Firewood: Remember Me

Chapter 2

That next day, Jake and Boo returned home. It was eerily different. Mrs Johnson had died from a car accident from Christmas and Jake was still coping with it. Taylor was sitting on the couch reading, Justin in the kitchen making pizza.
"Hey," Jake said.
"You're home?" Taylor asked. "We missed you,"
Justin laughed.
"How's dad doing?" Jake asked, looking at Justin.
"He's a little better now," Justin said, the room got very quiet.
"I'm going to unpack," Boo said, walking over towards the attic door.
"Excuse me," Justin said. "That room is mine until the move,"
"The move?" Jake asked.
"Jake," Taylor began as she put her book down.
"Dad put the house up for sale," Justin said.
"You're kidding," he said.
"I'm not," Justin said.
The cries of Rachel were then heard from a room.
"I'll be back," Taylor said. "Rachel needs to eat,"
Taylor then left the room, Justin stared at Jake and Boo. Boo turned around when he heard a news reporter talking about KT.
"She's on," Boo whispered to Jake.
"You know her?" Justin asked. "I met her a while ago. She came here looking for you and I told her you were in college, I don't know what happened there,"
Justin left the room to go help Taylor, Boo and Jake looked at each other.
"KT was here?" Boo asked. "What the hell,"
"Ali is right, Boo," Jake told him. "We need to go see her and talk with her,"
"She's a vampire now," Boo yelled. "You saw her hobble off into the forest,"
"Her parents do have another house in Oregon, that's probably why she went there," Jake said.
Taylor walked out with Rachel, who was walking on her feet now.
"She got so big," Boo smiled.
"She did, didn't she?" Taylor said. "Mom would be happy,"
Jake nodded and Boo looked over at the wall to see a family photo.

The sorority girls were all at the house together for one last night together before all the girls leave for their summer vacations.
"I'm going to miss every single one of you," Misty smiled, lifting up her drink.
"More vodka?" Serena asked Melissa.
Melissa nodded her head, "I have to go into the city in an hour. I have a job interview,"
"Oh my god," Thea said. "That's so exciting, where?"
"I'll tell y'all that is if I get the job," Melissa laughed.
"Where's Ali?" Zora asked.
"She's downstairs getting ready for her little date," Serena smiled. "I'm so happy for her,"
"Me too," Misty said.
They then saw Alison walk up. She was in a red sparkly dress, her hair was up in a fancy bun.
"Wow," Serena said.
The girls all got up and greeted her. Bianca gave Alison a hug.
"Wow," Bianca said to Alison. "Are you wearing that new perfume I got you for Christmas?"
Alison nodded and smiled.
"Thanks Bianca," Alison said.
Bianca backed up and smiled as the door then rang.
"He's here," Misty smiled.
The girls all walked Alison to the door to see Roman standing in a very formal outfit with a flower in his hand.
"For you, my love," he said, handing her a rose.
"Thanks," she smiled.
The girls all watched as they went outside, Bianca stayed at the door while the other girls went to go sit down.
"Shouldn't we follow her?" Bianca asked.
"No, Bianca," Serena laughed. "Come sit,"
The girls all sat down.
"Oh shit," Melissa said, looking at her clock. "I really have to go y'all,"
"So soon?" Serena asked.
"It's our last night together before Summer," Misty said, as Melissa got up and walked over to the door.
"I know," Melissa said. "I need this job though. It could be great for me while I'm away from college this Summer,"
The girls all watched as she grabbed her bag and walked out. When the other girls didn't notice, Serena slipped on her shoes and walked out through the back door. She saw from the bushes that Melissa was getting into her car and was on the phone.
"The publishers," she said, glaring.
As soon as Melissa had sped away, Serena got into her car and started it. It took about 20 seconds to start, she then took off as fast as she could trying to catch up with Melissa. She took an exit onto the freeway, Serena following her. Melissa was three cars in front of Serena. The drive to New York City took about 50 minutes from where Firewood was. It was long drive. Misty called Serena twice. Probably to ask where she was. The traffic was fine, she finally got to a parking spot on the side of the road. Serena watched as Melissa was greeted by a woman in a red long coat. She didn't see her face. Serena scoffed and looked away into the restaurant window by her car to see Alison sitting with Roman. They were eating together and laughing. Of course, Melissa and the woman walked into that same restaurant.
"Of course," Serena said, hitting the wheel.
Melissa walked in and saw immediately that Roman and Alison were there.
"Can we get a spot in the back, please?" Melissa asked.
"In the back?" the publisher asked.
Melissa nodded, the waitress then brought the two to a spot in the corner that Melissa was secured in not being able to see Alison on her date.
"Sorry," Melissa said. "I know somebody here and I was supposed to be with her tonight. Anyways,"
Melissa pulled out her laptop and a copy of the book, handing it to the women.
"I swear I had another copy," Melissa thought to herself.
"Looking for something?" Serena asked.
Melissa turned to see Serena standing, holding the other copy of the book.
"Can you excuse us?" Serena asked the publisher.
"Sure, I need to make a call anyways," she then got up and walked away.
"Serena," Melissa yelled, getting up. "You're my friend. I want this more than anything,"
"How could you do this to Alison?" Serena asked. "She's also your friend,"
"I know," Melissa told her. "This book is going to be in memory of you. You and Alison are the reason I'm doing this. I love you both. Alison intrigued me ever since I saw her at the beach. I changed the name of the girl in the book, if that changes anything,"
Melissa then lifted her hand upwards to touch Serena's cheek.
"Ever since I first saw -" Melissa began.
Serena stepped backwards. She then put the copy down on the table.
"Publish the book," Serena whispered, her eyes turning watery. "I'm telling you this as a friend,"
Serena then gave Melissa a hug. Melissa then watched Alison and Roman laughing while they were on their date.
"That was a great day," Alison told Roman, reciting her graduation day. "Other than the drama, I miss it. I still have this cute picture of me and all my friends,"
"Are you coming back next school year?" he asked her.
"I have another year," Alison told him. "Then I'm off to a different college. I'll still be able to see you though,"
The waitress then walked over and presented them with a chocolate cake.
"Thank you," he told her.
The waitress nodded and walked away.
"I'll do the honors," Alison said, taking out a knife quickly.
She then began cutting it, Roman staring. The knife then glided into the side of her finger. She immediately started to bleed.
"Oh, no," Alison said.
Roman then stared blankly at the blood ooze. Almost like he wasn't breathing.
"I'll be back," he said, walking away quickly as she wiped it with a napkin.
"Okay," she said, quietly.
Serena covered her face as she walked out. Alison then noticed her get into the same car her friend had. She thought to herself for a moment. Looking around, Alison saw Melissa sitting with the publisher. Alison smiled and got up, the publisher shook Melissa's hand, then walking right past Alison.
"Melissa?" Alison smiled.
Melissa then covered the rough draft copy of the book she had quickly. Alison then looked at it and back up at Melissa.
"What's that?" Alison asked.
"It's my English assignment," Melissa told her.
"No," Alison said. "That's bigger than any English assignment I've seen. What's going on?"
"I'm publishing a book," Melissa told her.
"Oh my gosh," Alison smiled. "About what?"
Alison then grabbed the book quickly from her and saw the title. Her smile changed into something a little more emotional. Her lips almost quivered.
"That's the rough-" Melissa began.
"A book about me?" Alison asked, flipping through it. "About my secret life? Without my permission? How the hell could you do that to me? You realize we're all in here,"
"I know, Ali. I can explain," she said.
"You already have explained," Alison told her, slapping Melissa right across the face.
Everyone was by this time staring. Melissa didn't know what to do or say. She grabbed her coat and walked right past Alison. Melissa turned and looked at Alison.
"I'm sorry that you have to have the reaction like this," Melissa told her. "We've not always been on great terms or anything but I would never change anything to this day,"
Alison stood there and watched Melissa exit the restaurant. Roman walked right over.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Was that Melissa?"
"Yeah, we go way back," Alison said. "It's so strange how you know someone but you really don't,"