Crystal Eyes

~(21)~

~*E l l e r y*~

      I clutched James' hand at my side as we turned a dull corner. A wave of water splashed up onto my window, I could feel the slam under my fingers. Declan and his wife hadn't so much as glanced back at us since pulling us from the school and driving away.

      I was still in shock, unable to comprehend the last hour. James, on the other hand, was calm and collected beside me as if we weren't driving in the car of a complete stranger who could surprisingly sign ASL. 

      Due to the pouring rain, it was dark even though it was just poking into the late afternoon. I couldn't see well where we were headed but I knew it was opposite of my house. Ryan would blow a nostril if he knew I was riding in a strange car, with a strange man, in the dark pouring rain on the way to his house. With his completely astounded wife who I assumed had known nothing until now. Also, who could be, probably was, my father. 

      I should text my brother...yeah? My hands were shaking despite my efforts to conceal it. I could easily excuse that it was the freezing weather outside despite the cars attempts to heat us. Furthermore, if Ryan knew our location he could pick us up when the rain halted and the roads had dried up. 

      I already texted my mother and told her but that's completely different from your situation. It's up to you. Hey, calm down crystal eyes. 

      It's just cold is all. I'll wait to text him until a little later. James didn't need a further explanation, he believed my cold claims. His warm jacket was already wound around me from earlier in the school. I drug my hands into the sleeves and curled them against my chest, leaning into James for some sort of oblivious relief. I'd be in perpetual trouble if Ryan had located me. 

      My phone buzzed just as I'd had a thought occur to me. 

Ryan
      It looks like I'll be sleeping in the work bunkers today...are you okay sleeping at school, ladybug? If not I can attempt to come and get you. Are you with someone you know? 

You
      I'll be fine at school, I'm with James. You don't have to come and get me I'll be fine. 

Ryan
      Okay, be careful and I'll be there tomorrow morning to pick you up unless the rain stops and I'm able to pick you up sooner. Chances are school will be out the next few days. Love you, lil sis. 

You
      Will do, love you too. 

      Guilt swirled in my already churning stomach. Hadn't we just agreed not to keep secrets from each other? It felt like only weeks ago. I was already deceiving him, even if there was a chance Ryan knew about Declan and he was the whole reason Ryan decided upon moving to Hipridge. I'd see about asking him that later when we weren't trapped in a storm. 
~~**~~

      I leaped out of the car and huddled beside James as we made a leap towards the house. It was small but elegant, with plants lining the walkway and flowers sprouting between the edges. It was homier than I'd imagined. 

      By the time we'd made it up and into the blanketing warmness, my hair was stringy and soaked, my jeans were hanging loose and my whole body trembled with shivers. James merely dragged his hand through his drenched hair, seemingly untainted. His hand was still encased around my arm from my horrid attempt at stumbling out of the car. 

      Have a seat, I'll get some towels and warm tea. Declan signed. It was beyond astonishing to watch him continue signing. I had various questions build up, ready to combust inside me and spill out in one fell swoop. Thankfully, he'd left the room before I could do so, leading Emily off with him. Assumingly to inform her of everything that was happening because by the look on her face, she hadn't an idea who we were.