The heart jostle of the car woke me up. rubbing my eyes, I looked around at the world and noticed it was covered in snow, I assumed we were close. I continue to rub my eyes and reach for Brandon's arm
"Pull over I'll drive." I felt a hand grab mine and I smiled I finished rubbing my eyes and looked at the driver.
It was Trey… my attention shot to the backseat where Brandon was stretched out, and sleeping my heart was beating a million miles a minute I didn't want to be rude and pull away too fast, so I let him hold my hand.
Moments later he stopped at a stoplight and gave me the sweetest smile I blushed and looked away only for my attention to snap back when I felt his lips kiss my hand
"Thank you." he then released my hand and started to drive when the light turned green my mind was on everything and nothing at the same time. All I could think about was how soft his lips were and wondered why he thanked me.
"No problem." I giggled. Trey just stared at me longer than he probably should have with a soft expression on his face.
A little while later Brandon woke up, and 10 minutes after that we arrived at our first stop… JCPenney's.
Brandon explained why we were here
"We left campus without some important items so we're here to buy those things get some food and then be on our way."
I gently grabbed Brandon's arm.
"What type of stuff are we here for? Well… besides jackets and shoes." as if he was uncomfortable Brandon slipped his arm awkwardly out of my hands, he did it in a way that felt like he was saying "yeah don't touch me" I brushed it off and stood there awkwardly waiting for a response.
"I don't know… camping stuff? A sled? I'll leave that part to you."
"Okay. if we all get split up just meet up at the bottom of that escalator," I pointed out the only visible escalator only to notice that it was bringing people up. I mentally cursed and quickly added. "Just try not to crowd the bottom of the escalator."
"Right, I'm paying but that doesn't mean pick up senseless random shit." he stared straight at Trey when he said that. Trey looked like he took that as a challenge.
Oh no.
Everyone started making their way to get their clothes mine was on this floor, but Brandon started to drag me with him, by the arm. I wriggled free from his uncomfortably tight grip and reached for his hand to which he dodged and slung his heavy muscular arm over my shoulder. Instead of letting his hand hang free he went out of his way to grab my boob and once the escalator dropped us off at the top, he picked up some random shirt and started making his way to the closest changing room. I looked around and noticed there wasn't going to be much intervention. Curious about the lack of people I checked the weather and seen that it was snowing. The weather called for a blizzard, just my luck. I sucked my teeth and ducked out from under his arm.
He stopped but didn't even bother to turn and face me. I looked around and found Trey pretending to mind his business. I took a dark blue T-shirt off of the metal l rack and threw it at Brandon.
"Put that ugly shirt away and try that one on. It looks much better." with that Brandon pulled the shirt off of his head, turned slightly and looked over his shoulder with a blank emotionless look and then strolled into the changing room. No protest no argument. I stood there alone with the urge to run in and apologize but I fought that urge and turned my back to the men's department descending the escalator.
Once down the escalator I navigated towards the coats and pull a long black peacoat out of the rack and quickly tried it on. then I auto piloted to the shoes where I pulled out some brown calf high heeled boots and threw them into a nearby cart. I looked down at my pants and debated getting a new pair and decided to get one… just in case.
Now with the camping supplies.
I was mentally debating the color of the tents when I felt like someone was looming over my shoulder I tensed and turned around… there was no one there.
I returned to what I was doing but this time, I heard a shift behind me. My heart sped up but when I turned it was too late.
"Boo!" I almost cried as I screamed so loud the workers made every excuse to check the camping area. Trey screamed boo and had me wrapped up in a bear hug. His chin resting on my shoulder. He released me and joined me with gathering materials. Mini solar powered lantern, metal fire starters two to be exact… just in case, the tent… obviously, I also got three sleeping bags and was debating the multi tool I found. Trey just grabbed the biggest tent and replace the one I picked with it then he took the multi tool and threw it into the cart.
"Trey!" I gave him a look that said, "what are you doing?" and shook my head at him.
"What?! You want the blue one?" astonished at how oblivious he was acting I walked over to the cart and examined the tent.
"This is a 20-person tent why would we need this?"
"Fine what about the 10 person one. look there's even a blue one." I rolled my eyes and smiled.
"Fine but I'm going to beat you up I swear." he replaces the tents and close the distance between us. stopping a foot away with a smirk on his face.
"Oh yea?" I smirked and stepped closer to him
"Yeah, what are you going to do about it." he chuckled deeply and leaned down but stopped and stood up straight his smirk was still there. I took a step forward, but something made me look to my left and there was Brandon sitting on one of the wooden shirt racks nearby
"You done shopping?" my body went cold, and my brain went blank
"Ye-yeah, sorry." something was wrong, and he was trying to hide it that tends to be worse than him immediately expressing how he feels
Was he still upset?
I stood up straight, but I didn't move fast enough. Trey came shooting forward and knocked me to the ground Trey helped me up first, Brandon got to his feet and seized the man who is standing behind Trey.
"What are you doing what are you trying to pick a fight?"
"No! No! Please I got cologne in my eye. I didn't see anyone." Brandon dragged him over to where I was now standing.
"Apologize… Now!"
"I'm sorry Miss. Please forgive me. I'm sorry." I stared into his eyes and noticed that they were very irritated.
"You're fine. What I want you to do is go to the bathroom in the back and wash your eyes out, and if you have any contacts and I'm afraid to tell you, but you need to remove those as well, or they will prolong the irritation and possibly injure your eyes permanently.
"Yes… of course! I will." Brandon roughly released him in the direction of the bathroom.
"Are you okay?" I just answered Trey with a nod. Then Brandon wrapped me up in his arms blocking Trey from my view his hand reaching down to rub my butt.
"Are you all right babe? Did it hurt when you landed?" I took hold of his hand and slid it to my hips.
"I mean yeah it hurts I fell, but I'm not sore or bruised or anything so I'm fine." I placed a kiss on his lips and smiled sweetly at him.
"Thank you though." my kiss must've made everything better because his bad mood disappeared entirely.
"Yeah. Of course!" I took his hand and lead him to the cart.
"Coming?" Trey nodded and followed close behind us as we made our way to the cash register. It was Trey who is now upset.
Brandon happily paid and him and Trey took all the bags I didn't mind but at the same time I wanted to help two we made our way to the door we enter through and was met with a view of the full force blizzard. Trey called shotgun and ran… no sprinting towards the car normally Brandon wouldn't care but I was the driver of the remainder of the ride, and he was in a good mood, so he sped off after him. Let's see who's faster a tornado or a hurricane. I'll see when I get in the car.
The blizzard was thick I couldn't see that far in front of me, and I was cold. I should've put on my coat… I was going to make my way towards the car but then I heard what sounded like puking. Concerned I walked over and seen two women one supporting yourself with the wall while she heaved her Breaktime lunch the other was rubbing her back while her back was to the sick one.
"Is everyone all right?" I slowly and cautiously walked forward to visually assess the situation the upright woman was first to respond
"She's just a bit sick. I'll take care of her don't worry. I'll be driving anyway."
"Are you sure? I can help I'm a nurse…"
…In training.
The woman nodded and readjusted her jacket and then returned to rubbing the sick ones back.
"Yes. You go get yourself warm it's snowing out."
"All right… Be careful out there." I turned around and try to make my way to the car but after a few minutes of shivering and not seeing anything familiar I started to panic storms always made me feel uncomfortable ever since I was small, and this was no different
"Brandon? Trey? Guys?" I started screaming for either one or even both I was just lost and scared… then I heard it.
"Argh!!! No! Let go!!! Sto-" the blood curdling scream rang out for before the frantic pleas of the woman I was just speaking to. the blizzard started to Howl, and it felt like I was suffocating. Then I heard his voice, he was laughing.
Trey…
Then I found the car all cleared off and running. I jumped into the driver seat and quickly pulled out and got back to the highway. A few seconds later an ambulance went barreling down towards where we just left.
"No. No. No. I hate blizzards, how far is this resort? 10 minutes!?" I shot a look at the GPS. "Damn I want to be off this road already!"
"Calm down. what's going on?"
"That woman that screamed… I was just talking to her… I just left her, and she started screaming bloody murder. And-"
"Woah, Woah, Woah, slow your roll freckles. What screams? what are you talking about?" astonished I shot a quick glance at Trey to check if he was serious. then checked Brandon through the rearview mirror but he was to busy trying to warm his hands with his breath.
"You guys didn't hear that?"
"Look baxI know storms freak you out, but don't you think this is being a bit paranoid?" he was probably right.
"Anyone want to play DJ?" I tried to calm myself a bit, but it didn't work until I noticed the seat arrangement
Ah so the tornado won… unexpected but interesting.
"I will he chuckled shotgun privileges." he twisted to wink at Brandon before playing a string the songs I normally listened to I was finally calming down and singing along with everyone. then suddenly.
I see a man walking near the middle of my lane I swerved to avoid him and accidentally tagged his shoulder, but I couldn't see if he was all right, my nerves were a horrible mess again so I decided that continuing to drive would be the best course of action. I didn't head on ram him, and it was too snowy out, so he didn't see my plate besides he was the one in the middle of the lane on a highway if I hurt him then maybe now, he'll be more careful. But dismissing it I mentally doesn't mean everyone else in the car understood
"Bax!" Brandon was white knuckle gripping the seat and the handle on the ceiling.
"Freckles I don't want to die two minutes from the resort do you think you can make it there in one piece or do you need me to drive?" I shook my head.
"I saw a guy walking in the middle of the lane, so I swerved to avoid him… he ended up hitting the driver side mirror thing."
"Bax just get us there in one piece in the rearview mirror was probably knocked by the snow off the car in front."
All I could think about was the fact that I saw the car in front also swerve to avoid the same obstacles, but I don't want to seem more paranoid my persisting. So, I let it go.
You have arrived at your destinations
"Finally, all right guys I'll park the car you guys get us signed in." I found a parking spot right in front of the lobby door. Perfect. I parked and quickly waddled inside I gave Brandon his car keys and he gave me a pair in return. After reading the label I found out that they were cabin keys. Cabin 777.
A number that will be unlucky what it wants to be I was both cautious and excited I wanted to see the inside of the cabin now.
I walked out into the parking lot and noticed the blizzard was slowing down a bit so I went back in to tell the guys to get their jackets and the three of us pulled out jackets and boots. Then we all marched through the lobby and straight back out the other door. while walking through the store district something made me look left and I saw a cafeteria my stomach growled at the site of it and I grabbed Brandon's hand.
"Can we buy something to eat now?" he paused and realized that we forgot to eat at the mall and eagerly made a beeline towards the Chinese food store while, Trey march towards the pizza, and I slid into the burger shack line.
Brandon ordered and paid for his food and walked over to Trey and pay for his food too. I was about to pay the cashier when Brandon slid in and paid for me. This was yet another thing that I wanted to do by myself but didn't mind others doing for me. He then winked at me and grabbed my freehand I blushed like an idiot the whole way to the table.
For once things felt normal… happy even. but you know what they say about storms. We were finishing up our lunch, I was starving so of course I was finished first Brandon was almost done and had to go to the bathroom and Trey was the next finish when Brandon came back, he finished his food, and handed Trey his computer, and excuse himself for some fresh air. We both nodded and stayed put and conversed about any and everything.
"Have you ever skied before" Trey shook his head "No" in response.
"Have you?"
"A few times when I was younger trust me it's easier than you think." we continued on like this for a while before I started noticing him occasionally getting distracted, I asked him what's wrong and he denied that there was a problem. He excused himself to the bathroom.
I sat alone at the table for a while and ended up getting bored, so I pulled Brandon's open laptop over and started reading the material and answering the questions that's when Trey came back snow-covered.
"Was there a blizzard in the bathroom" What's with the snowflakes?"
"Oh, nothing I just paid Brandon a visit." I scrunch my eyebrows and slid the computer back over.
"Okay. I'm a go use the bathroom I'll be-" I stood up to push my chair in and turned in hopes of seeing the scenery but instead there was Brandon kissing a random girl his hand pulling her closer by the belt loops.
It was my turn to pay him a visit I made it out of the door in seconds picked up some snow and packed it tightly before Chucking it and nailed him straight in the back of his head. I continue to storm over the now angry Brandon released the woman and started searching for the one who threw the snowball. When he seen me, he started walking up to me I noticed his cheek was bruised.
"Babe…"
"Don't you Babe me! What are you doing? Who is she? Are you fucking kidding me?" he tried to usher me away and I pushed him to the ground.
"Who is she? You know what? Fuck you! … Who are you?"
I'm Tiana. Brandon's tinder date. We've been taking for about two months. Who are you?" I was out raged and turned to face him.
"Two months? I've been your girlfriend for three years!!!" I said that and turned to see she had a smug look on her face.
"You must be utterly boring. It's a shame though… he said he was single." I was at my wits end so I struck her hard across the cheek. My handprint left a red mark on her face and when she tried to hit me back, I dogged. she then tried to close the distance, so I stepped forward placed my foot behind her legs and pushed her backwards by the throat she slammed on the ground hard, and I listened as all her air left her body in one go, I watched her blood shot eyes widen in panic and squeeze shut in pain.
Brandon pulled me back by my arm and rushed over to her aid after taking a second to check on her we came rushing over making sure to keep some distance not trying to repeat her mistake.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"You're the one cheating on me with some stoner you tell me!" when I went without an answer I snapped and brought my foot up with as much force as I could possibly muster and connected it with his balls he fold with a groan and I marched closer to strike him again only to be stopped by Trey who looked at me in the eyes and dragged me back to our table I then deleted all the work on the computer and smashed it then threw it back into this bag
I stared at the bag my curly dark brown hair fell to curtain my view from everything happening outside. without warning I punted his bag and shot trey an angry glare which he met with an apologetic gaze. His gray eyes turned my anger into sadness, tears blurred my green eyes as I melted away. Trey cupped my face and wiped my tears pulling me into a hug. I squeeze my eyes shut I wanted to stay like this for a bit longer but… it didn't last as long as I thought.
"What the fuck Bax? Bax. Bax!?"
He pushed me away softly and made me turn around.
We both stood and watched in horror as the Tiana girl started puking blood her veins were black looking and she didn't look okay. We watch this Brandon hobbled over to rub her back like that would make her feel better. When I went to go run out and help… Trey caught my arm. I looked at him then back outside scooting closer to the glass as if that would give me a better view. Somehow Brandon had got her on her feet, and she folded him into a hug, after doing so she buried your face into his shoulder. I straightened out my posture and clenched my jaw I could feel the anger rising up again.
I thin red splatter against the window made me jump and when I looked past it I seen Brandon's shoulder and back covered with what can only be assumed to be blood you could hear him screaming through the glass, as we watched him struggle towards it. His back hit the glass and Tiana turn to chase someone else in the by standing crowd. That's when they all scattered leaving Brandon to bleed out alone. My heart sank more and more as I watch him slowly turn his head and look at me through the red stain glass, my hand was on the cold glass as I sank to be eye level. Trey came back with three book bags of materials
"Where did you get all of this?"
"The novelty store there, and the supply store over there." I shot my feet
"You're already looting!?"
"Look freckles I don't want to die here let's get to the cabin and argue about this later."
There was a bang on the door to our right. That one lead directly to the patio where everything started" I looked back at the slumped Brandon and felt a burn in the bridge of my nose. The band happened again. I looked from Brandon to the door that leads to his body only to see Tiana was back and really wanted entry to the building we were in.
"Bax please!"