Hope

|Chapter 10|

|PRESENT|

I wish I could back in time and stop myself from all mistakes and missteps then I would have led a life which I dreamed since young. Day by day feels like years and I am getting old though...honest today is my birthday and the same day few years ago I lost everything. What did I lose? Family, friends and mainly I lost someone who made me happy.

"Ria, still swimming in thoughts?"
"I guess it is true and funny I am turning 23 today."
"Very funny now help me with these boxes."

Connor and I were cleaning the attic and found a ton of things to throw and now we are keeping the boxes back. He dramality lifted a box and placed it with a thud. This guy never changed in six years I that is what Ezra used to say. He even gave me an old photo of us standing together. Me, Fiona, Connor, Piper and Ezra. His hands around my waist and eyes fixed on me.

"The more you rethink the more you suffer."
"I know but it's hard to forget all the shit...I mean six years passed this quick."
"How about we stop this and have something to eat?

I nodded and took the photo with me and placed it on my bedroom. Many photos filled the room, and this one had the spotlight to show-case. I wiped the tear away and came to see Connor looking inside the cabins to eat something. The house is empty, and we were at Mexico for the last few days and that explains.

"Take away or dine in?"
"Let's hit the road...freshen up also."

He laughed and tossed me the car keys. The same matt red Ford Mustang I use every day and I didn't allow Connor to drive because this is only thing left for me to be happy. He buckled up and I drove the car to our all-time- no-food-time dine in. Connor used to get under my skin to go here and now I made it our all-day place.

"Rush hour...fuck there is no parking."
"I am heading in."
"Connor wait-"

The door closed and he walked to entrance. I hope that guy gets a sit and orders me extra food or else he is not getting his daily beer cans. I drove around to park and found a narrow one in corner, bit tight but let's park here. I put the car to reverse and checked the camera and stopped just before it touched the wall. Great skills from- leave it. My phone beeped and I thought it would be Connor texting me to hurry but an unknown number. My heart hammered seeing the number and eyes widened. It can't be true...no... I saw him. Fuck.

"Is it Valeria Grace?"
"Yes."

A million times yes...I might jump around the parking area now.

"How you doing Babygirl?"

 I hung the call. That is fucked up. Babygirl. Ezra would never call me that and this isn't my Ezra, No other than Drake. How the fuck did he get Ezra's number? What the fuck is he doing with it? I could swear fuck on his face, but I hurried in and called Connor outside. He was confused and angry.

"Now what Ria? Can't I even have-"
"Drake...he called me from Ezra's number."
"Woah, that is creepy."

____________

Drake. 

Drake.

 Drake.

The name cycled my brain, and I was typing in my laptop and every word in the last paragraph is 'DRAKE'. He haunted me every night and I can't count how many sleepless nights came through. Connor cheered me up and made some instant ramen and handed me a bowl.

"Stop overthinking and eat them...you haven't eaten anything after breakfast."
"Connor, Drake fucking called from his number and how the fuck am I-"
"Valeria, I am freaked to and thinking too much won't help it.

He is right. No use of overthinking or getting hypertension because Drake is playing with me. He wants me to grave on Ezra and make me go through the pain again. Three whole years I was fucked up in this house and my sweet 17 dreams flew away. The happiness with Ezra only lasted for months and then boom all gone like ash.

"Happy birthday Ria."

I turned around to see Connor holding a cake and wearing a birthday hat to cheer me. I wiped the tear away and smiled seeing him. He placed the cake in front of me and it was blueberry cheesecake. I sliced it and pushed a piece to his mouth and took myself a bite.

"Happy 23 Ria."
"Gift? Never thought one from you."

One from him? He is the only one to gift me and left for me now. I opened the sliver gift paper around and saw a black box with holes around. No wonder why the gift paper was easy to remove. I guessed what he brought and pinched his cheeks. He smiled and I moved the lid to see a puppy sleeping. Just aw.

"It's a Mudi...you know why I chose her."

Piper, our old buddy and she was a Mudi breed to. Ezra brought her home when she was only a week old, small puppy with closed eyes. Connor hated puppies because once in 5th grade a doggie tried to attack him, so he always stayed a few feet away from Piper.

"I will name her Poppy and she is long lost sister of Piper."
"Great...please keep her out of my room."
"Pay me 100 every hour then deal."
"100? I may have to strip for that."

We laughed and Poppy opened her eyes and looked around. She is new here and I picked her up and raised her like Simba. Why not. Connor took pictures of us and promised me to frame them up in my room. Each photo had something to tell us and todays had many. After next 6 years what will happen? I felt a wetness under my chin and saw Poppy licking me. She is grown and looks like a month old. Black fur covered and bushy tail.

"Poppy, Connor and me now."
"Stop talking to her and come here."

Connor said and I carried her around the house and reached his room to see him tracking the number Drake called. The signal showed Mexico and we have been there last week and Drake never called or any signal came on. He slammed his wrist to table shaking the things up.

"That number is lost, and red zone came up."
"Connor, how about we fly back?"
"You sure?"
"Not 100 but we got go...Poppy stays at your house."

He sighed and nodded. His four cute sisters will take care of Poppy till we return, and she can happily walk around their huge backyard. His parents are always happy to see any member joining and I guess Poppy will be then.

"Pack your bags."
"Yes, ma'am."

~~~~~~~~~

[word count: 1108]