This is the first chapter of INKED, sequel to DRAWN.
You're Not Truly Alive Until You Know What You Would Die For...
Cameron Shade and Farrah Spangled survived a near-death experience together. Now, their us-against-the-world relationship thrives de...
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Waiting is the hardest. It's sweeter sorrow than parting. Anticipation builds like pressure in a spray paint can, combustible neurotic anxiety. But sometimes, hope and expectation can outweigh the event that comes. My mind wanders through worst possible scenarios like strolling through a hallucinogenic mist where horrific fears manifest. And still, I wait.
Aches gnaw at my ribcage. I pull down the window shade slats again to peek out of Pizzetta's Pizzeria's front glass. This is the place we picked, right? I check my phone for the eleventieth time and sigh.
"Can I refresh your water?" Toni, the waitress asks, slightly louder than the indistinct chatter.
I purse my lips and nod. I recognize her from school, but we're not friends. Raven hair falls across her olive-toned face. Her easy, knowing smile caresses my manic state while she fills my water glass ... for the fourth time. I check my phone. Again. And gaze out the window. Again.
Waiting does conveniently afford me the time to reaffirm my new life's goals, since being given a second chance after that near-
death joy ride not long ago. Though, joyous is not quite how I'd describe my experience. My number one objective is to stay alive and finish this school year unscathed. I absolutely can't scare Dad like that again. It's not fair to him nor Mom. I spare a glance to the copper ceiling tiles and whirring fans. RIP Mom.
My second goal is to get through the upcoming holiday season without completely losing my marbles. Mom's death last year changed the Thanksgiving and Christmas landscape forever. Dad and I will have to lean on one another. We have no choice. Furthermore, I really need to find the strength to move past Mom's home going. I don't even know if that's possible. Or even a worthy goal.
"Did you want to go ahead and put an order in?" the waitress asks. "It'll be ready by the time she arrives."
