Finding A Way Read Online Free Page B

Sierra bolts to use the bathroom at the end of the hall off of the living room. The guys stand awkwardly, trying to not break any of the expensive shit that is littered everywhere.
    My parents are very rich and the house stinks of their wealth. Everything in here is expensive and placed to impress anyone who comes inside. Who needs a China glazed statue of a cat when you've never had an animal in your life? My dad owns a chiropractic business while my mom…well, she doesn't work. Anymore.
    She used to be a contributor to the household but now, with my father making the big salary, my mom just basks in the wealth. She used to have a passion for things beyond diamonds and expensive handbags. She used to have a garden and she adored it like it was another child to her. I loved the garden, too. I grew up watching a tiny seed grow into a beautiful flower year after year. The garden was my safe haven. My one place where everything stopped. I didn't think about my mom and dad constantly bickering over money. I didn't think about the other girls at school making fun of baby fat that just wouldn't leave me.
    The older I got, the more I loved it. During my years, pre-Derrick, instead of going out with the kids from school, I lived with the flowers. My mom showed me every trick in the book. She used to tell me, "Callie Rose, one day you'll find somewhere where you can grow as wild and beautiful as you are. Wild and beautiful as you will become."
    This was when she was an actual parent. When she was a mother and I was the daughter. Not like now where I’m nothing more than a guest occupying her home while my father whisks her away on over the top and lavish vacations every other weekend.
    When Derrick came along, I traded my peaceful oasis for the things I swore I'd never want: house parties, school dances, football games, drinking, and stupidity. Looking back on it all, I realize that’s what it all was. Risks I took every day. Risks which could kill, and that's what they did. They killed Derrick, and they took a piece of my heart along with them.
    Leaving the guys standing in the hall, I make my way into the kitchen and pull out some menus from local restaurants around town.
    "What are you guys in the mood for? My parents are buying so make sure it's really expensive," I shout to Mac and Evan, hoping to lighten my now sour mood.
    Evan is the only one who answers me whereas Mac stands rigid, hands in his pockets checking out the house still.
    "Anything is fine, I'm starving. You choose. Your parents are buying," he laughs, grabbing a seat on the white couch which isn't meant to be sat on, and I smile closed-mouthed at his carefree attitude. He leans back, letting the couch engulf his body while his limbs sag in comfort.
    Pizza it is.

     
    Twenty-five minutes later, we all sit at the dining set on the back deck stuffing our faces with pizza and beer. Sierra checks the time and cleans up plates and beer bottles. Evan stands and places his hand on the small of Sierra's back while Mac stubs out his smoke in the ashtray.
    "Well, we're gonna get going. We gotta check into the hotel by nine, otherwise I'll be sleeping in the car with these two fools. As great as it might sound, it's definitely not. Evan snores like a hippo and Mac, well, that would just be weird." She nods to Evan and Mac, cracking a playful smile toward them.
    I stop her, glaring. "You're not staying in a hotel. There's plenty of room here and you know my parents are out of town for the next two days."
    My parents conveniently left for a work convention knowing I’m about to leave for college. From what I understand, Dad had some urgent business there that needed to be attended to. Too bad I saw right through their lies.
    Assholes.
    Sierra shoots a grin to Evan, smacking her gum. "See Evan, I told you she wouldn't make us stay in a hotel!"
    I laugh at her. She has always had an attitude of always being right. I love it. She wouldn't be my best friend without it.
    "He said