(OLD VERSION) Pitted Cherries

Chapter Two (Della Valora)

The last day before winter break was always chaos. No one listened; my ears buzzed the entirety of the day as students chattered about their plans for the next three weeks, but I never heard anything of substance. Not to be a total buzzkill or anything. When the final bell of the day rang, I stayed in my seat. No need to get trampled by antsy teenagers, eager to escape the confines of high school to underage drink and party until the sun rises. But who was I to judge?

I stood up, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. I turned. Charlie was towering over me, nervously smiling, wringing his hands together. Fuck, what now?

"Hey, Charlie," I sighed, wishing I'd taken the chance of being trampled.

"Hey, so, uh, I was just gonna ask, uh, I mean- do you need a ride tonight? To the movies, I mean."

"Uh, I think I'm all covered. Thank you for offering though. I appreciate it. Anyway, see you tonight." I smiled and took the opportunity to take off down the hall, blending in with the moving crowd.

Shoving open the large metal exit door with my shoulder, I was assaulted by a harsh, biting wind that immediately nipped at my face. I wrapped my sweater tightly around my body, ducked my head, and walked briskly to my car. The grey clouds above threatened to spill their angry tears. They were swirling, spiraling and I knew it was going to rain tonight. I'd always loved the rain and gloom; I just felt like somehow it was mine. The grey sky was a happy thing for me. It was a symbol of goodness, rather than sadness and doom.

When I got to my car, I pulled the door open and slammed it quickly behind myself.

"Hey, Dee."

I screamed, startled. My body repelled away from the sound involuntarily, head slamming into the window in the process. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw that it was only Wesley that had startled me.

"What the fuck are you doing in my car?" I yelled. Wesley laughed loudly, and I pushed his arm, beginning to break into a laugh myself. "Fuck you! You scared me!"

"Sorry, I didn't know I would scare you. It's cold outside, and you were taking too long for me to wait," he responded, still laughing.

"Why were you waiting for me?" I asked warily, moving my hand to the back of my head where I'd hit it.

"I'm nervous about tonight."

"What am I supposed to do about that, Wes?"

"I don't know! You're good at outfits and fashion and shit, right? Keep up."

"Uh, sure. Maybe I'd be able to keep up if you didn't just attempt to scramble my brain."

He ignored me. "We're gonna go to your house, and I'll wait for you to get ready, and then, we'll drive from there to my house, so you can help me, and that way, your parents have the car for their church thing?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Whitney said she'd drive my car home and pick the two of us up an hour before we have to pick up Jade. I know, kinda complicated, but I just want tonight to go well. And I really need my talented best friend to help me out."

"Flattery's unnecessary, Wes," I said, rolling my eyes as I backed out of the school parking lot.

Upon arriving at my house, Wesley anxiously hopped out of the car.

"Let's get working, Dee," he said with confidence coating his tone. His face, however, looked kid-like-- nervous.

We entered the house to my parents leaving.