When Lightning Strikes

When Lightning Strikes: Chapter 12

Ever since I had eavesdropped on Aubrey and Jason’s heated conversation, I had tried my best to forget about it. I hated the feeling of the nagging guilt which ate me alive at night. My view on Aubrey had changed, but I didn’t want to believe it.

The way she had spoken about Felicity had been rude.

She had even mentioned that she was mentally challenged.

She hadn’t even wanted to be friendly with her.

Even when the love of her life had been begging her to. Jason had even told her that his grandmother was an important woman in his life.

I knew that Aubrey was quite the stubborn woman, but I hadn’t expected her to completely disregard Jason’s thoughts.

Was that bad?

I wanted to say to it was, I really did, but how could I? I would be saying that Aubrey was insensitive. How could I call my own sister that?

“Stop it,” I muttered to myself. I didn’t have time to think about it. What I needed to be focusing on was the double date.

Before leaving Aubrey and Jason’s engagement party a few days ago, Ruby had asked me if I had gotten any ideas about the date. I had jotted down a few places and ideas on a notebook I kept, but none of them had seemed to fit.

There was the dramatic new circus act coming into town in a few days, but I wasn’t sure if Vince would like it too much, and then there was the fact that Ruby was deathly afraid of clowns.

I also figured the Italian restaurant away by the docks was a bit too cliché, until I remembered how the art gallery an hour away had introduced a new Renaissance exhibition full of paintings, statues and much more.

And so, I had logged onto my MacBook Pro to buy four adult tickets with a special pass into the Renaissance section. They had only come yesterday in the mail – laminated and mint green in colour. I had texted Ruby the news straight after and she responded happily. Today was the date and if it hadn’t come any time sooner, the gallery would have four very annoyed customers.

Before we could head out to go on a fun-filled date though, I had to attend college. I could have skipped, but I would feel guilty. Throughout the whole day at Mercer, I prayed that it would be quick. It was bad of me to zone out in my classes, but I couldn’t help it.

I was impatient and even Dylan, the unobservant, noticed.

When the clock struck one-thirty, I grinned happily and skipped out of campus, filled with students eagerly trying to get to class, lazing around on the grass with their iPods in their ears or catching up with friends.

Ruby didn’t have any classes on Thursdays so today I would be taking the bus. It was a shame that I didn’t have a car, but I wasn’t too fussed.

By the time the bus came, I had managed to purchase myself a ham and cheese croissant. I had dropped off my clothes and make-up at her house yesterday so we could get ready together for the date. It also made it easier for Lennon and Vince to pick us up.

Upon arriving at Ruby’s, I sighed at the overgrown weeds and flowerbeds surrounding the small footpath to the townhouse. Ruby’s mother didn’t really care about the tidiness of her home as she spent most of the time working to support herself and Ruby. Ever since her divorce with Mr Gardener, she became stressed and super busy. I always felt hopeless when Ruby told me how much she missed having her mother around.

The door was unlocked so I pushed it open and was greeted by the clicking of heels in the cramped dining room.

“Hello Gwen,” I said.