January Dreams

by Carrigan Richards

  I walk downstairs to meet Casper but the words I need to say don’t come out.

  “Wow.” He raises his eyebrows and smiles. It’s such a sexy smile and I have to reign myself in. “You look beautiful.”

  I blush. “Thanks.” I clear my throat. “I’m gonna ride with Cherry. But you can follow us. All I know is it’s at the Meadows subdivision in Vestavia.”

  “I know where that is. Are you sure you don’t wanna ride with me?”

  “Yeah. I promised Cherry I’d ride with her.”

  “Okay. See you there.”

  I put my coat on and toss my work clothes in my car. I meet up with Cherry. She didn’t seem to notice Casper and me walking out together, or if she did, she doesn’t say anything.

  The whole way there, I laugh at Cherry’s off-key singing to whatever pop song plays on the radio. She has a way of making me feel less anxious. I can see how much Luke’s influence has on her. She’s more outgoing and seems so much more experienced than me now. I feel like she’s really living her life, whereas I’m along for the ride. Waiting.

  Twenty minutes later, Cherry pulls up alongside the curb of a massive house with music blaring. I wonder if any minute the cops will get a call for noise disturbance, but I figure everyone in the neighborhood is probably here. My stomach drops. This isn’t some small get together.

  “Well, the party certainly grew,” she says.

  “Cherry,” I hesitate.

  “It’ll be fine, Meg. I promise. Come on.”

  We make our way toward the house that’s shaking from the music. The driveway is empty of cars for the skateboarders, something I don’t expect. Both of the garage doors are open, and people are sitting around in chairs with plastic red cups and beer bottles. As we walk inside where it’s warmer, Luke greets Cherry with a big kiss and spins her around. He introduces her to everyone and tells them that I’m Cherry’s friend. I look at Cherry wondering if he forgot my name.

  Luke leads us to a room that’s filled with gyrating bodies and a thump from the bass.

  “I’ll take your coats,” he yells over the music.

  I clutch onto mine, but Cherry makes me take it off. Luke leaves and Cherry sort of dances in place but stops with a shocked look on her face.

  “You invited him?” She gives an appalling look.

  “Look, it was a last-minute thing.”

  “So? This is going to make him think you’re gonna give it up to him. You’re giving into his game.”

  “Nothing will happen, okay?”

  “Megan, what about Vincent?”

  “Casper and I are friends. That’s all.”

  “Yeah.”

  Luke comes back and wraps his arms around Cherry. I think he whispers in her ear and she giggles. And now I feel awkward.

  “We’re gonna dance,” Luke says. “Be right back.” Cherry laughs as he steals her away to the makeshift dance floor in what I guess is the dining room and sitting room. It all has hardwood floors.

  “Hey,” Casper says.

  “Hi.”

  “No offense, but this doesn’t really seem like your scene.”

  “Like you know what my scene is.” It isn’t my scene, but I don’t like how much he seems to know me.

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Sorry. Cherry wanted me to come. I’m not sure why though since she has Luke.” I hug myself, feeling completely self-conscious in this dress. I can’t help but notice some of the people staring at us as they walk by. I think my paranoia from my dreams is returning. I feel like a little girl standing in the corner. “Why are they staring?” I yell over the loud music.

  “Ignore them.”

  “Do they know you?”

  “Some of them.”

  I cringe. I hope us attending a party together isn’t going to get back to Amber. I don’t need another bruised cheek. Or worse.

  “You wanna dance?”

  I look at the sea of couples molded together or grinding against each other and suddenly my stomach feels heavy. “No.”

  “Come on, let’s go sit.”

  With his hand on the small of my back, he guides me to a couch in the living room. It’s filled with people playing a video game, but we find a spot on a loveseat under the windows.

  “So why did you lie back at the store? Still think I’m out to get you?”

  “No. I just…” Can’t tell him Vincent would get upset. “I don’t know.”

  “What did you tell your parents?”

  “Who says I told them anything?”

  He gives a disbelieving look.

  “I told them I was at Cherry’s tonight.”

  “Why are they so strict?”

  I shrug. “Mom is afraid I’ll turn out like her. I don’t know. They never let me do anything. It’s like an act of God to let me spend the night with Cherry sometimes. Or concerts. It’s like I can’t do really much of anything without my brother. That’s why I’m so focused on school.” At least I used to be until recently.

  “That sucks. I’m sorry.”

  I shrug. “I work around it.”

  “Do you want anything to drink?”

  I hesitate. “Sure. A Coke.”

  He gets up from the loveseat. I watch the buttons and lines speed past on the TV as four people bang away on Rock Band. I didn’t think people still played this game. The guy who sings is way too pitchy, but it seems like it’s his favorite song. I laugh when he gets down on his knees.

  A guy with short brown hair and green eyes takes a seat next to me on the loveseat. He seems familiar, but I can’t place him.

  “Hey. My name is Adam. What’s yours?”

  “You should move along.”

  He shrugs and gets up.

  “Who is he?” Casper asks, holding two drinks.

  “Adam.”

  “You know him?”

  “Not a clue.”

  He laughs. “Sorry. That tends to happen at these things.” He hands me a cold Coke in a can, unopened. It’s a small gesture, but most guys, from what I’ve heard, can’t wait to get you to drink something so they can spike it with who knows what.

  “Well, now that you’re sitting here, they’ll leave me alone. Unless, you find someone,” I say and take a drink of the coke.

  “I’m only here for one reason.”

  I meet his eyes quickly and look away.

  “How was your date last night?” he asks and seems genuinely interested.

  “Oh, I hung out with Cherry. Girl’s night.”

  “Cool. So, what do you like to do? When you’re not working.”

  “I read. Write. Hang out whenever. I go to a lot of concerts, at least I try. You?”

  “Mostly hang out with friends. We play a lot of pool and video games. Stuff like that.”

  He asks me about my writing, and we launch into an easy conversation. It’s like we’ve been friends our whole lives. I enjoy being around him and I’m surprised we never hung out until now. There’s a nagging guilt inside the back of my mind, though, that I’m doing something very, very wrong. Like I should be at home waiting for Vincent’s call or something. I shouldn’t be out having fun while he’s not.

  “Karaoke.” Cherry squeals as she and Luke walk toward us. “Do you wanna sing?” She looks at me.

  “Not really.”

  “Oh, come on. I’ll sing with you,” she begs.

  Casper smiles. “I’ll play the drums if you sing.”

  “See? Even he wants you to play.”

  I can’t figure out what is with her. She hates that I invited Casper but seems okay that I’m hanging out with him. She’s starting to get on my nerves. I feel like she brought me along to show off Luke in front of me.

  A guy hands me a microphone and gives another to Cherry while Casper takes the drums. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. But we sing a Tegan and Sara song, one of mine and Cherry’s favorites. I’m actually having fun, which is nice.

  Once we finish the song, Cherry and Luke go b
ack to the dance floor, at least I think they do. I can tell she’s had some liquid courage and I wonder if they’re going to find a bedroom. Casper and I return to the loveseat.

  “You’re a good singer,” Casper says.

  “That was Cherry. I mumbled through most of it.”

  “I heard you.”

  I smile and blush. “Thanks. Cherry and I sing a lot in the car.”

  “Megan, I know you’re with Vincent, but I think—”

  A cold liquid splashes all over me as two girls fall near the loveseat. I gasp and stand.

  “Sorry.” One of the girls slurs as she and her friend giggle away in the floor.

  “You okay? I’ll get a towel,” Casper says.

  “No, it’s cool. I’ll clean up in the bathroom.”

  “Sure.”

  I slip up the stairs and pass several couples making out. Glad they can’t see my beer-stained dress. I enter a bathroom that is attached to a room, grateful no one has claimed it. The rooms in this place are endless, like at Casper’s house. The bathroom is long and has two sinks and infinite counter space and cabinets. At the very end is a shower and garden tub separated.

  I grab a towel from the closet and run cold water over the stain. Of course, it looks worse now. I groan and hope the dress will dry soon. I know Cherry will kill me if it’s ruined. Not like it was my fault. I try washing the beer out of my hair. I feel the cold beer inside the dress and in my shoes. Ugh. Stupid drunk people.

  I jump once I hear the door close.

  I look up and see Adam, the guy from earlier, smiling as he leans against the door. “I moved along, but I came back,” he slurs.

  I swallow hard. “I’ll leave so you can use the restroom.” I make my way toward the door. But he doesn’t budge. “Are you going to move?”

  “Do you know how adorable you are?”

  “Can you please move?”

  He pushes off from the door and walks me against the counter. I try to go around him, but his hands are on my arms in an instant, planting me in front of him. I feel the countertop digging into my back. I can kick him and go around him. I can scream so loud he has to release my arms to cover his own ears. I have to get away from him. I don’t like the way he towers over me or the tight grip he has on me.

  “It’s hard to believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

  “We’ve never met. You have the wrong girl.” Even though he does look familiar, but I don’t know where I’ve seen him.

  “I’m afraid not, Megan.” He smiles, but it isn’t friendly. How does he know my name? “Looks like you’re spending time with the enemy.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  My mind is going a thousand miles a second. He knows my name and he accused me of being with the enemy. Like the guy in my dreams. My heart pounds and I can feel the walls caving in. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”

  Adam glares at me and a menacing smile stretches across his face. He roughly lifts me onto the counter. My breathing labors. I kick and push, but nothing works.

  “Please, sto—” He cuts me off with his mouth bearing down on mine. I jerk back and smash my head against the mirror.

  I try to block him with one hand and the other pats against the counter for something to throw at him, but I find nothing. He grabs my wrists, raising them above my head, and slams me against the mirror so hard I hear it crack. It leaves me briefly dazed, but I let out a scream. He smashes me against the mirror again. Broken bits of glass stab my back and arms.

  “Shut up,” he demands.

  I kick him hard enough in the right place and he releases my hands with a groan.

  I jump down from the counter and run for the door. His hands are around my waist, and he throws me to the ground. My head bounces off the tiled floor, blurring and doubling my vision. But I see the unmistakable outline of a gun. He straddles me and I struggle against his eager hands. The strap to my dress rips. I scream again through the cloudiness and he shoves the gun at my throat.

  I hear the door burst open and someone tackles Adam, pulling him off me. The gun drops and slides across the floor. I cower near the bathtub and see Casper punching and threatening Adam, his eyes wild with rage. Within seconds, Adam falls unconscious.

  A couple of guys rush inside the bathroom and talk to Casper, but I don’t know what they’re saying. They grab Adam and take him out of the bathroom.

  Casper turns to me and his brown eyes soften. He moves next to me and checks me for injuries. I can’t stop the tears or the violent shaking. He wraps his arms around me and pulls my head against his chest.

  “It’s over,” he whispers. “It’s okay.”

  I cling to him.

  He picks me up and carries me out of the bathroom. I can probably walk, but I don’t want to let go of him. My head thumps with the bass of the music so I rest it against his shoulder. He walks down the stairs, sets me on my feet, and fetches my coat. At least, I think that’s what he said.

  The music is too loud. There are too many people surrounding me. The lights blind me, and I have no idea where Cherry is. I have to get out of here. I can’t breathe. I hold the strap to my dress and walk out the front door. A few seconds later, Casper places my coat around me.

  My head throbs. My back stings like it’s been cut and my face tingles. Somehow, we make it to his car. I don’t remember the walk, but every little noise makes me jump and I can’t stop shaking.

  I don’t know what to do. I want to curl up in a ball and cry.

  “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

  He opens the door for me, but I reach for him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

  “Thank you,” I say through thick tears.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re safe.”

  My arms are still around him. It’s like I can’t let him go. He holds me tight around the waist, almost protectively.

  “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”

  “You have to, Megan. You’re bleeding. We have to tell the police.”

  “I don’t want my parents to know.”

  He exhales. “I’ll take you to my house. My mom can help. And don’t argue.”

  He helps me in his car, and I lean against the seat, but it hurts too much. It feels like the glass from the mirror is stuck in my skin. I shuck off my coat, hoping there isn’t too much blood on it. Casper climbs in and starts the engine.

  He curses and removes his shirt, revealing a white t-shirt underneath and lightly presses it to my back.

  “You’re bleeding badly,” he says and speeds away, racing to his house.

  I have to call Cherry. I reach into my bag and pull out my phone. I click on her name and she doesn’t answer. I call again. No answer. I call again. No answer. I type in a text for her to call me.

  Casper and I are quiet on the way to his house. I bite my lip hard, trying to keep myself from crying. I don’t want to cry. I can’t. I refuse.

  I wish Cherry would call me. I need to talk to her. When we pull into Casper’s driveway, my phone rings. I relax a little when I see Cherry’s name.

  “Meg!” she shouts into the phone and I can tell she’s had more alcohol. “Sorry I missed your call. We were...well, you know. Where are you?”

  “I left already.” I bite my lip to keep it from quivering. “I—”

  “What? Why? Are you with Casper?”

  “Yes. I was—”

  “You went home with him?”

  I clench my teeth, but I quickly lose my anger. “Cherry, I was…attacked.”

  She gasps. “What? Where are you? Are you okay? What happened?”

  “I’m at Casper’s. His mom’s a nurse.”

  “What? Aren’t you going to the police? What happened?”

  “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. I wanted to tell you where I was.”

  “I don’t trust him. You shouldn’t go there. Let me take you to the hospital.”

  “I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
<
br />   “Megan.”

  “I’ll call tomorrow.”

  “Fine,” she says and hangs up.

  My heart sinks. I can’t help the tears as they fall like escaping ants. I cover my face with my hands.

  I feel Casper’s hand on my shoulder.

  Most of the lights are out in Casper’s house and we come in through the kitchen again, but this time he leads me upstairs to his room. The last time I was in his room, he yelled at me because he thought I was performing some sort of witch magic on him. And now he saved my life. I can’t imagine what would have happened had I not invited Casper.

  He shows me his bathroom, which is enormous. The bathroom has double sinks, a garden tub with a window, a separate shower, a closet toilet, and a closet further back. If this is his bathroom, I hate to see what the master looks like.

  “I’m gonna get my mom,” he says. “Here are some towels.” He rushes out of the room and a few seconds later comes back with a woman my height with blonde hair, like Casper’s. She has brown eyes that are immediately worried when she sees me. She is beautiful, even without makeup, has high-arched eyebrows with a straight nose and full lips.

  “Are you okay, Megan?” she asks in a caring, yet professional voice. “What happened?”

  I bite my lip.

  “Casper, get your father’s bag.” He leaves the room. “Megan, it’s nice to meet you finally, even under these unfortunate circumstances. I will take care of you, okay?”

  I nod and my chin quivers. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize.” She goes into his room and brings back a chair. She instructs me to sit sideways in the chair and Casper returns. He sits on the edge of the tub, facing me, while she goes to work on my back.

  I feel her pulling the small bits of mirror from my back and I try to ignore it but wince every time. Casper holds my hand.

  “Can I ask what happened?” Mrs. Truitt asks.

  I bite my lip.

  “This asshole—”

  “Language, Casper.”

  He shakes his head. “Even that word isn’t the right one to describe this guy. He had her on the floor, Mom. He was going to—”

  “Calm down,” she tells him.