The Song #2
“That’s textbook abuse. Plus, Lisa pitted you and Keaton against each other. It sounds like she turned all your friends against you, so all you have left now is her. So, even if you wanted to quit her you feel like you can’t because then you’d truly be alone. Which again, would still be better.”
Justin looked down, looking completely dejected and muttered, “You’re right, but she’s the only friend I have.” I sighed, annoyed with myself as I offered, “I’m new here, and don’t have many friends. So, I can be your friend.”
It’s only because I get it. Luke was my everything and he’s horrible.
That’s why I’m offering to be this guy’s friend.
Justin’s head snapped up as he asked, “Really? People won’t like that.
” I snorted, “People suck. I travel a lot and while a lot things are different, high school is the same everywhere. There are cliques, and I don’t really fit into them. ”
Justin frowned arguing, “You do.” I laughed, “People keep saying that lately. They seem confused when I disagree.” Justin agreed, “Yeah.” We stood there in silence for a few moments before I said, “See you at school, Justin. Just remember you deserve better.” He smiled just a little saying, “Thanks, Katie.” I nodded and ended up just walking back to my apartment.
Kenneth had a strange reaction when I walked in. His head whipped into the air then he asked me, “Did you have plans today, Katie?” I answered, “No, I was just out for a walk and ran into a new friend.” I did tell Justin we could be friends.
Kenneth raised an eyebrow but nodded. It’s like my building manager knew who I was with, but that wasn’t possible though. I shrugged it off and went upstairs. I unlocked my door, stepped inside, quickly closed the door, and locked the dead bolt.
I leaned my head against the door. I sighed, “Good job, Odette. A guy admits his psycho, on and off again, girlfriend that he can’t get away from wants him to stalk you and your dumbass told him we could be friends. What were you thinking?!”
I wasn’t. That was the clear take away. I was usually more careful. There were just people like Roxie and her family that I felt comforted around. Justin was like that, and he shouldn’t be. Not as long as he’s with that crazy girl.
I did feel a strange need to protect Justin, even from himself. Why? I shook myself, because that didn’t make any sense. I didn’t know Justin really, and I certainly didn’t owe him anything. So, why did I have this instinct to try to help him?
Why did I even go over to him in the first place? I was losing it. The loneliness was finally getting to me. No, this was just seeing the similarities in our situation. I pushed away when Luke told me they were jealous. Lisa used a different method, but it was abuse all the same.
I pushed away from the door. It was sad that speaking with Justin was the most interaction I’d had with anyone today. Great. Now I was encouraging my wannabe stalker because I was lonely. I looked around my apartment.
I hissed, “Hope you’re happy, mom. Now I have an ex-boyfriend who is a stalker, and possibly another stalker because of a crazy eyed chick!
I was happily talking to the potential stalker because I’m so lonely.
Really, you’re doing a bang up job with this whole motherhood thing.
Now, I’m talking out loud to you, and you aren’t even here! ”
I slapped the counter in the kitchen and put my head down. I was losing it. In the end I spent the rest of the night staring at a tree I’d decorated in a lonely apartment. I woke up on the floor of the living room. Crap! I quickly got ready and rushed downstairs.
Kenneth asked, “Miss Karlton, are you alright?” I yelled, “I don’t want to be late for work!” He frowned, “Your car is….” I breathlessly answered as I pushed open the door, “I don’t know how to drive.” I heard him snicker then ran all the way to the bookshop.
Immy squealed when she saw me, “Did you have a good Christmas? We had such a good Christmas with some drama. It was so fun.” I laughed, “What was your drama?” This was clearly the right question because my new, non-stalker, friend launched into her story.
Immy animatedly told me, “Well, before Keaton and Keith got home Tony Jr, and Clara were like watchdogs. I couldn’t figure out why they were being hypervigilant.
Then Lisa showed up and they were all my siblings were over her the second she got within sight of the house.
I couldn’t hear them because they were too far away, but they were definitely arguing.
Clara was red faced angry over something. ”
Immy continued, “Clara is ride or die besties with Keaton. She’s so glad Lisa and Keaton are history. We all hope he’s serious this time, but I have the perfect thing to help him with that.” She winked at me.
While my traitorous heart skipped a beat as I rolled my eyes.
Immy waved her hand, “Anyway, I mentioned to Daddy Matt that Lisa was going to get clocked by Clara if she didn’t watch it.
Then Frank, Keaton’s grandpa, sprinted out the door!
Everyone was so confused. Then it came out that something happened with Keaton and Lisa that only Frank knows about. ” I nodded.
Immy added, “Clara and Tony Jr came back inside without Frank. He was still outside, using his hands and everything while talking to Lisa. Chase, Keaton’s dad, was so confused. Well to be fair, everyone is confused. My siblings just can’t handle not having answers though.”
“So, I’m sure they will figure it out. Then I’ll know the whole juicy situation.
Anyway, Lisa turned the color of a tomato.
I’m pretty sure she was embarrassed and angry.
Frank was uber pissed off. Little miss makes everything worse left with her tail tucked between her legs.
I told Frank he needs to watch out because Lisa isn’t one to handle that well. ”
I snorted, “What can she do to an adult?” Immy shrugged, “Nothing she’d get away with, but she could do something. I think she will too. Lisa’s a serious psycho. Clara is watching her though. I actually think Frank is too. Girly pop has a lot of eyes on her now and she doesn’t seem to like it.”
I laughed, “I doubt she does.” Immy rolled her eyes, “Her aura is pitch black anyway.” I tilted my head asking, “Her aura?” Immy smiled, “Yes, but don’t worry; you have a beautiful aura.” I smiled knowing Immy was a sensitive soul.
Immy told me, “Keaton and Keith came back for Christmas. Lisa ambushed them to talk to Keaton alone, but Frank was not about that. The second Keith said she’d been lying in wait Frank was yet again out the door. Now Chase is over at my house a lot asking Daddy Matt if he knows what’s going on.”
I asked, “Why would your dad know?” Immy winked, “My dad knows a lot of things. Chase is always asking him about details and whatnot.” That was weird. How did Matt know, but Chase didn’t? I asked, “Are Keaton and Matt close?”
Immy answered, “Definitely. Our families are not blood related, but we are family. Keaton’s locked down tight though. He used to laugh a lot, but not since he was thirteen.” I gasped, “He hasn’t laughed for five years?”
Immy shrugged, “Not much, honestly.” That was sad. I muttered, “I could make him laugh.” Immy elbowed me and wiggled her eyebrows. I blushed, “I mean probably. I’m funny.” Immy took out her phone and dramatically flipped it around.
My eyes were stuck on the hazel eyes that seemed to look into my soul. Immy proudly said, “That’s Keaton and his twin Keith.” There were two of them? My eyes reluctantly left Keaton. I could see subtle differences between Keith and Keaton.
No wonder Lisa was so crazy over Keaton Daniels. He was hot. Immy sang, “SOOOOOO, what do you think?” I laughed, “They are good looking, but I’m not focused on boys right now.” Keaton was hotter by far. Immy smiled, “Enter Immy. I make everyone have fun.” She winked at me, and we got to work.
After a few hours, I was putting some books on the shelf when I bumped into someone. I turned and saw an older man smiling at me. My head hissed, but I kept it inside. I asked, “Hello, how may I help you? Are you looking for a book today?”
The man replied, “I’m just checking on you, my dear. How are you doing here?” I frowned, “Are you related to Immy?” He snorted, “Heavens no.” That didn’t make sense given Immy’s family owned this place and no one else should be checking on me.
I asked, “Are you sure you’re looking for me then?” He leaned down closer and I heard a hissing in my head again. The man smugly said, “I am in fact looking for you, Odette.” I gasped and jumped back. How did he know my name? He moved closer to me, but I backed up again.
Immy called, “Katie, are you done with….?” She trailed off when she saw us. The man said, “I’ll just be going.” He quickly left the shop. Immy asked, “Are you ok, Katie? You look pale.” I clenched my hand into a fist so she wouldn’t notice it was shaking.
Immy asked, “Do you know that creepy guy?” I shook my head, “No.” So, the question now was how did he know me? Immy frowned, “He was whatever you are, partially anyway.” I asked, “Huh?” Immy laughed and skipped away. What I am?
I slapped my head when the answer came to me. Immy obviously meant someone from out of town. I went back to the front. Immy asked, “What are you doing for New Years?” I shrugged, “Nothing.” Immy frowned, “That won’t do. Why don’t you come to our house for New Years?”
I laughed, “I’ll think about it, but I don’t know where you live.” Plus, Thanksgiving went poorly. Immy replied, “That’s easy enough to resolve.” She texted me and I went back to my apartment. I had an email waiting which had me squealing.
There was a Lux that had emailed me back for an appointment. His office was just three hours from here. The appointment was on New Year’s Eve. I quickly looked up ticket prices for the bus and purchased one with the money I’d made from the bookstore. I texted Immy.
Me: I’m not sure about coming over on New Year’s Eve now. I have an appointment.