Shattered Pieces

Chapter Four Olivia

Thunder echoed over the mountains, warning that a storm is coming. "Ok spin!" Chrissy ordered as I stepped out of the dressing room. This was the fourth outfit she's had me try on. The dynamic between the extrovert and introverted best friends was true. Chrissy lived for the parties and clothes, night outs, and photo ops. I on the other hand was what Derek called a wallflower, I preferred to curl up with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other. I found leggings and comfortable T-shirts with my high tops to be the best go-to for most functions, but Chrissy would probably have a heart attack. So I leave it to her when there is a party. We were like night and day.
I gave a little twirl as the sundress fluttered around me. Derek, now leaning back in the boutique's waiting chair offered to let out a little whistle. "Looking good short stack!" Blushing, I faced the mirror. Complements made me uncomfortable "Thanks D, I think I like this one." The dress was light pink with little white flowers all over. Almost identical to the one Chrissy had on her board. I smile turning from one side to the other. Chrissy was right as usual.
     "Can we help you?" Behind me, the boutique employee asks with a flirtatious tone. Peaking around the corner I see  Luke stride in. He looks stone-faced as he nods at the girl giving him the biggest heart eyes I've ever seen.
    "Hey bud! Thought you may bail on us! You on the bike?" Derek asked and grabbed Luke's hand giving him that odd man hug where they pat the others back. "Yea. Lost track of time, been a while since I rode." Luke mumbled. He wore his leather jacket today. Five years ago I would have probably been drooling.
   Before I could retreat back into the changing room, Derek waved a hand over at me "What do you think man? Adorable right?" I could feel my body tense as the words left his mouth. Great why was Luke even here after his obvious attitude this morning I didn't think he would show up. His stare felt like a billion little needles prickling at my skin. Taking a few seconds to look over the dress he looked up his eyes meeting mine. Dark grey...like the clouds outside. Every time I saw them, memories of sitting on the porch with him consume me. That's what Luke was I realized, a storm.
"Looks nice." He gave a half smile that I notice didn't meet his eyes, no.... there was something darker there. Cheeks heating there was probably seconds till I was as red as strawberry.
"Ok and now these." Chrissy with a pep in her step saving the day, shoved a pair of white high tops in my arms. Astounded I looked at her confused. Chrissy hated my high tops. If she could she would burn them and never let anyone were them again. "Um?" I glance over at Derek "Did she hit her head?" I ask Pointing at the blonde rolling her eyes at me. "Oh my gosh Olive, stop. It's your birthday and you adore these" She pauses waving to the shoes I was currently lacing "crimes against footwear." I laugh and stand now looking at the completed look. "I love it" Chrissy does a little victory squeal and hands me back my own clothes. "Ok go change I'll go buy these. We need to hurry though I made you an appointment at the salon next door, you are definitely due for a trim." Derek grabbed the pile of clothes she already picked out for her and myself and headed to the counter while she waited for me to hand her the ones I had on. I went to hand her my debit card but she pushed it back "Oh no hun, this is a part of the birthday package, mom and I both planned this ahead of time." winking she pushed me towards the changing room. "Now hurry up we have like five minutes before your appointment!"

A half an hour later and a minor panic attack when the stylist almost gave me bangs, we grabbed burgers at Ed's to take home. "Now you guys take care of these young ladies you hear me?" Eds wife, Beatrice gives Derek and Luke a pointed look. "Yes ma'am" they say in unison grabbing our to go bags. Chrissy looped her arms with mine while nursing her strawberry milk shake. "You know, I don't care what anyone says strawberry definitely tops chocolate." She takes another sip "It should be a illegal to be allergic to strawberry's, you are missing out on like the best shake I have ever had." I laugh and took a sip of my chocolate shake. "I'll stick it's my staple. Chocolate is top tier." We joke and head back to the car.
A loud boom overhead causes Chris to jump almost spilling her shake on me and Derek to loose his balance sending him to land on the sidewalk. "Looks like the storm is faster than expected." Derek groaned while Luke pulled him back up. "You going to be alright on the bike?" He asks Luke who is staring at the darkening grey sky overhead. "Yea I should be alright If I leave now and take the ally way through the frat neighborhood. "Alright man, see you at home. I'll make sure the girls get back one piece." Chrissy laughs at this "we may be better off walking." She gives Luke a pat on the back "Drive safe Lu" He nods buckling his helmet and mounting his bike. Chrissy takes shotgun and hands me the food after I climb into the back of Lukes F-150. As I get settled I catch Luke taking off down the road.
"Will he really be alright?" I ask. Derek puts the truck in reverse then turns out onto the road, a few rain drops speckling his windshield. "He's been riding that bike since he was eighteen. He will be fine, It helps him clear his head." Blinking I thought about the last few years. I briefly remember mention of a bike, but I had never seen him ride before, the had always driven one of their trucks back home when they would visit. "Why did he need to clear his mind?" Derek met my eyes in the rearview mirror "Because he was a royal douche canoe this morning and felt guilty." Chrissy answers before he could. She had been typing away in one of the group messages regarding tomorrow's party. Likely discussing how the storm may effect things. when she got into full out planning mode not much could get her attention. I felt a sharp stab at my heart and mutter "Oh."
Pulling up to the road leading to the cabin Derek let out a curse. It was a downpour, we could barley see five feet in front of us. "It should only be a short burst tonight so I'm going to pull over and let it pass." Derek curses again and guides the truck to the small edge of the private road. He pulled out his phone and a dial tone rang. "Common bro, pick up." Derek mumbles, leg bobbing up and down. "He's fine. I'm sure he would stop and take shelter if he couldn't make it home before it hit. He is smart enough to be the top of his year,  he wouldn't be stupid enough to ride a street bike in this downpour" Chrissy reassures us and hands me some frys. "In fact I think Terras place is on the way back, he probably went...." She stops and the glances over at me, eyes round like she just realized what she was saying.
Terra had been Lukes first serious girlfriend, they were on and off for about a year. He never brought her home when Derek and him were in town, but I knew she met the Greysons. They stayed at the cabin the summer Luke started his sophomore year.
      "Sorry..." Chrissy mouthed to me. I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. What he did and who he dated wasn't my business in any way. Chrissy sighed and grabbed some more frys, this time from the other bag. "Hey! Those are mine you little thief!" Derek scolded grabbing the bag from her "You snooze you loose Anders" she chimed sticking her tounge out. Grunting  he opened his burger.
"Anyone ever tell you your a brat?" He asks mouth full as he redials Lukes number. "It's not my fault you bring out the worst in me" She slurped the remainder of the shake and turns to me, hey did that guy Tristan ever talk to you?" A scandalous look passing over her face. "What did you do Chris" rolling my eyes now she shrugs her shoulders "I didn't do anything he asked me your name and fished around to get info on you.... so I kind of figured he would reach out on one of your socials by now." I shake me head "No he didn't..." trailing off I stare out the window. Maybe it was time I try to talk to someone...
     Derek now in full panic mode shifts the truck into drive and turns the brights on. Visibility had improved but not by much. "Sorry girls I've got a bad feeling, we need to get back to the house." He took one look at Chrissy and growled "Get your seatbelt on sunshine. Now" Without a word she obeyed. This was a rare side of Derek he normally didn't show. His normal golden retriever like attitude was long gone and worry etched his face. Even Chrissy kept her mouth shut as he drove us in silence down the dark road.
When we pulled up to the cabin the lights were off and one of the wooden double doors was swinging wide open. "Oh my gosh." Chrissy gasped and went to take her seatbelt off. Derek grabbed her wrist. "No" he growled at her then looked at me and with a stern level tone said "Behind your seat is a twelve gage, grab it short stack." Turning around I grabbed the gun,  but when I went to hand it to him he shook his head. "You know what to do with that?" He gestured to the shotgun. I nod, one thing my parents made sure of was that I knew how to safely work all the firearms in the house. Being left alone constantly I needed to know how to defend myself if need be. Derek nods back "Good, its loaded. Don't forget to turn the safety off if you need to use it." Chrissy starts to say something but he grips her wrist again and she stops.
       "Look at me, you do not leave this truck till I give the all clear do you understand Christina?" She nods, obviously at a loss for words at his 180 attitude change. "Get in the back with Olive and keep your heads down. Any sign of trouble you get behind the wheel, grab a gear and get the hell out of here and call the police." Chrissy immediately climbs over the console and we both crouch down on the floor boards as Derek shut his door but not before locking us in, Keys in the ignition. We both stare as he carefully makes his way to the front door.
         The minutes passing felt like hours, a pit in my stomach started to form the longer Derek was gone. Chrissy now wrapped in a blanket gaped out windsheild. "How long should we wait before we go in?" it was obvious she was worried "Let's give him a few more minutes. He's making sure its completely clear before he comes out to get us." She nods, now checking out the surrounding area. "Ive never felt scared of these woods before..." She whispers.
    A chill ran down my spine....the woods...the man last night. Crap! I grabbed the shot gun and started out the door causing Chrissy to panic "Where are you going?!" She whisper yelled at me. "There was a guy last night!" I mutter and start making my way up the front steps. How the actual hell had I forgotten the person from last night, lurking in the woods. I woudl bet anything it wasnt a counisdence someone was lurking in the woods last night and now a forced entry. Heartbeat pounding in my ears I slowly step into the cabin. No sign of Derek. He was probaly upstairs by now.
      "What. The. Fuck." A low voice growled to my left as I truned into the kitchen. Derek marched over to me in less than four strides. "I told you to wait in the damn truck Olivia." It was now very clear why some people were scared of him. Towering over me he glared and grabbed the shot gun. "There was a guy..." I stuttered "Im sorry...I panicked, I forgot about last night and realized you could really be in danger and..." a hand on my head caused me to pause. "Sorry, didn't mean to bite your head off." Derek said with a reassuring smile "You scared the shit out of me and I was worried... cabins clear. Now what happened last night?"

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      "Anything yet?" Chrissy calls over the couch. It's been a few hours since we got home. Derek had to triple check  the cabin was truly clear before we could drag Chrissy back inside and convince her we didn't need to call her parents. We chalked it up to Derek saying maybe he forgot to lock up and the storm blew the door open. I gave Derek the run down of what happened when I went outside last night. We both agreed we should wait and not tell Chrissy yet since she was still on the edge tonight.
      Now we were trying to get ahold of Luke to make sure he had taken shelter. "No. Nothing yet." Derek had been pacing so much Chrissy started to keep tabs on the laps he made. "That's twenty five" She calls and he shoots her a look. "He's your brother why are you not worried" she gives him a shrug "That's just Luke, our parents used to always worry about him and would stay up waiting on him. When he gets in a mood he shuts everyone out and you just have to wait for him to snap out of it. He always comes back home, guess I'm just used to it"  Derek groaned and flopped onto the couch. "He is probably with Terra like you said." With that, Chrissy grabs a pillow and chucks it at Derek that he barely dodges "what?!" He asks and she shakes her head at him "You. Are. a. Fucking. Idiot." She announces.
"Would she reply if you message her? To just check on him?" I ask peering up from my book.
They share a look and then face me.
Derek started to type something on his phone.
    The three of us sit in silence for the next forty minutes. Derek surfed through streaming services but never settled on anything to watch, Chrissy replied to DM's from her blog and I stared at my book. It took seven try's of me rereading one paragraph before I gave up. I couldn't focus. Luke hadn't replied to either Derek or Chrissy and it seemed Terra left Derek on read. Setting the book down I pulled out my phone and scrolled till I found Lukes contact. I had never texted him before, I generally tried to avoid him the last few years but Mrs Greyson sent me his contact information when we moved into the Cabin.

Me : Hey It's Olivia. Sorry, your mom gave me your number when we moved. You ok? Everyone is worried. We had a scare and thought someone broke into the cabin, left us all a bit on edge.

  If he hadn't replied to Derek or Chrissy the chances of me getting a reply were slim to none. I heave out a heavy sigh and decide to call it a night. Grabbing my book and throw blanket I stand up. "Well I'm going to try to get some sleep, we have to get up early for class." Chrissy tosses me a look "You better get some sleep! I am NOT dealing with a sleep deprived birthday girl. We have a lot to do tomorrow!" Smiling I toss the pillow she threw at Derek back at her "Yes Ma'am" I chime.
When I got into our room I noticed immediately something was wrong. Nothing seemed noticeable, nothing broken, out of place or move...but something was really wrong. Slowly walking around, making sure our laptops and anything of value were accounted for. Everything was fine.
Yup, I officially had lost it. The last day and a half had obviously left me paranoid.
BZZTT
Jumping a good foot I let out a frustrated groan. I really needed to chill. Picking up my phone a message lit up the screen.

Luke: Safe, be there in 20.

Mouth ajar I reread the message again. He actually replied...well at least we knew he was safe now. Now I started to wonder where he had been...was he actually at Terras? Nope. I was not going there.

Me: Glad you are ok. Night.

   "Great going Olivia," I mumble to myself. Getting ready to set my phone on the night stand to prevent myself from  sending anymore awkward messages I stop. Sitting next to the photo of my mom and I is a folded up piece of paper with my name.
  Not sure how long I stood there just looking at it like if I waited long enough it would grow legs and walk away, or blow up or I don't know something? Finally I take a deep breathe and grab it. The writing wasn't one I recognized...was someone actually in here earlier? I look around the room making sure no one was behind the door or in the closet. Derek checked enough earlier so I wasn't supervised to not find anything. The only evidence someone had been here was this paper...
Hands shaking I open the note.

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