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"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars." - Jack Kerouac.
Dedication: xXSwimmer_ChickxX for the awesome cover!
Recap:
"Ugh, Faith," his muffled voice came out. "Who do we know that owns a Mercedes?"
My heart plummeted into my stomach. No... I wrenched the helmet, painfully, from my head and stared at the sleek looking vehicle parked in my driveway. I groaned, face palming myself.
"That would be my mother."
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I grimaced as Aubrey's shrill voice cut through the air like glass. Stiffening, I placed my helmet on the bike, suddenly wanting to get back on the thing and travel far, far away.
"Does your father know about this?" she asked sternly, planting her hands on her hips. "How long have you been driving around on that death trap? And who with? I'm sure your father would be very disappointed with you."
"I'm great, mother, thanks for asking."
Smoothing over my hair, I cast my eyes down, avoiding eye contact with Xavier. This was embarrassing. I was literally embarrassed of my own mother.
"Who are you?" she asked rudely, staring down her nose at Xavier.
"Xavier," he smiled charmingly. "Faith's roommate."
"What?" she spluttered and I snorted at the look on her face. "Surely your father-"
"Don't act like you know a thing about him or myself because you left us. Remember?" I snapped, my voice so venomous I'm surprised she didn't keel over. Xavier flinched beside me and I could feel his eyes on my skin, but I didn't back down from glaring at her.
She didn't change her face and I rolled my eyes, shouldering past her. I wanted this to be over already and it had only been five seconds.
"Could you help me with my bags-" she began and I turned on my heel.
"Are you nuts? You're not staying here!" I exclaimed, staring at her in bewilderment. "You can't just barge into my house. You're practically a stranger to me."
I honestly think I saw something in her eyes. But it was only fleeting, making me wonder if I had really seen anything at all. Probably not, considering she's a cold-hearted bitch.
"I'm your mother," she said, her voice noticeably quieter.
"Never acted like it before, why start now?"
With that, I turned and strode into the house. Xavier followed suit, looking extremely awkward. Once his feet were inside I slammed the door as hard as I could and locked it.
"Faith-" Xavier began but I held my hand up, heading straight for the stairs.
"Not a word."
There goes my good day.
***
"I can't believe you slammed the door in her face, you sassy little thing," dad said and I knew he was shaking his head.
"Should have seen her!" I exclaimed defensively. "She is such a bitch."
"So are you."
I bit back a smile at that.
"Yeah, got to have one trait from her at least."
He sighed. "Guess her hope of you modelling for her is down the drain pipe then."
"Yeah, wouldn't do it if she paid me," I mumbled, a feeling of dread filling my veins like poison.
"What did she think of Xavier?"
"Well, her first impression was of me on the back of a motorbike with him so probably not the best, considering how up tight she is."
"Oh yeah, I got your snapchat. Things have improved, I see?"
I half shrugged. "Yeah, actually. We hung out for the first time today and he was surprisingly cool."
"Hey!" I heard Xavier say, as usual, he was eavesdropping.
I grinned, peeling myself off the lounge and headed to my room. That way I might get some quiet time. Considering the house is so big, it's weird that he seems to be everywhere.
"Good, that's nice to hear. And you're picking your car up next Tuesday?"
"Yes, thank God. I've missed it." I replied, collapsing onto my bed.
"Make sure you look after it this time," dad joked, knowing it would get me fired up. I purposely didn't react and settled with an eye roll, well aware he couldn't see it.
"Yeah, yeah, don't start."
"Hey, look, I have to go. Glad to see things have improved with you and Xavier. I'm proud of you, Kid. Love you."
"Love you," I replied back, biting my lip.
The line went dead and I sighed.
I'm not sure how much time had passed, but I remained on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. I just kept thinking about what happened with Aubrey today. The nerve she had to just show up and act like that. She obviously has no idea how much I hate her. Okay, hate is a strong word but I'm not very fond of her, to say the least.
There was a soft knock at my door. "Come in."
Xavier poked his head in, giving me a lope-sided smile. "That escalated quickly, didn't it?"
"Sorry you had to see that," I sighed. No matter who it was, I felt sorry for anyone who had to suffer the presence of the She-Devil. Even Megan, the girl I hate the second most. Actually, I probably wouldn't feel sorry for her, now that I think about it.
"I just- Can I say something without you jumping down my neck?" His serious tone made me sit a little straighter in my bed.
"No promises."
He cracked a grin. "How did I know you'd say that?"
"Well, spit it out," I said, throwing my hands up, ignoring how adorable his smile was.
"I," he began and stopping, rubbing the back of his neck. It was like he wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to tell me. "I just think that you should try and have a relationship with your mum, even if you don't get along that well."
"Don't get along well?" I echoed, my voice bitter. "I hate her."
"No you don't."
"Yes. I do."
"No you don't."
Folding my arms across my chest, I glared into his jade-green eyes. "Why do you even care?"
"You're lucky you still have a mother."
I stiffened, my gaze unwavering. He didn't back down. I swallowed uneasily, not sure what to say next. We both didn't move a muscle and the stare down continued.
"I don't consider her my mother," I mumbled, finally dragging my eyes from his.
"You might regret that one day."
I wonder what Xavier meant. Did he lose his mother? Or is she alive, but just not apart of his life? I suddenly wanted to know about his family.
I took a moment to stare at him. Right now, he looked pretty mature. His eyes were hard as they stared intently back at mine. It was then, I realised, he had been through a lot. I really didn't know anything about the boy in front of me.
"Maybe."
"I just wanted to say that," he said, slowly drawing to his full height. He yawned as he began wandering out of my room. "Oh, and Faith," he said, glancing back at me and flashing me a grin, having returned to his usual cocky self. "Today was cool."
I smiled back, surprised how genuine it was. Once the door closed behind him, I reclined back and stared back at the ceiling.
It was surprising how those few words, made my day seem better again.
***
"You are so beautiful!"
"Thank you, I know." I ignored Xavier's voice to my right and ran my hands over the shiny, blue paint of my car. I suddenly had the desire to throw my hands around the car and never let it go.
"I have missed you."
"Bit weird, I spent half my weekend with you-"
I jumped into the front seat, again, ignoring Xavier. The smell of my car was comforting as I inhaled a lungful. I ran my hands over the steering wheel, a satisfied smile stretched across my face. I hadn't felt this happy in a while.
"You're so weird," Xavier said, opening the door and leaning on it. "It's just a car."
"Shut up," I laughed.
It looked awesome sitting in my driveway. Much better than Xavier's death trap, as Aubrey described it.
"Let's go do burn outs!" Xavier suggested, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Aw, come on, let's go!"
"Pfft," I pulled myself from the car and stared at him like he had three heads. "Get real. I ain't ruining my tyres."
"You're such a sour puss."
I snorted, slapping his arm. I shouldered past him, pressing the button on my keys to lock the car. Xavier trailed behind me inside and I chucked the keys in the bowl near the door. I stared back at him, hoping he didn't have any ideas about "borrowing" my car.
"Hey, where did you get to yesterday?" I asked him. I had woken up to silence and no Xavier. It was strange. He was literally always here.
"Hmm?" he asked, staring down at his phone.
"Yesterday? Where did you go?"
Obviously hadn't been to get groceries. I stared at the almost-empty shelves and sighed. Adulting was hard. Well, I usually did the shopping when dad was here anyway, but it's still an effort.
"Oh, ah, just out," he said, not looking up.
I planted a hand on my hip, feeling like his mother. I shook my head, letting it go. Doesn't matter where he was, just was a bit strange. Xavier was the type to leave me a note or something, although I wouldn't think to do that if I went somewhere. If anything, I'd purposely leave just to make him stress where I was. I am evil.
Suddenly, vibrating sounds could be heard and I scrambled to find my phone, only to realise it was actually Xavier's ringing. He stared down at the phone, a slightly concerned look on his face. Slowly, he pressed the phone to his ear.
"Most people start with hello," I said to him as he just sat there, frozen.
I heard sounds on the end of his phone, but couldn't make out what the person was saying. He glanced at me, half smirking, before rising to his feet.
"Ah, yes, this is Xavier," he walked from me and being nosy and slightly copying him, I followed, wondering who he was talking to. "No, now is a good time."
He turned, giving me a grin, as if he knew something I didn't and shut his bedroom door. With a frown, I headed back to the kitchen. He eavesdropped on my conversations, but I couldn't do the same to him?
Was it another girl?
Shaking my head and clearing my thoughts, I decided I didn't care.
Feeling spontaneous and appreciating having my car back, I decided to take it for a spin. Grabbing my keys, I went out to my car, loving that I had the option to actually drive somewhere now. I decided to go get a coffee. Okay, that's not a very spontaneous adventure, but it distracted me from Xavier thoughts nonetheless.
After taking the very scenic route to Miss Daisy's, I exited my car, quickly smoothing my hair. I didn't even look at the mirror before coming down town, so who knows how I looked. I walked in, seeing Brooklyn slaving away. She worked here three days a week - Monday and Thursday after school, and Saturday mornings. She made the best coffee in town, but hey, I'm probably bias.
"Yo," she said, two paper coffees in her hand. She slid them on the bench towards Mike, the owner. I grimaced, quickly slapping my palms to my ears. The protection did nothing.
"EMILY!" He bellowed.
He had the loudest voice ever. I guess you had to when it was busy, because people just don't listen or can't hear their order, but it was a bit over-the-top when it was like this. Brooklyn laughed at me, obviously used to his booming voice. You'd almost have to wear ear plugs working here.
"Flat white?" she guessed, knowing my order already.
"Mm yeah," I trailed off, staring at the cabinet. "And chuck in a ham and cheese croissant, too."
"Yes sir," she said, getting straight to it. "Is that Renegade I see parked out there?"
Renegade was my car. That was Brooklyn's idea. I nodded, unable to not smile. "Yep, in the flesh."
"Good to see him back," she smirked as I used the word "flesh". He's more than just a car, okay?
Xavier was right. I am weird.
"Hey, we should go on a double date," she said. "You, me, Derek, Xavier..."
I scoffed. "I'd rather stick a needle in my eye then spend a night with Derek."
She was completely unfazed at the insult I just threw at her boyfriend. She knows I'm joking. Well, I'm not joking, but I can tolerate him. In small, small doses.
"But you would with Xavier?" She didn't miss a beat.
I rolled my eyes. "Hurry up with my coffee."
Thankfully Mike knew me and didn't feel the need to scream my name so that everyone in the southern hemisphere could hear it. The cup was warm in my hand and I inhaled the smell.
"Mmm, good stuff."
"The best of the best," Brooklyn grinned.
"Anyway, that essay for English won't write itself," I sighed, doing a slight movement with my fingers, attempting to resemble a wave.
"Don't remind me," she muttered, turning to serve the man who just entered.
"See ya."
I had only just taken a sip, when I rounded the corner and froze. Jacob stood there, leaning towards her. No wonder her and Xavier hadn't been seen mixing, she was reliving the past. My coffee slipped from my hand, hitting the concrete pavement, spilling the contents of Brooklyn's hard work everywhere.
I felt like I was sent back a year. My stomach churned uncomfortably.
My ex boyfriend and my sworn enemy, kissing. Again. I couldn't see this. Not again.
I spun on my heel and ran to my car, ashamed to admit I had hot tears welling in my eyes.
Once an asshole, always an asshole.
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Finally starting to know a little about what happened between Jacob and Faith! What are your thoughts?
Photo images of the cast, just to help you visualise the characters that are in my mind!