The Black and the White Rose

Chapter Eight

        Last night was amazing. Damien and I pretty much talked until midnight. Then we kissed our goodbyes outside, and he left in his car. I was left with a flutter in my heart and a smile on my face. After he left, I showered and went to sleep. Now, it's 9:00 in the morning, and I'm lying on my bed staring at my ceiling. I can't stop smiling or thinking about yesterday and last night. The way we kissed left a mark on me. I feel so different and so new.
        I don't know what I'm doing today. I usually don't do much on Sundays. My family doesn't go to church. We're Christians, but we're not so religious that we go to church. I'll probably just relax outside, since it's really nice out. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the wind is calm, and the temperature is perfect. It's sort of strange to have this nice weather in the beginning of Autumn.
        I throw the covers off of myself and sit up on the bed. Then I get up and go to my closet to pick out clothes. I take a nice, warm shower, and let the water engulf my skin. After I get dressed and do my hair and makeup, I walk out of my room, through the living room, and into the kitchen. I find my siblings sitting at the breakfast table eating eggs, toast, and bacon. Although, all of those things are good, I don't feel like eating them.
        "Good morning, Skye," says my brother. He smiles at me slightly, but it's enough to see that he's being kind. I smile back unconsciously. I mean, I've been smiling all morning.
        "Good morning, you two. How are you?" I ask as I reach for a bowl from cabinet. Amy nods her head while chewing her toast, and James looks down at his food and picks at it.
        Amy swallows and replies, "Good. You?" I nod and pour some cereal into my bowl. Then I pour the milk and grab my spoon.
        My dad walks into the kitchen and greets me with a kiss on my temple-the side that isn't bruised. "Morning, everyone," he says cheerfully.
        "Morning, dad," we reply. I take a seat next to Amy at the breakfast table. Shortly after, my mom walks in. She and my dad share a kiss, and then they begin getting themselves breakfast. Soon, we're sitting at the table eating together. We usually eat like this every Sunday, but lately we haven't.

        I take my earbuds and phone with me out to the backyard, and I lie down on the hammock. I stick my earbuds into both ears and unlock my phone. I tap all over my screen until I get to my music. I put it on shuffle, because I don't know what to listen to right now.
        I rock myself in the hammock and close my eyes. The music drowns everything out. The song is a little loud, but it's a bit of a gentle rhythm. I don't have a specific preference for music. I listen to almost everything. I listen to the lyrics and think about them, and how they compare to my life.
        The words sink into my mind. I wish I could show you all the ways you make me feel. Every time that I hold you, all of the dreams seem real. Damien's face appears in my head. His lips are slightly curved into a smile, and I remember the way they felt when they collided with mine.
        I keep getting the urge to see him. I can feel it in my stomach, my chest, and my head. I want-need-to see Damien today. I open my eyes and take a deep breath. Then I stand up from the hammock and walk toward the house. I walk around to the front and go to my garage door. It's large and tan, and it's maybe forty feet wide. I press the numbers on the keypad and hit enter. The door slides slowly upward, revealing three parked cars: James's, my mom's, and my dad's. My dad has another Chevrolet Impala, like my mom's-his is black.
        I don't know what I'm really doing in the garage. What am I planning to find in here? I walk toward James's car. I'm thinking about touching it, but I probably shouldn't. I can feel a cold presence behind me. I slowly walk forward, trying to be cautious. I don't want to turn around, because it might be Valcon, and I don't want to see him right now. Although, I could also just be cold.
        I take a deep breath and twist around quickly. I see the shadow of a man move on the ground, and I decide to follow it. Caution is something I almost always have. It's almost always necessary. I walk back around toward my backyard. Am I hoping to find whoever it was? I have no clue, but I'm hoping for something. I can feel it, but what am I hoping for?
        Just when I come to the gardens, I see nobody in the backyard. I am alone. An empty feeling fills my stomach. What am I doing? Why am I so tense? I walk back to the hammock, but I don't sit down. Instead I stand in front of it idly. I feel like I'm being watched. This feeling intensifies, and I turn around to find nobody there, again. This is annoying. Is someone, or something, playing with my emotions? Because that's what this feels like.
        Paranoia...is a horrible thing. It's haunting. It's uneasy and intense. Maybe that's what this is, but why am I paranoid? Finally, I decide to sit on the hammock to rest myself. I rock back and forth, letting the sway soothe me. I close my eyes and see a figure in a black hoodie. It looks like the man from the hospital. My eyes shoot open. I don't want to picture these things. God! What is wrong with my head right now? I hate this. I need Damien. He makes me feel sane, safe. I feel hate, fury, fear. I feel like I'm drowning in an emotion that doesn't belong to me.
        I stand up, angry, and walk around to the garage, again. I go inside and press the button, and the garage down slides down. Then I go into the house and walk straight to my dad. He's sitting on the couch in the living room calmly. "Dad, I'm going to the Grill for a while. Is that alright?" I ask, my voice sounds strained. James, who's sitting across from my dad, looks up at me. He looks confused.
        "Yeah. Do you need a ride?" my dad asks. James sits up straight, listening to our conversation. I shake my head.
        "No. I'd like to walk. It's nice out," I reply. James furrows his brows, but I ignore him. "I'll be back later. I might meet up with Elena or Damien." I turn around and walk to the front door. James follows me quietly, and I turn around to face him. "James, I said I want to walk...by myself," I inform him.
        "I heard what you said, I just want to make sure you get there safely. Please, let me drive you there," he pleads. I want to feel grateful to him, but I can't. It's like something in me doesn't want to be grateful.
        "No," I say flatly. "I'll go by myself, and I'll be fine. But thank you for offering." James nods and purses his lips. Then he walks away casually. I think he's trying not to be as protective, and I'm thankful for that. I turn the doorknob and walk out of the house. Then I walk down my driveway and start heading down the road, toward the town square.