Black Roses 2

I looked out the back window, staring at the evening mists that were beginning to settle over the earth. I wondered if there was a stream out there somewhere. I loved water…somehow the sound was always so soothing. I could see the woods shading the little clearing out the side of the building…I really felt like exploring. I grabbed my light grey jacket and slipped out my door. Candy was asleep on the couch, the TV still playing. The baby, Katy, was asleep next to her, her little body wrapped in blankets. Alec was at work. I’d have a good hour or two of exploring…maybe I would find a creek to swim in. I snuck out the door and into the bright pink sunset. The light was almost blinding, but when my eyes adjusted, I could see the beautiful rainbow clouds low over the horizon. My feet swished in the grass, all was silent except for the dim voices I could hear on the next door porch. I came to the edge of the woods. The brambles were thick and spidery vines climbed up the trees. I pushed through them and into a clearing in the woods. Setting sunlight sprinkled through the leaves, creating a wonderful spectacle of light. I studied the trees ahead, full of little scurrying creatures and evening birds.

My mind wandered to my aunt…I wondered what she was doing. Probably out somewhere with a weird guy…laughing and drinking…forgetting about me and hardly caring what was happening here. She had never really taken notice of me…I was really just a pain for her. I could remember the endless nights cleaning up after her drunken mess…then trying to calm her down when she flew into a crazed rampage, throwing things, screaming, and finally, breaking down, sobbing about life. She was a mess. I was relieved to be gone. My mom had visited once, too mentally incompetent to understand who I was…or that I was her daughter. I didn’t care too much, it wasn’t a surprise.

I touched a branch of a tree. My life was sort of like the vines that gently entwined around it…always taking crazy turns. I sucked in a deep breath, feeling my lungs expand, and my ribs move to make way. The cool air soothed my soul…I broke through the woods and onto a road. It was dark, not a car in sight. I stared at the last, waning light. Suddenly, headlights blinded me. I jumped out of the road.

The car slowed for a moment and stopped slowly in the middle of the road.

"Hey." A familiar voice called. I let my eyes adjust. As soon as they did, my heart sped up. It was him.

"Err….hi…" I mumbled back. As his blue eyes met mine, I blushed.

"Do you normally wander in the dark alone?" He asked with an amused smile.

I shrugged. "Its quiet…I like it." I smiled back.

My eyes wandered to his beautiful car. "Is that a…Lamborghini?" I asked, shocked.

He looked at me with a slight grin. "Yeah...Christmas present." He chuckled.

I stared at the lovely car, black and sleek, with bright silver hubcaps and black lights under the car. It was a vision…just not as visionary as he.

"Want to go for a spin?" He asked.

My heart fluttered. "I…uh…really shouldn’t…my brother will be home soon." I stumbled.

He looked vaguely disappointed but then smiled again. "You sure? I could drive you back home; I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be wandering out here alone."

I pondered that for a second. "Ok…I guess. I mean, I’d rather not be eaten by something." He laughed as I climbed in, hitting my head on the top of the door.

"Ouch!" I cried. I slammed the door and rubbed my aching skull.

"Clumsy aren’t you?" He said.

I rolled my eyes. "I guess so."

He nodded at me. "Seatbelt."

I pulled it on. Then he put the car into drive. "Hey, how about a soda?" He asked.

"My treat…" I smiled.

"Really? Sounds good!" ‘How was this actually happening to Wynter Anderson’ I wondered.

"You never told me your name." He stated.

I giggled. "Oh, it’s Wynter." "Ah, I’m Jace." He said with a grin.

I stupidly put out my hand. He chuckled and shook it. His hand was strong and cold. I felt a zap go up my arm. I felt all dreamy. He pulled away suddenly and gripped the wheel.

"So, how long have you lived here?" I asked, feeling embarrassed and weird.

His beautiful eyes met mine, strands of dark hair falling in his face. He looked impossible angelic. My heartbeat sped up rapidly.

"Almost all my life…moved from Montana." He said. I nodded.

"You?" He asked.

I ignored my fluttering heart. "Well, I just moved here last week…to live with my brother." I replied, avoiding his curious eyes. I could feel him staring, questions in his mind. "Where were you from originally?" I shrugged. "Um, just Clearveiw…" I said, picking at my black nail polish. "Ah, Clearview." He mused. I wondered who he knew there.

We finally got to the Sonic drive through. I ordered a diet coke, and he got water. I wrinkled my nose in distaste. "Don’t you like pop?" I asked. He shook his head and put his credit card in his pocket. "Not much." I snorted. Strange. The roller blading waitress came with our drinks, when she saw Jace; a sly smile crossed her face. "Hey." She said. "Here are your drinks." She handed them to him, careful to touch his fingers as she passed in the water. He nodded politely.

I noticed he wasn’t like the other guys I had observed. She gave him her number, scribbled on the receipt, which he just crinkled up and threw in a little garbage can. Also, he didn’t gawk at her beautiful tan legs like other guys. He just calmly sipped his water and watched me slurp up my pop. I realized he was intently watching me. "Thanks for the pop…" It sounded like a question. All I could focus on was by crazily thumping heart. He grinned. "No problem…my pleasure." I blushed and swallowed a big gulp of soda. Did he know the effect he had on me?

The rest of the evening, we sat until ten o clock, talking and laughing. I warmed up and no longer stumbled over my words, which was a great relief. He seemed to be enjoying himself as well. Then, he dropped me off back at Alec’s, telling me how much fun he had and that he would see me tomorrow. I wished he would have kissed me….

"Where were you, Wynter?" Alec’s deep blue eyes were on fire. I hugged my arms around myself, feeling uncomfortable. "Um…walking…is that so bad?" I hated it when my brother interrogated me. I was 18…a legal adult. "You didn’t let Candy or I know where you were going! We were worried sick!" He shouted. I rolled my eyes. "It’s not like you are my dad, Alec. Besides, Candy and the baby were asleep…I didn’t want to wake them…and I don’t know your work phone number!" I shot back, shoving past his tall form. I heard him growl and the baby began to scream from the other room. I wished she’d stop. I immediately burst into my room and threw my bag on the floor. Alec followed right behind. "So you were wandering in the dark all night? What’s the matter with you?" I spun around, feeling the familiar burn in my veins. "Look, I’m sorry ok? Give me a break…I’ll tell someone next time…please stop." I said, feeling defeated. I hated fighting….more than anything in my whole life. I’d experienced it too many times. Alec looked tired. "Ok, Wynter….I know….I’m sorry." He came over and put a hand on my shoulder, giving me a quick brotherly hug. I leaned against him, feeling drained. "I think its time for bed, girl." He whispered. I nodded. He left and I fell on the bed, falling asleep as soon as I hit the pillow.