by Nora Cobb
“What the fuck?” I shout as I walk in. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with you?” she shoots back. “You act all big and bad, but when it’s time to stand up, you back down.”
“That’s no excuse for your shit attitude with Jagan,” I reply. “He didn’t trash our stuff. He’s an admin. You have to learn how to talk to those people, or you won’t have a career in this town.”
Luna looks down at the floor, and then her hands go to her face. I feel like shit because I made my best friend cry.
“Luna.” I grab her and pull her tight. “I’m sorry, but when we walked in there, I knew they didn’t want to deal with it. I know I should have fought, but this wasn’t a fight I could win…not through them.”
Luna pulls back and wipes her big brown eyes on the back of her hands. “It made me so angry. The way he was treating us. It was condescending. I want to be taken seriously,” she shakes her head, “but I’m just not.”
“I take you seriously,” I reply softly. “You’re a good person, and an even better friend. Luna, it’s not you personally. It’s where we are.”
We sit down at the kitchen table and catch our breaths. I look around the apartment, and it gives me the chills. I was feeling better when we weren’t in here, but now all I can think about is Silas, and I don’t have a good enough plan for dealing with him.
She sniffs. “You’re right. I don’t think I’m tough enough to make it.” Her shoulders sink as she sniffs back the tears. “I should just do what my aunt says and get married. I don’t need this shit.”
“Oh God, Luna,” I tell her. “I didn’t mean that. We’ll make it. We’re just having an off day.” Smiling, I grab her hand and squeeze it. “Persistence can pay dividends. Let’s go have lunch and then replace the stuff we need.”
Luna smiles weakly. “Lunch at the Bait Shop?”
“I would never dare take you there,” I tell her.
We head out in the Mustang as a maintenance guy arrives to put a new lock on our door. He hands us the new keycards, and then we drive off. I don’t look up at the curtain as we walk to the car. We spend two hours at the local strip mall, eating fried burritos and egg rolls, then head over to the drugstore to buy toiletries.
“Do you want to head over to Tarjay?” I ask as we pull out of the parking lot.
“No, I’m not in the mood to shop, and I’ve got to finish studying for my exam.” Luna pauses. “I’ve been thinking about it. Why don’t we bunk together and we could turn your room into a study space?”
I stare at the solid yellow line as we drive down the road. “Thanks, but I’ve got to handle this. I can’t fix things by not facing them. I don’t want to be afraid of my own bedroom.”
“I get it,” she sighs, “and I’m sorry.”
Frowning, I look at Luna in the rear-view mirror. “For what?”
“I turned this into an all-about-me moment,” she replies. “I wasn’t the one attacked. Vicki, you don’t have to face your demons alone. I’ll watch over you tonight and make sure you’re okay. I’ll be there until you can handle it yourself.”
“Luna, it’s okay,” I assure her.
Her voice is firm. “No, it’s not. You shouldn’t have to go through life feeling like you have to battle it on your own. I have to study, so I’ll just do it in your room.”
I have mixed feelings when we return to our suite to find the bedrooms were cleaned while we were gone. How many people have keycards to our new lock? Luna and I picked up the stuff and shoved it into drawers or garbage bags, depending on if it was fixable or trash. But while we were gone, a cleaner came in and mopped the spilled lotion and shampoo off the floor and swept up the broken mugs and torn-up teddy bears. The windows were even wiped clean and now shine in the setting sun. The whole place smells like lemon and pine needles, and we guess that the cleaners did the whole apartment and not just our bedrooms.
A brand-new laptop is on my desk, and another one is on Luna’s. She pulls the card off hers and reads it aloud. “Best wishes, Jagan.” She looks at me. “Yours will probably say love. What was up with him anyway?”
It’s too late to admit the truth. “He’s just protecting the school,” I mumble.
“You’re probably right. He’s not going to let Redwood look bad because of one psychotic student. I’m going to study in your room. Okay?”
I nod, and Luna heads off. I sit down, watching another comedy that might have been funny if I weren’t distracted. I check the time, and it’s almost ten. I’m fighting to keep my eyes open. I have to face it. I have to go to the bedroom sometime. Ironically, if I had some pills, I could go all night.
It feels odd lying in bed with Luna sitting beside me at my desk, but I also feel relieved as my head lies on my pillow, and I close my eyes. I’m on edge, and my jaw is tense, but soon I relax. I think of a good moment at rehab. I remember the time an aide sat in the room at my bedside while I slept. She was an older woman, soft-spoken and kind, and she watched TV as I slept. The other aides treated her with respect, and no one ever dared give her a hard time, including the doctors. She sat with me many nights when I was horribly homesick and wouldn’t calm down. She told them not to strap me down. She scolded them and reminded them I was a child. I always think about her and send her love.
I’m back in the woods again, dressed in only my T-shirt. My legs are bare, and as I run, branches reach out and prick my skin, leaving scratches and cuts bleeding down my legs. I stumble and fall. The sound of an engine roars behind me. Running, I turn to look, and Silas grabs my arm. He’s holding a syringe. I start to float as the syringe empties into my arm. I look up toward the night sky, and then something catches my attention eye. Dom is unzipping his pants as Silas opens his satin robe.
“Vicki?” Luna shakes me gently, and I’m pulled out of the dream with a sudden start. I stare at her in the dim light coming from the bathroom. I lean my head against her shoulder.
“You were having a bad dream,” she whispers.
I nod my head and lie back down. Luna turns on her laptop and places it on the desk. Ambient music plays from the speaker plays, and I take a deep breath as my heart stops pounding against my chest.
After that, I’m able to sleep until morning. The chirping outside my window wakes me up, and I smile at the cacophony of tweets. Luna stayed with me through the night. Her head is resting on the desk. I get up quietly and drape a quilt over her shoulders and press a soft kiss against the back of her head. I’m grateful I have a true friend.
Chapter Seventeen
The best idea for the film festival—sex as a weapon—is my suggestion. When I present it to my group, everyone instantly becomes excited, everyone except Dom. He stares at me blankly, no doubt aware of the hidden message. Thank you very much, Chase. It’s our shitstorm relationship from the start. Either one, take your pick. It didn’t have to be, but Dom wanted drama, so why not put one on?
Since the school is surrounded by woods, we decide to use the woods as a backdrop. I haven’t explored the surrounding area. The farthest I’ve ventured into the woods is the day lot. But just like Snow White dashing ahead of the huntsman, I go into the woods to look around.
I find a hiking trail through the evergreen trees and follow the red markings on the trunks. The scent of pine needles under my feet fills my lungs as I inhale the cool, clean air. The trees soar up above my head as the sound of tiny animals scampering for cover fills my ears. Stretching out my arms, I smile as my fingertips touch the rough old bark, but my happiness quickly fades when I see Silas’s intense emerald gaze staring back at me.
I stop in my tracks as my heart begins to pound. I take deep breaths, remembering I’m the injured party, not him. He sits on a log with his backpack at his feet, dressed in denim and a long-sleeved tee. He looks like a normal student, not like the schemer that he is. Silas has a sketchpad in his hands, and silently, he faces it toward me. It’s the scene surrounding us, perfectly rendered in pen and ink on his pa
d. Intrigued by a talent I didn’t know he possessed, I walk closer.
“I didn’t know you could draw,” I tell him as he flips through the pages, sharing detailed renderings of multiple landscapes. But Silas is no longer interested in nature now that he’s lured me in. I stand beside him.
“You’re missing a lucrative opportunity, Victoria.” His eyes rake over my body. “Don’t keep that hot body hidden. You could pose for me here. Those long legs are connected to the sweetest ass. You should show it off on JustFriends and give daddy’s checking account a rest.”
I snap out of it. “So, you’re proud that you broke into my bedroom, trashed my suite, and threatened me?”
He laughs. “You invited me in when you stole my shit. Tsk, tsk, I would’ve shared.”
I stare at him with wild eyes. How does he know my dream? Unless he’s spying on me. I’m not afraid this time. I lift my hand up and haul it back, but Silas is quicker. He grabs my wrist before I can make contact with his smug face. I struggle to get out of his unyielding grip. He pulls me close until I can feel his breath on my cheek.
Grimacing, I close my eyes. “Let me go, you sick fuck.”
He doesn’t, and his grip tightens. “I think I’d enjoy the stinging feeling of your hand hard against my face,” Silas pauses and places his mouth near my ear, “but if you hit me, you better expect the same in return. Do you like pain, Victoria?”
Silas lets go of my arm as if it burned him to touch it, and I stumble away. My wrist has a bright red mark on it where he gripped me. I want to beat the shit out of him, but I can’t. The boy has muscle that I can’t overpower with grit. But I sure would pay someone to do it. I hold up my arm to show him the mark, and the mofo smirks.
“What do you really want?” I hiss. “Why can’t you just leave me the fuck alone?”
Silas scowls, and his lips form a sulky pout. “Tell me the truth, and I’ll tell you my truth. Did you steal my shit?”
“I don’t trust you enough to tell you the truth,” I reply coldly. “You’ll twist it back on me.” My gaze stays on him while I plan the best exit to get away from him quickly. My stupid-ass mistake. I told Luna never to go off alone, and what did I do? I went back into the woods. When am I going to stop thinking I’m invincible and take my own good advice?
As if he knows what I’m thinking, Silas steps away. He watches me as he slowly folds his arms over his chest and sits back down on the log. It’s shocking to watch. A guy so prissy about his appearance, and he’s placing his ass on a mossy stump.
“No tricks,” he says. “This time, I just want the truth. You have a conscience. You would actually feel bad if someone else takes the blame.”
I swallow hard. “I flushed it. That was my payback for Theo.”
“You don’t think he enjoyed that?” Silas laughs, and his laughter lights up his face. He enjoys ruining people for kicks.
“You are a sick fuck,” I murmur.
“And you’re a dumb bitch,” he answers back. “You flushed a kilo.”
“Wait,” I hold up my index finger. “That wasn’t a kilo.”
His eyes harden, and his laughter stops. “You swear you didn’t take a kilo.”
I scoff. “Honey, I know a kilo. I swear I didn’t take that much. It couldn’t have been.” My shocked look easily convinces him as we realize that we’ve both been played.
“I believe you,” he replies. “You’re a user, and I can tell by looking at you that you’re still clean. But you’re going to have to pay for it.”
I narrow my eyes on him like I just figured out he’s insane. “What do you mean?” I ask with a tone.
He scoffs. “I mean you stole from me. Do you think I can just go to the store and pick more up? Order online for next-day delivery?” He shrugs at that idea. He knows it’s possible for him. Silas points his finger and sneers. “You owe me, Victoria.”
“Stop fucking calling me that!” I shout. “Fuck you. I owe you nothing.”
“Fine,” he stands up and glares at me. “Pick a friend.”
It’s not cold out, but I’m starting to shake. “What do you mean?”
“I mean pick a friend.” He looks up to the sky as if he’s thinking. “Can’t choose one? I’ll help you decide. Theo has a promising career as an underground porn star. Or maybe Talia? Do you know why she never goes home? Because her parents are born again, and she’s hiding in the back of the closet. Or maybe Luna, pretty little Luna.”
I step into his face. “Stop! Don’t you dare attack my friends. What do you want? How much do you want?”
His condescending grin freezes on his face, and Silas stares down at me as if I’m completely mental. “Money? You plan to pay me back with money?”
Shit. I should have left that stuff alone. “What is it with you? Why do you hate me so much?”
He touches his finger lightly to my chin, and I knock his hand away. “You think you belong, but you don’t. You want your name on the list. Why? So you can embarrass me?”
My eyes widen. “How am I going to embarrass you?”
“Because you’re a junkie,” he replies coldly, “and one day, you’re going to fuck up. So why wait for that day when our names are linked and you humiliate me in public? I’ll just bend and break you now. You’re weak, and I’ll prove it to you.”
“You are insane,” I whisper, backing away. I’ve never seen so much hate in someone’s eyes before, and all of it is directed at me. “Why? Because I challenged you in a school election?”
“You’re ungrateful,” he replies matter-of-factly. “All you had to do was ask me nicely, and I’d have given you what you wanted. While you gave me what I wanted. But you came to Redwood with your attitude, taking over the school on the day you first showed up. Who does that?” he scoffs. “I was here long before you. Show me some respect.” He shakes his head. “I know Chase asked you to join and no response. You dissed me yet again.”
I swallow hard. He’s a jerk. But the jerk is right. I should’ve laid low and waited until I knew whose toes I was about to step on.
“No reply again.” His smile twists into a hideous expression. “She’s speechless. Good, because your trashy accent wears on my nerves.” Silas turns his back on me and grabs his things to leave. “You’ll pay me back, but I’m going to want more than respect now. I want a pound of your flesh.”
***
Later that day, I hurry toward the film building for the club meeting. Looking around as I rush down the path, I dread what will happen next. I doubt Silas will go after Theo again, but what about Talia? And oh my God, Luna. Not Luna.
I pick up speed then stumble backward as I blindly walk straight into Chase’s chest. He has a worried look on his face as I clutch the top of my head in pain. I’m not sure how much he knows. I’m never sure how much any of them know.
“Vicki,” he rubs my back and speaks softly. “Where are you running off to?”
I look through him and then walk past him as fast as I can. “I have a club meeting. We’re discussing the script for our project.”
He jogs in front of me, running backward, trying to get me to slow down. Chase moves easily, as if strenuous movement is natural for him. He’s tall, he’s sexy, and he’s built. And I can’t get that image of him standing over Marcy out of my mind. Not after she tried to beat my ass behind the school.
“Hey,” I say coldly, “don’t you have a class to go to, teacher’s pet?”
He stops moving. And I feel Chase’s hard stare on my back as I practically run past him all the way to the building. Maybe it was stupid to alienate him. But neither he nor Dom tried to tell me about Theo. They act as if it doesn’t matter because it wasn’t me. Well, it does matter. My friends are the only people that give a shit about me. Why do I mess with these cruel boys?
I sit in the back of the room during the club meeting with my arms crossed, sending out that fuck off vibe. Dom eyes me, but he doesn’t say anything. What could he say that would make it okay?
&nbs
p; “Vicki, you’re quiet.” He calls me out in front of everyone
I don’t acknowledge the comment. “I scouted around the woods,” I reply. “I may have found a good location. And bonus, it looks safe too. No pervs lurking around.”
He narrows his eyes then ignores me for the rest of the meeting. I should feel relieved, but maybe I went too far. I want them to lay off, not give them more reasons to come after me.
I feel alone as I walk back to the town house. My friends are unaware of Silas’s threats, and I don’t trust Chase or Dom to protect me. They don’t need to do anything more than just tell me. Are they really that afraid of Silas? And I get why Silas hates me, but what about all the awful things he did? Don’t they count? Why can’t I be angry too?
I open the door of my suite and walk in to find Theo on the couch. I squeal with delight as I run to him and give him the biggest and strongest hug I can give.