by Kai Juniper
"That bad, huh?" he says, laughing. "Did you even know this guy before tonight?"
I sigh. "Do we really have to talk about this?"
"Just tell me. What was he like? Bad teeth? Horrible breath? A huge gut?"
"His looks weren't the problem."
"Then why'd you leave?"
"He couldn't keep his hands off me. And he assumed we'd be having sex later."
"So what'd you do? Punch him?"
"I wanted to, but I didn't want to ruin the night for Charlotte. She really likes Asher. She wanted me to go on this double date so she wouldn't be nervous, but she was doing fine. She doesn't need me there." I look over at Briggs. "You really thought I punched him?"
"You seem like someone who can take care of herself."
"Like when some bully at school tries to ruin my life?"
"I wasn't trying to ruin your life," he mutters as he turns down our street.
We're quiet as he continues to my house. He pulls in the driveway and parks behind my truck.
"What are you doing tonight?" I ask.
"Going to a party, but not until later. I probably won't stay long, but I at least need to show up so people aren't asking why I'm not there. How about you? Staying home and studying?"
"I might watch a movie. I don't feel like studying." I pause. "You want to come in?"
"To your house?"
I smile. "Don't worry. You won't catch anything."
"That's not what I meant. I'm just surprised you'd invite me in."
"I'm surprised you'd want to go in. It's not actually full of trash like you told people at school."
He looks down. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have said that."
"You want to come in or not?"
"I could come in for a few minutes."
Maybe I shouldn't have asked him, and I'm not entirely sure why I did. Is it because I don't want to be alone? Or because I don't want Briggs to go? I wish I could figure out why I'm having these feelings for Briggs so I could make them go away.
We go inside and I notice Briggs looking around.
"What do you think?" I ask, setting my keys on the counter.
"It's not bad." He walks over to the bookshelf on the wall next to the couch. "Is that your mom?" he asks, pointing to a photo.
"Yeah." I walk over to him, pointing to all the pictures lined up on the shelf. "Those are all of her, at different ages. My dad thinks having me see her at different ages will make me feel like I know her better. It doesn't, but I don't want to tell him that. Honestly, I think the photos are more for him than for me."
"You don't like seeing her photos?"
"I do, but I'd rather have them put away and then take them out when I want. Having them out all the time just reminds me that she's gone." I turn to Briggs. "Want to see the rest of the place?" Instead of waiting for him to answer, I walk the short distance to my room, stopping just outside the door. "This is mine." I turn around. "And that's my dad's room."
Briggs looks back and forth between the rooms. "You don't have your own bathroom?"
"No. We share the one in the hall."
"Small house," he says, walking back to the living room.
"You called it a house." I smile. "That's a first."
"You have to admit it looks like a trailer from the outside."
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you have to call it that."
We sit down on opposite ends of the couch.
"I really want to ask you something," I say, "but I don't think you'll give me an answer."
"Ask and find out."
"Why me? Out of all the people at school you could've bullied, why'd you decide to go after me and not someone else?"
"You're right." He rubs his jaw. "I don't want to answer."
"Can you give me a hint?"
"Why does it matter?"
"I just want to know. You must've had a reason. You wouldn't bully me just to be mean, would you?"
He doesn't answer.
"Maybe you would, but I don't think that's it. I think you had a reason. Is it just because I'm not rich like you? Or was it my clothes? This house?"
"Just drop it," he snaps. "It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me. I want to know why you didn't pick someone else. Why me? Did I do something to piss you off, or was I just an easy target because I'm—"
"Your father!" he yells, getting up. "Your fucking dad is the reason!"
Chapter Thirteen
Ella
Briggs storms to the door. "I'm leaving."
"Briggs, wait!" I race up behind him. "What do you mean? I don't understand."
He turns back to me. "I shouldn't have said it. I didn't mean it. Just forget it." He goes outside to his car.
"Wait!" I follow behind him. "You can't just tell me that and leave."
"Watch me." He gets in his car, starts the engine, and backs out of the driveway. He speeds down the road, leaving me standing there completely confused.
Briggs bullied me because of my dad? That doesn't make sense. He doesn't even know my dad. He's never even met him.
Later that night, I'm in my room when Charlotte calls.
"You okay?" I ask, worried she's calling because her date didn't work out.
"I'm great! We just left the mini golf place and now we're going to get dessert. I just wanted to check that you made it home."
"Yeah, I'm home. What happened with Steve? Did he stick around?"
"No, he left a few minutes after you did. He said he was going to a party on campus. So how'd you get home? Did your dad get you?"
"Um, yeah. And then he went out with Susan."
"Okay, well, I just wanted to check in. I'm having a really good time. And I'm not even nervous." I can picture her as she's saying it, a shy smile on her face, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"That's great! Call me tomorrow and tell me all about it."
"I will. Bye!"
It's after ten. I thought my dad would be home by now. He never stays out this late.
I'm still trying to figure out what my dad has to do with Briggs bullying me. It makes absolutely no sense. Did Briggs just make it up so I'd stop guessing and let it go?
There's no way I'm letting it go. I have to know what he meant.
In the morning, I catch my dad as he's leaving. It's not even seven, and he usually doesn't start working until eight on the weekends.
"Dad, I have a question."
"Make it quick," he says, heading to his truck. "I need to get going."
"Why are you leaving so early?"
"Susan and I are meeting for coffee before I head to work." He stands by his truck. "You'll be at the Hanson house at ten?"
"Yes, unless you need me earlier. Just text me if you do. So anyway, question for you. Have you ever talked to Briggs Chadwick?"
"I've seen him at some city council meetings, but I don't believe we've ever spoken."
"That's his dad. I was talking about the other Briggs, the guy I go to school with."
"The kid who dropped you off here?"
"Yeah, have you ever talked to him?"
"Not that I can remember."
"Try to remember. I really need to know."
"Why? What is this about?"
"Briggs said something that made it sound like he knew you, but I didn't think you'd ever met him."
"Why don't you ask him? I'm sure he has a better memory than me. I'll see you later, honey." He opens the door to his truck, then turns back to me. "Oh, how was your date last night?"
"It was okay," I say, not wanting to tell him the story. If I did, he'd ask how I got home, and I don't want to tell him Briggs picked me up.
"Are you going to see him again?"
"No. It wasn't really a date. I was just helping Charlotte out." I step back from the truck. "See you at ten. Tell Susan I said hi."
"I will." He gets in the truck and gets the engine going, then rolls the window down. "You'll find someone, honey, when the time is right."
A
s he backs out of the driveway, I'm wondering why he said that. Does he think I need a boyfriend? He never did before, but maybe now that he has someone in his life, he thinks I should too.
I don't need a boyfriend. I'm happy being single. It's better than being with a guy I don't feel anything for and am only dating him because I think I need a boyfriend. I've tried that in the past and it didn't work. I only want to date someone who makes me feel like...like I feel when I'm with Briggs.
Why did I let my mind even go there? It's true I want that feeling with a guy, but I don't want it with Briggs.
Back in the house, I make myself breakfast and watch TV, trying not to think of Briggs and how hot he looked last night and how good he smelled. If he hadn't walked out like he did, would something have happened? I kind of wanted it to, and last night in bed I had dreams that it did.
This has to end. I can't keep thinking of Briggs that way.
At nine, I'm showered and dressed and ready to go to work. I don't have to be there for an hour so I read through the chem assignment, assuming Briggs will cancel on me tonight and I'll be stuck doing it myself.
My phone dings and I see a message from Briggs. Can you talk?
Yeah, but I'm leaving for work soon.
My phone rings.
"Hey, Briggs. What's going on?
"I got another mystery text. Parker and Finn did too. Did you get one?"
"Let me check." I look through my messages. "No. Nothing. What did it say?"
"Give ten grand to charity. Send me proof that you did it. You have a week to get it done. If you don't, I tell the cops what you did."
"That's it? That's his demand? That you give to charity?"
"I'm sure there's more after this one. It's fucking bullshit. I'm not listening to this guy. I don't even know if this is real."
"Ask him for proof."
"Like what?"
"Ask him for details about that night. See if he responds."
"I'm not sure I want to engage with this guy."
"How do you know it's a guy?"
"I don't." He pauses. "You think it's a girl?"
"I don't know. It could be anyone. Just text back. See what happens."
"Okay, I just sent it."
"What'd you say?"
"Give me proof. Wait, I got something back."
"What's it say?"
"Briggs was in a black shirt. Finn was driving. Parker was in the passenger seat. Red t-shirt." Briggs blows out a breath. "He's right, about all of it. And he knows our names. This isn't a stranger. It's someone we know. Parker's calling me. I need to go."
"Maybe we should meet about this. Figure out what to do."
"I can't. I'm at the office with my dad. Talk to you later." He ends the call.
That's strange. Why would this mystery person demand the guys give money to charity? And if this person really saw us that night, why aren't they texting me too? They had to have seen me.
All day at work I keep thinking about who might be sending those texts and why the person would've been out there that night. It's someone who knows us, but who? Maybe someone from school?
"You okay?" my dad asks, walking up to me as I stand by the truck.
"Yeah." I wake from my thoughts and smile at him. "Ready to go?"
"I think so." He looks around. "Looks like we got it all. I'll drop the trailer off and see you at home."
All our equipment is stored on a trailer that my dad parks at a garage he rents a few miles from here. We used to park the trailer at the house but the neighbors complained, saying it looked junkie, so my dad had to find another place to keep it.
As I'm walking to my truck, my phone dings. It's a text from Briggs. Meeting at 7. My house.
Tonight at seven was when Briggs and I were supposed to meet to do our assignment, but now we're meeting about the accident? Does that mean we're not doing the assignment?
"Ella?" My dad sneaks up behind me.
"Yeah?" I say, hiding my phone.
"I made plans to see Susan tonight. Are you okay with that?"
"Dad, you don't have to ask my permission to date your girlfriend."
"I just want to make sure you're okay with it. I've been out with her almost every night and haven't spent much time with you."
"That's okay. I need the time to study, and it's kind of nice having the house to myself."
He smiles. "Am I that loud?"
"No, but the walls are thin. I can always hear the TV. So where are you guys going tonight?"
"I think I'll take her to a movie. There's one she really wants to see that came out yesterday. What are your plans for tonight?"
"I might go over to Briggs' house to work on our assignment."
"On a Saturday night?"
"He doesn't start partying until late. I'll go over there early, probably around seven."
"Will his father be home?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"I'm not sure I like the idea of you two being alone together."
I laugh. "Because I can't stand him? I promise to be nice."
"That's not what I was thinking." His brows draw together. "I keep having this feeling there's something going on with you and that boy, something you're not telling me."
"Trust me, there's not. The only reason I'm even talking to Briggs is because we're forced to be partners for lab." I get in the truck. "I'll see you at home."
When I get back to the house, I take a quick shower, and as I'm in my room getting dressed, I hear my dad come home. He's on the phone, talking to Susan about their plans for tonight. He's not leaving until seven, so it's a good thing I told him the truth about going to Briggs' house.
As I walk out of my room to leave, my dad stops me and hands me some money. "A little extra for doing a great job today."
"Meaning I don't usually do a great job?"
He smiles. "Just go with it. It's the only excuse I could come up with to get you to take the money. Use it to have fun tonight. Maybe go shopping. Or take your friend to the movies."
"Charlotte's busy tonight. She's going out with that guy."
"I'm sure you'll find a use for it."
"What time will Susan be over?"
"She'll be here any minute now."
"Any update on the hit-and-run?"
"Not really. Last I heard, the man was unconscious. They put him in a medically induced coma."
"So she only talked to him that one time?"
"Yes, but he told the nurse some things."
"Like what?"
"Something about the people who hit him being young, like teenagers."
"I thought he told Susan they were men."
"He did, but he must've remembered more later and told the nurse. I could see it being teenagers. They always drive too fast on that road. I could see them panicking and taking off."
"What about the car? Did she say if they found it yet?"
"They're still looking into it. Honey, you should get going. It's after seven."
I check the clock. He's right. I didn't realize it was so late. I leave and head to Briggs' house. I stop at the gate and push the call button, but nobody answers. I decide to just put in the code.
After the gate opens, I go down the long driveway and see Finn's white Range Rover. I park behind it and go up to the house.
I ring the bell and Parker answers. "Thought you weren't coming."
"Why wouldn't I?" I say, walking past him. I go to the living room and see Finn on one of the leather chairs and Briggs in the one next to it.
"You're late," Briggs says, his eyes on the laptop he's holding.
I ignore his comment and sit on the couch. Parker sits on the opposite end.
"Your text was stupid," Parker says to me. "You really think I'm giving up ten grand?"
"I didn't send it," I tell him. "And ten thousand is nothing to you. That's probably what you get for an allowance every week."
"It doesn't matter how much it is. You really think I'm giving away money because so
me anonymous asshole tells me to?"
"I can't find it," Briggs says, typing something in the laptop.
"Can't find what?" I ask.
"Why do you keep inviting her to these?" Finn asks, swinging his leg over the arm of the chair. "Ella's not even part of this. She's not getting the texts."
"Yeah, she's sending them," Parker says.
"She's not sending them," Briggs says. "I was on the phone with her when the last one was sent."
"Yeah? So?" Parker glares at me. "She sent it while you were talking to her."
"I am NOT the person sending the texts!" I turn away from him, already fuming, and I just got here.
"When I search for it, nothing comes up," Briggs says, his eyes on the laptop. "It says someone owns the short code, but it doesn't say who."
"What are you talking about?" I ask.
Briggs looks up at me. "We're trying to figure out who owns the number the texts are coming from, but I can't find anything."
"Ask one of the tech nerds to figure it out," Finn says. He looks at me. "I thought you were going to do that."
"I can, but when I suggested it, you guys acted like you didn't want me to."
"Because we didn't want them asking why you want to know," Briggs says. "But that might be our only option now. You think you could ask without telling them what it's for?"
"Yeah, definitely. I'll ask Calvin. He thinks we're friends ever since I gave him a ride home."
"You gave that guy a ride?" Parker asks. "And lived to tell about it?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The guy's fucking psycho. I bet he turns into a serial killer, if he isn't already."
"Calvin is not a serial killer," I say. "He's just quiet and likes to keep to himself."
"Aww, I think she likes him," Parker teases. "Briggs, you might have competition."
"Shut up and listen." Briggs sets the laptop on the coffee table. "Let's pretend for a minute that we actually did this. Do you guys have the money?"
Parker moves to the edge of the sofa. "Are you fucking crazy? There's no way I'm giving ten grand to some stupid charity."
"Same here," Finn says. "Not gonna happen."
"You really want to call this guy's bluff?" Briggs says. "He knows our names. He knows what we were wearing that night. He knows Finn was driving. The guy definitely saw us, and I don't think he's lying when he says he'll go to the cops."