blue (book one) - h.s. ✔️ watty's 2019

chapter 20 - the fight

The next morning I find myself leaving with one more suitcase than when I arrived. It is surprisingly chilly, and I find myself regretting not packing a heavier jacket once the wind starts to pick up. The drive to the airport, like the drive from the airport, is lacking in scenery, but melancholy in its departure. On my way inside the building, I trip slightly and barely manage to catch my balance. Once I hear my flight number being called I stand in line ready to board the plane.

BY THE TIME I MAKE it back into Pennsylvania, it is getting dark out. Although the darkness makes it hard to make out, I think I see dark clouds start to form and hope it doesn't rain. Looking out on both sides of me, I see a group of teenagers smoking and drinking in the local park, and roll my eyes at their idiocy. Focusing back in on my immediate surroundings, I pay close attention to the interior of the chauffeur's car. On the top of the dashboard in the front I am able to see one of those small, bobble headed Hawaiian girls, and smile at the stereotype.

The chauffeur is the same old man and I'm thankful for a familiar face.

"How was the visit?" he asks, trying to make conversation.

"It was fun. I really missed my family back home."

"The weather man said there was a strong possibility of a thunderstorm tonight. Be sure to bundle up. It looks like its headed in your direction," the older man informs me.

Just my luck, I think to myself. It would rain the night I need it not to.

"We'll be there in a couple of minutes."

Just then thunder sounds and I groan internally. The first raindrop hits the windshield followed by a small series of droplets until it is outright raining.

"Here's an umbrella," he says, handing me a black umbrella.

"You're going to need it to weather this storm."

THE DRIVE TAKES LONGER than I thought, but I am somewhat pleased as I have some time to myself. I pull out my tablet and open my to do list. Skimming the list, I check off several boxes and feel accomplished considering the lack of time I've had this weekend. I open another tab, turning on mobile hotspot on my phone, and go to the University of Pennsylvania's website. I click on the current events tab and sure enough a picture of me leading the environmentalists club is posted on the front page. Feeling honored, I make time to read the caption and paragraph below. By the time I make it to the end, I search for the poster of this event and I find myself elated to know it was Jerry's doing. I have got to find time to thank that man before the semester let's out.

Once we are closer home, I see three cars parked in the parking lot. I'm able to make out Kate's and I think Alex's vehicles, but the rain makes it much harder to see anything else. As we pull into the driveway, I hear muffled yelling and instantly grab for my umbrella. I ask the chauffeur to wait a moment and leap out of the car to find Alex and. . . Harry?

"What is going on?" I find myself having to yell above the heavy rains. Running towards Alex I grab his arm before he throws another punch at the bloody, British boy.

"Get off me you fucking bastard!" Harry shouts ready to throw another punch. He looks foreign to me. I have never seem him this mad. This disturbed. With a quick glance at his eyes, I can tell that he is drunk. And the nauseating alcohol taking over his scent only solidifies my thoughts.

Before he's successful I yank Alex away from him, surprised at my strength, and push him towards the front door.

"What is going on?" I shout. It seems almost useless to converse with them in this state, but I do anyways. I look over at Alex after getting no response and I almost cry. I was trying not to stare at his nose - as it was the most beaten -, but I found my eyes frequently going back to it. One moment they were obediently on his tear-stained eyes, and the next they were rested on the bloody mess that had been perfectly in place days prior. Taking my thumb, I remove a tear from his face, an action that causes him to flinch immediately. The movement hurts my feelings, but I instantly shake it off.