Shattered Echo (The Shattered Echo Series Book 1)

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Shattered Echo (The Shattered Echo Series Book 1) Page 3

by McKenzie Stark


  Honestly? She feels like an idiot, she feels like an idiot for waiting for him, for believing he would actually show up. She feels like such a fool for thinking someone like Jake Steele would actually want to be with her or look at her that way. Who knows, maybe she is? Maybe it was all a figment of her imagination, her thoughts playing games on her. Maybe he never asked her out… Maybe she is just crazy.

  She jumps out of the car her foot smashing into an empty beer bottle laying on the ground as though it belonged there, glass splattering.

  “Shit!” she curses, hopping over the mess.

  Ari calls from the other side of her car, “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m just trying not to get murdered at the hands of a beer bottle.”

  Her friend laughs as they meet at the back of her BMW, walking along a narrow path of dirt, grass, and weeds. It’s a complete mess with empty bottles laying on the ground, most of them begging for someone to fall into their trap. Hell, Sam was almost one of them!

  After a mile hike they hit the top of a green hill overlooking a large patch of sand and an ocean so big that you could let the waves wash over you … Smack dab in the middle lies the bonfire, its glistering flames gulping the only light that shielded the crowded people below. Their laughter reminds her of trying too hard, empty and surely pointless.

  Taking a long breath, letting it rush through her pores, Sam looks at her best friend. She has always been locked away and was never allowed to go out with friends or even to a party. Tonight, was new to her, and she doesn’t know how she feels about it yet. She has never had an ounce to drink or even seen a bonfire, which is crazy stupid. The color is beautiful, a ray of orange, yellow and blue - she loved it.

  Tonight, Sam is determined to be more adventurous and more carefree, tonight she can be herself and not have to worry about what the next day brings. It’s not every day that you get to go to a raging High School party. They step over the disgusting, ratchet smelling bottles and trash as they drifted into the crowd below, their bodies taking over and moving to the rhythm of the upbeat music playing from the large black speakers nestled on the tail of a large red pickup truck. They let the music sway them.

  Tonight, suddenly didn’t seem so bad.

  ***

  The night was a complete success, everyone got to know each other, and Sam has never talked, let alone smiled, this much in her entire life. She has to admit, Ari sure knows how to get her out of her shell.

  Sam sits on the log watching the flames dance, her face heated by its warmth. She anchored her attention on Zane and Sky from her P.E class, they stood leaning against a small Jetta, beers gasped in their hands. She doesn’t really know them and hasn’t said much to them throughout High School, mainly when she didn’t have much choice in the matter. Zane is more of a smaller guy, about 5’7, he has curly brown hair and glasses that always kept falling down the bridge of his nose. He looked nerdy, but was a pretty decent guy, more so that nerdy kind of cute. His buddy Sky was what they would call a jock, the quarterback of the Football team, 6’2, buff and his Grey eyes and short, almost shaved hair would make him stand out anywhere. They sat near the beer canister where they urged each other to chug, chug, chug. They seem determined to get the other one wasted.

  She watches from afar, not ready to jump in there and be unreserved. They've only be here a couple hours and yet she still feels so out of place. Ari would drift, taking off to talk to her friends but she always kept her eyes on Sam to make sure she was okay.

  The moon sat high in the sky tonight, casting a light glow amongst the small bright stars above, some even covered by dark clouds. There is still no trace of Jake.

  Sam is giving up any hope that he would show. Already having hoped that maybe something just came up, and he really didn’t stand her up on the night she stayed up 24 hours for feeling jittery and nervous about. She grabs a beer from the cooler, taking a long swig her nose scrunching at the god-awful taste. Taking another as she shifts to the ocean, pulling her shoes off on the way longing to feel the water wash over her feet and feel her toes sink into the soft sand.

  She spreads her arms wide, closing her eyes. She pictures she is a bird, free and beautiful. Imagining flapping her wings and letting them guide her. She would love a life like that, no fears or regrets. That would be the best thing that could ever happen, but she knew it was wishful thinking, that it was nothing more than a wanted fantasy that would be just that, a fantasy. But it couldn’t stop her from wishing.

  Just as she opens her eyes, strong arms wrap around her waist and soft, large hands cover her eyes pulling her back into something stiff.

  “You, Sam Echo,” said a low husky voice, one that caused her to shiver with excitement. The only voice that can make her feel this way, “you are going to be the death of me.”

  He pulled his hands away from her eyes, letting her turn in his embrace but not moving his arms from her waist. She leans back, her eyes traveling the length of him, he is in dark jeans with a chain hanging from the belt hoop and a dark Asking, “Alexandria T-shirt.” His hair is styled messy and unkempt. Finally meeting the icy eyes of Jake, his face holds a smart-ass grin.

  He is sexy, that much she knows, of course Sam would personally never admit that to him or to anyone else, but boy could she look.

  What am I thinking? I hate him remember – I don't want to be a part of his High School game. Sam thinks to herself, but she can't deny the way her heart rapidly beats when he is around or how she uncontrolliably turns scarlet red when he tries to flirt.

  She can't let herself feel this way about him.

  His signature smirk never sways from his face; Sam becomes fully aware that for the most part, the majority of her was touching him. The thought turned her mind into a buzzing mess of static. His own heart races, pounding drums through his chest as they never sway eye contact, lifting her hand he brings it to his mouth placing a soft, innocent kiss to her knuckles. Desire burns a hot pit in the aching part of her stomach, until his kiss doused her heat as his begins to light. How can someone that she barely knows, but has been drooling over for over seven years make her feel this way? Why is he doing this? He could have anyone in the entire School and here he is, making her feel like she is much more than she can even imagine.

  “Jake…” his name rolls off her tongue in a smooth sensation, slightly hot and blistering. She licks her dry lips, swallowing the lump that suddenly forms in her throat, as if savoring the taste of his name.

  His eyes fall to her lips, suddenly full of desire. She is so close and all she would have to do is tilt her chin just a tad bit further and she can brush her lips against his. She moves forward, unknowing and uncontrollably out of her control–her lips mere inches from his.

  They were abruptly interrupted by the loud yell of Ari, “Okay you two! Get a room.”

  The crowd breaks out in laughter. Sam pulls away from him and takes a steady step back. A warm blush pinked her cheeks, turning a full on scarlet when she meets his eyes briefly before gathering her shoes and heading toward her friends.

  Shit, was I really about ready to kiss him? His smile touching his face gives her the answer to that question.

  Zane says, “Get your asses over here, it’s time to get this fun started with a game of Spin the bottle!

  She clears her throat, keeping her eyes anywhere but on him. As they gather around in a circle, Zane pulls out the empty vodka bottle resting it on the log behind them.

  Let the game begin.

  Chapter Four

  Five teenagers gather around in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder. Zane next to Ari, Ari next to Sky, Sky next to Jake, Jake next to a sophomore named Jessica, and next to her sat Sam. All of them gossiping, giggling, and drinking. It is like a bunch of high school friends together after a long time apart. It was indescribable.

  She finally feels a part of something bigger, something unforgettable… looking at these faces she knows that this is where she wants to be, right here with them.
Sam felt like she was finally noticed and not just by all of these teenagers, but from herself as well. Somewhere after her father changed and became the monster that we all fear beneath our beds, she shielded herself so much from everyone around her that she too changed.

  “Looks like the ass showed up,” her friend smiles.

  “He did, didn’t he?”

  Ari chuckles, shaking her head, “You were so about to kiss him!”

  “I was not!”

  “Oh, whatever you say sugar plum,” her friend says, watching her with humor in her eyes, “but I feel my Sammy has more spunk in her than I thought!”

  “Hey, you crazy fuckers!” Sky shouts, standing he glances around at all of them. “Jessica, you go first.”

  The sophomore grabs the beer bottle and spins it. It lands on Zane and she blushes. Zane meets her half way – When they pull away from each other Sam could have sworn that Zane was in fact blushing more than she was. Hmmm looks like we have a little crush going on there!

  Jessica says, “You are next Sky!”

  He groans and spins the bottle, the butt landing on…Zane

  Awkward

  “Shit man, if you wanted to kiss me all you had to do was ask!” Sky laughs, the crowd breaking out in whistles and howls. He grabs his face and kisses him hard making a loud SMACK noise. Zane wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and adjusts his glasses on the bridge of his nose, silently cussing.

  Sam suddenly becomes jittery, her knee bouncing up and down as she runs it over and over in her mind, what if it lands on me? What if it is Jake, could I actually kiss him? Deep breaths, she thinks watching as turn after turn goes by. She must have pecked lips with Zane and Sky a million times! Sky knew how to kiss, not that it really surprised her much with him being a jock and all, but Zane was sloppy – almost too eager to actually get the lips directly, instead kissing her just about anywhere else in range.

  Jake speaks, “Sam, love. You’re up.”

  She twists the bottle and they all watch as it spins in slow circles picking its next victim. The end lands on the person she relies on the most, the one that has always been there for her, to hide her secrets and protect her from them. She’s always been her best friend and partner in crime; Ari Andres … More whistles erupt. Why not give them a show?

  Not that kissing her best friend wasn’t awkward, it very much was, but what kind of ‘adventurous person’ would she be if she chickened out already? Ari lifts her eyebrow smiling in return. At least she knows her best friend is there with her and this wouldn’t turn out to be the most uncomfortable kiss ever. Sam meets her in the middle, their lips brushing against each other's slowly almost in a lover’s grace. Of course, that is not the case. It was all for show, to enlighten the men and give them a fantasy to dream on. That’s what this is about, right? Having fun and making bad choices, letting go of everything that previously stopped you from unleashing your inner person.

  The game carried on with only a few more spins–Sam excuses herself to fetch another beer–standing near the fire, she decides to sit on the log for a while - being around so many people is overwhelming for her. It’s different than being locked behind her closed bedroom doors, safe in the comfort of her bed. Watching the colors blend together, she takes a swig, already on her third beer of the night and counting. She thinks of the last time she was out with friends back when she was sixteen. Her father allowed her to go out to the theater with them to see the new chick flick but instead they snuck into a horror movie called, ‘Something Hiding in The Shadows.’ It was this old cabin movie that revolved around a group of friends all being tortured and baited–the graphics were pretty out there. By the end of the movie, everyone was pinned to their seats staring at the screen in shock. That night she had nightmares.

  What the hell, she says quietly to herself and chugs the damn thing, popping another open. If she is going to do this, she is going to do it right, and she wants to make damn sure that when she walks through that front door she is anything but sober.

  Sky breaks free from the group shifting over to the cooler, he pulls out a bottle of Tequila and two shot glasses. He sits on the log across from her and offers the shot glass. Sam looks at it like it is poisoned debating whether or not she should mix her alcohol. But the look on his face has her pause, she takes the shot glass and mumbles a small thanks. After pouring them both a shot they do a small cheer and drown the bitches and pour another one for each other. She is going to regret this in the morning, but that doesn’t stop her from downing that one as they get caught up in conversation.

  “So, why are you over here all by your lonesome?” he says, watching her.

  “The truth, I’ve never liked being around people all too much.”

  He cheers to that, taking a swig off the bottle, “Now we are talking, you know the good thing about people though?”

  “Hmm?”

  “They make life a hell of a lot easier.”

  Throwing her head back she laughs, “Dude, do you even hear yourself right now?” she continues, swaying a little, “People are nothing; they hold a baggage of lies and unrealistic expectations. Don’t let them fool you.”

  “You haven’t had a good experience, have you?”

  “With what?” she questions.

  Sky shakes his head, watching the fire, “I don’t know, you just seem distant from all of this.”

  “Maybe it’s because I am.” She looks around like she expects someone else to be listening in on their conversation.

  They fall silent, listening to the group laugh and mess around. Sam could feel eyes digging into her and she takes the risk to peak. Jake sits in his same spot eyeing her as though he didn't want her out of his sight. She felt flushed under his gaze, distracting herself she reaches over the space between her and swipes the tequila bottle from Sky’s grasp and takes a long, hard swig, letting the buzz fall over her.

  “What are you doing?” Jake says now standing next to her, she hadn't noticed him come over.

  “What does it look like,” She spats, holding the bottle up to his face, “Having fun.”

  His eyes go hard, annoyed, “Sam, getting so fucked up you can't remember anything tomorrow it not having fun, it's stupid.”

  “What I do is none of your business.”

  He swipes the bottle from her gasp, screwing the lid and shoving it into Sky's chest, “It is now.”

  “Dude, let her be. She's just having fun,” Sky pitches in standing he reaches a few inches taller than Jake.

  He shoves his finger into his chest, “Dude, you need to back off. She doesn't need a jock trying to get down her pants, so get the hell out of here.”

  Swallowing, Sky takes a step back holding his hands up, “Like you're not?” Before stalking off in the oppistite direction.

  “Great! Just scare away anyone that talks to me. Smooth,” Sam slurrs, her voice angry.

  What is with him, he doesn't show up for their date and later shows up like nothing happened expecting her to forgive him and now here he is scaring off Sky because he is a chicken shit to actually give a crap about Sam himself, he wants to play the hero when actually he is nothing more than the enemy. He is dangerous, taunting, he will do anything to make her fall for him, but you know what, she isn't going to fall into his little games, no matter how much she would love to kiss him and feel his embrace – she hates him, and she won't let anything change that.

  He grabs her arm, helping her to her feet, “C'mon. I'm going to get you home.”

  She doesn't object, letting him guide her across the beach. The hour was getting late, the moon reflecting a ray of light upon them all as the fire shimmers to an end. Zane called out for one more spin before the night comes to an end. Sam pulls from Jakes hold and sways back over to the log, dropping her ass to the log next to Ari and gives Jake a pointed look before he could object.

  He stalks over, not happy with staying. It's his turn to make the spin. She watches it spin and spin in slow motion preparing for it to
land on her and for her to embrace the tension between them both, to give into it, devour it, and to love it. Wait love it? More like volmit in my mouth, she thinks – smiling, her eyes meet his as the bottle rests peacefully in her direction and instantly a fire is lit in her and she feels like her entire body is burning.

  For the first time in her life everything around her muted, it was almost as though it was just the two of them stranded on the lonely beach watching each other with so much passion and wanting to get lost in each other’s eyes. Sam could never explain how he makes her feel or how she can feel this much for him in such little time, but it’s there and she isn’t ready to let that feeling go.

  She just wants to feel human even for just a minute and that is why at this very moment with his incredibly adorable eyes burning with the intensity of a thousand twilight suns blazing straight into her heart, their faces mere inches away from each other and the warmth of his breath against her face, Sam Echo feels alive.

  A heat that is so pure reaches the depths of her chest, spreading throughout her body and to her very core. His eyes never swayed from her, taking in every move she made from the slight twitch of her lip to the way her shoulders would rise and fall with each intake of breath. He too was mesmerized by her beauty. He never saw it before. In fact, he never paid much attention to her to begin with, but something about them being paired for Biology made him notice her.

  He grew up on the wrong side of town, nestled in the dark roads of the ghetto and lived like every day like it was his last. His father left when he was a little boy to run after a heroin junkie that didn’t give a shit about him or his father, but nothing he said could stop him from leaving and while he sat beneath that kitchen table at the age of ten-years-old, Jake was left to take care of himself alone and afraid.

  He doesn’t know how to feel something more than lust for someone, that’s all he ever cared about. When he was going to get his next fuck or his next high, but something about this girl, the way her small eyes would sparkle when he looks in them and how she would nervously bite her lip when he was around, something about this girl has him under her spell and he can’t seem to shake her.

 

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