The Way You Loved Me [Under Edit]

"Don't think I don't have regrets.."

"Could you hand me the spatula?"

    Sitting cross legged on the counter top, I watched as my mother began to cook supper. Handing her the spatula, I noticed a scar on her right hand. It was thin and shiny, almost like someone had put glitter in a wound.

    "What's that from," I asked.

    "Broken glass," She answered simply, averting her attention back to the stove.

     For some reason my mother was hiding something, I could hear it in her voice. Deciding not to push the issue any further, I leaned back against the wall. "I have a question."

    "What is it honey?"

     "Why is Spenser talking to me now?" Ever since he'd asked to pick things back up, I couldn't help but wonder why. He certainly didn't planning on seeing me while I was at Reeves.

    For a moment she didn't answer, she only sighed. "Honestly?"

   "Yes."

   "Perhaps he's trying to regain what was lost," She finally said.

   "What do you mean?"

   "Perhaps it's best that I answer that," A voice mentioned. River's twin, Blake, stood in the doorway of the kitchen, a worried expression across his face. Running a hand through his hair, he jerked his chin, "C'mon Cahlan."

    Jumping from the counter, I gave my mother a quick peck on the cheek and followed Blake. He led me into the living room and plopped down on the couch, closing his eyes.

    "Start talking," I demanded, sitting across from him.

    "Perhaps Spenser is all over you--"

   "He's not all over me," I corrected.

    "I know he kissed you Cahlan. No use in trying to hide it," Amusement filled his eyes as he leaned forward, "You always got this look in your eyes." I allowed my mouth to fall open as I shook my head.

   "I did not!"

   "You did too," He laughed. "Everyone could see it!"

    "What did it look like," I asked, raising an eye brow.

    "You always looked so happy and you couldn't stop smiling --like now, for instance."

     I hadn't realized I'd been smiling until he pointed it out. Darn it, I thought.

    "And you just get this glow," He continued. "It's obvious that you still like him, you'd have to be a moron not to see that. But he, on the other hand, puzzles me."

    I could feel my smile falter and fade. I knew things had changed, how could they not? I caught myself touching the scar on my right cheek, biting my bottom lip.

   "I don't know if he's just trying to make it up to you, for all the time he missed out on, or if it's real affection." Why wouldn't it be real?

    "Why would it be fake," I asked slowly, although part of me already knew the answer. I wasn't the same. I was practically different person on the outside.

    "Because... you know... You look different and all--"

    Rage bubbled inside of me as I stood. "How dare you Blake!" I reached behind me and tossed a pillow at him. "You little pig!" Smacking him through anger, I couldn't help but scream. "I hate you, you filthy asshole!"

    "Cahlan," A low voice rumbled, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me backward. "Cahlan, stop it!"

   "No," I shouted, kicking and flailing my arms.

    "I'm not putting you down until you calm down," Ben stated.

   "Fine," I spat, narrowing my eyes at Blake. "Asshole."

   "You don't mean it," Blake replied, rolling his eyes.

   "This time I think I might."

   "Enough," Ben demanded, turning to walk out of the livingroom. 

   "Put me down," I screeched. "I'm not a twelve-year-old."

   "Then stop acting like one," He replied, setting my feet on the ground. We were at the base of the staircase that led to my bedroom. "Room, now."

    Angrily, I stomped up the steps, making sure my footsteps were extra loud; I slammed the door behind me, it's thunderous echo roaring through the house.

     If my own brother was that much of a douchebag, then who's to say Spenser wasn't one too?

S.Cristoffe4: Remember when? :)

AsherGirl1: Sure..

S.Cristoffe4: Remember when... we went to Summerstone Brdige and tried to spray paint our initials on it?

AsherGirl1: Yeah. You were hanging over the edge like a maniac! haha.

S.Cristoffe4: Which totally didn't work out like I planned.

AsherGirl1: You tried. It's the thought that counts.

S.Cristoffe4: Do you remember when we went boating and we gound that cave near Ryan McCormick's dock?

AsherGirl1: Hmmm.. no.

S.Cristoffe4: Great. Sounds like a date then! :)

"He's taking you boating," Mom asked a few days later. Sitting on her bed folding clothes, she shook her head. "Be careful, Cahlan. Don't do anything stupid."

    "Do I ever," I said with a smile. And then I was off.

    The first traces of summer were washing through Hazelwood that day. As I began my quarter-mile trek to the Cristoffe household, I took in the bright green hues of the hundreds of trees scattered throughout the town. The blazing sun was beating down on me, a rush of heat swarming my body.

    My phone began to vibrate violently in the back of my shorts. Probably Spenser, I thought. Ding ding ding, we have a winner! 

    "Hello?"

    "Hey, are you--"

    "On my way? Yes. I'm walking there now," I replied, kicking a pebble. I was walking along the center line, holding one arm out like a gymnast walking along a tight rope.

    Spenser didn't say anything for a moment; the only noise I could hear was his deep breathing. "Where are you?"

   "About to head onto Arlington Lane," I answered breezily, not thinking twice about it.

    "Do you want me to meet you?"

   As if on cue, a wave of nausea ran through me, my stomach tossing. "Spense--"

   My world started blurring as I staggered forward, losing all control. Muscles tensing, I felt myself let go. I tumbled to the pavement, my world going black.

   "Cahlan, you there? Cahlan?!"

Author's Note: I didn't really like this chapter.. I didn't have much emotion when writing it. Anyway, only THREE more days until I go on spring break and this story can flourish! :) I'll be out from March 22nd through April 8th. So you know what that means.. more stories and more uploading!! :)