The Heart of Cars

Chapter 23

I sit at the counter staring at it as I feel the stares of the others. "Staring is rude." I don't look up but I hear them shifting positions. "Sorry, this time it's different. Yesterday was what Brittany wanted, today is actually you." I roll my eyes as Brittany makes an aww sound at her older brother's words and look up at my dad as he enters the room with his cell phone in his hand. "The king agreed." With those three words, I see the color drain fro Jared's face. "We can come up with a different idea. Right dad?"
"Jo, we only have an hour left. I'll be fine. There isn't time to come up with a new plan." I sigh and nod. I look at Tyler and Jared and wish there was a way of knowing what would happen today. We each go to our separate cars, except for Britt who rides with Tyler. We drive to the arena which the festival is held. I'm not allowed to see anyone but my dad until my name is called, then I'll stand in between Colton and Sam. Since my dad is protector of the royals, he is with them. I told him that I didn't need a babysitter since the masked man clearly said that he didn't want me. I stand in the room, staring at the permanent marker drawings of the girls who had this room before me. I draw a heart on the wall in purple and write the words 'If you're gonna go, go all the way.' inside the big shape with a yellow marker with my initials in the bottom point of the heart in purple. I go around and look at the bad and great drawings as I wait. I stop at one and see the initials 'm.s.' in the bottom corner of a beautiful drawing of a sunset. A knock on the door captures my attention and Ashley walks in. Why does she look so sad? She sits on one of the three chairs in the room. "You're going to be called up in a few minutes. I just wanted to see how you were, after everything last night."
"I'm okay. A little shaken but I think it's worse today."
"Oh, so you know that Colton hasn't been found, anywhere. Good, I thought your dad didn't know but I guess I was wrong."
"What do you mean he hasn't been found?"
"Oh crap, you didn't know. It's nothing major, just we can't find Colton anywhere, he hasn't shown up yet and he isn't in his room at the hotel or anything. I changed it so you will be the last so he has time to show up but Brett was serious when he said you had to choose Sam or Colton today."
"And the rules say that if the male partner doesn't show up, then that is an automatic no. You can't be with him if he doesn't show up. And after everyone chooses then the king makes them all official and no one can go against it, not even the king himself unless one partner does something unforgivable to the other and its proven."
"Exactly." She says with her head hung as if admitting defeat, which she never has before. "So you knew I was going to choose Colton huh?" I guess and she smiles a little. "How do you figure that?"
"You wouldn't act so sad if you knew I would choose Sam." She sighs and nods. I sit down in a chair and run my hand through my hair. "Well, looks like I didn't have to decide anyways." I stand up at the sound of the door opening. I follow the kind elderly lady that was sent to guide me to the stage. Ashley went out before to sit in her spot and I nod to Sam and smile a little at him and he gives me a reassuring smile. I stand next to him and walk out once the couple before us leaves the stage. I look around and can't find Colton. He really missed it. If he doesn't show up before the ending ceremony, I'll be with Sam for the rest of his life or mine. I look at the king and nod a hello. "I accept Samuel Hunter." I say in a strong voice that doesn't match my true feelings. I can't look at my dad or he will know I'm lying and it will make me want to take it back. Sam stands quietly and we move off the stage next to all the other coupes that are staying together. I stand quietly as the king moves to the stage and numbly mumble the words he tells us to repeat. Colton missed all of it. He must not have wanted me to choose him that bad. I follow the line and barely register Sam's hand around mine. We reach the banquet and some couples leave but I go and sit next to my dad and Sam sits quietly next to me. Sam hasn't said a word to me all day. I think to myself as I get into my car at the end of the night to go back to my hotel and get ready to go home. My dad gives me the space that I need at this time. I put my stuff in my car once I'm ready and see Sam leaning against his car, next to mine. I say hi but he doesn't answer and gets in his car. He takes off once I'm right behind him to go back to our hometown. I see the back of a black car that looks familiar and turn into the parking lot that it is parked at. I see that it's Colton's car, get out, and go into the store. I see him walking down a random isle and go grab his shoulder. "Hey." He looks startled to see me but doesn't reply. "Are you giving me the silent treatment like Sam is? Seriously, what the hell did I do so wrong that everyone refuses to talk to me?"
"You lied." He turns and leaves without another word. "About what?" I yell to his retreating back. I rub my hands over my face and leave the store and go home once I realize Colton left completely. I sit on the couch in my comfiest pajamas and hot chocolate, even though it isn't that cold, and watch movies all night and midway through the next day until my dad showed up. "Sam said you pulled off yesterday."
"I seen his car and I had to know." My dad sits next to me and puts an arm around my shoulder as we watch 'we bought a zoo'. I start to feel sleepy and fall asleep during the credits at the end of the movie. I wake up on the couch where I fell asleep with my dad asleep on the other side of the L-shaped couch. I sit up and yawn before falling back onto the couch. I fall asleep and wake up a few hours later as the doorbell rings. I groan and snuggle into the big, pea green blanket that covers me as my dad goes to answer the door. I open my eyes when he walks into the living room and sit up once he tells me that dinner is here. I get up and grab two slices of cheese pizza and go back to the couch. "Why did she leave?" I say after a few minutes of silence. "Your mom? She left because she got mad at you once and hit you when I was gone."
"And? How did you know if you weren't there?"
"She hit you a lot of times. I know because she confessed to the police outside of your hospital room."
"How bad was it?"
"Lots of bruises, a few cuts, a broken rib or two, a broken nose, and a concussion. Oh and a broken knuckle."
"Oh, is that all?" I say sarcastically and wonder why he wanted me to believe she was good. "She felt bad afterwards. The king broke the agreement and she left. She had a bad temper like you do and she wasn't as good at self-control as you are."
"How can I not remember that?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe because of the sedatives you were given or maybe you just didn't want to remember." I nod and we sit in silence, lost in our own thoughts.

*edited*