Can't Afford Mistakes.

Chapter Five

Arabella.

"I'll find you baby sister. Count on it," my twin brother Lucas said to me as I turned my back to him, walking away.

That was three years ago, and the sick bastard always kept his word. He was here, I could sense him, I could smell his scent. The sickening smell of cologne, sweat, and pine flooded my nostrils, making me want to puke. He was here, or at least very close. Dammit, what did he want from me?

After an hour and half of radio static, I turn on the Bluetooth and stream music off my phone. The stench of fear and anxiety becomes apparent. I glance over at Sadie before averting my eyes back to the road. Her hands are folded tightly in her lap while her leg bounces up and down rapidly, causing her heel to click against the floor boards.

"Gez man, you reek of anxiety," I say to break the silence. Sadie gives me a confused look and I suddenly remember that I haven't told her the whole truth. "It's an expression, your body language is giving you away," I back pedal.

She straightens her posture, tucks her hair behind her ears, and clicks her tongue before she finally speaks, "It's just that I've never been backstage before. It's a whole new ball game." She looks out the window before adding, "and it doesn't help that we're more than likely going to be late."

The last part infuriates me in a way that it shouldn't. Sadie doesn't know how twisted Lucas is; she doesn't even know he exist. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself and step on the accelerator even harder. We were already going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit, now we're pushing almost 20 mph over as I weave my truck in and out if traffic.

I take the exit ramp towards the amphitheater, ignoring all sharp turn signs. Traffic picks up a couple miles out from the the concert. Girls flood the streets with signs and banners expressing their love for the band, the front man in particular. I spot a sign that reads V.I.P. Entrance out of the corner of my eye. I merge into the left lane, despite the horns honking at me, and make my way to the entrance.

"Arabella," Sadie says hesitantly, "what are you doing? The directions on the ticket say to go in like everyone else until you get to security."

"I'm making it up to you,"  I say through gritted teeth. "Whatever you see, Sadie, we will talk about it later. I won't be able to explain in what little time there is left, but you have to trust me." Sadie nods her head submissively before sitting even straighter in her seat. I roll down my window as we approach the guard sitting in the ticket booth.

"Name," the guard says without looking up from his iPad.

"Last name Greyson, first name Arabella. I purchased the VIP package," I lie through my teeth.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't have you on the list," he says dully, kidding his head from his IPad, making eye contact with me.

I flash my violet eyes and look straight into his, "You will take my friend, Sadie Anderson, backstage and you make sure nothing is to happen to her. You will politely introduce her to Jadon Harris as well as any other member of any band that she wishes."

I wait for the guard to nod his head before I continue, "You will alert the remainder of the guards of your responsibility, and you will escort her backstage personally."

"Yes ma'am," the guard says as he picks up his radio, obeying my demands.

I close my eyes and rest my head against the steering wheel. I feel the cool, receding sensation signifying that the violet in my irises is fading back to my normal chocolate brown color. "Don't speak,"I growl at Sadie.

"Ma'am," I guard says coming up to my window, "if you can pull forward and I will escort Ms. Anderson in the golf cart."

"Okay, thank you," I say flashing my violet eyes for a second whilst rolling up my window.

I put the truck in drive and creep in the direction the guard pointed to. Once at a complete stop, the guard opens the door for Sadie, extending her his hand. Sadie places her in the guard's slowly getting out of the truck. They both give me a curt nod before turning their backs to me.

"Aye little girl," I call out to Sadie.

"Arabella, I'm older than you," Sadie laughs.

"Yeah whatever," I say rolling my eyes. "Make sure he remembers you," I smirk before turning my truck around to leave.

Once out of the city and all the mess accompanied with the event, I pull into an abandoned field. I put my truck in park and jump down into the soft mud. I open the door to the back seat and pull out a small, black duffle bag. I walk to the back of the truck, let down the tail gate, and take a seat.

I slowly pull the zipper across the bag, revealing a change clothes, another pair of boots, and food. I dig around until I get to the bottom, my fingers finding the cool metal of then picture frame I was looking for. I pull the frame from the bag in one swift motion.

My finger trace over the faces of my mother and father as tears begin to well up in my eyes. Even if our family was separated, we were still happy. Mom and Dad were still together, and even if Lucas and I were only seven, we were as close as twins could be. Our mother was gorgeous. she had the same eyes as Lucas, pale green, they popped against the tan skin of her round face. Her blonde, wavy hair falls in perfect ways over her shoulder as she smiles her pearl white teeth looking up at my father. Our father was handsome as well. He had chocolate brown eyes. His jawline so sharp, it could cut, his straight, perfect teeth barely showing as the corner of his lips turns up slightly as he looks down at my mother. 

Lucas got the best traits of each of my parents. My father's bone structure, and perfectly straight teeth & my mother's sandy blonde hair with hints of dark down underneath and piercing eyes. People say that the spirit of my parents is in Lucas because his is the perfect combination of the both of them. I, on the other hand, am bland compared to my parents and twin. People say I inherited my grandmother's jet black, pin straight hair. I never met her, but people say she was beautiful, but I don't view myself the same. My straight face, and dull brown eyes are as captivating my twin's or parents.

I laugh at how dysfunctional we were, but we made it work somehow. A tear rolls down my cheek and onto the picture. As I stare at my brother's face, and feel anger from deep within my stomach surface. I throw the frame at a nearby ant hill and watch the glass shatter on the ground. I pull my knees to my chest and bury my head in my arms.

My chest tightens as a sob racks over my body. Breathing becomes difficult as I attempt to calm myself down. I sit straight up trying to improve my breathing but I only end up crying more. I jump down into the mud and retrieve my picture and set it down on the tail gate with me.

I sit there for countless hours, crying into my knees until my treat ducts are empty. I feel the truck shift and feel a weight on my shoulder. I look up and my heart drops to my stomach.

"Mom?"

WOO! 5th chapter is up! I was gonna update last night , buhh I fell asleep halfway through writing this 😂 but ANYWAYS if you're this far into my pathetic story, I love you beyond words can describe ❤