ScarLett

Chapter 4

"You shouldn't of stopped taking your meds, Scarlett." Jonnathan argued as his eyes watched my every move from the living room, to the kitchen and back.

"You know what happened the last time you refused to take them." He went on, getting up from the spot he'd been sitting for the last 30 minutes arguing with me. We'd been going at it ever since I told him that I was no longer popping pills. Although that would of been considered suitable in any circumstance other than mine.

"There's nothing wrong with me, Jonnathan." I repeated for the millionth time that day. "And besides, they make me feel nauseous and tired most of the time." I matter of factually stated.

"I'm not saying there is anything wrong with you, Scarlett, but finding you in the middle of the woods doesn't exactly thrill me either."  Taking one of the paper plates from me he placed it in the garbage bag.

I had been cleaning since morning, trying to get my grandmother's home to look normal again after the night before. Apparently, I had slept through the whole evening after Jonnathan arrived. Concerned by the fainting scene he had phoned a Doctor who'd given me an injection and put me out cold. That was why Jonnathan had found me lying out in the cold in the middle of nowhere. That's what I was trying so desperately to explain to him but he didn't seem to get it. Those meds made me feel worse every time and I refused to constantly feel like a tired junky. They made me feel sick and weak.

"Jonnathan." I began, but then realized I no longer had the energy to put up a fight. Instead I placed the dish towel that I'd been holding down on the counter and made my way through the living room and out to the front porch. I had had enough for today. I felt suffocated and was in need of fresh air. I stood there breathing in the cool winter air, allowing the slight breeze to play with my hair.

Sitting on my grandma's rocking chair had been one my favorite things to do when I was a child. But all that had changed yesterday when I realized that she had left me as well. I felt tears starting to form in my eyes.

I was in fact all alone.

Jonnathan would be leaving in a couple of days, if not tomorrow and I would be by myself. It hadn't hit me until I woke up this morning and realized that in the days, weeks and months ahead of me I would be alone in this house. The house where once all of the people I knew and loved had lived together as a happy, normal family. What was I going to do from now on? What were my plans?

It scared me that I had none.

I couldn't understand why everyone else had abandoned me and I was the only one that had to stay behind. I wanted to be with the rest of my family. I wanted to be happy, and loved. Not miserable and unwanted.

My phone rang as I was just about to call it a night and head to bed. I was exausted. I turned on the light to the front porch and fished around for my cell phone. Where was it? I dug my hands behind the couch pillows, spotting the flickering light of it's screen. I didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Scarlett O'Connor?" A male voice asked from the other side.

"Yes, this is she, how may I help you?"

"This is Officer Bradley, from the Chicago police department."

I was silent, breathing heavily through the phone.

"Miss O'Connor are you there?"

"Y-Yes, I'm still here."  I bit my lip nerviously as I listened to the thumping inside my chest.

"We are sorry to inform you that your father was found dead this evening as a result of a drug overdose."

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"We're terribly sorry for your loss."

I heared the front door click and felt Jonnathan's presence beside me. He sat down on the swing and began swinging it back and forth, shaking me lightly as the metal bars began to squeak. Grandmother would usually oil them up so they wouldn't make a squeaking noise. We sat there in silence for the next 15 minutes looking into the far distance, not saying a word.

I wanted to burst into tears and tell him that I was sad and afraid of being alone. I wanted to scream at him for not feeling the pain that had been growing inside of my chest for all these years. I wanted to beg and plead for him not to leave and ask him to stay with me forever. But I didn't say a word. Instead, we sat there in silence letting the cold air swipe away any tension between us. He began to play with my hair which he knew had a calming affect on me, and I turned to face him, giving him a slight smile to let him know that we were ok.

"Come with me," he said breaking the silence and wiping a tear from my cheek.

"Move with me to L.A."

I could no longer hold back. I burried my face in my hands and let the tears wash away all of my pride.

"There is no place for me," I reminded myself out loud as I continued to soak the sleeves of my sweater.

Jonnathan opened his mouth to speak but I interrupted him by letting out a snort that caused him to break out in laughter.

"And I wonder why," he teased playfully as he pulled me into a bear hug. I couldn't help but let a weak giggle escape from my own mouth.

"Besides, what would I do there anyway," I questioned him rubbing my knees starting to feel too cold to sit in one spot.

"I didn't even get to finish college."

"That's irelevant right now" he said rubbing my shoulders, "now let's get you inside."

"But-."

"There are no butts." He grins giving me a quick spin making me feel a little dizzy and causing me to slightly loose my balance.

"And you need to start controlling your eating habits."

"I haven't seen you eat all day Scarlett, you've lost a lot of weight."

"Lets go inside and we'll talk about it," he says taking my hands and noticing how cold they've become.

Once we were inside he ordered me to sit in front of the fireplace and offered to make us a hot cup of coffee. I didn't refuse. I sat there staring into the fire, partly stunned by our earlier conversation and Jonnathan's proposal. I remembered my dream from last night and the flames surrounding me in the dark. What if something like that happened again? I questioned my self feeling my hands begin to sweat a little. What if I ended up out in the middle of who knows where again and no one was there to save me?

Jonnathan placed a steaming cup on the wooden side table and sat beside me, taking a short sip from his.

"Are you still thinking about what I said earlier?" He said while taking a longer sip from his coffee. He made a slurping sound giving me a wink as I'm taken out of my thoughts and turn my eyes towards him.

"Good, I got your attention little Ms. dreamer," he said with a grin.

"I really don't want to be a burden to you, Jonnathan."

He glared at me with his dark brown eyes seemingly drilling a hole through my forehead.

"Ok, Ok." I chuckled, watching his eyebrows relax as he leaned back into the sofa, careful enough not to spill his coffee.

"Once you settle down a little you can decide want you want to do."

"If you want to go to college that's fine with me, and don't ever think your options aren't open or you're not good enough because you're just as worthy."

"And the change will be good for you." He finishes his cup before getting up and walking to the kitchen.

"And drink your coffee", he ordered pointing to the cup on the table, "it's getting cold."

Soooo. Now Jonnathan has pursuaded Scarlett to move to L.A. with him. Do you think she's making a mistake or will the change really be good for her? Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter please give it a vote and maybe comment? ❤