The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 27

"So, where will you all be sleeping tonight?"

Eliza immediately clings to me, hooking her arm around mine. She has no intention of leaving me, and I'm glad. We have so much catching up to do, even though we've only spent a week apart. I'm certain she has various stories about boys to tell me. I'm not exactly excited for that, but I'm willing to endure them all, but only because I've missed her and her rambling.

Raine and Flynn exchange looks before they bring their gazes to my mother and shrug. My mother sighs. She didn't sign up for this. She thought that she would only have to deal with me which requires little work, but now she has to worry about other parents' children as well.

"Well, we only have two bedrooms here. The one is mine and the other belongs to Rose. I assume that Eliza will be sharing that room with Rose." my mother says and Eliza is quick to nod, still clinging to me as though I'm going to run away again. She doesn't have to worry though. As long as Raine doesn't try anything, I won't go anywhere.

"There is a guesthouse." I pipe.

"Yes, Rose is correct. You two wouldn't mind staying at a guesthouse, would you?" she questions, her eyes on Raine and Flynn.

Flynn nods, whereas Raine looks conflicted. I'm not sure why though. He has nothing to be conflicted about. Unless he wants to stay here to mess with me...

"Flynn and I can sleep on your couches if that's alright with you." Raine finally speaks up, and my mother pauses for a moment, not having expected him to make such a suggestion. Neither did I.

"Well, if you are okay with sleeping on the couch, I guess it'll be alright." my mother says, looking hesitant with her answer, her eyes fluttering to mine for a brief moment. Oh no, does she know that Raine is the man of my story?

"Great." he says, looking satisfied.

"Alright then. Now that's settled. You all can decide on what to do for the rest of the day. I'll be in my room working," my mother says, getting to her feet. "Oh Rose, my dear, can I speak to you for a moment?"

I hesitate. I know what my mother wants to talk about, and I'm not ready for it.

Swallowing, I stand up and follow my mother to her bedroom, closing the door shut behind me. I hold my breath as I stare at my mother, anticipating her next words.

"It's him, isn't it?" is the first words to leave her mouth. I purse my lips, merely nodding in response. "This may sound weird, but I can see why you are so attracted to him."

A laugh comes spluttering out of me, unable to control my reaction. She's right, it does sound weird, but for some odd reason, I don't mind her saying it.

"He reminds me so much of Luke, and why leaving Luke was the best decision for me."

"What do you think I should do about him?" I ask, leaning my back against the door.

"I'm not sure yet. He'll be staying here, so I'll watch him and find out just what kind of person he is." my mother says, her eyes filled with determination.

I smile. I didn't want Raine here, and still don't, however, I guess there is a blessing in disguise here. My mother is good at reading people, and I know she'll tell me the right thing to do. I trust her judgement.

"Don't worry, my dear. I won't let you get hurt like I did." she says, taking my hand into hers.

"I know you won't." I say as she squeezes my hand before turning around and exiting the room. I find all three of them in the same spot as I left them.

"So, what do you guys want to do today?" I ask and they merely shrug. "Then, do you perhaps want a tour. Eliza and I could give you one."

Flynn nods, quite enthusiastically might I add. Raine merely hums, seeming quite uninterested. I don't care though.

Eliza smiles, getting to her feet. She grew up in this town with me, and since almost nothing has changed since our childhood, she'll be able to find her way around this place.

We leave the house promptly, but not before I realise once more that I am still in merely pajamas and a robe and rush to my room to quickly slip into a pair of comfortable pants and top.

The first stop is the beach. It's about the third time I've been at the beach in a span of two days, but I don't mind. It's the most refreshing and peaceful place in this town for me.

"Wow. This ocean looks different from the ocean I see in the city." Flynn says, breathing in the fresh air.

"I know, right? I can't believe I ever forgot what it feels like here." Eliza breathes, closing her eyes, allowing the breeze to brush against her skin, making me smile.

My eyes fall on Raine who stands beside Flynn, hands in his pants pockets. My eyebrows furrow as I stare at him. I wonder what's going on in his mind. What does he think about as he spaces out? What did he think about when he pushed me against the door, trapping me in his hold?

What even possesses him to do such things?

"Rose!" I hear Eliza call out, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Let's go."

It's only when she says this that I realise that they have already walked back up to the sidewalk, and she waves at me to get my attention. Smiling, I run up to them, wrapping my arm around Eliza’s when I reach her.

"Let's go. I want to see Ms. Anderson." she says, pulling me with her.

"Oh, I actually saw her today. She told me that she misses you when we had dinner together on the first night I arrived here." I say and she smiles.

We slowly make our way to Ms. Anderson's shop, taking our time to admire the beautiful ocean view that the town has provided us with.

However, just as we are merely a few meters away from Ms. Anderson's shop, something, or rather, someone, catches my eye.

Kaden.

He's crossing the road, his walking stick in hand. I smile, and then I hear it. The sound of a racing vehicle.

My eyes move to the source of the sound. It's a truck, a truck driving right at Kaden at full speed. My eyes widen in horror. The truck is going to hit him. He's going to possibly die within a few moments.

"Kaden!" I scream, and he stops upon hearing my voice. No. He can't stop. The truck speeds up, and the man behind the wheel appears to be panicking, and unable to slow down. This is bad.

"Run Kaden!" I yell out, waving my arms in the air even though he cannot see me.

"Rosie?" I hear his little mumble as he turns around, his eyebrows furrow in confusion. No. Don't turn Kaden. Run Kaden. Please run.

He's not moving. I'm not sure how he's not aware of the truck about to crash into him. Yes, he cannot see it coming, but surely he can hear it.

"Kaden!" I scream one last time, but he doesn't react. What's wrong with him?

Barely thinking, I run out into the open street, ignoring the insistent yells from my friends behind me and stop right in front of Kaden, stretching my arms out in a defensive manner.

My eyes instinctively shut as the distance between the truck and us closes. This is it. I'm going to die here.

Goodbye life.