Page 47 of Written in the Stars
SERENITY
“Lissa, I’m home,” I shout, but there’s no response. I wonder if she’s still at the store or if she went out for the night with Damien. I chuckle to myself. It’s funny how things happen. Here she was thinking Michael was the one for her and then he goes and cheats on her. Just like I thought, I found the one with Walter and he ended up cheating on me. It’s crazy how life works. But regardless, I’m so glad she’s found someone who makes her happy again. Michael was a damn fool and now he deserves to be alone and rot.
As I make my way through the house, I drop my purse on the couch and head toward the kitchen. I need a cup of water or something; my throat feels so parched. Once I reach the fridge, I see a hand-written note.
Be back later… don’t wait up, Ren.
Why she didn’t just text me is beyond me, but that’s my sister for you. She does things like this all the time.
To be funny, I pull out the permanent marker she keeps in the drawer next to the fridge and write a reply underneath her words.
OK, have fun shacking up with Damien! ;)
I place the cap back on the mark and then throw it back into the drawer. Grabbing the water out of the fridge, I then take a sip from my bottle. We both have our own bottles in there that we drink from and we use the marker in the drawer to write our first initial on the cap. We do this in case we don’t finish our bottle of water, which happens frequently. But at least this way, none gets wasted.
I walk back into the living room and plop down onto the couch. I turn on the television and turn to an old episode of Sex and the City that I’ve probably seen a million times. But I’m not really in the mood to watch TV. I’m just doing it because I have nothing else to do with the rest of my evening since Zander has to be at the firehouse and Lissa is out with her new boy-toy.
Shit. Zander.
I was supposed to call him when I first got here. I decide to do that now.
It barely rings once when he answers the phone. “I was about to call the police to report you missing.”
I chuckle. “I’m sorry. I only got here about ten minutes ago. I was so thirsty, I ran to the fridge. Then I saw a note from Lissa saying she won’t be home till later, and I got sidetracked.”
“She’s not home?”
“No. I think she went out with Damien.”
“Damien?”
That’s right. I hadn’t told him about Lissa’s man yet. “My sister’s new boyfriend. They’re taking it slow, or sort of. But anyways, yeah.”
There’s a brief silence on the line, and I can tell he’s thinking of something. “What’s up?”
“Are you going to be okay there by yourself?”
A rolling sound of thunder blares in the background. I had forgotten all about the storm that was supposed to hit the area tonight. Wherever Lissa is, I hope she manages to stay dry. Well, maybe she can get a little wet with Damien’s help.
I laugh at my joke.
“What’s so funny, babe? You didn’t answer my question.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking of something about Lissa. But yes, to answer your question, I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m sure she’ll be here before I know it, anyway.”
He lets out a loud sigh and then replies. “Okay.”
“Busy over there tonight?” I ask. I miss him so much already and wish I was in his arms.
“Eh, the usual. Going to start drills soon.” He pauses for a second and then adds, “Matt says hello.”
I smile. “Tell Matt I said hey and to tell Val hi, too.”
“I will, babe. I miss you.”
I smile harder. “I miss you, too, my love.”
“Will you text me when you go to sleep, let me know you’re still alright?”
