21 days

Day 14.1.

Oh well, I woke up really early that day. It just hit the number 6 on the clock. Not bad. Well, better than the other day. I felt pretty good until I hit my head on the shelve above me. Great. I got up and straightly walked along the floor to the bathroom. Locked. Nice, someone is awake at 6, just like me.

"Hello?" I said and knocked.

"It's me Anne!" someone said. Anne?? That's Carla's mom! How did she get here? I didn't know she was there. In the next moment, she unlocked the door.

"Christina, good morning! You look a little bit confused. You have all right to be, haha. We arrived like an hour ago. I was in Tennessee and because of some stupid circumentances, I had to come back a few days earlier and I was stuck at the airport because of severe weather warnings. So, Carla drove all night to pick me up at the Fresno airport due to an airport change. She told me that you're here and it's nice to see you." she replied with a really tired but excited look. I didn't really know what to say but I just hugged her back and so she walked away.

I dressed up and went downstairs to catch some breakfast. I tock an apple and went on a little early morning walk. It was SO pretty to see the sunrise. In that moment I wished to have Amy next to me. Horses, early morning walks and sunrises... wow now I see what Amy meant when she bragged with that. I closed my eyes and just took a moment to breathe in that beautiful fresh air. But then, I heard a strange sound... something like a crash. I quickly turned around to see what happened. And really: there was a guy, not older than 15, who just fell with his bike. I ran up to him and asked if he was okay. I helped him up while he held his head.

"Um, do you need something? Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Ouch... no thank you, it's okay." he answered but suddenly cracked. His jeans was all bloody.

"That does not look nice. We should clean this wound. May you come with me?"

The boy was incesure. Understandable. But then, he actually followed me.

"Wait, that's where you live?? So you're Carla??" he suddenly came up with when we entered the ranch.

"No... and no. Well, actually, kind of yes. Okay, the point is, I'm Christina and I'm Carla's friend. I currently live here. I'm her guest. Why did your face just drop like that? And what's your name" I asked.

"I'm John and um... well.."

"What's up??" I said.

"Do you know Lou?" he asked carefully.

"Yes, I do, why?"

"She's my little sister. Well, step sister." he finally replied.

"Oh, I didn't know she had a step brother." I shook my head. „Why are you here that early by the way?" I continued.

„Is it a bad thing to be out this time? You're awake too." he replied with a lot of sass.

„Well. No. It's not." I gave in.

„Thanks for helping me out. I think I have to leave now." he said.

„Oh no problem. You should just try not to race that much anymore. Probably not that good." I answered and brought him to the door. Weird morning.

"Okay, Carla won't be awake until 10 I think, so I might have some time." I thought and grabbed her car keys. I drove down to West Hills. Why West Hills? I used to spend alot of time in the Bell Canyon when I was younger. I loved to go hiking with my Dad. It doesn't make me cry. It's actually a good memory. I haven't been in the Bell Canyon since I was around 12 or 13. I parked the car and literally entered the Park. What a nice feeling to be back actually. I walked around for plenty of time. I literally lost track of time. I walked up a hill to sit on the edge. I always did that with my Dad. I was interrupted by the ring of my phone. Carla. Who else.

"Carla? Good morning. What's up?"
"Christina, where are you? I thought we wanted to go to the forest?" she asked. I checked the time and noticed that I have been there for basically 2 hours.
"I'm in the bell canyon. I'm about to come back soon." I said.
"Don't rush. I don't want any accidents." she laughed.
"Alright. I won't." I answered and hung up.

I stood up and started walking down. Just one last stop at Walmart. I grabbed some of my favorite ice cream and was about to go to the cash. But when I turned around, my eyes didn't want to work. I literally ran into *guy* and dropped the ice cream. He picked it up.

"Hey, Christina right? What a coincidence."he started.

"Man...yes." I replied. He picked up the ice cream, handed it to me and smiled.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"It's my birth town. My parents still live here and it's my Moms birthday this weekend. What about you?"

"My Dad came here with me really often when I was younger." I said and swallowed. Somehow it hit me the way I didn't think it would.

"Oh... is your dad...?.... okay sorry that was rude." he said and touched my hand. Probably on accident.

"Nooo. I just haven't seen him in a long time... but that's my fault." I answered. Wow, why do I tell a stranger about this?

"Oh that's a pity. My dad died when I was 12. I know what it feels like to be separated. Don't lose track of this. Really." he said... and I think I just lost a tear. I didn't? Good.

"Would you like to meet up again?" he asked.

"Sure." I said even tho I wasn't sure.

"Would you like to come to our family house party on Friday? I know that's in two days, but I would like to have someone with me. There won't be many people I know." he admit. I thought about it and agreed. So, Friday it was. I took my stuff and paid. I waved one more time and tried to balance my stuff with one hand.  I walked out to the car and made my way back to Malibu.

To be continued...

Hey guys! It has been a while since the last part. A LOOOOOOOOOONG lasting while. And nothing really happened in this part, but let's see what happens at Michael's party! Also, what's up with Lou's step brother? Find out in Day 14.2. soon! I will finish it before 2018 begins. Promised!