Red Roses ~Marcus Lopez Arguello

17~ Going Away

The walk back to the dorm was silent. Nothing but the patter of their shoes filled the cold air. They had arrived back at the hotel at around 4 in the morning, and Scarlett had still yet to lay in that now empty hotel bed. When they got back, everyone had been awake, packing up, all collectively deciding to abruptly end this group trip early, after the mountain of events that took place. Scarlett hadn't hated that idea, so she walked past all of the teens silent, as she swung her untouched backpack over her shoulder. 

As she was walking back out, she bumped into a tired Marcus, who just stared at her, not knowing at all what to say. He tried to find the words, but nothing but a silent apology left his lips. He stared at her for a long while, searching deep for any indication that she still felt the same way about him, but something in her eyes had changed. The color from them was drained, a greyish cast now replacing the whitish-blue and chocolate-brown irises. The light in her eyes had died a few times that night. But the one that had killed her the most hadn't been death itself, but the moment Marcus' head rested on another woman's chest.  

She walked past the boy, pushing her shoulder to his to get past, and she grabbed all of the keycards from the room. All she stated to the destroyed group was nothing but a cold order. 

"Be in the front in 5. Or you can find your own way back." She shuts the door with a slam, her strength finally snapping back. 

The drive had been silent, no one dared to utter a word as Scarletts hands gripped the steering wheel. She drove at a steady pace, making sure to only stop for gas, before continuing. Marcus was going to sit in the passenger, beside Scarlett, but Saya had beat him to the front, and gave him a cold glare like she had done the first day he arrived at Kings. That time had seemed so long ago, yet it had only been a week since his arrival. 

He was forced to sit in the back, in between Maria and Willie, and Billy took the seat on the floor below Saya. Billy had been out of the loop of the reasoning for the tension in the car, but he had no intention of trying to ask what had happened. He was able to figure it out relatively quick though, considering the next events that played out. 

The sun began peaking over the dessert horizons, and the sun had made its way towards the rearview mirror, striking it in a way that messed with Scarletts vision. She removed a hand off of the wheel, and adjusted the mirror, to get rid of the glare. Once she could see again, she saw the three seated in the back perfectly. Willie had fallen asleep, resting his head against his hand. Maria had her hand under Marcus' chin, and they both shared a slow and passionate kiss, right in the back of Scarlett's car. Scarlett watched the interaction, with no response. the car had swerved just slightly and Saya patted the girl's hand, as to wake her from her trance. She saw a couple of clear streams flow down Scarletts cheeks, and she looked up where she had, seeing the interaction. 

Saya had no words either, and just grabbed Scarletts hand which now rested on the console of the car, gripping the leather. Scarlett looked over at Saya, before looking down at her hand, which rubbed circles on Scarletts cold fingertips. Saya just smiled weakly at her, nodding her head. 

"I got you." She muttered and Scarlett just nodded, wiping her eyes and continuing to drive, their hands, never leaving each other's. 

...

3pm, November 10th

As soon as they made it back, Scarlett hadn't even acknowledged anyone, but rather, just made it straight to her room, packing a bag. She had no thoughts other than she had to leave as soon as she could. She'd be back, but considering the week that it was, and a yearly tradition she had, she thought it would be best to leave earlier than expected.