Angel

Chapter 13

The next week and a half was pretty boring, but today sure wasn't. We were up at five a.m. packing to go to Virginia.

Zack was here already. Me and him were the first two to get done packing, so we were sitting in the car, waiting for the rest of my family to come out and join us.

Zack was asking me several questions about Virginia.

"Is it hot there this time of year?"

"Not really. It's just right, like fall weather."

I was so happy he was coming. Without him, I would have shot myself about an hour ago. I don't want to go to Virginia, but him being with me makes it bearable.

"So, I know you probably don't want to talk about this, but will he be there?"

I didn't know what he was talking about at first.

"What do yo-"

I froze. No. This isn't happening. No no no.

"Yeah he'll be in Virginia. But I don't know about the wedding."

Just the thought of him made tears swell up in my eyes.

***

As soon as we were all settled in the car, I started asking Dad questions about the big event.

"So, who all did you invite?" I asked, curious to see if I was going to see all of my old enemies.

"Well all the immediate family, obviously. And we were sure to invite Emily and Johanna for you."

Emily. The bitch that betrayed me last year. She let the secret that I hated myself out.

Johanna. The girl that always pretended to be my friend, when in reality she started rumors about me behind my back.

He still didn't say anything about him, so I just asked. I didn't feel like coming up with questions that would give me the answer I wanted without actually mentioning him.

"Well, did you invite-" I couldn't say it. I couldn't say his name. It wouldn't come out of my mouth.

"Who?" Dad asked, as if he just didn't hear me.

I started to panic. I couldn't say his name. I looked over at Zack, begging for him to distract my dad while I calmed down.

Then all of a sudden, it came out. "Brad. Did you invite Brad?"

Dad looked at me oddly from the rear view mirror. "Of course I did. You two have been close since you were kids."

"Dad, we aren't close anymore."

"Really? Why not?" He was totally confused. It was his fault for leaving and missing two hectic years of my life.

"He-" My voice cracked from the sobs I was holding inside. Zack reached over and put his hand on my thigh. He was concerned.

"He just hurt me. That's all." I got it out. Then, I snuggled up close to Zack because I was in serious need of comfort.

Why couldn't I even mention Brad's name anymore? I hadn't said it in months.

I didn't allow myself to think about him too much. I tried so hard to block his whole entire existence out of my life.

***

After driving for several hours, we stopped at a rest stop. I had slept the whole way there, cuddled up to Zack.

I felt really good momentarily. Hopefully that won't change when we actually get to Virginia.