Fellow readers and writers and generally lovers of words:
Today's snippet, the first part of chapter eight from What the Stars Say, is something I wrote at the very beginning of the month. However, I thought you might enjoy it, for the banter and all.
Enjoy!
The second Jade, James, Emma and I stepped foot near the overflowing herb garden that lined the front yard of their house, I excused myself and hurried to the trough near the back of the shed.
For a moment after she turned the water on, I placed my hands underneath the stream and watched as the pure stream cleaned them. Sparkling water turned muddy brown, and swirled down the drain, yet my eyes were riveted on the steady stream of glistening diamonds rushed over my hands, and I relished the coolness against the hot sun.
Soon, I had scrubbed my skin so it shone, and with a cloth I dried my dripping face. Then, I made my way to the house, where I toyed with the idea of changing my outfit. But the most I ended up with was donning a cloak and doing my hair. As I stepped downstairs, James glanced up from the kitchen table. "Going somewhere?"
"Not really."
He raised an eyebrow. "I find that rather hard to believe."
"Why?"
"One, you never put your hair up unless you're going somewhere. Plus, Ethan told me. You're not going."
"It's not your choice."
"Oh, really? I find that hard to believe. Yes, you get to choose some things, but if you think I'm going to let my little sister—"
"—I'm not little."
"Fine. Younger sister—and don't you dare argue with that, I see that look in your eyes. You're younger than me. Anyway, if you think I'm going to let you go out to some random place—an illegal place, if I may add—"
"Shh! Keep your voice down," I hissed.
"Why? You don't want Mom to hear?"
"No! I'm fine with her knowing. It's just that word...illegal. It's not the best word to be shouting around town at the top of your lungs."
"I wasn't shouting anything on the top of my lungs," he replied. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say, is that even if you decide you want to go, there's no way you're going without me. Hear that? No way. This is a closed case. We're going together, you and me."
"What about Mama? And Emma?" Now that he was bringing up the cons, I might as well finish them. "What are they going to do?"
"Relax, Ana. They're going to town. Plus, I already told Mama what we're doing."
"What?" I screeched. "Why on earth would you do that?"
He shrugged. "Seems responsible."
"Since when were you responsible?"
His face fell. "Since Beckett."
"I know."
"Besides, 'twasn't me who came up with the idea. Ethan did."
"What?" Ethan? Ethan, as in the boy staying at Aunt Olivia's farm? Ethan, as in the mysterious boy who showed up two years ago? Ethan, as in my friend?
"Why does that surprise you so much?" James wondered.
"I'm just confused why you aren't surprised."
"Oh, I was. And am. But being surprised isn't going to actually change anything. Just like worrying. Besides, isn't it almost time to go...Lilac?"
I stiffened as I heard the nickname. Breck's nickname. James wrapped me in a hug. "I'm sorry," he whispered into my ear, and he pulled me closer. It was almost like Beckett was back.
He wasn't back.
It seemed that no matter how much I tried, he couldn't come back.
But I had Ethan. I had James.
I would always be waiting for, longing for, Beckett to wake up. I would always be ready for him to return.
I knew that I didn't need to focus on that. While I would always miss him, I needed to remember James.
And so I hugged James back, and I let myself rest in the fact that he was there. Comforting. Protecting. Loving.
It seemed too soon when he pulled away and told me that we had to go or we'd be late. I took a deep breath, gathered my wits about me, and headed out the door to follow him.
I hope you enjoyed that! I'm thinking of changing the title from What the Stars Say to something else (as it doesn't really fit)...any ideas?
A quick update, I'm at 17k!! It's a lot less then I would've hoped for by now but, hey, at least it's progress, right?
Until next time,
