What she left Behind | ONGOING

CHAPTER 03

─────  Chloe  ─────

It seems like forever since I've been on the road. I had forgotten how good it felt to roll down the window and let the breeze hit you as you put on some good music while you drive. As I make my way to the lakehouse, I try to think about the things that I could do while being there. On the one hand, I still believe this is a good idea and there's nothing to worry about. But on the other hand, I am sort of regretting my decision and perhaps I didn't think this well enough.

I can understand the concern of my parents. I understand that after what happened, maybe I shouldn't be dealing with this alone. But I want to first connect myself with these beautiful memories before involving other people in my healing process. I have to do some things by myself and maybe this is one of those.

I have to think positively, or at least try.

The sad thing is that unfortunately, I will have to eventually go back to the routine once this is over. I'm already depressed and I didn't even get there, that's a great start.

I went to get the keys to the lakehouse early this morning to the Prescott's house. Mrs. Prescott opened the door and the sight of her made me regret bothering her with this. But she seemed so nice and pushed me to keep going with this plan. She said I truly needed it since it was our most sacred space to be at. All our best memories were spent at that house.

From a distance, I could see the lakehouse. The last time I was here, it was probably like two summers ago. But with our jobs and all the responsibilities, it became almost impossible to visit. I remember that when we last came here, Derek joined us. I was not happy about it, but I tried to be as understanding as possible. Savannah didn't want to exclude either one of us, so she decided to include her annoying boyfriend. I recall it being an interesting summer. . .

I feel happy seeing the lake again. I begin to have a mixture of emotions, confusing me on how I'm supposed to feel about being here.

I park the car and turn off the engine. That's when I noticed something else hanging around this place. There was another car parked near the entrance. I narrow my eyebrows in confusion and quickly get out of my car. A feeling of alertness fuels my body. Mrs. Prescott didn't mention someone else also coming here so it makes me a bit scared. Who could it be?

The car was sleek and black, its presence ominous against the serene backdrop of the lake. Slowly, I reach the vehicle and scan the interior of it to investigate. There seems to be no sign of life, no clue as to who might have arrived before me.

The house loomed ahead, its wooden structure seemingly darker than I remember. I hesitate, debating whether to go inside or investigate the surrounding area first. Curiosity gets the best of me and I circle the vehicle to see further. As I reach the back of the car, the sound of footsteps crunching on the ground behind me makes me freeze. I turn around, my breath gets caught in my throat as my eyes lock onto a figure just standing a few feet away. 

Derek.

"Chloe?" he seems as shocked as I am. Both of us just stand there, not sure of what to say next.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, crossing my arms across my chest. He rubs the back of his head and proceeds to lock his car by pressing the button on his key.

"I could ask the same thing," he says and places his arms on the sides of his hips. "I asked if I could stay here for the weekend."

"The whole weekend?" I ask, already annoyed he got the permission as well. Unbelievable.

He nods, and his typical grin begins to form on his mouth. "Well, yeah. If I say the weekend I mean the entire weekend. Why? Is there a problem?"

"Of course, there's a problem, I wanted to have this place to myself and now you're here."

"I am not leaving. So you can either stay or start the car and you can be the one to leave."

"Fine, whatever. I'll get my bags and go to my room," I say and before I can walk back to my car and get my stuff, Derek stops me.

"What room is that?"

"The one that has the small balcony," I reply.

"Oh, I can help you with your bags if you want," he surprised me by saying. Derek Holloway wants to help me with something, well that's new. Maybe he wants to change his jerky behavior. No, that can't be right. I don't trust he would change that quickly.

"Okay. . ." I look at him suspiciously.

We go to my car and I begin to hang one of my bags on my shoulder when suddenly he starts to run to the house and that's when his plan hits me.

"Shit!" I start to run after him. We get to the house and he closes the door on my face. He locks it and then smiles at me victoriously.

"Derek, open the damn door!"

He doesn't say anything, he just dangles the keys in my face.

I check my pockets and I have a set of keys as well and use it to open the door. I ran upstairs cursing under my breath with every step I took. Finally, I reach the door to the room I said I wanted and sure enough, I find this asshole sitting on top of the bed, with a magazine in his hands.

He looks up at me and tries to hold on to his laughter as I stand there panting heavily at how quickly I had to run in a matter of seconds.

"Well, hello there," he says, a small chuckle escaping his lips. I walk toward him and push his legs off of the bed.

"Get out of here," I say but he doesn't budge.

"Why? I got here first."

"I asked for this room, you're only here because I said I wanted it."

"Chloe, I came here first, I think I have the right to choose which room I can stay in," he says as he grins, and all I want to do is smack that victory smile off of his face. 

"But—" I start but soon he cuts me off.

"Don't be childish and go find another room."

"You're so annoying," I say as I storm out frustrated. 

I walk to another room and then leave the bag I still have hanging on my shoulder on top of the bed. I look out the window and see the lake from a distance and think to myself that even if that jerk is here this weekend, that doesn't mean I can't have a good time and relax. I just have to stay away from him for the whole weekend. Yeah, I can do that, right?

He won't ruin this time for me. I came here to reconnect with my memories with my best friend and Derek won't get in the way of that. The question is: Why is he here as well?

Maybe he wants to reconnect with Savannah too, but he just loves annoying me so much that I can't discuss this with him. He takes everything as a joke, and I hate that. I truly thought that after what happened, he would behave more seriously.

I guess some people never change and he won't be the exception.

Looking through my bag, I find a book I've started and decided to go read it at the dock, under the blue sky, with the fresh breeze, and a beautiful lake in front of me—a lake that holds nothing but marvelous memories. Derek will not ruin this for me, I'll ensure that.