"Didn't see you at the pool yesterday," Brian bangs into the locker next to mine, a large smirk plastered on his face.
"Um yeh," I say, slamming my locker door, "I went later."
He gives me lopsided smile, "Shame, would've loved to see that ass in a swimsuit." I roll my eyes at him, "Looks like you'll have to wait."
I turn away from him, shouldering my backpack to go home. He catches me, slipping his arm through mine, "What if I said I wouldn't need to wait long?" I was well aware how stupid we looked, walking down the hall arm in arm like he was giving me away at my wedding.
There was something about his boyish grin that had me asking, "I would ask," I say, exaggerating every word, "What the hell you are on about?" I l
"Your kidding," I blurt. Brain cackles at my face. He's dragged me through the forest, then forced me to hike up a small hill. Eventually halting once we reached a peak, which overlooked a small area of water below. Basically a pond for ducks, in my opinion. I voice as much. Will, Dyl and four other boys whose names I learnt then forgot, look over at us. "It is not a pond," Brains huffs a laugh, "it's a small lake, that's extremely deep.""And you felt like telling me this because?" I'm acting dumb, but it's because I don't want to consider the truth."You're cliff diving with us Bec," he speaks slowly, like talking to a child, "it's perfectly safe, we do this a lot." I glare at him. "So we're cliff diving in clothes?" I ask, indicating to my sweater and tight jeans. The weather was still frosting. Spring was close, but not
My stomach still aches from laughter. We had been jumping off that cliff until the sun had well and truly set. I relayed the scene of Will carrying Brian bridal style, launching them both into the lake. I couldn't get the image out of my head. Of Brain holding onto Will for dear life as they fell. Both boys were easily 6'4 of bulk muscle. I wouldn't let them live it down, at least for a while. We were walking back to the house. I was wearing Will's shirts, clutching my dry clothes. I was drenched and beyond freezing, but somehow, content. For the first time in a long time, the smile on my face was genuine. "Not so bad huh" Brain asks me, his large arm draped over my shoulders. Will is walking on my other side, constantly glancing at said arm. He said nothing about it. "How oft
I was relieved as I stumbled into my room. Relived to be in four walls again. And away from the world outside. From the crazy life I now had. I had dashed out the car quickly, running into the house. Basically bodied past Chris, who was also quick to get out the car. He was keen for another lengthy argument or scolding. I didn't know - didn't care. I had run into my room. Slamming the door shut, locking it. I was done with his possessive bullshit. "Andrea!" He slams his hand against my door, pushing against it as hard as he can,"open it." I roll my eyes, attempting to push my large drawer in from of the door. I'd hoped he would take the hint. Clearly not. "I'm done with the talks Chris," I say, pushing the dam heavy drawer, "your not my father or my keeper." The draw finally slides, fitting perfectly in front of the door. I'm aware this is some childish bullshit you see on the romcoms but my desire to not talk is ten fold. I stay planted in front of it, holding onto
I'm on edge as I enter my school's building. Where I would normally notice the silhouette of the large oak trees and the chipped concrete of the old buildings, I instead feel a rush of panic. The high school is large enough, I suppose. But classes are usually cramped to compensate with the small amount of students per grade - and the prospect of sitting in a crowded room of people was giving me anxiety I can't explain.I shut my locker, eager to get to my first class... then second... then eventually finish the day.I walk quickly to my first-period class. The students were acting their usual, watching me from the corner of their eyes. No-one approached me, much to my relief. And no gang of boys to be seen so far.I made it to my classroom, slipping into the desk furthest to the left-b
We skipped school. Apparently having posing vampire brothers ranked more important than completing an education. The boys didn't even bother to tell administration or anyone.It'll be finethey had said when I questioned them. Brian's car was now full, some of the boys had hopped into the back of it. Whatever they were, it seemed to me that self-safety wasn't a priority for them. "Where are we going?" I ask Will from the backseat. I'm crammed between Jarrod and Dyl, Will is in the front seat. Something about barring me from the outside? Masking my scent? The way they spoke; it didn't make sense to me. It was like being surrounded by people speaking a different language. "To the house," Will answers me, his eyes awake and alert, scanning the road aggressively.
I choke on my scream. His hands tightening around my throat so intensely only a wheeze comes out. He hisses at me, his face so close I feel the ghost of his fangs.I bring my clenched forearms down onto his, managing to break his hold on me. As he unwillingly releases me I kick away from him. Scrambling along the forest floor. My move doesn't faze him for long, within seconds he's upon me again."You can't fight or outrun me." He says, a feral smile on his face. Yet I still scramble, my hands frantically searching the clutter of the forest floor. I stand hastily, a broken branch in hand.He looks at my hand, laughing, "What are you going to do with a stick hmmm?" I knew he was mocking me, playing with me. But I'd be damned if I didn't go out without a fight. And I was ready
I awake alone, and in the same spot I was left in. The large bed was comfortable enough. I had tossed and turned in it all night, despite how exhausted I was. The boys had finally left me yesterday when it was clear I was done talking to them.Vampires and now werewolves? My brain could only handle so much.I climb out of the bed, my neck aching aggressively at the movement. I was still dressed in yesterday's clothes. Bits of dirt and sticks peaking through my blonde hair. I hmph at my reflection; the large pad covering the side of my neck, long bruising curling around the crook of my neck.I walk out the room gingerly, the sun only just rising. The house is unnaturally quiet, which could be expected since nothing entirely natural lived here.
"I think you made the right decision," Chris says from behind me, his hand grasping my shoulder. I shrug it off. Irritated by his existence. I hadn't figured out how to tell him that I know he's been manipulating me. With all the chaos I'd forgotten. But now, stuck in a car with him... I remembered.John eyeballs him in the rear view mirror. A warning maybe."I don't want to talk about it." Or the growing unease I feel in my chest the further away we get.Instead, I watch the trees zip by, the tree shape blurring into one consistent color the faster we drive. We had been driving for an hour. In complete silence.John remains in his usual brooding silence, occasionally glancing in the rear-view. I wasn't