Where the Willow Meets the Sun

Chapter 1

-The Ties We Have-

Shit, shit, shit! 

I watched as Triple AA towed my car away for what felt like the millionth time. My heart was still beating outside of my chest making me feel as if something even worse was going to happen. I didn't call the cops because I knew someone from my mom's station would arrive. I wasn't ready for the gossip to get half way around the town. Instead the poor man gave me his information so I could get my car fixed up. 

My hands trembled as I took my phone out. It was the only thing illuminating the dark sky around me, and as it was illuminating I was looking for someone to call. Tyler, at least that's what I thought his name was, told me he could give me ride but I didn't really trust the guy since he had hit my brand new car with his own. I couldn't call my brother and lord knows I couldn't call Ellie either. 

"Hey, can you come pick me up? My car got totaled and before you ask, yes I'm okay. No the car isn't. And yes, I'm in a safe spot not just on the road somewhere." 

The loud clatter of people made it almost impossible for me to hear what was going on. But I heard Mom mumble something of a yes and she'd be on her way soon. As I said earlier Mom worked at the police station, so did Dad. So I knew that this was going to take a little longer then anticipated. 

I took a seat in the busy diner and started scrolling through my phone hoping that everyone would leave me alone and see me as an unsocial person. But as I am my mothers daughter, I knew that someone would try their luck. As I said before, I didn't really think anyone would want to talk to the cranky twenty year old. I was still in shock if I was being honest, I didn't believe it was happening until I started to hitting the middle of wheel. It baffled me that Tyler's car was still fine and that I was the one that took the damage instead. 

There wasn't any glass in my hair and there definitely wasn't any scrapes on me or bloodied wounds. Not any I could see or feel. I had moved my hands up and down my arms as soon as I was getting out of the car, I was lucky it was a small accident and nothing too big.

A cop car pulled up to the front of the old diner, but when I realized Mom wasn't in the car I raised a brow at the driver that was there instead. Stupid, old, and rude Jackson Carter. I stopped dead in my tracks as I stared at that mans cop car. Why, Mom, why? Out of all the people she could've chosen to pick me up! Why would she pick Jackson Carter! If you couldn't tell already, I hated the man with a burning passion. 

He rolled down the window and smiled at me. "Hello, Willow. Your ride awaits." 

I shook my head as I got into the car. As soon as I got in, he started to drive nice and slow making sure I was buckled and breathing properly. I looked towards him and shook my head. His hair was cut short, but it was still in 'style.' It was nothing too fancy. His tanned skin really made the blue uniform do nothing. When he realized I was looking at him, he smiled once again. That smile! I thought. How much it makes me want to vomit. 

"And why isn't Mom picking me up?" 

"Because she's on important captain business." 

"And what would that be?" I asked, crossing my arms and leaning deeper into the seat. 

"If I told you, I'd get into deep shit. I'm not ready to be on Captain Garcia's bad side." He kept his eyes on the road. But every once and awhile his eyes would dart to the old radio. It was on low and I could barely hear what 'official police business' was going on. But that was the point, I guess I really wasn't suppose to hear. 

We barely talked in the car. It was a normal thing for the two of us, it really was. I wouldn't lie about either. There wasn't a time when we weren't clawing at each others throats. So in a sense, we were still being normal. But even in the silence, I could tell something was going on. Normally by now he would've made a comment about my hair or my outfit. Tell me that I looked like I had just been in a crash. 

"What's going on?" I asked, staring at him. "You haven't said anything rude to me." 

"You were just in a car collision. I wouldn't think you'd want me to make rude remarks about you." Jackson said. "Are you okay thought?" 

"Are you okay?" I asked. "Seriously, what the hell is going on?" 

"Willow, my dear friend, you look like shit. You even have a weird cut on your head." He pointed towards it. Within a second my hand flew up to my forehead and I felt the wound. No wonder people were looking at me like I was crazy. I reached for the sun visor and quickly opened the little mirror to see how bad it looked. Nothing too bad, but I knew I'd need to get it cleaned up. 

"Can we go to the station and get this cleaned up? My car can wait." 

"Not a good idea, it's crazy there at the moment." 

"Jackson, take me to the station, right now." 

We both looked at the radio at the same time and I heard a mumble of a dispatchers voice. My hand darted towards the volume button and soon I was listening to what every cop in our county was listening too. "We have an active--" 

Jackson turned it down and stared at me. The red light tinted his face ever so lightly. I knew what was going on as soon as he looked towards the steering wheel again. "Is everyone safe?" I whispered, unable to find my real voice. 

Jackson didn't make a sound instead he kept driving. My heart raced faster as those words rang through my head. It was only four words, but from Jackson's body language I could tell this wasn't some simple day at the station. This wasn't an easy one either, this was going to be like hell. 

"Answer my question. Why can't Mom pick me up?" 

"Because Captain Garcia is busy attending to our situation. It needs her full attention." 

"And my dad?" I asked quietly. "Where is he?" 

When Jackson didn't answer, I knew I had my answer. 

"He's there, isn't he?" 

Jackson's Adams apple bobbed up and down. My heart sunk as I realized where my dad was but I didn't want to think it was true. Maybe he was already home! Maybe it was Mom who was dealing with everything. It couldn't have been true, it's Dad and Dad's one of the smartest people I know. He couldn't have been stupid enough to do that right? Just say his digits, his official police number, and just head over there. 

"Carter, answer my damn question." 

Jackson was silent. 

"Answer me now, he's my Dad for God's sake!" 

"Willow, don't yell at me." 

"CARTER." 

"Lieutenant Garcia is at the scene as we speak. He was closest when the call was put in, I don't have any new updates. This has been going on for an hour, it's a tricky situation that I'm not suppose to be telling you. Captain Garcia gave me orders to keep you as far away from the scene and the station." Jackson hesitated. 

With a shaky voice I did all I could do. "Take me to the station right now. And I will not stop asking until you take me there." 

~~~ 

Hello! Thank you for giving my new book a try, I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. This is a longer first chapter but it gives some necessary background as to what's going on. This book will have some factors of loss to it, so please keep that in mind! 

Please remember to vote, comment, and share! 

-AR