Free Forever Yours (#2) by Deila Longford Page A

looking
at me with suspicion in her eyes. I quickly focus my eyes on
George, as I don’t want to risk an interrogation from Jen. Rachel
bursts into the kitchen, her eyes are raging as she rudely marches
towards me. I shake my head at her pathetic behaviour and my
actions have only seemed to annoy her more.
    “ You’re so annoying, you know that?” Rachel shouts as she
points a perfectly manicured hand in my face. I narrow my eyes at
her –why is she so angry with me? Rachel and I don’t have the
world’s best relationship, but she is never usually as abrupt as
this, for no apparent reason. Usually, I know exactly what I have
done to annoy her, but on this occasion, I absolutely have no clue
why she is so mad at me. I move closer to her as I begin to
question her on why she is so upset.
    “ What exactly have I done to upset you?” I firmly say, as I
fold my arms across my chest. Rachel edges closer to me and then
she erupts.
    “ I’m upset, because I have been waiting to go to the mall, all
morning. He won’t take me until you’re ready and I have no idea why
it took so long for you to get up. Do you ever think of anyone but
yourself?” I shake my head at her pathetic reason for being at mad
me.
    “ Do you ever think of anyone but yourself? C’mon you’re the
most selfish girl that I know.” My lips start to tremble as I my
words ring the air. Jen looks uncomfortable as she sips on her
coffee and Uncle George, isn’t impressed with what he is hearing.
He lunges from the seat and he points his finger into Rachel’s
face.
    “ Now that’s enough, from both of you. Rose needs a ride to her
work and as for you, the mall isn’t going anywhere. Now pack it in,
or else you’re grounded!” I press my lips together and then I
apologise for my behaviour.
    “ I’m sorry,” Rachel rolls her eyes into the heavens at my
words. My uncle smiles at me and then he grabs his keys from the
kitchen table and kisses Jen before he heads out of the kitchen. I
smile at Jen and then I follow George out into the hallway. Rachel
pulls alongside me, snarling her bitter comments.
    “ You’re such a goodie-two-shoes!”
    Uncle George drives me to the Wal-Mart supercentre –where I
work and I thank him as I jump out of his truck.
    “ Thanks for the ride,” he smiles at me and then gestures over
in the direction of my beat up Chevy.
    “ I’ll call the guys at work and get them to take a look at your
truck.” I smile at him, shivering from the freezing temperature. I
rub my hands together as I try to build the heat, and I as I walk
over in the direction of the entrance, I can’t shake off my
plaguing image of Dalton. I wonder where he is and why he left in
such a hurry. I am frightened that he has gone for good –I couldn’t
survive it if he has. I rush through the door of the supermarket
and I head in the direction of Subway. The store is extra busy
today as its Saturday and everyone seems to have the day off from
work. I sigh at the noises of the store, registers beeping and
children squealing out in excitement. I reach the Subway restaurant
and I pull the fabric of my shirt nervously over my wounds as Ryan
rushes towards me. His arms are extended and when he reaches me, he
pulls me in for bear hug. His skin feels warm and so different to
Dalton’s, but although I shiver every time he touches me, I still
crave his icy touch. Ryan finally loosens his grip on me and his
eyes widen at my appearance.
    “ You look … nice today,” he says as he squints his eyes for a
better view. I feel my face start to flush and then I clear my
throat as I ignore his comment.
    “ The stores busy, you know what that means?” Ryan pretends to
fall asleep at my words and I shake my head and then I head in the
direction of the workers lounge –with Ryan at my side. I brush into
the room and I hang my coat onto the stand. I smooth out my shirt
and I pull my ponytail over the right side of my neck, shielding my
wounds from sight. Ryan