Chapter 15
When Serenity awoke in the morning she was greeted by three dozen white roses. She stared at the roses for awhile as she looked up at them from her pillow. The roses sat on the night stand next to her bed. She noticed a card that sat next to them. She decided then to sit up. She reached for the card that had her name across it and she opened it, to read it.
Dear Serenity,
I just wanted you to know your beautiful. Don�t worry about last night, your right, I�ll get another chance. I called Mr. Rawls this morning and he agreed to a meeting later today. Isn�t that great! I love you baby and I�m sorry about last night, you just made me so mad. I know you'll understand. I�ll be home later. Love you. -Randy
She half smiled at the card as she put it back next to the vase of roses. Maybe it all was a mistake. She didn�t dare want to believe what happened last night was the real Randy. She got out of bed and started toward the bathroom. Her legs were sore and stiff as she walked. When she reached the bathroom her reflection in the mirror caught her eyes. Her Jaw was still swollen but it had turned more of a purple color. The welts on her face looked like scratches now.
She took a shower and put her clothes on. Then she ate a bowl of cereal and did her hair. Afterward she looked in the mirror again, staring at the scars and the horrible bruise.
She looked in her makeup bag and pulled out a compact. Softly and slowly she put the makeup on wincing a little as she covered the scars. When they were completely covered she started to the grocery store to get something to cook for dinner when Randy made it home.
When she made it to the grocery store she felt strange looking at all the people. Like she was seeing the world completely different, with different eyes. She felt like a zombie as she walked mindlessly, putting things into the cart.
Her eyes were dim and her face looked worn and tired even though she wore a thick film of makeup. She looked toward the ground as she walked, looking up only to reach for something or to see where she was going every now and then. Being sure never to make eye contact with anyone.
A loud clatter sounded and she jumped off the ground from the sound. She turned around to see a small child picking up a can he had dropped. Her nerves were on edge and the smallest sound, scared her half to death. Why was she feeling this way? Why did she feel like the living dead? She didn�t understand, last night was over. Randy had apologized. Why was she letting it all get to her?
She looked up and saw people milling around, her heart began to beat fast. As she continued to stare at them her heart beat faster and faster. Her palms became sweaty and her breathing sped up. Was she having a heart attack? She felt like she couldn�t breath as her pulse raced.
�Serenity, hi what�s up? It�s weird how we keep running into each other.� AJ said as he came up behind her. Serenity slumped over and put her head down as she held on to the cart in front of her. �Are you okay? What�s wrong?� He asked her as he put a hand on her back.
�I feel dizzy...I just need something to hold on to.� She said leaning on him.
�What�s wrong?�
�I dunno, I just...just felt like I was going to die. AJ help me, please help me.� She said as she looked up at him with tears coming out of her eyes. �Come on.� He said pushing his shopping cart next to hers and walking her out of the store.
He walked her over to a bench outside and they both sat down. �Just breath� he told her. �Take in deep breaths and slowly breath out.�
She kept her head down as she breathed and closed her eyes. She then sat up, slowly breathing out of her mouth.
�You okay?� He questioned, looking at her as he held her hands.
�Yeah, I feel better. My head just started swimming.�
She then noticed he was holding her hands and she snatched them away. �You okay?� He asked again, looking at her sympathetically.
�Yeah...I�m just...I just needed to rest a little.�
�I think you had a panic attack. Maybe I should take you home.�
�No, I�m fine. I just needed to rest, that�s all.�
�You look a little pale, Serenity is something wrong?� He asked as he placed his hand on her back. She jumped quickly and stepped back from him. �Don�t touch me, I don�t want to be touched! I never want anyone to touch me again,� She snapped as she backed away.
�Serenity, I�m not going to hurt you. Tell me what�s wrong. Tell me what happened....did something happen to you?�
�No...just, don�t.� She said as she watched him stand. �Did Randy do something?� He asked straight out.
�No! God no, why would you ask me something like that?! I�m fine...were fine. Just because your alone don�t go putting my boyfriend down. He would never hurt me. The only thing he�s ever done is try to help me. Everything he doses for me, he does to benefit me. He loves me more then you could ever understand.� She spit out as she backed away from AJ.
�Well, excuse me! I was trying to help you. Sorry I even tried, you know what? I don�t even care about you and your relationship with Randy. It�s the farthest thing from my mind. It just seems like I keep running into you for some reason. God must be punishing me or something. I wish I had never even seen you at that stupid party!� He paused for a second and then looked back up at her. � I am so tired of you being a part of my life and not even being in it anymore! Your right, if you do have problems their not mine to fix, because were no longer together. Your boyfriend seems like a huge jerk and I get the feeling your unhappy, but I don�t care anymore...if I see you on the street I�ll just walk on by, from now on. You are here on out completely out of my life. Goodbye!� AJ said as he stumped off into the parking lot towards his car.
Serenity looked toward the floor. Two tears started down her cheeks as she shook her head. Why was she acting so crazy? Why did she even lie to him? She looked up as she watched AJ reach his car and get inside. �Doesn�t matter.� She spoke softly to herself. She wiped the tears quickly and then put her attention back to what had to be done. She needed to fix Randy�s dinner before he came home and she needed to finish buying the groceries. She walked back inside the store and finished the task at hand.