Thorns of Our Past

Chapter two

I nearly broke out into song when my shift was finally over, I felt absolutely exhausted. My red, curly hair was in knots, twisting free of the elastic tie I had attempted to tame it with. My green eyes were seeing spots and I had the biggest headache. Home and sleep, even with the nightmare, sounded like heaven. I grabbed my things and handed the keys to Jenny, trading places with her once again, and headed home.

-

I was completely restless. About an hour had passed, lying in my bed wishing I could just turn off my brain for ten minutes. But soon enough I'd have to face the fact that there was no going to sleep in my schedule tonight.

looking around, every single thing seemed to bother me. The books in the bookshelf were crooked, there was a small amount of dust on the wooden floor, the lamp shade wasn't on straight. This place looked like a complete disaster. It had become too much. I couldn't help it as I rushed around the house, re-washing dishes, re-folding laundry, straightening books and papers, and wiping off every surface I could until it was six in the morning. Today was a Saturday, a rare time I wished I worked weekends so I could just get out of the house. I could call Veronica, or maybe read a book? Reading never gets old but I was too disoriented to focus. Maybe calling Veronica wouldn't be such a bad idea.

-

"Ara! I'm here! Also I brought coffee!" She stops in her tracks and stares at me for a moment.

"Alright, get up!" Setting the coffee down on the table next to me, she grabs my hand leading me upstairs. "We're going to get you out of the house because you need to do something fun."

"No V please I really just want to just rest for a bit you know? We could watch a movie? or do some retail therapy?" I sit down on my bed, resting my head in my hands. The headache from the night before suddenly getting worse. She hesitates for a moment, brown eyes staring me down as if evaluating me. "Migraine?" I hesitate before nodding. "Yeah I've got the start of one." Without another word she walks downstairs, leaving me to follow behind. When she walks into the kitchen I stop, confused.

"What are you doing?" When she comes out she's holding an ice pack, a tub of ice cream I don't remember having, and some Advil. She holds it out to me with a smile while I take it gratefully. We've always been there for each other, ever since we were children. She was there for me on the bad nights after my parents died, She was there when I had panic attacks or refused to rest until something I did was perfect.

Just like I was there when she found out that eating raisins is the same thing as eating grapes and had an allergic reaction. She had refused to listen to me when I warned her, popping it into her mouth with a smile before her face swelled up. She always was stubborn. We've been there for each other through all the boy drama and family fights. I honestly loved her like a sister.

"Wanna watch a movie?" The Little mermaid and Moulin Rouge are in her hands now, Both my favorite movies. She waves them around in her hands giggling like an idiot. This Is why I loved her.

"Hmm. How about Moulin Rouge? I haven't seen that one in a while." She nods and puts it in, sitting next to me before pointing to the ice pack that was still held in my lap with a stern look.

-

I must have fallen asleep during the movie because I feel a hand shaking my arm. When did I have company over? Thoughts start racing through my mind furiously. What if it was the man who shot my parents coming back to kill me too? Would it really be that bad?

"Arabella wake your ass up!" There's a smack on my cheek before I wake up, Veronica standing over me, concern etched acros her face.

"Sorry, you fell asleep. I've been trying to wake you up for about ten minutes now. Are you okay? Are you still getting nightmares?" She backs away a bit as I sit up on the couch and give her a smile.