Aether

Chapter Two

The next morning when I wake up, I check my phone and see that I have six missed calls and over thirty text messages from Joseph, but I don't even look at them. I simply delete everything and block his number, and then I throw my phone under my bed. One day away from my friends should be beneficial right now, seeing as most of them will be shocked to hear that Joseph and I are over.

I stand up and stretch, and then I decide I need to do something that will help take my mind off of Joseph, so I spend three hours in our gym on the treadmill and punching bag. When I decide to stop, I'm drenched in sweat and out of energy, so I take a shower before heading down to the kitchen.

Due to it being around midday, my mother is in the kitchen cooking brunch, and my aunt is drinking a coffee at the island. My mother has a song playing in the background, and I recognise the lyrics as belonging to Take On Me. She's dancing around as she sings along to the lyrics, and my aunt just smirks at her in amusement.

"Morning, sweetie!" Mum calls as she plates up french toast, bacon, mushrooms and hash browns.

"Morning," I mutter, taking my seat beside my aunt before my mum sits on my other side.

"This looks wonderful," Aunt Ella praises, digging into her food right away.

"Yeah, it does," I agree, taking a bite of french toast.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" my mother asks me, concern etched into her features.

"I'm feeling great," I reply, stabbing my fork into a mushroom just a little too violently for my words to be true.

"Do you want to talk about it some more?" my mother asks, smoothing down my hair affectionately. I look into her warm brown eyes and sigh.

"I think I'd rather just forget about it," I mutter.

"What would you like to do today?" Mum asks, and I shrug.

"We should go shopping," suggests Aunt Ella.

"What a great idea!" Mum cries excitedly. "I've been wanting to buy some new dresses."

Aunt Ella continues eagerly. "We can drive to Brooksdale."

Brooksdale is the closest city to Hayfield, and it's where we usually go shopping, seeing as Hayfield's idea of 'shopping' is a general store, a bookstore, a pharmacy and a vintage clothing store.

"I can drive," I offer. "I've been wanting to get my car cleaned anyway."

"Okay, we can leave in half an hour," Mum decides. "Go and get ready and then we'll leave."

We all head our separate ways; me to my room, Mum to hers, and Aunt Ella to the guest bedroom. I shower and wash my hair, and then I dress into denim shorts and a tank top, because it's unseasonably warm for mid-spring. I contemplate curling my hair and putting on makeup, but all the thought does is remind me that I no longer have Joseph to dress up for, so I decide to stay natural. I slide a pair of sunnies on my head and grab my keys, slipping my feet into a pair of black ballet flats.

I meet Mum and Ariella in the kitchen, and then we head out to my car. I start the car, leaving the top down so I can soak up some vitamin D, and then we're off. Mum is in the passenger seat, so she flicks on the radio and starts blasting music for old people. I change the station to one of my regular favourites, and the bridge from Align by Nina Nesbitt begins to play.

Spinning round, lose control, lost my mind

I don't know when I'll see you again

I quickly flick it to a different station, but the words echo through my mind. My heart aches as I repeat the words over and over in my head, relating too much to the singer's pain. Because really, losing Joseph is like losing control of my life, and I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to talk to him again. Obviously I'll see him at school, but I won't be running into his arms or kissing him or walking him to class ever again.