As bad as the day seemed to be going, it could have gone a lot worse, but so far the person I so did not want to see, hadn’t made an appearance. So the day definitely had an up side.
“Did you hear about what happened?” Becky said flinging her bag across the empty lunch table, nearly knocking Alex’s slushy off. He gave her a nasty look as he quickly snatched his cup from the evil bag. Becky slapped a hand over her open mouth and giggled. “Well?” she asked, bringing her attention back to me.
I tried not to laugh at how predictable Becky was with any news, true or not, and gave her my best I-know-nothing look. “Hear about what?”
She rolled her eyes dramatically, she knew damn well I heard and knew I was just humoring her, not that it would stop her, we both knew that. So, she just smiled and continued. “About Sable and Emmaleigh. The two missing girls?”
“No, I haven’t heard.” I said with a completely serious face with as little sarcasm as possible.
Her look told me I didn’t fool her. She shook her head at me again, “You are such a bitch,” she said flipping through her bag and pulling out a Snapple. “But I’m sure that’s why I like you so much.” She gave me a big smile before taking a sip of her peach iced tea. “Anyway, since by the sarcastic tone in your voice, I’m sure you know everything, but I have new news, they found Emmaleigh’s body not even an hour ago. She was found in the woods behind her house. Far behind her house. Anyway, she was found in the same shape as the other girl. People are really starting to worry.” She took another sip of her Snapple. “Both girls are from around here and are our ages. Kind of freaks me out. I mean, you know how nosy I am and how much I love me some gossip, but I sure as hell don’t want to be part of that gossip.”
“I know what you mean,” Lauren said. “I am totally freaked out. Whatever is going on is staying in our area. First Drea, than that girl Sable and now Emmaleigh. I mean, I didn’t know the last two girls, but I feel horrible for them and I am definitely scared. Who could be doing this?”
“No one has any idea, really. I guess, because of the state they are all found in, people are saying things about an animal attack or something but nothing for definite. Just theories and the police aren’t saying shit. It’s real comforting.” Becky said throwing her empty bottle into the nearest trash can. “So anything new with you two, I need some juicy stuff. What’s up with you and Kamdyn, huh?”
“Kamdyn and I are great. Period. You are not going to start spreading more ridiculous rumors and getting me in trouble or any more unwanted attention, thanks anyways.”
Becky just smirked. “Come one, would I do that to you? Besides, Samantha hasn’t bothered you in a while. You have to have some hot details to share with me. How is he in bed?”
“Becky!”
“What? I’m just saying. He isn’t bad at anything I know about, so I’m sure he ain’t bad at that either.” She finished by giving me a devilish grin and playing her eyebrows up and down.
I felt my face heat up but I tried to cover up my discomfort by changing the subject. “I actually had a little run in with Samantha this weekend, right Lauren?”
“Oh yeah! That was funny. You should have seen it, Becky. You would have been rolling around on the ground laughing.”
“Why the hell is she still bothering you, it’s been months since Kamdyn dumped her on her ass?” Becky asked, completely consumed by some new info.
“Besides the fact that Samantha is so completely jealous of Trystie, it had something to do with Halo.”
I grimaced at the name and tried hard not to think about those resent events. But as much as he bothered me at the moment, I tried hard not to show any outward signs of discomfort.
“Halo? What about Halo?”
Jayson, who was sitting next to me, completely involved in a deep conversation with Alex and Mike about God knows what and ignoring our conversation as best he could, suddenly tensed and turned slightly in his seat. I could tell he was trying to still look consumed in conversation with the twins, but his attention was definitely on us now.
“I don’t know. It’s stupid.”
“It usually is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t interesting information.” Becky said, her eyes twinkling in anticipation.
“It’s nothing. She tried to ambush me at the mall. And threatened me. Again.”
“Yeah, Becky you would have loved it. Samantha came up trying to be intimidating, telling Trystie to stay away or else, and Trystie basically laughed in her face and told her to fuck off. It was hilarious.” At the memory, Lauren started laughing again. All I could do was roll my eyes.
“So what is going on with you and Halo?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jayson flinch again at the sound of his name. Without letting Lauren and Becky know he was listening, I ignored him and answered her, honestly. “Absolutely nothing. He was coming to my house, almost daily, for English homework. That’s it.” I peeked over at Lauren, quickly, hoping she would keep her promise about Halo and then looked back at Becky. She didn’t look convinced.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to answer Becky’s questioning look, because we were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Becky turned around to find Halo standing just behind her.
“Well, if it isn’t the devil himself,” Becky said. “What can we do for you, hotness?”
Halo gave her that smoldering smile. “I actually need to talk to Trystie for a minute.” His eyes left Becky’s before he even finished speaking and locked on mine.
Jayson spun around in his seat and grabbed my arm under the table. But I didn’t look at him; I kept my eyes on Halo. I knew my gaze was anything but friendly.
“So talk.”
“Alone. Please.” Again, he gave that smile that could melt metal.
I felt Jayson’s grip tighten on my arm. I turned to him, giving him and it’s-okay look and turned back to Halo. “Fine,” I said, getting to my feet and grabbing my things. To no one imparticular I said, “Tell Kamdyn, when he gets here, that I’ll see him in class.”
I didn’t look at anyone as I as made my way around the table and out the door, with Halo at my back.
“This way,” he said, grabbing my arm and leading me down the hall.
I twisted my arm out of his tight grip. “I’m coming with you. You have no reason to touch me. Ever.”
He stopped in the middle of the empty hall and looked at me. Amusement flashed across his face and that smile returned, but he said nothing as he turned around to keep moving.
I just kept following him, but didn’t say anything until we got to the doors leading outside. He pushed them open and started walking toward the parking lot. I stopped in the doorway and watching him walking away.
He stopped quickly, realizing I wasn’t following anymore. “What are you doing?” he asked, walking back toward me.
“What am I doing? What the hell are you doing? Where are we going?”
“I told you we needed to talk. Alone. And the only place to do that is outside and since it’s cold out, the best place would be my car.”
“Halo, this isn’t a good idea. There are plenty of places in the school for us to talk.”
He took another step toward me and faster that I could track, he grabbed my hand and pulled me outside. The door clicked closed behind me and we were locked outside. I turned and glared at him, while I wrenched my hand back.
“Now that we’re stuck out here, you might as well come with me.” I gave him a dirty look, but didn’t move. “What’s wrong, Trystie? Are you scared to be alone with me?”
I felt my eye twitch at his dare and still said nothing as I brushed past him, leading the way to his car. I didn’t need to turn around to know he had a smile on his face.
Once we were in his car, he turned it on and cranked the heat up. I wish I had known we were going outside so I could have brought my jacket. I tried my hardest not to look like I was freezing. I hated the cold but didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he
was making me comfortable.
We sat in silence for a few minutes until he finally spoke. “How long are you going to do this?”
“Do what exactly?”
“This, pretend to be mad at me. Pretend you don’t like when I’m around.”
“Listen Halo, I don’t know what you think you know about me, but I am not one to hide the way I feel about someone. If I don’t like someone, I will tell them. And I don’t like you. Simple as that. I’m not pretending to be mad at you. I am mad at you.”
He didn’t say anything. He only leaned back against his door and smiled at me.
“What the hell are you smiling at?”
“You. You are so adorable when you are all worked up.”
I ground my teeth in aggravation and tried to keep my cool. At least he wasn’t touching me. “What do you want Halo?”
“I told you before, I want you.”
“Listen Halo, I don’t need this. You can’t have me. Anything else?”
Looking directly into my eyes, he started to slowly lean forward. As much as my mind was screaming for me to move, jump out of the car, run, get away from him! I couldn’t move and something in me didn’t want to.
His hand came up, gently pushing my hair off my shoulder and away from my neck. Before I knew it, I felt his warm breath on my skin and his lips caressing my throat.
“Halo, please.”
“Please what?” he asked, his warm breath teasing my flesh. “Please, don’t stop? Please, keep going? I know that’s what you want. I can almost hear you screaming the words in your head.” He didn’t wait for a response; he just busied his mouth against my skin, where he nibbled gently.
Involuntarily, my head fell back as I tried to stifle and noises building in my throat.
“See,Trystie, is it really so bad to be with me? I guarantee you wouldn’t regret it.” He ran his hand down my neck and arm. “Although you might regret it if you don’t.”
That comment got my attention and snapped me out of my daze. I pulled back as far as I could from his touch. “What exactly does that mean?”
“I guess you’ll just have to find out.”
Jayson had dropped me off after school and after the “drive of interrogation”, I nearly had to beg him to go home. It took a good fifteen minutes of arguing in his truck for him to let me get out alone. As ridiculous as it was, he wouldn’t let me out until I had agreed to call him. Every hour. Which was ridiculous, and I told him so. But it didn’t change anything. Either I called “as per our agreement” or he came in with me. He got a big, exaggerated eye roll and a “Fine” as I grabbed my bag and made sure to slam the truck door once I got out. I didn’t hear his truck leave until after my front door was closed behind me.
I understood his precaution, especially with all the weird things happening in the area. As much as I wanted to believe his only worry was Halo, I knew he was also concerned about the missing girls. To him, I was a target and a pretty easy one. I am alone so often and my house is set so far back from the road that no one would hear me scream. Comforting thought.
I still thought he was being overly vigilant, and I knew he was only doing it because he cared. He wouldn’t want anything to happen to me. But as comforting as it was to know he cared that much, it still pissed me off beyond belief. It really sucks when your best friend is just as stubborn as you are, it makes getting your way a lot harder.
I stomped up to my room still stewing. Just to be a smart ass, I pulled out my cell phone and wrote a text to Jayson.
Many texts to Jayson.
Jayson now had a step by step account of my every movement for my first two hours after school.
Just got to my room. I threw my bag in the corner, thinking about doing my homework later.
Changing out of my school clothes.
Watching TV, in my room.
Nothing’s on TV, heading downstairs to find something to eat.
Grabbed some food. Pretty sure it’s not poisoned. Heading back to my room.
Heading to the bathroom. Double checked, before entering, that no one was hiding inside.
I finally got a reply after the last one. I don’t think he was happy with my play by play. I was only trying to make a point. In the end, my point didn’t matter. He obviously knew my frustration and as a result, gave me yet another ultimatum.
Cut the shit Trystie. All im askin is that u call when I asked. Its either that or im comin over n ill sit outside n wait until Justin or Kimber get home. U dont have to let me in.
I was so irritated I didn’t even reply.
I didn’t even bother telling Jayson that Justin wasn’t coming home tonight. He would be away for the next week on a business trip. So if he sat outside, he would be sitting there a long time waiting for Kimber to get home. Just as I finished the thought, Kimber text me. And who could have guessed, she had to work late and wouldn’t be home for a while. Late for Kimber meant sometime after ten. Great. I was so not relaying the message.
I was lying in my bed, watching The Sweetest Thing when I heard a noise somewhere in the house. I looked at the clock and saw that it was nine thirty and was probably just Kimber getting home from work. Without a second thought, I settled back down on my bed and got back to my movie.
No more than ten seconds later, I heard it again. Only louder.
I sat up quick, pausing the movie.
I felt so slasher-movie cliché. The high school girl stupidly walking around her dark house investigating a strange noise.
That’s me. Throwing caution to the wind and begging for the worst to happen.
So, with my heart hammering in my chest, I slowly crept out of my room and down the stairs. The house was pitch black, not even the moonlight had managed to peek in. I maneuvered my way down the stairs and through the hallway toward the kitchen, in the dark, and heard nothing. Saw, nothing.
Tip toeing, I made my way towards the garage with the motivation of seeing if Kimber snook in and was just hiding somewhere I didn’t look in the house.
I slowly reached for the knob when the door swung open.
I screamed.
And someone in the shadows screamed just as loud.
I stopped when a light came on, illuminating Kimber, standing in the doorway.
My scream trailed off and turned into a booming laugh. I doubled over with laughter and when I stood back up, I had tears streaming down my face.
Kimber was still standing in the doorway, looking completely lost.
“Sorry, Kimber,” I gasped between breathes. “I heard a noise. You scared me.”
“No shit!” she said picking up her dropped bags and starting to walk past me. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I know never to do that again. I think you scared me worse than I scared you. And on top of that, now I’m deaf.” She gave out a sort of forced laugh and dropped her bags in the living room.
She looked a little worse for wear and I don’t think it had anything to do with our most recent event. “Kimber, is something wrong?” I asked, actually hoping she would give me some incite.
“Wow, you are very perceptive, aren’t you? Your mother always did say that about you,” I flinched slightly at the reference and Kimber gave me an apologetic look, but continued, with a small sigh. “I’m sorry I am somewhat distracted. Justin and I had a fight about, well, it’s not important. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to freak you out. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Kimber. But are you guys all right?” I asked walking toward her.
She put her hands out as to ward me off. “I’ll be fine, Trystie. We’ll be fine. I’m just upset and it makes it harder that we had a fight and now he’ll be away for a week. But we’ll work it out.”
She gave me another weak sort of smile and fell into the couch with her eyes closed. I took it as a sign she wanted to be alone and took off for my room.
The rest of the house still remained in darkness as I made my way back up the stairs. I opened my door and noticed my lights were off and my paused
movie had turned onto screensaver mode, with the brand name of the player bouncing around on the screen.
I reached over to find the light switch. Flicking it, nothing happened. I bolt of panic raked through me.
Why? This happens all the time. Just walk over and turn on the lamp on the nightstand. I tried to reason with myself that it was normal, it had happened often enough. I would turn off the bedside lamp my hand instead of the switch and it would screw everything up.
You’re being silly. Kimber is downstairs, what could happen? I took a deep breath from in front of my closed door and started walking into the dark room.
I couldn’t see anything in the room, even through the bouncing shadows cast by the TV. Until I felt someone touch my shoulder. I whirled around to face whoever was there, but I saw no one. My heart was in my throat again and I struggled to get it under control as I turned around again and practically lunged for the nightstand, when I hit something.
I collected myself and looked up. In the dim light cast by my TV, I only saw the darkened outline of someone familiar.
As stupid as it sounded, the familiarity of the person helped to calm me down even though I knew it shouldn’t. What the hell was wrong with me?
As if the person heard me, I saw their head cock curiously to the side. “You’re not scared,” he stated.
His voice, even thought all I heard was a whisper, I couldn’t mistake that voice. I knew who it was. My heart beat shot back up again, but I willed it to calm back down.
“How did you get in here?” I asked surprised at how strong my voice sounded.
He gave a short, quiet laugh and reached out for me. As badly as I wanted to move, I didn’t dare. “I came to see you.”
Beautiful Nightmare Page 29