wilder days

7. come in with the rain

I could go back to every laugh

But I don't wanna go there anymore

And I know all the steps up to your door

But I don't wanna go there anymore

---

After a quick shower and face of makeup, I opted for letting my hair air dry in its natural blonde waves as I didn't have time to blow try and straighten it. I checked with Justine to see what she was wearing and ended up picking out a white dress with pink and purple flowers on it. In the front it was crossed and the back left my back exposed, so I was slightly chilly as I stepped out into the crisp evening air.

My dad told us nothing about this lady. She didn't tell us what she was like, or what she did for work, how old she was, if she had kids, or even what she looked like. The only thing he told us was how great she was. Everything else was left until we arrived at the restaurant.

I imagined her as old and ugly, with a mean cackle. Her face was all wrinkly and her hair was messy. She was dressed in an old pair of jeans and an even older looking tank top. When my dad introduced me to her, she spoke in a condescending tone, as ifI was the one that showed up looking homeless.

I was pulled from my thoughts when the car stopped and Justine pushed her door open. The ride felt much too short, though it was a solid 15, maybe even 20 minutes long. I was squeezed between Kasey's booster seat and Justine, Ali rode shotgun next to my dad.

"Shit." I mumbled as I climbed out after my older sister. She held the door and shut it behind me, giving me a comforting shoulder squeeze while we walked behind the other three.

Kasey skipped her way up to the door, holding the hands of Ali and my dad. Why did we have to change any of this? Couldn't it just stay the way it was? It could stay just the five of us, no need for a sixth person. This is perfect.

When I walked inside, I saw Tatumn standing there with her older and younger brothers, who I'd met before numerous times at her house. I went over to her and tapped her shoulder. She turned around as if she was scared, but smiled when she realized who it was.

"Sammy!" She said happily. "You look nice! What are you doing here? I love your dress."

"Thanks, Tate. You look gorgeous too. I'm here for dinner with my family. My dad has this new girl-"

Both of our heads whipped around when we saw her mom come out of nowhere and say hello to my dad. However, it was no casual hello between the parents of two friends. It was a quick kiss and one that dropped the jaws of Tatumn, Justine, Ali and I.

I wanted to say something, anything, but for the first time in my entire life, I was speechless. Completely and utterly in shock, no thoughts running through my head except forwhat the hell???

"Hi Ms. Finley." Was the first thing any of us said. I laughed nervously and avoided looking at the girl to my right, who was not only one of my best friends, but also the daughter of my dad's new girlfriend.

---

After we sat down and ordered drinks, I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I immediately called Raegan, who didn't pick up.

tell ur sister to answer her damn phone, I texted Hannah.

shes in the shower

tell her NOT to call me when she gets out

why not

im at dinner

k

I was about to call Cash, but for obvious reasons, I skipped his contact in my favorites. I went to call Tatumn next, but I realized what I was doing before I did. I cursed under my breath as I skipped over Morgan's name next, unable to tell her since she's Tat's best friend. I skipped over Jonah and Luke's as well, which brought me to Via, then Sophia. I called Sophia, since she'd have a clue what I was talking about.