Secrets

Chapter Three

Alex and I walk into the garage only to find a very, nervous looking Max trying to calm down a very, angry woman.

"I'm sorry miss, but I've done everything I can do to fix your car. It runs fine."

"RUNS FINE MY ASS! EVERY TIME I START THE DAMN THING, IT JUST DIES ON ME! NOW IT WON'T EVEN START ANYMORE!"

" I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem. Maybe the battery's dead. "

Okay. I cant take this anymore.

"Excuse me miss, why don't I take a look at the car."

"You may. See at least one of your employees is man enough to look at my car again and shes a woman."

I roll my eyes. Yeah. I pop the hood and take a closer look and then i burst out laughing.

"Max, are you blind or just stupid?" I'm trying so hard not to laugh.

"What? No. I mean, my eye doctor may have mentioned something." He rubs the back of his neck and looks down. 

I chuckle. "Well Miss, it seems that you don't have a spark plug and your battery's dead. I suggest not running the damn thing so much and maybe you should be a bit nicer to the kids in the neighborhood so you don't get vandalized again." I wipe my greasy hands on a rag I found on the tool table and turn towards the three of them. Alex has an amused look on his face and Max is cowering away from the angry woman. She turns to me. 

"And how would you know that I get vandalized from youngsters?" 

I smirk and raise my eyebrow. "Well because I may have been gone for 11 years, but that doesn't mean I don't remember the mean lady from across the street that used to chase kids out of her yard with a broom. I gotta say Ms. Stuart, you haven't changed at all." 

Her eyes widen in shock. "Well all be damn. Little Stephanie Jones. What made you decide to come back here?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm back and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Alex will fix your car. I gotta go find Sarah. Have a nice day Ms. Stuart." I snapped and threw the rag on the ground and walked into the house next the garage. 

Ah. The  Warner's household. The same as it was 11 years ago only more family pictures. To the right was the living room and to the left was the staircase that led upstairs to where the bedrooms and bathroom was located. Straight ahead was a hallway that led to the kitchen and attached was the dining room. There was a lot of family pictures hung up on the wall. I smiled. Oh how I missed this place. 

I walked towards the kitchen and found Sarah talking to a middle aged woman. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She was wearing sweatpants and a stripped long sleeved shirt. Wouldn't want to forget about the pink, bunny slippers she was wearing. I chuckled. Typical Isabel. Isabel turned around and jumped up and down when she saw me. I laughed. Isabel ran towards me and pulled me in a hug. 

"Oh my god! Look at you!" She pulled back, but kept her arms around me. 

I laughed. "Yeah I know. I'm taller!" She laughed. 

"Oh. You look so much older and prettier." 

"Oh come on Izzy. What did you expect? Big, nerdy glasses and clothes to big for my body." 

"Ha ha. Well, you were a lot more smarter than Alex was. But still the rebel." 

"Hey. I wasn't stupid. She just knew more than me." Alex and Max walked into the kitchen. Alex stopped beside me and Max came up behind Isabel and kissed her cheek. 

"Ew." I smacked Alex on the head. "Ow!" He rubbed the back of his head. 

"Oh leave them alone. It's actually nice seeing a couple so happy." I smiled towards them and Alex gave a disgusted look. "Yeah. Yeah." 

"Ha ha. Oh we missed you Stevie. How about you and Sarah stay for dinner?" 

Sarah piped in. "We'd love to Belle, but It's been a long day and I'm beat. Stevie?" She looked towards me giving me the 'we need to talk' look. 

"Oh yeah. I'm really tired from the flight. How about tomorrow?" 

"Oh sure! Summer's coming home to visit! She will be so excited to see you!" 

"Great. See you guys tomorrow." Sarah and I head outside. I turned around when I heard my name being called. 

"Alex. What's up?" 

"I uh, wanted to say it's great to have you back. I really missed you." He handed me a piece of paper. "Here's my number. Call me for anything. We need to catch up." 

"Uh, yeah okay. I will." I smiled. He nodded and turned back to the house. I got into Sarah's car and she headed to her place. 

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"Here it is." Sarah opened her door to the apartment. She carried my bags to the guest room and set them by the door. I smiled remembering all the times I came here by myself. It still looked the same as ever. To the right was the small kitchen and to the left was the living room with two love seats, a couch, and the TV on the wall with a blue ray player. Ahead was the hallway that led to the two bedrooms and bathroom. 

"Lots of memories here." Sarah laughed and sat on the couch. I followed her and sat in the love seat to her left.  "So. What's up?"  Sarah looked at me and I looked at my lap. 

"I know what you did Stevie. Or what your mother did." I looked up and freaked out. 

"No! You can't tell anybody! I didn't mean to do it! It happened to fast!" I started hyperventilating. No. No. How?! 

"Shh. Stevie. It's okay. Breathe. Come on. Good girl." Sarah held me in her arms until I relaxed. 

"H-how do you know?" I looked up at her. 

"Your mother told me. She called when she was drunk again and admitted it to me. He was a mad man Stevie. He treated you and your mother with such disrespect. He hurt you two. What you did, it wasn't your fault. He deserved it. He was going to kill you both." 

"But I killed him! I was 7 years old Sarah!" I lost it. I was crying and sobbing. Sarah just kept her arms around me. 

"I know baby doll, but it's over now. He can't hurt you anymore. Why don't you go to bed? You look like crap." I laughed. 

"Okay." Sarah kissed me on the cheek and said goodnight. I grabbed my bags and opened my door. I unpacked a pair of pajamas and changed. I flopped on the bed and accepted the darkness to consume me. 

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I know it's been a while, but I do plan on finishing my stories. It's great to be back! 

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