Petrichor ~ P.L.

Chapter Four

"Charlie?" 

"Adair can I," he sucked in a breath, "can I come in?" 

I frowned at his distraught figure but nodded.

He stepped inside, obviously riddled with anxiety and sorrow.

"What is it, Charlie?" I questioned him and he drew in a deep, shaky breath.

"Um, I-i've had to make quite a few of these calls.  But I never thought I would make one for my best friend." A tear slipped down his cheek as I began to take in his words. 

"What-What do you mean?" I held my breath, tears beginning to fill my eyes as I put the pieces together. 

"Adair there was," he exhales slowly seemingly in an attempt to compose himself, "there was an accident." His voice breaks at the end, him finally making eye contact with me. 

"An, an accident?" I question, not ready to give up my last bit of hope that what he was saying isn't true.

 "I'm-i'm sorry.  Your family they-" He cut himself off trying to maintain a professional demeanour, "your parents and brother were in an accident while driving home and, and there were no survivors." He let silent tears fall down his slightly scruffy face.

I stared at him in shock for a moment. My parents, my brother, the ones I treasure and love the most in this goddamn fucking world gone in an instant. My mother who would tenderly stroke my hair when I struggled to fall asleep. My father who would comment at every guy who showed interest in me,  insisting that they were never enough for his little girl.  My brother who had so much life to live, and so much love and light to spread.  All taken from me, in the blink of an eye.

"No," I replied insisting that he must be lying, "no." I weakly spoke out,  my knees falling from under me as I collapsed into his embrace. 

"I'm sorry." He stutters out, barely holding it together at the loss of his best friend. 

I began to sob as he held me, the feel of my salty tears dripping down my face a stern reminder that this was real. That my family was gone. That I am alone.  

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"Godfather...school...early...hear...Adair, can you hear me?" Charlie leant down to meet my eyes, us now at the Sheriff's office. 

"Um," I snapped myself back into focus, pulling the grey blanket they have given me tighter around myself.  Attempting to subside my shivers of grief, "no, sorry." 

He gives me a small frown of pity, before sitting down on the bench beside me. 

"I was just saying," he gently lays a hand on my shoulder, "I've contacted the school in Seattle you got into, and they are going to let you in early.  Until then you'll stay with Billy.  Is that alright? 

I gave a small nod and brushed a tear away from under my eye, attempting to push back the thoughts of my parents never being able to see me go to the school they were so excited for me to get into. 

"I've also kept this under wraps for now. The only people that know are the responders, us, and Billy." 

As soon as he said that, there was a knock at the door.  Billy and Jacob stood in the wooden framed doorway, both with red-rimmed eyes and downturned lips. 

"And um Jacob." 

I tried to shoot them a small smile, Charlie helping me stand up as he grabbed my bag for me. 

"Hey kid, I'm so sorry." Billy softly says, pulling me down into a hug.

"Hi, Billy." I looked up to the ceiling in an attempt to keep the tears in my eyes.