Stumbling Through

The Worst Day (Part Two)

So tired right now - But an Update for Stumbling Through is here! Which makes me happy. I'm finally getting so close to the end of this book <3

Feeling somewhat accomplished becasue I didn't like writing this chapter - but it's done now :P #gettingsomewhere (yup twitter's changing me >.<)

As always PLEASE ENJOY::

Chapter Twenty-Four

Derek’s POV:

 

“I don’t know a Willow.”

I felt my throat dry as the five words registered slowly in my mind. “What?” I asked, my voice cracking on the one word.

Evan gave me a small shrug. “I don’t know a Willow.” He repeated easily. “I know a Will and an Owen though.” He added on almost as an afterthought. “As I said, I think you’ve got the wrong guy.” He finished with a friendly smile.

I hadn’t though. He’d even introduced himself as Evan Jamison.

My stomach sank.

The same saddened expression Willow always wore when talking about her family returned to mind.

He didn’t know who Willow was. He didn’t know…

Broken pieces of Willow’s past that I’d gotten to know were slowly falling into place. But there was still a big blank spot.

Why?

“Hey man, are you alright?” Evan asked bringing my attention back to him. Some of my horror must have bee showing on my face.

“I-” How was I meant to answer that question? I wasn’t even entirely sure what was happening right now.

A movement just beyond Evan’s shoulder caught my attention.

My gut twisted sharply when I saw Willow was standing there. She wasn’t looking at me – she was staring at the back of Evan’s head as if she was seeing a ghost.

Her whole face had gone pale, her eyes had widened, and her jaw had slackened slightly.

“Um…Derek?” Evan asked unsurely. “What’s-”

He turned his head to look over his shoulder; he clearly wasn’t expecting to see anyone standing there. He jumped slightly, his hand going to his chest. He cracked a grin as he let out a small relieved laugh. “Holy crap, that scared me.” He said. “Didn’t know there was someone there.”

Willow’s stood there, completely transfixed, and Evan’s smile dimmed slightly in to an awkward grimace.

He glanced between the pair of us, looking confused and to be honest a little weirded-out. “Right…well I should probably leave.” He started backing away. “Sorry about the ball thing.” He said turning back to me, pointing to his head. “And- uh, bye.”

He turned to go, trying to make a quick escape, but Willow’s voice stopped him.

“Wait, don’t-” Willow had taken a step after him, looking slightly panicked before she stopped herself, one hand half reaching out to try stop her brother.

Quickly as she had called out to him she snapped her hand back, slapping it over her mouth. But Evan was already turning back with a confused expression.

My heart stopped altogether when I saw tears rush into Willow’s eyes, and suddenly she started to sway her face going even paler.

I took a step forwards, reaching out to steady her, but Evan was closer. With lightening reflexes her caught onto her shoulders.