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Authors: Whitney Tyrrell

Waiting for Something (9 page)

BOOK: Waiting for Something
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“Well, try to be there. Hey, I have a friend waiting for me outside so I’ll see you later.” He gave me some cash to pay for our ice creams and left.

             
What’s his deal? One minute he wants to hang out and the next he ditches me? Instead of finishing my shake, I paid for them with my own money and left leaving the change on the table.

I seriously only had dance girls left. I pulled my phone out on the way home and immediately texted Caley. Yes, texting is against the law but I guess I don’t care. I’m a good driver and I made sure not to look too long at the phone. As I was sending my reply to something she said, I heard the rumble bars and noticed I was a little far on the shoulder. I turned the wheel quickly, but a little too quickly. Somehow I crossed the middle line and I didn’t notice the car coming until it made impact.

I woke up in a white room with everyone standing over me. Well, at least that’s what it felt like. Did I die? Was this purgatory? If so, I need these spirits gone now.

“Get out of my face,” I groaned and my throat felt like sandpaper.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine.” Dillon stepped back and sat down.

“Alice, oh sweetie, you had us so scared!” My mom was tear-soaked as she hugged me.

“I need water,” my voice barely audible.

“Here you go, honey. How you feeling?” my dad came over and brushed some bangs away.

“I’m thirsty and sore. My ribs kill.” I winced at the pain when I sat up.

“That’s because you broke five of them,” Dillon came back up by the bed.

“Five? You’re kidding?” I moaned.

“No, we’re not. You also broke your wrist.” He pointed down at the bandage on my wrist.

“Great,” I threw my head back on the pillow.

“You were texting, Alice. That’s against the law.” My dad’s voice was soft but stern.

“I know, Dad, I know.” I closed my eyes realizing how badly I screwed up.

“You’re lucky the person you hit came out with just some bruises,” he continued.

“Are the cars bad?” I felt so guilty.

“Yours is totaled and hers will need repairs, but it’s not terrible. We’re paying for those.” My father seemed really disappointed in me and I didn’t blame him.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll work for the money to pay for them. I’ll do anything.” My heart was sinking.

“We decided that this is your one screw up, but if you do it again, you will be paying,” my mom broke in and I felt relieved.

“When will I be released?” I drank some more of the water.

“Not until tomorrow. Relax, sweetie. We’re going to the cafeteria, but you have some visitors.” My mom kissed me and my dad did the same before walking out.

“Ali!” The girls from dance came running in.

“Hey, guys! Oh
my gosh, flowers? Thank you so much,” I smiled at all the flowers they had.

“We know how much you love daisies so we bought a lot. Like a couple dozen,” Darian smiled.

“You guys are the best. Thank you so much,” I smiled.

“I feel terrible,” Caley sat by me as the other girls chatted.

“Don’t. I shouldn’t have been texting and driving. It’s my fault, and hey, I’m alive.” I felt bad that she felt bad.

“I shouldn’t have responded or I should have told you to stop texting. I just wish I could repay you,” she looked sluggish.

“You did, by bringing me all these gorgeous daisies.” I drank more water.

“It was my idea,” she grinned.

“I figured,” I yawned.

“Are you tired? Should we leave?” She sat up immediately.

“No, just restless and really sore.” I tried to readjust.

“Well, heal up. We need you at the studio.” Her voice sounded cheerful.

The girls stayed for about a half hour and then they left. Then my parents stopped in to say they were going to go home for a couple of hours and come back. I needed my space anyways. I was actually really exhausted.

I woke up with someone nudging me and I had forgotten I was in the hospital.

“Ali, it’s me. Marlie.” Her voice was quiet.


Marlie? What are you doing here?” I slowly sat up.

“I brought you these, but it looks like you already have plenty.” She handed me my secret flower that I never tell anyone about, a lily.

“A lily? No one knows about my secret favorite flower,” I grabbed the single lily.

“You told me that time I stayed at your house and you were talking to me about how torn you were with Jake and Carter.” She acted like it was no big deal, but it to me it was everything.

“Marlie, I’m sorry for everything,” tears welled in my eyes.

“You have no idea.” She hugged me close and was careful of my ribs, which I was thankful for.

“Truce?” I smiled slightly.

“Pretty please,” she grinned.

“So how long have I been in here?” I felt like it’s been days.

“You came in yesterday and they’re letting you out tomorrow, so not too long. I stopped by yesterday but you were passed out,” she sat beside me.

“Has Carter or Justin come by?” I was curious.

“Yeah, both of them.
At different times, though. Thank God. They got into a huge fight today in school. Fists and everything! Both have detention.” I could tell she felt horrible.

“I’m sorry,
Marlie. You needed me and I wasn’t there for you,” I grabbed her hand.

“I don’t blame you. I would have done the same thing.” Her honesty was refreshing.

“Marlie, we’ll be friends forever. You know that, right?” I smiled.

“Yeah.
No doubt,” she grinned.

“So how’s school?” I changed the mushy topic.

“Boring. I have all your homework. It’s not much, though. Oh! Before I forget, how are you and Jake?” she wanted deets.

“Well I don’t know honestly. I know we have something. But what will happen when he gets back and everything goes back to normal?” I sighed heavily.

“First, I’m sure you’ll be just the same. And second, you need to tell Carter or he’ll be even more hurt. Ali, he still has feelings for you. We talked about it that night I fucked up so bad.” She looked at me.

“I know I need to tell him. I just don’t know how or when. I’ll tell Carter, I promise.” Right as I finished my sentence, guess who came in? Carter. My luck lately is impeccable.

“What do you need to tell me?” He was holding sunflowers and a balloon which was really sweet.

“Perfect timing.
I’ll see you later. Call me,” she whispered and got up without acknowledging Carter.

“Sunflowers?
I love sunflowers,” I smiled at him.

“I know. That’s why I got them because I figured most people would get you your absolute favorite, daisies,” he set them by the other flowers.

“Well, thank you. Come sit,” I patted the bed.

“You’re looking better. I was really scared, Ali. I thought I’d never see you again,” he grabbed my hand nonchalantly.

“I’m alive and kicking, I promise,” my smile was weak because I knew what was bound to come.

“So what do you need to tell me?” his eyes sparkled.

“Carter, I do have feelings for someone else and that is why I broke up with you.” My throat suddenly felt dry.

“Oh, who is it?” his face fell immediately.

“You’re not going to like the answer. But I should let you know he likes me back.” My skin started to burn.

“Just please. Tell me who it is.” I could feel the pain in his heart.

“It’s your brother.” His eyes widened at my response.

“You’re fucking kidding me!” he shouted.
“Jake?! My brother. How dare you! How could you do this to me?!” He stood up and paced around.

“Carter, please calm down. We didn’t mean for it to happen,” my eyes followed him.

“Blah, blah, blah. I don’t give a shit.” His voice was still loud.

“Carter, seriously,
chill out,” I tried to sound calm.

“Really?
Really?! You want me to “chill out”? Fuck, Ali, you’ve gone behind my back and with my brother!” His voice rose to a yell and I was glad that the door was shut.

“Carter, leave.
Now.” I was getting pissed.

“If you and Jake ever become anything I’ll make damn sure it ends just as fast as it begins,” he pointed his finger at me and stormed out.

My life in San Diego is just wonderful. First Carter, then Jake’s gone, then the whole thing with Marlie and Justin, and then the wreck and now this? Oh, wait, almost forgot. I got a letter from Jake sayng he had to stay until graduation, which sucked. I was planning to go out still, but I had hoped he would be back sooner. But I’m so proud of him that I had to hold on to the one thing keeping me going, I’d see him at graduation.

Once I finally got to leave the hospital my ribs weren’t as sore but still painful. The doctor said I could go back to school but no physical activity and I couldn’t lift much weight.

As I sat in my bed Wednesday night the day before I got to go back to school, I felt the sudden realization of Carter’s threat. Maybe it was fate’s way of telling me that Jake and I were never meant to be. And maybe this whole ordeal would just end in pain and heartache.

“Mom,
Marlie is coming to take me to school today,” I walked down the steps slowly.

“Alright, wear your seatbelt,” she looked up at me while I got my cereal.

“Mom, I’m not stupid.” I rolled my eyes.

“You were the first time,” Dillon mumbled.

“Dillon, behave,” my mom glared.

I finished breakfast right before I heard
Marlie honk in front of my house. I wasn’t really too thrilled to be going back to school just because I’m dreading the looks and the fake “are you ok’s”. The only thing I had to look forward to was Jake’s call tonight and even then it wasn’t going to be the best because I had to tell him about the wreck.

“Hey, beautiful.
You know, for just getting out of the hospital you look styling,” Marlie smiled.

“Fashion never sleeps,” I sighed.

“Hey, it’ll be fine today. You got me and I know Justin feels like it’s his fault, so you have him too,” she pulled out of my driveway.

“I know. It’s just I wish school was over.” I rested my head.

“It’s close to being done. Just think, you survived junior year.” She seemed cheerful.

“You sound so hopeful. It’s annoying,” I rolled my eyes.

“You’re very bitter today,” she stated and I was. I didn’t care either.

We got to the parking lot of the school and already two girls walking by noticed me and whispered. Not only did the wreck happen but Carter found out about me and Jake and so that means so did everyone else.
Marlie and I walked to our lockers. Mine was five away from hers. Then we headed to class, beating Carter, thankfully.

“Hey I’m Jake and Carter’s cousin. You want me next?” some kid walked and said a little too loudly.

“Excuse me?” I was appalled. This wasn’t a game to me.

“You know, since you just like to keep it in the family.” He sat down and some kids started snickering.

“I don’t have to prove myself to you, thank you very much. And, no, I don’t date douche bags.” I felt my blood rise and the snickering suddenly stopped.

“Way to go,”
Marlie gave me a thumbs up.

That was the most dramatic thing to happen until lunch rolled around and that was just a brutal nightmare.
Marlie and I were going through the line and the “fab five” had just gone through the line with Justin closely by their side, which was odd.

“What’s with Justin and the five?” I leaned towards
Marlie.

“Don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.” Her tone was harsh but I could understand why.

We walked up to our usual table and Justin quickly planted himself by our sides.

“Um, hi.”
I took a bite of my carrot.

“Hey. Hi,
Marlie,” he acknowledged us and then began to eat like we weren’t even there. I gave Marlie a look and she gave me the same.

“Justin, why are you sitting with us?” I finally broke the silence.

“Because I have no one else to sit with,” he mumbled.

“That’s a lie,”
Marlie snapped.

“Like you lied about having feelings for only me? Yeah, you’re probably pretty good at picking out liars!” His voice
rose a notch.

“Justin, calm down. She knows what she did was wrong, and she’s apologized. Give her a break,” I tried to break the tension.

“Fuck off, Ali. You’re a two-faced bitch.” He went over to the trash can, dumped his tray and walked violently away.

“What the hell was that?” I looked at
Marlie in shock.

“I have no idea,” she gulped and looked like she was on the verge of tears.

BOOK: Waiting for Something
8.43Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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