Forks, Book Two

by A. E. Davis

  “We’ll see.” He grinned.

  “I better get going,” I told him. “I don’t want to be late.”

  He glanced at the clock on the stove. “Yeah, you better get going.”

  “I’ll see you later?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be here after my shift. And don’t fill up on junk food,” he warned. “I’m making a special dinner for my girls tonight.”

  “Yum.” I rubbed my belly. “I can hardly wait.”

  His phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the number. His brows creased. “See you.” He waved me off.

  I waved back but he had already turned around to answer his phone. Halfway to the door, I remembered my snacks and turned back around to get them. Being as quiet as possible, I stepped back in the kitchen, and lifted them off the table.

  “I told you not to call me on this phone,” he said in hushed tones, sounding angry.

  Wondering who he was talking to, I paused in the doorway.

  Ken spun around like he knew I was listening.

  Prickles rose on my skin. I made an apologetic face and whispered, “Sorry.” Then I ran out of the kitchen.

  thirty five

  The prospect of seeing both Viktor and Vincent made me nervous and excited at the same time. I wasn’t sure which I felt more, though. As I pulled into the parking lot, I took a few deep fire-breaths to calm myself. Thankfully, I was early, so no one had taken my space. Turning off the engine, I took my keys out of the ignition and dropped them into my bag.

  Fog hung heavily around my car like a thick cloying blanket. It wasn’t cold out for a change, which I was glad for, but unfortunately, the warm weather combined with the dampness, my hair was growing in volume. I pulled it back and twisted it at the nape of my neck, hoping to calm the frizz-ball that would soon be covering my head.

  Reaching into my bag, I pulled out my phone to check the time. One of my staple boxes of Red-Hots fell out onto the seat. I picked them up, shoved them back in my bag, and then remembered I forgot to brush my teeth after I drank my coffee. Opening the box, I tossed some in my mouth to suck on while I read a few pages of the book I was finishing up for English. The class was still reading Beowulf, but we were starting another book next week sometime or so the Turtle had said.

  Before I knew it, the first bell was ringing. I put my bookmark back inside my book and shoved it back into my bag along with my Red Hots. Lifting my bag, I put it on my shoulder, and climbed from the car. The fog was now, ‘thick as pea soup’ or so my mom would say. I locked my door and shut it. Stepping up on the sidewalk, I made my way towards the school. My progress was pretty slow, since I could see very little. Footsteps approached from behind. Instinctively, I quickened my step. The footsteps quickened as well. My heart picked up pace and I turned to look over my shoulder. My body slammed into something hard.

  Jarred, I thought I hit the brick wall of the school but as I reached out, I didn’t feel anything but air. “What the…”

  In the distance, I could swear I heard someone gagging.

  Amazingly, even though I had to walk through a giant bank of fog, I got to class on time. As soon as Glinda saw me, she started bouncing in her seat. “So what are you wearing Friday?” she asked as soon as I sat down.

  “Um, I guess the usual.” Reaching down into my bag, I pulled out my notebook and an ink pen.

  Sitting back up, I looked over at Glinda. She was making a face. “What’s wrong?”

  She waved her hand and shook her head.

  “Okay, then,” I mumbled.

  Mr. Klein started talking and put an end to any more conversation, anyway.

  Class slugged by. When the bell finally rang, Glinda jumped up. “Hey, where are you going?”

  “I’ve got to do something,” she said hurriedly and took off.

  I stared after her a moment as she made a beeline out of the class.

  “Weird.”

  Taking my time, I pulled the strap of my bag on my shoulder and headed out to my next class.

  The rest of school dragged. I hadn’t seen Vincent and Glinda was M.I.A... I stood by her locker, like I usually did, waiting to walk with her to the Turtle’s class but she never showed. Pushing off her locker, I headed to class. Once again, I was feeling excited and nervous at the prospect of seeing Viktor. Turns out, I didn’t need to be either because when I stepped into class Viktor wasn’t here and neither was Viola.

  “So, I hear you’re going out with us Friday,” Cressida, said as a slow shit-eating grin spread across her abnormally sparkly face.

  I looked over my shoulder, not sure if she was talking to me. I turned back around and she was still standing there. “I guess.”

  “It should be fun.” She edged closer.

  “Yeah, it sounds like it.” I looked up at the ceiling.

  “What are you looking at?” Cressida looked up too.

  “I’m waiting for a pig to fly by.”

  “A what?” She did a double take, looking confused.

  “Class started three minutes ago,” Ms. Campbell, screeched.

  Cressida clomped away.

  Smiling, I quickly sat down in my seat.

  By the time school ended, the fog had cleared and when I stepped outside, the sun was even shinning. Taking my time, I headed to my car. I thought there would be a bunch of kids enjoying the sun, but once again, there weren’t many outside. I didn’t get it.

  Almost to my car, a body brushed up against my side. I looked over and groaned inwardly.

  “What’s up new girl,” Curtis said, smiling broadly.

  “I have a name.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Then why don’t you use it?”

  “Got me.” He shrugged

  “All righty then.” I kept walking.

  He kept up with me. “I’m looking forward to our date Friday.”

  That stopped me in my tracks. “What?”

  “I thought that would get you to stop.” He flipped his long blue bang out of his eyes with a jerk of his head.

  “And your point would be?”

  “Don’t know. Just wanted to talk you up for a minute,” he said, smiling.

  “Well…” I gave him a cold look.

  “What’s with the ice?” He shivered for effect.

  “Ice?”

  “Yeah, you’re trying to freeze me out, but it won’t work.”

  “Darn.”

  “I like you,” he blurted suddenly.

  “Great.”

  “No, I mean it. You’re different.”

  “You like me because I’m different?”

  “Yeah, I really do.”

  That was so not what I felt like hearing from Curtis. “What about Cressida?”

  “What about her?”

  “Aren’t you two like an item?”

  “No way,” he scoffed and then his face reddened.

  “You might want to tell her that.”

  “You serious?” His brows creased with interest. “Did she say something to you?”

  “Yeah, she likes you.” I didn’t know this for a fact but it was a good way to change the subject off of me.

  “Huh? I hadn’t thought about that.” He looked like he was giving it some serious thought.

  “She’s looking forward to Friday.”

  “She is?”

  “Yeah, I think she wants to…you know.” I was lying, of course.

  “She does?” His expression changed completely. “I’ve always wondered about that…but I thought she was into Vincent.”

  “She is?” I felt like he punched me in my gut.

  “Ah.” He smirked and his eyes twinkled. “I guess you didn’t know that.”

  “Well, no. Not really.” It did make sense though.

  “Yeah, she’s had the hots for him forever.”

  “Great.” A surge of jealousy shot through me even though I didn’t have any reason to feel that way.

  “He messes with her, off and on,” he said adding anothe
r mortal blow to my already dwindling ego.

  “He does?” Now I felt sick, too.

  “Yeah, I thought you knew.”

  “Not really.” Geez, apparently Vincent was a busy boy—Evelyn and now Cressida too. I wasn’t sure what to think. Was Curtis lying? I didn’t think so, which of course sucked even more.

  “Sorry, new…err, I mean Amber.” He gave me a sheepish look. “I thought you had the hots for him too.” He ducked his head and lifted his shoulders, shrugging.

  “Ah…no,” I lied smoothly. Even if I did, Curtis was the last person I would tell.

  “Phew.” He swiped his hand over his brow in an exaggerated gesture. “I was worried about that.”

  “Why?” I had to ask.

  “Well, because if you liked him I would have to leave off, you know, bro-code and all…but now…” He wiggled his brows. “You’re fair game.”

  “No.” I shook my head adamantly back and forth. “I’m not.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” He had me there. What was I going to say?

  “Yes…” His brows rose expectantly.

  “I gotta go.” I looked up at the sky. “Looks like rain,” I said lamely.

  Curtis’ eyebrows knitted together as he frowned up at the sun shining brightly. He lowered his face, which had disbelief written all over it. “You want some company?”

  “No!” I nearly shouted. “I mean,” I flustered. “I can’t. My mom is waiting for me.”

  “Oh. That’s cool.” His face reddened as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I gotta jet, too.”

  “Well…” I fumbled in my bag, pulling out my keys. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Yeah, later,” he said.

  I may have broken a few records getting to my car. I jumped inside and started my car. Peggy Sue sputtered to life. Prickles rose on my skin. I looked back down the sidewalk. Curtis was still standing there, looking towards my car. My breath stuck in my throat. He had a really nasty look on his face. Freaked, I threw Peggy Sue into gear and backed out of my parking space quickly. Stomping on the brake, I threw the car into drive and sped out of the lot. As I drove away, I glanced in the rearview to see if he was still there but he was gone.

  All the way home, I had an unsettled feeling and I was half-tempted to make a detour to the Roth’s house but couldn’t think of a good enough reason just to stop by. I would have brought Viktor back his jacket but I stupidly left it on my bed—well, that wasn’t really true. I wanted to keep it for a while longer and besides, I didn’t know who I really wanted to see. I was still confused about that. I had such a good time with Viktor the other night but I also felt a connection to Vincent. Needless to say, I was still confused about that.

  When I got home, Mom was occupied with one of her books, so I headed to my room to call Glinda. I wanted the scoop on Evelyn but she didn’t answer her phone.

  After dinner, which turned out to be leftovers, since Ken had to work, I tried again but there was still no answer. I tossed my phone on my nightstand and grabbed the remote, turning on the television. There was nothing good on.

  Feeling antsy, I went downstairs to grab something to snack on. Ken showed finally and Mom was in the middle giving him a massage on the couch. Their backs were turned, so I tiptoed to the kitchen and grabbed some pretzels to snack on and a glass of water. Peeking out of the kitchen, I made sure they were both occupied and made a beeline for the stairs. Thankfully, neither of them noticed me. I ran back up the stairs to my room.

  Once upstairs, I set my snacks on the nightstand and opened the window to let in the breeze. After I changed into my P.J.s, I sat down on my bed to read for a bit before I went to sleep. I was hoping Bella’s drama would get my mind off my own for a while. Leaning back on my pillows, I pulled out a pretzel and nibbled on it while I read.

  I was at the part where Bella was in the hospital. It reminded me of when I went to see Glinda. I skimmed this part. I didn’t want to read about hospitals anymore than I had wanted to watch that part while I was at my dad’s. I fast-forwarded it then, wanting to get to a good part. But it wasn’t the same as reading. Edward was acting weird, so I had to slow down so I could understand what was happening next. It didn’t look good for Bella. I briefly wondered where Jacob was because I was sure he would have come to the hospital to see Bella too and then I realized she wasn’t even in Forks.

  A sharp ping sounded and something hit the floor.

  Startled, I jumped off the bed. Heart pounding, I looked down. A little red piece of candy was lying amidst the white shag of my carpet. I ran over to my window as another piece of candy flew inside and bounced off my chest.

  I poked my head out. “Vincent?” I called low, even though I knew it had to be him.

  He stepped into the light spilling out from my room. “What’s up?” He smiled, looking comfortable and way too cute wearing a long-sleeved white tunic under a Captain America t-shirt with faded blue jeans.

  “What are you doing here?” I tugged on the bottom of my t-shirt feeling dumpy in my sweats.

  “I was bored.” He shrugged.

  “Are you crazy?”

  “For you,” he said and smiled—the act lit up his face.

  My heart did an involuntary flutter. “Yeah, right,” I laughed nervously.

  “You keep telling yourself that.” His smile grew and with it a warm tingly feeling coursed through me.

  “Where were you today?”

  “I had some stuff to do.”

  “Oh.”

  “Can you come out and play?”

  “What? No way.” Even as I said it I felt myself wanting to go.

  “Please.” He clasped his hands in a begging gesture.

  I smiled, not able not to. “Fine. I’ll come out for just a minute.”

  “Sweet.”

  I grabbed a hoodie off the bottom of my bed and quickly pulled it on. “How did you get up here?” I asked as I climbed out my window.

  “With these guns,” he said, flexing.

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Amber…” He grasped his chest. “That hurts.”

  “Stop,” I laughed.

  “It does,” he said and stepped closer. He was so close to me I could feel the heat from his body. “How do you think I got up here?” his voice came out low, sexy.

  “Ah…” I flustered.

  “You can stop freaking out,” he laughed. “I used a ladder.”

  I looked past him but didn’t see anything. “I don’t see a ladder.”

  “That’s because you’re looking in the wrong place. It’s right over there.” He pointed to the edge of the balcony.

  I gave him a doubtful look and walked over to the side of the balcony. Shockingly, there actually was a ladder. “Where’d you get that?”

  “It’s been on the side of your house since the last time I used it.”

  “It has?” I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it before. “If it’s yours, why didn’t you take it with you?”

  “Who said it was mine?” His brow hitched up a notch.

  “I thought you did.”

  “And you believed me?” His eyes glittered.

  “Fine.” I smiled, not able not to. “So if it’s not yours who does it belong to?”

  “I guess it came with the house.” He lifted his shoulders, shrugging.

  “Oh. That makes sense, I guess.” Not that I really cared at this juncture. I was just glad there was a ladder.

  “So what do I owe this unexpected visit to?” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I hadn’t spoken to him since I told him about Sandy.

  “You want the truth?”

  “Obviously,” I deadpanned.

  “I wanted to say sorry for leaving you like that the other day and…” He swallowed hard as if he was searching for what to say.

  My chest tightened.

  “And…I missed you.” He took another step forward.

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, I did.” He reached o
ut, moving a piece of my hair over my shoulder.

  I didn’t move. Not an inch. At this point I didn’t even think I was even breathing.

  He leaned closer… his face inches from my own.

  With my heart thudding in my ears, I held my breath…and lifted my eyes to his. A confused look crossed his face that I didn’t understand. “What’s wrong?”

  “What is that?” he asked stonily. He dropped his hand and took a step back from me like I had cooties or something.

  “What is what?” I asked confused, searching his face.

  “What the hell are you wearing that for?”

  “Huh?” It took a moment for what he said to sink in. I looked down and belatedly realized I was wearing Viktor’s sweatshirt. “Ah…” My face burned five shades of red. “I borrowed it.”

  “When?” His eyes narrowed and his stance became defensive.

  “The other day,” I mumbled.

  “You were with Viktor?” He gaped at me.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “What the hell were you doing with him?” His voice came out harsh, accusing.

  “We just kind of ran into each other.”

  “Right.” He gave me a doubtful look.

  “What? I’m not allowed to hang out with people.”

  “He’s my brother,” he snapped.

  “So what?” I tensed from his tone.

  He gave me a look of disbelief and shook his head. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

  “No. I don’t know that,” I snapped, getting angry.

  “Take it off.”

  “What?”

  “Take off his fucking jacket,” he growled.

  “No.” I held my ground, anger pushing out my sense of self-preservation at this point.

  “Amber, I’m warning you.”

  “Oh, get over it, Vincent. It’s just a stupid sweatshirt.”

  “That smells like my brother,” he spat.

  “So what.” I threw my hands in the air. “It’s not like you’re a saint, you know.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” His eyes glittered strangely but I kept on. Mom would call what I was doing ‘poking the bear’.

  “I know about Evelyn, Cressida and you were probably even with Sandy…” As soon as I said her name, I froze, not believing I had brought her up.