The day was finally over and done with. I was completely exhausted but for different reasons than usual.
Instead of being fatigued thanks to the many useless lectures forcibly ground into our heads, I was tired thanks to a new pair of oddballs.
It seems that I was wrong about Nova trying to maybe make a spectacle of me. She's actually a pretty sweet girl and is as decent as she looks.
I guess thinking she was a predator in disguise was kind of silly of me...but could you blame me?
I'm used to being the invisible girl, the girl no one ever remembers, the girl who's as noticeable as an ant you see while driving past by.
That's just how I'm used to being viewed. Suddenly receiving attention from a girl as gorgeous and super friendly as Nova? Well, it just seemed too good to be true.
Although I've now fully corrected my assumptions of Nova I can't really say the same for her friend.
Trix did seem to be more different than I originally thought, but there was still something amiss about her.
Like she was not showing her true colors, although her kindness didn't seem like an act and I didn't sense any force of hostility coming off her.
Hmmm...I guess I'll just have to be more cautious with her around.
Branzingly walking out the school double doors I made my way down the stairs.
The sun was still up high announcing the swift arrival of summer and its unforgiving heat.
Covering over my eyes to block out the strong waves attacking me, I sighed out loud in frustration.
Even though many people preferred the warm weather of summer and all the ice cream it promised, I was not a fan of the season.
Not one bit. I actually preferred winter over any other season.
I mean who doesn't love spending time at home in their comfortable bed, sipping on warm cocoa and munching on some homemade biscuits while watching a good movie?
I know I thoroughly enjoyed the activity, whether I was alone or with Chase it was well worth it.
Slumping my shoulders I grunted out loud to the sky, cursing the bright yellow dot producing the massive heatwave I felt.
Guess this means no more long sleeves.
Just as I was making my way to the student parking lot, a hand on my shoulder stopped me from taking a step further.
I turned around with lightning speed ready to take on whoever dated to lay a finger on me.
Kung go stance and all I readied myself to kick the hell outta their ba-
"Woah...what's with the kung fu pose?"
Asked a very alarmed yet slightly amused Chase. He held up his hands in a surrendering motion. The dude was openly mocking me for using a ridiculous stance as my attack pose.
Talk about rude!
Rolling my eyes at the blonde I lowered my arms and leg to a neutral position
"Hey, Chase"
Proceeding to walk to my car the tall male followed me without fail. He wasn't saying anything which was very unusual for him.
He would usually be blathering on about something useless by now, talking my ear off in the process.
But today he was unusually quiet.
Strange. Very strange.
Unlocking my car I got in and my cousin did the same. It was when we were off on the road that he started to fidget in his seat, twiddling with his fingers.
A trait he got from his mom, something they both did when nervous or anxious.
My eyes were kept on the riad but in the corner of my eye, I could see him catching glimpses at me.
I'd had enough of his unusual behavior so when we got to a red light I turned in my seat and looked at him with a serious expression.
He first seemed calm but soon broke into a sweat at my gaze.
"What?"
He asked with a shake in his voice. I lifted a brow at that but asked anyway.
"What's with you today?"
"What do you mean?"
He seemed genuinely confused by my question but both he and I knew what exactly it is I was asking.
But he persisted in pretending not to know at all what I meant.
Dropping my head onto the steering wheel I kept my hands on both sides of my head I closed my eyes.
"Huh...Chase I really don't like asking people what's bothering them since it usually brings me nothing but a pain in the ass..."
Slowly raising my head I looked straight at him with concern laced deep within my eyes and I made sure that he saw it.
Chase, although it doesn't really look like it, is the most supportive person in my life right now.
He's always been there with me through the good and the bad. Cried with me when my favorite character in a series died and laughed with me when I got my leg broken in fifth grade.
He's the only ally I have and my only stronghold. So if I can help him relieve some of his stress or anxiety, it feels like I was also doing my part.
Waiting for him to give me an answer I nudged him further with the most caring smile I could muster.
He heaved a sigh closed his eyes then opened them again. Looking at me with utmost seriousness.
I was starting to regret asking him to lean his head on my shoulder. I didn't do well with a serious atmosphere.
"Rei, Uhm...I really don't know how to say this."
He seemed a bit down and maybe nervous to tell me what was going on. Looking down to the car floor he twiddled with his fingers.
"Hey, you can tell me"
I gave a sweet smile again. Returning it with a nervous one of his own he once again gathered all his courage and opened his mouth to speak.
However, instead of words, it was the loud sound of a car honking behind us that was heard.
Frightened by the sudden noise I looked back to the red Ferrari waiting for us to move.
"Oops"
It seemed that with Chase acting all weird I'd forgotten that we were still on the road.
The red light had turned green now which meant I had to get a move on. Chase had gone quiet again.
A few miles after the stop I turned to the curb and parked at the side of some sort of perfume store.
Turning off the engine key still in the ignition I turned to my cousin and gave him a look.
He gave me one back and I just rolled my eyes at the persistent little twit, who was actually taller than me yet ironically younger by a few months.
"Chase."
I declared with a stern look.
"Reign."
He did the same. That just ticked me off even more. Come on dude, didn't you want to tell me something earlier?
If it weren't for that Ferrari driver asshat's beep I'd already know what was bothering you so much.
"Dude, you know very well what I'm waiting for. You were about to tell me something back there and I'm still all ears so..."
"Alright, guess it can't be left off for too long anyway. Just promise me you won't get mad"
I raised a brow at his words. Now, that was highly suspicious.
What was it he was about to tell me that'd possibly make me mad?
"Chase, what'd you do?"
"You have to promise me Rei!"
My eyes squinted at him and he held his hands together as if in prayer and pleaded with me.
"Please Rei, just promise me that one little thing, and I'll let it all roll off my tongue"
Giving him a side look I closed my eyes and in defeat, I gave a heavy sigh along with a nod of approval.
"I won't get mad...but I can't promise not to kill you"
I whispered the last bit to myself. Confused by what I ominously whispered Chase asked for the rest of the sentence.
"Nothing really, just tell me what it is that's bothering you."
"Alright. You know when I asked if you've had any contact with your dad since he left those months ago?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, I thought how sad it was for you to not see your parents so often. I mean if it were me I'd never survive not eating my mom's cooking or a bear hug from dad. So I thought to myself, hey Reign should really get time to spend with her parents more often."
Even more confused than before my brows scrunched up as I waited for my cousin to further explain what he had planned.
"So?"
"So, I kinda went on ahead and told your parents off while they were at their jobs and got them to take a leave of absence for three days to spend time with you so now you get to be with your parents for the weekend and enjoy spending quality time together....yay"
What, the hell?!
I gave my cousin the most death-defying glare ever known to mankind and I made sure it terrified him to the core.
The toxic look I gave him made him shiver in fright.
"Haha, sorry I just thought that-"
"Thought what, Chase!? That I'd want to have such an experience where I'm cornered into having a conversation with my parents, whose marriage is falling apart and can only show their love for me through money? Like I want to sit down and discuss what I already know is going on?!"
Tears lined my eyes, threatening to fall as I glared at him.
"I don't want to spend time with my family Chase, not because I feel like they don't love me but because I'm afraid it might be the last time I ever do"
His facial expression softened as he gave an understanding look. Overwhelmed by emotions of sadness I looked down at my feet.
Hands-on on either side of the steering wheel and head on it with my eyes shut.
The tears I'd been struggling to hold back finally let up. One by one they fell down my cheeks and my arms in streams.
The car was quiet except for my constant sniffs. Movement from the seat next to me was heard as I felt an arm sneak its way around my shoulders.
It was when I felt myself come into contact with a broad chest that I let out silent sobs.
Chase didn't say a thing and let me use his shoulder as a pillow. His shirt was darkened by my tears and as dry as the Amazon.
Yet even though he was drenched in tears and snot he continued rubbing my arm in comfort, unbothered by the cover of liquids on him.
A few minutes passed as silence was brought back. No sound from the radio came, no Hinks from the street were heard and my sobs had come to a completed still.
Chase, however, continued to run my arm and I continued to clutch to his shirt as if my life depended on it.
We soon broke off from our hug and I went back to my position in the driver seat. Brushing away my tears I looked forward to the road.
Hands-on the wheel and heart slightly less heavy. I looked to my cousin to see him already facing me.
He gave me a small smile but not that overbearing smile that was given out of pity, no. He gave me a smile that said he understood, one that said he was there for me no matter what.
Grateful for the display of concern I returned the gesture.
Suddenly fatigued I looked down to my feet once more with my eyes closed.
I struggled with my thoughts as my mind went from one opinion to the next.
Once I had my mindset I heaved a heavy sigh, looked up, and with conviction said to my cousin.
"Fine, I'll go meet with my parents!"
The wide smile on his face told me that he was beyond thrilled at my decision and he was in no way hiding his joy.
"Thank you so much, Rei! I promise you will not regret this."
He said jumping in his seat. I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior and started up the car once more.
Coming out of the curb I said to him without looking away from the road.
"Yeah well, whether I regret it or not is yet to be determined."
Let's just hope he's right on this. I'm in no mood of finding out how my life will fall apart even further.