Crescent

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

In less time than I thought possible, we're pulling into the driveway of the large house. I wince as the change from road to cement scrapes the bottom of the car.

"Sometimes these expensive cars aren't worth their ridiculous style." Alexander grumbles with a scoff. "Can't even switch roads without bottoming out."

His words make me laugh. As we pull around to the garage, I search for my phone to get ready to get out. "Oh," a thought occurs to me. "All of our things at the hotel."

"I'll send someone to get everything," he replies.

I stay silent at that, not knowing what else to say. Now that we're back at this house the memories start to flood back. The party, Derek . . . and the revelation of who they are. Last time I was here, I left in a rush of panic and incredulity. The feelings return and my mood sours, despite the amazing car ride we just had.

It's well after noon, one could almost call it evening, and all I've eaten today is the breakfast burrito at the hotel. I don't have any of my things, my phone is almost dead, I have no idea what grades I'll receive on my finals or if I'll graduate, and now I'm at this giant house that I don't know. Where will I sleep? Am I expected just to mooch off of these people for the rest of my life? If my final projects did well, I'm a college graduate. Mom and I might want to travel and see what else is out there. Can I do that now? Am I allowed?

Alexander is busy fiddling with something in the garage. It looks like a key rack with labels, but I'm too bitter to really focus on it. I let out a huff once, twice, before he looks back my way. "Everything okay?"

"Does it look like everything is okay?" I snap.

His hands still, eyes widening at my retort. As if judging the situation, he holds my gaze as quiet fills the space between us. Gently, Alexander sets everything down, unfinished, before turning his body to face me completely. "No, that's why I asked. I'll rephrase: what is wrong?"

I narrow my eyes at his words and cross my arms. "You don't have to get an attitude with me."

Shock flashes across his face. His eyebrows raise as his mouth drops open, but also smiling. "Not to be rude, but you are the one with an attitude. I was trying to remedy the situation. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"You can wipe that grin off your face," I demand, then reconsider. "Actually, you've done enough." I throw my hands up in frustration and stalk toward the garage door, wanting to be anywhere but in this room with him.

"That's not-" Alexander starts just before I open the door to a storage closet, not the house. "It's this door," he points.

With yet another huff, I stomp across the room to the door he is pointing at. I burst through into the kitchen, unsure of what to do now. There are some people bustling around and cooking, but I decide not to bother them. I forget food for now and focus on finding a place to rest.

"Riley," a voice calls out as I walk down a random hallway. I turn around and find Tom leaning out of his room. "Whatcha doing?"

The tension falls out of my shoulder as I sigh. "I just want to lay down." Prickling starts in my nose as my eyes water. My lip trembles a bit.

Tom gives me a concerned look and ushers me into his room. "You can lay down in here," he says as he places me onto the unmade bed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I shake my head as tears rush down my face. It's too much to talk about, especially with him - or anyone in this house for that matter. They have no idea what I'm going through and I just feel so alone even though Tom is holding me. "I just want to be alone," I practically sob unintelligibly.