The Immortal Stone

Chap. 3

"Dad?" I asked.

"Yeah, Hun?" He said as he sat his bag on his large bed that used to occupy two.

"Can I go visit Jake? His birthday passed and I want to wish him a good one in person." I smiled weakly.

"Sure. Just make sure you bring your phone." He said.

"Okay." I double checked everything. From the hair to if the shoes matched my outfit. Then, I called Carla and told her that I got home. It went to voice mail, crap. She was still in school.

Either way, I am going to head to the Jakes house and wait for him there. No, I'll be sitting there for an hour. The diner! I have to say hi to Clarise.

As soon as I stepped in the door, I wanted to turn around. Carlahad taught me self confidence on the last day, she made me wear a bikini to the swimming pool of the building. Those were strangers though. I know all of these people in here from waiting them for a year. The regulars stared at my new figure as I crossed to the kitchen.

"Clarise?" I asked.

She turned around at the familiar voice and was taken back when she saw how different I looked."Amber, you look so much like your mother." She hugged me and looked me up and down."You're eyes are different though. Much...brighter. Curious. Hers were more aware. You are so beautiful."

"Thank you, Clarise. It's so nice to be home." I said.

"I'm glad you're home. With out you, this place was a mess." Clarise threw down her towel and let the fill in waitress pass.

"I can help until Jake gets out of school."I volunteered.

She smiled. While we had breaks we would fill each other in on what went on. I about my losing weight and she gossiped about all sorts of things. We had a great time, and when I looked at my watch, it was four o'clock.

"I have to go. School got out an hour ago." I hugged her one last time and said I would be in for work on my usual schedule.

"Bye,Amber!" She called as I left. 

I hurried to Jakes house and got there just ten minutes earlier than I normally did. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Nothing. I knocked again. Still none. "Hey! I get back from Washington D.C. and you guys ignore me? Shows how much you care!" I joked around.

The door opened and Mr.Walsh stepped out."Amber?" He asked. Even though the answer was obvious.

"Same Amber that left a little more than a month ago."I smiled.

"You look....different. A good different, though. Amazing. You look so much like-" I cut him off.

"My mother, I've heard."I said."So, is Jake home yet?" I looked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, but, he is kind of upset. So try not to bring anything up about his birthday. "

"That's why I came here, though." I'm confused."Why not?"

"It's complicated." Mr.Walsh rubbed his eyes."He may be a little moody too."

Hm. Boy PMS?

"I'll be sure to be careful." I assured.

I went into the living room, up the stairs,down the hall, and I opened Jakes door. It was instantly shoved back closed.

"Stay out."

Crap. He sounded mad.

"I thought I was welcomed in here whenever I wanted to come in." I question. I felt the weight against the door leave and I slowly opened the door. "Jake?" I asked. He wasn't anywhere in front of me. I turned around and jumped.