Safe from Scars (COMPLETE)

15. Slick

"Kali"

Roman's arms are still wrapped around me, holding me upright. I'm almost certain my body tried to give in.
His voice whispers against my ear, soft, sweet, genuine, trying to find me.
I'm lost in my deep dark black hole again.

Hearing someone I love the most in the world, demanding that I choose happiness was the hardest thing I'd ever heard. Her telling me to start over and make a life that is my own, because that's what she was going to do, broke my heart.
She was diving into a brand new chapter of her life, head first, leaving behind everything, everyone..me.
The heavy weight on my chest brings a pain that I can not describe, but I want so badly to do everything she told me to do.

I quickly swipe the last of my tears with the sleeve of my hoodie, collecting my thoughts and joining reality. Thank god we were still the only two out here. I'd die if anyone else were to witness that.

His arms were still around mine.
How long had he been standing there?
Did he hear all of that? I really don't want to explain my life story.
Why is he hugging me? He barely knows me.
Shame washes over my body, as I pull away from him and meet his eyes, and he drops his arms to his sides letting me go.

Those beautiful blue eyes. I swear he can see straight into my black soul with those things.
They're holding so much concern for me right now.
I wonder why.

I break eye contact and stare into the parking lot floor, burning holes with my eyes and fidgeting with my fingers like a child.
My mother could always sense my anxiety because I couldn't keep still. I'd fidget and bite my nails and lip. She curse and shake her head with disapproval at my bad habits, and swore that was a trait I picked up from my father.

"Um..I..uhh.." The words won't form.
Fuck.

I'm sure my eyes and lips are swollen from crying, and I can practically feel the heat from the red in my face.

I fake a pathetic smile and cross my arms over my chest, trying to hold myself together, not knowing what to say.
Embarrassment is a mother fucking understatement.

"Can I take you somewhere?"
His words fill the awkward silence of the night as he searches for my eyes, but I can't bring myself to look at him.
Ugh. I don't feel like going anywhere with anyone right now, especially not with Roman after what just happened. I don't give him an answer, hoping he'd take the hint and allow me to be alone with my thoughts.

"Kali, I want to show you something. Will you let me take you?"

He places his hand on my shoulder, and he dips his head down, trying to find my eyes, and he knows I'm hiding.

I can't give him anything but a nod, because I'm afraid something close to stupid will come from my lips.
His body tenses and he takes my hand.
I let him, and I follow him into the parking lot.

He leads me to a glossy black pick up truck. It shined in the moonlight. I would've though it was brand new if it weren't for the dried mud that clung to the tires and bottom of the car. It sat high and looked ridiculously expensive.

A smile spread across his face as he watched me judge his vehicle. I swear he's a mind reader.

He opened the passenger door, and I placed my foot on the step using my other hand to pull myself up, keeping my hand in his, until I had climbed all the way in, and he shut the door.

He climbed in, effortlessly, probably because his legs were longer than mine, and he was used to jumping in and out of this thing. He started up the truck, and began to leave the lot.

I found the courage to speak, but it was not what I wanted to say.

"This is a nice ride." I mumbled, and he chuckled, nodding his head.

"Thanks.. I just got it a couple months ago." He smiled to me but he had that look. Like he was wondering if I was going to break down again, like he was waiting for me to.

I stared out the window, up at the moon, wondering if hoping Marina was too. She always said no matter how far apart we'd be, to never forget that we were still under the same moon. So I look up, at the bright ball in the sky, hoping she knows I listened to her message, and hoping she knows I wish her the best.

We drove in silence for ten minutes, through a part of the city I was unfamiliar with. The streets gave an old fashioned feel, with hundreds of stringed globe lights running from one building across the narrow road and to the other side of the street, connecting to another building. The streets were lined with parked cars, students and small shops. There were cafes, little sand which and pizza shops, boutiques, I even saw an art gallery and a small tattoo parlor.

I look over at him, hoping he wasn't paying attention to my eyes light up at the sight around us. Las Vegas didn't have small, romantic streets like this. I'd never image myself in a town like this. I spent a lot of my time faking my way into clubs, getting trashed in the park, sitting through Trey's gigs, or partying at random houses with his band.

Romans eyes never left the road, his hands never leaving the steering wheel either. I never noticed how attractive he was, but then again, I was too busy bawling like a baby.
His plain white long sleeve shirt tightened at his biceps, and I watched his arms flex with every turn of the wheel.

He was just in a plain shirt and black jeans, with his black Nike running shoes at his feet.
So simple, but I'm sure he had girls pooling in their panties everywhere he went. I know mine were..

His voice interrupts my thoughts before they went to where they were headed.
And I whip my head toward the window and pretend like I was just staring and thinking dirty thoughts . I'm sure he saw me.
Fuck.
Smooth, Kali. Smooth.

He pulls into the drive-thru of a small place called The English Muffin. It had a steaming cup of tea next to the logo.

He speaks softly and shoots me a smile.
"My mother used to say,
"Where there is tea, there is hope",

His mom was probably British or a hippie or something. I've never heard that one before.

I offer a smile back to him as we pull up to a speaker.

"I'm not much of a tea drinker." I admit. Not knowing what I would order. 

"My mom used to fix me cups when I was sick, and she used to force me to drink when we had company over, to be polite, but that's it.
I'm more of a caffeine junkie. It soothes my soul, but it also makes me bounce off the walls as well. I guess it suits my personality" I joke trying not to give too much information. I don't want to scare him off so soon.
"I'm either cozy in bed, coffee in hand, ready for hibernation, or literally bouncing off the fucking walls. There's no telling which Kali you'll get."

And he laughs, an angelic laugh.
I swear the pearly gates above opened and hell froze over all at once. The sound was heavenly.
He had a smile to match it. The type of smile that stopped time.

He just shakes his head at me, and his laugh trails off.
"Well I hope to be witness to both sides of you sometime."
Is all he said with a smile, as he turned from me and ordered for the both of us.

Slick with the words, Roman.
Point for you.
You beautiful human being.
You know exactly what you're doing.