Rekindling the Fires and Sparking New Flames: Ch1
Banner Credit to clex_monkie89
Title: Rekindling the Fires and Sparking New Flames
Author: jenniferkaos
Fandom: Supernatural
Summary:A nightmare vision of an old friend takes Sam and Dean back to Lawrence, Kansas against Dean's better judgement. The murder of a college girl, and a series of inexplicable events following convince the Winchesters that they may have a case after all.
Pairings/Characters: Dean, Sam, OFC, OMC
Ratings: T (M in the future)
Chapter One
Standing at the top of the staircase, Jennifer Scott chatted casually with her friend, Sandra. As she took a sip of her fruity cocktail, she leaned forward against the wooden banister and gazed at the groups of college kids dancing downstairs on the small dance floor. It was the first week back at school and already it seemed like this year would prove to be the hardest. Kansas University was known for being a well-respected school with highly-knowledgeable professors. The amount of students in each classroom was so big that the professors rarely remembered anyone’s name but still the students shared a sense of camaraderie from the understanding of being tortured by college life.
“I don’t know, Sandy, but I just have this feeling that this semester is going to kick me in the ass,” Jennifer said, looking down at the groups of students. “I pretty much wasted last year so this year I have to make up for it and really focus. This year signifies a new beginning,” she said, bringing the red Solo cup to her lips. She turned around, leaning her hip against the banister to face her friend.
At that moment, a group of guys walked by. Catching the admiring glance of one, Jennifer smiled and quickly turned her head back to her friend, avoiding eye contact.
Sandra placed her right hand delicately on her hip. Motioning behind her, she said, “Those guys back there. If that is any indication as to what this year is going to be like, you’re going to have a hard time starting over. Girl, you’re gorgeous. How do you plan on keeping your mind focused?”
Shaking her head so that her hair fell behind her, Jennifer said, “Keeping my head in my books. That’s how I’ll remain focused.”
The party’s dim lighting shined against Jennifer’s light tan skin, singling out the strips of red in her auburn hair. Bringing her cup to her gloss covered lips, she finished the rest of her drink.
“Plus I can’t help it if they are just attracted to my bubbly personality,” she joked, tilting her head slightly to the right and fanning herself. She placed the cup on the banister.
Sandra tilted her head back and allowed the last drop of cocktail in her mouth. Grabbing Jennifer’s cup from the banister, she said, “We are at a college party right now. We need to forget about boys, men, and whoever else and just live for tonight. You know what? We just need to get wasted. I’m getting you another drink” Sandra said wavering slightly in her tipsy state, waving the two cups around.
Jennifer raised her hand to stop her but the bouncy brunette was already down the steps. Calling over the banister, Jennifer yelled, “Sandra, I told you I’m controlling my alcohol consumption this year.”
Looking up at Jennifer’s glowing face, Sandra shrugged her shoulders and cupped her ear. “What did you say? I can’t hear you over this loud music,” she yelled back, laughing as she continued toward the drink table.
Shaking her head, Jennifer sighed. She knew Sandra meant well but sometimes the girl didn’t understand that no meant no. Closing her eyes, she leaned her back against the banister and allowed herself to get lost in the music, her anxieties and tension from the last week diminishing in the soft bass beat and vibration of the music. The sound of a throat being cleared in front of her startled her, eyes flying open. Standing in front of her was the same boy she had seen earlier except this time, he stood with two drinks in his hands.
Handing one of the red cups to her, he said, “Hi, I’m Jacob.”
Gazing to his masculine hands, Jennifer retrieved the drink. Revealing the dimples in her cheeks, Jennifer grinned, saying, “Thank you! I’m Jennifer. Didn’t I see you earlier?” she asked, pointing her thumb behind her.
Jacob looked down at the small-framed girl looking up at him. He couldn’t help but notice how her black dress pants seemed to fit her in all the right places, showing off her tiny round ass. “Yep, that was me,” he said.
Tilting her head upward, Jennifer gazed into his bright electric blue eyes. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Jennifer. I needed to come back and tell you that.”
He placed his hand on her arm. Looking at the hand caressing her arm, Jennifer’s breathing deepened as her heart raced faster. Everything around her disappeared as a memory came back to her.
Sitting her plastic cup on the nightstand, she looked dazedly at the guy who sat beside her. Grabbing her forehead, a sharp pain like needles shot through her. As her eyes became heavy, she fought to keep them open. Classic rock music flowed from an antique record player through the room.
“Did you slip me something?” she asked, peering at the man’s evil sneer. She tried to get up, but as if an imaginary rock weighed her down, she fell back to the bed.
Pulling her back to the bed, the guy said, “Why don’t we just lie back down? Don’t want you to hurt yourself.” The man rushed to the record player, turning it up and then, hurried to the door, locking it. He walked back to the bed, kneeling beside the comatose girl.
“Leave me alone,” Jennifer said groggily, trying to sit up. He leaned over her, shrugging her right arm out of her leather jacket. Unable to defend herself, Jennifer fell paralyzed. “Get off me,” she demanded, attempting to swat at his hands. As he kissed her neck, Jennifer used her left hand to pull her phone out of her jacket, pushing speed dial. “Help,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Feeling his mouth against her upper chest, she heard the sound of the door rattle.
“Jennifer?! Are you in here?” she heard, followed by a heavy knocking as everything went black.
Jennifer looked around her at the party-goers. The upstairs was crowded with couples socializing amongst themselves. After a full summer off, Jennifer had thought she was over the incident or at least came to terms with it. But being in this type of environment, she realized it was too soon and she truly wasn’t over it yet.
Handing the cup to Jacob, she said, “I’m sorry but I have to go find my friend now. I’m flattered by your compliment but I can’t do this right now. Maybe another time.”
Not saying another word, she hurried down the stairs, glancing back at the dumbfounded Jacob staring at the cup in his hand. Jennifer felt bad for the sudden change in her behavior but the entire situation was too much for her to handle so soon.
Walking to the closet containing everyone’s coats, she brushed through them until she found her black pea coat. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled her phone out and dialed Sandra’s number.
After the fourth ring, she heard her say, “Hey, you’ve reached Sandra. Leave me a message after this annoying tone.”
Rolling her eyes, Jennifer noticed that it was ten fifty-three. Well, great! Now I can spend the rest of the night studying, she thought to herself sarcastically. Placing her phone back into her pocket, she laid her coat over her arm. Where is that girl? she asked herself. Clearly you don’t have to go clear to Cuba to get drinks. The party had filled up since her arrival earlier which made it difficult to find anyone. Squeezing through a small group of people, she gave the room a final look around. Giving up, she stopped to put her coat on. As she slid her arm into the sleeve, her eyes fixated on an object lying by her feet. Bending down, she noticed it was someone’s cell phone. It was Sandra’s.
A piercing scream broke through the house interrupting the music, talking, and dancing. With confusion and fear in the air, the party guests fell silent, looking amongst themselves. It only took one person to lead the bunch in the direction of the scream. Uneasiness fell over Jennifer as she hurried in the opposite direction. After finding Sandra’s phone on the floor, her gut told her something was wrong. The house made a loop around so that Jennifer was able to get to the room without any trouble. The doorframe was blocked by the crowd of students, distress apparent on their faces, others stared fixedly into the room. Pressing between two of them, Jennifer hurried into the room, freezing in her tracks.
The room began to spin around as her breathing quickened uncontrollably. She felt frozen in place as she stared at Sandra’s body lying on the bed. She went numb as the cold spread from her stomach outward, unable to feel her feet or hands. Jennifer, do something, she said to herself.
Without another thought, she yelled, “Someone call 911!” Her stare remained fixated to her friend. There was so much blood. Not only were the bed sheets soaked but her gaze fell to the puddle that had formed on the brown carpeted floor.
Feeling her stomach contract sharply, she felt the earlier contents burn the back of her throat. Turning abruptly, she leaned over as the small amount of alcohol and bile left her mouth and splattered on the floor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dean sat contentedly behind the wheel of his black Impala while his brother Sam slept peacefully in the passenger seat. The two had just finished a case and they were due for a break. Drumming his fingers against the steering wheel, the sound of classic rock flowed through the car.
Without warning, Sam bolted upright causing Dean to swerve the car.
“Damn it, Sammy!” Dean cursed, bringing the Impala back under control. “What the hell happened?”
“Dean, we have to turn back around,” Sam exclaimed, turning his whole body towards his brother. He wiped his damp bangs away from his forehead. “We need to go back to Kansas,” Sam said, desperation in his voice.
Turning the sound of the radio down, Dean looked at his little brother and asked, “Kansas? As in Lawrence, Kansas?”
Nodding his head, Sam opened the glove compartment. “Yeah. Lawrence, Kansas. I had another nightmare and this time it was about a girl,” he said, as he retrieved a map.
“A girl?” Dean asked, watching his brother fish around the compartment.
Sitting back up, Sam unfolded the map, running his index finger across the thin sheet of paper. “I saw a girl…sitting in a chair. She was crying and there was this bright light,” he explained.
“Let me get this straight. You want me to turn this car around and head five hundred miles behind us because you had a nightmare about a girl?” Dean asked. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to understand what Sam was talking about. “Doesn’t sound like a nightmare if you ask me,” he said, looking at the road and then back to his brother.
Sam looked forward out the window, trying to come up with words to convince Dean. He knew how he sounded. It seemed crazy to him. But he had seen her in his dream and had a gut feeling something wasn’t right about it.
“Dean, I need you to trust me on this one,” Sam said, running his hand across his face. “We don’t have much time. She could be in danger as we speak,” he urged, leaning his head back against the seat. “Come on. Let’s just turn this car back around before it’s too late.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Dean briefly closed his eyes. “Look, Sam. I need a little more than just to save a girl you saw in your dream for me to turn this car around,” Dean told him, looking at his brother. “We save people from monsters. How do we even know this is even our kind of case?”
“You’re right. We don’t know this is our kind of case but if we don’t go back and she dies, it’s on me, Dean,” Sam said, running his fingers through his bangs. He traced a red line across the paper and said, “I figure we can cut through here…”
Rolling his window down, Dean grabbed the map from Sam’s hand, throwing it out.
“Hey! What’d you do that for?” Sam asked as Dean rolled his window back up.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white, Dean said, “I’m not turning this car around, Sammy.”
Sighing, Sam gazed at his brother. He didn’t say a word as he studied his older brother. Every emotion Dean tried to hide displayed across his face. Sam understood it was unfair of him to ask this but that girl was in trouble. Sam had a strong feeling about this and the scary thing about it was Sam knew the girl. He couldn’t sleep until he knew she was safe.
Dean’s eyes darkened as the memories returned. Hearing his mother’s screams as the room engulfed into flames. Seeing the fear on his father’s face as he told him to carry Sammy outside.
Turning his head to Sam, he said, “Do you realize what you are asking me to do?” Dean’s face fell, as emotions began resurfacing. “You’re telling me that we have to go back home.”
Speaking softly, Sam said, “Look. Dean, we have to check this out. Just to make sure.”
Looking at his little brother, Dean knew that his brother was right. After all, they were in the business of saving people. Nodding his head in understanding, Dean made a u-turn and headed toward Lawrence, Kansas.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Liz Lange hurried into the small diner. She smiled at a few of her regular customers as she walked towards the backroom, pulling her shoulder-length blond ringlets into a ponytail. Acknowledging her co-worker, Liz walked to the back to punch in before she was even later. Sneaking a peek behind her, Liz opened her red, paint-chipped locker.
Kara followed the blonde to her locker. Crossing her arms, she leaned her hip against the set of lockers and said, “You know I can’t keep vouching for you, chick. You’ve gotta start getting here on time or Rick is going to fire you and me both.” Kara watched as Liz pulled her long sleeve undershirt off, leaving her in her light blue bra.
Smiling towards her concerned co-worker, Liz ignored Kara’s lecture, grabbing her work shirt. Placing her arms through the sleeves, she said, "Hey, Kara! How are you today?”
Kara rolled her eyes and sighed. This week alone, Liz had been late three times. Kara wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep lying for her. The manager was already beginning to get suspicious.
“Don’t change the subject, Liz. So, what’s your excuse today? Were you studying or writing on your novel this time?” she asked.
After she had placed the pale pink skirt on, Liz reached inside the locker for her name tag. Finding the white square plate laying in the corner, she looked down at her name. From the first day she started college, she wanted to earn responsibility. “Go team go” pep rallies, basketball jocks and underage parties were all behind her now. All she had going for her now was a bright successful future and that was where her mind needed to be.
"Neither. Actually, I had a migraine from hell that wouldn’t go away. It was odd. I don’t usually get them,” she said. “I debated calling out tonight but I knew you’d kill me if I did,” she added, attempting a joke as she brushed past Kara.
Walking through the double doors, Liz wrapped her apron around her waist and glanced around the empty diner. It was Friday night which meant that the local fraternity house was hosting a “Welcome Back” party. Most of the diner’s regulars were college kids on a budget.
“At least we aren’t crowded tonight,” Liz said, grabbing the notepad from under the bar. Kneeling behind the counter, she grabbed a few pens. She heard the jingle of the bell at the door. Great. More customers, she thought.
“Hey, Liz, I’m going to let you take care of the hotties who just took a seat at table twelve,” Kara said, as the two guys walked to the first booth.
Standing from the counter, Liz stared in the direction of the guys. Watching as the two took their seats opposite each other, she nodded her head. “Yeah. Sure,” she said, placing a pen behind her ear. Walking through the bar’s gate backwards, Liz asked, “Have I mentioned how much I don’t like you?”
“No, but you have told me how much you love me,” Kara joked. Laughing, Kara turned and began waiting on a customer.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Walking to the booth, Liz took the pen from behind her ear. "What can I get you, fellas?" she asked, turning a page on her pad.
Smiling, Sam tilted his head up, recognizing her instantly. The same bright baby blue eyes he had gotten lost in many times before were staring down into his hazel eyes. His thoughts deceiving him caused him to be at a loss for words. Say something, Sam. Anything would sound good right about now, he told himself.
Dean looked across the table and noticed his brother’s change in behavior. Raising his eyebrows, Dean smiled politely and said, "Some coffee, please. Black. And big foot over there would like a Diet Pepsi."
Scribbling their order on the thin sheet, Liz nodded her head.
"Do you by any chance have one of those kid size sippy cups? Sammy here is really messy and if he doesn't have a lid on it, he'll just throw it everywhere," Dean joked, waving his hands in the air.
Sam glared across the table at his older brother as he felt a warm sensation creep along his neck.
Noticing the exchange between the two, Liz hesitantly said, "Yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”
"Thanks. You're the best," Dean told her, placing his arm across the back of the seat. Looking out the window, he smiled at a few ladies as they walked by. He waved as each one passed.
"Damn, I almost forgot how good the women look in this town," he said, taking a glance around the diner.
"Dean, can we get back to the case at hand?" Sam asked, glancing at the bar.
Dean ignored the comment and followed his brother’s gaze. Leaning forward, he studied the blonde waitress. At the moment, she was busying herself with their drinks. Dean watched as her tall frame moved behind the bar. Everything about her was calm and confident. He had noticed that as she waited on them. The way her thin fingers wrapped around the pen as she quickly scribbled their order on the notepad. When she walked, her body moved with such grace. Lifting his mouth to one side, he said, "So, that's the girl, isn't it?”
Sam fidgeted with his jacket sleeve as he asked, “What are you talking about, Dean?”
"The girl we're here for. Don't play dumb with me, Sammy. Just admit it,” Dean said, motioning toward the counter area. “She’s the girl, isn’t she?”
Glancing at the bar, Sam watched as Liz cashed out a customer’s order. As she handed the man his change, her lips curved upward into a smile. It was one of the many he remembered from their childhood. Closing the register drawer, her gaze fell toward the boy’s table. Sam dropped his gaze to the table. Feeling a familiar flutter in his stomach, he sighed.
"If I admit it, will you shut up?" he asked, knowing that Dean wouldn’t stop asking until he admitted it.
Pulling a napkin from the dispenser, Sam wiped the perspiration from his hands. He was beginning to feel this was a mistake coming here. Sam and Liz weren’t the same awkward teenagers they were years ago. They had moved on and grown apart.
"Sam, are you getting nervous?” Dean teased, watching his brother wipe his hands.
Leaning closer to Dean, Sam said in a hush voice, “Dean, that’s the girl. Don’t you remember her?”
Glancing behind him, Dean stared at the girl again. Her curly hair. Her knobby knees. Widening his eyes, he said, “Oh my God! It’s Liz!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kara walked to the counter beside Liz, watching as she poured coffee into a cream porcelain cup. “Do you know if Jen went to that party at the Alpha Kappa Lambda chapter house?” Kara asked, leaning her hip against the counter, folding her arms.
Liz raised her head from the glasses and looked at the girl’s olive face. “Yeah, I think she said she was going to go with Sandra Grimm. Why? Is something wrong?” she asked, studying Kara’s face.
Motioning behind Liz at a couple town deputies, she said, “Those two officers over there said there was a murder at the house tonight and they suggested we stick together.”
Kara took a hold of the brown plastic cup that was in Liz’s hand and placed it under the soda dispenser. “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Jen’s a smart tough girl. She wouldn’t put herself in any situation she couldn’t handle,” she assured Liz, as she watched her friend’s eyebrows furrow.
Liz couldn’t help but feel her pulse quicken from the news. The only thoughts in her head were of her best friend possibly being murdered.
Placing her hand on Liz’s, Kara gestured to the phone hanging from the wall. “Give Jennifer a call. Maybe that will ease your mind,” Kara told her.
Nodding her head, Liz walked to the phone and dialed Jennifer’s cell number. Hey, you got the right number. Leave a message. “Dammit, Jen. I just heard there was a murder at the fraternity house. I need to know you’re okay,” Liz said. “Call me back at the diner as soon as you get this,” she pleaded.
Hanging the phone back on the hook, Liz shrugged her shoulders. “She didn’t answer. What should I do?” Liz asked, as her eyes glassed over.
Kara placed the drinks on a tray and scooted it to Liz. “Liz, I’m sure she’s fine. Just finish your shift and then when you get back to your room, she’ll be waiting for you,” Kara said, placing her hand lightly on Liz’s forearm.
Picking up the tray, Liz said, “I hope you’re right.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Coffee and a Diet Pepsi,” Liz stated. Distractedly, she placed the coffee in front of Sam and the soft drink in front of Dean.
Watching as she placed the wrong drinks in front of them, Dean took in her distant stare. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked, touching her arm gently.
Nodding her head, she smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine,” she said, taking the notepad out of her apron pocket. “Have you two boys decided on what you want to eat?"
Finding the courage to speak, Sam said, "I think we’re just going to take the drinks. Thanks.”
Meeting Sam’s hazel eyes, Liz felt herself being pulled towards him. It was almost as if they had crossed paths at some point in their lives. Switching her gaze to the older brother, realization came to her as she came into contact with his bright green eyes. Oh my God, Liz! It’s the Winchesters! her mind screamed but her nerves failed her. "Okay. Hollar if you need anything," Liz said, walking away.
Dean’s gaze followed after her. Turning to Sam, he leaned forward, laying his elbows on the tabletop. Grabbing a hold of the coffee cup sitting in front of Sam, he exchanged the drinks. “Who knew she would grow into that scrawny body of hers,” Dean trailed off. “Sammy, I wouldn’t’ve blamed you, staying here for that.”
“Dean, stop,” Sam said, bowing his head.
“What? I only state the truth.” Dean stated, glancing over his shoulder.
He watched intently as Liz cleaned off a table. Liz was closer to Sam’s age, so Dean never looked at her as anything but as a little sister. Watching her bustle around the diner, he had to admit that she was no longer the bony adolescent she was when they left Kansas for the last time. He still could remember peeking in his brother’s room and seeing her lying on his bed as Sam was buried in a text book. He could recall many times teasing the two claiming they were more than just friends.
“Maybe I should say something,” Sam suggested, taking a sip from his cup.
Grabbing a napkin from the dispenser, Dean said, "No, don’t say anything yet. Seeing how you’re acting, you’ll just scare her away. Leave her a note instead.” Placing it in front of Sam, he said, “Write your number on this."
Sam leaned back against the booth and sighed. Running his hand through his hair, he said, "I can't leave her my cell number. That's for emergencies only."
Dean leaned across the table, smacking the side of Sam’s head. Grabbing a pen from a table nearby, he said, “Sometimes Sammy, I worry about you."
Grabbing the napkin from Sam, Dean scribbled, Hey, Lizzie. Remember us? If you do, call 555-4321. - Dean and Sam Winchester
Watching as his brother wrote the message, Sam shook his head "She’s going to think we’re some kind of murderers and never call, “Sam said, snatching the napkin from his brother’s hand.
Grabbing the napkin back, Dean placed it under his coffee mug. "No, she won't. At least I'm giving her a number. You didn’t even want to do that! Now, leave a tip so we can get out of here." Dean told him, grabbing his brown leather jacket.
Standing up, Dean dug in his pocket, pulling the keys to his car out. Sliding his arms through the jacket, he started walking towards the entrance.
Sam pulled his wallet out of his jean pocket, placing a five dollar bill under the coffee mug with the note. "Dude, why do I always get stuck with the tip?" Sam complained, following behind Dean.
"Because you’re so much better at hustlin’ pool than I am," Dean said, grasping Sam’s shoulder. Walking out the door, Sam shook his head in disbelief.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Watching as the two men left, Liz walked over to the table to retrieve her tip and saw a note along with it. She picked the damp napkin, reading the message to herself. Her stomach fluttered at the realization that they had recognized her too. Without another thought, a memory flooded her mind.
“How much longer until Dean and your dad get here?” 13-year old Liz Lange asked, as she watched her best friend bustling around his bedroom. Opening his dresser drawer, a 13-year old Sam Winchester gathered a load of socks in his arms. He hurried back to the bed and dumped them in the opened duffle bag.
“I don’t know. Dean just said to be ready in an hour. They’re at the store gathering last minute things for the move, so I’d say any minute now,” he told her, grabbing a couple of trophies from his shelf. Taking a moment, he looked at the object in his hand, running his fingers over the silver plate. It read Division Championship Soccer.
Standing up, Liz picked up another duffle bag from the floor. Grabbing a few miscellaneous objects, she helped him pack his stuff. “I just don’t understand why your dad is making you move in the middle of the school year. It’s crazy. You won’t even be here for the end of the year dance. Don’t you remember you promised to go with me?” she asked, her voice faltering.
Sam stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her. “I know I did, Lizzie. But there’s nothing I can do. It’s a family emergency that needs to be taken care of,” he said, peering at her.
Walking across the room, Sam sat on the end of the twin size bed and motioned for her to do the same. As she sat down beside him, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Sam rested his cheek against the soft curls and sighed, smelling the faint scent of peaches. For the last couple of months, Liz had been a good friend to Sam, his only friend. Between the constant moving, new schools and new hunts, Sam had been robbed of any close friendships his whole life and he didn’t want to lose this one. The family business was something that could never be revealed. So when his dad said they had to go, it wasn’t up for debate. He packed up and waited. His brother’s words stayed glued in his head. You do what you do and you shut up about it. There were many times when he wanted to tell Liz his secret but he couldn’t. He never wanted her to see that side of his life or to be exposed to it. When it came to her, all he wanted to do was protect her.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Liz asked, “What am I going to do without you here? You’re like, my only friend.”
Looking into her gleaming blue eyes, he said, “Use this as your chance to make new friends. It should be easy now that you don’t have a nerdy eighth grader following you around.” He attempted to move his arm from around her waist, but Liz quickly pulled it back in place.
“No, not yet. I want to stay like this until you absolutely have to leave,” she said, as a tear drop fell down her cheek.
Lifting her chin so their eyes met, he wiped the tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry, Lizzie. It hurts me to see you like this,” he said, as she laid her head against his chest.
Hearing the soft purr of an engine, Sam let go of Liz and stood up. Neither one said a word, as he grabbed his duffle bag and handed one to Liz. Glancing around the room one last time, he sighed, memorizing every crack and every corner.
Stopping at the door frame, Liz realized that Sam wasn’t following her. She watched him studying the room. Taking his hand, she asked, “Are you coming, Samwich?”
Putting his attention on Liz, he gazed at her for a few moments and then, smiled. “Yeah, Lizzie. Let’s go,” he said, following behind her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hearing the rattle of the door, Jennifer glanced up to see her best friend walk through the door of their dorm room. "How was work tonight?" Jennifer asked.
Rushing to Jennifer’s bedside, Liz wrapped her arms around her. “I tried calling you to make sure you were okay and you didn’t bother to call me back. Jen, I was so worried,” Liz rattled on. Cradling Jennifer’s head in her hands, Liz looked her over, noticing her swollen eyes.
Tears began to well up once again. “Liz, Sandra’s dead. I’m okay, but Sandra’s dead,” she cried, allowing her emotions to come out.
“Just earlier, we were upstairs talking and laughing and she wanted us to just let loose for the night. She went to get us another drink and never came back. Liz, there was so much blood,” Jennifer told her as Liz caressed her hair.
Pulling her closer, Liz let her cry on her shoulder. “Shh, I’m here now,” Liz whispered, caressing Jennifer’s soft hair. “Just relax and let it out. You’re safe now.”
She held her for what seemed like a long time, letting Jennifer release her sadness and frustrations.
Pulling away, Jennifer wiped the dampness from her face. Leaning back against her headboard, Jennifer said, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you back. I’ve just been trying to gather the pieces to everything that happened tonight.” Looking down at her hands, Jennifer shook her head, trying not to break down again and said, “Seeing Sandra’s body…I don’t know how to come to terms with that.”
Bringing her attention back to Liz, she squeezed her eyes closed.
Liz took Jennifer’s hands into hers, nodding her head in understanding. “I’m here for you,” she assured her. “I know, at this moment, it may not seem like it but you’re going to get through this, Jen. It’s just going to take some time,” Liz said.
Leaning forward, Jennifer wrapped her arms around her friend. “Thank you, Liz for being an awesome friend. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered, tears falling from her eyes.
Liz rubbed Jennifer’s back soothingly, allowing Jennifer the time she needed for comfort. Somehow over the years, Liz had become the rock of their friendship. Whether it was to hold her hair back from a late night party or to wipe her tears when the captain of the basketball team broke her heart, Liz was there for her.
Pulling back, Jennifer dragged in a breath, wiping the tears from her face. “Why don’t we change the subject? How was your night?” Jennifer asked, trying to get her mind off of everything.
Patting Jennifer’s leg, Liz stood up, removing her black leather jacket. Hanging it on the back of the door, she turned back to Jennifer and said, “I actually have some news of my own. Tonight, I waited on an old friend.”
She walked to her dresser, pulling out a pair of boy boxers along with a lime green tank top.
Placing her textbook on her lap, Jennifer asked, intrigued "An old friend? Would I know them?"
Changing into her bed clothes, Liz walked to her bed opposite Jennifer’s. She fell back against her bed and allowed her body to relax for the first time that night. “No, you wouldn’t know him. He’s a friend I had when I was like thirteen, I think. He left Topeka a year before I met you.”
Sitting up, Liz scooted so her back rested against the headboard. She watched as her friend stood up and walked to her bed.
"Oh, it's a he," Jennifer stated, sitting Indian-style in front of her friend. "So, tell me more about this guy. Is he cute? No, better yet. Is he single?” Jennifer interrogated, laughing determinedly.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Liz asked, “Does it matter if he’s single?” She reached up and began undoing her earrings, placing them on her night table.
Falling back against the mattress, Jennifer stared at the ceiling. “Yes, it matters. You haven’t had a secure relationship since Marcus, if you can consider that secure,” she told her, laying the palm of her hand on her stomach.
Liz sighed, leaning her head back against the headboard. “Here we go again,” Liz stated, rolling her eyes. “I don’t want a boyfriend right now. School is what I am concentrating on.” Liz was never one to have the attention focused on her so changing the subject, she said, “He does have a brother.”
Hearing the word ‘brother’, Jennifer sat up, focused on her friend. “Oh, really?”
Laughing, Liz leaned forward and said, “Yeah. His name is Dean and his personality is a lot like yours. Very carefree, likes to have fun, and never takes life too seriously.”
Wrapping her arms around her knees, Jennifer asked, “He sounds like a really good guy but you know I’m trying to get past that kind of lifestyle. Last year was hell.”
“It was hell for me too, Jen. To think, we almost lost our friendship over one simple year. I get sad just thinking about it,” Liz said, sitting her hands on her lap.
“Liz, you know I’m sorry about everything, right? I don’t even know what happened to me. It seemed after I got to college, all I cared about was boys, parties and drinking. My whole life could have been wrecked if you hadn’t stepped in,” Jennifer said, turning her head towards Liz.
Placing her hand on Jennifer’s leg tenderly, Liz said, “I’m glad I was there when I was.”
Jennifer’s mind was brought back to that scary night. Shaking the thought away, she said, “Liz, let’s not talk about that right now. Too much has happened tonight to bring that back up.”
Nodding her head in understanding, Liz began, "His name is Sam. Sam Winchester to be exact. He was my best friend back in middle school but without warning, his family had to move away.”
She released her hair from the elastic band. “He must have gone through a major growth spurt because he is unbelievably tall now,” Liz said, running her fingers through her tight curls.
Laughing, Jennifer asked, "So, when are you getting together to catch up? Do I get to meet this guy?"
Leaning her head back against the headboard, Liz sighed, closing her eyes. "I don't know. I didn't exactly talk to him per se,” she said, opening her eyes.
"What? I'm not following," Jennifer said, confused. Standing up, Jennifer walked back to her own bed. Sitting down, she grabbed her black leather journal and placed it in her lap.
"To be honest, I didn’t even realize it was him until the end. Who even knows if they are still in town,” she stated, pulling back the covers of her bed.
Placing the end of her ink pen in her mouth, Jennifer asked, "Well, did they leave a number or anything?"
By the closet door laid Liz’s jean. Pulling the napkin from her pocket, she said, "They left a number but I’m scared to call it."
"Why, Liz?” Jennifer exclaimed. Taking a hold of her pillow, she threw it at Liz. “Give me the number. I'll call it,” she demanded, holding her hand out.
“Jen, I’m scared that he’s not the same Sam I knew. Hell, I’m not the same Liz I was when he left,” she told her, picking up the pillow and throwing it across the room at Jennifer.
Not saying anything, Jennifer watched Liz walk across the room to her bed.
Shaking her head, Liz hurried back to her bed, placing the note on her night table. "Plus they’re probably already gone by now,” Liz assumed, crawling under the covers.
Turning her lamp off, she said, “They don’t usually stay in one spot for long. Just drop it. It wasn’t meant to be.” Sighing, she fell back against her pillow.
"Sometimes I wonder about you, Liz,” Jennifer commented, watching her friend getting comfortable in her bed.
"Whatever Jen. Turn that light out. I want to go to bed." Liz slid herself under her covers and rolled on her side.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Turning her lamp on, she stared across the room at her sleeping friend. She didn’t want the darkness. Too easily, the dark allowed images of Sandra’s dead body lying on the bed. She tried pushing her emotions away. Tried to seem ok with Liz but eventually she would have to talk to someone. Maybe tonight was that time. Opening her journal, she began jotting her feelings down.
August 23, 2005
There was a murder tonight on campus. It was Sandra. Somehow I feel responsible. If I had stuck to my original plan of staying away from parties, this wouldn’t have happened. Sandra talked me into it. She told me that she would look out for me and make sure that nothing would convert me to my old ways. Looking out for me? I should have been looking out for her. Now she’s dead and she’s not coming back.
I’m glad I have Liz here with me. I’m not sure I could handle tonight if she wasn’t here. Just knowing that my best friend is in the bed across the room makes me feel secure. Liz hasn’t turned her back on me yet. Even though that’s what I did last year and I feel incredibly guilty for it. At the same time, I feel honored that she took my friendship back after the bitch I had become. I’ll discuss more of that at a later time. Now I must find something to keep myself awake, so I don’t see those disturbing images in my head.
Chapters: 1/ 2
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