Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1)

by Pamela Daniell

  Alex turned toward her furious. “If you want to be a normal teenager then act like one. It’s doing little things like that that will attract attention to us,” Alex exclaimed pointing toward the television. “You never know who could be watching.”

  Jenna knew he was right, that doing things like that could get them discovered again. It was just that for the first time since her mom’s death she had hope her life wouldn’t be as awful as she had thought.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry,” Jenna said as she turned toward Alex. “It’s just that it sounds like fun. I’ve never been to a bonfire before, and I really want to go. We both know that at any moment they could find us and if that’s how we have to live then I want to experience as much as I can while I’m still alive.”

  Alex was silent for a minute. “Fine we’ll go,” he mumbled. “But, we stick together and no drinking.”

  Jenna’s eyes widened with excitement. “Great!” she exclaimed as she jumped up off the couch and headed up the stairs to her room. “You’ll see; we’ll have a good time,” she called back over her shoulder.

  Jenna hurried into her room and closed the door behind her then grabbed her journal out from under her mattress and sat down at her desk. She glanced out the window to see Dylan pulling the tractor out of the barn. Jenna couldn’t help but smile as she watched him disappear around the back of the barn, and then returned her attention to the journal.

  Mom,

  I can’t believe it. I was invited to a beach party tomorrow night. And there’s even going to be a bonfire. Alex wasn’t happy about it at first, but I convinced him it would be fun. I really miss you and wish you could be here. I know I have to get on with my life, but it’s hard knowing you’re not here.

  Love, Jenna

  JENNA checked her hair one more time in the long mirror on her closet door. Maybe I should put it up, she thought as she played with it to see how she liked it best. She let go of her hair letting it fall down around her shoulders as she heard the crunching of gravel outside her bedroom window.

  She hurried over to the window to see Dylan climbing out of an old dark blue Chevy truck. As happy as she was at that moment, she still couldn’t help but feel guilty. Was it fair to her mom to want to have some fun? She shook her head forcing herself to smile. Her mom would have wanted her to go. She would have wanted her to make some friends.

  Jenna hurried over to the mirror and checked herself one more time then started for the door. She paused remembering that Dylan had told her to bring a jacket. So she grabbed her blue sweatshirt. Excited about getting out for the night and possibly making new friends, she hurried down the stairs reaching the bottom just as the doorbell rang. Not wanting to seem too anxious, she waited a minute, and then answered it.

  “Hey,” Dylan said as she opened the door. “You ready?”

  Jenna smiled as Dylan stepped into the house. “I sure am, but only if you have the marshmallows you promised to bring,” she joked.

  Dylan laughed. “Don’t worry, I remembered them. They’re in the truck,” he said nodding towards the truck. “Is your brother coming? I want him to meet some of my friends.”

  “Yeah, he’s coming,” Jenna replied as Alex came out of the living room and joined them at the door.

  “Hi, I’m Alex.” Alex extended his hand toward Dylan.

  “I’m Dylan. I’m glad you decided to come with us,” Dylan said shaking Alex’s hand. “There are some people who want to meet the both of you. Should we get going?”

  “We’re leaving,” Alex called to Arlene who was sitting in the living room reading a book.

  “Have a good time,” she called back.

  Dylan led the way to his truck, the door creaking as he opened it. He held the door as Jenna slid into the middle of the seat then got in bedside her as Alex walked around to the other side and climbed in the passenger seat.

  “She may look like she’s seen better days, but she’s never let me down,” Dylan said as he started the engine. They rode in silence as they drove past the apples trees and off the orchard property.

  “So,” Alex said finally breaking the silence. “What’s the town like?”

  Dylan shrugged. “Just like any other small town I guess. Everyone knows everyone else, and their business. That’s why I like working for Arlene so much; she keeps to herself and doesn’t gossip.”

  “Have you lived here all your life?” Jenna asked.

  “Yes, my parents too.” Dylan turned onto a dusty road that seemed to be a dead end, but before long Jenna could hear the sound of music and laughing teenagers.

  “Here we are,” Dylan announced as he parked the truck next to a red Jeep Cherokee on what seemed to be a secluded beach bordered by trees. “We call this the pit. As long as we don’t get too rowdy, the local cops leave us alone.”

  Jenna looked around as they all climbed out of the truck. There were about twenty kids there already working on setting up and getting the bonfire pit ready. Coolers were scattered everywhere, most with chairs next to them with towels thrown over the back. Dylan walked around to the tailgate of the truck, pulled it down and pulled his own cooler onto it.

  “Let me help you with that,” Alex said as he grabbed one end of the cooler.

  “Thanks,” Dylan said grasping the other handle and lifting it off the tailgate. “Jenna, could you grab the bag and blanket out of the back,” he asked as they walked toward an open spot in the sand near the water.

  Jenna reached over the side of the truck and grabbed the grocery bag and blanket. She smiled when she saw a bag of marshmallows sitting on the top of the stuff in the bag. She picked up the bag and blanket and followed Dylan and Alex.

  “Is this spot okay with you guys?” Dylan asked as they set the cooler down.

  “Fine with me,” Alex said.

  “Me too,” Jenna replied as she set down the bag and started to fan out the blanket.

  “Here, let me help you,” Dylan said as he took two sides of the blanket and helped lay it on the sand.

  “Hey, Dylan,” a tall slender girl with blonde highlighted hair, a tight fitting tank top and snug fitting shorts yelled from across the beach. She ran toward him and hugged him. “I’ve missed you. Where have you been and why haven’t you called me?” she asked as she threw Jenna a nasty look.

  Dylan took a step back away from the girl looking annoyed. “Don’t start, Sandra,” he told her. “You know I’ve been working and why I haven’t called. Let’s not ruin this party for everyone else.”

  Sandra glared at Jenna with daggers in her eyes. “Oh, I see how it is.” She turned toward Jenna, put her hands on her hips and looked her over. “Where did you pick up this one?” she asked sarcastically as she shook her head.

  If looks could kill, Jenna thought she’d be dead by now with the way Sandra was glaring at her. She knew this was one girl she was never going to be friends with.

  “It’s none of your business anymore who I hang out with,” Dylan told her as he stepped in front of Jenna. “And, for the record she’s not my girlfriend. They just moved here and are living with Arlene. I’m showing them around town.”

  “Well, if that’s your story, but don’t think I buy it for a minute,” she retorted before giving Jenna another nasty look then rudely turning her back and walking away.

  Jenna and Alex just stared at Dylan who was shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry about that. We dated for about two months, before I realized the only person she cared about was herself and that I was just her arm candy. She can’t get over the fact that I dumped her and not the other way around.”

  “Can’t blame you there, bro. She doesn’t seem all that stable,” Alex pointed out as he watched Sandra laughing and pointing at them from across the beach.

  “Don’t worry about them. They’re harmless, all talk that’s all. But, this tough guy on the other hand, is all trouble,” Dylan laughed as a tall teenage boy with short brown hair and a muscular body jogged toward them.

  “Hey,
Dylan, glad you made it, man. It wouldn’t have been the same without you,” the boy said as he bopped fists with Dylan.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it, you should know that. And, I even bought some new friends.” Dylan gestured toward Jenna and Alex. “Dean, this is Jenna and Alex Connors. Arlene is their Aunt. They’ll be staying with her for their senior year.”

  “Great, two more people to join our little group of misfits,” Dean joked. “That is, unless you’d rather be part of their group?” Dean gestured over his shoulder at Sandra and her friends.

  “No, thank you,” Jenna replied smirking. “I’d rather be a loner and eat lunch in a bathroom stall every day.”

  Alex, Dean and Dylan laughed. “Can’t blame you there,” Dean said. “I still can’t figure out what my buddy here was thinking when he thought dating the drama queen over there was a good idea.” Dean jokingly punched Dylan in the arm.

  Dylan shook his head. “I’m pleading temporary insanity on that one. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking either.”

  “Well, I don’t know about you but I’m not going to spend the night talking about someone who’s not worth it. Come on, you should meet the rest of the gang.” Dean gestured for Jenna and Alex to follow him to a group of kids sitting by the water down the beach a little ways.

  “You’ll like these kids better. I promise,” Dylan told Jenna and Alex as they followed Dean to the group.

  Alex shook his head. “Anyone’s gotta be better than that girl, Sandra,” he said.

  When they got to the water, Dean introduced them to three more teenagers. Jasmine was a petite girl with short blonde hair and a curvy figure, Tommy was tall, with a spiky haircut, and last was Carla who had an hourglass figure and was very well endowed making Jenna think she was popular with the boys. Everyone seemed nice enough and Jenna could easily see herself hanging with these kids.

  “So, where are you from?” Jasmine asked.

  “Oak Forest, Texas,” Alex responded. “Our parents’ job transferred them to China for a year and instead of making us go with them they said we could stay with our Aunt Arlene so we could finish our senior year.”

  “Wow, China. What do they do?” Tommy asked as he picked up a Frisbee and tossed it back to the group of kids who had thrown it.

  Jenna shot a look at Alex; they hadn’t discussed what their parents supposedly did for a living. “They’re architects. They were asked to design this really cool mall in China and couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

  “That’s sounds so cool. You’ll have to show us pictures after it’s built,” Carla said as she hooked her arm through Tommy’s as if to stake her claim.

  “Watch out!” Dean exclaimed as he stepped in front of Jenna and caught a Frisbee that would have hit her otherwise.

  “Oops,” Sandra giggled as she ran over to get the Frisbee she had tossed. “Guess I threw it little too hard,” she said seeming very pleased with herself.

  “You know, Sandra, no one likes a bitch,” Dean said as he tossed the Frisbee back to her group of friends. “It’s over between Dylan and you. The sooner you get that through your little bleach blonde head the sooner you can stop embarrassing yourself.”

  Sandra leaned close to Dean. “You better be a little nicer to me, or I’ll have to let it slip about what happened between us,” she whispered.

  “What the hell are you talking about? I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole,” Dean snapped.

  “Yes, but Dylan doesn’t know that, does he.”

  “Wow, bitch doesn’t even come close to what you are?” Dean told her.

  “You’d be wise to remember that.” Sandra smirked, turned and jogged away.

  Dean turned toward Jenna and shook his head. “Stay clear of her. She’s jealous and thinks you stole Dylan from her.”

  I just met Dylan yesterday. How could I possibly be the reason they broke up?”

  “Couldn’t tell you. Just be careful around her. I don’t trust her one bit.”

  “Thanks for the advice.”

  “So,” Dean asked putting his arm around her shoulder. “Is there anything going on between you and Dylan?”

  Jenna smiled. “No, there isn’t. I hardly know him,” Jenna said.

  “Just like she barely knows you,” Alex pointed out coming up beside them.

  Dean took his arm off her shoulder. “Okay, I get the hint. Stay away from your sister.”

  Alex glared at Dean. “At least keep your hands off of her.”

  “Yes sir.” Dean backed away from Jenna as Alex walked away to watch some kids who were trying to light the bonfire pit.

  “Wow, he’s really protective.”

  Jenna nodded. “I’m sorry about that. He promised my parents he’d look out for me.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about, if I had a sister that looked like you I’d be that way to.” Dean winked at Jenna who blushed and shook her head.

  “Don’t tell me he’s already hitting on you?” Dylan asked Jenna as he came up beside them. “Dean here is the playboy of our group. Just ignore his flirting and he’ll eventually get the hint.”

  “Gee, thanks man,” Dean said. “Way to back me up.”

  Dylan laughed. “Give the girl a break. She just moved here.”

  Dean smiled. “Okay, but she won’t be the new girl in town forever,” Dean joked.

  “Hello,” Jenna said laughing. “I am standing right here and I can hear everything you’re saying.”

  “That’s the point. Well, I better go tell Alex I was just kidding,” Dean said as he headed off in the direction Alex had gone.

  “Do you mind if I get something to drink,” Jenna asked.

  “Feel free,” Dylan said as they headed for the cooler. “I packed enough for all of us.”

  When they got to the cooler Dylan opened the lid, grabbed an ice tea and handed it to Jenna.

  “Is this okay, or do you prefer soda?” he asked as he grabbed one for himself.

  “It’s fine, thanks.” Jenna sat down on the blanket and opened the can.

  “So, I never got the chance to ask you how you like it here?” Dylan asked as he sat down beside her and popped the top on his can.

  “So far, I like it. Not too sure about some of the girls.” Jenna nodded toward Sandra who was across the beach watching their every move. “But, besides that it’s a nice little town.”

  Dylan shook his head. “Yeah, sorry about that. I guess she’s not taking the breakup very well.”

  “You think?” Jenna asked laughing.

  “I don’t understand,” Dylan said. “I tried to be nice about it, but she just can’t seem to get it through her head that it’s over.”

  “Some girls are like that. I personally feel that life is too short to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with you.”

  “True,” Dylan said. “But enough about Sandra; how did you like the gang?”

  “They seem really nice. Thanks for introducing Alex and me.”

  Dylan smiled. “Good, because they all said they liked you guys. So I guess you’re officially a misfit.”

  Jenna laughed. It was nice to talk to someone besides Alex. Dylan seemed so different from the other boys she knew back in her hometown and his friends were the kind of kids she could see herself hanging out with. She smiled as she watched the sun set over the horizon. She couldn’t help but glance at Dylan who was watching some kids try to light the bonfire.

  “Come on,” he said as he stood up and held out his hand for her and smiled. “Let’s go see if we can help get the fire started.”

  Jenna met Dylan’s smile and let him help her up. “By the way,” she said as they walked over to the pit. “Thanks for keeping your word and not abandoning me here tonight.”

  “Not a problem. The one thing you should know about me is that when I make a promise, I keep it. Besides, you’re easy to be around.”

  Jenna lowered her head and smiled. “Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself,” she said. Jenna looked up at Dylan as he
turned toward her. Her pulse began to race as their eyes seemed to lock on one another. No, she thought, this can’t happen. I can’t allow myself to start liking him. She broke eye contact and lowered her head once again.

  “So, what’s the problem?” Dylan asked Dean who was standing near the bonfire with Alex.

  “They can’t seem to get it started; something about wet wood,” Alex told Dylan.

  “Let me see if I have any extra gas in the back of my truck,” Dylan said. “That’ll get it started.” Dylan headed toward his truck.

  “So,” Alex asked Jenna as he came up beside her and pulled her away from the pit. “I saw you talking to Dylan.

  “Yeah, so,” Jenna asked.

  “Well, he likes you. I can tell by the way he looks at you.”

  Jenna shook her head. “You’re crazy,” she told Alex as she cast a glance at Dylan. “We just met.”

  “Listen, Jenna, I know making friends is important to you, and that’s fine. But, a boyfriend will only lead to trouble, because sooner or later you’ll want to tell him the truth and it’s that truth that will put him in danger.”

  Jenna turned and faced Alex. “You don’t have to remind me of that. I know that…” Jenna tensed up as a cold sensation hit her back. She turned to see Sandra standing there with an empty cup.

  “Sorry, I tripped,” Sandra said as a slow evil smile spread over her lips.

  Jenna dug her fingers into the palm of her hand to keep from smacking the smirk off Sandra’s face. “You know damn well you didn’t trip.”

  Sandra got right up in Jenna’s face. “Listen here, Dylan’s mine and you better stay away from him,” she snapped.

  “I have no interest in Dylan,” Jenna insisted as a new unexpected sensation started to surge through her. “But, after only knowing you for less than an hour I can see why he dumped your sorry ass.” The sensations radiated up her arm. A moment later the bonfire roared to life.

  “Hey, hey!” Dylan exclaimed stepping between them. “Sandra, back off. I know you’re still pissed I dumped you, but you have no right to take it out on Jenna just because you got it in your head that we’re dating. So, why don’t you go back to your little group and we’ll stay here.”