Everything We Always Were

Twenty Two: Violent Thoughts

In the hour leading up to my arrival at the fair, I had made a few small decisions.

First, Veronica had texted me, and she told me that Delia texted her, apologizing. She said that Delia was still with CJ, but that she was planning on breaking up with him "soon". So, I decided to watch.

I then decided to go without them and get there early.

So now I am walking around the fair with the rest of the earlycomers. Most of them were staff for the rides, setting everything up, as well as the booths and vendors. I aimlessly walk around and watch for a while as the sun sets.

A chilly breeze sweeps through.

I find a bench and sit, letting my thoughts settle around me.

It's been a week since I had seen her. Not even a single time in the halls at school or anything. My mind had been circling and swirling around the one big possibility. It's a stupid thing to think, and it's ridiculous, but I can't help it.

He had killed her.

Or seriously injured her. That's why I haven't seen her.

My breathing is short and shallow, and I struggle to catch a larger breath. I press my palms to my knees and lean forward, squeezing my eyes shut so hard that I see stars.

Music begins over the speakers throughout the fairgrounds, quiet at first but the volume grows. It's Halloween music, of course, the same songs they play every year on repeat until 9 pm when the live band comes out for all of the drunk adults.

I'm not sure how long I end up sitting there, but at some point I see Francesca.

Which means, Delia should be here. Right?

I stand again, ready to begin my patrol for her. But, I don't need to go far.

Of course, I hear her first.

"Don't touch me,"

When my eyes finally land on them, his hand is around her arm, and she's trying to pull away.

For now.

At least she's safe for now.

The thought eats away at the happiness that has begun to plant inside my mind. I look over at her in the passenger seat of the truck. She has a smile on her face, and her fingers tap away on her thighs.

The adrenaline from punching CJ is finally wearing off, and my knuckles are aching.

Arriving at the barn, she walks much faster than I do to get inside. She mingles with the girls and I say hi to Cole and RJ.

"Yo, that was crazy," Cole holds his hand out for a shake and we hug quickly. "You really laid him out,"

RJ laughs next to him and smacks my shoulder. "It was badass as hell."

"Yeah, and you should have seen Delia, if she wasn't head over heels for you before, she definitely is now." Cole nudges me and laughs again.

We all separate and sit as Veronica decides to put on a movie. We all know that twenty minutes in, no one will be paying attention, and half of us won't be in the barn.

"Want to go for a walk?" I ask Delia, who sits on the other end of the couch as me.

She doesn't look at me but nods and shifts to stand.

The silence continues on our short walk to the clearing, and I have to keep myself from smiling like a complete idiot. I look up at the leaves above me and see that the majority of them are orange instead of green now. "I still don't fully understand why you didn't ask me for help when it first started happening,"