Hearts of Eternal Fahrenheit

Ch. 4: I Am So Not Okay

I find Rhylea's house, about a half mile from mine. I land in a cluster of trees a few hundred feet away. She hops off of my neck and stands by until I finish changing back into human form. When everything is back to normal, I look over to find Rhylea cheerfully jogging my way. When she reaches me, I grab her around her waist and lift her into the air, spinning in circles. She laughs until I put her firmly back on the ground.

"That was... beyond what I expected. It was absolutely exhilarating! Thank you, for taking me to see the falls, and for everything after that." I smile shyly in response.

She keeps her arms around my neck, staring into my eyes. She smiles and says,

"You have amazing eyes for a boy, Quinn. Wish mine were as rich colored as yours are." I smile and respond with,

"Rhylea, your eyes have got to be the most beautiful color I have ever seen. So, don't ever say yours aren't gorgeous, 'cuz you would be dead wrong." I smile again and kiss her softly, feeling her smile beneath my lips. I break away and take her hands in mine, kissing her fingers once before letting her hand drop back to her side.

I take off back into the woods, Change, and fly towards my house, parting with a sad groan and a whimper, hoping Rhylea knows that I'm going to be thinking about her always until the next time I see her.

By the time I get home, it's nearly midnight. Instead of risking walking through the whole house and up to my room, I decide to climb the maple tree by my bedroom window. I always keep it unlocked for exactly this reason, coming home extremely late to sleeping parents. I slide through the window and close it gently, whipping off my clothes down to my boxers and get into bed.

I sit there for a few minutes, thinking about the day. Meeting another one of my kind, going to Regrio Falls, and kissing the most stunning girl I've ever met. I laugh quietly and say,

"I have a girlfriend!" I say it a little too loudly, telling from the squeak of the floorboards, indicating movement in another room. I smile and close my eyes, knowing that one particular person would be in my dreams tonight.

I wake up this morning to the sound of a screaming couple. All I catch is something about a car and somebody leaving. Hopefully, my dad, since he is a total scumbag anyway.

I jump out of bed, putting on a pair of sweats and a wife-beater, and go downstairs. The second I step into the kitchen, the screaming stops. My mom and dad both look at me, my mom with tears on her face. My dad with a 'Quinn's dad' look on his face. My mom is the first to speak,

"Quinn, why were you home so late last night? We were worried sick!" She blows her nose and dabs tears away from under her eyes. I play it completely cool.

"Ma, I have no freakin' idea what you're talking about. I was home at six. I went to hang with Jamaar, his girl, and Stef. I told you that. How many times do I tell ya to stop drinking' so much? Holy god!" My dad takes one threatening step forward. He says,

"Quinn, stop with the mouth. We know you came in after curfew; it was nearly 12 when I heard that damn window shut. I'm done telling you that if you're not home by 10, you're grounded." He looks at my mom then back to me.

"That's why your mother and I have decided that it's time for you to get a sense of responsibility. You can't stay here anymore, Quinn. Not when you won't listen to a single thing we tell you."

I can't even believe this. Last night was a night fit for the gods and now I'm being kicked out of my house. My jaw drops and that's when I can't take it any longer.

"DAD, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! You're kicking me out? Just because I came home a little late? It wasn't even officially midnight! What am I supposed to do? I have no house, no job. I don't even have a car! How the hell am I supposed to do anything?!" My mom wipes a tear off her face, speaking after my father,

"Quinn, we have some of that taken care of. Your father got you a job at the supermarket downtown and we bought you a car. It's an old Chevy truck, but it'll do until you save up enough money to get a newer model."

"However, about a place to stay, we couldn't do anything with that. You're going to have to figure out that one on your own." I couldn't take it anymore, so I yelled at the top of my lungs,

"OH MY GOD! TO HELL WITH YOU GUYS! IM DONE!" I haul up the stairs, run into my bedroom and start packing a duffel bag full of everything. I take everything out of my closet, all of my extra money, shoes, everything. I fly back down, taking the stairs two at a time. When I go back into the kitchen, I grab the keys off the counter and stomp out the front door, spitting at my parents.

I walk down the drive-way and find an old, black, Chevy truck sitting on the pavement. I rip open the door, throw my stuff into the passenger seat, and hop into the driver's seat. I start her up, pulling out onto the road and screeching down the street, going towards Rhylea's house.

I pull up to the curb in front of her house and put the truck in park. I call her cell, making sure she's awake before I knock on her door. After three rings, she finally answers in a slurred, sleepy voice.

"Hello?" she yawns quietly. "Rhylea? It's Quinn. I need you to come outside. Wear something comfortable and bring a blanket." She hesitates and yawns again.

"Okay, I'll be out in a minute." I add in something real quick before she hangs up. "OH! Rhylea, one more thing. Be prepared to think long and hard about something." I can almost hear her smile through the receiver.

"Okay, Quinn. See you in a few." I hear the click of the other line hanging up and set the phone down in my lap. A few minutes later, I see Rhylea walking down her front steps dressed in baggy sweats, a hoodie, and VANS. She's carrying a big blue blanket with her along with a cup of coffee. What surprises me even more is that she has no makeup on and her hair is tossed up in a bun on the top of her head. She sees me staring at her.

"Don't mind my clothes and makeup; I'm not awake enough to get ready." I move my bag into the middle and she gets in, putting the blanket on her lap. She looks over at me shyly and busts out in a laugh.

"Quinn, what are you staring at?" I smile at her and lean over my bag to whisper in her ear. "I'm staring at the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." I lean in a little closer and kiss her lips lightly.

I sit back into my seat and start up my truck, driving down the road towards the highway that leads into the country. Rhylea and I roll the windows all the way down, letting the wind lightly toss our hair about our heads. I turn the radio to country and smile when the song "Alright" by Darius Rucker comes on. I continue driving down the road, left hand on the wheel, right hand holding Rhylea's.