Earth (Complete)

Twenty five

I was overwhelmed with all the ties connecting me to other souls. Me and Dylan, Jeremy and I, me, Cassy and Cody, mom and I, dad and I, mom, dad and I. I couldn't get a break.

Mom had finally forced Cody to pop the question and he and Ursula were set to be married a few days before my birthday, which just happened to be in a week. While the Stogan's celebrated Ursula's new diamond rock on her pudgy little finger, which mother picked out, Cody had gone into full depression mode. He wouldn't talk to anyone, not even me. Two nights after the big news, Cassy came over and for the first time in two days, Cody spoke, and told her what happened.

Tears rushed down her eyes as he held onto her, whispering, 'It's going to be okay.' I couldn't believe they were taking it so hard. I suppose their feelings for one another went a little deeper than I thought. Looking at this situation, I replaced their bodies with mine and Dylan's, the roles being reversed. Though, I don't think Dylan would be the one crying. I don't even think he'd come close to shedding a tear.

Thereafter, everything was going at full speed. Dress and suit fittings, the guest list, venues, cake, champagne or wine? Mother's favorite person would have to be invited, and when I said 'favorite person', I was not referring to my dad. I hardly had time to breathe and Dylan, while still thoroughly amused by the whole situation, did well to be my anchor.

Every day after spending too much time with the Stogan women and my mother, he'd come in through the darkness and hold me close while I fell asleep on his chest. Then simply slip out like a criminal in the morning before I woke up.

Things had begun getting weird with him. He'd always appear in places where I thought I'd never see him. He pitched up at the Suitor's Ceremony after the main lady of the show announced my brother's engagement, wearing the same waiters uniform with chucks like he had the third time we saw each other. His reasoning: he just couldn't stay away. And then again, he appeared at my house one day. In broad daylight, and not at my window, but at my front door.

"Jane!" mother yelled. "Come quick!"

I ran into the kitchen to see a thrilling, yet terrifying sight. Dylan stood in the kitchen next to my mother grinning like a Cheshire cat, holding a bouquet of flowers in hand, smirking at me. It was only until I noticed the delivery boy outfit did I realize, he must have taken the opportunity to freak me out and deliver flowers to my house.

Nice joke, Dylan. Show's over.

"Look!" my mother cried in excitement. "They must be from Jeremy." My heart pounded in my chest as her fingers scurried around between the flowers, searching for a note. "Here!" she grabbed it out from the bouquet and handed it to me. I stared at the note and opened it up.

It was in fact from Jeremy. "Read it out loud." She said, grinning widely. Obviously she hoped there would be that special question in there, but their wasn't. Thankfully.

I flung Dylan a look which he didn't pay much attention to and took a deep breath, reading, "'Jane, these flowers are from the desert just outside our dome. Thought you might like it. Special flowers for my special girl... All my love, Jeremy.'"

My mother shrieked with happiness and came to embrace me, while Dylan, not looking angry at all, let himself out. Confusion and trepidation filled my gut. It all didn't make sense.

Especially that night, when I asked him to come over so we could talk. He slipped into my room and without another word, his lips had connected with mine and we'd begun the dance, the addictive dance with the devil himself.

And it was nothing like it was before. His movements were rough, careless, and in fact angry. Short tempered, cut off, he came to a quick, jealous climax, and once the deed was done, he moved and started getting dressed.