New Age

Chapter 15 ~ A Dirty Rap Kinda Girl

“Lately I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep, dreaming about the things we could be, but baby, I’ve been, I’ve been prayin’ hard, said no more counting dollars, yeah we’ll be counting stars….”

“One Republic?” I smile, my eyes still closed. We’re still driving, Spencer’s asleep, I was too a few minutes ago but Lucas singing Counting Stars by One Republic woke me. I can imagine his smile, his cheeks pinching into the small dimple on his left cheek.

“You know them?”

“I love them, Counting Stars is one of my favourite songs.”

“Really?”

“You sound surprised Lucas.” I smile and open my eyes to see Lucas watching me in the rear view mirror, a massive smile on his face.

“I had you picked out as a dirty rap kinda girl.”

“Oh really?”

“Do you want to finish the song off with me?” Whoa, unexpected. What do I say? I’m not a good singer at all, he’s good, and I’m going to make a fool out of myself. But I go against my head and go with my heart.

“Sure.” Lucas counts us in and we sing together.

“I see this life, like a swinging vine, swing my heart across the lone, in my face are flashing signs, seek it out and ye shall find.

Old, but I’m not that old, Young, but I’m not that bold, I’m just doing what we’re told.

I feel something so right, by doing the wrong thing, and I feel something so wrong by doing the right thing, I could lie, could lie, could lie, Everything that kills me makes me feel alive.

Lately I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep...” We finish the whole song, Spencer wakes up at the last chorus and he joins in, turns out we’re all One Republic fans. It’s a small light in the dark tunnel.

We spend the rest of the drive joking around and having a fun time, it’s like nothing’s wrong with the world, it’s just us and the road. Then Spencer asks where we’re going and suddenly we’re all thinking of the events of before, The Robo at our last house, Juliette leaving, well, I think she left, Spencer thinks she’s been taken by the Robo and Lucas, well, Lucas doesn’t know what to think, or he knows exactly what to think, I don’t know.

“We’re going to a safer place.” Lucas says, implying that the conversation has ended, I fall silent in the back and Spencer turns to look out the window, silence falls over us like a curtain falls at the end of a show.

“Can you wake up Spencer? We’ve arrived.” Lucas asks me with a slither of ice in his voice, he’s been really shaken up. No sympathy here, none whatsoever.

“No, I’m unable to move again? Hole in the chest?” I snipe back. He sighs like he’s annoyed but I can see the worry and regret in his eyes.

“Oh, sorry, I’ll park the car, then I’ll wake up Spence then I’ll come get you, then I’ll carry you to the house, then I’ll put you on the couch, then I’ll come help Spence with unloading the car, then I’ll put it all away, then I’ll cook dinner, then I’ll take you to your bed, then I’ll finally get to sleep.” He says as he parks the car. Smart-ass.

“Don’t be stupid Lucas,” I say matter – o – factly, “I’ll sleep on the couch.” I smile at him and he manages a weak one back as he comes round to my door and opens it, anyone can tell he’s tired. I almost feel sorry for him, almost. What? At least he doesn’t have a hole in his chest!

“It’s a lot for me to take Mika, I’ve been looking after Juliette and Spencer since the Robo came, I’ve had to be daddy bear. Where were you?” He sits on the edge of the seat. My smile falls off my face at that last question, you ain’t getting nothing outta me Lucas Knight.

“Didn’t the piece of paper you have all about me tell you?” I snap. Lucas looks at me sadly and gets up.

“No. There are still so many things about you I have yet to figure out.” He looks into my eyes with such seriousness it scares me. I pretend that it didn’t affect me.

“I’ll wake up Spencer, you go open the house.” I start to sit up, no point being useless; I don’t do the damsel in distress thing.

“Don’t be stupid, Mika, you can’t walk.” Lucas says in a tired tone.

“I’m fine Lucas.” The hold I have on the headrest is turning my knuckles white, yeah; I’m fine.

“Just wait until I wake Spence up please, then I can carry you.”

“No Lucas, I won’t have you carry me.” I’m persistent; I hate being carried.

“I don’t mind really.” Lucas opens Spencers door and starts waking him up. As for me, I’m fully sitting up now and I put my feet on the floor.

“Lucas, I’m not doing this for you, although you do need a rest, I just hate being useless and a heavy weight.” I focus on the concrete road, I’m a bit dizzy but it’s nothing I can fight off.

“Spence? We’re at our next location, and Mika’s standing up.” He’s right, I was. He runs over to me and grabs my elbow to keep me from falling down; I yank my arm out of his grasp and hold my head up high. I go to take a step and find that I’m fine, no pain or anything. I smile triumphantly at Lucas who rolls his eyes and goes back to a sleepy and not waking up Spencer. I smile, victorious and start to the front door of our new home, well until some Robo come and kick us out again.

Sorry it took so long to upload this chapter! I’ve spent the last few days cleaning the house and putting up Christmas decorations so I haven’t had time to turn on the Internet!

I hope you’re all enjoying New Age! I love writing about Mika and everyone and don’t worry, there are answers coming!

Thanks again for reading and feel free to comment!

Teagan xx