𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕋𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕣

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟡

All I could see was red.

I didn't know if it was in my mind, or the blood pooling from James face as I repeatedly punched him. it was like an animal drive had taken over me, a ruthless animal drive that caused me to beat up one of the only people who had been with me since my parent's death.

It wasn't until Juniper spoke out, her voice in a cry of terror, "Aspen! Please get off him"

I felt her arms reach around my slender frame, attempting to pull me away from James. I stopped, my fist bloodied, still hovering over James who was a heavy breathing bloody mess.

I stood, stumbling back and into June. I quickly pushed myself away from her, wiping my bloody hand on the blue of my jeans. Glancing around the room I saw many pairs of eyes lingering on me, fear lingering in them.

"Come on, we're leaving Juniper" my voice was cold, harsh. I didn't even turn to look at her. I didn't want to see the look of fear on her face, or watch her cry. I wanted to leave, to go home for the night and officially call it quits for any to come party.

"I-" June started when I grabbed her hand. It was warm, and the comfortable smell of strawberries and vanilla came over me. I was glad I could hold her hand...just wished it could be under different circumstances. Please just trust me Juniper, please just come with me.

I started walking out of the room, pulling her hand with me. I was thankful that I felt her walk with me, and together the two of us made our way out of the overcrowded stiff.

The yellow truck was parked down the block of the house. But even when I had gotten in the car I could still hear the beat of the music and roar of the people. I got into the car, and began the ride back to the house.

But after thirty minutes of silence, it had started to really bother me. Anxiously, I turned my attention to June. Her eyes were puffy, and even in the darkness, a certain redness could be seen circling them.

So I turned the car, sharply, and instead of going the left to my house I turned right instead of left. It took June only moments to realize I had taken the wrong turn, and she quickly vocalized it "A-Aspen you took the wrong turn."

"I know," It amazed me how my voice could be cool and collected even when I felt anything but. Juniper's crying had profusely caught me off guard.

Only one thing came to mind when hearing it, an idea of how to make it stop.

There was one thing that always made me feel better, and it happened to be the stars. Whenever something happened in my family they would take me to this secret lookout they had found when they were teens. It was a place they could go to escape reality, especially the curse.

"W-where are we going," June whispered into the darkness as the smooth road turned into gravel.

" A special place, we'll be there soon" I glanced up at the glittering night sky, the world seeming to twinkle above the two of us.

The familiar woods caught me off guard, and memories of the accident slowly filtered in. Had it really been that long since I was here?

I pulled to an abrupt stop in a clearing. Silence filled the car before I got out. The cool breeze rushed past me, picking up scattered leaves and blowing them in the wind.

I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of the wind whisper itself to me. But the sound of the car door opening caught my attention, and I heard a familiar pitter-patter of leaves crunching beneath June's feet.

I felt a warmth next to me, and upon opening my eyes and catching a glimpse of June's red hair I spoke out, the words pooling from my mouth before I could realize what I was saying, "My parents used to take me here, they took me here on the night of the accident. It was my fault. I had wanted ti come up here so badly to look at the stars having heard that the planets would aline that night. And my parents, they took me here... but on the way back it started raining. The road was dirt at the time, and slippery. There was a tree and it fell in front of them so they swerved...and they died."

"Oh" was all June said. And once again a silence filled the air, but this time I was comfortable with it. Something had changed, and now a sweetness loomed over us.

I glanced up at the twinkling stars. It was a beautiful night to be out.

"I don't know what happened to my parents" her voice was quiet, and for a second I wondered if she was talking to me or just into the night sky. Either way, I listened.

"Everything was good...everything was normal," she started, sniffling back tears before continuing, "But one day they both left. I don't know why or where they went, but all I know is that they are gone. I searched for them for a while and did what I could to find food. But at some point, the neighbors called child services and I was taken in. Your aunt found me then."

"Yeah...she found me too" I sat down on the damp grass, letting my body relax before slowly laying down. I felt June lay down next to me, her arm resting against my own.

I turned to see June, but a small string of snores escaped her side. She looked peaceful..nice. I slowly took off my hoodie I had been wearing and lay it down on her.

Looking up at the stars once more a smile peacefully formed on my lips.

Tomorrow I would have to break her heart. I would have to push her away until mine broke too and it hurt to breath. Tomorrow I would have to walk away from her no matter how much I screamed or fought it. Tomorrow held so many things I wasn't ready to do.

So all I had was tonight, these few moments that will last a lifetime of memories for me. All I have is her touch right now, and for now at least, I was okay with it.