Red Love

Chapter 44

I walk briskly towards the tan minivan, climbing in with the help of a soft hand. I settle in next to Natasha, then turn to face Dina.

"Ok, be honest. Did you really enjoy today? As much as you possibly could in a circumstance like this." She ask, blowing a strand of loose hair from her face.

I grab her hand and nod. "For the millionth time, today was great. Thank you."

"Ok," She sighs as if she is still unsatisfied, "Call me later, alright."

"I will." I call as the car pulls away from the side walk.

"First day back. How did it feel?" Tasha ask, leaning into my ear.

"It felt different but otherwise ok." I shrug.

"Let me guess, she wouldn't leave your side." Tasha quickly looks back towards the school.

"Which I'm grateful for. I needed all the encouragement I could get today." I reply.

"I hope my little text helped this morning." Natasha raises an eyebrow.

"It did." I confirm.

That's the last we say before we settle into a quiet and calming car ride. I stare at the widow, watching the busy city pass by, comparing the daytime to the nighttime. I mindlessly play with the hem of my skirt, bitting my lip as I think. I glance over at Tasha, who has set headphones in her ears and is know bobbing her head to some tune. Then, I look to the back where her sister sits texting.

I turn back to the window, and wonder how I ever got talked into to what I'm about to do. Confronting my past can be good but on many occasions also bad. And in this instance, I have a feeling it will be bad.

I continue to stare out the window for the remainder of the drive, watching the scenery carefully. I finally pull myself away from the window as I feel the car come to a stop and notice a bright yellow sign. I sigh as I push myself away from the window and open the car door. I step out quickly, closing the door behind me, then begin heading inside the happy looking shop.

"You seem nervous." Tasha points out as she links our arms.

"A lot happened after you left." I mumble.

"Don't focus on the past. Stay in the future." Natasha encourages, pulling open the glass door.

My nose is instantly filled with the smell of fresh waffle cones and sweet ice cream. I look around the technicolor ice cream parlor, taking in the sight of little kids with ice cream smudges and people genuinely enjoying the delicacy. I feel as though a place as bright and cheerful as this doesn't belong in this hellish city, but yet, here it is. It seems like a whole new world, where people are actually happy and not fearing for their lives.

"Natasha!" An excited calling pulls me back to the main reason we're here.

"Jane, Elliot, Vicky!" Tasha exclaims, rushing towards our childhood classmates and their families.

I don't follow immediately. Instead, I hang back and watch as Natasha embraces each person, exchanging compliments and other greetings. I watch as her parents and sister head that way and greet the old friends with tight hugs.

I stand and wonder why she invited. These were here friends, not mine. These people hated me, they feared me. They wanted me gone. I knew this, so why did I come? I think because I wanted a chance to start over with Natasha and this was the best starting place.

Tasha turns towards me and waves frantically towards me as she and the others take seats around their reserved table. I plaster a small smile and my face and head that way, stopping behind a chair next to Natasha. I begin to slide my backpack off my shoulders when the first words regrading me are spoken.