Seeking Solace

Seven

The alarm screams next to my ear, I drag my arm that is tingling from sleep, out of the coves and slap it down on the buzzer. I miss the first time, but by the third time the ringing stops. I roll out of bed unto the floor, I cannot count how many times I misjudge the distance from my body to the edge of the bed. Gran calls up the stairs at the sound of the thud.

"Gemma Rose, do I need to glue pillows to the floor for you?"

"No, Gran. I'm okay." I yell. I rub the spot on my head where it hit the floor and climb to my feet. I dress quickly and meet Gran in the kitchen. I grab an apple from the middle of the table.

"When should i expect you for dinner?" Gran asks.

"Not too late. I might need to stay after a bit to finish a project with Mae, but I'll be home right after." I kiss her forehead and grab my bag from the table in the hall. "See ya later Gran!"

"Be safe." She calls down the hall.

I lock the door behind me and walk down the path to the sidewalk. I walk a few paces before I hear a car horn behind me. A black Bentley pulls up beside me and the passenger side window rolls down slowly.

"Do ya need a ride love?"

"Not from you."

"Come on Gemma, you know you want a ride."

I walk away from the car and he follows me. A raindrop hits my cheek and look up at the sky. You have got to be joking. I take another step and another droplet hits my nose. I sigh and look to his car. I sigh again when the drops start falling faster and colder. I trudge over to the door and pull on the locked handle.

"Are you serious right now?" I ask him.

"I thought you didn't want a ride?"

"Open the door." I demand. The drops are slowly soaking my back, and my eyelashes are full of raindrops.

"What was that love," he turns up the radio, "I can't hear you over the rain and the music."

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Can I please have a ride?"

I hear the lock click and I open the door before he changes his mind. I shut the door behind me and shiver when the heat from the car touches my skin. He watches me as I warm up and relax.

"You okay love?"

"Perfect." I look over at him. "Thanks."

"Where to?" He asks with a cheeky grin.

I look at him as if he is insane. "Um, I'm going to go with school."

"Lets skip."

"No. I can't." I shake my head.

"Can't or won't?" He challenges.

"I can't. I have to be somewhere in negative 2 minutes."

"Where?"

"Cheer practice." I tell him quietly. I hate when I tell people I am a cheerleader and they judge me for it.

"I can see it."

"See what?" My head jerks to the left to stare at him, waiting for his response.

"You being a cheerleader." He shrugs. "The pom-poms, the ponytail, the cute little outfit. I can see it." He smirks. I hit his arm and he laughs. "So why do you do it love?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well you didn't look to pleased or excited to tell me about your sport, so why do you do it?"