" I like Enid. She is nicer than most people I know," Laira remarked as we stepped into the foyer. Enid was the motherly figure that I needed. But sadly, there were some things I couldn't share with her. Frankly, I need honest to god advice, and I had none to ask about it.
" Yes, she is," I sighed and scrunched my eyes closed when the bright light of the afternoon sun blinded me.
It took me a hot minute for my eyes to adjust to the light and groaned at the dull pain behind my eyes.
" Are you OK?" Laira asked when I didn't move.
" Yes, the sun is so bright, almost too bright, " I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to numb the pain, somehow.
" I can take the shuttle bus," She suggested, retracing her steps.
" No, no. Just give me another minute or two. I will be fine," I hoped so at least, and forcefully blinked a few times, at the burning sensation in my eyes. What was happening to me? I wondered. There was something different, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Was it me? Or was it something else?
I sighed, " I'm all good. Come, let's go," I wasn't in the right head space to split the hair in fours, pulled the door to a close behind me and rushed down the three steps, to where Laira was.
" Say, I was wondering if you could tell me what happened last night. " I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. When in reality, it bothered me that I had been so impetuous, given the fact that I hardly knew Jude and Henry.
" Uhmm...not much. When we got there Jude offered you punch, and you gobbled that up in one go, then you had a few more right after. Mind you, they made you very happy," Laira sighed, " I lost sight of you for a brief moment in the crowd, and next thing I know, you were climbing onto one of the fishing boats anchored on the shore. One thing led to another, you fell into one of the vats where they store the fish guts. Unfortunately for you, it hadn't been cleaned." I grimaced in disgust, at the thought of me rolling in fish guts, but that explained why I smelled like rotten fish.
" How on earth did you sleep next to me ?" I curiously asked considering that I smelled worse than the sewers.
" I didn't. I slept in one of the guest's rooms, " Her words made me curious. Laira had never set foot in Northenhay. How did she know where the guest's rooms were? I hadn't bothered to show her where they were.
" How did you know where to go?" I curiously asked as I slipped into Morston traffic.
" Uhmm, you're not going to like this at all," Laira amusedly said," But Mr Kinnaird was the one to come and get us. In the nick of time might I add, since the moment we got in the car the police arrived, disbanded the party and arrested pretty much everyone," Wait? What? I slowed down when the traffic light turned red, and closed my eyes. Embarrassing didn't even begin to cover how I felt. Boy, I wasn't doing myself any favours. I was disappointed in myself. How did I go from a library rat to a rambunctious teenager?
" Did he say anything to you?" I worriedly asked and put the car in drive.
Laira shook her head," No, he didn't say anything to me, other than showing me to the guest room when we got home, and wishing me a good night," I was somewhat relieved and surprised. For as long as I have known him, Mason didn't appreciate my reckless behaviour.
I sighed, " Well, I'm done with living the wildlife. I'm ready to retire now," I amusedly added, and stopped at the last traffic light before entering Morston Quarter.
Laira hummed, " It's not that bad as long as you stay away from certain areas, during certain times. Don't let that ruin, the fun. We can still go out at night but next time I'll choose where we go. Also, no more Jude and Henry. Clearly, they have a taste for danger, and so do you by the looks of it." Laira quipped, inwardly chuckling. She was in a good mood.
" Do you know if they are in trouble?" I knew that Jude was Commander Addison's son, and probably could get away with murder. But still, that made me wonder.
" I don't know, but I'm sure they will be fine. Commander Addison is well known in Morston, and so is Mrs Walsh, Henry's mother. Nothing will happen to them." It made sense, money made the world spin. It was a universally valid statement.
I sighed when I pulled in front of Laira's home. I didn't want her to go. Even though, we didn't spend much time together outside the soup kitchen. I need to have someone around.
" If you want, I can come pick you up tomorrow, since I'm jobless at the moment and we can do something fun. You can decide since obviously, my decision-making is still a work in progress," I amusedly said, while Laira smiled at my little statement.
" I have some things to take care of in the morning, but in the afternoon, I'm free as a bird," Laira said as she climbed out of the car.
" I'll be here around oneish," I hoped to be true. I wasn't very good at being on time.
" So, you will be here at two, then," Laira sighed, " I'll see you tomorrow Lily, " She said as she pushed the car door to a close, and waved as she made her way towards the door.
Once again, I was alone with my thoughts. Things had to change. I had to change.
My emotions were nothing more than a rollercoaster ride. A dizzying one at that.
I puffed my cheeks and put the car in drive.
The unnerving feeling of misery crept up on me, rather quickly and the memory of Mason saying that we needed to stop made my stomach drop.
Shuffling in my seat, I cleared my throat and steeled my heart. No more.