A World Unknown

Chapter 13 Where it All Starts

Coming around the bend, the familiar sight of Red caught my eye. She was perched comfortably in the passenger seat of her Jeep, leaning slightly against the window as she chatted animatedly with SJ, who stood next to Hairball. Their laughter and chatter carried faintly through the air, mingling with the sounds of the evening. As I put my car in park, my gaze shifted to the backseat where Anna was nestled snugly in her car seat, fast asleep. Her soft breathing was undisturbed, her face peaceful.

Not wanting to disturb her slumber, I carefully eased the car door shut with a gentle click, making sure not to let it slam. The coolness of the night wrapped around me as I walked toward the group, my pace unhurried. Red's voice reached me before I even got close. It had a distinct, unmistakable timbre—warm and sharp all at once. Even if you hadn’t laid eyes on her, the moment you heard that voice, you’d know exactly who it was. From the few conversations I’d had with her, Red seemed like a good sort, someone grounded and easy to talk to.

As I approached the Jeep, she turned her head and greeted me with a casual, "Hey, Becca, what are you up to?" Her tone was friendly, the corners of her mouth pulling into a slight smile. Before I could answer, she leaned forward slightly, holding something out toward me. "You want some of this?" she added with a sly grin, her eyes glinting in the dim light.

Red let out a laugh as she looked at me. “You want some of this, Bean?” she asked, her voice playful. I blinked in confusion. “Bean?” I repeated, glancing at SJ for some clarity. He chuckled softly. “She means hydro,” he explained casually.

“Oh, no, I’m good,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I’ve never really done pain pills.” Red shrugged with a grin. “More for me,” she said, doing her line with practiced ease before passing the plate to Hairball.

As she hopped out of the Jeep, her tone shifted. “I wish I wouldn’t have started them,” she admitted, her voice quieter, tinged with regret. “It’s one of the worst habits I’ve ever gotten myself into. If I don’t have them, I’m sick as f*ck. Puking sick.”

I frowned. “I don’t think I’d want to try something if it makes me sick like that,” I said. Red gave me a knowing look. “It doesn’t at first,” she replied matter-of-factly. “But if you keep doing them, it’ll catch up to ya.”

SJ wrapped his arm around me, guiding me toward the door. I hesitated, pulling away. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his lips curling into that irresistible pout.

“Anna’s in the car,” I said, turning on my heel to go back for her. Peering through the window, I saw she was still sound asleep, her little face peaceful. I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, when I felt SJ’s arms wrap around my waist. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “I hope you’re coming in for a while. We can put a blanket on the floor for her to play on when she wakes up.”

“I don’t really want to wake her up,” I said. “She’ll be cranky if I do.”

“Well,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring, “you can lay her in my bed if you’d like.” Without waiting for my reply, he opened the car door and unlatched her car seat, lifting it effortlessly and carrying it toward the house.

“Okay,” I said, grabbing her diaper bag and a few toys before following him inside. After carefully laying anna in his bed I prop some of the pillows along the edge so she doesn't accidently roll on to the floor. Walking into the kitchen everyone is sitting around the table just like any other time when hairball tells Red to bust another one down for them. She shrugs her shoulders and starts digging in her bag. While we all sit there talking, she hands hairball the plate where he does his line passing it around. I was curious why they even started to do them so i asked What do they do to you? I mean i have done molly a couple of times when i was in high school at some bonfires and ive smoked weed so what kind of buzz did they give you i asked. Well... it kind of gives you a pick-up Sj said. It makes you want to get stuff done. Oh no s**t i said that don't sound too bad. Can i try a little of it. He shakes his head when he says you don't want to get yourself to into them if they really are a bad habit. I'm not going to start doing them all the time i just want to see what they were like when he passed me the plate with the other half of his line that was cut out for him. I did it which was horrible tasting. It was chalky and dry and had left a nasty taste in my mouth. Eww i said as i handed the plate back to red. Yeah, they Arnt to tasty she said but the drip from it is the best part. I assumed that she meant that nasty taste you got in the back of your throat as you sucked in like the bean was dripping from your nose to your throat. Kinda like when you hack a loggie except the opposite.

We hung around for a bit longer, chatting and cracking jokes, until Hairball glanced at Red and said, “It’s about time to go grab the kids.” Red nodded, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door. “See ya later!” she called over her shoulder as she strolled out, Hairball following close behind. I glanced over at SJ and caught him already looking at me, his gaze steady and unreadable. Heat crept up my neck, and I felt my cheeks flush—likely a telltale shade of crimson. My heart stuttered as the corner of his lips tugged into a subtle smile.

“I didn’t think you were coming back,” he said, his voice warm and familiar as he rose to his feet. Slowly, he extended his hand toward me. When I placed mine in his, he gently pulled me closer, his touch steady and reassuring.

“I really didn’t think you were coming back,” he repeated, his tone softer now. “I was starting to get worried, so I went looking for you earlier.” His eyes met mine, and I could see the nervousness lingering there, a vulnerability that made my heart ache.

“I didn’t mean to stay away so long,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I thought maybe we moved too fast, and I was afraid you didn’t feel the same way. I figured I’d give you a little space and see what happened.”

Before I could say more, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was both tender and urgent. Without breaking the moment, he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward his room.

Just as he stepped inside, he froze. “Oops, I forgot,” he muttered, his voice tinged with amusement. Sitting up in the bed was Anna, her wide eyes fixed on us.

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling out before I could stop it. “I think we’re caught,” he said, chuckling along with me, his grin as wide as mine.