Malia Hart's Story

C L A R I S S A . R E G A L A D O
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Dialogue: #C02631
Thought: #B227BE
"Trust me? I wouldn't."
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After everything that has gone on in Clarissa's life she figured that it would be time to go out and do something fun for a change. Even though she wasn't all that interested in the fact Malia and herself would be going on a cross country road trip with two men they hardly even knew. Well, Malia knew Drennan, for about a week from what her best friend explained to her but that didn't change the fact of the matter. Honestly if it weren't for Malia begging Clarissa to tag along, she wouldn't have caved in. Besides, it would be best for Malia if she were to tag along as well because there was no way in hell Clarissa would allow her best friend to travel the country alone with two men she hardly knew.

Clarissa finally had her bags fully packed and began to bring them out by the front door of their home. "I can't believe you talked me into this," she stated with a soft sigh and pulled her jacket on over her bare arms. Sure it wasn't too cold outside, but later on that night she would be in dire need of a jacket. The nights always got super cold during the winter months. "Come on, let's get going. We're already a bit late," she added as she retrieved her bags and began to step out the front door of their home.

Clarissa turned towards Malia as she waited for her to follow along behind her, "What was the brother's name again?" For some reason the male's name sounded very familiar to her but she couldn't seem to pinpoint where. Clarissa thought that maybe she would be able to figure out why if she heard the name again.

The two young women began their short trip towards the park just outside their neighborhood. This was where they all decided to meet up. Clarissa practically had to beg Malia not to give them their address because she wasn't sure what kind of men these were. If she didn't know them then she didn't trust giving out their address. This was valid reasoning according to herself. Maybe it was that she watched too many episodes of NCIS or something. Whatever it was she felt weary about it.

As the two of them became to get closer to the vehicle, she immediately noticed who the brother was. Clarissa slowly walked over to the open trunk and set her bags inside as she mumbled under her breath. "Shit," she mumbled. I hope he doesn't recognize me, she thought to herself. Last thing she needed to deal with was a stupid fling she had when she was a teenager back in juvenile detention. Besides it was something Malia didn't know and she would prefer to keep it that way.

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"Art is my passion..."

Dialogue Color ┋ #0034D1
Thought Color ┋ #D34900
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Once they were pulled into the parking lot of the park that was just outside the neighborhood the girls lived in. He wondered what the big deal was about not being picked up at their place but from what he was able to get from Malia, it was something that her friend preferred. At that moment he just decided it was best to drop the subject and allow the park meeting. With a sigh he glanced over at his brother who sat at the wheel. "They should be here by now. Maybe just give them a couple minutes and if they don't show up we'll leave?" he suggested towards his brother.

Drennan hoped beyond hope that this trip would be good for Jamison. After everything he has gone through recently the man needed a bit of fun in his life. He needed a chance to relax and enjoy himself, spend time with other people. Drennan knew it was going to take a little while for Jamison to break out of his shell and that was understandable. He just hoped that this trip would help a bit. Besides, the two of them needed to spend some time together and what better a way to do that than to go on this trip they've been planning since before either of them could drive?

As they sat there waiting on the girls, Drennan reached over towards the radio and turned the volume up slightly and leaned back in his seat. He glanced towards the entrance of the park waiting to catch sight of Malia. About ten minutes went by and he finally spotted her. "There they are," he stated with a soft smile and climbed out of the vehicle. Drennan popped the trunk to enable them to place their bags in.

Drennan looked towards whom he expected was Clarissa and introduced himself. "Nice to finally meet you, Clarissa. I'm Drennan and this is Jamison," he stated as he gestured towards his brother.

Dialogue Color: #008000 ||Thought Color: #000080

Malia had met Drennan at an opening art exhibit downtown. Malia did just about everything with Clarissa. The only thing they had never agreed upon was art. Malia could stare at one photograph for an hour while Clarissa would be done in five minutes. She had always loved the way an artist could breathe life into their work. It was where she found peace when her soul was feeling chaotic. The cravings were as intense when she could appreciate a piece of art.

She had been standing and admiring one of the pieces quietly when Drennan had approached her. They struck up a conversation and discovered they had quite a bit in common. She had expressed how much she wanted to see other museums, exhibits, and landmark sculptures that were dotted across the states. That's how they got on the subject of traveling cross country when he offered her a spot in his car with his brother.

Malia was a little too trusting. She jumped at the idea and agreed to go without a second thought. In her mind she saw adventure. Clarissa was not happy when Malia told her about it. Malia begged and pleaded giving a good round of puppy eyes before finally telling Clarissa to come if she was so worried. Malia always thought Clarissa was too much of a worry wort.

"Oh come on Clair, it's not going to be as bad as you think." Malia rolled her eyes. She was annoyed when Clarissa demanded she not give out their address. They had to walk to the park close by. What difference did that make? "Besides, Marcx is cute, and I'm sure his brother is too. Just think about the fun we can have." Malia waggled her brows. Despite the abuse in her past, she still couldn't help but flutter like a school girl when any man paid her the least amount of attention.

Malia stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as she thought, it was a terrible habit she had ever since she was a kid. "Uh...James...Jim...I don't know, something like that." She shrugged. She hadn't been paying too much attention about the finer details. Malia could still hear her teachers from grade school telling her father she was a "space cadet". She had a hard time focusing and her mind would wander a great deal. That trait had worsened since her drug use.

The car was within sight and Malia picked up her pace. She crossed the distance as Drennan climbed out of the car to pop the trunk. The man sitting in the front seat got out. He had a dark and broody look on his face and crossed his arms. He was not someone to mess with. "Clarissa's convinced you two are some type of serial killers or something." Malia said oblivious to the tension between Clarissa and Jamison.

Dialogue Color: #000080 ||Thought Color: #000000

Jamison sat in the drivers seat tapping the steering wheel feeling extremely annoyed with Drennan. "I still don't understand why you invited some random girls to tag along on our trip." Ever since Adaline had died Jamison had next to no patience. It was taking a lot of his self control to not start the car and drive away. He and Drennan had talked about a road trip for years. Now that Drennan had finally convinced Jamison to go he wasn't sure what motivated Drennan to invite this Malia girl along. "Girl must have some pretty incredible tits," Jamison grumbled to himself as Drennan climbed out of the car.

There was a very heavy sigh from Jamison as Drennan loaded the suitcases. Jamison supposed he should get out and try to be polite. He leaned against the car frame and folded his arms. Drennan introduced himself and Jamison narrowed his eyes slightly. This wasn't his idea. He looked between the two girls with frosty eyes. The shorter one had a bit of a starry look in her eye as she smiled at Drennan. The other girl was a blast from the past. Jamison felt the skin on his neck crawl as he remembered those cherry lips pressed against the sensitive spot beneath his ear...as if his mood couldn't get worse.

What the hell is she doing here? Clarissa was the last woman he wanted to see. She was connected to a part of his past he wasn't proud of. She was the exact opposite of Adaline.

He felt the horrible wrench in his stomach at the thought of Adaline. He didn't like to think about her, it made the pain worse. "We're burning light, get in the car." He gestured to the back seat. It was obvious he didn't want either girl in the front seat to keep him company.

Malia was a bit surprised at how abrasive Jamison was. Drennan was a pocket full of posies compared to his brother. For a moment she started to second guess, but one look at Drennan and their conversations pushed those thoughts aside. She didn't hesitate to climb in the back seat though she felt a bit odd.

"Do you know him?" She whispered behind her hand as Jamison started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

C L A R I S S A . R E G A L A D O
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Dialogue: #C02631
Thought: #B227BE
"Trust me? I wouldn't."
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―――――――☆―――――――

Surprise, surprise. Jamison hadn't changed one bit. Still as abrasive and attractive as ever. All those hot, steamy nights began to cloud Clarissa's mind as she sat in the backseat on the vehicle with her best friend. This was the one guy she hoped she would never come across again but instead she was trapped in the backseat of his vehicle going on a road trip with him and his brother all because of a stupid decision she wasn't able to pull Malia out of.

"Do you know him?" Those were the only words Clarissa heard in the vehicle. Nothing but a whisper that sent small shivers down her spine, causing her to reminiscence about the days she felt Jamison's warm breath against her skin. There was nothing she could do but lie to Malia. This was something from her past she preferred to keep between herself and Jamison and it seemed to be the same way in his opinion as well.

Clarissa shook her head at her friend's question, denying that she knew Jamison. Of course she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep this from her forever. But the longer she had to come up with a way to explain everything to her without her exploding the second she found out about something this juicy in Clarissa's life, the better.

As the silence washed around the four passengers of the vehicle, all that was heard was the roaring of the engine and the wind. Finally after what seemed like centuries, Clarissa spoke up for the first time since meeting up with the guys. "So, where are we headed?" she questioned, hoping this would break the tremendously awkward silence between the four of them. Most likely she knew it would be Drennan who would answer the question because it didn't seem like he was in much of a talkative mood. Although she didn't blame him.

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D R E N N A N . M A R C X
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Dialogue: #0034D1
Thought: #D34900
"Art is my passion..."
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―――――――☆―――――――

Oh, what a rocky start? Drennan thought to himself as he climbed back into the passenger seat. He noticed Malia whisper into Clarissa's ear and a slight shake of her head followed but he wasn't able to make out a single word of the conversation they were having. Though he couldn't lie, he could feel some very awkward tension between his brother and the brunette. Drennan wasn't exactly sure what was going on but he hoped he would find out soon enough.

He just sat and listened to the silence that filled the vehicle as they traveled. With each passing second the silence continued to steadily become more awkward. Drennan hoped that one of them would be able to start up some sort of conversation. He has never been a fan of awkward situations. Especially ones concerning his brother. Jamison just has this way with people that sets everyone off. People get scared of him and he never seemed to understand why. As long as you don't piss him off or get in his way, his brother can be a decent person.

Drennan let out a sigh as he glanced out the window and began to daydream. Finally the silence was broken when Clarissa spoke. "So, where are we headed?" Honestly, he was shocked that she spoke. There for a while he was thinking that she was mute. He glanced towards the backseat at the girls as he answered their question. "Currently on the way to Florida. We're going to check into the hotel and just spend a couple days then get on our way somewhere else." Drennan hoped that this trip would turn out to be fun in the end. The beginning of it, eh, not so much.