The Summer Bucket List

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Austin's POV

"Although I don't like that you judged her based on her sisters, I don't think he should have called you a judgemental bitch, that's crossing the line a little bit." I tell Ella.

"I know thank you! But I had every right to judge her, every single child in that family is the same!" She tells me.

"People can be different; they can choose to be different. Maybe she isn't like her sisters." I try to convince her.

"I won't believe it until I see it." She says stubbornly.

"Then maybe when we get back you should give her at least a small chance."

"I just don't trust her."

"And you trusted Jordan?"

"Can we not bring this up right now or ever? And besides I thought he was a creep, I even told your brother that on out date."

My grip tightens on the wheel. The word date lingers in the air. I know she found out I like her, I just haven't figured out how yet. I swear she only brings up her and my brother to piss me off but I try to act like it doesn't bug me, even though it does, a lot. When Mark broke her heart I was so mad at him. I just wanted to go and punch his skull in. How could he cheat on such a perfect girl? I mean Ella, is smart, beautiful, and funny. She's just perfect and any guy would be lucky to have her.

"Ya, why did you see him that night?" I ask trying to seem unfazed.

"He was our waiter, at Toni's." She replies a tiny smirk on her face.

"I didn't realize he had a job." I tell her, kinda surprised that any place would even hire him.

"I know I was just as confused as you are and I barely know the guy."

"By the way, you looked beautiful that night." She blushes instantly and looks down quickly.

"Thank you." She says her beautiful smile showing, but then her expression changes quickly.

"I can already tell something went wrong that night. What happened that night?" I ask a bit concerned.

"That night was the reason I went to the party," She says in a quiet voice "the party where, well you know."

"How was that night the reason? You were with my-wait did my brother tell you about the party? Oh I am so killing him-"

"No," She interrupts. "Someone pinned my up against the wall, and told me that I had to ask you to go."

"My guess is that it was Jordan, he has been trying to get to you for a while now." I tell her honestly.

"That's what I think because he said it was his party. I can't believe I was stupid enough to go. I should've never asked you."

"I'm so going to kill him, when we get back!" I say in a fury of rage.

This is the last straw, he has done a lot of fucked up shit, but this is by far the worst. She's 15 and he's 19, he needs to just stop. He tries to force himself on her, and I find out he is the reason she asked me to go in the first place.

"No, don't. You know what happened you tried to attack him!" She exclaims, I don't listen and look straight ahead.

"Ella, he is going to try and come after you again. He never stops until he gets what he wants. That's how it's always been. You don't know what he has done to other girls just like you. Someone needs to teach him a lesson." I try and explain to her.

"If you try to 'teach him a lesson' he's going to hurt you, and I don't want that to happen. Let him come after me, you, my brother, and your brother will be by my side. He wouldn't try anything while I'm with other people, in a public place."

"I can't put you safety on the line Ella."

"And I can't put yours. Please don't do this, for me." She pleads.

I glance at her quickly, and instantly regret it. Her bright blue eyes are bagging me not to do anything irrational. She has a facial expression that is a mixture of sadness, anger, and fear. I don't know if she fears for herself or me, I can't tell.

"I can't promise you anything Ella. I'm sorry." I tell her. "I don't want this to be the way we start our road trip."

"I don't either. This is supposed to be a good thing, a time to forget everything that is and happened in Brimley."

"Ok, how about we start over. We blast the tunes sing along and have a great time." I suggest and her face shows signs of a smile.

"I think that is a good idea!"

We turn on the CD and just start talking like we always have nothing awkward, just good, random conversation. We talk about what seems like everything. Then an interesting conversation comes up.

"Wait, whatever happened to your friend Dominic?" She asks.

"Dominic Gabriel? I honestly don't know."

"Wasn't he supposed to come up the same week as Kelsey? We were going to set them up, weren't we?"

"Ya we were. But it was weird one day it's Friday and he's at school, then he is gone for a week. I thought it was strange because he never missed class. Then, a week turned into a month, then two, and then he just didn't come back to school. In June it was six months, he missed the whole second semester. It didn't help that his parents wouldn't tell any of us anything. None of us know what happened. He could have died and we wouldn't know."

"Maybe he just changed schools." She suggests.

"But wouldn't he have told us before he left? If he changed schools, I think he would still text us and hang out with us, and his parents wouldn't always be so secretive. They were always very proud of him, and it's like he vanished without a trace." I tell her.

"Well I don't know what to say, Austin."

"Just say that you won't vanish without a trace."

"I couldn't. My parents would end up telling you guys everything." She tells me. "And same goes for you Mister."

"I won't, promise." I tell her truthfully.

“Pinky swear?” She says like a little kid.

“Pinky swear.” I agree.

“Good.”

“I think we chose a great week for our trip.” I tell her, changing the topic.

Where did Dominic go? That’s going to bug me once again.

(A/N: Who is this Dominic Gabriel they are speaking of? I have no clue. And what does he have to do with this story? I guess you'll have to wait and find out. Ella and Austin are off on their road trip, exciting! And Jordan is 19? What a sick man he is! First update of the new year! I hope you guys are enjoying this story. Still lots more to come, so I hope you are ready. See you guys next time!

TTYL!!!!

-Kimberleigh <3 :D)