Changing The Future

Chapter 5

Christmas time. It's been a couple of months since the creepy note and voicemail. I've received more voicemails and notes since then. I honestly don't know what to do. Anyways, I always stay with Jamie and Jeremy around the holidays. My parents never seem to mind. I'm sitting on the couch watching a Christmas movie with Jamie when there's a knock on the door. Jamie looks at me with big, puppy dog eyes and whines, "Will you pretty please with a cherry on top go answer the door?" I snicker and say, "I don't like cherries so no." She groans and gets up. "Finneeeee. But if I die doing this, then I'll haunt you." I laugh as she walks out. After a few minutes she walks back in followed by Xavier. "Hey Brae." he says nervously. Jamie also looks nervous. "Guys? What's wrong?" Xavier gulps. "Braelynn, it's Alex. He was walking home from the store late the other night and got mugged. He got shot twice. Once in the leg and once in the arm. The doctors say the amount of blood he lost is life threatening. Nobody found him till the next day." My heart is pounding. Why was he out so late anyways? Xavier keeps speaking. "But you should hear what he did to the other guy. He did more damage than the guy who had the gun." I just sit there quietly. "I want to go see him." I finally whisper. As we're driving, I can't help but whisper a little prayer. God, I know you're there and I know You answer prayers. Please please be with Alex. Lord, please heal him. Don't let him die. All I can do now is wait.

Alex's POV

I've been laying in the stupid hospital bed for what feels like ages. I overhear the doctors saying that the amount of blood I lost is not good and could be life threatening. I was mugged and shot twice two days ago. Nobody found me till the next day. I can't help but think of Braelynn. The way she carries herself with such grace. When she enters a room and suddenly everyone's happier. She's so beautiful. From her hair; all the way down to her feet. I can't help but be in awe the way God made her. She's so perfect. I'm knocked out of my thoughts by someone bursting through the door. It's her. "Alex! Are you insane? Why in the world would you be out of the house so late anyways?! Xavier says you hurt the other guy worse than he hurt you. You are so lucky I love-" She stops mid-sentence and looks up with wide eyes. Was she about to say that she loves me? "What were you about to say?" I question her. She looks startled that I would actually ask that. Did she think I would let it slide. "I don't know what you mean." she states. Did she seriously just say that? "Braelynn Rose, tell me what you said or so help me, I will get out of this bed and make you." I say while looking her right in the eyes. Oh her beautiful eyes. "I uh, I said that I love you." she whispers with eyes still wide. I smile really big. "You do? Like a friend or more than a friend?" She laughs that melodic laugh. I could listen to it all day. "I don't know yet." What? She doesn't know? "How do you not know?" I question her. She looks away and sighs, "Do you believe in God, Alex?" I was kind of startled by that question. I honestly don't know the answer myself. I've never really thought about it. I can tell she sees the confusion on my face. "Alex? Do you or do you not?" she asks. "I've never really thought about it. I mean, growing up our grandparents always took us to church on Sunday's. We paid attention, but never really understood what it all meant." I say truthfully. She looks me in the eyes and says, "Well, you need to figure it out. Two people who don't believe in the same things often don't stay together. I hate putting all this pressure on you, but you need to figure it out." She starts tearing up. "I'm glad you're okay though. I'll see you guys around." Before I can even say anything else, she turns around and looks at Xavier and Jamie. "I want to go home now," she whispers. Xavier nods and then they file out of the room. All I can do is watch them leave. I don't know what to do now.

                     Braelynn's POV

         Xavier takes me home and all I can do is cry. My parents are still at work so I'm all alone. I stare at the ceiling and think. Think about everything. God, February 17th, and especially Alex. How can he not know? Either you believe in God or you don't. It's that simple. Ugh! He makes me so mad. I don't know why but he does. After a few more tears are shed, I make my way downstairs to find some food. You never realize how hungry you are until after you cry your eyes for 30 minutes straight. I turn on the tv in the living room to have some background noise. I go to the kitchen to see what we have. I stop in my tracks when I see it. Another note in the exact same place. I slowly walk towards the fridge and remove it out from under the magnet. It says, Hello again, Braelynn. You miss me? Haha of course you have. I haven't seen around in awhile. How are you doing? I hope Alex is okay. I heard what happened to him. Is that why you were crying? Because of him? Oh Sweets, you don't need him. He's no good for you. Did you even see what damage he caused to the other guy? A broken nose, lost some teeth, 3 broken ribs and 2 fractured ones. Alex has an anger problem. I've seen it up close. You won't last in a relationship with him. That's why you need me. Anyways, enjoy your dinner. It's your favorite. Xoxo! My heart stops beating. He was in my house. I don't understand something though. If he wants us to be together, why would he want to rape and kill me in 2 months? Men are confusing. I can't help but laugh at that thought. It still doesn't help the fact that some maniac was in house while I was in here. Why didn't he just rape and kill me then? Why February 17th? Is that special to him or something? I've heard that date before. I can't seem to place it. After I eat a piece of pizza, I pack up some clothes and drive to Jamie's. There's no way I'm staying at my house by myself. When I get to Jamie's house, I see Xavier's car in the driveway. I walk towards the door and let myself in. I hear people talking and laughing in the living room. They apparently don't hear me come in so I just stand there and take deep breaths. My heart is still pounding from earlier. I hear Jamie, Jeremy, Xavier, and Justin. Then it hit me. February 17th is Justin's birthday.

                        Flashback
       Jamie, Jeremy, and I are at Alex's house after school. We're all sitting in the living room eating pizza and just cutting up with each other. Justin speaks up and says, "You know? We really don't know a lot about you guys. When's y'all's birthdays?" Jamie speaks up and says, "Mine and Jeremy's is October 19." "Mine is January 7." I say while smiling proudly. It's my grandmother's birthday as well. Alex smiles because he already knows this. His bedroom window is right next to mine so when he can't sleep, I gets a hockey stick and hits my window until I go to it and talk him to sleep. It's adorable.bXavier speaks up and says, "Mine and Alex's is September 21." Justin says, "And mine is February 17th."

              I snap out of my thoughts when Jamie walks in the entry way. "Hey Braelynn. When did you get here?" I fake a smile and say, "Oh just a few minutes ago." "Oh well come on in the kitchen with me." She says while smiling. "How ya holding up?" She asks. I take a deep breath before handing her the note. "I found this earlier." She reads it before she starts walking towards the living room. I grab her arm to keep her from going in there. "Where are you going?" "Um to tell the guys." She says confusedly. "No. Don't tell them." "What? Why not?" She asks. "He was in the house while I was in there. He could've raped and killed me right then and there. But he didn't. February 17th is special to him. Justin's birthday is February 17th. He's turning 18. He said he knows exactly what he's getting." Jamie's eyes widen. "You think Justin is doing this?" She asks. I sigh. "I don't know, dude. But it all makes sense. Whenever someone brings it up, he never says anything about it. He just sits there staring into space. Thinking about something." Jamie walks towards the fridge and gets us out some soda. "You're right. He does think a lot." she says. "I just don't know what to do. Should I confront him now?" I ask Jamie. Jamie doesn't answer. "Jamie? You okay?" She's not staring at me, but behind me. I slowly turn around and Justin and Xavier is standing there. Oh boy.

Whew! This was fun to write! Hope you guys enjoy!
                                          ~ Kyri