Colour Me Surprised
Disclaimer: Zoey 101 and all related characters are not my own.
Prologue: Dana
Friday, June 16th, 2006 (7:46 pm)
It's seven forty-six, and I'm still sitting here on the side of the road. I don't dare to look around me; I've been in this god forsaken place sixteen minutes too long.
At seven fifteen I dragged my suitcases outside and parked them on the curb, leaving them in the care of Dustin so nothing would be given a chance to go missing; though I have a feeling he took my gummy bear stash.
Seven twenty and I was saying my good-byes, desperately fighting back tears, tears that ignored my restrain. Hot streams spilled down my cheeks as I hugged my friends passionately, promising to write between sobs and heartache.
It was hardest to say good-bye to Chase. We had been through a lot together and I love him unconditionally. It was with me that he left his darkest secrets, his hopes and prayers. A lot of people at PCA think that Zoey is his best friend, but she's not the one Matthews calls at 2:30 in the morning because he needs to talk about life. I had a feeling Chase would be most difficult farewell, being my best friend and all, and I was right.
I was right, that is, until Logan stepped up and brought goose bumps to my skin with one embrace. The feeling is still freshly implanted on my mind, my skin. Why does he do this to me; can't he feel how I shiver when he holds me? I know he catches the stolen glimpses, the all-too-coincidental interactions between my fingers and his knee beneath the tabletops.
He held on a moment too long and it was then that I knew I had to get away, had to leave.
It was seven twenty five.
"Reese, you have to let go now." I murmured, my voice shaking uncontrollably, uncharacteristically.
To an innocent bystander, it would appear that he had simply squeezed me tighter in response.
Being close to Logan Reese is never simple. By holding me closer, by pressing his flesh into mine, he captured me and he knew it. It was the same old story, though the ending was changing for good. I couldn't bear to leave then, though I knew I had to.
It was for the best.
"Please stop it Logan." I whispered into his ear as I pulled away. The clock mounted on the wall over his shoulder seemed to echo with every passing second.
Seven twenty eight.
His grip loosened and he pulled away from me slowly. I could feel him looking at me in that spine-tingling way I've grown accustomed to. His hands lingered on my waist as I bit my lip, desperate to avoid his gaze.
"When you come back," he said, a small yet undeniably cheeky grin breaking his solemn expression. "still want me, huh?"
The tone of voice in which he had said when I come back, not if, made me realize that I had never decided if I was indeed coming back to PCA at all.
I removed myself from his warm confinement and left him with an answer I knew neither of us could fully comprehend.
"I'll have lots of time to think about it, won't I."
This was true, because I have absolutely no clue if I'll be back in a month or three years. I gave one final wave and exited the building as time closed in on seven thirty.
So, here I am; sitting on this same sun-warmed curb at precisely seven fifty four. The sun's just starting to sink into the ocean, its fiery orange glow seeping into the dark water. Just one more thing I'm going to miss, I guess. I can't even begin to count how many times I left my dorm late at night to sit on the beach last year, though I do remember how warm it was despite the darkened sky.
Headlights disrupt my thoughts and the sound of heavy tires draws near. A bright yellow taxi pulls up near the curb and a small man pops out of the driver's side, holding a card in his hand.
"Dana Cruz?" he asks, looking up at me with small eyes.
"Yep, that's me." I reply, standing and brushing off my pant legs. I help Stewart, as his nametag displays, to lift my bags into the trunk of his car.
Stewart utters a "Whenever you're ready, Miss", and steps back into the car to give me a few more private moments. Or possibly finish that ham sandwich he had abandoned, presumably with reluctance, on the dashboard. I stand perfectly still and look around the campus once more, letting out a deep sigh. I look down at the chunky white watch positioned at my wrist.
Eight oh one.
I draw my jacket closer and step into the car, being careful to close the door with a small click. I pull on my seatbelt just as Stewart pulls into a turn and retreats slowly out of the driveway. Looking to my left I can see the Logan, sitting serenely on the grass and staring at the sunset. I stare at him hoping (wishing-praying) he'll feel my eyes penetrating him.
He stiffens, but keeps his back turned towards me as I pull out of the school.
My eyes don't leave his body until eight oh seven, when we make a right turn off of the school's property. My last glimpse of him, and there was no interaction whatsoever.
I slump down in my seat, not daring to think in detail of what awaits me.
Eight oh nine.
Maybe it's for the best.
Author's Note: Alright, so what do you think? I know that in the summary it says that the time period is third season and the prologue is set after the first season. This prologue was created simply to explain Dana's departure in detail, rather than just a memory. I also know that there are a lot of stories out there in which the basis is Dana's departure but trust me, you'll be hearing from her pretty soon. I'm planning on alternating characters between chapters so we get a snapshot of each distinct personality and trauma. I'm not the best at continuing on with chapters, so reviews would be very helpful so I know that there are some people reading my work. I'm gonna go ahead and assume that if you are down here reading this, you've read this chapter. So when you're ready, the review button is just over there.