The rest of the school day went as smoothly as could be expected, without interruption.
I waited for Maddox after seventh hour, just like he asked, only he was almost thirty minutes late to meet me.
"Seriously?" I asked, throwing my hands up in the air. "You're really late," I added.
"I know. I'm sorry," Maddox said, jogging up to me. His wavy, sandy blonde hair bounced on the top of his head as he moved.
I stood next to his truck. Maddox was still wearing his practice uniform. He was already sweaty, as if he'd already been to practice.
"What news do you have to tell me?" I asked, raising my eyes at him. I shifted my weight, placing my hand on my hip.
Maddox smirked, having noticed my frustration. "You're so cute when you're mad at me," he teased. He pinched my nose. I hated when he did that-it made me feel like I was some little puppy.
"Stop," I yelled, smacking his hand away. "Come on, Maddox. I have homework, and I want to call Melanie, too," I said, urging him to hurry up with his news.
Maddox ran his hands through his messy hair and seemed to grow nervous. "I was going to just... um...well..." He fumbled over his words, almost tormented by the amount of time it was taking for him to gather his thoughts.
I rolled my eyes, turned on my heels, and began to walk away, but Maddox grabbed my arm and spun me around so I would face him again.
"Sorry," he began, "I just wanted to tell you that after practice, I have to do extra weight-lifting sessions with Coach. I'll be late getting home, and it might be even later until we can hang out or work on my truck," he said, finally spitting it out.
"That’s your big news?" I asked. I was just plain annoyed.
"Yeah...what else were you expecting?" he asked, with a half-hearted laugh.
I wasn't sure I believed him, but I didn't feel like playing any more games with him, so I left him standing in the parking lot, alone, feeling him watch me as I left, his gaze burning a hole in my back.
When I arrived home, my dad was just getting out of his black Ford truck. He met me in the driveway and smiled. "How was school, Elle?" he asked.
"School was fine," I said, as we walked toward the front porch.
"Your mom's already home. She said she spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Allan and they still have your job at the coffee shop if you want it," he said as we walked through the front door.
That was another thing I had hated about leaving: I didn't even get the chance to tell my bosses, the owners of the town's local coffee shop, that I wouldn't be able to work over the summer. They probably thought I was some teenage flake when in reality, I'd enjoyed my job but was kidnapped and whisked away by my own parents.
"Seriously?" I asked, raising my brows at him. "I just left without any explanation." There was more venom in my voice than I'd intended. My dad flinched at my words, and I instantly regretted my tone.
He lay his keys on the kitchen counter and tried to hide his discomfort. "Elle, your moms arranged everything. Just go down there and tell them you're ready to work. They'll understand. Dinner isn't for another hour, so you have time," he added, nodding to indicate I should go.
I threw my backpack down, forced a smile, and turned on my heels to go back out the door I'd just come in from.
I drove through our small town and quickly found the coffee shop nestled on the corner of Main Street and Vine. The large courthouse was across the street, and a small park with white benches and large oak trees sat to the right. I'd loved working at the coffee shop. Business was always just steady enough that you'd never get bored, but it was quiet and easy work,
So, I was able to do homework and talk to friends when I wanted. Mr. and Mrs. Allan were really sweet, too. They'd been married for over fifty years and had lived in Shady Oaks their entire lives.
After parking my small car on the street, I made my way inside the coffee shop's glass doors. A bell chimed, announcing my entrance.
Mrs. Allan smiled when she spotted me. Her white hair had been curled and fell neatly on her broad shoulders. Her pink cheeks were plump. I watched as she wiped her hands on an apron tied around her waist.
"Elle," she rang out as she rushed around the corner to hug me.
I took in her sweet aroma of coffee beans and vanilla as I hugged her back. Mrs. Allan was like the town grandma. Everyone loved her and treated her with the greatest respect.
"Hi, Mrs. Allan," I said, after she'd let me go. "My mom said you wanted to talk to me," I said.
"Yes, she called after you left for West Virginia. I have to say, I hated to lose you this past summer, but I was so happy to hear you'd volunteered to take care of your sickly grandmother," she said with a soft smile.
I forced a smile and gritted my teeth. My mom had lied to Mrs. Allan! Of course, she had. I didn't understand why, but it wasn't the time to argue or get into my family drama.
"Yes, well, I really missed being here," I said honestly. "I'd love to work...if you have an opening."
"Of course. I'll add you to the schedule. Can you start next Monday?" she asked.
"Yes. I'll be here after practice," I said.
We talked for a few more minutes, and I gave her my school and cross-country schedule. After I'd left, I called Melanie to tell her about my job. I also texted Maddox, but he never responded.
Chapter 3
Some say dreams are glimpses into our futures. Others say it's our psyches trying to warn us about something in our impending lives. Others, who are more skeptical, like me, just think dreams are our overactive imaginations running wild. But, what do I know?
That night after arriving home from school, I had a strange and fantastic dream. In the dream, I was running through the woods, the same woods Maddox and I had played in since we'd been able to walk. However, there was something different and magical, almost enchanting, about this forest. The trees were such a vibrant green, they were almost neon. The shadows that used to haunt me as they followed my every move and step seemed to tempt me to look deeper as they floated over the barren floor and fallen leaves. The sky held a foggy lavender mist that made the air feel smokey and thick. An abundance of vivid red and orange wildflowers covered the ground just on the outskirts of where the trees had stopped, shielding the inner forest from the outside world. It was all so breathtaking that I felt the air leave my lungs.
The beauty of the forest wasn't what had made the dream so charming. No, the moment was surreal because I wasn't just running-I was sprinting at speeds I could barely fathom. My hair flew around my face as my legs moved my body like I was an animal on the hunt, rather than as a human girl.
I woke in a pool of my own sweat, as though I'd actually been running rather than sleeping soundly in my own bed. Everything about the dream had been so devastatingly eerie and beautiful, I almost couldn't catch my breath. It had all felt so real, like my body had actually experienced every movement, every touch, and every desire. I was surprised by my own intrigue with what the dream had meant. I'm not one to believe in destiny or signs from life, but something about the experience I had while resting soundly in my bed made me wonder what might be in store for me later.
Chapter 4
I heard the honking of Maddox's truck as I rushed down for breakfast. I ran past my parents, grabbing a banana and bottled water along the way, without so much as a good morning or a hello. When I got outside, I was almost blinded by the bright yellow sun as it was in the process of taking over the morning sky.
I hadn't been home for more than a week, and I was already being forced back to school. I seriously hated my parents for having taken away my summer. Nothing could possibly ever be worse than that.
As I jumped into the passenger seat, I dropped my backpack onto the floor below my feet.
"Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Maddox said with a smirk.
"Shut up," I hissed, as I checked my hair in the mirror. "I had a crazy dream last night and didn't have a lot of time to get ready this morning."
"D
o you want to talk about it?" Maddox asked, all trace of humor gone. It was one of Maddox's redeeming qualities: he could go from making fun of me to concern in a flash. I guess that was why we were best friends; he always knew what I needed.
"No, it's not a big deal," I began. "I just want to go to school. I need to talk to Coach Smith about cross-country practice. I spent all summer running and training, and I want him to know that I wasn't lazy while I was gone."
"That's good. You'll probably be state champs this year," Maddox added. "Just don't let this summer get to you. I'm here if you need me."
"Hopefully, but, don't worry-I'll be fine," I said. "Hey, I tried to text you last night. I wanted to tell you I got my job back at the coffee shop," I said, with more enthusiasm than I'd expected to have.
"Really? That's cool," Maddox stated with a nod.
'Tm ready to get back to my normal life. I just don't want any more surprises." I turned my attention back to the road.
Having grown suddenly anxious, Maddox tapped at the steering wheel with his fingers. "Yeah, no more surprises," he said.
I finished the school day without any more interruptions. It went as smoothly as could be expected. The rest of the evening went just as well. I went to practice and then worked a few hours at the coffee shop. Maddox came in and talked to me while I helped close the shop.
Later that night, I received a call from Melanie.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she asked, in her super-perky voice.
I was lying on my bed and staring at the television on my dresser. "Nothing. Just watching some reality show," I sighed.
"Well, it's a good thing I called then," she giggled. "We're going to a party tonight," she added.
"We are?" I asked, sitting up in bed. I felt a smile grow on my face and I glanced over at my open closet. I'd been so bored ever since I’d been back. A party was exactly what I needed.
"Yes," she said. "I'll come pick you up in an hour." She hung up the phone.
With no time to waste, I jumped out of my bed, rushed toward my closet, selected a cute pair of skinny jeans and a black halter top, put my hair up in a messy bun, spread some pink lip gloss over my lips, and made my way downstairs.
"Where are you going?" my mom asked, as she watched me bounce down the stairs.
"Melanie called. She wants to take me to a party," I said.
My mom sighed and looked over at my dad hesitantly. He was engrossed in the newspaper, but he lifted his head slowly to look at us. "Maybe another night," he suggested.
"No," I whined. "I haven't had any fun all summer. Now my friends want to take me to a harmless party. Come on...let me go," I pleaded.
My mom hesitated, but she finally nodded her head. "Okay, but you have to be home no later than eleven," she added.
"Thanks," I squealed. I threw my arms around my mom's neck, gave her a big hug, and ran out the front door to wait on the porch for Melanie to pick me up. The sun was just setting in the sky, and an array of oranges and red seemed to float over the clouds. It was beautiful. When I lifted my phone to take a picture, a text rang through my phone.
Maddox: Why are you sitting on your porch dressed up?
Me: Stalker. I’m waiting on Melanie. Why are you watching me?
Maddox: Your porch is right outside my bedroom window. Don’t be so dramatic.
Me: Whatever.
Maddox: Where are you going?
Me: Party.
Maddox: I’ll be right there.
I sighed and put my phone back into my pocket. There was no sense trying to tell Maddox he wasn't welcome to come with us. He'd just tag along anyway.
Melanie arrived ten minutes later. She pulled into the driveway, a surprised look on her face when she saw Maddox sitting next to me on the porch. She affected a smirk to cover her surprise, rolled down her window, and yelled for us to jump in. I sat in the front seat and Maddox jumped into the back.
"I didn't know you were coming with us," Melanie said, eyeing Maddox in her rearview mirror.
"Well, I figured you ladies could use a bodyguard tonight," Maddox said with a smile.
I rolled my eyes and turned in my seat to face him. "No, you just invited yourself along."
"Well, just let us do our thing," Melanie said, as she pulled out of my driveway. "Elle hasn't been home all summer. She needs to have fun without her constant shadow lurking behind her."
I turned up the radio to drown out all talking. All I wanted to do was to sit back, listen to music, and enjoy the ride.
When we arrived at the party, I almost leaped from the car before Melanie had put it into park. The party was a field party, an outdoor event on Lucas Andrews' farm. He was one of our school’s football players. If there was one thing that could be said about Shady Oaks, it was that we might be a small southern town, but our parties were awesome and definitely different than anything found in a big city.
Cars and trucks lined the gravel road leading to the farm that was used in the winter for hunting. A giant bonfire glowed off to our left with several kids sitting around it in lawn chairs. Some kids were dancing around a radio blaring Jason Aldean. I was sure half of our school were there in attendance, and I was ready to enjoy the night.
"Don't go too far," Maddox said to me, as he headed over to where a group of his baseball teammates were sitting on the tailgate of a truck.
"Whatever," I said, following Melanie over to the bonfire where a few of our friends were standing.
We talked and laughed together, and I was really enjoying my night out. I heard a girl from my Civics class let out a wild scream and turned my head to see a boy lift her over his shoulder. That was when I had the feeling someone was watching me.
My eyes roamed in an attempt to figure out who and I spotted Asher standing off to the side, a drink in one hand, his other arm draped over the back of a truck bed. He was pretending to listen as Tanner Williams, a boy who had been in every class I'd ever had since kindergarten, was speaking to him animatedly.
Our eyes met, and Asher didn't even try to look away. He continued to stare at me with his mesmerizing blue eyes and stoic expression. He was the perfect illusion, wrongfully perceived by everyone around him. On the outside, Asher was dark and mysterious, a loner, quiet, and guarded, but I could sense he was much more than that. As strange as it sounds, he was a part of me, a part that terrified me to my very core, and wanted to know that side of him. I wanted to delve into his soul to find out whom, exactly, Asher really was.
The realization terrified me.
Melanie followed my gaze to see what I was looking at. "Is that the new kid, Asher?" she asked.
"Yes," I said. I took a deep breath. "He's watching you," she stated. "I know."
Asher noticed Melanie looking, and he slowly removed his gaze from mine. I swear, he was the most ironic person I'd ever met or seen. His eyes were blue with an icy appearance that was enough to make you freeze in place while the heat exuding from them threatened to burn a hole straight through you. I'd never before met anyone who was able to cause me such anxiety and feel such intrigue after just one look.
Asher started heading our way, and my breath faltered as I was unsure how I should react.
"Oh, my gosh," Melanie said, nudging my arm, "he's coming this way." My body froze as I waited for him to reach us. His strides seemed effortless, almost as if he were gliding or floating on air. Everything around me seemed to go silent.
"Hey," Asher said, when he finally made his way to me. His voice was deep and raspy, and I almost choked trying to respond.
"Hi," I said.
"We have some classes together." He smiled.
I nodded my head as words had escaped me. Oh, no-I couldn't even form a sentence. Had I forgotten how to talk?
"Elle's on the cross-country team," Melanie said, speaking for me. I nodded my head at that, too. It was awful!
"That's cool," Asher said, keeping his icy blue eyes on me.
"Yes, I love to run," I finally managed to say. Wor
ds had finally found their way into my brain.
"I'll have to come watch you at a meet sometime," he offered.
"Sure," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I was finding it hard to breathe being that close to Asher.
"Well, I hope to see you around sometime. You know, I'm still new here-maybe you could show me around sometime," Asher stated with a small smile. His lips curled to reveal a perfect set of white teeth. I couldn't help but focus on his plump lips, probably a bit longer than I should have.
Finally, I remembered to speak. "Yes... anytime," I spat out.
Laura waved at us and ran toward us, a drink in her hand.
Asher smiled one last time and walked back to where Tanner was, still standing by his truck.
"You were...interesting," Melanie said, shoving me playfully.
"I don't know what happened," I admitted. "Something about Asher makes me forget how to act."
"Maybe it's because he's insanely gorgeous," Laura sighed and grinned. "Whatever," I said with a laugh. I wasn't jealous of Melanie-I knew she was interested in Toby Cooper, the captain of the soccer team and dreamy son of the town's judge. They'd been talking and practically dating since last year.
As the night wore on, Maddox continued to check in on me, never once letting me out of his sight. By ten-forty-five, we'd all piled back into Melanie's car and drove back to my house. We rolled the windows down with the hope that the night air would be enough to keep us awake on our drive home.
Melanie spoke, breaking through the wind rushing into the car. "So, Elle, Asher was really watching you tonight." She glanced at Maddox.
"That guy's weird," Maddox said, keeping his gaze focused outside of the car. His face was tense as the wind rushed through his blond hair.
I knew Melanie was just trying to get a rise out of Maddox, but she was right: Asher had been watching me, hardcore.
"Maybe," was all I said as I, too, began watching the trees as we continued our drive home.
****
After the party, Melanie and I crashed on my bed. Exhausted by the mental strength it took trying to figure Asher out, I was ready to fall asleep.
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