Chapter 5
The following day I wake up with no butterflies on me which is a bonus.
So far, every thing's normal. I check my phone and it says Sunday 13th February.
Great. I've not gone back to Friday for a do over which means maybe I'm still dreaming.
I pinch myself and the pain definitely feels real.
In that case I need to look into therapy.
I snuggle down into the covers and a picture of myself wearing a strait jacket in a padded room invades my imagination.
Would my mum believe me? Cassey does, but she's witnessed the craziness.
Then again, telling her about me incapacitating Robbie might be a bit too much to handle.
I'm barely handling it for God’s sake! No, even if what is happening is real, no-one will believe me and they'd lock me up anyway considering the main people involved, I.e.
Nick and Robbie, don't seem to remember any of it. Thanks to Alistair.
Hold on, maybe Alistair has some answers?
He's the last person I want to see again but, going by his behaviour the last couple of days there's a good chance he'll show up again.
I just hope nothing else horrible or unexplained happens in the meantime.
I'm desperate for answers and he seems like the only person who has them.
Although I can't forget the fact that something is off about him, but he is gorgeous.
He wasn't even the least bit bothered about Robbie though and then there's the whole thing with Nick. Gosh that seems like ages ago.
I get out of bed and start getting ready for the day.
Even with all the crazy I can't hide in my bed worrying about it.
I'll just continue on as normal and maybe nothing else will happen.
Life goes on and I've gotta go along with it.
I can hear my mum pottering around in the kitchen and after having a quick shower and getting dressed I go down there to join her.
I put on my best 'every thing's fine and normal' face and head to the kettle.
“So, any plans for today?” Mum asks as she tucks into some toast.
I finish making myself a coffee and lean against the kitchen side acting completely normal.
“Umm... no, I don't think so.” I blow on the boiling coffee for something to do.
I take a sip and flinch as it burns my lip.
I need to relax. I put the coffee down and head to the cupboard to make a bowl of cereal.
Mums gaze follows me around the room. “Did you have fun yesterday? When you got home you disappeared upstairs and when I came up to let you know dinner was ready you were asleep.” I wasn't asleep but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to talk to anyone after everything that had happened. I dread to think what Cassey, Christian and Robbie thought of me. I practically ignored them and walked home on my own. I’ll have to text Cassey today and apologise for abandoning her.
Robbie probably needs the apology more though after I knocked him out somehow, not that he remembers.
Then I left him with the other two as an awkward third wheel.
“Mhmm loads of fun. Looks like Cassey and Christian are finally together.” I start pouring the milk but my hands are shaking and I spill some of it. I grab a cloth to clean it up whilst taking deep breaths.
“Is that the boy she's been crushing on since you started college?” Mum has finished her toast and occasionally glances at me from over the top of her mug.
I sit down across from her in my usual seat at the table and start poking at my cereal. As I stare at my bowl my appetite evaporates. “Yeah he is.” I try one spoon full of cereal but I can't seem to make myself swallow it. I attempt to wash it down with some coffee but it makes me cough.
My mums’ brow furrows. “Sweetie are you alright? You seem on edge.”
Clearly my facade Isn't convincing. “Yeah, yeah, everything's good.” I smile but I know she sees through it. “Actually Umm... I'm not really feeling all that great, I think I'm gonna go lay down.” I clear up my bowl and hurry back upstairs. I feel my mums’ eyes burning into me as I go.
Once in my room, I close the door behind me and flop down on my bed.
The tears fall and I let them. After what happened yesterday it's clear that whatever it is that's happening to me is not good.
What made Robbie attack me? Fear knots in my stomach and I feel sick.
Cassey thinks I have super powers but they must be evil after what I did to Robbie.
What were those veins that covered him? It had something to do with the tingling sensation in my fingers when I touched him, but it was completely out of my control.
Does that make me evil? I hope not... I don't want to be evil.
I helped the tree in the storm though so I can't be completely evil.
I stare at my ceiling hoping somehow it will give me the answers I need.
After a while I hear my phone ding and looking at it I see it's a text from Cassey.
“Hey hun you ok? xxx”
I re-read it over and over again trying to think of what to say. I keep going to type and then delete it all. A few moments later Cassey texts again.
“On my way xxx.”
I look out my bedroom window and see her walking over. I reach the front door at the same time she does. As I open it sunshine beams in from outside warm and shining off the melting snow. It takes me a few moments for my eyes to adjust.
Cassey brushes past me as she enters. “I can't believe this weather just lately! Storm then Snow and now it’s practically Summer!
It must be like 18 degrees out! Quite frankly it's giving me whiplash, and so are you. So, come on, talk to me. You were like a robot after we met back up with you and Robbie.”
“I know I was but-” I stop and look around for my mum.
She's in the garden. We go into the kitchen and I make drinks.
“Cassey it was awful!” I tell her everything trying to remember every detail.
I watch as her face goes from shock to anger to determination.
“And now I don't know if I'm a bad person. It was terrifying when Robbie was collapsed on the floor.” I try to hold back tears.
Cassey sits me down at the table and rubs my shoulder reassuringly.
“There's no way you’re a bad person. You’re the most selfless person I've ever met. You were defending yourself. Robbie could have killed you.” Her voice catches and she has to compose herself.
“But I don't think he wanted to do it. I've seen enough sci-fi and fantasy shit to know that Alistair is behind this.
He made Nick and Robbie forget what they did which tells me he probably told them to do it in the first place.
Don't ask me how. After what I've seen you do, I'm starting to think that anything is possible.”
Hearing Cassey talk, I feel better and better.
I should have spoken to her about this yesterday instead of getting myself in a paranoid mess.
She has a remarkable way of understanding and seeing through things without letting her emotions cloud her logic.
I can always depend on her for good advice.
She's handling all this way better than I am.
Besides she's adamant that I'm not some sort of evil super villain so I'm beyond relieved.
“Alistair does seem to be in the middle of all this and I can't ignore the horrible feeling of death that oozes from him like a bad smell. Honestly, it's suffocating. I've never felt anything so horrid in all my life.” I shiver just thinking about it.
“That guy is bad news, I'll tell you that for free.
I think you should stay well clear of him.
I know you think he may have answers, but frankly I don't wanna hear anything he has to say. What if he can get inside your head too! Fuck or mine!” Cassey stares into space with a worried look on her face.
At that moment, my mum walks in and catches us both looking like we've just seen Dobby die again.
“You two are acting just as strange as the weather these last couple of days.
Sometimes forgetting about it for a day and coming back to it with fresh eyes can make things a whole lot clearer.
Trust me, take today to relax and enjoy your last day of being 17 Krista.
I'm sure tomorrow will bring all the answers you need.” She kisses the top of my head and goes through to the living room.
I watch her go with the distinct impression that my mum knows a whole lot more than she's letting on. Cassey lets out a small giggle.
“Now that is a lady in the know! Right we'll do what your wise mummy tells us and worry about it tomorrow.”
“Seems like I don't have a choice in the matter.” I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.
They're right all these problems will still be there tomorrow.
I'm just gonna enjoy the weekend. Mum has got some sort of surprise for me tomorrow so maybe that has got something to do with all of this.
I let out a deep breath. “Right, so, what shall we do?”
“Well it's midday so how about I treat you to some birthday eve lunch?”
I beam. “Sounds perfect!”
An hour later we're sat in our favourite coffee shop in town with a couple of Mochas.
It's so warm without a cloud in the sky.
Such a stark contrast to the weather yesterday.
I'm debating what to have for lunch as my stomach is growling after skipping breakfast. My appetite is back with a vengeance now that I feel better about everything.
I decide to go with a tuna cheddar melt panini with chips.
Cassey orders hers and mine, and a few moments later Cassey and I are digging in.
“So how are you and Christian?” I know she's dying to tell me everything.
“Oh my god Krista where to start! He's amazing! He's sweet, kind and actually listens to me. He loves to play rugby but also says no-one can beat him at chess-” She's cut off by a familiar voice that makes me jump in my seat.
“I'm sure I’ll have him in 2 moves.” Alistair's husky, arrogant voice permeates the air along with that awful aura.
He leans on the side of my chair dressed in dark fitted chinos and a burgundy t-shirt that frames his insanely toned torso.
His biceps are stretching the short sleeves to their limit.
Every inch of him is immaculate which only pisses me off more.
Anger boils up inside me and I shove his hand off the back of my chair. “Fuck off Alistair or I'm calling the police.”
His eyebrows raise and he laughs. “I've done nothing but help you these last couple of days and I doubt they'd believe a single word you say anyway.” His intense gaze holds my own daring me to say otherwise.
“If anything, you owe me a Thank-you and a favour.” His leans into my personal space and lowers his voice to a seductive purr.
“How about dinner with me tonight? Birthday treat.”
I can't believe the audacity of this guy. He actually thinks I would want to go anywhere with him? Well he's in for a rude awakening.
I stand up but he doesn't move away so our bodies are almost touching.
“You must be thick if you think that I would want to spend a second more in your presence.” My voice holds steady and calm.
The complete opposite of all the emotions churning around inside my chest. “You make me feel sick with your blatant disrespect of other people.
You're arrogant, rude and cringe-worthy so I'm gonna say this one more time. Fuck off.” I keep my voice quiet and firm but maintain eye contact. Our faces are inches apart.
That annoying smirk is back and he inhales slowly through his nose and closes his eyes as he breathes out. When he opens them, I catch a dark haze flash across his eyes. It's there for only a second but I know I saw it. His voice is a whisper.
“Fine, but when you want answers, I'll be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know and more.” He winks and leaves the cafe catching the eye of nearly every woman in the vicinity.
I fall back down into my seat with a harrumph and look at Cassey. “I'm surprised you were so quiet.”
She shrugs with a wide smile. “You had that handled. I like this new take-no-shit Krista she's fucking feisty!” We both crack up.
“I can't help it he rubs me the complete wrong way. He's so infuriating.” I tuck back into my panini. Thankfully it's still warm.
“By the looks of it he wants to rub you the right way.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “You didn't tell me he was so gorgeous. If only he wasn't some creepy, mind controlling sociopath.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “If only.” My voice is dripping with sarcasm.
We enjoy the rest of the day together without any more unwanted interruptions.
Later in the evening, my mum and I have a cosy night in on the sofa watching the Twilight Saga.
We have Chinese delivered and crack open a bottle of wine seeing as I'm 18 in only a few hours.
As we sit and relax my mind wanders to what my mum said this morning and my curiosity gets the best of me.
“So, what was your cryptic advice all about this morning? Does it have anything to do with your surprise tomorrow?” I try and keep my voice nonchalant as I glance sideways at her whilst I take a sip of wine.
“I was wondering when that would come up. You've never been a fan of surprises.” She smiles and continues to watch the film.
Is that it? Is that all I'm gonna get? She's really playing her cards tight to her chest. I decide to probe a bit further. “Soooo.... is it crazy? Or weird?”
“You'll find out tomorrow.” She has a mischievous smile as she empties her glass and re-fills hers and mine. It'll be easier trying to get blood out of a stone.
We both get engrossed into the film and before we know it the bottle of wine is empty and we're yawning and giggling. Mum gets up and stretches. “Right I'm going to bed and I suggest you do to. You've got a big day tomorrow.” She's smiles excitedly and scurries upstairs.
I laugh to myself and go upstairs. I take my phone off charge, get comfy in bed and scroll though Facebook. It's past midnight and already the first 'happy birthdays' from people are popping up on my wall. I start clicking 'like' on them when my phone bleeps with a text from an unknown number.
'I'll hold you to that favour. Happy birthday Psychi Mou '
Alistair! How did he get my number? Bloody Stalker. And what the fuck is Psychi Mou?
'I don't owe you a favour. If you text me again I'm blocking your number.'
He messages back in seconds.
'No. You won't. I have the answers to all your questions. Aren't you the least bit curious?'
I'm beyond curious but he doesn't need to know that.
He's so sure of himself it's annoying. Strange how he turns up just as loads of weird stuff starts happening to me though.
The answers my mum has might have nothing to do with any of this but Alistair is without a doubt involved in this.
Maybe if my mums surprise tomorrow doesn't clear anything up I should try talking to him about it all.
I've no proof that he's done anything bad and all he has done so far is help.
Perhaps I should give him a chance? I can almost hear Cassey's voice in my ear screaming at me that I'm being stupid for even considering it, but she's not the one who all this is happening to.
Argh! I really don't know what to do. If that awful aura that surrounds him isn't a bad sign then I don't know what is, but talking to him now without that invading my senses is a lot easier because my instincts aren't telling me to get away from him as fast as possible.
'Why do you want to help me?'
I stare at my phone waiting anxiously for his reply. Finally, I might come closer to understanding what the hell is going on.
'I have my reasons. Have dinner with me. I won't leave you wanting for anything...'
Is he implying what I think he is? What on earth has given him the impression that I'm even remotely interested?
Even over text he's insufferable. If putting up with him for a couple of hours over dinner is what it takes to know what the hell is going on, then maybe I should do it.
Something tells me he's not going away until he gets whatever it is that he wants anyway, so might as well go along with it.
I've got to make sure I have my guard up at all times.
He seems like the sort of guy who'll easily get under my skin if I'm not careful.
I chew my lip as I figure out the best way to reply.
'Fine. When? And I only want answers. Nothing more.'
Nerves fill my stomach. I can't believe I'm actually agreeing to this. It must be the bottle of wine mum and I had. I hope I'm not making a huge mistake. My phone beeps with his reply.
'I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7pm and wear that Peach dress you got Saturday.”
I flash back to that time in the changing room.
So he was there! I feel violated at the thought of him seeing me in just my underwear.
Shivers run up my spine when I remember him tracing his fingertips up and down my back whilst I struggled to pull the dress over my head.
Fear coils in my stomach, but there's also a spark of excitement.
What is wrong with me?! I stamp down those absurd feelings and focus on the fact that he violated my privacy.
He's a total fucking creep. At least I'll be able to set him straight tomorrow.
There's no chance he's getting anything from me. No matter how gorgeous he is.
With that settled I get myself comfy in bed. Looks like tomorrow is gonna be a long day. I close my eyes and eventually drift off with a certain Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome haunting my dreams.
I'm woken in the morning by my alarm at 7am beeping loudly in my ear. I must have forgotten to turn it off as I'm not going into college today. As I wake up it feels like my body is humming and buzzing with adrenalin. I'm pumped! It's my birthday!
I'm 18 and I've got the day off! I get out of bed and glance outside.
The sun is shining without a cloud in the sky.
I remember what Alistair said about wanting me to wear the peach dress.
I stare at it hanging in my wardrobe. It's the perfect day for it today and it is pretty.
I decide to wear it whilst telling myself it's because I want to not because of what he wants.
I feel on top of the world and I'm gonna make the most of this newfound confidence.
I check myself in the mirror and I look hot!
My complexion is perfect. My hair has volume and a shine to it that I've never seen before.
Mother nature is loving me today! I practically skip downstairs and my mum looks at me with this knowing look and a big grin and I just run up to her and give her the biggest hug.
“Happy birthday baby girl!” She has tears in her eyes as she leans back with both hands either side of my face.
“You look beautiful. I'm so proud of the woman you've become.
Today has been a long day coming and it's full of change.” She tucks my hair behind my ear and as she looks at me I feel like she's waiting for something.
There's an excitement and anticipation in her expression that I've never seen before. She's buzzing more than I am!
She lets me go and pours me a coffee. It's a new day and I feel reborn. Today is gonna be great I can feel it.
I dare to ask the question that's been on my mind all weekend. “So, what is this big birthday surprise? Must be awesome if it gets me a day off college.” I glance sideways at mum and see a smile play on her lips.
“You will have to wait and see.” She puts a fried egg sandwich in front of me. “Now, eat up, we have a long drive ahead of us.” This time she has a full-on grin as she busies about the kitchen.
I scoff my breakfast and in no time, we are in the car driving to who knows where. I've never seen my mum this excited, it's contagious. Every negative thought is blown completely from my mind. All that matters is this awesome time I'm having with the best mum in the world.