A knock on my door wakes me up. Looking at the clock, red digital numbers stare back at me. It's noon. Ignoring the urge to stay in bed, I get up to go check who is knocking on my door.
Looking through the peephole, Damon's figure blocks up the entire view. I open the door, a scowl on my face. Did he have to wake me up?
"Good morning!" He says, too excited for my current mood.
"You woke me up," I deadpan.
"I figured. Get dressed and," giving me a once over, "take a shower. I will pick you up in an hour."
I want to refuse to go out today. Afterall, I have that paper due tonight. Thinking back to how much work I already did, I realize that I did all the work that I needed to do. I don't know how or when, but it's done and that is all that matters.
"I'll be ready, but I have to attend one class today and do one errand."
"What time?"
"My class is at 2pm and I can do the errand right after that. It will take me five minutes."
"Okay. After that I have a surprise for you."
"Sounds interesting. Any hints?"
"No." He answers, prompting us both to laugh together.
Closing the door, I grab a red knit sweater, red knee-high socks with white trim, and dark blue jeans from my bedroom. Bringing them into the bathroom, I stop and look at myself in the mirror. I look a mess, my hair is like a bird's nest. There are pen marks on my cheeks and forehead, some white out on my nose. My fingers are stiff and sore from typing all the new chapters last night and my middle finger seems permanently crooked from holding a pen for so long.
I think back to last night. I remember that I was done editing all the chapters when I fell asleep. I was so sure that I wouldn't wake up until the next morning, but at 6 am, I woke up out of nowhere with enough energy to power a building, or body long enough to type 14 chapters and write a brand new one. Remembering the other short writing assignment I had to do, I groan and run to my room to look at the prompt.
It is easier than what I initially anticipated. A character description, two hundred words in length will not take me long. Twenty minutes later, I stand back in the bathroom, the water turned on, just standing under the spray. With the water's force, my hair returns to normal, not wet and matted to my forehead, I watch as pen ink smears on my hand when I wipe my face. All of my hard work takes only minutes to disappear down the drain. The beyond long night, stress, all gone in the matter of minutes. All that is left? A small preview of a future novel sitting on my computer waiting to be printed at the university. A part of me feels disappointed that my hard work isn't permanently shown on my face, but another part of me is glad that it will be seen in better ways, like the papers itself.
Getting out, I check the time, 12:41 pm. I run a brush through my hair, getting out all the tangles. Throwing on my clothes, I quickly finish my routine and pack up my laptop and class materials. With the twenty minutes to spare, I collect my keys, phone, headphones and purse. Placing them all in my bag, I check the time again, 12:48 pm. I still have twelve minutes to spare. This is the first breath I have taken since he told me to give him my chapters. It is much needed and very welcome.
A few minutes later, the boys are at my door and we are off to my school. The drive is short and consists of us all singing to the music on the radio. Having the back seat to myself, I dance around and put on a little show for the boys to enjoy. Getting out of the car, I thank them for driving me and head for the writing department. Being an hour early for class means that I can hand in the chapters first then attend class, this way I have nothing to do once it's over.
Stopping at the first printer I find, I email the file to the printer and watch as page after page comes rolling out. Once the first paper is cool, the last one comes out warm. I pick all of the papers up, I bang them on the table and then paperclip them together. Continuing down the hallway, I go up a flight of stairs and walk until I am face to face with my professor's office. Knocking on the slightly ajar door, he calls for me to enter.
"Rose! Perfect timing! Come in. Did you bring the chapters with you?"
"Yes, I also added chapter 15."
"Perfect. I will read them tonight and see if you should make any quick changes before I give them to him."
"Thank you so much!" I say, turning away to walk out of the room.
I have plenty of time to spare before my next class. Choosing to go into the cafeteria, I claim a table and sit down. Placing my laptop down, I spend the next half hour working on a future assignment. The heavier the load now, the less the load will be at the end of the semester.
When the lunch rush comes in, I know it is time to get to class. Packing up all of my things, I head out and walk across campus, music blasting in my ears. Opening the door to the building, I lower my music and stop at the door at the end of the hallway. A half and a half of this and I am free.
I take out my earbuds as the professor comes into the room.
"Alright, everyone. Are you all ready to begin?" She asks, jumping right into the lecture before anyone can respond.
By the time class ends, two pages are covered, in black and blue notes. Closing it up, I stow it in my backpack along with the rest of my supplies. I text the boys on my way out of the class room and get an immediate response of "we are already in the parking lot."
With a smile on my face, I imagine what the surprise could be. Maybe we are going for a drive and I can drive again. Maybe we are going back to the secluded house for the night. Maybe we are all having a movie night again. Thinking about it, no matter what we do, I know I will have a good time, as long as it's not another party.
When I see their car, I pick up my pace and enter it gracefully, placing my bag on the seat next to me.
"Hey," I greet once I'm all settled.
"Hi," Brandon replies.
"How was class?" Damon asks.
"It went well. I did the errand already when I first got here which was good. Quick and easy." Changing the subject, I beg them to tell me where we are going.
Of course, neither dignify me with an answer and I'm left in the dark for the ride. However, with every turner take, the darkness gets lighter and lighter until I know exactly where we are going.
"I was hoping you would bring me back here," I say knowingly.
"You loved it the first time, I knew you would like to come here again," he says, pulling down the dirt path. With each second, the cabin comes more into view until we all get out of the car. Immersed in nature's silence, I can't help but feel glee. I love being surrounded by peacefulness, away from phones and assignments.
"What are we doing first?" I question as we walk inside.
"You seemed so stressed last night that I decided we would have a small picnic. You can relax under the tree with a book again and come back in when it's time for lunch."
"That sounds amazing!" I gush. Thinking about it, I was stressed. I had a lot due and a short time frame to do it. I may not have known at the time, by finally sitting under the tree, book in hand, I feel my body unwind and relax for the first time in 48 hours.
Brandon joins me, sitting on my left.
"I know we don't know each other very well, but he seems happier. Thank you."
"Uh… I don't think that that is because of me. I haven't done much."
"You've done more than you realize. He's been in a bad part of his life for a while now, and I can finally see the clouds uncovering the sun of his life. He used to party a lot more, he didn't care about anyone or anything, especially after the fallout with our family. You've made a big difference, even if you don't see it."
"Thank you. He has certainly helped me in ways I could never repay him for. Maybe we were meant to help each other."
"I agree."
Breaking our conversation, Damon yells from the deck that lunch is ready. Getting up, Brandon extends his hand to help me. Taking it, I hold my book in the other hand and use my feet to lift myself off of the ground.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Let's go eat, I'm starving." Brandon races up the deck and is through the doors quicker than I can take one step. Following his footsteps, I head inside where they are waiting for me.