Shadows and Stars ✔

Chapter Fifty Three

By Friday, I feel somewhat human again. Granted, I only got about four or five hours sleep per night, but it's better than I expected after everything that happened.

Hailey is still asking me about Jack's Cellar and what I saw in there that night. But I've told her every last detail that I could remember. It all happened so fast. It was impossible to take it all in.

     "So, drugs? Cocaine and stuff?" Hailey asks once again as we finish packing our bags.

     "I think so," I sigh. "But I don't know. I'm clueless when it comes to stuff like that." I try my hardest to picture what was on that wooden table. It's all a blur to me still. I only remember seeing the piles of white powder and multicoloured pills that were stashed into various portions.

The memory alone makes me feel nauseous.

     "I just can't believe it. Grayson, doing drugs?"

     "Yep." I zip up my suitcase, carrying it down the narrow staircase.

     "I guess there's no way you two can move past this?" Hailey asks, following me down.

I stop suddenly at the bottom of the stairs, turning on my heel and narrowing my eyes at Hailey's somewhat surprising question.

     "Could you?"

     "I dunno, Mia," she blurts. "But maybe at least hear the guy out." She slips on her black boots and throws a scarf around her neck. "He really loved you. I could tell."

     "Well that doesn't make up for what happened."I retort. "Not to mention the half-naked women that were sat on his lap." I throw my coat on and take out my keys, my stomach churning at the flashback of it.

     "Yeah, what was that all about?" Hailey asks, her brows furrowed as she pictures it.

     "You tell me. I'm not even sure I want to know."

Without any further questions, Hailey and I take a bus to Kings Cross Station, then take a train back to our hometown.

In many ways I'm upset that Grayson isn't coming; I'm sure my Dad and Lucas would have loved him—the Grayson I knew before, anyway. I also wanted him to see the place where I grew up, where I spent all of my young life with my family and where I met Hailey. But I force myself to accept that it just won't be the case anymore. My Dad will surely wonder where Grayson is when we arrive without him, but I already plan on telling him that we broke up—just not about the drugs part.

     "Anyway, let's make your birthday a good one, huh?" Hailey asks as we take a seat at a table on the last carriage.

I smile at her, appreciating her efforts to take my mind off of Grayson. "Yes please."

***

Almost four hours later we arrive at the small train station of Lowerford Bay. A grin stretches across my face as the place brings me warm feelings of comfort, nostalgia and happiness.

     "Ah it feels like forever since I've been back," Hailey says as we step out onto the platform, taking in the sunshine that tries to escape the clouds. "The last time I came back here was last Christmas."

I laugh as we head out the station. At the sight of my Dad's black Ford, a beaming smile decorates my face. "Dad!" I yell, running frantically towards him with my suitcase in tow.

He and Lucas both step out of the car, and despite Lucas' usual lack of affection, I catch him smiling.

     "Mia!" Dad grips me tightly in his arms. "I've missed you so much darling."