I guess I could have grabbed my calc notes and studied, but in the face of Aunt Lily’s crisis, it just didn’t seem important anymore. There was no way I could focus anyway.
Aunt Lily’s cheeks pinked up a little after downing some oatmeal. She kissed my forehead, and determinedly left for work, despite my pleadings for her to do otherwise. I yanked my desk drawer open and grabbed a pre-signed tardy note and dated it before stuffing it in my pocket. Flinging my black and violet backpack over my shoulder, I dashed out the door. It wasn’t until I was sitting, numb, in the van that I ripped the note up and discarded it in the trash sack tied to the drink holder. This morning just felt too personal, and I wasn’t about to tell the world I was late because I had to get my cousins off to the sitter and give my aunt a bath before scurrying off to school.
Mrs. Lannic’s wicked grin greeted me as I walked into British lit and she slapped a neon yellow paper in my hand. I swear she took perverse joy in giving students extra homework. Averting my eyes, I went the long way to my desk to avoid Natalie’s arsenal of snide comments.
“You look like death,” Chel whispered as I slunk into the seat next to her.
“Gee thanks.” I wanted to pull my hood on and hide under it, but knew Mrs. Lannic would rip it right off.
“I’ll fix you up after class.” Chel showed me the page we were on. I grabbed my text book out of my backpack and looked as if I was following along, ignoring Chel.
“Come on I didn’t mean anything by it,” Chel said. “Is your aunt all right?”
I shrugged. “We’ll see if she makes it to work or not.”
Chel gave me a sympathetic smile before Mrs. Lannic rapped her knuckles on the whiteboard to shush us. It was comforting that at least Chel understood the true reason for my tardiness.
The rest of the day passed in a mind-numbing blur: slinking around corners, speed walking out of classes to avoid Kyle, and forgetting several equations during my calc test. But school was over, and I was headed out the door. Today, I needed to drive up the canyon for some alone time. Kathleen wouldn’t mind staying with the girls until eight, leaving me plenty of time.
A gust of wind sent strands of my brunette hair to tickle my face as I exited the double glass doors of Cody High and made my way across the school’s winter burned front lawn.
The sun was bright in the cloudless sky as I headed toward my van parked on the far side of City Park, but the April air still raised goose bumps on my arms. Spring was slow in coming to the valley, but gradually, the days were lengthening. I was more than ready for the warmer weather of late April. Hugging my jacket closed, I pushed my legs faster, dodging anyone slower than me. It wasn’t until I reached the edge of school property that I heard my name.
“Tay. Wait up.”
Glancing back, I found Chel running toward me. “Hey, Chel. I’m headed for a drive up North Fork. Can I catch you later?”
Her azure eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you forgot!”
“Forgot what?” But as soon as I said it, I remembered the promise I’d made last night. “Aw, come on. You know I hate public speaking.” I used the best pitiful face I could muster this late in the day. I was desperate to escape Chel’s grasp, more than ready to find solitude in the mountains. “Seriously, after my day today? I don’t think I can handle it. I’m sorry. Isn’t there anyone else?”
“You promised. And it will be fun, Tay. You need something to take your mind off things, and it will be more energizing than a drive. Besides, the guys will be happy to see you.” Chel’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Her theater friends were fine, but I wasn’t in the mood to socialize.
“I really just want some time to think—alone,” I plead my case.
“As for self-inflicted seclusion, you need to get your mind off things, not dwell on them.”
I tried another tactic.
“I’m behind in my honor classes. After the calc test today, I’m screwed.” I was unwilling to admit defeat that was staring at me from two gleaming, determined eyes.
“If behind means you have an A-, you’ll have to come up with a better excuse,” Chel challenged, placing her hands on her hips.
I was sinking fast.
“Chel, I only promised to get you off my case.”
She flashed me a wicked grin, smelling an easy victory. “A promise is a promise,” she chimed in a sing-song voice. I groaned in defeat. Threading her arm through mine, she nearly skipped back to theater practice where I would miserably stand in for her sick partner. Chel’s strawberry-blonde hair bounced in long ringlets down her back with her enthusiastic spring. She would have galloped the whole way if she wasn’t dragging my dead weight behind her.
CHAPTER 11—Lights, Camera, Kyle
The bright sunshine mocked my gloomy mood, and I almost welcomed the darkened corridors of our nearly empty school.
The auditorium seating was empty, but the stage overflowed with the theater cast milling about, warming up to rehearse the play The Curious Savage. As the auditorium lights dimmed and the stage lighting flicked on, my hands started sweating. I wasn’t even in the spotlight yet! Why did I let her drag me here? My whole body quivered, prepared to sprint from the building, but Chel’s tight grip prevented me from fleeing. I prayed I wouldn’t faint and humiliate myself.
The play progressed quickly, and before I was ready, it was my turn to step out from behind the black wing curtain and into the spotlight. I shuffled slowly to center stage where Chel was waiting for me, tapping her foot impatiently. My heart hammered as I stepped into the orb of light with her.
Gripping my script with trembling hands, I read my first line monotone. Chel rolled her eyes, but didn’t let my nervousness keep her from delving into the play. Her total immersion into character was amazing. After a bit, I warmed to her enthusiasm and read my lines with a little more gusto.
“Fairy May, don’t look at me like that. I only turned out the lights to stop you all from fighting,” I said, shaking my finger at Chel like an old woman chastising a child.
“You’re lying. I know you wanted the money for yourself.” Chel glared at me.
“I’m not listening to your insolence for a moment longer. Goodbye.” I stormed off the stage and back into the shadows, feeling exhilarated. It was over, and I’d actually enjoyed being someone else for a while, but I’d never admit that to Chel. This was still way too public for my comfort.
Unsure if I’d be needed again, I walked backstage and heard snickers follow me. When I turned, I found Todd’s midnight eyes. I shivered under his icy glare. He wasn’t smiling like his friends laughing around him. Were they making fun of me? Of him? Guilt flooded my checks, and I ducked behind the curtains. I pinched my hand to stop from crying. Would people ever stop harassing us? Would he ever forgive me?
I found a tattered, burnt-yellow couch in one of the stage wings. While still listening to rehearsal, I pulled out my calc homework and sat cross-legged on the lumpy cushions. While I was heavily focused on graphing a complicated equation, a shadow darkened my textbook.
“Excuse me, could you…” I began, then looked up. Kyle grinned triumphantly down at me, and my newly-found grains of happiness sifted through my fingers.
He sported designer-worn jeans and his varsity letterman jacket with a large “C” emblazoned on the chest. After a whole month of being Kyle free, my body couldn’t help taking a moment to appreciate his solid, athletic build and short, wavy mocha hair. His closeness elicited an old desire to run my fingers through his hair. I gripped my calculator so hard I thought it would crack. There was no way I’d get tangled in his web again.
“Tayla, it’s not healthy to study so much.” He offered his hand to me. “Come on, we’ll go do something. I owe you a date for the last one being so…” he trailed off.
Fear trickled through my system. Why couldn’t this guy take a hint and leave me alone? He could have any girl at school, but he chose to stalk me with his unwanted attention. I shifted nervously in my seat, ignorin
g him and his offer.
“Come on. You know it’ll be fun.” He gave me his sexy smile that melted most girls on the spot. I’d fallen into that category only a few months ago.
“What are you doing here, Kyle?” I asked dryly, struggling to keep my voice steady.
“The same as you. Helping with the play,” Kyle said.
“Helping with what, exactly? You weren’t on stage.” I held his gaze defiantly, trying to still my nerves. I jumped as an eruption of laughter burst from the stage. My mechanical pencil rolled from my hand and clattered on the hardwood floor.
“Oh, I was backstage, helping with props. But don’t worry. I saw your sexy performance.” Kyle winked.
My stomach flopped uneasily. He wasn’t supposed to be here! At least we weren’t alone this time. The people walking by made me feel braver.
“You don’t even like theater.” Kyle bent to pick up my forgotten pencil. With one arm braced against the top ridge of the couch, he leaned in close to dangle it before my face. His eyes glinted mischievously. Nervous he might drop it down my shirt, I snatched it away before he had a chance. He grinned and moved his mouth close to my ear. His spearmint breath tickled my skin.
“You don’t like theater either, but here you are.”
My arms prickled and my heart stopped. I leaned away.
“I had no choice. Chel’s partner was sick. It’s different,” I defended myself, wishing I wasn’t already against the arm of the couch.
“Julie is pretty sick, poor girl.” His tenor voice dripped with false sympathy as he straightened, and his full lips twitched with amusement.
Relieved to have my space back, I narrowed my eyes at him. “What did you do?”
“Whoa, no need for hostility.” He raised his arms in fake surrender, before flashing me a sly smile. “I’ve missed you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Answer the question.”
“All right,” he said, sitting next to me and putting one arm behind my shoulders on the couch. I scooted forward and out of reach. “I may’ve promised her a date with Danny if she stayed home. I knew Chel would pick you to fill in. I haven’t seen you for a whole month!” he lamented, leaning in closer as his eyes dropped longingly to my lips.
I turned my head, searching for someone to intervene, but everyone was too focused on the play to notice my distress. How could I grab my stuff and leave without Kyle making a scene?
Kyle bumped my shoulder with his, and I shrank from his touch, almost falling off the couch. “Be my prom date. I’ll make sure your night is unforgettable.”
“No. Now leave me alone.” Unforgettable was what I was afraid of. I didn’t need another date like the last one, or worse. I still had nightmares from it. I slammed the book shut and stuffed it into my bag and shoved off the couch.
“Why not?” Kyle’s hand snatched my forearm, and I reeled back, nearly falling in his lap.
Longing sighs cooed behind me. I turned to see three sophomores standing in the curtain wings, melting at his speech. But my head whipped back to Kyle as he placed his lips to my palm and kissed it.
“How dare—” I ripped my hand from the intimate gesture, ready to bolt.
“Just imagine it,” he cut me off and slipped his arm around my waist, ignoring my nails digging into his arm. “With a little pampering from my stylist, you’ll be irresistible. We’ll be the most envied couple at prom.” His eyes glazed over, like he envisioned me in a slinky red dress drooling over him all night.
I clenched my teeth. There was no way I’d be some doll his family’s stylist could play dress-up with. What kind of psycho family brought their stylist to Hickville anyway? For that matter, what stylist in their right mind would come?
“I’m not your arm candy, Kyle!” I shoved both hands against his chest, breaking free. I ran from him, but he was faster. He veered into my path.
“Don’t be mad. It was a compliment.” Kyle’s brows furrowed.
I clipped his shoulder and fumbled for my balance, but lost the battle and crashed to the floor. I shot to my feet and pushed past him. Frantic to get away, I slammed into a senior dressed in a red flapper dress, sending her to the floor. “Sorry,” I whispered automatically. I didn’t stop to catch her reply.
I was almost to the girls’ dressing room when I heard Kyle’s distant voice. “Isn’t she perfect?”
I cringed and fought back waves of nauseating memories. I swear he enjoyed the hunt, and every time I escaped his clutches, it only made him more enamored. My hands balled into fists. I wasn’t sure who he was talking to, but I didn’t care. Bleary-eyed, I continued to the dressing room, unsure of what I’d do if I turned back. There was no telling what the boiling anger inside me would unleash.
With rage barely suppressed and a scowl plastered to my face, I passed the three eavesdropping sophomores and wrenched the girls’ dressing room door open. I tried ignoring the nosy girls, but they followed me in.
Fuming, I turned to face them. “What?”
“How can you talk to Kyle like that?” The redheaded girl stood facing me, arms folded across her chest as if she was his personal guard.
“Yeah, what’s wrong with you? I can’t believe he’s wasting his time with a freak like you anyway.” The shortest of the three glared at me. The third girl just nodded her agreement.
I clenched my hands into fists. “Do you even know Kyle?” Anger steamed off my tongue. “Has he ever talked to you? And with that hair,” I pointed to smallest of the three, “I doubt he even knows you exist,” I snapped. The small black haired girl lowered her eyes, and I pinched my lips shut. Great. How did Kyle always bring out the worst in me?
“Maybe he doesn’t yet, but we won’t have to sleep with him to get his attention,” the third one said as they herded their crying friend from the room.
Their stinging words sunk in, and I leaned my head against the cold bricks, growling in exasperation. Though it obviously wasn’t true, I wondered how many people thought I’d slept with Kyle, only to string him along later for the fun of it. Was Natalie spreading rumors again, even after Chel threatened her? Taking a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts away. Right now, I needed some solitude and fresh air. If only I’d headed up the canyon…
Quickly, I texted Chel: Kyle ambush. GTG, and exited the building. It was only 6:30, but night had already darkened the mountains from view and clumps of dirty snow lined the lamp-lit streets.
CHAPTER 12—Lurking Shadow
Stomping across the street to City Park, I destroyed any slushy piles of snow in my path. Where did those girls get off accusing me of sleeping with Kyle! I tried to let it roll off me with the cool breeze, but their words stuck like burs in my socks. Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have to go to public school. Homeschool was much easier. But I’d miss Chel and some of her goofy theater friends. I had already lost Todd. Was I going to let Kyle send me running back home?
No way, jerk.
I would stay just to show him I wasn’t some scared kitten. He’d awakened the tigress inside me, and I wasn’t taking any prisoners. I walked briskly toward the white dot that was my van on the far side of the darkened park.
The night air was quiet, soothing my agitated nerves. The brittle grass crunched beneath my feet, and the wind carried a refreshing snow smell, like misty ice. The waxing gibbous moon shone bright and full as I gazed up at the starry sky. It looked unhappy, like the face shining in its pale depths was frowning. It had always looked that way to me—just another difference separating me from my peers. How could anything that sad be romantic? I’d take a sunset over the full moon any day.
I passed a clump of trees and something crunched the brittle grass. My skin crawled—something was out there. I squinted into the shadows, my hands clammy with fear. Was someone watching me? Had Kyle followed me? I was only halfway through the park, but if I sprinted...
A twig snapped and I whipped around, fists raised, a futile attempt at self defense. My heart thrummed as my eyes locked on a large, dark form
leaning against a pine tree, looking more like the trunk than a person. I stared into the stranger’s silver-streaked eyes that seemed to glow from his hooded face.
“K-kyle?” I lowered my hands a fraction.
Who else was bent on torturing me? Natalie came to mind, but the person before me was tall and had a definite football player’s build. That narrowed it down to Kyle—or could it be Todd? The glare he’d thrown me in the theater had been especially icy. Maybe this was Todd finally getting me back for the whole Kyle incident. The shadows and trench coat could add a hundred pounds of muscle to his beanpole frame. But what was up with the contacts? I shivered. If it was Todd, he was totally freaking me out with this practical joke. It was a bit much, even if I deserved it.
“Now, you’ve stooped to being a creepy stalker?” My words carried my disgust.
But he didn’t move, not even to blink. There was no smirk or a, “Gotcha!” The silence continued, and my stomach knotted nervously into a jumbled ball. A sinking feeling enveloped me like a cold, damp cloak. Maybe it wasn’t Todd or Kyle. I squeezed my torso, desperate to still the tremors. This was stupid. It had to be one of them, but why not break the act and start laughing now? They probably had enough footage to humiliate me for the rest of my life.
“Fine, you got me. I fell for it,” I called out, unable to stand the stillness anymore.
My voice was swallowed by the silence that threatened to suffocate me. Panic seized my chest and tears welled in my eyes. Why were they doing this to me?
I let the injustice of it all simmer in my veins and light my courage.
This stupid boyish prank is over.
“You’re such a jerk! I hope that wolf sighted in town mistakes you for dinner.” I fisted my hands, refusing to spill the tears threatening to fall. With my luck, if the sighted wolf was in the park, it would probably eat me first. Though my words were daring, I felt anything but brave—I was terrified. Kyle was so much stronger than me, and the park was empty. What if this time he had finally cracked? Determined to take me against my will?
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