Striking Lies

Chapter Twenty Four- You dug yourself in this hole, have a blast getting out.

Chapter Twenty-Four

                His Jeep rolled up from the tree covering road, stopping in front of me and my white porch. He glazed the wet paved drive of mine, scooping me up into his arms and bringing his lips to mine once more.  

“How are you doing?” He asks, setting me back down on the gravel.

“Andrew came to me this morning.” I blurt, not even thinking.  He moved his hands to my arms, holding them in his grasp and staring into my eyes.

“What exactly did he say?” He wondered, searching for information. I had to consider telling him about the alarm clock accident and then lead onto telling him about this morning.

“Well, he came and talked to me on Tuesday and really that’s what I was going to talk to you about in the parking lot.” I clarify, not even realizing that he has slipped his grasp off of me.

“But this morning he told me that Holly has gone practically insane.” I finish, quite fast.

“Why?” He said as he ran his hand through his silky brown hair, keeping his eyes on mine.

“I don’t know, apparently she has been skipping class and cutting her wrists.” I tell him, sitting down on my front porch now.

“Right before he left he told me that I should go and talk to her.” I quote as I lean my head on the wooden column of the porch, watching as he shifted his weight on his feet and headed to sit down with me.

“And what exactly are you supposed to say to her?” He mummers, sliding his fingers with mine; reassuring me that he was on my side of this conflict.

“Anything. I just can’t let her keep doing that to herself.

He nods at my clear decision, following my expressions and pulling me to his Jeep. He dragged his parked gear to drive mode, easing out of the drive quickly and quietly; then maintaining a speed of five miles per hour until we were out of the neighborhood.

He weaved the car through the streets and lining cars, knowing where Holly lived from pervious times he picked her up (Vermont trip mainly). He slowly merged into one of the lawns, sliding the car into park and staring at me for our next move.

I slowly nodded my head, easing out of the car door and meeting Tanner in front of the hood of the car.

“I need to do this alone. She won’t talk to both of us.” I breathe out, kissing his cheek before hearing his answer.

“I’ll be right here if you need me.” He flashes his signature smile, letting his grip around my waist end in a sliding motion to his side.

I inched my way up her drive, confounding myself on her front porch; clearly ringing the door bell before I could pick out what to say.

“Hi Mrs. White.” I say, walking into the white’s foyer and taking off my flats before walking on the carpet.

“Charlotte!” She exclaims pulling me into a hug. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Uh, yeah. Been really busy at Tomas River.” I make out best, following the trail Holly always took to get to her room faster.

“I came to check on Holly, how is she?” I ask.

Mrs. White glances to the floor, sorrow filling her eyes and her allowing her nose to crease.

“She’s making it through.” She tells, knocking on the white door of Holly’s.

She doesn’t come to the door, making her mom open it roughly; pushing the mountain of piled clothes past the opening point of the door.

“Holly?” She shouts, searching her disaster of a room for her.