Seeing Red (The Dark Love Series) (3 page)

             
“What are your parents like?” I ask. I've been wondering that question for a while now. It seems like the right time to ask.

             
“My mom is a beautiful woman. She was so understanding and loyal. Family always came first to her. We were her life. I know she would love you, Nina. She would absolutely adore you,” Andrew explains.

             
“Tell me a story about her,” I ask curiously. “Anything at all.”

             
Andrew stares up at the stars. “I remember one time I was helping her scrub the dishes. It was a little after dark. William and Alex were asleep. My dad was off doing something. We were sitting there, and she looked at me and smiled. I asked her why she was smiling, and she kept looking at me while her smile grew wider. She then said, 'Andrew, my darling, one day you will make a woman very happy. You will love her unconditionally and shower her with happiness. One day, my son. One day you will make someone very happy.' I remember it so clearly. She always told me I was a very unique person,” Andrew says. I see tears start to form in his dark eyes.

             
“She seems wonderful. My dad always told me I was a very unique person, as well,” I tell him.

             
“I guess we're two unique beings that belong together,” he laughs at his own words. I love his laugh. It's contagious.

             
I watch Andrew's face as he studies the night sky and ask him, "What was your dad like?"

             
Andrew inhales deeply at my question. “I wasn't close to my father. He was always distant toward me, and I don't know why. Don't get me wrong, he could be nice, but I just never really got along with him. The same goes for William, but Alex was his little baby, his little girl. He spoiled her. I just never really talked with my father, even though we lived in the same house. The only time I would hear him say my name is if my mother wanted me, I did something wrong, or a chore needed to be finished.” His voice grows quiet, and he clears his throat. “He loved my mother very much. She was his life.”

             
“Well, I think she sounds like an amazing woman,” I admit with complete honesty.

             
Andrew looks at me with glossy, dark eyes. He smiles and kisses me softly. “She is an amazing woman. One day we will meet again, either on this side or the other,” Andrew admits as his hand holds mine tightly. I hope he gets to see her on this side.

Chapter 4

Prom

Dear Diary,

             
Every once in a while, I believe everyone has to get away from their normal surroundings. Stress is overwhelming and too much to handle at times. Sometimes it's just healthy to get away from society and have a peaceful weekend. Everyone deserves it once in a while.

             
Getting away with Andrew helped me clear my head from the awful nightmares of Gavin. I didn't have a nightmare the whole weekend I spent with Andrew. I really hope the horrible dreams stay away forever! Time will tell.

Love, Nina

* * * *

The sun is shining brightly through my window this morning. I can feel the cool breeze filling my room. Right at this moment, I know today is going to be a good day.

              My schedule today consists of school and work. That's usually what my day is like. It's like my weekdays are on constant repeat, but I'm not complaining. Getting an education and having a job keeps me busy. I would like to be out of the house doing something, rather than sitting at home, bored out of my mind, being lazy and sitting on the couch.

             
I walk out of my room and go into the bathroom. I decide against taking a shower. Instead, I brush my teeth and throw my hair up in a pony tail.

             
I return to my room and throw on my usual ensemble, a pair of jeans and a v-neck shirt.

             
I make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I find Ali there, cooking breakfast. She looks like she's having a really good day already. She is wearing a bright shirt to match her bright smile. "It's beautiful outside," Ali informs me as she's buttering the toast.

             
"I know," I agree, "There's a nice breeze coming through my window."

             
"I'm thinking about getting outside today to paint," Ali explains with excitement and then starts humming a song.

             
"I think that's a great idea, mom," I say in encouragement.

             
I sit here at the kitchen table, waiting for Andrew. We're going to be late. I keep looking up at the clock and catch myself tapping my fingernails on the hard surface of the wooden table.

             
Ali walks up to me and puts her hand over mine to end the obnoxious noise. "Why is Andrew late? Maybe I should drive you to school today."

             
"No, it's fine." I hear a knock at the door. "Finally."

             
I open the front door. "You're late."

             
"I'm sorry, love. I got caught up in some things."

             
We get into the car and I play some music. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd starts playing out of the speakers.

             
"Wish you were here," the song says. Thinking about the lyrics, thoughts of my dad pops into my head. I wish he was here with me right now. I wish he could meet Andrew, I really think they would get along. My dad would approve of him because Andrew is polite and respectful, but no one would be perfect for his little girl. Perfect guys don't truly exist. Everyone has their imperfections.

             
My dad always said that no guy could amount to what I deserve. My dad was always protective of his little girls. He truly did love us, I know that for a fact.

             
The thought of my father won't leave my mind. I can't think of him right now, but I also can't fight the thought of him away. I want to start crying. I want to just let it all out, but I can't. I won't let Andrew see me like that again. I don't want anyone to know how vulnerable I still am. Weakness is not an option to show right now. I don't want to continue to live up to my title as, "the girl that is emotionally broken."

             
The car comes to a stop in a parking spot at the school. I sit here staring aimlessly out of my front window. The sun is shining brightly outside. It's beautiful.

             
I take a deep breath and open my door.

             
As I begin to daydream about a world that my father still exists in, the first bell rings. Reality sinks in, and I have about five minutes to make it to my class or I get marked down as late for school.

             
I start walking in the school with Andrew and head for my first class.

* * * *

I get to Psychology with a couple minutes to spare. I sit in my usual seat next to Kali and she looks like she's about to burst with excitement. I think she has been sitting there waiting for me to arrive so she could share her happiness with me. "Troy Mathers asked me to the prom tonight," Kali blurts out.

              "Who? What prom?" I ask.

             
"Troy," she says in a surprised voice, "The quarterback of the football team!"

             
"Yay!" I say with no expression printed on my face.

             
"We're going to prom" Kali informs me. Kali looks at me and is still overjoyed with her date. I don't think she notices that I have no idea who he is. I didn't even know that prom was tonight. "Are you going with Mr. Madsen?" Kali inquires.

             
"I didn't even know that prom was tonight," I say as I situate my belongings.

             
"He didn't ask you, did he?" The excitement disappears from her face.

             
"No." I'm actually surprised he didn't ask me. I wouldn't mind going to prom with him. It would actually be quite romantic.

             
"I'm sure he will!" Kali says with pure optimism.

             
"I doubt he even knows.”

             
"Well, there you go. He doesn't even know yet," Kali states. I can tell she's starting to feel bad. She was so happy about her date and now my news of being dateless is ruining it for her.

             
I look at her and nod my head. I'm upset now. I wish I didn't even get the memo about prom.

             
"I can try to get you a date. Then, we can all go together!" Kali says in attempt to stay optimistic.

             
"I can't do that to Andrew. I have tons of homework, anyway,"I lie. I actually have absolutely no homework.

             
"Homework? That's the best excuse you could come up with?" she asks with a sassy face and tone.

             
I take a deep breath, "I panicked. That's the first thing that crossed my mind."

             
I'm saved by the bell. When it goes off, Mrs. Gamage begins her lecture and I begin to daydream again.

* * * *

I'm sitting at my desk, staring at the clock, waiting for the last bell to ring. Watching the clock is making time go by slowly, so, instead, I open up my notebook and start doodling.
All my work is finished, so my attention isn't really needed. Instead, I start drawing stars and hearts everywhere. I look up from the paper and glance at the clock. I have thirty seconds until it's time to go home, so I start gathering my things together.             

             
The last bell rings. I find Andrew and we walk to his car together.

             
Walking out of school is a relief, I was really starting to get tired and bored.

             
"How was your day?" Andrew asks to break the silence and opens the passenger side door for me.

             
I look up at him, "It was awesome. I just can't get enough of this place," I say sarcastically.

             
He laughs as I throw my things into his car. I'm about to get in and Andrew grabs my arm. "Will you give me the great pleasure to be my date for prom tonight?" he asks.

             
I'm at a loss for words for a moment. I've been waiting all day to hear those words slip out of his mouth and fill my ears. "Of course," I say with a timid voice.

             
Andrew pulls me into him and hugs me. I feel his breath on the back of my neck.

             
He pulls away to face me, his eyes staring into mine. Before Andrew could lean in and kiss me, I decide to make the first move. I lean my lips in to touch his soft lips.

             
Then, his forehead meets mine and our lips stop touching. "I'll pick you up at eight," he says in a whisper.

             
"I'll be waiting," I whisper back.

             
Andrew walks to the driver's side door and I stand here feeling unable to move. I'm going to prom for the first time with Andrew. I have absolutely nothing to wear. I don't even know what I
should
wear. I need Kali's help!

* * * *

Kali insists I drive to her house and get ready there. I'm not about to argue with her, I desperately need her help.

              Kali's house is spectacular. Two stairways on each side of the entrance are lit up by a marvelous chandelier in the middle. I'm extremely jealous, and I haven't even stepped all the way in the house yet.

             
Kali shouts to me from the top of the stairs, "Come up here, Nini!"

             
I make my way up the stairs. The floors are shining and I instantly regret not taking my shoes off at the front door.

             
I walk into Kali's room and I feel myself wanting to faint. Her room looks like it's something you see on TV. She has a pink canopy, king sized bed, a couple zebra cushion chairs, a pink, fuzzy rug, a mirror that is big enough for at least three people to look at themselves in at the same time, and last but not least, she has dresses, shoes, and accessories laid out everywhere I look. She must feel like a princess. "Pick any one you want," Kali says as she points to all of the dresses and shoes.

             
"Any one?" I feel like I just went to heaven.

             
"My mom went to cosmetology
school, so she'll be doing our hair and makeup," Kali confirms.