didn't have to punch Tolan. You didn't have, to say what you said. But we  all did, what we all thought was right at the time."  Arden looks at me through the mirror, "forgive yourself, see were you can improve. And move on."

I smiled,  "you sure bowie and Analia don't need a ride? Colton asked.  I  Responded back, "Bowie texted he  was going to take her home. Let's get some food and go home." They nodded in agreement we started jamming to music and Singing along to music.

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The next Morning came like a breeze. I walked over to give Colton, a huge hug " I'm going to miss you. Can't you stay." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around me.  He responded with." You can always visit me in Seattle. School year is almost over."

Arden threw Colton's bag at him, and he let go of me, to catch his bag. " Wrap it up, Colton. You are going to miss your flight." Arden walked towards the living room

"Give me a sec. I want to give you a gift." He went to dig in his bag. He pulled out a small perfume hamper. And gave it to me. I pulled a face " You trying to tell me something."

A wide smirk grew on his face, " Well the dragon ball is startin....." I punched his shoulder. While I laugh. He started to rub his shoulder

"AW." He was trying to hide his small grin. "No, I'm just joking. This is just good luck for the dragon ball. I won't be here to physically support you."

I smiled at the gesture. I gave him one last hug. "Come visit me in Seattle." Colton said as he walked out. To meet Arden outside. Because my brother was going to drop him. At the airport. I am sure they are out there crying together

I walked into the kitchen to get something to drink in my sparkly cup. I was Staring down at the sparkling cup and I froze. Because looking at that cup. I had a rush of last night's memories hit my head like a bus. I poured out the  water. Threw the sparkling cup against the wall.

I pulled out my phone and texted Analia, I haven't heard from her since yesterday.

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I  was lying on Lia's bed starring at her ceiling. Lia was next to me. Casting her shadow over my head like a tree.

"You ever miss the old days? I broke the silence between us.

She looks down  at me " We shared a lot of old times you need to be specific." A Smile grew on both, our faces when she said that.

I said "No, when we both started swimming." She leaned her head back on the headboard of the bed.

She shifted next to me. Then said " I miss those days like a bird without wings. What were we eight?"

"Yeah. Our youth reflects everything around us sweetly and thoughtfully, like a stunning tear drop blooming off my cheek." I bit my lip and looked down .

I turned to look at her face. My words pulled her smile into a frown. "I have legit known you all my life. You have been my constant for years."

"Imagine if neither one of us picked up swimming. We wouldn't be chilling in your room right now."

"I can't imagine a universe that we aren't friends no more." Lia's voice trembled, while closing her eyes.

"It would be weird, cause after our first swimming  lesson. We were inseparable. I feel there would be a whole in my life."  I spoke up

"You know. There might come a day. Cause life goes fast, and things might not last. I want you to know. You saved me during high school from boredom and loneness. For that you will always be cherished."  A tiny tear rolled, down my cheek after she said that. I flicked that tear away with quickness.

I sighted and continued to say "I Love you too. I just pray that day never comes." Before she could take my words in. I told her the next thought in my mind.

''Is my overnight bag still here Lia?'' I said as I was walking into her bedroom .''You only have one clean shirt , I will borrow you some shorts. I nodded and I check my phone for the fifth time over the pass 3 minutes .

''Please stop checking your phone." I turn around and give her a forced fake look  '' you think I don't see you checking your, phone every time you blink.'' She sits on the bed. I change into my shirt and her shorts.

''It's just when he hurt me I realized. I loved him." I whispered, like it's one thing to have a thought, but to admit it. Something totally different.

"What you loved him!'' She blurted and nearly fell off the bed.' 'I mean think about how. He has hurt me before, and if he were to call me right now. I would take him back.'' I looked down and tucked, my hair behind my ear feeling, ashamed for what I said.

''So think about it I'm  willing, to choose pain over pleasure, my self -esteem and my sanity. '' She just looked at me as if, I told her I was going to kill her. ''The only thing that is stopping me from picking up, my phone and calling him is my pride and ego. And how he fought with my brother.''

Lia just gave me a small smile, and comforted me "You deserve so much better. And thank you Bree's ego.''

I just quickly wiped my tear away that tried to escape. I was not about to fall into dehydration,  for that boy. Cause the tears I would cry would be a lot.   ''Thanks for letting me stay over, you know I would take a bullet for you .''I  Sniffled.

''It's okay , I know you would. ''  Again her words rang in my ear, 'I know you would' She paused for a moment and looked me in my eyes.    ''How do you feel, I know it's a stupid question, but you need to express your emotions. Cry if you have to.'' I don't know why I started to laugh , first it started with a chuckle than into a full blown laugh.

'' Cry, cry I am done crying. I keep crying . I should laugh, you know what they say laugh. At your pain. I should, my life is so pathetic.''   I started to throw Lia's pillows on the ground, she just sat there and watched me.

''This reminds me of childhood like, how my Dad dismissed me. A feeling I've had numerous times throughout my life and the feeling continued. I thought this would be different...my emotions are what got me into this mess, so why should I express them more.'' My voice started to break, towards the end I stopped throwing the pillows and sat on the bed. I just stared at the floor, what could I say no words could fill the void in my heart. No number of tantrums could soothe my pain. I started to take deep breaths, to try and control my breathing

''Bree you don't have to be strong.'' She came and sat next to me and I leaned on her shoulder. Than my head immediately jerked up. When I saw the white roses in the vase. His favorite color is white. My favorite flower is a rose. This was a cruelly beautiful reminder, of our love. Lia looked at the roses "What?"

"It's nothing." I lied.

"I never should have dissed Tolan. Now look at me." I continued to blame myself.

"Shh." Lia kept rocking me

''It's okay, you don't have to explain.'' She gently rocked me back and forth. My eyes started to feel heavy, and I fell into a peaceful darkness.

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I opened my eyes and I instantly felt. All the weight on my chest. Oh, great, it was not a dream. I check my phone

Arden one message: Dropped Colton off at airport and got home safe. We need to talk, it's important.

I smiled and texted : love you see you at home. Will be back home tomorrow. At Analia's home.

I looked around and I realized  I was in Lia's room. I heard the Tv down stairs I guess she must be watching something. I see in a distance something lighting up, is that Lia's phone, who is calling her at night.

''Lia ! your phone." She did not come up. So, I  checked caller ID and I saw it was granny Foxy, Analia's grandmother she was so fun. I felt instant joy rush through my veins without thinking I answered. "Hey baby, just calling you to ask can you come visit me since you going for an  internship, and only coming back after a year and six months.'' She said with excitement.

''No , it's Bree . . She paused for a minute,''

"Oh hi Bree, you happy that   Charlotte Bonnet   reached out to Analia. So she can be mentored, she is moving away to France in one week." After granny fox said that. It felt as if the wind was knocked,   out of my body .

I couldn't think, so I  retreated,  ''I am so sorry. I  .. I have to go .'' So I hung up.

''You called ?'' Lia preened. Then I realized the person I would take a bullet for was the one pulling the trigger.

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Author's note

What's going to happen with Analia and Bree? I enjoyed writing these last 3 chapters. I love the last line.