I drew the dusty curtains and sneezed when the particles penetrated my sensitive nostrils.

Meghan wasn't kidding about this place being a total mess. Perhaps I should've stayed in cleveland a bit longer. Those motels, I give them an A plus.

My eyes roamed the empty living room and a weary sigh escaped me. It's gonna take alot of work cleaning this place up. The fitted carpet is beyond filthy. There's only one coach at the far corner and its covered with a white sheet. I can imagine the colony of mites on that.

I walked to the kitchen and checked the pipe system by the rusty sink. The tap roared as muddy water flowed through it. I groaned, judging from how dirty the water is, its gonna take hours for plumbers to clean up the pipes tomorrow and I need a shower sooner than that. I want one tonight.

I've been on than plane for five hours, moving across florida on a taxi for about four just to get to this town. I'm beyond exhausted.

What to do? I can't sleep like this. I feel disgusting.

Are the bedrooms even clean enough to rest in? I doubt it. I don't have enough money to spend the night in a motel and the house is currently unin-habitable. Staying here before fixing it up just won't work.

Bill and Veronica. Meghan said the old folks are really nice.

I peeked through the window to glance at their trailer. The mobile home was arrayed in little wired colourful bulb lights and seemed to accommodate alot of people inside. I could hear the music all the way, sounded like a gathering.

How can a small home like that even host anything? I know Bill has a large fenced space at the backyard but still.

The street has a few trailers just like Bill's and I wonder how they got permits to locate them in a neighborhood with regular housing. Guess anything is possible these days with a bit of connections here and there.

Earlier, I placed my luggages inside the house but didn't check the rooms. What's left is getting my belongs to one of the spare bedrooms and getting settled. I'll do that later after paying Bill and Veronica a quick visit.

•

The front yard had a few people drinking beers by the benches and smoking pipe. They looked nothing near seventy years old. Each seemed probably my age, which is weird since this is a old people's home. I mean no offense by saying that, but I haven't seen anything like this before.

I suddenly feel very aware of my appearances.

I turned towards the road quickly. Glancing at my attire, the skinny jeans appeared clean and the tank top was all right. I tried not to sniff myself. I'm sure I smell fine. I didn't sweat as much today because of the air conditioning in the plane and cab.

I took out the lipstick Meghan gave me and smeared it on my lips smoothly. This will have to do.

It feels like so long since I've been away from Orlando. Showing up at a gathering after moving from my hometown kinda puts me on edge. I don't think I'm ready to meet anyone I knew from before. But I have too. Meghan said it'll be good for me to help realise I've moved on. I don't see how but no harm giving it a try.

I was inside that taxi when I passed my old high school earlier. Thought I'd cry but all I felt was a knot on my throat. I swallowed hard and faced ahead. That was it. It felt great actually. That place doesn't have power over me anymore. All thats left is a nagging feeling at the back of my chest.

I adjusted my jacket and walked to the trailer. The people outside paid me no mind. Passing through the small crowd sited at the porch, I opened the door and stepped inside.

Done. Now I just need to spot Bill and Veronica.

The living space had limited people dancing to very loud music. I wonder where Bill got the cash to buy a sound filter and fit it here. This place is beyond loud. No wonder some people are scattered outside.

This isn't even a gathering, a party may be, though nothing huge, just chill. I gathered myself and looked around.

Neon lights and flashed of blue and red gave the room a disco vibe. This place looks bigger inside. Did they like plaster two trailers together? Never seen a trailer have this much space before.

How did Bill even get this young crowd to come party at his home? And most importantly, where did Bill get those guys over there who are selling .....joints? I'm absolutely certain that the brunette who just passed me is high on some pill.

Okay, the typical everyday wasted crowd. Only twist is that the Party is hosted by the old neighbors next door.

I may have underestimated them. Bill and Veronica are by far the most interesting people I've heard off.

This is genius. Why would the police even crush a place like this? First, they wouldn't notice there's a party. Two, it's a freaking trailer owned by seventy year olds. Who would guess there's drugs here? Nobody. Three, everyone is having a good time. There's no way anyone would snitch on the folks.

But that's not why I'm here. I need to find Bill and Veronica and ask for a favour. It won't be hard spotting them. This place isn't that large. Its basically a trailer. Or two trailers. I don't know anymore.

Penetrating the crowd, I enter the kitchen.

"There she is." I girl wearing a blue apron pointed at me.

Who? I looked around the room. The kitchen accommodated two people, three plus myself. A woman by the corner whose face I couldn't see, and the girl.

"A volunteer."

Me?

Sorry but no.

I turned to walk away but she quickly reached for me, grabbing my wrist before I exited the room.

"Nana, I got her." She beamed pulling me back to inside.

Talk about brutal force.

"You have the wrong person." I tried yanking my hand out her grip.

"Good child, Thanks for offering to help." I immediately heard Veronica by the sink. She was filling it with ice cubes. Her hands slightly shaking as she worked gracefully.

Right place..

"Veronica." I said under my breathe.

"She's a darling isn't she?" She smiled.

The girl winked at me nodded. Her skin a caramel colour and eyes hazel. She has long wavey red hair and bright beautiful features. I don't think I've seen anyone this gorgeous. She seemed like a golden type of a person. Absolutely breathtaking.

"April." The angel lets go of my hand. "Thats my name."

I rub my wrist. "Elisabeth."

I turned to Veronica. "Meghan's niece." I added loudly. I doubt she even remembers me. I usually avoided running into her and Bill.

Veronica glanced at me almost immediately. She's really old, its impressive she can still stand and actually do stuff. She smiled widely at me. Wrinkles formed by the sides of her eyes as she grinned with fake teeth.

I'm sure those perfect set of teeth aren't real. Veronica is ancient.

Perhaps I'm exaggerating.

"If I had known you'll return here one day, I wouldn't have sent Lucas away with that daffodil." She chuckled. "Well, he was never lucky."

Uh!

April snorted holding in a laugh. "Nana you're mean."

True.

"Poor Lucas practically got the biggest slut in town pregnant, claimed he was in love. What do you kids these days even know about love? Nothing." Veronica scoffed. "Bill and I where the real deal. He punched his father on the face and stole his car. Then took off with me. Look at us now, living the dream." She said proudly.

She ain't wrong about Bill and herself being the real deal. I mean, look at this place.

"You never shut up about that, you old hag." April huffed. "It's not even true. We know about love okay. Stop discrediting us."

"May be the rest know something, but not you specifically April. You've gotten that heart broken too may times." Veronica snickered.

April ain't the only one.

April scoffed. "Means I've been in love then." She smirked.

"No, you've been fooled girl." Veronica said seriously. "This blind generation."

The blind part.

"Ain't that right." I accidentally said out loud.

They faced me.

I shrugged nervously as they burst out laughing. Veronica almost dropped the pot of ice she was holding. Had I said something that funny? But their laugh was so contagious, I ended up joining them.

This ain't funny at all, but why can't I stop laughing? Shouldn't April be frowning?

"What's wrong with me? I'm beyond blind." April confessed between her laughs.

"I figured that much." Veronica pitched.

Okay.

"How's Meghan dear?" Veronica asked after composing herself.

I leaned on the counter wiping my eyes. Some tears formed from laughing. "Meghan's doing great. Misses you guys alot."

"Kentucky must be treating her well."

"She's in New York actually." I corrected her.

"Yes yes." Veronica tapped her chin. "Her daughter Janey is at kentucky not her. I tend to forget stuff these days." She beamed.

I nodded. Janey is Meghan's daughter after Gabriella. The only one still in contact.

"Bill recently talked about Meg. Good to know she thinks of us too. We miss her alot."

I smiled.

I wonder, does William miss me? Does he even care.

"Now, you two take out the rest of the drinks from the shelves and pour on those glasses over there. After that, dip these ice cube on all of them." She wiped her hands on her pink apron and sat down on a chair beside the sink.

"Enos ain't here yet?" The woman asked April as we moved around getting stuff done.

I figured its best going along with everything since I'm obviously gonna ask for something later on.

A place to shower.

I snagged an apron from the hook by the door and tied it securely around my waist.

"He'll be here soon. You know how he gets." April replied. "Enos can't arrive anywhere early."

That name sounds incredibly familiar.

Veronica sighed. "He's a good young man but struggling with his direction. Thats what I know."

Aren't we all struggling?

"Why do I have a distinct impression that Betty isn't suppose to hear about this?" April narrowed her eyes. She didn't sound upset though, nor disturbed. Just curious.

Veronica waved her hand dismissively.

I carried the bottles from the shelf and began filling the glasses. It seems that the crowd is thirsty.

"Why do you prefer glass cups to paper cups?" I questioned.

Its way easier with plastic cups.

"Go ask Bill. He's so stubborn. Why did I marry that hard head?" Veronica pouted.

April shook her head chuckling. "He's the real deal, remember."

I laughed again.

"Shut up and get back to work." Veronica graoned playing with her white short curly hair. Damn, the elderly are insane.

"Guess whose here?" April stretched her neck facing the door.

I looked over my lashes at the entrance while scratching my elbow and suddenly my hands froze.

It couldn't be!

How in the world, after all this time, did I end up in the same room with none other than him?

Enos White, he hadn't changed much. He towered about the door, his tall frame and built body still the same. Comb over black hair, inked arms and tanned skin. Sharp enticing features, burning diamond blue eyes, high cheekbones, glorious skin and a calm expression on his perfect face. He hadn't changed at all, same lips red, same eyes blue, white shirt, couple more tattoos. Just like the song.

There stood the boy (now a man), that everybody loves. Always cheerful despite his alarming looks and cold blue eyes. He was staring....at me.

Before I could make it painfully obvious that I was staring at him as well, I looked away immediately and faced the counter filled with beers.

I remember one critical thing about Enos, He saved me a couple of times from the people who made my life a living hell.

But I avoided him at all cost. People claimed that Enos was a hero. He surely didn't look like one. With the thick layer of tattoos that covered his upper body, he definitely come across as no good to me. The reason I stayed away from him was because I never met anyone who did something for anybody else for free. I was certain that he had his motive for helping me. And I wasn't going be his tool box. I thought of him as dangerous. I wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Just like how I didn't stand a chance against James.

Turns out he wasn't as bad as I thought. Up until the end of senior year, no horrible rumors about Enos ever spread. And spectators never shared shocking news about him.

Guess he wasn't what I assumed he was. I always wondered how he never got into trouble for having all those tattoos. It was strictly against school student policy.

As far as hearing things about him, he was a stranger to me. And we remained that way for years.

"Thought you bailed on us." Veronica said frowning.

"I could never." His voice deep, strong and unwavering. As husky as they used to praise.

"Wouldn't be the first time." April snickered. "You're basically a world class traitor."

Uh?

"Stop playing." He said seriously stepping into the room. "I don't do that."

"I'm kidding Tarzan." She smiled fondly. "That's why I love you. Always reliable." She sang.

Enos scoffed. "Yeah sure."

"Why are you late Enos? You know how important it is to get things rolling here. Better go and start collecting cash before I pop off." Veronica scolded.

People pay to be here?

"Sorry." Enos apologized though he didn't sound sorry at all. Veronica just smiled.

"Hey." I heard him greet me.

I averted my gaze slightly from the table to glance at him. I replied with a nod instead. And he didn't seem to mind.

I looked away from his intense curious stare.

Is there something else I should say? I feel like I have to say more. I never bothered to thank him not once for what he did for me.

I better shut up.

That's rude right?

Cool it down, I told myself. You're acting strangely.

"That sweet girl offered to help us out tonight." Veronica mentioned. "Do you remember her Enos? She attended the same highschool as you incase you don't know. Graduated the same year too." She continued.

Enos involved himself with alot of activities and was usually surrounded by people praising him for the great stuff he did. He was basically popular for whatever he accomplished. He excelled in everything. So how would a guy like that ever notice a mediocre like me? But he did. And that's what I couldn't get.

"Really?" April chipped in surprised. "We're you friends?"

Far from that.

"Yes." He replied.

Liar.

"Interesting surprise to be graced by Elisabeth Wilson's face." His voice was clear as crystal. "Last person I expected to see back in this stinky place."

Stinky? I wouldn't say that.

"Means I'm happy to see you." He rephrased.

Oh!

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