Surviving Stirling

Chapter Sixteen

Through the leaves of maple trees the world was the bleakest shade of grey. Storm heavy clouds clogged up the sky and thick raindrops speckled the glass but I looked out of the window anyway if only to avoid making eye contact with her.

Rain hammered down creating a metallic melody on the roof of Charisma's Renault, the earths song only disturbed by incessant pestering.

"I hate socialising in big crowds and being the center of attention so my answer is a firm no."

"You should celebrate your birthday Rae, you only turn twenty once, next year won't be so fun because the drinking will be legal. C'mon we never celebrate your birthday."

"Well, I usually spend my birthdays in Montana with my dad visiting family."

"Exactly and this time you're home. So we'll throw a party on the marsh, invite some people from college, tell your friend Kingsley to come and get him to invite guests. It will be a hoot."

"Fine, I will allow a small gathering."

"Yesss!" She hissed out with excitement, pulling up alongside the curve. Chills crept their way over my skin as I cautiously eyed up his car out front.

"Small." I repeated, making the demand concrete. "Just you, Kingsley, Sandy and—"

I hesitated.

"Don't tell me you want to invite the brother."

"No, but—"

Things were rough in the house at the moment. Kingsley kicked Stirling out. I never thought he'd stay away, but it's approaching the three week mark since I last saw him and now I guess he's back.

"I kind of feel obligated, wouldn't it be rude to invite Kingsley and Sandy but not him?"

She tilted her head to the side, looking at me like I was an idiot.

"He tried to kill someone Rae."

"Dismissing that, he's—"

"Hmm, can we really dismiss that though?" Her eyes lifted to view the house and she sighed. "Don't invite him Rae. He'll ruin your birthday."

I smiled politely not wanting to take that argument on board, "Thanks for the ride Charisma, see you next week."

Rain soaked my shoes as I walked over the wet grass but I couldn't think about that, not when my mind was racing into overdrive wondering what I was about to walk into.

I wish I could say it felt like pure harmony to be three weeks Stirling free but it didn't feel that way at all. I just couldn't shake the feeling like I was riding out the calm before the storm hit. 

I took the deepest breath before opening up the door. In the distance, I could hear sounds coming from the kitchen.

I kicked off my wet shoes and moved closer, creeping like a cat stalking its prey. Finally I turned the corner and swung the kitchen door open.

Stirling was hunched over the breakfast counter, a spoon full of Cap'n Crunch in one hand and a gaze inquisitively set on a map of blue prints out in front of him.

Of course, me barging into the room unexpectedly made his attention snap up and our eyes meet.

We both stood silently still for a moment, eagerly waiting for the other to say something.

He stood up straight, dropped the full spoon back into the bowl and hit stop on his phone before yanking earphones out of his ears.

"I thought no one was home."