The Haze [The Rosati Series]

six

Derrick’s fearful eyes bore into mine, but he had yet to say much of anything.

“I-I have to go.” Suddenly he spun around on his heels, grabbed his mom’s car keys off of the hanger next to the door, and was out the front door quicker than I could count, leaving me speechless.

“Wait, Derrick!” I yelled out just as the door slammed shut in my face. Where was he going? I literally couldn’t believe he was leaving me here with so many unanswered questions. Where could he possibly be going anyway?

I walked back over to one of the couches slowly and sat down. I bit my nails nervously trying to process everything that had just taken place, but I couldn’t. It was just too much.

***

Derrick

I stormed out of the house slamming the door shut, and instantly silencing her yells. I could feel my blood practically boiling. At first I was confused. How could something like this happen when we’d been sure to be extra careful? But after I another moment’s pause I realized it had to have been…Nate. There were only three people that really knew about Celine’s unique situation; Amerie, Nate, and me of course. I knew for a fact Amerie would never had said anything that would put any of us in danger, but Nate on the other hand I wasn’t too sure. I’m sure lackadaisical, careless Nate had “accidently” slipped up, just running his mouth as usual. I rolled my eyes at the thought of him, and headed to my mom’s black Bentley.

I started it quickly, backed out the driveway, and started driving to Nate’s house. I took the opportunity to dial Amerie’s number using the hands off voice dialing feature that I had the benefit of using, being that this was my mother’s car. After a few seconds of ringing, her familiar mellow voice eased through the car speakers.

“Hello?” She answered.

I clenched the steering wheel tightly trying to control the anger that was practically radiating through my pores. “Amerie, we have a major problem. “

“What?” I could hear the panic in her voice.

“Celine…she knows.” I breathed warily.

There was a long pause, and for a moment I wasn’t sure she was going to even acknowledge what I’d said, until her voice returned through the speakers. “What? How? That’s…impossible, right?”

“I thought so too, but you can’t deny what’s right in front of your eyes. She was confronting me, no, demanding me to admit the truth.”

“Oh my gosh.” Her voice was shaky.

“Nate told her. I’m positive. There was no other way for her to find out.

“T-This isn’t happening right now. Do you know what this means? We’re in danger. She’s in danger for crying out loud!” Her voice began to rise.

“I know.” I admitted. “All we can worry about right now is trying to figure this all out, but we can’t do that over phone. I’m headed over to Nate’s right now-“

“Derrick don’t do anything crazy. Arguing won’t make anything better. What’s done is done.”

“I can handle myself.” I said roughly. “Just meet me at Nate’s. Now.” I ended the call by tapping the red telephone icon on the car’s touch screen control center before she could respond. I didn’t need her trying to rationalize anything for me at the moment. I was beyond angry, and I wasn’t going to go easy on him at all. He brought this upon himself.

Just as the call ended I pulled the car into Nate’s circular driveway. I only saw Nate’s white Lincoln sitting in its normal spot, which meant his parents were more than likely not home. I killed the engine, shoving the car keys into my pocket, and heading over to his front door. I pounded on it angrily with my fists repeatedly until it was swung open, revealing a confused and startled Nate.