Goodbye, sis! *Completed*

Chapter Nine- Bonfires

I opened my eyes and saw hazy sunlight. I let my eyes flicker shut and reach up to my head. I'm exhausted. I feel something cold and silky slide along my neck and move my hand to just above my collarbone. I feel the sharp and yet smooth outline of the crescent moon pendant. I smile to myself as I gently run my fingers over the smooth crystal and remember every detail of last night. The kiss. How sweet it was and how it deepened slowly and then agreeing to being his girlfriend. It all comes flooding back with high definition quality as though I am re-living it at this very second. Walking into the house, laughing at Dad, Mum handing me a red-

My eyes snap open and I sit bolt upright. The rose. I look around my room until my eyes pinpoint the flower on my nightstand. The deep, velvety crimson of the petals contrast deeply against my pale room. I run my hands along the silky smooth petals which dust my fingertips with a soft pollen. Who? I think with a frown. Who would send me, of all people, a rose? And, yes, I know it's not like I've been sent a death note, but this flower still brings the same amount of dread for some reason. 

No longer able to look at it, I push back my quilt covers and swing my legs off the side of the bed. I stand and walk to my wardrobe. I pull out a pair of maroon-brown skinny jeans and a white top with the word PEACE stamped on it in block letters. I brush out my hair and tie it back in a loose bun. Heading to the bathroom, I brush my teeth (well more like scrub) and then wash my face in cool water. I return to my room and skillfully apply foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss.

I trot downstairs and grab a glass of apple juice. I drink it down as fast as I can and then slip on my black sneakers. I glance down at them and realise that this is the first time I've worn them since I bought my All Stars at Foot Locker. I revel in the familiar feel of the moulded soles beneath my feet and the worn material. How I love these shoes!

I pull on my jacket as I skip down the drive way. Why I feel so jolly, I do not know. I think it's just the overall mood of the day outside. The sun is shining down in glorious, thick, golden rays warming my very core. The sky above is a peaceful blue, cloudless and unpolluted by aeroplanes. 

Opening the gate I stop dead. Lying just beneath the post box, is a huge bouquet of multi-coloured roses. I cautiously walk towards them and pick them up. I look them over and their strong perfume invades my nose. There's a note amongst the buds and I pull it out and read it.

Ash,

Now these I did get you. Be ready at six.

Max A.K.A. Boyfriend xxx :)

I frown. What's happening at six? I look back at the bouquet and shrug. I don't care because this is perhaps one of the sweetest things that anyone has done for me. I quickly jog back to my house and put the roses in a vase. I leave the note inside them and then return to the door.

************

I check my phone. Eleven-forty. I still have twenty to twenty-five minutes before I have to be at Starbucks to meet Brook. A little detour I think.... Starbucks is literally opposite the Foot Locker shop where Max works. I'm not going in, that's the whole reason Brook wants me to meet her; she's going shoe shopping. 

I walk my usual root to Starbucks and only glance into Foot Locker. I see Max but he doesn't see me. He's helping a little boy try on a pair of God-awful football boots. They're grey. That's it, just grey. I know. The boy doesn't look too impressed either.

I do my usual trick with the Starbucks door. I push instead of pull and a few customers inside laugh at me. I don't mind though because I do it just about every time I come in here. The familiar creme and oak panelled walls are comforting and I spot Brook taking off her apron. She hasn't seen me yet so I decide to order my drink before the grilling starts. I text her last night. I think my exact words were-