The Flight Of The Phoenix

Chapter- 4

Monday I didn't see Malakai at all. Or Tuesday... 

By Wednesday I was so nervous I felt nauseous. I hoped that he wasn't mad at me I mean I knew he didn't like me like that but Finn was his band member and all. I didn't want to ruin our friendship and lose a chance at getting to really know him again. 

It was about 5 o'clock when my doorbell rang. "Mooom can you get that! I'm almost ready!" I listened but didn't hear anything. I was supposed to meet Malakai at the school and then he'd take me to Levi's house. His house had a recording studio....it's where we were going to create this album.

I had on my bra and underwear. I was rooting through my closet trying to find this new dress that I wanted to wear when someone knocked on my bedroom door and then it opened. 

I quickly turned and then shrieked as I saw Malakai standing there. "OH MY GOD I'M SO SORRY LUNA." He turned to face the wall and put his hand across his eyes. 

I had ducked into my closet. "I'm going downstairs just come down when you're done ok?" 

"Ok." I said it a tiny high pitched voice. I was so embarrassed. Thank The Lord I wasn't naked!!! I was supposed to meet him at the school I had no idea he was going to show up here!

When I walked down the stairs I found Malakai sitting in the living room with my mother laughing and smiling. When he turned to look at me that devilish grin I was beginning to know so well sprawled across his face and his eyes looked positively dark from underneath his bangs. 

"Luna, Kai and I were just catching up. He was telling me about how you're going to be helping out his band. I think that's so cool!" 

I nodded. "Yeah I'm pretty excited."

Malakai immediately stood up and walked over to stand by me. "Well Mrs. Harper we better get going, it was so nice to catch up with you." 

My mom gave us both a hug before we walked out the door. I nervously trailed behind Malakai to his car. There was a certain kind of tension to the air but I couldn't place it. I didn't know why exactly. 

I got in after him and as soon as I buckled he was pulling out of my driveway. "So Finn huh?" The very first words out of his mouth.... But of course.

 "Yeah...why... Is there a problem?" He laughed loudly and then abruptly stopped. 

"No. Not at all. I just didn't think he was your type that's all." 

I felt irritated all the sudden. I didn't want to get into this conversation and types with him. Definitely not him. "Oh yeah? Well he is." That's all I said and he left it at that. 

"Ok then." 

"So why'd you come to get me, I thought I was supposed to meet you at school?" 

That tension I had sensed before we even got in the car was even heavier inside the car. I didn't want it to be awkward or weird between the two of us. 

Maybe I had made a huge mistake. Maybe it made him uncomfortable that I was going on a date with Finn. Finn was his band mate maybe he didn't want me encroaching like this. Maybe he thought it would be bad for business and the band. That made sense.

"I wanted to ask about Finn before we all got together, so it wouldn't be weird for you. Him and Levi are at the school waiting to be picked up too, so this was the only chance I got." 

I nodded my head. "Oooohhhh ok, well thanks." He said you're welcome without looking at me. I really hoped he wasn't mad at me. 

*¥* 

After we picked up Levi and Finn it was even more awkward in the car. I hated this. This wasn't right at all. It was all because of me. They were a band I shouldn't have come between them. I was gonna have to figure something out and soon. I hope tonight went over alright...

We pulled up in front of a huge house and my mouth fell open. Malakai laughed at me. "Get used to it kid, you're going to be seeing a lot of big things." Finn and Levi began to crack up hysterically. 

My eyes opened wide and as I watched Malakai hit Levi and then Finn on the head. "Don't even think about it." They immediately shut up. I knew they took that in a dirty way but Malakai didn't seem to like that very much. 

We all got out of the car and walked in. Before we went down into the basement where the studio was, we got something to eat. There was so much food in this house I've never seen this much food in my entire life. Seriously. 

As soon as Finn came over to stand next to me in the kitchen I noticed Malakai's eyes land on us. And then he pulled out his phone and started doing something on it. I had a feeling I wouldn't like what he was doing...

*¥*

We sat for what seemed like hours just talking. About experiences we've had in the past. High school. Places we've seen and been too. 

Everyone was getting along and I was developing ideas for songs, I already had some things floating around in my head that I had to immediately get down onto paper. 

Holden was playing around with an acoustic guitar making up music as he went. By 10:30 we all decided to go back up to the kitchen and get some more food. As soon as we got upstairs the doorbell rang... 

Levi ran over and opened the door right away. Three giggly blonde girls walked in and I couldn't help but frown. Luckily no one noticed. I recognized them from the club the other night, the one Malakai left with. At that very moment I regretted not taking my own car over. 

The only 3 people here that could take me home were Malakai, Holden and Levi. Malakai brought me, Finn and Levi. This was Levi's house so obviously his car was here. And Holden brought Bernard. I wish Finn had driven himself. They probably all were going to spend the night.... 

And the girls I'm sure…..

How far was I from my house? 

As everyone conversed they started to open up alcohol and begin to drink. The one blonde hung onto Malakai. The other two were talking to Bernard. 

Of course Finn flocked to me and in that moment I regretted flirting with him and agreeing to a date. If I did want to try to escape and get out i'd have to lose Finn. 

"Hey little lady. How are you feeling tonight?" What was with this 'kid' that Malakai called me earlier. And now Finn was calling me 'little lady.' 

"Little huh? How little do you think I am? Hahahaha and how old are you? I'm good, feeling fine." 

Finn chuckled. "I'm 32, are you surprised?" 

Yes, I was really surprised, he didn't look a day over 20. "Uhhh yeah actually...you look so young."

"Well thank you very much. I'm glad I don't look old hahahaha." He had me laughing. And then I looked around nonchalantly for Malakai. Again he had disappeared. 

"Looking for Malakai huh?" s**t, s**t, s**t. How did he know. 

"No... Why would you think that?" 

He laughed. "It's ok. You don't have to lie. You can't help it. And we can be friends, if we do hang out this weekend, it'll just be as friends don't worry ok?" 

A feeling of relief washed over me. "Do you know that you're awesome? And I'm sorry I'm just trying to get over him that's all..." I can't believe I was being so open with Finn. He was just so easy to talk to and I felt like I could be myself and be honest. 

"I'm not offended whatsoever. But that's not the way to go about it. You just need to give it time." 

He was absolutely right. And the first thing I needed to do was leave this house. Right now. While he was getting it on with some other girl. 

I talked with Finn a little longer while he drank some more. That way he wouldn't go looking for me. I told him I had to go to the bathroom and I snuck past everyone. 

The bathroom was opposite the back sliding glass doors on the opposite side of the kitchen. There was a wall in between the back room area where the bathroom and doors were, leading to like a sunroom. It would be easy. 

I could hear loud laughter and talking as I slipped outside. It was so dark. I could feel the fear creeping up on me. But I shook it off and started on my way. 

I took out my phone and put in Levi's address and then mine. Estimated driving time to get to my house was 15 minutes. I'd probably be home in an hour if I could make my way in the dark and not get lost. I didn't recognize the area. Of course I didn't, this was a really rich neighborhood.............

The street lamps were dim. I would feel braver and then scared and then a little bit more brave again. I had to walk through a park to get home... with a lot of trees around. 

Suddenly my phone beeped at me and I jumped so hard. I held in my instinct to scream incase there were people creeping amongst the trees. I guess I would have already given myself away after my phone went off. I quickly switched it to vibrate and looked to see who had texted me. 

Of course, it was Malakai.

• Luna, where did you go?

I bit my fingers nervously before thinking of what to say. I continued to walk. Looking up in front of me and then back at the phone after every word.

• I was getting really tired and all of you were having such a good time, I didn't want to interrupt you. I called my mom and she came to get me. It's ok I'm home now.

.......

• oh really?

....

• Yes really. 

A few minutes passed and he didn't respond. 

I kept looking at my phone and nothing. And then headlights popped on behind me. My heart slammed into my ribs, I whimpered and then I picked up speed quickly. 

What the hell someone was watching me this whole time!?

Just before I started to run a familiar voice came from the car. "Luna, get in. Now please."