At the entry to every door is the opportunity to choose a different path.

Chapter Fifty-Two: Earned It

Char stepped out of her room, her senses alert. She held the rose in her hand as she walked, her steps echoing as she descended down the stairs.

Then she saw it again. At the base of the last step.

Another rose, in a card.

She walked wearily toward it, picked up the rose, her eyes roaming for anything suspicious. Hell, it all was suspicious.

Then the card came next. She opened it and read out loud:

“I'll be your crying shoulder,

I'll be your love’s suicide,

I'll be better when I'm older,

I'll be the greatest fan of your life.”

Whoever it was must have gone through a lot of trouble, disturbing himself like this. Was this meant to be a prank?

She took several steps around the house. What was she looking for? Another rose. Char snorted. She doubted there'd be one more carelessly lying around. Her mother must have gotten rid of it.

That theory went to shit when she stepped into the kitchen. There it was. Another card with a red rose tucked into it.

What the hell were they playing at?

This time, she didn't hesitate in picking up the card.

“When your legs don't work like they use to before,

And I can't sweep you off of your feet.

Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love,

Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?

Darling, I will be loving you till we're seventy,

And baby, my heart can still fall as hard at twenty-three,

I'm thinking about how,

People fall in love in mysterious ways,

Maybe just the touch of a hand,

Well me I fall in love with you every single day,

I just wanna tell you I am,

So honey now, take me into your loving arms,

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars,

Place your head on my beating heart,

Thinking out loud,

That maybe we found love right where we are.”

Without knowing it, Char's lips formed a small smile as she read. Thinking Out Loud, her all time favourite. She flipped the card over, looking for a name or signature but found none.

She rolled her eyes. How was she supposed to know who it was then? Dumbasses.

She heaved out a sigh. Now that this was over, she could finally leave the house. She made her way to the door, turned the knob and stepped out when she found another one.

She sighed again. What was this? A prank? Really? Because it was getting old.

Char bent and picked the card up with the rose in it. She added the rose to the bunch she already found and opened the card.

“You make it look like it's magic,

Cause I see nobody nobody but you, you you,

I'm never confused,

Hey, hey,

I'm so used to being used.

So I love when you call unexoceted

Cause I hate when the moments expected

So I’ma care for you, you you,

So I’ma care for you, you you you,

Cause girl, you're perfect,

You're always worth it,

And you deserve it,

The way you work it.

Cause girl, you earned it.”

The gears in Char's head ran like crazy. Even though everything was vague, she had a little idea of what might be happening. Or better still, who might be doing all this.

Her parents.

Who else?

They were obviously trying to make her feel better, by making her feel special. Little did they know that she was already feeling better, but not special. Infact, she felt so not-special she wanted to cry. The last thing she needed was a pity party and especially not her parents.

But still, as much as she felt like crap. she wanted to see where they were going with this. Knowing she'd find more cards, she ran the rest of the way to the next card. It laid on the ground just outside her gate.

As quickly as she could, she picked it up.

“Settle down with me,

Cover me up,

Cuddle me in.

Lie down with me,

And hold me in your arms.

And your heart’s against my chest, your lips pressed to my neck.

I'm falling for your eyes but they don't know me yet.

And with a feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now.

Kiss me like you want to be loved.

This feels like falling in love.”

Char was pretty sure her parents didn't have any romantic feelings towards her so she was as confused as hell. She ran to the next card searching for answers.

“Guve me love like her,

Cause lately I've been walking up alone,

Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt.

Told you I'd let them go.

And that I'll fight my corner,

Maybe tonight I'll call ya,

After my blood turns into alcohol

No, I just wanna hold ya.

Give a little time to me or burn this out.

We'll play hide and seek to turn this around.

All I want is the taste that your lips allow.

My, my,my, my, oh give me love.”

This one even made things worse. If her parents didn't do this, then who did? She let her eyes roam the street. Strangely, everywhere was quiet. Not that it usually was noisy before, but at least the she'd been able to hear children playing in the backyard, some couples arguing loudly and even the chiming of a kettle.

Now it just seemed like nobody was home.

She walked on for several moments before she found the next card. It seemed like she was following a trail, maybe somebody wanted to lead her somewhere.

She wouldn't say she wasn't creeped out by it, but she was more curious to know her final destination.

She added the rose to the bunch on her left hand, and opened the card.

“My heart's a stereo,

It beats for you so listen close,

Hear my thoughts in every note, oh ote.

Make me your radio,

Turn me up when you feel low,

This melody was meant for you,

So sing along to my stereo.”

Char stilled. Only one person knew how much she loved that song. It couldn't be. No. She picked up her pace, searching for the the next card. She'd gotten to the park already, still there was no one in sight. Did an Apocalypse happen while she was locked up in her room? Was she the only one stuck on earth, Char wondered.

The card was sitting on the park bench, with another rose tucked inside.

“Tell me that you'd turn down the man, who askes for your hand,

Cause you're waiting for me.

And I know,

You're gonna be away a while

But I've got no plan at all to leave

Would you take away my hopes and dreams

And just stay with me?

All my senses come to life

While I'm stumbling home as drunk as I

Have ever been and I'll never leave again

‘Cause you are the only one.

All my friends have gone to find,

Another place to let their hearts collide.

Just promise me you'll never leave again,

Cause you are the only one.”

Tears ran down Char's face as she finally accepted reality. What was he trying to do?

It was only when she looked down that the memory of the kiss she shared with him invaded her mind. Her first kiss.

Teardrops splattered on the card and she reluctantly let it fall to the ground, her other hand clutching the roses tightly. What in the world was he trying to do now? Was it even him?

She took a few steps back, and ran down the street looking for the next card. She needed to know what this meant otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

The minute she passed the park was when she had an epiphany. She hadn't been to this part of town in eight years.

The lake.

The place where she'd last sat with Daniel, on the dock, talking about their future together.

A/N: Might wanna head back to chapter twelve.

She ran. As hard and as fast as she could until she found the next card. Her breath shaking, she picked it up, joining the rose with the rest.

“You open the door, wearing nothing but a smile,

Down to the floor,

And you whisper in my ear,

‘baby, I'm yours.’

Oh, just the thought of you

Gets me so high.

Girl, you're the one I want to want me.

And if you want me, girl, you got me.

There's nothing I, no, I wouldn't do,

Just to get up next to you.”

A deep chuckle escaped her lips.

Dork.

Her heart warmed at the image of him sitting, writing lyrics to her best songs just for her to read. And what was with the roses?

She looked ahead, the lake wasn't that far from where she was standing. She started for it, her lips formed in a large smile with tears still running down her face.

The next card came into view, and seeing as the lake was just several steps from where she was, she guessed it was the last.

“Time stands still,

Beauty in all she is.

I will be brave,

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me.

Every breath, every hour has come to this.

One step closer.

I have died everyday waiting for you,

Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you,

For a thousand years.

I'll love you for a thousand more.

And all along I believed I would find you,

Time has brought your heart to me,

I have loved you,

For a thousand hears.

I'll love you for a thousand more.”

Char smiled heartily as she read the last words. She couldn't wait any longer, she wanted to know what was going on.

What was he playing at?

What did all this mean?

Her mind pondered over this, and she slowed until she heard it.

Music.

Where was it coming from?

Char picked up her pace, running as fast as she could. Her puzzled mind desperately seemed answers and she didn't think she'd ever been more curious in her entire life.

She didn't know what she'd do if she saw him again but she had a little idea. Her heart would probably throb and miss several beats

She raced to the lake, her mind racing also with different possibilities. He couldn't have possibly done this all by himself. She wanted to see him, hear his voice, bask in his scent and have him throw his arms around her.

But at the same time, she wanted him to stay far away from her, after all he'd put her through. She didn't want to get her hopes up and watch him break her the third time, especially not after all the hard work she'd put into picking up the pieces of her broken heart.

No, she made up her mind. She wasn't going to give him that chance again.

Char stopped in her tracks when she saw the sight that awaited her. Her eyes roamed the lake as a small gasp left her lips. She staggered back, her hands waving around, in search of something to lean on.

She opened her mouth, but only a small sound came out.

“Daniel?”

———————--——

Another cliffhanger! Because I'm as wicked as fuck.... -_-

Okay people, how's it going?

We're going to play a game, and it's called ‘How fast can I go?’

Lol... Sounds fun right?

Okay, it goes like this.... I post this chapter, you guys read, comment and share, and I get up to 7.2K reads in one week. As a reward, you get two chapters. I mean, who wouldn't want to know what happens next? I know I do. It's going to be the most mind blowing chapter in this book. Sounds swell right? :))

Okay then, start reading, commenting and sharing!!!!!