Corrupted Jewel

Outside CCHS/Coffee House (section 5.5)

Ø  Outside CCHS/Coffee House

“Oh my God, Ryan!” Brenna squealed again as he unlocked the door of his vintage muscle car, “This is a ’67 Mustang GT!” 

“I know!” he cutely mocked her excitement, “It was a present from your m--, um, I mean my, um, grandfather when he died.  Shawna would you mind sitting in the back seat, since Brenna can’t exactly maneuver well the way it is?”

“Nope not at all,” Shawna cheerfully slid into the tight back seat.

When they were both in the car Ryan walked around the other side and got in.  He didn’t waste any time grabbing Brenna’s left hand, admiring her ring once more and lacing his fingers through hers.  Shawna noticed Brenna blush a little and a shy smirk appear on her face.  Shawna’s stomach tightened like something was off.  She readjusted herself in the small backseat and ignored the feeling.

As Ryan pulled his car into a parking spot in front of a small family-owned coffee shop in downtown Cape Town as a special radio announcement caught their attention. “Authorities are reporting they have located the body of a missing teenager.  Norah Collins’, a junior at Cape Central High School, had been missing since early Monday morning.  The authorities are not commenting on the details of her death but they have stated the body was badly mangled and foul play is suspected. Stay tuned to this radio station for further breaking news.”  Ryan quickly switched off the car, also causing the radio to turn off.

Shawna’s thoughts flooded her, Norah? I know her, okay, well, I know of her.  She is…was in one of my classes. Who could have done something this horrible?  Shawna thought as she noticed her breathing had become deep and uneven which made both Ryan and Brenna turn around in their seats to stare at her.

“Um Shawna you’re not gonna hurl in my car are you?”  Ryan sounded a little sympathetic but Shawna couldn’t tell if it was more for her or his car.

“No, I just don’t feel good all of the sudden.  I think I need to go home,” She looked up into Ryan’s eyes, her muscles suddenly tightened and she got the weird feeling she had when he touched Brenna’s hand earlier.

They all got out of the car to give Shawna some fresh air.  Ryan asked, “Shawna, do you need me to drive you home?”  That idea made Shawna become even tenser.

“NO! I mean no thanks I think I’ll walk. The fresh air will be good for me.  Are you coming Brenna?”

Brenna opened her mouth to say something but Ryan’s voice came first, “I really don’t think it’d be a good idea for Bug to walk home in her present condition,” Shawna turned up her lip at Ryan’s use of Brenna’s extremely old nickname.  Shawna looked Brenna up and down, seeing Brenna shrug in agreement with Ryan.

“Fine!” Shawna said with a little more bite than was necessary, “But don’t be too long Tay will be worried about you.”

“I won’t, I promise,” Brenna said with a giggle as Ryan placed his arm around her waist and they walked into the coffee shop and out of Shawna’s view.  Shawna was overcome with nausea and immediately threw up into the nearest trashcan.

Wiping her mouth with the back of her arm Shawna turned her back on the coffee house and Brenna.  This is not good; this is not good at all.

Inside the coffee shop Brenna and Ryan sat across from each other at a stereotypical high, round table, sitting on high stools.  Brenna cupped her hazelnut cappuccino in her hands while Ryan blew on his hot chai tea, the look on his face told Brenna he was full of questions.

Brenna took a drink of her coffee, swallowing, she said “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ryan gave her a crooked smile, “I just can’t believe any of this,” he looked down at his tea, “I can’t believe I found you after all these years, and that you’re engaged to someone like Tay, and that you have grown into such a beautiful woman.”