Ready or not!

Kusterd Kone's

Everleigh's POV...

I finished making Alaska's room and hanging up all the very little clothes that she had with her before I walked into the

kitchen. When I walked down the hall and rounded the sharp corner, I saw Alaska sitting on the floor with her head in her hands.

“Are you okay?” I said and dropped down beside her to whipped the long black string of hair that hung inches from her face.

Her body was small for being a sixteen year old girl. She had long black silky hair and a very tan complex, but most of her family did. She wore a blue tank top and old shorts that had holes and stains on them.

“Yeah, I will be.” she smiled faintly.

“Would you maybe want to go get some ice cream? We could go down to ‘Kustard Kones’ and then go get some new clothes?” I asked. “I got the money sent in on your card.”

“Oh my gosh that would be awesome.” she jumped to her feet and slid on her shoes, “Ready?” her eye shown and she already seemed much happier.

I grabbed the truck keys and we ran out the door laughing and taking up the sun. Summer was almost here. Two more weeks. Two more weeks and then barrel season comes. Two more weeks and then i'm leaving and hitting the beach. Two more weeks and I will be put my feet in the chalky, gritty, tan sand. Two more weeks and I will start to get as dark at the soil that we walk on. Two more weeks. I was ready, until I felt a buzz in my back pocket. My phone was ringing, and my moms name appeared on the front of my screen. I touched the green button to my iPhone.

“Hello?” I said through the speaker

“Hello darling” there was a pause ,“I have some good news and bad news. Which would you like first?” I could tell there was a catch in her throat.

Alaska mouthed ‘​Who is it?’ ​to me and I told her it was my mom and she dipped her head down slowly and then back up. I kept walking. Alaska knew my mom and my whole family very well. Her mom and my mom grew up together, and were best friends, until Lauren ruined it all. Alaska was still very close to the family, being that I was there at her birth and everything after that.

“Bad news first.” my heart raced. What could it possible b-

“They found him.”

Three tiny words that I thought I wouldn’t ever hear again. My head spun and I stopped in my tracks and tried to get my vision back. Blood gushed through my ears like a waterfall.

“E? Are you there? Hello?” she yelled.

“Oh yeah sorry. I heard you” my breathing got heavy and I dropped to my knees.

If only he were here right now. Alaska rushed over to me and dropped down with a thud. My mom spoke up again,

“I know it's hard for you E but its time. They have him now, and to get him locked up they need you to tell your story. It's the only way sweetie.” I could hear the tears falling down her soft velvet cheek.

“Mom I can't, and you know that. Do you remember what happened the last time this happened? He came after me mom.” my heart raced and tears blurred my vision.

“I can't make you go in Everleigh but they haven’t found other girls to come up and testify. You’re the only one that he ever wanted.” she took a deep breath before speaking again, “ we know there are other girls because you’ve met them, but you know they wont go before him, and I know you're strong and everyone will be there for you.”, “I'm gonna get off here.” I said fast and cutting her off . I whipped the wetness from my face.

“Just think about it for me. This is our chance.”

“Yeah i'll think about it, love you mom. Bye” I hung the phone up before she could say something else and jumped to my feet.

Alaska just looked at me. For a strong girl who has been through a lot she still didn't need to know. It will have to wait. I caught her eyes and she looked so concerned. “You ready?” I said with a half smile.

A faint grin popped on her face. “I think it's you who needs ice cream now.”

“I think you might just be right.” I winked at her, put my arm around her shoulder, and we walked together to the truck and jumped in. I grabbed my phone and sent Chloii a text. Even though right now we weren't on the best terms I figured I would at least tell her where i'm at and what i'm doing. It's something we decided would be a good thing to do when we lived together.

"Hey! Alaska will be staying with us. I will tell you more later. Went to ‘Kustard Kones’. Love you"

About two minutes later and I felt that familiar buzz

"Thank you for letting me know. Talk to you later, love ya E".

I felt a little bit of a relief now that Chloii knows where i'm going.

I threw my phone to the dash, cranked up the music, and headed towards town. Soon I would be downing my problems and a cold, sweet bowl of ice cream.

*****

We pulled down ‘Berry Dr’ and Alaska was quite. More than usual. She wouldn't

sing along with the song and when I tried to get her too she would just smile and shake her head at me.

“You okay Alaska?”

“How come you never tell me anything about you E?” she had a hard look on her face. I didn't know how to reply to her question.

“Well I usually don't ever tell anybody about what happened to me. The are just a few people that do know, and besides it happened along time ago.” I took a quick glance at her and then put my eyes back on the road.

“I know that your parents got a divorce and all about your brothers and sister. But I know there is something else, and i've asked Chloii about it, and she wont tell me either. I've even asked my mom and she wont tell me. I've looked into it and everything. I can't find anything E. Why don't you just tell me? I'm tired of guessing and then being wrong. What possibly could have happened to you that you won't talk about?” she just stared at me. Her chest rising and falling. I could see the determination in her eyes, and I knew she wanted to know.

“I know you want to know, but I can't tell you right now.” I held my breath.

 “But why can't you? Do you not trust me?” her face ached with wonder.

“It's not that I don't trust you Alaska just drop it for now please.” I started to get frustrated, but kept my calm. But as for Alaska, she lost it.

“You know what fine. It must have not been that bad, but who actually cares.” her face went red, and fluffy with anger.

The tears pricked up in my eyes. What she said hurt because all my life I've believed that nobody care. That people think i'm dirty, worthless, useless. But I had forgotten all about it until 25 minutes again, and now.

I pulled into a parking spot, shut the engine off, and got out of the truck and started walking whether Alaska was behind me or not. I grabbed the door to Kustard Kones, and walked right square into a body a little bit bigger than my size. I looked up to see that it was Aiden.

“Oh hey Aiden. I'm so sorry I didn't see you the-” I looked passed aiden to see a familiar body. I took a double take because I thought I was dreaming, until he walked right up to me.

“Hi E.” Colton said looking right into my soul.

Oh, God. What do I do?

Trust in me.

I couldn't get the words to come out of my mouth, but when I did it was mostly a whisper.

“What are you doing here?” I said looking away. My heart pounded in my chest.

 “I was to come home. I’m sure you've heard about my dad?” he continued to look at me. He couldn't take his eyes off me

I had know idea of what to do so I just stood there. Helpless.

His dad? What was going on with his dad?

"Don't listen to him E. He is just trying to get under your skin." Aiden said with a wink.

"Oh. Okay." I managed to spit out. I needed to get out of here and fast. Colton's Eyes never left my body. Oh Gosh.