Take Me Away | ✓

» 18

K A D E N

"There's food in the fridge and clean sheets in the cupboard under the stairs. And if you lose the key you know it's--"

"Under the flower pot." I finished off her sentence. "I'm going to be okay, mom."

"I know you will but still." She pulled me down for a hug.

I hugged her back just as tightly feeling slightly saddened that she was going away on vacation. But I knew it would do her good if she went away for a while.

After some more hugging and reminders, my father managed to prise my mom away. "We'll be late for our flight."

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to the airport?" I offered.

He glanced at me then back at my mom and chuckled. "I think this would be better for us."

"Alright."

"Take care of yourself, son." He clapped me on the shoulder once before getting into the driver's side.

"You too." I watched them go until they were nothing but a speck in the distance. The sun was already beginning to set, casting an orangish glow to my surroundings. It was around this time that people would start to feel lazy, especially in the summer when the days were longer. I yawned and checked my phone again for the umpteenth time.

But there was nothing; no texts or calls. I thought by now Taylor would've at least left me a message. This sort of thing had happened before and I'd come to learn that she could take care of herself but I couldn't help how her departure had left me in a pissy mood. She'd show up--I just needed to remind myself of that.

But even as I was stuck in traffic, with beeping horns from left and right, thoughts about Taylor still rang louder. Only when my phone rang did I come out of my daze.

I pressed the accept button and held it to my ear, "Yeah?"

"Where the hell are you?" Phoenix exclaimed with an undertone of irritation.

"I'm stuck in traffic."

She sighed and I could practically hear the eye roll she was giving me. "Just get here soon."

"Missing me already?"

"Yes, because I am so deeply and irrevocably in love with you." She deadpanned.

I chuckled to myself. "I always knew you had a thing for me."

"Whatever, just hurry up."

"Bye, babe." She muttered profanities under her breath which only made my smile widen. "You know I can still hear you."

With that, she cut the call and I was left with all thoughts of Taylor gone from my head.

-

When I did finally reach my destination, it took me a while to manoeuvre my way around the huge building to the back entrance. Once there I found Phee leaning against the brick wall and smoking an e-cigarette. She wore a pair of shades over her eyes and I assumed it was due to the after-effects of her hangover. We hadn't talked about last night and I had a feeling she didn't want to so I left it be.

"You took your time."

"There was nothing I could do about it." I shrugged.

"So you just left us to suffer alone?" She accused but I could tell she wasn't serious about it.

"How bad is it?"

She let out an exasperated sigh, "Go in and see for yourself."

I braced myself before facing the door. "Wish me luck."