I tried not to... (Damon Salvatore)

Ringing & Sirens

     "So I've been thinking you should definitely come to the Halloween party with us.", Jess once again brought up the topic I had already turned down twice.
     "I've already told you. I am not legal to drink. I won't be any fun.", I told her as I rolled my eyes.
     "So? Who cares about that? Sam is going too- and no offense but Sam never wants to go out either.", She once again tried to pressure me with a quick glance to her tall shaggy haired boyfriend and my best friend with a face that said 'please help me convince her.'
      "She's actually right Noelle. It'll be fun. Plus it's partially to celebrate my upcoming law school interview.", Sam implored.
     "This Saturday?", I questioned. Jess squealed.
     "Yes! Which means you have a whole five days to prepare!"She basically bounced in excitement. I chuckled just as we reached my apartment door. I began to unlock my door as Sam and Jess went to continue on down the hallway.
     "See you guys tomorrow.", I told them.
    "Goodnight Ella.", Sam smiled.
    "Love you Noelle!", Jess chirped.

     I was woken up very shortly after I fell asleep by the sound of my cellphone ringing on my nightstand with the familiar look of 'Aunt Jenna' flashed across the screen.
     "Hello?", I mumbled sleepily into the receiver.
     "Hey Ella. Sorry to wake you but it's important.", she responded with and inherently sorrowful tone.
     "It's fine. What's up? Everything okay?", I asked suddenly awake with a huge sick feeling stuck in the core of my stomach.
     "No...", She choked out with a broken sob.
     "What's wrong Aunt Jenna?", I questioned, the sick feeling getting heavier and heavier.
     "You need to come home kiddo. Your parents- there was an accident. They didn't make it.... And Elena she's in the hospital. I'm so sorry sweetheart.", She worked the words out slowly. They one by one made their way through the phone, into my ear and into my brain. But, it was like I short circuited and an overwhelming feeling of numbness settled with a slight crumbling. The air around me in my room felt suffocating and it didn't feel like real life. I could make out the words 'wake up' kept running through my head.
     "Noelle?", I heard my Aunt's broken voice and it snapped me back. I felt the wetness from a single tear on my face and I touched it with my index finger.
    "I'm on my way. I'll be there in 8 hours.", I sobbed out and snapped my phone shut.

     I left Sam and Jess a text explaining everything and packed as much clothes and anything of importance as quickly as I could. After I changed my clothes I made my way out of my apartment and locked up. I scrambled down to my SUV. A Burgundy Jeep Grand Cherokee gifted to me for my graduation from my... parents.
     I settled into my car starting it up and mentally preparing myself for what was sure to be the longest 8 hour drive of my life.