Before Us

Chapter 4

DANI

The sky was a dark, pale gray color blended with dark clouds and lightning. The thunder pounded against the walls in my room and I lay awake in my bed, intertwined within my comforter and sheets to the sound of raindrops tapping away at the window. My body had the urge to get up and get ready for the day, but I couldn't. My heart was in control of today's functions, and it said that today was a sick day. Flashes of Sammy and Lola made their way into my mind so in sync with the weather that I almost forgot that it was real. There was a light knock at my door pulling me back to the present. It slowly creaked open.

"Hey." Sloan said in a hushed tone. I tried to respond back but the only thing I could let out was an unintelligible grunt. She plopped herself beside me and let out a deep heavy sigh.

"What..." I managed to get out.

"Nothing. How are you feeling?" How was I feeling? Like my heart had been literally ripped from my chest and stomped on repeatedly. Like all the walls were crashing down on me. I felt exposed. I felt cheated. I felt hurt. For lack of a better term, I was broken. But I think I was becoming numb.

"I'm fine." I said as I pulled the sheets above my head.

"You know, if you would have let me go back there, they wouldn't be waking up so pretty today." This I knew. "I mean honestly, who does he think he is? Here he has someone like you, beautiful, smart, incredible, and he slummed it with someone like her. I'll go right now if you want. I'll make them both wish they never met me. I—"

"Sloan! Please. It's too early for this." I groaned.

"Dani... it's noon." She winced.

"Oh my god." I jumped up, casting the blankets aside. "My mother is going to kill me."

I rushed to the bathroom and caught a glance of myself in the mirror. Yesterday's makeup casted dark shadows around my eyes. I grabbed a hand towel and began to scrub.

"Whoa whoa. Easy there. Soap and water will do the trick. No need to scrub your skin off." Sloan joked.

"It's noon you said. My mother is expecting me at one-thirty for Cam's event. I have no time to get ready."

"Her charity events? That's what you're worried about? Dani, calm down." She said while taking the towel from my hands. "Get in the shower. I'll speak with your mother." I nodded and did as I was told.

* * *

The tables were dressed in silky lilac cloths that just barely touch the floor. White chairs were lined with purple sashes that hung loosely around. The people in attendance were friends and guests of the prestigious families in Bellview, our family being one of them. They're all here to honor Cameron. After his death, my mother threw herself into work and whatever hobby she could at the time. One after the other. The next logical thing—to her—was to start a scholarship foundation in his name. So, every year since, we have a charity ball for him.

"Miss?" A woman tapped my shoulder. I glanced around to find I am sitting alone at one of the tables. The hall is now near empty as the help trickled in. I must've zoned out and lost track of the time. It's been like this a lot lately. I guess I was the same as my mother when it came to Cameron.

"Sorry." I gave a smile and exited the room.

"Dani." That voice stopped me in my tracks. No. No. No. Not now. Not right now. I can't. I cannot! "Dani, please. Turn around and face me." I didn't. I stood there frozen. My legs betrayed me. I needed to get out and away, but I couldn't make myself go. Instead, he made his way so that he was standing mere feet in front of me. My eyes do not meet his. "Can we talk please?" Sammy uttered. Still nothing. I felt my face increasingly becoming red. "Dani, I love-"