ROWAN •dobrik•

Chapter Thirteen

Christmas was...different, and so was New Years.

Not only was it my first holidays away from home, but I didn't get to spend it with the people I wanted to, but that decision was for the best. I decided I wanted to spend time away from the group, let everything fizzle out on their own. It was time I worked on myself, and stop worrying over what everyone else was doing, thinking, and saying.

Was it relaxing? Yes, of course it was. But did it hurt like a motherfucker not spending it with Liza, Gabbie, and everyone? Yes...of course it was.

I spent a month with Casey's family, who are the type of people to house their children's friends and treat them like they're own. His mother and father were sweethearts. They're the type of sweet parents that understand and support their children, while nurturing and loving them to the best of their ability. They show that they care about their kids and what goes on in their lives, but also giving them room to make mistakes and learn from them.

Although Casey swore to me otherwise, his little sister was a sweet angel. Braelyn Reynolds is your typical 10-year-old girl: bubbly, energetic, obsessed with dolls, and just all around a lovable girl. She had always wanted a sister, and immediately marked me as that on day one of my stay.

They were the picturesque version of a family you'd ever want.

I'm not saying not was a bad holiday, because it wasn't. But it was definitely...

Different.

• • •
"Row, are you positive you have to leave," Braelyn pouted at me, her eyes glossy and her bottom lip poking out as far as she could take it. I smiled sadly, bending down to her level to poke her on the nose.

"Sadly, Brae, I have to. The holidays are over now, so I have to go. But don't worry, I'll be back to see you when I can. I can't stay away from this cutie for too long," I smiled and playfully pinched her stomach, causing her to giggle before wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed as hard as I could without choking her to death. She let go and smiled before scurrying back behind her father.

I stood up straight, giving my final hugs and goodbyes to Casey's parents before I heard a loud honk from outside the front door.

"That's my que," I sighed, looking over at Casey. "Text me at some point, yeah?" He nodded and gave me a salute as I walked backwards to the door.

"Will do sergeant Warren," we all chuckled before I opened the front door. I waved one last time before sprinting off the porch towards Gabbie's-

Wait what?

My whole body froze as I saw the shiny white Tesla parked in the middle of the street. I slowly walked down the driveway and I froze again once the windows rolled down to reveal my worst nightmare.

David.

He raised a brow at me and ushered with his head to get in the car.

"Well are you going to get in or should I just drive away now and save myself the trouble of dropping you off," he retorted, causing me to scoff and walk to the passenger side of the car. I flung it open, hopped in, and flung the door shut. David whistles and rolled his eyes as he pulled away from the curb. "Alrighty then, apparently the stay at Casa de Reynolds didn't fix your attitude problem."