9 The First Ride

You might think that the life of the rich, is glorious. Many people actually wish it, but they don't know is what lies behind every closed door. Those type of secrets are what tear families apart, once exposed.

The morning light today wasn't too bright, but wasn't dim either. I remember opening the window yesterday for fresh air to fill the room. I guess I somehow forgot to close it, noticing that from how the thin, achromatic curtains were swaying to the perfect rhythm of the summer breeze.

They left it open.

They left it open.

They left it open.

The words chanted over, and over in my head. Not wanting to leave. Who's grave was left open? The only person I know who died was grandpa, but that was around twelve years ago. Oh God! Was it grandpa?

No. He said her grave. Her who?

I don't think my mother would have stayed calm. If it would have been grandpa. Not that she was calm yesterday. It's just I think she would have told grandma the moment the information registered into her brain. Maybe she did, but everybody knew where grandpa was buried. Why did that guy speak as if the person buried into the ground was a secret?

"Honey, are you awake?" Grandma’s melodic voice broke my train of thought. Checking the time on my nightstand, it was nine thirty.

"Yes," I croaked, due to the fact that I just awoke. She opened my bedroom door, before she brightened up the room, with her captivating smile. Even with her now being through her sixties, she still managed to look as exquisite as ever.

"Good Morning, Cookie."

"Hi, Grandma." I softly smiled.

"Come on, go on into that shower right now. You have to be ready in twenty minutes." She speedily walked to my closet.

"Grandma? Why do I have to be ready again? Since you know, other people are making plans for me now." I flatly asked.

"Oh honey, hush up. This is kind of my fault since I forgot to tell you yesterday." She cheekily giggled.

"You see Carter was there last night at the party. Him and I got to talking, he started telling me about how much his mom is fond of you, and was waiting to hear from you again. She invited you over saying to come whenever you were free. So I told him you were free today, since I knew you were never going to actually.. What you kids call it these days? Oh yeah 'hang out' with his mom. He also offered to drive you there and I said yes."

"Grandma!" I groaned. "I don't 'hang out' with a lot of people my age so why in the world would I want to 'hang out' with his mom?" I whined.

"Stop this whining. You sound like a dying whale. Now get up from that bed," She walked out of my closet with a blue tank top and red pants, dropping them on the bed. "You better be downstairs, ready in fifteen minutes. So get moving."

"I don't want to go. You can't make me." I huffed, sounding like a five year old. After I said that, she challengingly raised her eyebrows.

**

Yep, she made me. Here I was standing in the living room all clean and dressed, of course with my headphones glaring at the wall.

"Awh come on cheer up. If it makes you feel any better. He just passed the main gate." She cooed at me, making me focus my glare on her.

"No I will not cheer up. I can't believe you're making me do this." She was about to answer me back, but the doorbell stopped her. I was annoyed, but nevertheless I've never felt this nervous before. Grandma practically sprinted her way to the door. I stayed put, not knowing whether to follow her or not. I soon made up my mind and followed behind her.

"Good Morning, Grandma Cherry. You look beautiful as always." His voice made me buckle making me let out a small squeak making them both turn to me. I've never been so grateful that I didn't fall on my face, because if I did, I would lock myself up, in my room for a century. Hiding from him.

"Hey, Harmony," I could see his slight smile as he greeted me with a firm nod. My cheeks started to warm up. I let out a muffled hello back, avoiding his eyes. As usual. "Are you ready to go?" He asked. I just nodded, walking past Grandma, and out the door.

"Have fun." I heard Grandma squeal, before smacking the door shut. I rolled my eyes once I noticed her peeping through the widow near the door.

"Come on, let's go," He chuckled. I'm guessing he noticed Grandma too. I quietly walked to the car, behind him. He opened the passager door, for me. "Milady." He poshly added. Butterflies were filling up my stomach.

I quickly ducked into the car. The faster I get there, the better. That way I wouldn't be the nervous wreck I am, around him. He started up the car, speeded off without wasting another moment. Did he really want to get rid of my presence that much? "So," He awkwardly began. "You're not much of a talker are you?" I thought about what to answer back carefully.

"I only use my voice, when I have to, and when the person is worth my time." I answered back. I didn't want him to think I was unsophisticated, and stupid as I'm thought to be. Maybe I'm lacking in the 'being social with everybody' kind of thing, but I'm not an idiot.

"So I'm not worth your time?" He raised an eyebrow. Clutching his heart as if my words shot a bullet right there. "I can feel my heart literally breaking slowly." When did he become so playful?

"Good to know" I gave him a fake smile, before looking out the window.

"Why are you like that?" His question had so many distictive meanings.

"Because I am?" I answered, not knowing exactly what he meant.

"No, I meant, Why are you so closed off from everyone? Especially your family." His question, definately punched a nerve within me. For the first time since yesterday, I turned to look at him, with my eyes narrowed.

"Because I am." Infuritatedly, I repeated. Does he really think I'm going to just randomly tell him the reason, as to why I don't particularly communicate with many people especially my family? Yeah right!

"Okay, no need to get angry. It was just a question." He replied getting closer to me. I didn't move. I sat there rigid, as if waiting to see what he'll do.

The Car! What about the car? Was it still moving? Oh My God! It was.

"Are you trying to kill us?" I frighteningly squeaked. The moment I said that, he smirked.

"Why, are you scared?" He calmly whispered, with the car still moving. I looked back at the road and there was only two cars infront of us. Sure, they were quiet distant, but I didn't think it would take long before we actually get closer.

"N-no," I deceitfully stammered. He drove a little faster now. My breathe was getting all ragged up, because of how nervous I was getting. I let out another small screech, when he abruptly stopped the car.

"Why the fuck did you stop the car?" I shouted. He said nothing. He just stared at me. He moved more closer to me now than before.

My eyes widened when I actualised that his minty, hot breath was tickling my face. "W-w-what a-are you d-doing?" I asked. He softly grabbed my small hands into his huge ones. I let my eyes fall down to what was now causing electricity to shoot through me.

"You have captivating eyes," He whispered yet again. My eyes didn't leave how my hands amalgamated with his.

His right hand moved from mine, fixating it under my chin, to my face up for my eyes to catch his. I inhaled some air the instant those deep blue eyes pierced through mine. Somehow his face didn't stop getting closer.

"C-carter?" I tried to release my left hand from his grip, but of course that didn't work. He shushed me by laying is finger on my lips. His strong hand moved to my cheek, brushing it agilely.

"Angelic!” So softly he said. “You’re so beautiful.” I didn't have time to respond to his words, because before I knew it, his lips settled down on mine.

I couldn't help but close my eyes. I felt my heart burst into a gazillion pieces. Before I knew it our lips were moving in a sync. I knew this was wrong, but why did it feel so fucking right? I shivered when his hands rubbed my bare arms.

No! I can't do this. Cameron wanted him.

So? My audacious conscious asked.

She's my sister, I couldn't do that to her.

But if he really did like Cameron, he wouldn't be kissing you, now would he?

But I'm not beautiful, at all. Why would he lie to me? Did he say that to use me in some way? Because I've never been complimented like this before.

Wait! Let me rephrase that..

I've never been complimented like this before by a guy, let alone a very handsome guy. The only reason I'm having this questionnaire in my head, is because I feel like the only way anyone could use me is if they show me a little bit of affection. Is that what he's doing?

Somehow through the kiss, acrimony filled me. How dare he kiss me, while Cameron clearly wanted him. He hasn’t even declined her yet.

Now I know more than anyone that my sister is nothing but a devil's spawn, and that's an understatement. She's always been rude and mean to me, but I'm not her.

I know very, very, very deep down she has feelings. And I'm not going to be the one to hurt her. Even though she basically hurts mine everyday. I briskly pulled away, gathering up the courage, I slapped him out of all the anger I felt.

"Don't you ever do that again.” I glared at him, breathlessly saying.

"And why not?" He frowned.

"Because- just because!" I shouted back at him. He looked at me for a few moments, before giving me the most sincere smile. His smile was breathtaking. “You and I both know that Cameron wants you.”

“So? I haven’t promised her anything and yet her mind is filled with fantasies and dreams.”

I didn’t answer him back. All I did was look outside the window. I didn’t even notice how long we stopped there in the middle of the road, but eventually he sped off without any warning. We were both silent, it was suffocating yet comforting. Suffocating because I wanted to talk to him, I wanted him to talk to me. It was comforting because he was here with me, alone.

“Here we are.” His voice finally broke the reticence we were in. I turned my head to see the most beautiful beach house. It was much, much bigger than ours. That wasn’t the case here, the golden-like coloured stones that were spread out on the outer walls of the house. I loved it. I got out of the car and walked behind Carter. “Next time you’ll let me open your side of the door.” It was more of an order making me roll my eyes at him.

The golden front door shortly opened revealing what appeared to be an middle aged man. It was only when he spoke that I managed to come to terms that he was in fact British, “Greetings Miss White, Welcome to the Moretti’s, I am Humphrey at your service.”

**

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Ethereal

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