Here Lies the Lives Left at the Altar (On Hold)

Chapter Six

Rosie

"Are you sure about this, Ro?" my sister, Alena, asks me over the phone. We've been talking for the last twenty minutes, and she's been trying to talk me out of it this whole time. While her coddling is frustrating, it's understandable considering I have never done anything like this before. I even went to college close to home due to my parents' request. Any vacation I've gone on has been with my family. "I don't like the idea of you traveling alone."

I absently listen as I scan the aisle of snacks. I take my phone from my ear momentarily and check the time— 9:47am. "Well, there's the possibility I won't be alone."

She snorts. "Right, funeral boy."

"His name is Archer," I retort with a roll of my eyes. I told her about him as soon as I saw him. She's known for a long time I've never loved Miles, but it's tragically always been him. I think to see me talk about anyone else has her skeptical, and understandably so. "And even if I'm alone, it's not like I'll make it obvious. I'll be fine! I promise."

"And if Miles asks where you are? Did you even tell anyone else you were doing this?" Alena pushes

"I don't care if they know where I went," I insist stubbornly as I pluck a bag of chips from the counter, contemplating it closely. "What I do doesn't concern them anymore."

"You don't mean that," she says softly after a brief moment.

She doesn't quite understand where I'm coming from with this. Our parents never set her up as a child, she somehow persuaded them otherwise. She had met her wife herself while studying at university, and she's fortunate that our parents approved of Thea. Well, perhaps they accepted her family's money. But nonetheless, they've been married since they had graduated. They love to remind me that I'm twenty-five and I've pushed off my marriage for years now. In their minds, I should've married years ago.

Alena knows I detest this arrangement, and she's tried to talk to our parents, but I have to wonder how hard she tried. She managed to talk them out of backing off of her, and I doubt she wanted to risk that entirely by protesting my marriage. I know she tried the best to her ability, and I don't blame her for not wanting to possibly give up her happiness.

There are a few moments of silence as I tap the side of my phone mindlessly. "You know how unhappy I was with him... with all of it. I can't go back to that."

There's more silence, and I can already picture the sorrowful look on her face. "I know, Ro."

The slight twinge of sadness and regret in her voice pulls at my chest. "I love you, okay? I'll text you when I get to Coeur d'Alene."

Alena repeats my words back and we hang up. I sigh while staring at my phone, and I can't help but question all of this. I don't want to hurt anybody, I would never want that. But the thing is, I've already burned everything to the ground. I've already hurt people. How much more damage can I really do?

I glance at my the time on my phone— 9:54am.

I grab a few more snacks and drinks from various aisles in the convenient store before heading to the tired-looking cashier. Though I don't quite feel like smiling, I do so anyway. "Hello!"

The cashier grunts a hello at me as he mindlessly rings up my items. He throws everything into bags and I can't help but wince as I hear my drinks gets thrown at my chips. I can deal with some crumbled chips, I suppose. I hand him a few bills to pay before taking my plastic bags and leaving the store. I wish him a good day and feel slightly dejected when he says nothing back.

I walk out of the convenience store and stare at my car momentarily in thought. The words "Just Married!" crossed out in red marker on the back. I probably could've taken that off, and I really should. But for some reason, I leave it be. I put my bags in my car, picking out my lemonade and candy first to bring to the front. My eyes wander to the time that's lit up on my car.

9:59am.

I swallow thickly, a bit disappointed that Archer isn't here. I don't blame him, though. I don't know if I would agree with a stranger's trip either. But part of me really just hoped he would. I suppose I just wanted the company of the reminder of hope for another life. And quite plainly, I had fun with him, the kind of fun I haven't ever experienced before. But he's not here, and I won't let anything stop me from doing this.

"Okay, let's do this," I murmur to myself. I grimace, realizing I'd likely be talking to myself quite a bit through this trip.

I turn my car on, tapping the steering wheel lightly with my fingertips as I contemplate nearly everything. Driving across the country feels impulsive, but something about that thrills me more than anything ever has. I deserve to be impulsive and make a decision that isn't influenced by anyone else.

I tap the hotel address into my car's navigation system and nod once. I'm doing this. I can do this. I don't need anyones help or permission. This is something I always wanted to do, but I thought it was unattainable. I paid for this with my own money that I earned and I don't need Miles, or Alena, or the rest of my family. All I need is myself. I can't help but smile— because I really am here for me.

Just as I'm finished thinking about my newfound independence and I'm about to change my car's gear into drive, the car door opens right as the clock switches to 10am.

To my surprise, a certain brown haired boy throws a duffel bag into the back seat of my car. He doesn't make eye contact as he seals his plans for the next few weeks of his life. The back door slam shuts and I blink once as I watch him get into my passenger seat.

He situates himself and says nothing as he fastens his seatbelt. Letting out a breath that puffs his cheeks out, he finally looks at me. Archer's words to me are short and sweet, "I'm in."

A smile stretches across my face, and I feel another wave of confidence flow through me. Surprising me again, he smiles back. Well, independence with some company never hurt anybody.

⭑

This chapter is a bit of a short one! But to make up for it I also published a chapter at the beginning of the book where I introduce who I imagine as Rosie and Archer! I also put a playlist with that, so that's a fun lil to check out. Let me know your thoughts on the chapter and remember to comment and vote!