Because of you

by J. , Lea

  Because

  of

  You

  J. Lea

  Lea J.

  Because of You

  Editor and translator: Tanja Kunej

  Cover photo: Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs

  Copyright @2014 Lea J.

  CIP - Kataložni zapis o publikaciji

  Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica, Ljubljana

  821.163.6-32(0.034.2)

  LEA J.

  Because of you [Elektronski vir] / Lea J. ; prevajalka Tanja Kunej. - El. knjiga. - Ljubljana : author, 2014

  ISBN 978-961-93705-0-6 (mobi)

  275007744

  Because of You is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author`s imagination. Any resemblance to events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright @2014 J. Lea

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

  Table of contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Aaliyah

  I enter the room with a glass in my hand. “Here’s your water,” I say as I close the door behind me. I turn around to hand it to her and let out a scream of horror. I drop the glass on the floor and it breaks, water spilling all around. “Hope!” I scream when I see her lying on the floor. I run to her and kneel down. Hope’s eyes are open, but they’ve lost the spark that has been shining brightly in her eyes just minutes ago. I shake her shoulders violently. “Hope? Hope?” I check her pulse, but there isn’t one. I notice a red mark on her neck—it looks like she’s been strangled. Tears spilling from my eyes, I run to the phone and dial 911 with shaky hands. At that moment I hear the door knob turning and I quickly spin around. Caden walks into the room, holding a big black plastic bag. His gaze is fixed on the bag and he’s trying to unfold it. Our eyes suddenly meet and for a few seconds we stand completely still, startled. “Wh—what happened?” I manage to utter, my stomach turning in terror.

  “What the hell are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” He hisses angrily. “She was butting her nose into things that were none of her business, like you just now!” He hisses angrily. I am surprised by his words, I have no idea what he’s talking about. Caden charges at me—it is obvious he doesn’t want any witnesses to his crime. I grab the camera Hope and I were using earlier and throw it at his head. It slows him down for a couple of seconds, and I quickly run towards my room, lock the door and pack some clothes in a hurry. I can already hear his voice, full of rage, at the door. I look around me in fear, trying to find an exit. Jumping out of the window seems the only solution since Caden is now trying to break down the door. “You can’t escape me!” he yells when the window is already half open. “I won’t hurt you, just open the door!” Yeah, right, I don’t believe his words for a second. I have one leg out of the window when there is a loud bang. He has managed to get the door open. In panic, I swing the other leg out of the window and jump from the first floor of my house. I roll as I hit the ground, quickly push myself up and start running. “I’ll find you!” Caden yells after me. I don’t stop, my legs carry me straight to the police station, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

  Chapter 2

  Aaliyah

  The bus finally arrives at my stop - Schenectady, New York. The long, fifteen-hour ride has taken its toll on me. I’m tired and in desperate need of a shower and a warm meal. I slowly exit the bus and take in my surroundings. This is my first time in a big city. I was born in a small town and always kept to myself, but this time I’ve decided I need a change. Due to my high GPA, I was accepted to Union College before I graduated. Why not, I said to myself, as I was filling out the application form. I’ve always wanted to go to college and get a degree, and his threats are not going to prevent me from doing that. He doesn’t even know where I am, and hopefully it will remain that way. I want to live a normal life and not have to look over my shoulder with fear all the time. About two months ago, right after I finished my high school, I ran away because I had no other choice.

  I cross the road carefully and head over to the student campus, where a room is waiting for me. They told me I will have a roommate, and I truly hope we’re going to get along. I want to have at least one friend. I drag my dusty suitcase behind me and look curiously at this place, the place I’m going to call my home. I cross a bridge and turn left toward the city center. A few times I have to stop and ask the locals for directions since I’ve never been here before. After walking for about an hour, I finally reach my destination. A big student campus spreads in front of me, with large parking lots and a beautiful park, filled with benches. College students are sitting on the benches and chatting. For a moment, I just stand there and stare at the enormous building where I’ll be living. I take three deep breaths and go check in with the manager of the dorm to pick up the key to my room.

  “Hi, my name is Aaliyah Thomas, I’m here for the key. They told me I can get it here,” I say to the manager, once I step from the cold, old-looking hallway into his office.

  “Just a second, let me check on the computer,” he quickly types in something—I’m guessing my name—and nods. He fixes his glasses and looks back up at me. “Found you. Your dorm is right behind this building, in the second part of the campus. Here’s your key, room 203. Welcome and good luck with your exams.” I nod and smile, thank him for the keys and head towards my room.

  The sun is already high in the sky. I follow the asphalt road, and many students, carrying luggage, hurry past me. Climbing the three steps leading to the entrance of my building, I gently push open the door and climb the stairs to the second floor. I unlock the door to my room, step in, dragging my suitcase behind me, and look around me. There is a small fridge in the corner and on each side of the room there is a closet, a bed and a nightstand. The walls are bare and painted white. The room is just big enough for two people. I laugh and spin in circles. At the moment, my roommate hasn’t arrived yet, so I choose the bed by the window and unpack my belongings. I don’t own much—some items of clothing, a diary I’ve been writing in for the last few years, a wallet and the broken camera Hope and I were using in the past. The wallet isn’t much of a help, since it’s empty. I’m lucky to have received a full scholarship, so I don’t have to worry about tuition, but I do have to pay for the room I’ll be living in. This means I have to find a job as soon as possible. Once all the clothes are in the closet, I grab a shower gel, a towel and a change of clothes and head to the end of the hallway, where the common bathroom is. I strip off my clothes and step under the hot shower. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the hot water caressing my naked skin and washing off the sweat from the fifteen-hour travel. I run my hands though my hair to get rid of the dust from the travel. Once I'm clean, I towel off and put on fresh clothes. I instantly feel better. I return to the room which is no longer empty. A brunette is standing next
to the bed with her back to me, putting her things on her bed. As she hears the door opening, she turns around. She’s almost a foot shorter than me, and her hair is wavy, falling free around her shoulders. Her eyes are almost black, but they hold warmth, which instantly makes me at ease. She’s petite and wears a colorful outfit. I smile gently at her and move closer. “Umm, hi, my name is Aaliyah, I’m your roommate. I hope you don’t mind I’ve already picked a bed.” I extend my hand for a handshake.

  “Hi yourself,” she responds and gives me an honest smile. I am relieved because she seems nice—I was worried about what kind of a person is going to live with me. “I’m Addison, nice to meet you. And I don’t care where I sleep, I just need a bed. Aaah, I can’t believe we’re at college! Imagine all the fun and good times we’re going to have. And the parties! I’m sure these are going to be the best four years of my life.”

  “So, tell me about yourself,” Addison joins me on the bed after she puts away all the clothes she brought with herself. I am leaning against the edge of the bed with my legs crossed Indian style. I raise my head as I am in the middle of writing in my diary. I close it and put it in my lap.

  “Huh, I don’t know. There’s not much to tell, I’m not a very interesting person—I don’t want to bore you. What about you? How did you end up here at this college?” I ask her with interest. She shifts on the bed and starts explaining.

  “My father used to study here, and my brother goes here, so I decided to follow in their footsteps. My brother insisted I attend this university, so he can look after me.” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Like I need a babysitter. He doesn’t particularly like me dating Jackson, but he’ll have to get used to it. They are on the same basketball team and they’re really good friends and roommates. My brother says he doesn’t want to hear us whining and moping around after we break up. Like that’s ever going to happen! We’re destined for each other.” Addison sighs, very much in love, and looks up to the ceiling. “That aside, my brother is great and I love him very much, he’s just overprotective. What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?” she asks with interest. I shake my head.

  “No, I don’t. And I’m not even looking for one. I just want to finish my studies and find a good job after getting my diploma. I want to be a social worker and help children. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone.” Addison nods.

  “I know what you mean.” Addison nods. “I felt the same way until I met Jackson, and now we’re inseparable.” She wiggles her eyebrows and I look down at my knees, blushing.

  After a good hour of chatting, I get up from the bed and stretch my weary muscles. “Hey, do you want to come to my brother’s house with me? He and Jackson live with some of their friends, and my brother is throwing a party for the beginning of the school year. All our friends will be there. I can introduce you to the group, I’m sure everyone would like to meet you.” I shake my head.

  “Thanks, but I already have plans, maybe some other time.” Even though I want to meet other students and make new friends, it is better at the moment to be alone. That way everybody will be safe, and I won’t put anyone in danger with my presence. I have to look for a job anyway, otherwise I won’t have anything to eat, and right now is the best time to go look for it. “Have fun!”

  “Alright, but I’ll hold you to that! I really want you to meet my friends, since we’re going to be living together for quite some time.” Addison winks at me, grabs her purse and leaves. I sigh, wait a couple of minutes and head out myself. First, I search for a deli to buy a sandwich because I haven’t eaten the whole day. With my mouth full, I wander down the street, looking for a ‘Help Wanted’ sign. The wind is blowing softly and the leaves that have fallen from the trees dance in the air. I wrap my jacket tighter around me and keep on walking. On the way, I go to the city center to a cellphone store to get my number changed. I can now finally turn on my phone, which has been turned off for a few months now. I walk past boutiques, small cafés and shoe stores. I try my luck in every one of them, but nobody is hiring. Tired and irritated, I return back to the student campus. Apparently I’ll have to try my luck again tomorrow. I have two more days before my classes begin.

  An empty room awaits me, as expected, because Addison mentioned she’ll be late. I grab my toothbrush and go brush my teeth and freshen up. Before going to bed, I grab my diary and continue writing where I left off when Addison and I started chatting.

  Ryder

  “Hey, Addy, you made it!” I am happy to see my younger sister standing at the entrance to my house, chatting excitedly with Jayden, one of my teammates. I hug Addison, lifting her high in the air as she squeals. When I put her down, she lets out a happy laugh.

  “Hey, Ry, I’ve missed you. Now we’ll finally be able to spend more time together.” We hug and stay embraced for a minute.

  “So, how do you like it here so far? Have you unpacked yet? Have you met your roommate?” I bombard her with questions.

  “Now that I see you, I’m great. Everything is unpacked, and my roommate is wonderful. I think we’re going to get along great,” says Addison, her eyes darting around the house, no doubt looking for Jackson.

  “Good.”

  Jackson approaches Addison from the back and kisses her behind her ear. I grimace, my lips forming a straight line. I don’t like her going out with Jackson, even though he is one of the good guys. It’s just that she’s my younger sister and I’ll always look out for her.

  “Babe, you finally came,” says Jackson. Addison turns around and they start kissing passionately. I clear my throat, and they both glance my way. I point my finger at them.

  “Ok, I know you two are dating, but I’m still not comfortable watching you make out in front of me. If you really have to do that, do it somewhere else, okay?” They roll their eyes at me and ignore my request. A gentle touch on my arm causes me to turn around.

  “Ryder, honey, we need you in the kitchen,” says Paris, lacing her fingers with mine and kissing me on the cheek. Paris is the head cheerleader on the cheerleading squad Kittens and the most popular girl at college. We met freshman year, she kept bumping into me, so last year we officially became a couple. But things didn’t work out and we recently broke up. We still remained friends.

  “I’ll be there in a second,” I nod to her.

  “Oh, Addison, I didn’t see you there,” Paris lets out a fake laugh and heads to the kitchen. Addison rolls her eyes and gives her a chilly nod.

  “I still can’t believe you used to date this viper, she was just using you.”

  “Addison, cut it out. How many times have I told you to butt out of my relationships?”

  “Fine,” she replies, offended, grabs Jackson by the wrist and drags him away. Fine by me, I’m needed in the kitchen anyway.

  “Ryder, we ran out of diet Coke, you know I only drink diet,” Paris pouts. I open the fridge and take out a regular Coke.

  “Here you go, you can drink this.” I thrust the bottle into her hands.

  “Eew, that’s not diet Coke! Do you want me to be fat and have cellulite? I can’t ruin my perfect body!” I shake my head, my eyes trailing lazily up and down her body.

  “Paris, you look wonderful, one drink is not going to ruin your figure, trust me.”

  “Oh, thank you, sweetheart, but I’m not going to risk that. I desperately need a diet one, can you get it for me, please?” Pursing her lips, she bats her long eyelashes. “Please, please, please, for me?”

  “Ok, I’ll tell Mark to stop by a store on the way here and buy some. Do you need anything else?” Paris shakes her head no, and the corners of her lips turn up.

  “Thanks, you’re the best.” She gives me a loud kiss on the cheek.

  The party is in full swing, alcohol is flowing freely, music is blaring from the speakers and everybody is having a great time. I lift the beer bottle to my lips and take a long swig. Marc, my best friend and teammate, joins me. “Thanks, dude, I would have to listen to Paris whine all week if she di
dn’t get her drink.” We do our usual greeting—shake hands and bump fists.

  “No problem, dude, happy to help. I know how Paris gets when she doesn’t get her way.” I nod.

  “Are you ready for the new season? We need to win this year too, and I need as much playing time as possible, so I can get scouts to notice me.”

  “Don’t worry, you’re one of the most talented college basketball players – they’re all going to fight for you. I’m just nervous because of the game against Ethan and his team. They never play fair and somebody always gets hurt.” I shift legs, propping the other foot against the wall, and take a long swig of beer.

  “Ugh, don’t even get me started on Ethan, I hate his ass. I ran into him yesterday and he rubbed my nose in our defeat in the last game.” I shake my head as we turn our heads to watch the girls dance.

  “Hey, Ryder, long time no see,” Beth greets me as she walks past me, trailing a path across my chest with her finger and pressing her curves against me. “I heard you and Paris broke up. I’m so sorry to hear that,” she says and licks her brightly painted lips, her finger still on my chest.

  I know I’m a popular guy—the girls are always coming onto me and I don’t mind their attention—but I’m sick of the fact they only see fame and money in me. They’re not honest in their actions and this bothers me. I simply give her a nod.