Chapter Seven: Strange Feelings
Adrian's POV
Standing outside of my apartment door after telling Jade I'd be back, I couldn't help but wonder what it is about that Ever girl that keeps me on edge. I can't explain it. It just feels like she isn't telling us something…
Something important.
As far as I can tell she's harmless, so I don't have a problem leaving her here alone with Jade.
I mean she even let us hear her conversation with her friend… like, who does that?
She's also kinda cute-
Nope! Not gonna go there-
We just met and after tonight she'll be gone– meaning I'll never see her again…
"you have really pretty eyes, you know that?… "
Much like a broken record, her compliment kept playing on a loop in my head and I don't know why, I also don't know why my heart skipped a beat when she said it.
Maybe it's because no one has ever complimented my eyes before?...
Or maybe it's because I hate my eyes. The same eyes he has. The eyes I hope to never see again in this lifetime.
I was so deep in thought that I hadn't even noticed I made it outside until a cold breeze left goosebumps along my skin making my thoughts return to Ever.
She still has my jacket…
She looked so adora– I mean comfortable in it– I don't think she even realizes she's still wearing it…
That was a close one…
...…
I Was thankful that for the entirety of my journey to the garage, my thoughts didn't wander back to the raven-haired, moon-eyed girl who is no doubt wearing my clothes–
Dammit, I seriously need to stop…
Opening the garage door I was met with the most beautiful sight in front of me.
"Hello, gorgeous~…"
After rolling my bike the rest of the way into the garage and placing my helmet on the nearby shelf, I took leisurely steps toward my other baby.
A 1967 chevy impala. Black exterior and interior. 240 horsepower. Automatic steering, and is just all around a badass car.
If you can't tell, I'm a huge 'Supernatural' fan. I feel like I can relate to Dean, which is why he is my favorite character.
An older brother doing everything he possibly can to keep his younger sibling safe even at the expense of his own life… Sounds about right…
Constantly feeling like you're failing at it… That sounds about right too…
Because it was already 1:00 in the morning, I decided it was probably best to come back later to work on my bike. Now I'm heading back to the apartment to get some much-needed sleep.
Which reminds me that this week is the last I'll have to rest since my college courses start up again next Wednesday.
It's a small community college in town and I'll be going into my second year. I'm trying to get my bachelor's degree in Automotive engineering technology as well as business management so that one day I can open up my own mechanic's shop. Working on bikes and cars all day sounds like a dream come true.
I only have about two-three years left until I graduate.
"Let's go for a ride, beautiful!"
Hopping into the driver's seat I placed my hands on the steering wheel, and closed my eyes, feeling the cool leather underneath my large calloused hands. The memories of when I first got her played in my head like an old home movie.
Flashback
Three years ago
"Come on dude let's go! Mom is waiting outside with your birthday present!"
Jake had dragged me out of bed first thing this morning and I was not happy about it. His Obnoxious yelling made me want to smash him over the head with the barstool I was currently sitting on.
"I already told you guys I don't want anything for my birthday! I didn't celebrate it before, so why should I celebrate it now?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows while shoving a spoonful of Cocoa Puffs into my mouth.
Damn, this cereal is sweet…
"yeah, well that was before you and Jade became family, so deal with it!"
Speaking of my sister, I wonder where she is?...
Around this time she would be trying to punch me 18 times, for how old I am now…
He wrapped his arm around my neck, keeping me in a slight chokehold as he pulled me off of the chair and to the front door, the chair falling over in the process.
First I can't sleep in!
Then I can't finish my breakfast!
What's next?!
I won't be able to take a shit!?
Cold winter air nipped at my skin the moment Jake opened the door, giving me goosebumps. but I wasn't focused on that. No. What I focused on was the faded beat-up 1967 Chevy Impala that sat in the driveway with a silver bow resting on the hood.
Leaning up against the car holding up a small cake with the number 18 sitting on top, was my sister with a smile that always shone brighter than the sun. Next to her stood Paula, Jake's mom, with her arms folded against her chest. Jake is almost a mirror image of his mother, except she has green eyes and her hair is a bit lighter than his.
An unlit cigarette was settled between her lips, she quit smoking shortly after Jade and I moved in but she always has one on her.
She says that it's a reminder of how far she has come and how far she will go, fighting with her demons.
"Well, come on kid! Are you just gonna stand there all day in your pj's? Or are you gonna come take a look at this beauty!?"
Paula's voice was smokey and deep for a woman who was only 33 years old. She was only 16 when she had Jake and raised him by herself after her boyfriend died in an accident shortly after he was born and I respect her for that.
Running over to the beauty that sat behind Paula and Jade in the driveway, I noticed the spots of rust and dents that decorated the frame and body.
"She's not perfect, but with a little TLC she'll be as good as new, " she slapped her hand on the roof of the car as I looked inside.
She was right, the car was anything but perfect. The passenger seat was missing, and the seats and carpet were all torn up like a colony of rats had made this their home until recently. The leather of the steering wheel was dry rotted and splitting apart, while the radio was missing some of the dials. The glove box was missing as well, and the inside of the car smelt like a mix of fast food, cigarettes, feces, and death.
I can't wait to get started!...
"Come on man! Tell us what you think!"
Jake's voice ruined the vision of what this car will look like when I finish fixing her, making me mentally roll my eyes. The smile that was on my face never faded as I hugged Paula the instant I pulled my head back out of the car window, her small frame being swallowed by my 6'0" form.
I don't think I ever hugged my own mother this tight…
Or at all for that matter…
"Thank you…"
I wanted to say more but I didn't know how or what to say to show my gratitude, but when she hugged me back just as tightly I knew she understood. I owe a lot to this woman for everything he has done for my sister and me and I promised that one day I will pay her back.
"Happy birthday to you~!"
Jade started singing, and don't get me wrong I love my sister to death– but she cannot hold a tune to save her life. So when Jake joined in, it sounded like two forks that got stuck in the garbage disposal and two dying cats fighting over scraps. It was that bad.
Easy to say this was the best day of my life…
End of flashback
Chuckling at the memory, I pulled out of the driveway, making sure to close and lock the garage door before heading home.
...
I felt like I was on autopilot the whole way back to the apartment, I'm so tired. I felt like I was on autopilot the whole way back to the apartment, I'm so tired. Going through the motions I parked, locked my doors, and aimlessly strolled up the stairs to the apartment, making sure to be quiet when I opened the door.
Only when I turned to go to my room did I realize that I wasn't the only one still awake. Sitting on the windowsill next to the couch was Ever. I don't think she noticed that I came back, so I don't know if I should ask if she's okay or if I should just go to my room.
*sniff*
Is she crying?...
For some strange reason, my stomach dropped at the sound of the small sob that left her lips. And even stranger I had a burning bubbling feeling in my gut, and that feeling I haven't had since the day he kicked Jade and I out of the house.
Before I could fully think about what I was doing, my feet carried me to Ever's shaking form where I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to my chest. Instantly started to regret my decision when I felt her body flinch against my hold.
Shit, I knew I should have just minded my own business!...
Now she probably thinks I'm some sort of weirdo…
I should let go-– I'm gonna let go-!
Just as I was about to let go, her slim arms snaked around my waist and her head rested against my lower stomach as her sobs became more audible making my chest hurt.
Why does it hurt to hear her cry like this?
I don't like it…
Without saying a word I lifted her up like I would a small child, and made my way to the couch, and allowed her to sit on my lap while she cried into my chest muttering things I couldn't quite understand.
Sometimes there are just no words that can be said to those that are hurting; but it's the touch of another that can say everything they need to hear.
I continued to rub her back trying to coax her to sleep– or calm down– whichever comes first. Then I noticed Jade had shuffled out of her room and silently walked towards us, a concerned look in her eyes.
"Is everything okay?" she mouthed, motioning to Ever who was still silently crying into my shirt and hadn't noticed Jade's approach.
"I got it, go back to sleep… " I mouthed back, nodding my head in the direction of her room and she complied with the promise to ask me about it tomorrow.
When Ever finally calmed down, she peeled away from me slowly and sat down next to me avoiding eye contact by looking down at her hands as she picked at the skin around her nails.
She's cute when she's embarrassed.
"Thank you and I'm sorry, I got your shirt dirty… "
Her voice came out shy and raspy from all of her crying and I couldn't help but notice how adorable she is.
"Don't worry about It, it's just a shirt… I can always buy another one, " I shrugged, not at all bothered that her tears and snot now stained my shirt.
I feel like I need to make her smile…
"Besides I'm pretty sure this is Jake's shirt anyways, so who cares? "
Let me tell you… I have never heard a laugh so beautiful in my life. And at that moment I realized just how screwed I am.
Did I seriously just catch feelings for someone I don't even know?
Fuck…
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Hello, lovelies! Sleepywriter here!
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Don't forget to drink lots of water, eat lots of food, and get lots I rest!
And always remember your beautiful!
Stay golden lovelies!