Chasing Freedom (Book 2)

Chapter Forty-Four: Find That Piece Of You (Cole)

Chapter Forty-Four: Find That Piece Of You (COLE)

I walk into one of the many crowded restaurants of Belmount, my old leather jacket feeling heavy on my shoulders as I look around, and the tune of an unfamiliar song pumps loudly in my ears.

My eyes roam around the room, only now coming to the realization that it was difficult to find something when you have no idea what it is you're looking for, so instead, I imagine looking from my sister's perspective.

I search for three unfamiliar faces; covered in guilt and regret and sadness, but most importantly, I'm looking for three people that I guess would be important to Skylar.

And it doesn't take me long to find them.

I spot them standing off to the side of the big room, near the washrooms, secluded and so clearly different from the people around them.

The first person I see is a guy with green eyes and unmistakably perfect clothing and figure that that would be the famous Derek Winters. But really, all I see when I look at him is brokenness; clouded pupils, messy hair from months of fingers being run through it, the toughness of his heart... little telltale signs of the beginning of what it was really like when Skylar was gone.

I chuckle to myself lightly, surprisingly being able to tell why Derek was the type of guy Skylar would fall for. With his slightly lopsided jaw, too long eyelashes and lips that would be quite extraordinary when they were lifted into a smile (which I guessed didn't happen very often since Skylar's been gone), I'm able to tell that Derek was the right one for my sister.

My gaze travels over to a girl standing beside him, someone I don't remember Skylar talking much about; other than saying she was her best friend and the twin sister of a narcissist with a lot more to him than anyone would think.

With her striking dark hair falling down her back in soft waves, the fairness of her skin, the pissed off look in her eyes and the annoyance in her crossed arms, Skylar had forgotten to mention how beautiful she really was, even when she appeared to be angry.

Aislinn had no doubt tried to step in when Skylar was gone and keep their tightly-knitted-four-person-clique- from ripping at the seams, but I figured no one could do that quite like Skylar could.

The last person startles me a little bit, and I have to blink a couple times to focus on him; Aislinn's narcissistic twin brother-like Skylar said-didn't seem like much of a narcissist, especially not to me, but instead a little rough around the edges; the type of guy I would've most likely been seen hanging out with back in my old life.

Aidenn Futurm had definitely been through something in the past year, it was so evident in his eyes and in the scowl that seemed to be embedded into his face, but I reckoned I could only notice this because I had seen a similar expression on my own face once before.

But the magical illusion of seeing people you knew so much about yet didn't know at all is quick to shatter when I notice that Derek and Aidenn were strongly going at each other; both of their faces stitched in annoyance, arched brows that proved concentration in the words that were coming out of their mouths.

Whatever they were arguing about, they all seemed pretty angry.

I decide not to interfere yet, wanting to be able to remain in the shadows for as long as possible.

I move closer to the trio, tipping my head down and covering it with the hood of my jacket, even though they wouldn't know who I was if I was standing right in front of them.

I pick up fractures of their conversation.

"...How could you just let her go like that?" Derek asks in annoyance, his foot tapping impatiently.