Serenity [Book 2]

Chapter 17: drops of jupiter

Finishing my pastry, I brush down my black jeans of crumbs as I stand, giving Kieran a thankful smile for bringing us them. We've been home just under two hours, and I already miss Ethan, whom of which is training with Luke for the upcoming match. Felix went home with him, to get ready for his shift at the gym. Lauren is on the sofa, writing her paper. Matt is getting ready to go to the cinema's with Kieran. And Hanna, she's at the frat house, most likely getting stoned with Jack and Wes.

It's cooler outside now, the little heatwave gone, rain and hale replacing it on the drive home, and for once I'm not totally sad about the fact. It's still only April, it's too soon for summer.

It's now four-thirty, nearly time for work, which I am dreading – it's been such a glorious time without Karen, and I'm not ready for the bubble to pop just yet with her beautiful personality. The plan is to smile, compliment her and act as if I was in fact ill on the weekend, a phone call I have yet to thank Ethan properly for.

Since Ethan will be busy this week, I will sadly be driving my own car, and as I slip into the driver's seat, I groan when the obnoxious spring digs into my back. I need a new car. My AC still doesn't work, meaning I can't get warm, so I zip up my grey jacket, rubbing my hands together, before I connect my phone to the aux. One good thing about this car is that the speakers are fucking amazing.

After flicking through my playlist, I decide on 'Drops Of Jupiter' by Train – it's a song my parents loved to listen to. I remember on one occasion waking up at one in the morning, my dad was making scrambled eggs, singing and dancing with my mom. She was wearing only his dress shirt, it drowning her small frame as she hugged herself to his bare back. I didn't bust them that night, I left, letting them enjoy the rest of their date. The morning is when I busted their asses like children for waking me up.

Songs still make me emotional, but the memories that I surround myself with, the happy ones that these songs contain, make me feel happy also. I still have those memories, the happy ones – my dad hasn't tainted the picture of himself fully in my mind.

"I may have a shitty car, but at least I can listen to music and drive places." I say out-loud, tapping on my steering wheel as I approach a red light. "Seriously? Ugh."

Traffic isn't too bad today, but I'm a little on edge with the weather. The rain is hammering down on the bonnet of my car, causing goosebumps to appear on my arms as I think too much about it. I don't think driving will ever be a calming and nice experience for me, so I'm just going to deal with it and be glad the drive isn't too far.

My phone pings, telling me I have a new message, but I don't risk looking over, I just tell Siri to read it out, hoping it's not a sext from Ethan. I won't be able to look at Siri the same way ever again.

"Message from Lauren, white heart emoji, knife emoji." I laugh, setting off through the green light, double checking both mirrors before I do. "Hey. I hope you get to work safely. Text me when you get there. I finished my paper, I can't thank you enough for the help, brainy. It means a lot. I'm making food tonight, so if you want to bring takeout, I won't blame you. I love youuuuu."

The way the robotic voice continued pronouncing 'you' tells me she wrote around seven 'u's' at the end of her message. I make a mental note to text her back when I get to work. The text itself, though, it leaves me with a wide smile – she never fails to make me smile.

"Ugh, not this song." I quickly press shuffle, and I grin when 'She Bangs The Drums' by The Stone Roses rings through the speakers. "Ha-ha, now this, this is more like it."

Music will always have a massive part in my life, no matter how old I get. I splutter out a laugh as I imagine myself as an eighty-year-old in a home, urging the other oldies to rock out to Led Zeppelin. Yeah, I'm going to be hated, but my momma would be proud.