Before We Collide...

#15 My whole life did a 360 on me

My Fruit Loops stared back at me with less determination than me as I placed my arm on the table, nearly dropping my head into the cereal. The brooding dark clouds outside signaled the gloomy day laying ahead. With a deep sigh I willed myself up, walking towards the sink to put away the almost empty bowl. 

The logo on the cereal box made me chuckle slightly as I rinsed out the bowl, placing it back into the cupboard above the sink. "Be a Fruit Loop in world full of Cheerios!" Damian's soft, warm breath on my neck as his hands trailed down my sides blinded my thoughts as I trudged upstairs, careful not to trip over my own two feet. Before I made the last two steps, a striking neon orange sticky note next to the mirror caught my attention.

I won't be home till tomorrow night sweetheart. I got caught up in a work situation that's very important for my career. I cooked some lasagna, you're favorite. It's in the oven.

I love you and don't do anything reckless. 

xoxo Mom

Great. Another two days spent all on my own. I shook my head as I made the last two steps walking into my room. I quickly got ready, grabbed my bag and practically sprinted downstairs knowing the traffic would be rough today. I came to an abrupt stop when something stirred in the kitchen. What was that? Nobody else is supposed to be here, except me. I quietly grabbed the baseball bat behind the counter as I cautiously tip toed downstairs, ready to murder the stupid idiot who decided to bother me at 7:15 in the morning. 

I jumped into the kitchen, bat in the air, ready to murder only to find Mr. Forest eyes himself waiting on a bar stool by the kitchen island. He sprung ten feet around holding his heart."Fuck Hazel, don't do that! Do you want me to die at the age of 18?" He asked as a angry expression crossed his features, an amused smile playing on my lips. "Well I'm sorry, I didn't know you just come into a person's home uninvited at 7:15 in the morning!"

He scratched his hair behind his head as I walked over towards the tap, thirsty for some water. "Oh yeah, sorry about that. You're door was open so I figured I'd just let myself in." He smirked as he took a seat, amusement dancing in his eyes as I turned around. I rolled my eyes at his playfulness, silently enjoying it. "Is that a baseball bat?" He questioned, confusion clearly on his face. "Oh, yeah. My brother used to play baseball in seventh grade. He loved it. He knew all the tactics, every game strategy, even sitting on the bench he could just point it out. And now-" sadness overcame me as I turned around, placing the cup into the dishwasher. 

"You use it to murder your friends who bother you at 7:15 in the morning?" He suggested, trying to lighten up the mood. I laughed as I put away the rest of the dishes. "Yeah, something like that." As I turned around a frown settled on Damian's face caught my attention. "What's wrong?" I asked as I took a seat on the island next to him. He sighed running a hand through his hair, for the thousands time today. "Nothing." 

"Damian, you can tell me anything." I said as I placed my hand on his bicep, shivering as his eyes looked up searching through mine with the most serious expression. He pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him. "W-what are you doing?" I asked, my voice shaky as he placed his hands on my thighs. A peaceful sigh escaped my lips as he caressed my cheek and when I opened my eyes, his were staring at my lips. I leaned in kissing the crease between his eyebrows away. I trailed kisses down his cheek, into his neck and smiled as his racing pulse pounded underneath my lips.

I slowly pulled away, seeing his eyes closed as I traced my thumb over his bottom lip. His eyes shot open in fear, grabbing my wrists as I traced them over his chest. "What's wrong?" I questioned, hoping he'd open up to me. He softly pushed me off, abruptly standing up. "Nothing, come on, we're gonna be late." He stated, eyes guarded as he stormed of towards his car, leaving me utterly and completely confused.

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The rest of the day actually went pretty well. I got an A on my maths test, scoring a full 98%. To say my day was full of ups and downs was an understatement. Damian barely said a whole sentence to me since this morning. It's all just "Hmm, okay, sure, yes, no, wow." I don't know what happened, one moment we were in each other's worlds, understanding each other's feelings and the next, he just completely shut me out.  I mean he's usually moody and brooding, but what happened this morning as out of the ordinary. It was as if he was scared I'd reopen a wound?

"Ugh, can't the day just come to an end already?" Rebecca sighed as she leaned against the locker next to mine. "You tell it sister. Talk about a roller coaster of a day." I grabbed my Literature book for the last period of the day, closing my locker to face my friend. "Can't life just be easier on us?" She questioned as I chuckled, walking alongside each other towards class. 

Rebecca cringed as she saw a junior couple making out against the wall, seeing my saddened expression. "Okay, what happened between you two?" She confronted me as we came to a stop, seconds away from the classroom. "Bec, we gotta get to-" 

"Spill the beans." She ordered as I lowered my gaze to the ground. "I don't know. One moment we were happy, finally understanding each other and the next, he just did a complete 360 on me. And he still hasn't told me what happened in Atlanta and what's up with all the strange, mysterious phone calls lately? And then there's Stephan," She tensed at the sound of his name, but I brushed it off, continue to ramble. "-who showed up out of nowhere, Damian practically ready to pounce on him and my mom won't be back before tomorrow night!" She cringed at the end of my speech, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder for support. 

"Breathe. It'll all turn out just fine. You just have to be patient, young grasshopper." She stated calmly dragging me into the classroom. "Oh no, not the whole patience speech. You know I have less patience than a donkey and that's saying something." She laughed as she took her seat next to mine, placing her book on her table.

"Miss Matthews, Miss Michaelson, how nice of you to join us?" She stated sarcastically, sending a death glare our way. Rebecca cracked up, hiding her laughter behind her hand. "Sorry Mrs Muller. It won't happen again." She nodded, teaching on about the book I've read almost a million times: Romeo and Juliet.

I carefully glanced over my shoulder to the back corner, seeing Damian looking out of the window, wondering what the world has in store for him next. His forest like eyes glistened as the sun hit him at a perfect angle. His chocolate brown locks lay restless on his forehead, as if he's given up trying to brush them away from his face. His sharp jawline clenched as a frown etched on his face, making me want to kiss it away again.

His eyes met mine in a moment of silence as we communicated with our eyes, a smirk dancing on his lips, having caught me gawking at him. A blush crept up my neck and another pair of eyes burned at the back of my head only to belong to Daniel Grigory, your typical jock ad boy next door.

He sent a perfect smile my way with a wink going along, a paper being passed on to me. I opened it, having a surprised gasp leave my mouth as my eyes scanned over the paper, feeling Damian's eyes fixed on my expression.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

You're the most beautiful girl ever,

do you want to be with me too?

I couldn't believe what my eyes were reading. Luckily I was saved by the bell as I quickly packed my stuff and ran towards the exit, hearing both boys yell my name. When I got onto my bike, "Chained to the rhythm" danced in the air, signalling my ringtone. 

"Hey Momma, what's wrong?" I breathed heavily as I placed my bag into the container at the back of the bicycle. "Hey Honey, listen I am so sorry to tell you this, but I will be gone for the next 6 months." I almost dropped my phone, hearing the shocking news. "What! Why?"

"They promoted me and now I have to go the Australia. I'm sorry Honey. Your Aunt Lauren and Uncle Cameron will come stay with you until the six months are over. I love you Sweetheart. We''ll talk later. Bye!" she yelled as the phone was put down in my ear. Tears stained my cheeks as I realised what was happening, shattering my heart into milions of pieces.

How could she do this to me? How could she leave her daughter all alone?

"Hazel?"