Chapter Seven
Alina
“You?”
Oh no, oh no, oh no! He’s figured it out. Did he figure out if I was me at the diner… or me at the carnival? It has to be the diner, right? Oh my gosh, this can't be happening right now. Not at the worst time of my life. I duck my hair and look the other way, trying to hide my tears and bloody face. How is this happening? I’ve wanted this guy to see me for so long, and on the lowest night of my life, he shows up in the most secretive of places. What did I ever do to the universe to deserve this?
“It is you, isn't it?” he asks again.
“U-uh, me?” I ask dumbly.
“Yeah, you were the girl on the Ferris wheel that night, weren't you?” he repeats, lowering to the ground beside me.
Oh no, is he mad at me? Please don't tell me he’s about to yell and scream at me. I really don't think I could handle that in my current state. I can feel myself start to panic. I'm alone in the dark with a guy who might be very, very angry with me. Before tonight, I would have bet everything I hold dear Riley would never hurt a woman, but then again, before today, I would have never guessed my own brother could attack me.
“You know, you really helped a guy out that night. It would have been so embarrassing having to ride it alone.” He bumps his shoulder against mine. My breathing evens out. He’s not mad at me. He actually seems to be messing with me.
“Umm…”
“No, no, no. Don't try to weasel your way out of this one, Siren. I heard you singing. I know exactly who you are. Though I have to say, you look a bit different.” I wince at that remark, and he must notice because he continues quickly. “Not bad different. I didn't mean it like that. Just uhh… I mean… Shit.”
Seeing Riley struggle and stutter his way out of his embarrassment has a laugh bubbling up in my throat, and I have to slap my hand over my mouth to stop it. I don't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him more, so I decide to quickly put him out of his misery.
“That was me that night on the Ferris wheel. I had a friend.” I try to explain Frankie, my fairy godsister, the best I can. “She saw me trying on a dress and wanted to play dress up, I guess. Anyway, I saw you needed a partner that night and decided to help you out.” I shrug, trying to leave it at that.
“I feel like there might be more to the story there, but I’ll let you get away with it for now, though I still don't know why you changed your appearance so much. My question now is, why did you run away? If you were at the diner right under my nose this whole time, why didn't you ever say anything?” he asks cautiously. Maybe it's the peace of the ocean, or maybe it's the vulnerability after tonight's attack, but I decide what the hell. I might as well go for broke.
“I’ve been working at that diner now for six years. I’ve seen you and your friends come into that diner at least twice a week since I started. I can tell you every item you like on that menu, you're allergic to cantaloupe, and you're the type of weirdo that likes pulp in their orange juice.” He chuckles like I hoped he would before I continue, “I know all of these things about you, but I can bet all my tips this week combined that you don't even know my name.”
I watch his eyes widen, and he opens his mouth to deny my words, but then quickly shuts it again when he realizes I'm right. I gaze back to the dark waves, wanting to finish this last part. Then maybe he can leave me to my misery alone, and I can go back to the dark hiding spot where I belong. Where I don't get hurt.
“Don't get me wrong, I know you always have your head in your books. I even got up the courage once to compliment you on one. Then your friends came in, and I was once again pushed to the back. But it's not only your fault. I'm a wallflower. I fade and blend into the background; normally, that's where I prefer to be. But Year after year, I hoped you would look up and see me one day. When you never did, I thought maybe I could do something to get your attention. That's where the mysterious carnival girl came from. After I left that night, though, while playing Cinderella for one night was fun, I knew that wasn't me. I went back home, changed back into that pumpkin, and decided if you were going to like me, I wanted it to be for me. If you were going to see me, I wanted it to be the real me.”
“I won't lie and say I ever saw you in the diner, but it really is nothing personal. Tessa is my best friend's little sister who also works there, and I couldn't pick her out of a lineup. I can tell you right now I recognize those shoes. I’m so sorry I never took my nose out of my books to take the time to notice you. I can tell you I would notice that song, that voice, that siren’s call anywhere. I must have heard you sing it a dozen times while at the diner.”
Oh my gosh. He’s listened to me sing?
“You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I swear I would follow it to the depth of the seas. What's your name, Siren?”
“Alina,” I reply softly.
“Alina,” he repeats just as softly, almost like he's testing the word on his lips. “Well, Alina, you're not running now.” He leans in closer to me.
“I don't think I could if I wanted to,” I whisper back, not able to help but lean in as well.
The next second, he closes the gap between us and is kissing me. Softly at first, so softly I forget about my busted lip and cheek. That is until he leans farther in and grabs my hip. That causes me to wince, and he pulls back immediately.
“Shit, I swear I didn't mean to attack you. Fuck…” He starts to panic, but I'm holding my face with one hand and my hip with the other, trying to breathe through the pain. I'm just about to try calming him down when there's a bright flash, followed by screams as the tilt-a-whirl lights up the darkness from above us. I see the moment he gets a good look at my face.
“What the fuck? What happened to you?” he almost yells, causing me to wince and pull back from him. His eyes soften, and he takes a deep breath. “I'm sorry, Siren; I'm trying really hard to calm down, but someone hurt you, and that's making me a bit murderous right now.”
I relax at his words but stiffen again with his next question.
“I need to know what happened, Alina. Please.” It's the please that has me spilling the story. Well, most of it.
“I had just finished a double shift and was walking home from the diner. I tried to avoid the crowds. You know how the boardwalk can be sometimes this late.”
“Kids hyped up on sugar and parents too exhausted from the day to control the boogers,” he helpfully adds. I smile and nod before continuing.
“I took the alleyway behind the boardwalk. Before you say it, I know it was stupid, but I was tired and just wanted to go to bed. I took a turn and ran into m- some guy.” I stutter over my words, not wanting to mention that the person who attacked me was actually my brother. I try to hurry forward, hoping he doesn't notice the slip. “I turned the corner, and he was just there. He asked me for my money, all the tips I made that night. I should have just given them to him, but I was so angry and tired of being pushed around that I told him no. Let's just say he didn't take that answer well. When I tried to run, he attacked me. I was in so much pain I barely remember what happened after. He took my money, and then I stumbled my way here.”
I break off as the tears gather in my eyes again. I can't stand the thought of him seeing me this beaten and broken. I don't want to add tears and snot to the mix.
“Again, I know you're leaving some parts out, but right now, I just really need to take care of you. Will you trust me to do that? I just want to get you somewhere safe and get you cleaned up and comfortable,” he asks softly. I can see the sadness in his eyes. It's not pity, which is the only reason I reach out and place my hand in his. He helps me to my feet, but when I stumble from the tiredness and dizziness, he doesn't hesitate to lean down and pick me up in his arms.
My body feels so safe and protected in his arms that I don't even notice where we are until he places me on a counter next to a bathroom sink. I recognize the coloring of the wallpaper in bed-and-breakfast, which only confuses me. I know he’s worked here for a long time, but I don’t understand why he would bring me here. But right now, my tired brain can't think of anything but sleep. I don't even wake up as he cleans my cuts and scrapes.
The only thing I remember is feeling safe and cared for. I smile and fall asleep as he places me down on the soft bedding. I dream of his eyes, and in my dreams…
I'm finally seen.