Star Crossed

Anna-Leigh

I made the mistake of grocery shopping. I thought I could be here, pretend nothing happened three years ago. That didn't happen. 

After seeing how manic I was Syd, and I came to the conclusion that she would do whatever needed done in town. I would care for my mother. Mom surprised me by asking for Luke. However, she is dying so Syd fetched him. 

Now I'm sitting in the living room while he visits mom. Syd had things to take care of. I'm itching to break in my new piano though. At one point I literally had to sit on my hands. 

Another half hour passes, and I stand. Crossing the room to the piano I take a deep breath and lift the lid. It's beautiful. I play on a lot of expensive pianos, but nothing beats your own. 

I close my eyes and let the melody flow through me. It's as simple as breathing to me. I turn my recorder on and hum softly. 

"Look at you, look at me. Left in ruins. Look for me in the dunes. I've dried my tears and picked my swords. It's time to move on, we're not seventeen and neither of us are who we used to be." I open my eyes and stop the recording. Syd will be pleased to know my art is still intact. I'll play it for her later. 

"Have you ever been told you're one of those people that sound better in person?" Luke's voice makes me jump. 

"I don't think so." I smile. "Thanks." I close the lid and stand up. 

He looks as though he wants to say something but decides against it. 

"It's late so I'll get out of your hair. Night Annie." He winks making me roll my eyes. 

"Night." I shut the door behind him and shake my head. It's not completely unbearable knowing he's next door. Mom filled me in on some of the things I missed the last few years but stopped with anything to do with the boy next door. 

She told me that Russel Hayes is in prison for beating his wife Cindy to death. That didn't really surprise me though. After all I had a trauma bond with their only son. 

I used to think it was more than that, but I was naive. He made sure I knew that too. 

She also told me Cash came back a few years ago. He was sober and asking about me, but my mother knew of nothing. She got sober a few months ago and met some guy who essentially was not a good guy and left her like this. 

He stole all of her money, wasn't much she claims, and beat the hell out of her. She managed to call 9-1-1 before she passed out. She was out for a week because the damage done. 

Now here we are. Back in this damn house together with nothing but demons. This is the last place either of us want to be. 

After checking on my mom I shut the light off and head to my room upstairs. My curtains are wide open, and I momentarily forget that his room is right across from mine. The rooms dark but I see a silhouette sitting on the end of the bed with a guitar. 

Walking over to the window I close the curtains and turn my light off. I debate texting Syd but decide against it. She doesn't like to be kept on a leash. I warned her off of Luke earlier. She's not one to settle and he's too nice for that kind of girl. Even if I owe her my life. 

I tie my hair back and lay down above the covers. I forgot how hot Georgia is. It makes me miss the rainy city that I now call home. 

Heat makes everything rot. 

Rolling over I grab my phone and shoot Syd a text to grab me a fan for my bedroom. I won't sleep in this heat anymore. It's unbearable. 

Tomorrow I'm going to ask mom what her plans are for the property when she passes away. I certainly hope she doesn't leave it to me. I'll burn it to the ground myself. 

When Syd gets back with my fan, I face it right at my bed and blast it. Shutting my door and laying back down I close my eyes and pretend that I am anywhere but here. 

My dreams shift between my mother and my career. I have to make a choice and I find it impossible. I wake up panting. The cock says six. Sighing I get up and drag myself to the shower. I stay in for longer than necessary. When I get out, I throw on shorts and a tank top. Throwing my hair up on top of my head I go downstairs to make breakfast. 

By eight breakfast is set out and coffee is made. I make a plate for mom and set it on a tray before pouring her a glass of orange juice. Swiftly picking it up I head to her room and push the door open. 

I set it beside her on the bed.

"I thought I heard someone up." She muses.

"I couldn't sleep. Eat. We can go out and get some air later."

"Heat you mean?" She laughs softly. 

"Yeah, that." I grimace leaving her door open and heading to grab my own plate. 

Syd joins me and we eat, and I play her what I did last night. 

"It's a good start." She nods sipping her coffee. "I was thinking about a duet though. Your friend told me about this place to pick up new talent. Some bar the next town over. We should go tonight. It's Friday after all." She suggests.

"Sure." I shrug grabbing the plates and heading to the kitchen. 

"I'll head to the mall and get us something to wear." She cheers grabbing her phone and exiting the house. Shaking my head, I load the dishwasher and put the leftovers away.