Returning Shadows

(6) Shut Up and Drive!

CHAPTER 6

Shut Up and Drive!

“I kind of made two friends, and they invited me back over to their place to watch a film,” I told mum, dad and Eliott. It was true enough; I just conveniently left out certain details, such as the fact that both of my new ‘friends’ were male, and that one of them possessed more tattoos than Rick Genest. Yeah, my parents don’t really take well to either of those things.

“Oh, I knew you’d be glad you went back. I knew you’d make some friends once you got used to the people. See, it’s not so hard, is it?” Mum gushed. “Though I don’t like the idea of you staying out half the night...”

I smiled sheepishly at her in the mirror while I put in my favourite silver earrings. I was glad that they were happy for me, and not like the stereotypical parents who ground their daughters and lecture them on teenage pregnancy for staying out late. “Sorry, mum. I’ll let you know next time.”

 It was half past ten, and I had half an hour before Danny and Shawn were coming to pick me up. It was all I could do to stop myself from squealing out of excitement, although I was nervous. I had a horrible gut feeling that I was going to do something embarrassing while I was with them.

I’d dressed my coolest, putting on my favourite pair of ripped bootcut jeans by Diesel, which I’d paid a lot for. I paired it with a knitted black turtleneck sweater, and a black leather jacket. After applying a little eye makeup and some cheek tint to add some colour to my pale complexion, I brushed out my hair so that my layers laid smoothly over my shoulders and framed my face, instead of being a frizzy mess from having just been blow dried.

I wandered downstairs and wolfed down some toast smothered in butter before checking the clock again. I had ten minutes.

“I’ll wait at the bottom of the road for them.” I said. “It will save them from having to drive down the narrow street.” (And it would stop mum and dad from seeing who exactly I was going out with).

“Alright. See you later. Be careful.” Mum and dad chorused, while Eliott simply grunted a goodbye, barely looking up from his breakfast.

I pulled on a pair of white trainers and ran down to the end of the road, where I would wait for Danny and Shawn to pick me up.

The cold February wind whipped against my face, making my cheeks sting, and greedily took all the warmth from my body as I waited. I plunged my hands into my pockets and hoped that Danny wasn’t unreliable when it came to time keeping.

Thankfully, his highly polished metallic BMW came into view only a few minutes later and stopped next to the pavement where I was standing. Shawn stepped out, his shaggy blond hair immediately getting messed by the wind, though it didn’t seem to bother him. He threw his head back James Bond style, and ripped a pair of imaginary sunglasses off.

“For the lady.” He said theoretically, holding a pretty red rose out.

I stepped nearer and took it from him and held it to my nose, taking in the delicate smell of my favourite type of flower. “Thank you,” I beamed.

Feeling not at all shy around Shawn, and also finding the gesture extremely cute and thoughtful, I stood on my tip toes and placed a kiss against his cheek. “I love roses,” I said before pulling away.

When I stepped back down, I could clearly see that he was blushing. He awkwardly dragged his fingers through his hair and glanced at Danny.

“Get in the car,” Danny said flatly, sounding extremely bored.

Shawn and I did as we were told, him sitting in the back, and me in the front.

Danny was dressed exceptionally tidier today. He still wore a black leather jacket and dark blue jeans, but he’d styled his hair. His long fringe had been curled and swept over to one side, giving him a very bad boy look.