Darlin

Chapter 3: Ashes and Dust

Destiny’s Point Of View

I stand up and head to my bathroom it is really early in the morning. It is like six am and I am still half asleep. My brain is foggy And everything is feeling super peaceful almost serine. I feel a sense of calm wash over me as I watch the LA sun rise in the sky. Once I finish using the bathroom I head out on the porch with a cup of coffee in hand. I sit on Jake’s porch swing watching the sun rise as I take in a breath of the crisp California air letting it fill my lungs.

As I exhale the breath I feel that same calm I had when my dad was still alive. I smile as the good memories flood back. I rock in the porch swing a gentle breeze comes through slightly messing up my hair making me chuckle for the first time in a long time.

Jake walks out still in his PJs but there is a slight smile on his face.

“You look peaceful,” He says with a warm tone that could almost could be described as fondness.

“Yea I have always love sunrises,” I say happily.

“That is the first time I have seen you truly happy,” Jake says as he sits next to me.

“Yeah it feels amazing to be this happy again,” I say.

We sit there in a comfortable silence no words needed. We lean back on the swing half cuddling half just sitting there wathing the sun rise into the sky before we start getting ready for our day.

“So the band will be here at three pm for the meeting,” Jake says.

“Okay that is cool,” I say as we both stand up and head inside to start breakfast.

Jake turns on the stove and starts making the batter to make pancakes. While I put on another part of coffee knowing we both need more to wake us up fully. I watch as he flips the pancakes and I can’t help the sparkle that appears in my eyes.

“So you need to get more hair dye to cover those roots?” Jake asks.

“Yeah but I am thinking of going blue to kinda refresh my vibe seeing as I am starting to feel like myself again,” I say.

“That sounds like a good plan we can do that later this week after you meet the band and get used to them being around,” Jake says.

“Okay that sounds like a plan, and who is all in this band of yours?” I ask.

“Well there is Matt Duffney who plays guitar, Kooper Hanosky who also plays guitar, Wonitta Rivero who plays bass and keyboards, and Kyle Persell who plays drums,” Jake says.

“Okay,” I say committing those names to memory.

Jake and I work well together our bodies working in tandem. We are getting closer together as we keep talking. I feel myself slowly getting happier and more open.

Our hands brush as we both move around the kitchen. I look away my cheeks flushing slightly at the unintental intimate touch. We both have a soft smile on our faces as this happens even with the flushing of my cheeks.

After this moment passes there is a knock on the door signaling the band’s arrival to Jake’s house. I take a deep breath as Jake goes to answer the door.

In walks Kyle, Wonitta, Matt, and Kooper.

“Hey man who is this that you wanted us to meet,” Matt says.

“Guys is this Destiny. Destiny this is Kyle, Matt, Wonitta, and Kooper,” Jake says.

“Hey,” I say with an awkward smile.

“Hey,” Kyle says.

“Jake who is she? Your girlfriend?” Wonitta asks.

“No she is Evalynn’s daughter,” Jake says making a face at them that is a cross between offence and something deeper.

The band nods and Jake leads them further into the house.

“Jake I am gonna clean the kitchen,” I say heading to the kitchen.

“Okay thanks Destiny,” Jake calls back to me.

I get into the kitchen and start on the dishes. Washing and drying them before putting them away. Then I move onto the floors and start with sweeping the dust and dirt into a pile and then putting it into a dustpand and emptying the pan into the trash. After the floor is swept I pull out the mop and start mopping the floor. Once the floor is dry I clean the counters and the sink. After that I head to get the spices put away.

Finally the kitchen is in order.

Jake’s Point Of View

“So Jake do you have a thing for her?” Kyle asks his voice teasing.

“No what makes you think that?” I ask.

“Oh I don’t know the way you just let her clean your kitchen,” Wonitta says.

“She is just being helpful,” I say.

They roll their eyes but they drop it for now. I turn on the TV to a random channel and it happens to be a video about the music festitval that is coming up.

“Guys we should practice we have to be there,” Kyle reminds us.

“Yeah we should,” I say.

We all get up and head to the studio that I have in my basement. We all get ready and start playing me on vocals obviously. We play for a few hours while Destiny is in her room relaxing and watching her TV. I can occasionally hear her laughing at something stupid on the TV in her room. Her laugh makes me smile knowing she has changed a lot since I took her out here. We keep practicing for a couple more hours before the guys decide to head out and call it a night. Once they are gone I shut and lock the door before heading to my room to sleep knowing that Destiny is asleep in her room that is down the hall from mine. This is the night that the dreams start up.