Her Lovely Scar

Chapter 18 ~ Confessions

A few weeks have past, and mom was still in her coma. The doctors were starting to lose faith, saying that she was already lost, and that I should make my preparations, but I wasn't going to lose hope. My mom is a fighter, and I believed she would get out of this.

I had engulfed myself in work and school, wanting only one outcome. When my mom wakes up and is better, I'll have a better life out there waiting for us. That dream was the only thing I had to keep me going. I was so busy that I hardly ever saw Nichole, or Aunt Clare.

I sigh as I put the last of the washed dishes away. I rub my shoulder trying to get rid of the stiffness. I look over at the supply closet and see the broom leaning against the door waiting for me. I stiffle a groan of complaint as I grab it and head out to the restaurant floor.

Francesca and another girl were busy putting the chairs up on the tables and a few of the other staff were finishing cleaning off the rest of the tables.

"I'll take the broom Raven, the boss says you can head home." Randy said coming up next to me.

"Really?" I ask and he smiles.

"Yeah, he said that he couldn't have you working looking like a racoon." He teased gesturing to my eyes.

"He still let's you work though." I shot back and he smirked.

"Good to know you haven't worn out your humor." He says and I pass him the broom.

"Do you need a ride Rae?" Francesca called out as she made her way towards the next table.

"No, I'm okay." I smile at her. I look towards the clock to see that I could at least make it for the next bus back to Aunt Clare's place.

"Okay, get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow." Fran says and I nod making my way into the back.

I quickly change back into my street clothes, and head out to the bus stop a few blocks down from the restaurant. I took one step out the door a burst of frigid cold air blast me in the face. I groan knowing that a rain storm was coming. I could start to feel how exhausted I was, but I still had an essay to write, and a few more Math problems to do. I sighed thinking about how much more I had to do before I could go to bed.

"You look like a zombie." I gasped as a voice broke the silence. I look towards the parking lot to see a familiar face.

Derek leaned against the hood of his car, with a small smile on his lips. My heart begins to race at the sight of him, but I quickly reminded myself that I couldn't feel that way about Derek. I search around him, and try to peer inside of his car to see if Jasmine was with him, but it looked like he was alone tonight.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I came to talk to you." He said and stood up. I stuffed my hands into my coat pockets trying to come off disinterested.

"I have nothing to say to you." I reply, and Derek frowns.

"I'm sure you don't, but I have a few things I would like to say." He says just as the snow begins to fall from the sky. "And I'm sure you can walk home in time to dodge the storm." He adds.

I look up at the sky to see the dark gray clouds form above us. The rain was starting to fall already, and I knew I wouldn't even make it to the bus stop before the storm came. I look back at Derek who's already opened the passager door for me. I narrow my eyes at him and shoulder my bag before turning and walking down the sidewalk.

"Raven," he calls after me but I continue to walk away. "Wait a second," I heard his feet shuffle against the road and he grabbed the crook of my arm and pulled me back, but I quickly pulled my arm back.