Jenalyn: Daring to Defy (#1)[Complete]

Chapter 64: Jenalyn

Saturday, 11:23 A.M.

I laugh out loud as I look down at my outfit again and actually feel good about what I'm seeing. It's only funny because it's one of the outfits Dane had brought home for me- a pair of black leather shorts, rolled up on the bottom with a black/gray leopard interior exposed. A cute little tank top with a built on black cardigan, and these black leopard heels I told him I wanted when they didn't have my size...

I know I look good.

It's just a damned shame he doesn't even want to be around to see me, I think to myself as I check out how amazing my legs look in these shorts even sitting in a car. How could he even be mad if I were to find someone who did? I expected the thought to pass my mind, but I still try to push it from my head as soon as it does. They've been in the back of my head since finding out I'm not going to have an Evy on my arm all day. And they're getting harder to fight off as my freedom comes closer.

I watch the signs passing overhead us, gauging how long until Downtown Philly with an excitement in my belly I don't think I've actually felt in a while.

12:04 P.M.

I shoot Evelyn a few words of encouragement before hugging her tightly and letting her climb out of the car. She always says I overreact about her going on runs like these- and I always want to tell her she just forgets how friggen old she is.

I don't though- because I guess I'd rather her not get into thinking about how bad things really are around here. I just allow her to practically run off into the warehouse turned bike shop Rob had just walked out of.

"I'm just gonna walk to the stores from here," I tell Rob as I turn around to grab my purse from the front seat. I go to jump out of the truck, excited to finally be here after what seemed like an endless drive over.

"Uh uh uh!" Rob calls as I'm in the process of climbing out. "Dane doesn't want you wandering the streets of Philly on your own, he-"

I can't even help myself from inturrupting. "I'll be fine!" I exclaim, climbling out anyway and proceeding to shut the door. He rolls down the window. "Tell him he knows no one messes with me! I'm good, just-"

This time, Rob is inturrupting me. He leans over the passenger seat until his voice is clear as day through all of the Philly traffic. "It doesn't matter kiddo- rules is rules. I told you that shit last night." he says.

I can't help the disappointment from showing on my face, but I don't think Rob notices that as much as the frutrated eye roll. I shift my weight to one leg, and cross my arms over my chest in a moment of pure angst for a moment. I really thought I could do something exciting today...

Rob rolls his eyes after a few moments of my reluctance- and though I expect it to be in frustratration, I'm surprised to find that it was actually quite... playful. "Get in, loser. We're going shopping." he says in a tone that's meant to sound more than forced.

I can't even help it when I burst into laughter, falling into the car door and shooting Rob a look that makes him crack a smile. "You been hanging out with Evelyn too much there, buddy!" I laugh as soon as I can catch my breath.

He lets out a few small but sincere laughs too before leaning across the passenger seat again and opening the door. "Yeah, well when all you do is play babysitter anymore..." he says, motioning for me to hop in. "Some crazy shit starts happening that probably should never happen in any lifetime. C'mon."

I toss my bag in the car, but still pause before getting in only because that same voice that's been in the back of my head all morning has a lot to say about his response. So much, I can barely hear anything anymore- not even what the voice itself is saying.

"You coming?" Rob's voice comes through the clamor, thankfully loud enough to help me push it all to the back.

I force a friendly smile to my face and nod my head before climbing in. "Yeah," I say pulling the door shut beside me. "Let's go shopping!"

Rob pulls off, and I'm still left feeling a little... off. I don't really give it much thought when I do it, but I quickly dip into my head for a remedy. 

"Hey, did Dane tell you put any aside for me?" I ask suddenly, knowing that if anything will distract me from the weird things my head does- it's unsobriety. Rob nods his head, but keeps driving. "Okay.. well, I'm gonna break into it, okay? Like... now." 

I let out a small laugh to cover the urgency in my voice. I half expect Rob to recite some list of rules about what was set aside for me- but he just nods his head again and continues to drive down South Street.

Maybe today won't be so bad afterall...