by Raathi Chota
“Well, you’re interrupting my lesson, Detective, so please hurry up,” he stated as Detective Kale nodded.
“Carter Halls, Ethan Baxter, Aidan Rowley, and Blake Gunner, please come with me. If you fail to cooperate, there’s always another way,” Detective Kale said, then pulled out handcuffs. The guys stood up and silently walked with Detective Kale, and I wondered why they couldn’t be called down to the office instead of being embarrassed in front of everyone. Then again, Detective Kale didn’t like Blake. As soon as they walked out of the room, the class erupted in whispers and murmurs. I folded my arms and bit my lip because I wondered what Detective Kale had in store for them.
***
Blake
When I walked down the familiar hallway to the interrogation room, I stared at Detective Kale. I knew he worked with Sheriff Willson, so he should have all his evidence. He opened the interrogation room and motioned for us to go in. He held the door as I went in last.
“How’s your mom, Blake?” he asked, and I ignored him as I walked into the room. He closed the door and left us in the room. I sat next to Ethan and looked at the dimly lit room. There was a big glass opposite us where other people listened in while someone interrogated us. There were no windows in the room, just a table and five chairs. Detective Kale walked back into the room with files in his hands. I looked around to see a camera in the right corner of the room.
“Ethan Baxter, Blake Gunner, Carter Halls, and Aidan Rowley.” Detective Kale grinned as he sat in front of us.
“I thought we were done with this,” Aidan muttered as Kale went through files.
“On September 27th, you all were arrested for hiding drugs in Mr. Baxter’s cottage on Route 28,” he began. “You were forced to by James Cornelius.”
“Cornelius,” Aidan snorted, and we turned to him with a look of too soon.
“It’s stated here that you all confessed about being James Cornelius alleged helpers in hiding all of his cocaine. Apparently, things went wrong, and an anonymous call was sent to the station to rat you guys out,” Detective Kale continued.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I sarcastically said.
“My case deals with a missing person. Sheriff Willson has been trying to get James Cornelius for the past six months when someone by the name of Christo Aimar came to confess. Later it was reported that he was dead.”
“Well, he might not be dead,” Carter stated.
“I know. So Sheriff Willson and I have decided to work together. And that’s when everything started to make sense.” Detective Kale smirked as he stood up and walked around.
“What are you talking about?” Ethan asked. Kale slammed a file down on the table in front of us. In big bold letters was the name “Christo Aimar,” followed by his picture.
“He was the guy who shoved the parcels at you that day, right?” he asked as we stared at his photo. It was him. I never forgot a face. His black hair was slicked back as he held a poker face. His brown eyes glared at the camera, yet the day we saw him he looked frightened.
“Yeah,” Aidan replied.
“Mr. Cornelius is well known for threatening people to get what he wants. He has a lot of men around the country, yet we’ve managed to catch quite a few of them in recent months. But he’s also good at impersonating.”
“What the hell does this all mean?” Aidan asked. He then slammed down another file next to Christo’s. It was the guy he was looking for, Jack August. He sat down, then held up the two papers.
“Christo Aimar was reported dead. Mr. Cornelius told you he was dead to scare you. The morgue had no record of him. Mr. Cornelius threatens families. That’s why we couldn’t get anything out of Christo Aimar’s family when he was supposedly dead.”
“So? He could still be alive,” I said. Kale smirked as he held the papers.
“Look at each of their faces and pick out the similarities,” he said, and we did as I stared at Jack, then Christo. At first, there was nothing since Jack had ginger hair, and Christo had black hair, but their eyes were the same. I tilted my head, then noticed that they had the same jawline. Same nose, same thin lips, and same expression. Jack had a weird skin tone since his face was pale, but his neck was the same color tone as Christo.
“This is Christo Aimar, a.k.a. Jack August,” Aidan whispered.
“So Christo Aimar was undercover as a homeless guy named Jack August, and he might still be alive?” Carter asked, and Detective Kale nodded.
“And so Christo’s real family couldn’t say anything because they were threatened, and Jack’s family is fake…” Ethan trailed off.
“Yeah, Jack’s family was a fake. They were in on it too. That’s why they couldn’t give proper answers,” Detective Kale replied.
“So where is Christo? Why are you here questioning us when you should be out there looking for James and his men?” I asked.
“We’re working on it, Gunner, but we can’t seem to get why Mr. Cornelius needed that specific identity,” Detective Kale muttered, then looked at us. “Anyway, thank you for clearing that up. Now that we’re certain, things will really get going.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lana
When we hung out that afternoon at Ethan’s house, nobody talked about what happened with Detective Kale even though I asked countless of times. They said they’d tell me when the time was right, but I didn’t know what that meant.
Over the next few days, Blake and I became more public. It got tiresome, but the thought of Britney and Benny made me jealous. Then the strangest thing happened. Benny came over and tried to apologize again, but I couldn’t, yet I saw the desperation in his eyes. I spoke about Britney, and he said she tried to get in his pants. I would’ve taken him back right then and there because I missed him, but I couldn’t because Blake was up in my room. We hadn’t had sex because I didn’t want to and he respected that, but every time we were so close. Then I thought Benny was over me, but the next day was Valentine’s Day, and I received gifts throughout the day. It’d be a range of things like flowers, my favorite foods, and stuffed animals. I didn’t use any of the stuff because I felt guilty, but my parents did. Dad took the food, while Mom bought vases for all the flowers. It went on for another week, and it even reached a point where my parents waited by the door for the delivery guy. I couldn’t handle it anymore, so on Saturday afternoon I was at Keene’s apartment, sharing a cigarette with Blake while the guys watched sports. Again, when I got there, I asked what happened, but they completely ignored me. Blake handed me the cigarette, and I snatched it, then pressed it in the ashtray. Carter, who sat on my right, placed a hand on my thigh as he gave me a questioning look. I abruptly stood up and walked in front of the television that was on the wall.
“Lana, what are you doing?” Noel asked.
“I can’t take it anymore!” I yelled, then turned the television off. “Tell me what happened!”
“Lana, not no—”
“No! Now! I want to know; I need to know!” I exclaimed as they exchanged looks while I stood and folded my arms. Aidan nodded, then stood up. He took my hand and dragged me down the hall with Carter, Blake, and Ethan. The part that really bugged me was that Keene and Noel knew, yet I didn’t. Once we were in Keene’s room, I folded my arms and stared at them. They looked at each other, but Blake sighed.
“Is your dad still in Illinois?” he asked.
“N-no, he left for Idaho this morning. How did you—”
“He said we could tell you once he’s gone,” Aidan mumbled, then stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“Now tell me. Why did Detective Kale need you?”
“He just wanted us to confirm Christo Aimar’s fake identity,” Ethan said.
“Fake identity? Who was he undercover as?”
“Remember I told you that James is good with identities?” Aidan said, then lowered his head.
“So who was Christo?” I croaked out, because by their expressions I knew it was bad.
“That homeless
dude, Jack August,” Carter replied as I paled. I balled my fists as a chill crept up my spine. Blake noticed it and raised a brow as he stepped forward. I backed away, then looked at Aidan.
“Wh-Where’s Christo?” I whispered.
“We don’t know,” he replied as I tried to control myself.
“I-I’m just gonna go to the bathroom,” I stuttered, then walked out of the room. As soon as I was in the bathroom, I locked the door and leaned against it. I looked at myself in the mirror and stared at myself. I killed Christo Aimar…that’s why James was after me. I killed one of his men. That’s why when he and his men walked away on New Year’s, Mike said that he missed Christo. My breaths quickened as the different scenarios ran through my head. I let out a gasp as I stood in front of the sink.
“Lana, you okay in there?” Keene asked as he lightly knocked on the door.
“Y-yeah,” I breathed out, then opened the faucet. I took my glasses off, then stared at myself in the mirror. Tears filled my eyes because what if they found Christo dead? I opened the mirror cabinet and looked at all the pills. Most of them were Noel’s since he got home from rehab. The corners of my mouth went dry as I heard the knocks on the door get louder. I quickly went through the bottles and saw the same pills that Parker gave me. I took some out, then hid them in various places of my clothing.
“Lana!” Blake yelled as he banged on the door. I swallowed one, then put the bottle back and shut the cabinet. My breaths became hard as my head spun. I was in so much trouble. I needed to tell Benny. I unlocked the door and literally fell out of the bathroom. Ethan caught me and wrapped his arms around my torso to hold me up.
“Lana, are you okay?” Carter asked as he looked at me.
“I-I think I’m having a panic attack.”
“O-okay, just calm down. Breathe,” he said as Ethan dragged me into the room. The guys ran up and down, but it made the situation worse, as I felt dizzy. I pushed myself off him to walk but regretted it as my legs buckled. Sweat ran down my forehead as the room spun. My eyelids drooped as I fell forward into Carter’s arms, then blacked out.
***
When I opened my eyes, I felt a pain in my head. I let out a groan as I slowly sat up on the bed. As my vision got clear, I saw Keene next to the bed while Ethan sat in front.
“Whoa, relax,” Keene mumbled as he held my hand. I watched as he took a glass of water from the table and gave it to me. “For your head.” He then gave me aspirin. I drank the water, then swallowed the tablet. I noticed I was on Keene’s bed while the afternoon sun shone through the window. Ethan and Keene exchanged a look. I narrowed my eyes.
“What?” I managed to rasp out.
“Before you woke up, you kept mumbling out Benny’s name and that you need to tell him…Lana, will you ever forgive him?” Keene asked.
“I-I don’t know,” I whispered, even though I wanted to.
“Remember when we found out that Parker…” He trailed off as I nodded. “Well, the first thing that went through Blake’s and Levi’s minds was that you were a whore, which you’re not, but then you forgave them a few days later,” he said. “It’s been three weeks, Lana. You’re fucking miserable without him.”
Keene was right. I did forgive Levi and Blake when they thought Parker and I were fuck buddies. I hated when Keene was right.
“Benny’s not doing well, either,” Ethan chimed in as my eyes lit up. “He constantly asks about you in basketball. Coach yells at him most of the time, and he told Britney to fuck off. Right in front of everyone.” I had the tiniest victory dance in my mind. That moment when Levi and Blake thought that of me and when Benny said that to me, a tear rolled down my cheek.
“Do you think I’m a slut?” I asked and looked at Keene and Ethan.
“No!” they said in unison.
“That day at my house Carter kissed you, and it was Blake’s idea to make Benny jealous. He talked you into it. You’re just the victim, Lana,” Ethan said as his hands tightened into fists.
“But this must stop,” Keene stated as he squinted his eyes. “This thing that you and Blake are doing. It’s getting out of hand, and none of you realize who will get hurt in the end.”
The room went quiet after that as I looked at my socks. I knew Keene was right. The door creaked open, and I turned my head to see Blake, Carter, Aidan, and Noel enter the room. I shifted as I looked at Blake, who watched me the whole time as he sat next to Ethan. Aidan and Noel stood while Carter sat on the edge of the bed and cautiously placed his hand on my leg.
“Are you okay?” he asked. I nodded, and he smiled. Carter looked down, and I followed his eyes to see my glasses. He opened them and leaned forward to put them on me.
“Thank you,” I interrupted him as I took my glasses and put them on. He nodded, then turned his back to look at the guys. Ethan muttered something under his breath, then looked at Blake and me.
“You two have to stop this,” Ethan said, and I noticed Blake’s eye twitched.
“It’s not healthy for either of you, and it makes Lana very depressed,” Keene added, and I looked down in discomfort.
“Okay, whatever,” Blake said as I looked up. We stared at each other, and I clenched my fists. I couldn’t believe I let him do that to me; I couldn’t believe I let him talk me into doing such things. I couldn’t believe we used each other and he was so quick to call it off.
“Lana?”
“Yeah?”
“Good. Now you just need to tell us why you freaked out like that.”
“James is after you,” Aidan said as his eyes flashed with fear.
“H-how did you—”
“It’s quite evident. We didn’t deliver all his cocaine; neither did he.” Aidan pointed to Noel. “So he’s after you since your dad is after him.”
“Killing two birds with one stone,” Noel added. I squirmed.
“Can you take me home?” I asked Carter.
“Sure,” he replied, then stood up and walked across the room to get my boots.
“Wait,” Blake called. I turned to see him pull something out of his pocket. “What the fuck were these doing in your jeans pocket?”
I stared at the pills. I slowly looked up at Noel as my cheeks reddened. “I’m sorry.”
“I-It’s okay,” he stated. I then felt Carter’s hand on my thigh, and I turned to him.
“Are your nightmares happening again?” he asked with a concerned look.
“They never stopped.” I laughed. I saw the nervous look on Carter’s face when I said that. He tore his gaze away from me and looked at the other guys. I pushed myself off the bed and got up. Keene automatically stood up as he held his arms out, but I stopped him and said I’d walk. I put my boots on, then walked out of the room as I tried to block out their whispers.
***
When I walked up the porch with Carter behind me, I realized I still hadn’t spoken. He didn’t say anything or pressure me to talk. I spun around to face the blond and thank him for the ride home.
“Do you want me to come in? Y’know, we can cuddle…friends cuddle, right?”
“Your definition of cuddling is entirely different than my definition of cuddling, Carter Halls.” I laughed. “But I’ll be okay,” I added, then opened my arms to hug him. He chuckled, then wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me. I laughed as he set me down on the rail and pulled away. I rested my hands on his shoulders for support as he held onto my hips. We were eye level as we stared into each other’s blue eyes.
“Is this the part where we kiss?” he asked. I put my index finger on his chest, then shoved him away.
“Never happening, Carter,” I said, and he pouted.
“I thought that was our thing. Y’know, I kiss you, then you tease me down there…” Carter said as his eyes flickered with eagerness.
“No way,” I said.
“Aww, I thought that’s our sexual tension friendship.” He smiled.
“Sexual tension friendship, that’s a mouthful to say.” I laug
hed as he helped me off the rail.
“Yeah, but you’ll get used to it.” He smirked as I opened the front door.
“Bye, Carter, see you Monday.” I backed into the house.
“Goodbye, my lovely sexual tension friend. I’ll miss you.” He fake cried and walked away. I laughed, then closed the door. I heard my mother on the phone in the kitchen. My foot kicked something, and I looked down to see a box. I crouched down and picked up the box. I sighed when I saw the usual address. I took the box and walked upstairs to my room. I placed the box on my bed and opened it. My eyebrows rose when I saw a brand-new pair of black and white high tops Converse. Obviously, my old ones were the ones I wore when we buried Christo’s body, but we had to get rid of them. Now Benny bought me a new pair?
“Lana,” Mom called out as I held the shoes in my hands. I heard her footsteps behind me as I looked to see what else was inside the box. There was a little note, and I picked it up and read it.
I miss the midnight conversations we had; I miss you coming to my house just to sleep because you were more comfortable here than alone in your room. I know I said we should see other people, but I fucking can’t. I can’t move on. I miss you; I fucking miss you and will do anything and everything to get you back.
“Aww, I was hoping for tulips today.” Mom sighed. I spun around and glared at her. “I’m joking, sweetie. When are you going to let him in? He’s going crazy with all these apology gifts.” Mom gestured to the different stuffed animals and chocolates in my room. “Remember before Homecoming I told you that you’d be breaking and fixing hearts before you graduate?” She chuckled as I put the shoes in the box. I gave a slight nod as I remembered that was six months ago. A lot happened in those six months for my mother to bring that up. “Well…mothers are always right.” She took a chocolate and ate it. I glanced down and noticed she was dressed for the hospital.