Hope your all enjoying your vacation if your not on vacation your not alone I still have to work boohoo for me right?

Wrong! Working at a bakery rocks!! Except when your boss lectures you about eating the frosting ;-)

Yup I do that but he's a cool boss. Whoa I'm rambling ENJOY!!

VOTE!!

COMMENT!!

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

Chapter 24

Lily's POV

Walking into my room I tossed my bag to the corner of my room. It was a long day and I am tired. I took a step forward than stopped.

At the end of my bed was a woman with her knees against her chest her thin pale arms wrapped around her legs. Her dark brown hair hung over her like a cloak keeping her hidden.

I took a step back. How did she get in and who is she? The floor squeaked under my weight and the woman's head snapped up.

A shocked gasp left my lips as the woman looked me over with bloodshot eyes that surrounded dark brown iris.The woman cocked her head to the side examining me.

This can't be real, I thought. The woman stood up her slender arms shaking slightly. I held my breath as she brought a boney finger up to my cheek.

Her cold finger trailed down to my jaw as her eyes softened. Her bottom lip trembled.

"My Lily all grown up." my mom whispered her eyes glassy with emotion

We were about the same height so I was staring her straight in the eye rather than looking up like I use to.

"Your dead." I blurted my eyes stinging with tears as I remembered her slitting her throat

She smiled at me and mouthed 'be a good girl' before she ran that same knife she used to practically cut me open moments before that day.

She dropped her hand to her side. "Nothing is what it seems sweetie. Life is full of mysteries and confusion but if you piece it together it makes perfect sense."

My brows knitted together in confusion. What does that mean?

She walked to my door than turned to face me. She took ten steps forward counting them out loud. Than knelt down pointing to the spot where the tenth step was.

"Start from the golden arch, its beneath where you walk Lily. All the answers you seek are there. It's there."

"What is there?" I asked

She stood up a sad smile on her face. She grabbed my shoulders.

"When you find it go back home, under the rose. Hurry though there is not a lot of time left."

I shook my head not understanding what she was saying. Her eyes softened as she rose her hands to cup my face.

"Don't believe the lies. It's a lie."

She raised her frail hand to my head pushing my hair away from my face a sad look in her eyes.

"There is little time my little Lily go, be safe and stay my good girl." she whispered as her face faded into darkness

~End of dream~

I sat up on the bed drenched in sweat and panting. Raising my hands to my chest I tried slowing my racing heart.

"Lily?" Jake said sitting up

He turned on the lamp by his bed a look of concern on his face. I opened my mouth to speak but it came out as a squeak.

Jake pulled me into his chest wrapping his arms protectively around me. I pressed my face into his chest and sobbed shaking violently.

"It's okay Lily your safe now." he whispered rubbing my back

Except it wasn't and it never will. I'll always have my mom haunting my dreams but this time was different. It's usually a memory not a message.

"It's not p-possible Jake, she's d-dead." I whispered into his chest

Jake let out an uneven breath tightening his hold on me. "She is gone and your safe Lilz."

Snuggling into his chest I hid my face embarrassed by my stupid reaction. It's a dream! She can't hurt me, she is dead. I'm acting like a fool. Pulling away I wiped my eyes sniffling loudly.

Jake looked at me sympathetically a small smile on his lips. I laughed humorlessly.

"I'm being an idiot." I exclaimed standing up

The bed squeaked as Jake stood coming up behind me. He held my shoulders trying to pull me back but I squirmed from his grasp.

"Let's just go back to sleep." I said slipping back into the bed

Jake sighed but turned off the lamp and got in next to me. I clutched the sheets closing my eyes willing the images away.

I felt Jake slip his arm around my shoulders cradling me to his chest.

Pressing a sweet kiss to my temple Jake was soon snoring lightly into my ear.

He's too sweet, I thought as a dark cloud began to creep upon me. My last thought was my mother's words 'be a good girl'.

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

Huffing in frustration my hands dropped to my side. My hair wouldn't stay up so I decided to leave it down. Pulling my dark blue sweater down over my faded jeans I grabbed my bag heading out the door when I heard a loud thud from Melissa's room.

"You had one job! One fucking job and you couldn't manage that." Annabelle hissed

I stepped closer to the door curious about what could ruffle Annabelle up like this. I've never heard her curse before.

"All I asked was keep your legs closed you fucking tramp. At least long enough for you to seem like you haven't been with every guy within five feet."

It sounded like Melissa snorted and knowing her probably rolled her eyes. "Okay fine, why do I need to seem that way anyway?"

There was a loud sigh probably from Annabelle. "Just do what I say for once." she ordered sternly

Moving away from the door I ran down the stairs afraid Annabelle would find me listening to them.

"Good morning." I chirped as I walked into the kitchen

Jake turned around and gave me a small smile with a mouth full of cereal.

My mouth twitched up as milk leaked from the corner of his mouth. "Morning." he replied

I poured myself a glass of orange juice not in the mood eat.

"How are you doing?" he asked after swallowing

Jake was swirling his cereal nervously. He wasn't even comfortable talking about this. Walking over to him I hugged him from behind.

"Stop worrying I'm fine." I lied and pulled away

He looked up at me a look of sympathy on his face. That's the look I hate the most, the look of sympathy. Poor Lily she had a crazy mom who still haunts her dreams.

"I'm going to go." I said

Jake stood up reaching for his keys. "I'll give you a ride."

"No, I want to walk."

He furrowed his brows and nodded not liking the idea. Turning for the door I tried not feeling guilty about lying but I needed to be alone right now.

Stuffing my hands into my sweater I walked through the empty field at the playground. I needed a quiet place and somehow this place seemed perfect.

I've been walking around the field for a few hours and missed my first two period classes, not to mention a dozen texts from Rach and Nick.

It won't be long before Jake finds out I'm not at school and freaks out, not to mention the scolding dad will give me.

None of that worried me right now. The only thing on my mind was figuring out what my mom was talking about.

It's beneath where I walk. So it's a place I'm always at. School, home, the garage maybe.

Home seemed more the likely answer. Okay home it is. But she said start at the golden arch? There is no arch at any of these places.

Than she said go back home, I've only lived in the house I live in now except for that mold infested apartment mom and I lived in but I don't want to go back there.

I shuddered as I remembered the torturous things mom use to do to me. After her daily dose of what she called 'super water' she'd stumble on the couch while I watched t.v. and tell me that if I can swallow a large gulp of her 'water' or inhale her 'sugar' she'd take me to Disneyland.

Being the child that I was I jumped at the opportunity to go to the happiest place on earth. Every night I tried to drink the disgusting alcohol she'd buy with money dad sends for me. But I never went near her 'sugar' only because she yells at me about how expansive it is.

Once I managed to do it and told mom. It was one of the days she would breakdown and cry in her room alone. She slapped me screaming at how I ruined her. How I caused everything to fall apart in her life.

I remember staying on the ground cradling my throbbing cheek and watching my mom cry sorry over and over again. That was what always happened.

One minute she is shouting the next she's apologizing. That's how I knew the drugs and alcohol made her sad, made her hurt me.

They ruined her, she ruined herself.

"Lily." a small voice called out

Snapping out of my past I looked around the deserted playground not spotting anyone. Than something moved from under the slide.

"Aidan what are you doing here?" I asked walking over to the slide

He had wet streaks running down his face. Aidan sat at the edge of the slide looking down embarrassed about his tears.

I crouched down beside him. His chin trembled as he tried holding back tears. Cupping his small face in my hands I tilted his head up.

"Why are you crying?" I asked wiping his cheeks with my thumbs

He sniffed looking at me with glassy blue eyes that were red and puffy. How long has he been here? Aidan dropped his head low and shook his head.

"Aidan what's wrong? Do you feel sick?" I asked

He shook his head. "Are you hurt?"

Again he shook his head.

A few tears escaped falling down his small cheek. Wiping them away I pulled him into a hug. Aidan immediately clung to my neck sobbing into my shoulder.

My heart-broke at his muffled cries. I placed one hand on his back rubbing in a circular motion the other stroking his hair.

"It's okay, your okay." I whispered

Aidan's small shoulders stopped shaking as did his cries. Sitting up on the slide I pulled Aidan onto my lap. He wiped his eyes his small pink lips trembling slightly.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on or do I have to keep guessing?" I asked tilting his chin upwards

"There is this boy in my class who said my mom doesn't love me, that she left because she didn't want dad and me." he said his voice cracking slightly

I was speechless, what can I say? I didn't even know his mom left. Sure I noticed Jack never mentioned Aidan's mom but divorces or a baby out of wedlock isn't uncommon lately.

"It's true though. She did leave us even though dad doesn't want to tell me I know it's true." he said his tone getting hard with anger

"Hey don't speak like that." I said sharply

Aidan snorted like he'd heard this a million times before which he probably has. I nudged his shoulder gaining his attention.

"Okay let's say it's true. That's her lose not yours."

"Aidan your the smartest, funniest, playful kid I've ever met not to mention cute." I said flicking his nose

The corners of his mouth tipped upward as he fought not to smile.

"If she left for whatever reason she is missing out on two amazing guys. Don't let your mom's mistakes effect you." I continued

Here I am telling Aidan not to let his mom effect him when I'm doing that myself.

Aidan turned his mouth to the side.

"My mom left me too so I know what your going through. The teasing, thinking it was your fault I have felt that way too."

"You have?" he asked sounding shocked

Swallowing hard I nodded. Why am I telling him this, our situations are different? His mom left as in walked out, mine left the world.

"It's true. In fact I still get teased and sometimes I even think it's my fault but it was her choice. She choose to go."

I didn't realize I was crying till Aidan wiped my falling tears with his small hands. I smiled and clutched his hand feeling thankful for the small comfort.

Taking a deep breath I forced a smile and stood up pulling Aidan up with me.

"That's settled so let's get you back to school." I said pulling him in the direction of the school a few feet ahead

Aidan yanked me back causing me to tumble a little but thankfully I didn't fall.

"I don't want to go back." he pleaded looking up at me with sad eyes

This kid is going to be a real heart breaker. Sighing I nodded just as my phone vibrated.

Where r u? Lily u better call me right NOW!

Jake wrote. Oh I'm in trouble, I texted him I was fine and needed some time to figure things out.

"Okay we can both use a break but first let's call your dad so he doesn't freak out when he hears your not at school."

Aidan sucked his teeth but nodded. Grabbing his hand I walked out of the playground back to the house. No one would be there now.

When we arrived I made Aidan a peanut butter sandwich. "Do you know your dad's number?" I asked

Aidan shrugged his shoulders licking peanut butter off his finger. The little brat! Thrusting the phone in his face I narrowed my eyes.

"Fine." he sighed dialing the number

Smiling smugly I put the phone up to my ear. "Jerry's Pizzeria how may I help you?" a woman with a heavy Italian accent said

"I'm sorry I dialed the wrong number." I said quickly and hung up

Aidan giggled and ran upstairs. He better run! Running upstairs after him I listened for the sneaky boy but he was really quiet.

I checked my room first than the bathroom. Nothing, not even in the bath tub where I would have hidden.

"Aidan!" I shouted

I heard a childish giggle from the room behind me. Annabelle and dad's room. Opening the door just a crack I slipped into the shimmering room.

Literally it shimmers. Annabelle painted the walls in this pretty platinum color with the outline of the room in a bright yellow. She also got a matching platinum bed with gold sheets. At the side of the room was a small white sofa below a picture of their wedding.

I stepped forward looking closer at the wedding photo of my family. A young looking Annabelle was beaming with a dressed up Jake in her arms, he was probably one month old looking adorably cute in a small white tux.

Dad was in a matching white tux holding Melissa's hand. Melissa was dressed in a beautiful white satin gown that was like Annabelle's and her hair was being held up by small butterfly clips.

I smiled at the sweet photo, they really look like a family. Before our drama came along, I thought bitterly.

"Boo!" Aidan shouted jumping out from the private master bathroom

Startled I took a quick step back and tumbled onto my butt. There was a hallow thud sound as I hit the ebony wooden floor.

"What was that?" Aidan said as he crouched down and tapped the ground

It sounded regular, I sat up and tapped the spot where I fell. It was hallow. Both Aidan and I looked at each other with a puzzled look.

Getting back on my feet I looked around the room.

"What are you doing?" Aidan asked watching me

"Help me look for a golden arch."

Aidan raised a brow a quizzical look on his face. With my hand I tried forming an arch. "It's like a hill."

He nodded and turned in a full circle. I'm being crazy, I thought as I looked around the room. It's a dream why am I reading so much into it?

"Over there." Aidan pointed to the door frame

It was outlined in the bright yellow paint and it did sort of resemble a arch, in a weird dome shape. I walked over to the door and counted ten steps.

Aidan stared at me like I was insane. I'm starting to think I am too. On the tenth step I crouched down like my mom did and tapped the wood. It was hallow.

Aidan gasped and dropped down beside me. We each pulled a side of the wood with our nails trying to pull it out which was easy because it was already loose.

Inside the narrow hiding spot was a small blue box. I took it out blowing the dust off.

"Open it." Aidan said excitedly

My stomach twisted as I lifted the edge of the lid up. My mom was right, the dream did mean something.

Inside was a small ziploc bag half empty of pills and a two letters one addressed to the garage and the other to an address I didn't recognize. It wasn't our old apartment that was for sure.

"Look Lily it's you." Aidan said putting his hand into the hole and taking out a picture

I grabbed the photo of my parents. They were holding hands at what looked like a church. My mom was smiling her cheeks flushed and her brown hair pulled back by a pink ribbon. She was looking straight at the camera but my dad was looking at her his eyes filled with adoration and love.

"No, Aidan that's my mom." I whispered my voice thick with tears

I studied the photo my throat tightening with the all to familiar sadness of losing my mother. Why did she have to start drinking and doing drugs?!

Lifting the pills up, something is definitely fishy. Stuffing the pills in my back pocket I grabbed the letters and put the box away.

Mom was wrong I have more questions than before and it looked like there was only one way to get answers.

"I'm sorry Aidan I have to drop you off at the garage I have somewhere important to go." I said as I ushered him out of the room

Aidan didn't seem to mind going to the garage as he ran downstairs to the door. I locked up after us and started for the garage.

"Where do you have to go?" he asked after a while

Looking ahead I gulped down an old rising fear.

"Home."

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

:-O I really want to hear your opinions my beloved readers so pppppppplease tell me what's going on in your heads.

Predictions, theories!! Anything! Just COMMENT!!

As Always,

~LovelyDove43~