Faded Hope

Emotions

     Darius was loading stuff in the trunk and getting ready when Daemien came down the stairs and out the door.

    "What's all this?" Daemien asked.

    "Just some supplies in case we need them." Darius answered.

    "OK, So where are we going?" Daemien questioned.

    "You'll see when we get there,  just get in." Darius replied jumping into the car.

    Darius started the car. Daemien hopped into the passenger seat, put his seatbelt on, and turned on the radio. Pulling out and turning towards Jeremy's, Darius didn't tell Daemien where they were going 'cause he was afraid he would refuse to go, especially knowing it was Lexxi's birthday party. "Here's to hoping neither one of them come unhinged" Darius thought.

    Pulling into the Axel family's driveway Daemien pinned Darius with a volatile look in his bold blue glare. His thoughts, all centered around the memories of HER, while looking at one of their favorite places to hang out, before the accident.

ALEXXIA POV

    After coming home from lunch, Dani and I are getting ready for the bonfire/campout. Jeremy is in the field where we set up our tents getting everything else set up. He keeps telling me I don't need to do anything for the party, but enjoy it. I know it's because they think I am fragile after the accident, but I wish they had more faith in my strength. Sometimes their sheltering is too much, I just want things to feel normal again. Well, as normal as it can be when your boyfriend almost shatters your whole life. Seeing HIM today brought it all back, I hadn't thought about it since he left, and I finished therapy. 

    (FLASHBACK)

    Four years ago, We were riding down the road in his beefed-up black truck, heading to the last dance of the school year. I was dressed to the nines in my navy blue evening gown, while Daemien was wearing his only tux with a navy blue cummerbund and tie.

    "Will you marry me?" Daemien asked me.

    Stunned I said, "what about college?"

    "We can be married and go to college, besides I want everyone there to know you belong to me." Daemien replied, glimpsing at me, and showing his possessive side.

    "I don't think those are good enough reasons to get married, and besides we are too young right now." I stated seriously. "Can we talk about this more tonight after the dance?"

    "Sure." Came his too quick response.

    We danced together until Darius asked me to dance. When I accepted, the song playing turned romantic. Daemien had been jealous of others, but never our family so I didn't think anything of it. However, when I got back to the table Daemien sat broodingly. I asked him, "Is everything alright?"

    "Not really." He deadpanned.

    "Why, What happened? I carefully questioned. Realizing he felt I had done something I shouldn't.

    "We will talk about it later." he stated dangerously calm.

    When the dance ended, we got into the truck, having two extra passengers as Daruis' car won't start. Once seated and on our way back home, Daemien started to act crazy, swerving, and looking at me more than the road. His anger was controlling his movements, that was plain to see. He started to argue with me about the dance, as well as, everything else he felt I had done "wrong". Darius even tried to calm him down, but that seemed to make matters worse. I didn't know where the anger came from but it was terrifying me, This wasn't the first time, just the worst one.

    When he turned his eyes back to the road it was too late to stop the crash that was coming. We hit head-on into the treeline, slammed into the trees sideways, passenger side first. The trees shattered my ribs, punctured my lungs, broke my right hip, and I had cuts all over my body from the windshield. But I wasn't the most unfortunate, Darius' date was, she died in that accident.

END FLASHBACK

    I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Two long years to recover physically, yet here I am two more years after that even, still faltering mentally. I started getting ready for the night, Finding my favorite black pair of daisy duke shorts and Dark Blue tank top I headed for the shower clean up.

    Dani sat on my bed, waiting for her turn in the bathroom. Running in as soon as I came out. Just as we were ready, we heard Jeremy holler. "Hurry up, For lord's sakes, it's just a bonfire, no need for being all dolled up. What's taking so long?"

    I yelled back, "We are on our way, relax."

    Dani asked me, "Why is he always in such a hurry?"

    "No idea, but we better get moving." I reply.

    As we get out the door headed to the fire pit, Jeremy smiles. It's one of those mischievous smiles that scare the crap out of you, Like he knows something that you don't, but should.

    Watching our feet, so we don't fall, we walk across to the section set aside for our night.

**********************

DAEMIEN'S POV

    Daemien screamed, "You shouldn't have brought me here, She isn't gonna wanna see me, let alone the rest of them! I don't deserve to be here! I demolished that when I hurt her!"

    Darius stared at his brother, before putting his head down. He knew it was going to be hard, but he and Jeremy felt that getting the meet over with would help both Lexxi and Daemien. Now, he wasn't so sure. At least he wasn't the only one taking the blame here though. "Jeremy thinks it would be better to do this sooner than later. So he suggested this, today." Darius spoke quietly.

    "On her F**king Birthday, are you serious?" Daemien exclaimed. "You don't think I have done enough Sh*t to her! But now you want me to ruin another day she deserves to be happy as well!"

    "You won't ruin it!" Darius yelled exasperated. "Remembering it's her birthday without being told proves that."

    "I ruin everything, at least when it comes to her!" I barked.

    Raising my head to look at Darius, the sight behind him caught my eye. I didn't think she saw me yet, as she was walking with her head down. The anger in being here drained out of me, fear had taken its place. "How would she react?" I wondered watching her get closer.

    As Lexxi got closer to the fire I saw her glance up and watched as all the color drained out of her face, making her look like a ghost, Before then turning bright fire red with anger. "What the hell are you doing here?" Lexxi screamed at me without hesitation.

    I didn't even get to answer before Jeremy, "I invited him and Darius."

    "Really Jer, Why him? Didn't HE do enough already, now you want to bring him back into the fold? What, do you think it's going to be like old times? Newsflash Jer, He doesn't belong here, if he ever did." She shrieked, stomping off into the woods after her outburst.

    Dani, the easiest to get along with speaks, softly, "Well that could have gone better, or worse." Following a glance at Jeremy and me, she went running to catch up with Alexxia.

    "I told you Dare, This was a HELL of an idea! Now, do you believe me, when I say I shouldn't be here?" I spat out, with my anger flying again. "And you," I spoke pointing at Jeremy, "How did you think this would be good to do to her, on her birthday of all f**king days? Aren't you supposed to protect her? At least from A**holes like me? As well as heartache if at all possible?" Then I grind out to both, "Damn what kind of friends or family act like that?" With that, I trudge out to the road headed home.

    I can't believe those idiots, how would doing that be okay, I thought. what were they thinking? Were they thinking at all? How did they see that playing out any way other than it did?

    Shaking my head I hear a car behind me. I don't bother to turn to see who it is as I am lost in thought about how stupid they were and how I felt about it. But it was no surprise when Darius told me to "Get in, you don't gotta walk" however I just kept walking. I was too irritated with him to do as I should. I didn't trust him not to try to take me back to the party either.