𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 29

We just spent the rest of the day talking and sharing thoughts and ideas. I was sitting on one of the long couches with Delilah one my left side and Emerson sitting next to her on the other side of the couch, while everyone else was sitting in separate seats or even on the floor. I got to know the other members of Palaye Royale, Zion and Austin, and they are just as lovely as everyone else. I opened up about my secret love for rock n' roll and how contradicting it must be for someone like me to be studying in the only place in the world that hates rock n' roll. I figured their top university with an impressive alumni must have been what convinced me to come here and try to achieve my goal to be a music producer. There are times when I think maybe I'm not meant to be one, and I should just settle for less. Del then took my hand and declared, "Don't you ever lower your expectations, Carina. You'll end up unhappy and struggling. The higher your potential is, the better your chances are if you work hard to get it." She gave me a wink and smile, and my confidence was boosted back up.

Remington was sitting on the sofa chair next to me on my side, and his crutches were resting on the side of his chair. He finally had a shirt on which was a Rolling Stones T-shirt, and it was a little baggy so I could still see some of his chest tattoos and sometimes I like to admire the ones he had on his arms which I've never seen since he's always wearing a jacket with sleeves. His tattoos were like a work of art, and I found myself smiling at how gorgeous they looked on him. The last time I did, he caught me and I looked away quickly while trying to conceal the obvious blush on my face. It may have been my imagination, but I think he may have been smirking after I looked away, causing me to feel even more flustered than I already was.

"...Don't you think so, Carina?", I heard Emerson's voice say after I heard my name. I turned to him and asked, "Huh? What was that? I'm sorry, I kinda zoned out for a moment." Del raised an eyebrow and glanced at Remington, which made me raised mine and shake my head lightly to get her to stop. Emerson then started explaining to me, "Well, we were talking about how dumb it is for this town to try to outlaw rock n' roll and how eventually it will be legal because of people like us who live and breathe rock n' roll. I just believe in my heart that someday sooner or later, we'll be able to do what we love without having to be scared or judged. Don't you believe it, too?" I thought about it for a few seconds, and realized I agreed with him. I nodded and said, "Yes, I believe you're right. I hope to still be here when that day comes."

They all nodded and agreed with me, and then Austin asked me a surprising question, "Wow. Carina. You're like so nice and pretty as well", I blushed at that, "How come you don't have a boyfriend?" Everyone gasped, and I just felt my spirit leave my body when I heard the question I've always wanted to avoid. "AUSTIN!", Zion exclaimed, "that's a little personal, don't you think?" Austin just shrugged and gave a guilt-free look, "I mean, come on. I'm sure any guy would consider himself lucky to have such an amazing chick like her. She's not exactly a common chick, if you know what I mean." "Yeah, I do", I turned to hear Remington say that while giving an endearing smile, and I could feel my heart skip a beat. I hung my head a little, then Zion said "We're not going to pressure you, Carina, if you're not comfortable explaining." Then I shook my head and stated, "No, it's okay. I trust you guys and probably need to get this off my chest anyway."

I took a deep breath, and then told them my story about how I was blindly in love with the most popular boy in my high school and how he treated my affection for him like a toy as he crushed my heart right in front of me. They all looked at me with pity for me and anger toward the bastard who hurt me, and I even told them my most embarrassing secret. "The funny part about all this, was that I've never even been kissed." Delilah gave the biggest gasp, making me scared that she might pass out from all the oxygen she's letting out. "Oh. My. God. Carina, that makes you so much purer and special. Do you know why?" I shook my head no. "Because it means you're waiting for the right person to share your first kiss with, and that's a rare thing nowadays." I thought about that, and figured maybe she's right. If I didn't have my first kiss with that jerk, it was probably because I was waiting to have with someone who would truly love me and never leave me feeling hurt.

I could feel those eyes again, and I turned to spot Rem staring at me again and looking away while scratching his head in embarrassment. I tried to hold in a laugh, and he heard me and smiled in amusement at me. I swear to God, the last thing I expected when I came into this town was to find people and become friends with them. But these people did not treat me like a friend, they treated me like a part of their family. And if I'm being honest, "you guys are a much better family to me than my own and I've never been more grateful." I must have said that out loud because everyone was giving me funny looks, and then Del put her arm around me, and I smiled as I realized that I was already accepted in their world.

AWWW! Wasn't that beautiful? God, I really love this story and I can't wait to share much more of it as it progresses a little more. I hope you guys like it, too. I didn't expect it to turn out so good. Anyway, thank you for your support and if you liked this chapter, please leave a like and/or comment. I love you all so much!!! 🤗🤗🤗💕💕💕