The Storm Ahead

four

The radio played quietly in the car, a peaceful tune reciting a melancholy tale. Aiden's fingers drummed along on the steering wheel, and he hummed quietly. After a few moments of silence between us, he turned down the radio and looked at me expectantly. 

"What?" I asked him, trying to ignore the fog in my brain he had a nasty habit of stirring. 

"Why, pray tell, were you doing crying on the side of the road?" He asked, no sarcasm laced in his voice. Just simple curiosity. "I love a good mystery as much as the next lad, but I can't quite figure it out."

"Nothing," I grumbled, "Just some family drama."

"I know how that is." He grumbled, but I heard a touch of humor behind it. When He saw my questioning gaze he clarified. "I have a big sister. Billie. A real pesty thing, that one. She was the "Open-minded One", she thought everyone deserved a chance. She still does too."

"Did she come here with you?" I asked, and his smile faltered. 

"No, I'm afraid not."

"Where is she?"

"Back home, I suppose." He said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood, "That's where she last was at least."

"And where is home?"

He laughed as he slowed the car at a red light.

"You sure do ask a lot of questions, Caroline." He said, and I was prepared to back down. "But, originally it was Bibury, England. Then we came to America when I was about 13, and we've bounced around since then. My sister is in West Virginia."

"I've heard it's very pretty there."

"Oh, it's lovely. Lovely and cold as hell."

"Did your sister like the weather or something?"

"Cold doesn't bother Billie, she has a way with heat. She probably wouldn't notice if she got snowed in."

I laughed and he gave me a shining smile. When he parked the car, I noticed we'd made it all the way to town. We were sat outside CadenBays most popular diner. We walked inside and grabbed a booth, and were quickly served because the late crowd had already called it quits. I watched him eat his pie and I leaned forward. 

"Aiden, I know you said you felt drawn here, but what were you looking for? What were you wanting, craving? What brought you here?"

"I...I wanted something real. Something normal." He said, his eyes shining with honesty, "I was tired of everything, and I needed it to stop."

Thats when the fog stopped. That's when I realized it wasn't a fairytale. He wasn't some prince who'd come to rescue me. He was trying to rescue himself. I guess when I could see that he hadn't been seeking me out I saw reality. This was a boy I didn't know. And I'd been so drawn to him because of the dream and the fog. It was addicting, it was a peace I couldn't find anywhere else. Even though I want to get as close as I can and really know him, I can't help but think he may be fire. Fire can burn if you get too close. I glanced at my phone, wondering if I should text Leo to come get me, when I saw the missed calls. 26 missed calls from my mom. 

     I looked back up to the boy in front of me. He wasn't a Prince who had traveled to find me, but he did save me. He found me on the side of the road, and made sure I was safe. May not be a dragon, but the streets are targeted by small gangs I the dark. That's a modern day dragon in my eyes. He was there when no one else was, maybe that means I'm meant to give him a chance. My phone buzzed again and I looked down to see my Mom's contact flashing. 

"Thank you so much, Aiden, but I need to get going."

"Do you want a ride? The streets aren't very safe out there."

"No, thank you, I think I can make it to my car before it gets really dark."

"It really wouldn't be any trouble, Caroline."

"I hope to see you again Aiden."

As I ran through the door, I thought about looking back. There's really no telling what would've happened if I had stayed. Maybe I would've found out then. Maybe nothing would've been changed. 

Hey Guys, I know this is a small chapter, I wanted to put one out but didn't want it to be too big. I figured this was a happy medium. 

What do you think Caroline meant by "Maybe I would've found out then."?

Are you excited by the idea of Aiden's big sister, Billie? I sure am. 

Let me know what you think with a comment, and please be sure to vote :)

Thanks for reading, love you guys.