Slices

Part 5

What was it? What was it that gave Riane the sudden urge to retch? No, sit up tall and take a deep breath. Not today, not now, not ever. Vomiting was her worst fear.

Dawn and Tuck had gone to bed hours ago, but since two days ago, when Trojan had disappeared, the void that had formed after the incident grew larger within her and threatened to swallow her up. She'd been sitting on the couch staring into the dark tv since 12am. It was 2am now.

The turbulence in her head would not cease. And now, it was growing worse. Suddenly so much worse. What was this? What the hell was this?! Breath drawn in sharply, she clenched her fist. Something needed to feel her punch. A pillow fell to the floor from the impact. That did nothing. Nothing at all.

It was like the static from a tv, buzzing in her head. Trojan didn't hear me. I told him I loved him, but he didn't hear me. Alexander did. Alexander did.... Her eyes grew wide. Trojan must be hidden away somewhere if Alexander had figured out she was confessing her love to Trojan, not him. Her heart sped and her fingers twitched nervously. There was nothing she could do at this point.

She fell on her side, staring sideways at the tv now. Was it sadness? Or guilt? She'd been the reason all of this had happened. If only, if only.
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CRASH! Riane fell off the couch, her legs flailing. Thunder clapped outside and sirens blared.

The clock blinked at her from across the room. 8am.
Groggily, she sat up. Dawns room door was cracked, so Riane stood up and slunk over to it. No one was there. They must have left.

She walked over to the couch and fell back onto it.

The rain fell in sheets against the rooftop and tugged at the screen door to the apartment. Looking outside, one could see branches on the pavement and trashcans overturned with their litter strewn all over the place. The sirens grew louder. They gained momentum and came closer, blaring. One after the other, police cars sped past. Riane jumped up from the couch and ran to the window, cracking open the blinds and peering out into the darkness. Blue red and white lights flashed by for what seemed like forever, the ambulances, then fire trucks. Could there be this many accidents? I suppose so, Riane said to herself, seeing the street in its poor condition.

Once the cars had passed, another car caught her eye. There was a black car sitting across the street, just idling. What was that about? Probably nothing.
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Tuck nervously opened his menu. The rain was so loud. Dawn was completely unsuspecting. She sat across from him, smiling that innocent smile she always had. Her smiles could save lives, he thought.

A clap of thunder startled him and his menu hopped out of his hands.

Dawn laughed, leaning down and picking it up off the ground. "Seriously Tuck? Scared of thunder?" She brushed back a piece of her hair.

He blushed profusely. "No, I uh, It was just unexpected."

Dawn leaned across the table. "You seem nervous to me Tuck, don't worry, I can protect you from the rain."

A laugh escaped his mouth. She thought he was nervous because of the rain? How cute.

Their food was brought and they ate in silence, glancing up at each other periodically and winking across the table like kids. How long had they known each other? What maybe two weeks now? Tuck wasn't sure anymore, but he was sure of what today meant.