4. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Sydney
Waking up from yet another nightmare covered in sweat, I roll over and look at the time on my phone. Only five a.m.? When did I even fall asleep? Rolling out of bed, I mindlessly walk to my bathroom for a shower. Might as well go ahead and get ready for the day.
Turning the water on, I make my way to the sink and brush my teeth while I wait for the water to get warm. Opening the shower door, the steam bellows out. Stepping in, I do my thing and get out, wrapping the towel around me.
Walking over to my closet, I grab my black and red plaid skirt and pull it over the curve of my hips. I always feel like my ass is on show with these damn skirts. Taking my white button up shirt and black blazer off the hanger, I slide them on, putting my red and black plaid tie on to match. That’s basically the make up of my closet; school uniforms.
Sitting on the bed, I pull my black stockings up and slip into my black and white Converse. Walking into the bathroom, I blow dry my hair and straighten it. Looking at myself in the mirror, I do my eyeliner and mascara and call it good.
People only see this version of me–the rich girl with my foster parents' money. The girl with an attitude who stays to herself. I never show them the broken girl who hides behind the smile. When I actually do smile . The girl with trauma that haunts her. Which is okay, the only two people who actually see behind my mask are Zova and Liv. Mainly because we just all have that dark broken vibe. Every time Parker looks at me, I feel like he’s trying to look into my soul and uncover all of my secrets. I may hate jocks, but that motherfucker is trying everything he can to claw his way in and bury himself under my skin. Out of all the girls in this school, why me?
With one last look in the mirror, I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder, grabbing my phone and walking out of my room, shutting the door as I go. Walking into the sorority’s kitchen, I toss a bagel into the toaster. While I’m waiting, I hear the front door open. Turning to see who it is, I smirk when I spot Charli sneaking in. She grins when she notices me and then climbs the stairs to her room. Okay… wonder where she’s been? She spends most of her time off campus, I’ve noticed.
Grabbing the bagel once it pops up, I spread some cream cheese on it, take a big bite and walk towards the door. Putting my headphones over my ears and turning on music, I make the trek across campus to the parking lot where my car is. Eating the rest of my breakfast and singing to myself as I go. Bouncing my head to the music.
It’s eerie out this morning, the fog low and thick. Just adding to the creepy vibe of this place. Turning my music up, I drown out everything else. No spooky vibes today. Music helps me get out of my head, especially after the nightmares.
Sitting on the cold floor with nothing but a blanket,the crappy mattress pushed into the corner. A mattress I avoid until I’m forced on it. It’s always the same routine for me and the other girl down here, except they seem to sometimes have it worse than me. Their screams taunt me when I close my eyes. We get just enough food and water to keep us alive, but not enough to feel full. We’re tied up and tortured daily, not only mentally, but physically too. They touch us in places my mom said no one should ever touch me, especially a man. I’m tired of crying. Tired of living the same damn nightmare over and over. I just want it to end. End this life I didn’t ask for. No one should ever have to live like this. Looking down at my wrist, the tattooed number haunts me. I vow right now that if I ever make it out of here alive, the first thing I’ll do, will be getting rid of it. That’s if I make it out of here alive, because if not soon, I won’t make it out at all.
Shaking my head, I pull myself from the haunting memories, reminding myself that I’m not that girl anymore. I won’t ever have to be either. Looking at my wrist where the blue butterfly tattoo now sits, replacing the numbers that once stained my skin, I rub my thumb across it. We made it, little butterfly. We were saved. Wiping the tears from my eyes I didn’t even notice were falling, I’m suddenly grabbed from behind. Screaming and turning around, I land a punch right into the person’s face.
“Fuck Syd! It’s just me.” Parker groans, holding his cheek.
“Jesus Christ! You scared the hell out of me! Don’t you know not to creep up on people? Especially on this fucking bridge, in the dark! It’s creepy enough without being scared to death, you savage motherfucker.” I spit out, bringing my hands to my chest. My heart feels like it’s about to explode.
“I’m sorry. I called your name a couple times. Maybe don’t wear headphones when you’re out here walking alone? Especially in the dark.” He mocks and rubs his face, starting to chuckle.
“Also, you got a mean right hook. I won’t admit that I ever said that if you tell anyone.” He chuckles again. Shaking my head, I laugh with him.
“I guess you’re right, but music helps it feel less scary. What are you doing out here anyways? Following me?” I question and roll my eyes.
“No, I was out for my morning run and saw you out here walking alone. So I was coming over to walk with you.” He says and now I feel bad for punching him. Kinda.
“I’m just going to the parking lot. Actually, I’m thinking about going to town for coffee before classes start since it’s so early.” I say taking in a breath. While I dislike jocks, something about Parker calls to me and I have to admit, seeing him all sweaty, even when it’s freezing out here, is kind of hot.
“Well come on, I’ll walk you to your car then.” He replies, grabbing my bag from the ground and tossing it over his shoulder. “Are you coming?” He asks, looking at me and jerking his head towards the parking lot since apparently I’m just standing here like a statue.
Walking towards the lot, the silence is deafening and the tension can be cut with a knife. Ugh, it grates my nerves that I’m so intrigued by him. Making it to the big wooden gates, we go through and I turn towards the side where I know my car is parked.
“Which one’s yours?” He asks, looking around at all the cars in the lot. You go from higher end cars, like Mercedes and Bentleys, to trucks and sports cars.
“That one.” I reply, pointing to my blacked out challenger and hitting the unlock button.
“Damn, that car is sexy as fuck. Just like the driver.” He says, looking at me like he’s about to eat me alive right here. I just roll my eyes and laugh.
“Wanna come with? Or you got puck bunnies to go please?” I sass as I slide into the front seat.
“I’d rather please you. Right here in your front seat. But if all I get is going to get coffee, then let's go, Ice Queen.” He replies, shutting my door. Walking around, he gets in the passenger seat and tosses my bag in the back.
Starting the car and giving it a few minutes to warm up, I put it in drive and take off out of the parking lot, down the winding road, away from the University. The whole campus sits on top of a cliffside, so it’s all curvy roads and miles from town. It looks pretty covered in snow, but there's secrets that lie beneath that no one knows about. It doesn’t take long before we’re falling into simple conversation the whole way. Who would have thought me and Parker Vance in the same car and no one getting murdered?