The alarm on my alarm clock has been going off about three more times for quite a while now. I squeeze my eyes shut and tell myself I won't wake up again. I manage to sit up in bed and rub my eyes. My hair must be a mess since I feel it all over my face. I get up, head to the bathroom and take a quick shower.
When I get out I head to my closet, I decide on some black pants, baggy obviously, a long sleeved shirt and some converse in white. I comb my hair, leaving it loose and put on my glasses. I tidy my desk, putting pencils and some notebooks in my bag. When I'm ready I glance in the mirror. I bite my lower lip since it doesn't show my true figure and, before I walk out the door, my eyes fall on my bedroom window, which has the curtain drawn, revealing Colton's room.
He's not in bed so I guess he's getting ready for school. I push him aside, open my door and head downstairs. Downstairs Dad prepares some meat pies, Angelique is already sitting in her place, eating breakfast. I drop my bag on the corner of the table, sitting down too.
-You just got up a little late," my dad says, passing me a plate of pancakes. Did you stay up late studying?
I didn't want to lie, but I had to, it was the first time I would tell a lie about myself, but it was for a good thing, wasn't it? I still didn't know why the police were looking for Colton, so I'll go on like yesterday.
-Yes, this week I have a test -well, the test was not a lie.
My dad glanced at my sister who was on her cell phone.
-And you, have you studied? -he asked.
My sister looked up, glaring at me for a millisecond, then back at my dad.
-Of course.
We finished breakfast in silence, an awkward silence. Dad was strange today, kind of nervous. I said goodbye to him, grabbed my bag and went outside. I started my walk to school in silence. Everything was quiet until I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around slyly, only to find that it was Colton Dashner. He came with his hands tucked in his front pockets, walking quietly.
I looked straight ahead, a little nervous; should I wait for him? I debated whether or not. But a little voice inside me was telling me that maybe he didn't want to talk to me because of what happened yesterday. But then again, he was the one who started the fight and I didn't even know why. Summoning up my courage, I turned on my heels to see him. When he saw me waiting for him, he stopped dead in his tracks for a moment, then clenched his jaw and started walking again, wanting to push me aside.
But I stopped him.
-Colton... -I pronounced his name. He stopped dead in his tracks to look at me, his eyes were very black and deep. However, I could perceive some emptiness in them.
-What do you want, Draper? -he asked, calling me by my last name.
-I just want to talk... -I answered a little nervously.
He snorted, running a hand over his face in exasperation.
-I have nothing to talk to you about," he snorted, "remember: I'm very dangerous so you don't want to be near me. If you're smart, stay away.
Having said that, he passed me by without giving me time to say anything else, anyone would say that he had said that just so I wouldn't talk to him, to scare me, but it wasn't like that, let me tell you that Colton Dashner was dangerous. I could see it in his eyes, he wasn't telling lies. His look didn't lie, I knew deep down he was telling the truth.
I took a deep breath and resumed my walk to school.
***
The classes had gone by slow and boring, I mean, I wasn't even paying attention. My mind was on something else. The bell rang announcing the dismissal of classes to go to lunch. It took me a while to put my things away, I wasn't even that hungry. I thought I was the only one in class, but I was not.
-Monique," my sister appeared in my field of vision. I want to talk to you.
-Tell me.
-It's about Colton.
Hearing his name made my body tense, but I tried to ignore it.
-What's wrong with him? -I wanted to know.
My sister took a deep breath, as if preparing to tell me something.
-I like it, you know? -I mean, I've seen the way you look at it and I wondered if you... if you liked it too," her words sounded delicate, as if she was afraid of the answer.
Did I like Colton? I mean, I only met him yesterday, that wouldn't make any sense. The proper word would be: intrigue. That's what Colton gave me: intrigue. He intrigued me. And he was strange.
-No, of course not," my lip quivered. And that only happened when he was lying, was he lying? Because I just hoped my sister hadn't noticed.
She smiled in relief.
-You don't know how glad I am," she admitted, "Because if it had been the other way around I'd stay away from him. If your feelings change, you would tell me, wouldn't you? -she looked at me intently.
-They won't," I stood up, putting on my bag. I'm going to lunch, are you coming?
Angelique stood up too.
-No, it's okay. I'm going with Loren.
I nodded in understanding. She was the one who left first, leaving me confused in the classroom. I decided to leave, the hallways were a bit lonely since the other kids must be in the cafeteria. I was about to turn a corner when my body collided with someone else's. I was about to turn a corner.-Sorry," I said self-consciously. But when I saw who it was I stopped dead in my tracks. Colton Dashner was looking at me seriously, or something... strange. And he was with my sister.
-Oh, Monique, don't worry," she said. Colton just rolled back against the lockers, giving me a quick glance. I was talking to Colton about something.
Actually I think he ran me off.
-Okay," I put my bag away, giving Colton a look, but he didn't look at me. Bye.
I continued on my way, my legs were shaking and my hands were sweating. When I got to the coffee shop I found a very familiar person there, sitting at a table, chatting animatedly with two girls. Loren's friends.
Darren.
I wanted to approach him and ask him what he was doing here, but I didn't want him to see me being humiliated by those two. So I tried to ignore him, but it was no use.
-Monique," he stood back up from his chair, saying something to his companions and then walking over to me. I was looking for you.
I could see some bruises on her face.
-Me? -I questioned in disbelief.
-Yes, let's find a free place," he took me by the waist, leading me to an available table near the door.
I sat down, keeping my eyes on the front door. Darren sat down across from me.
-I wanted to apologize for yesterday," he said. I'm sorry, you shouldn't have witnessed that.
-It doesn't matter, but... -I stopped in my tracks, thinking hard about what I was going to ask, "Why did you fight?
Darren tensed.
-I can't tell you right now," he played it down. I'll just tell you to watch out for Colton. He's dangerous.
I frowned.
-I don't understand," I let him know.
Darren thought about it.
-I've seen the way he looks at you," he whispered, "That look is not normal for him, that look is dangerous for you. I know why I'm telling you, he won't want you near anyone else.
-Why would he do that? We only met yesterday... and it didn't go well.
-I'm only telling you so you won't trust him," she murmured. Don't be fooled, Monique. You seem like a good enough girl to end up with your life ruined.
I swallowed hard, why would Darren tell me all that? Did he know about Colton? If so, he could tell me. Yet there was something about Darren's words that seemed believable. That they weren't made up. My gaze shifted to the front door, where Colton Dashner was walking in, his gaze met mine, but also shifted to Darren.
He stopped dead in his tracks, looking at him menacingly, I also noticed he clenched his fists and his jaw, but then just backed up and walked away.
Why was he acting like that?
-I'll be around," Darren said goodbye, walking out the door that Colton had just left. It was obvious that this boy was dangerous and troublesome but.... What did I have to do with it? I pulled out my cell phone as I felt it vibrate.It was Dad.-Hello? -I answered, adjusting my glasses.-Monique, there's been a problem," he said on the other end of the line.-Did something happen? -I asked immediately, a little worried.-Don't worry," he calmed me down, "it's work. I have to travel.I frowned, as that had never happened before.-Travel? Why, when are you coming back? -I was a bit paranoid, as staying home alone with Angelique was not something I liked, especially after....-I don't want to go, Monique, but it's necessary otherwise... it would cost me my job and we can't afford to lose it," he sounded worried. The trip will take four days. I would be back Monday morning. At the moment I'm at home doing the annoyances.-Dad, I don't want you to go away for so long," I whispered a littl
I was so nervous that I didn't think things through, I didn't think about what I was going to do, I just did it, I wrapped my arms around Colton's waist, taking him by surprise, since at first he didn't return my embrace, but I imagine I gave him some kind of pity because little by little he wrapped his arms around my back, feeling at that moment his warmth.I felt good, I admit it, little by little I was calming down, until my sobs were no longer audible. Colton's hand rubbed my back but he didn't say anything.-Are you calmer? -he asked with some concern.-I think so," I replied, pulling away from him. Thank you, Colton... -I looked at him- If it hadn't been for you...-Shhh," he shushed me, "don't even say it. Colton lifted his hand, wiping away a small tear that fell down my cheek. I felt his touch, warm and warm, my skin tingled at that moment. I could also tell that my glasses had fallen off in the path of the struggle because I didn't have them on me. My eyes were on Colton w
After the bell rang announcing the entrance to class I sat in the same place as the time Colton came, since now my place up front had been taken by Loren, it had to be her. I was not surprised not to see Colton sitting here as he is likely to come late or not come at all. I deduced the latter as I saw him coming up behind the professor. He came to my side and sat down, at that moment the drawing he had made came to my mind and an urge to ask him who he was came over me but I restrained myself.-All right, guys, today we will work in pairs, just as you are. -The coexistence and civics teacher explained. You have to write down your partner's likes and dislikes and what they like to do in their free time, if they work, if their parents get along well, here we are not going to be embarrassed or anything. The reason for this will be to help those of you who have problems, okay? Okay, let's get started.A handful of students could be heard booing not liking the teacher's idea, however other
When we arrived at the party the house was too crowded, there were people even outside, chatting and drinking from a red glass. Darren took me inside the house, I didn't miss his hand on my waist, I didn't like him doing that. I felt uncomfortable. The music was blaring too loud. People were pushing and shoving and everything.-Darren! -someone exclaimed from behind us. We both turned to look. There came a slim, dark-haired girl. She approached Darren with a big smile on her face.-Brenda, when did you get here? -asked my companion, too surprised.-Today in the afternoon, I heard there was a party today and we decided to come," she answered.-We decided? -Darren asked.-Yes, Kendra came anyway," she replied.I noticed Darren tensed up so I gave him a quick glance, until he set his sights on me.-Monique, I'm sorry," he said and then looked at Brenda. This is Monique, a friend," he introduced me.Brenda looked at me, smiling.-Hi, I'm Brenda," she shook her hand. I took it hesitantly.
The guy in front of me was slowly approaching me, trying to kiss me, but I didn't want to. God, I hadn't had my first kiss and I didn't want to do it with this almost drunk person in front of me.-You look beautiful," he whispered, his breath smelling like some cigarette mixed with beer.I didn't even answer him, when the guy brought his mouth close to mine I pulled away.-Come on, let me kiss you," he said.-You know what? I'd better not, I want to go.-You have to fulfill the challenge, Monique.... -He grabbed me by the waist, pulling me closer to him. I tried to push him away but I couldn't. I didn't know at what point I had gotten myself into this. I didn't know at what point I had gotten brave enough to be hanging out at older guys' parties. I wasn't like that. The boy took my face in his hands. I couldn't believe that my first kiss would be with a stranger and without love.As the boy is about to kiss me, the closet door opens. We both turn to see the aforementioned: Colton.-Co
-Here you are," Angelique enters my room, "I wanted to ask you a question," she crosses her arms, as if facing me.I was rather trying to relax a bit because Colton had left me in a bad way.-What is it?-About Colton. What happened at the party? Why did he pull you out of there, is there anything you haven't told me?I put my fingers to my temples because Angelique was bombarding me with her questions, I felt tired and to be honest right now I had no head to think about her jealousy.-Why don't you ask him?-Don't answer me with another question, Monique," she challenged me. Even though I loved my sister more than my life, she had no right to ask me these kinds of questions. It was true that Colton and she had something to do but he told me that it was just something that happens at parties.-What do you want me to tell you then? I have no idea why Colton acts this way with me - deep down I was sick and tired of being treated like a fool and manipulated. I was always trying to stop m
When I open my eyes the morning sunlight hits me. I snap back into my seat realizing that I had fallen asleep on the hood of Colton's car, by the way, where is Colton? I sat on the hood when suddenly I heard a car door close.-You woke up," he appears in front of me, putting on a black wool jacket. His hair is half disheveled.-What time is it? -I rub my eye.-It's seven in the morning," he answered, "how are you now?I got off the hood.-Fine," I answered, "Angelique will have to come back one day. Shall we go? We have classes and I don't want to miss them.She looked at me funny.-Monique, today is Saturday," he reminded me.-Really? -I scratched the back of my neck a little nervously.If it was Saturday it meant that today was the Janesville Hearts Fair and everyone from the high school would be going.-Yes, -Colton moved dangerously close to me, taking my face in his hands -Monique, even freshly risen you look beautiful.My cheeks burned.-Colton! -I hid my face because I didn't l
When I arrived at the fair the day was completely sunny, the fair of hearts was one of the most awaited events around here. The place was big and the best of all was that it was located in front of an artificial lake, the lake was always calm, the morning light was reflected in its waters giving it a more magical aspect. As the fair was surrounded by trees and vegetation, you could hear the birds singing and the crack of dry leaves on the ground. Everything was beautiful, you could feel peace in this place. It dazzled you just by looking at it and transmitted good energies.The fair was already full, there was a roller coaster to my left, it was more or less high. It was high enough to see the town from above. There were food stands where you could find hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, sandwiches, ice cream. And a little bit of everything. It was so you could spend all day and part of the night here. They were celebrating Valentine's Day so it was obvious that the couples were going to