Rowan [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Six

"You and I are just kids. We've got the best and the worst of it in front of us." 

-John Green

"Laurel Rose Wise, daughter of Samuel and Rebekah Wise. She will be attending Icamera College Seattle," boomed the announcer as Laurel walked across the stage to accept her diploma.

The Wise family clapped earnestly. Rebekah cried, and Samuel and Rowan smiled while Alder looked bored. After Laurel had sat back down Rowan felt a fingertip poking her elbow. She looked to Matthew who was sitting next to her.

Matthew leaned closer to her and whispered. "You're so proud of her aren't you?"

Rowan nodded. "Of course, I'm her biggest fan."

"Maybe you'll be able to come to visit us, er, I mean Laurel in Seattle," Matthew said, blushing furiously.

Rowan felt her stomach doing flip-flops but tried to ignore it. "I can visit?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you more about it when we're at your house later," he answered.

After graduation was over the family went out to eat and further celebrated by giving Laurel graduation gifts. Rebekah and Samuel bought her a cute raincoat, duck boots, and a water-resistant backpack for all the rainy days she would encounter in Seattle. Alder gave her a monogrammed, rose gold travel mug as well as coffee and herbal tea. Rowan presented Laurel with a map of Icamera. She had taken colorful writing utensils and marked multiple routes of how she could get back home. She also gave her a planner. Laurel thanked everyone for their gifts and said that she looked forward to using them.

When they returned to their home, everyone went their separate ways. Rowan walked into her room to her room to change clothes. She pulled out a pair of navy basketball shorts. As she pulled her dress over her head, she heard a knock on her door.

"Yes?" she called out.

"It's Matthew; I just wanted to chat about what I told you earlier."

"Oh. Hang on, please," Rowan answered as she contemplated whether to finish changing or keep the dress on. Screw it; I'm going for comfort.

Once she finished changing, she told Matthew that he could come in. Matthew walked in slowly and awkwardly. Rowan smirked to herself; who knew that a big, lousy Official would lose his confidence in the bedroom of a female. Rowan pointed to the chair in the corner and Matthew situated himself in it. Rowan got into her bed and positioned herself with her back against the headboard.

"So," Rowan started. "I can visit my sister while she's in college?"

"Yes!" Matthew answered.

"Are there certain times, limitations on the visit? Do I need a reservation?" Rowan asked sarcastically.

"No, whenever she is free and ready for a visit she can have one. Haven't you ever seen a movie where the characters are in college? Or read a book?" Matthew asked his voice laced with disbelief.

"Of course I have, back that was back before when we lived in the normal American lifestyle, not this dictatorship," Rowan blurted.

When she realized what she had said the color left her face and she clapped her hands over her mouth. Fuck, this is the end for me. Across the room Matthew stared at her, his mouth hanging open. The deafening silence lingered for a few minutes.

Matthew cleared his throat and spoke first. "It's okay Rowan. I'm not going to report you or your family. This is all so new so I understand your frustration."

Rowan slowly lowered her hands from her mouth. "Really? I deserve it and understand the consequences of my actions."

"Look, I'm about to say something that you cannot repeat. I feel as though I can trust you, so that's why I'm saying this. What you just said is not worth what Ashley Johnson would do with you. I promise," Matthew replied, standing to his feet.

Rowan's eyes widened with fear. "What would she do?"

Matthew walked to where Rowan was sitting. He sat down on the bed across from her. He gently took her hands into his and looked at her. "Believe me when I tell you that you don't want to know. Please, can you promise me you'll keep your thoughts tucked inside your brain and not let them lose so carelessly in future?"

Rowan glanced down and their hands and felt that familiar flip in her stomach. She looked back up and answered. "Yes, I promise to not slip up like that again."

They sat like that for a few moments and as Matthew leaned toward Rowan ever so slightly, there was a knock on Rowan's bathroom door. The two sprang apart, Matthew standing up again.

"Yes?" Rowan called, hoping to hide the quiver in her voice.

The door opened and on the other side stood Laurel. "Well, well, well, you two look cozy."

Rowan felt her face start to burn. "Shut up, Laurel. Matthew was just telling me about how I can visit you in Seattle."

"Mmmhmm, Well, I'm glad you're both in here so that we can discuss the next couple of days," Laurel stated.

"The next couple of days?" Rowan questioned.

Laurel broke out into a smile. "Yes, we get to go on our sister trip!"

"We do?" Rowan asked excitedly.

"Yes," Laurel practically screamed. "We're going to Tybee Island!"

"Oh my gosh, I'm so excited," Rowan squealed.

Laurel turned to Matthew. "Are you excited too?"

"Wait, he's going too?" Rowan inquired.

"Yes, it is my job to be assigned to Miss Laurel wherever she goes until she begins college," Matthew intoned. "It will be a similar arrangement like this. We have a suite booked and I will have my room and bathroom. I will be accompanying you to whatever adventures you choose while there."

"It's better than not getting to go at all," Laurel commented.

"I don't disagree with you. And as for adventures I just want to be parked on the beach with a virgin pina colada in my hand," replied Rowan.

"Same," Laurel replied.

Rowan glanced at the clock sitting next to her bed wondering whether or not there was time for her to go shopping. "Hey, it's only 4 pm, do you want to ask Mom and Dad if we can go shopping for some trip stuff. I could probably use a new swimsuit, a bikini to be specific." Rowan heard Matthew clear his throat as she finished her sentence.

"Yeah! Let's ask them. Matthew, are you okay with going with us?" Laurel asked.

"I don't think the two of you are leaving me much choice. It seems that it will be the theme of the next couple of days," he responded.

"Oh good, he's a fast learner," Rowan said with a giggle as they bounded down the stairs.