Caged (Caged series Book 1)

by Destiny Hawkins

  “But you said you would, remember?”

  “Tomorrow. You busy tomorrow? I have to make sure I have a helmet.”

  “It’s a date,” I said.

  Lorena pulled up in my driveway and waited for me to get out. I watched as she pulled out, then walked into the house with excitement. I was going to learn how to drive.

  * * *

  Lorena sat in the passenger seat with her seat belt on and took a deep breath. We were sitting in my driveway talking to my aunt through the window.

  “Don’t let her kill the both of you now,” My aunt joked.

  “I won’t kill us, will I Lorena?” I said laughing.

  Lorena’s eyes widened and gave an uneasy laugh, “no, not at all...I hope.”

  My aunt laughed and patted me on the shoulder, “You’ll do fine baby, and don’t worry Lorena, Rose here wouldn’t let you get hurt.”

  “See? My aunt has faith in me.”

  “You aren’t driving her car, and she’s not in this passenger seat.”

  “I got this,” I laughed, “Calm down.”

  My aunt backed away and we waved goodbye before she went back into the house, then I started the car. Lorena guided me through the steps of backing out of the driveway, and then into the street. Once we were on the road, she pretty much had me driving under the speed limit, mostly because of the snow, and the fact that I’m a new driver.

  I was doing okay, except for the part where I kept hitting the brakes too hard when coming to a stop sign. Lorena would just laugh and try to calm me down after seeing that I was getting frustrated.

  We drove around for about an hour and then went back to my house for dinner. We didn’t go back to her apartment because we were avoiding Josh. The two of them hadn’t broken up yet, but they also weren’t really talking to each other. I guess Lorena was finally getting fed up with his crap.

  My aunt had dinner ready by the time we got inside. I was surprised that she had made so much: mac and cheese, chicken, baked beans, corn, and bread rolls. Lorena was excited about all the food and ran into the kitchen after getting her shoes off, “It smells so good in here.”

  “Thank you Lorena,” My aunt said as she pulled out the baked chicken, “Eat as much as you want, because this is a onetime thing. Rose doesn’t really have guests much so I thought I’d do something nice.”

  “Well, thank you, Miss Shannon.”

  “Please, call me Aunt Shannon. I’m still not used to Miss.”

  “Okay, Aunt Shannon,” Lorena laughed.

  “Well I’m all done here. Rose there’s some new movies sitting on the couch, I’m going to bed.”

  “OK, thanks, Shannon,” I said looking over the food. I got a text message from Abigale saying that they’re pulling up and went to unlock the door.

  Lorena just made herself at home and started looking for plates. I just watched as she took one and began scooping food from the pans, “You sure get comfortable fast.”

  Lorena smiled, “So, do you want everything, or is there something I should leave off?”

  I straightened in surprise, “Oh-umm...everything is cool,” I nodded, feeling stupid, and went to the door to greet Abigale and Cameron.

  They both walked inside and made themselves at home like Lorena did.

  “Glad you get to eat, Rose,” Cameron said putting baked chicken and corn on his plate. I popped in the movie Scream Three.

  “Sorry, its only one meet that I’m missing. You guys can handle it,” I laughed.

  “I can’t believe you’re going to miss this meet,” Cameron sat down on the couch next to Lorena and bit into his chicken.

  Abigale was on the floor eating with her plate in her lap, and I sat down next to her.

  “Thanks for coming over, you guys.”

  “No problem, I mean, you were offering free food,” Cameron laughed.

  “You’re a moocher,” Abigale laughed with him.

  The movie started and we watched it in silence, well, just until the funny scenes came on, and we began laughing together. At the moment it felt like things would always be this way, and I would finally get what I’ve been praying for. I would finally just be a regular person, doing regular things, and having regular fun. I didn’t want to feel so different anymore. I just wanted to be like one of them, but this feeling would only last for this moment...

  * * *

  The movie ended, and it was time for my friends to go home.

  “So are you at least coming to watch us wrestle tomorrow?” Cameron asked as he gave me a hug goodbye.

  “Yeah, I’ll make my way up there. I’m your number one fan, Cam.”

  Abigale gave me a hug, and then Lorena, “We could all go together and then go out after the meet,” Abigale suggested.

  “That sounds cool,” Lorena said.

  Excitement filled me once again. Lorena was finally hanging out with us, “Yeah, that sounds awesome.”

  “You guys are going to look like my groupies. I’ll be sure to dress fly tomorrow,” Cameron said, “I’ll have Rose on one arm and Lorena on the other. Abigale can be the sexy ass driver and we’d be all good.”

  “Oh my gosh. Get out,” I laughed, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow night.”

  “Sure thing,” Abigale walked out with Cameron and went home.

  Lorena was sitting on the couch looking up at me with a slight smile on her face.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I don’t want to go home,” Lorena said.

  I paused for a moment, “You want to spend the night?”

  Lorena bit her lip, “I should probably just go,” she slowly stood up.

  “No. No its okay, I’ll just send a text to my aunt. You can stay, I mean I know it’s just because of Josh.”

  “Yeah...Josh,” it looked like she’d almost forgotten about him.

  “Well, it’s late, I don’t really know how late you stay up, but I’ll be going to bed,” I just stood there and looked at her. She looked as awkward as I did.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, you want some comfortable clothes?”

  “Yes, and a shower if you don’t mind.”

  “No, not at all. Towels are in the closet and I’ll bring you some clothes to the bathroom.”

  I walked back to my room and straightened up a little, then I fumbled through some clothes and found a pair of pink matching pajamas that I’ve never worn. I heard the shower start and became nervous about going in while she was showering. We had a glass door that was too blurry to see through, but I’d still be able to see her naked figure.

  I stood outside the bathroom door and gave it a knock, then I slowly opened it and sat the pajamas down on the toilet. The entire way in I succeeded in not looking up, but before I turned around I could see her figure through the glass mirror. I stopped and watched her for a moment, almost enjoying the sight, then when I realized that I was staring, I started for the door again.

  “Umm...your clothes...I put them-here.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  I escaped from the bathroom and shut the door, then I went into my room and laid closer to the wall. I was confused about where she was going to sleep, because I didn’t ask. I could just give her the bed and sleep on the couch, or I could just sleep on the floor. I’ve never shared a bed with anyone other than Winee before, and that was when I was only a child. This is different.

  For a second I didn’t want to be normal anymore. If this was what normal girls did, then I didn’t want this. Sharing a bed with someone is personal, and I wasn’t a very personal person. At least I didn’t used to be.

  I closed my eyes and tried to go to sleep before Lorena got out of the shower. It wouldn’t feel so awkward if I were already asleep and I could just deal with my butterflies in the morning.

  I was almost asleep when I heard my door creek open and soft footsteps creep in. My back was facing her so that she couldn’t tell if I was asleep or awake. When she crawled into the bed, my stomach started to
do back flips.

  My muscles tightened when I felt Lorena brush up against my back, “I know you’re not sleep,” she whispered.

  “How can you tell?” I asked still facing the other way.

  “Your breathing too fast,” I could hear her laugh. “Calm down, I won’t hurt you.”

  I laughed too, “I’ve never had a sleep over.”

  “Me neither. Well not with another girl at least.”

  “Just Josh?”

  “Just Josh.”

  I turned onto my back, still avoiding eye contact. The moonlight was shining through my window and onto the bed. Full moons were the brightest.

  “Can I ask you a question?” I asked.

  The silence meant yes to me.

  “Why are you still with him?”

  “I’m not,” She said softly, “I’m with you.”

  I was glad that it was dark or she’d see me blushing. I would say that she was flirting, but I’m not very sure, “Really, Lorena. Why are you still in a relationship with Josh?”

  “I really don’t know,” Lorena sighed, “I don’t feel the same way about him anymore. It’s not the same.”

  “You mean he wasn’t always an ass? I thought assholes were your type?”

  Lorena chuckled, “No, not at all. He was sweet at first, but...I don’t know...maybe he saw me as someone he could toss around after a while. The only reason I stayed with him was because I was alone, and I still loved him. I mean, I thought that he would change, but he didn’t.”

  “You did though,” I said.

  “What do you mean?”

  I finally turned to her, “Something in you changed, and now you’re not going back to him.”

  We were silent for a moment.

  “Maybe because I don’t feel so alone anymore,” even in the moonlight I could clearly see the blue in her eyes. They made the butterflies go away, “I’m really glad that I met you Rose.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re a good friend, and I just feel safer around you. It was kind of like I already knew you before I met you.”

  I felt the same way, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. I didn’t want to make the moment weird, because it was already emotional.

  “So, what are you going to do now?” I asked.

  Lorena sighed, “I’m going to break up with him. I just don’t know when.”

  “How about after the meet tomorrow? You could be discreet about it, but around a bunch of people so that he won’t try anything.”

  “That’s actually a good idea.”

  I smiled at her and wished that I wasn’t so shy or I’d tell her that she was beautiful. “Well, I’m going to get to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Wait,” Lorena said, stopping me from turning over, “at the party, I was just wondering...about that dream you had.”

  I clenched my teeth, “It was just a nightmare.”

  “I know, but I was just wondering about...Winee.”

  My eyes widened at the sound of her name, “She was a childhood friend of mine....but she died.”

  “Oh...well OK. Sorry, I was just curious,” Lorena turned over in disappointment, “Good night.”

  “Goodnight,” I turned over to my side in confusion. Why did that seem to upset her?

  Chapter 23

  The next morning I woke up to Lorena’s sleeping face. I had forgotten that she spent the night and started to feel uncomfortable again. The smell of bacon alerted my senses and I slowly got out of bed so not to wake her.

  My aunt was cooking breakfast again, and this time she was making bacon, grits and toast.

  “Good morning,” she said not looking back at me.

  “Good morning,” I sat down at the table.

  “You have a good sleep?” Aunt Shannon turned off the stove and then turned around with a grin on her face.

  “It was okay. Kind of cramped, but it was fine,” I said, trying not to feel embarrassed.

  Aunt Shannon sat down next to me and gave me a long stare, “So are you two...” She was trying to whisper.

  I widened my eyes and blushed, “What? No-Lorena is just my friend.”

  “I was just asking, I mean I don’t really see you hang around boys.”

  “I used to in Cali all the time.”

  “Well, this is different. You don’t look at her like she’s one of your guy friends.”

  “That’s because she’s a girl!”

  Aunt Shannon smiled, “Well, if you two are, I’m okay with it. At least you like someone.”

  “We aren’t, and I don’t. She is just a friend.”

  “One that you get all tough and blush aroun-”

  “Good morning,” Lorena walked in rubbing her eyes with a yawn.

  “Good morning, Lorena,” Shannon smiled at me, then at her, “well, I have to go to work, but you guys have fun today on your date-”

  “Group outing,” I said, “there will be four of us.”

  “Right...” Aunt Shannon laughed, “Well have fun. I’ll see you later on tonight or tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay. Love you,” I said. I was shocked that I had just said that, and so was she.

  “I love you too, sweetie,” Aunt Shannon’s eyes started to get glossy, and she turned away. “Don’t want to be late for work,” she sniffled, “have fun,” she said one last time before she left out.

  “Aw, that was cute,” Lorena made herself a plate and sat down at the table across from me.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I made myself a plate and then sat back down at the table, “So, you ready for today?”

  Lorena’s smile faded a little, “Somewhat. I’m a little nervous.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll be your back up if anything happens.”

  Lorena nodded. She looked like she was going to be sick.

  “You can do so much better than him,” I said, “You’re very....cu-pretty.”

  “I’m cu-pretty? Never heard that one before,” she laughed.

  “It’s a new word I just made up today,” we both laughed and decided to talk about something else. After we finished breakfast we both took showers and got dressed. Lorena had to wear a pair of my clothes since she didn’t have any, and thank goodness I had a new pack of boxers.

  I laughed at Lorena when she entered the living room in a pair of Grey sweats with a white T-shirt on. I was used to her wearing blue jeans with some kind of sweater, which I liked, so this look didn’t suit her well. The shirt she was wearing was one size too big, and the boxers were poking out in the back.

  “Let me help you,” I went back to my room and grabbed her a smaller T-shirt. I tried to find something that hugged her curves and made her look a little more athletic. I was surprised when she just took off her shirt, revealing her black sports bra, and changed into the one I got for her. When she noticed the surprised look on my face she blushed, “Sorry, I’m not used to other girls.”

  “It’s okay,” she straightened out the shirt then looked up at me, “Now I fit in with you and Abigale,” she laughed.

  Yeah, she definitely looked like a tomboy, “One more thing,” I grabbed a pony tail holder and put her red and blonde hair up in a slick pony-tail, “Now you fit in. Josh won’t try a damn thing, you just need that intimidating look.”

  Lorena fixed her happy face to serious and it gave me the chills. We both laughed.

  * * *

  Just like the last wrestling meet, a ton of fans showed up for support. When I got inside I branched off from Lorena and Abigale to go and wish my team luck, so I went to the back and knocked on the boys’ locker room door.

  Coach opened the door and welcomed me inside. Once I was all the way into the locker room, the first person’s eyes I met were Josh’s. We stared at each other sending signals of pure resentment until Cameron broke the awkwardness.

  “Well, it’s about time!” Cameron said walking over to me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “We weren’t goi
ng to get started with the prayer without you,” Coach rested his hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile.

  I looked around the room and saw that the whole team was watching me and none of them looked disappointed that I wouldn’t be wresting in this meet. At first I felt like I wasn’t needed, but then I understood that they all felt for me. They knew that something was wrong, and that I couldn’t compete right now.

  “Well, thanks for waiting,” we all formed a circle and did a short prayer. When it was over I wished them luck and was going to head out when coach stopped me.

  “You’re still a part of the team, Rose. Walk out with us. Besides, half of the crowd is here for you anyways.”

  “Hope they’re not disappointed,” I chuckled.

  We all walked out together with me being first, Cameron behind me, and the rest followed. The other team looked relieved that I wasn’t wrestling today, and it made me a little angry. How could they only be worried about me? My teammates alone were intimidating.

  I looked up into the crowd and spotted Lorena and Abigale, then I waved to them and continued walking across the mat. Once I was off, I started for the bleachers to sit with my friends.

  Before I got to them, a little girl stopped me, and asked me if I was Rose.

  “Yes, that’s me,” I answered.

  “How come you’re not down there with the wrestlers? I wanted to learn more of your cool moves.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I haven’t been ...feeling well, but I’ll definitely be wrestling in the next meet,” Looking up I saw that she wasn’t sitting with her parents, or a guardian, and She looked to be only eight or nine years old.

  The little girl’s curious face went hard, and the innocence that she just displayed disappeared. I frowned in confusion as she brushed passed me and ran out of the gym, then shook it off and went to sit next to Lorena and Abigale.

  I watched as our points on the score board shot up. Our team was in the lead! I knew that they could do it, even with my being gone.

  Most of the meet I watched Josh. He hadn’t wrestled yet, and was constantly getting up from his chair to warm up, or to turn and look at us. Fortunately, Lorena wasn’t paying him any attention and hadn’t gotten worked up about him yet. Unfortunately, all that warming up and frustration tired him out, and led him to his defeat.