Chapter 65
Ihave been in a daze all day. It’s the Monday after winter formal and I just can’t stay focused.
Before formal was amazing. After formal was even better.
We had a rocky start to the actual dance but Rafe said he loves me.
In a not so direct way but he said it. I didn’t have a chance to say it back but it’s ok.
I don’t think he was looking for an actual “I love you.” My heart jumps and starts racing.
“Olivia?” Ms. Braun is looking at me waiting. “Do you know the answer?” She points at the board behind her.
I sigh and look over the board. I have no clue. I wasn’t listening at all. Even if I could figure out what’s on the board I don’t have time. Ms. Braun is staring at me impatiently.
“It’s a liquid.” Trent says next to me.
Ms. Braun purses her lips but turns around and continues teaching.
I lean over and whisper a thank you. He gives me a Trent original smile before his eyes widen and he quickly turns back to his textbook. I don’t have to look to know what’s happening behind me. I turn around and find Silas looking particularly scary.
“Knock it off.” I whisper.
Silas leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“You only have three men in your life that should be saving you.” He growls into my ear. My thighs clench and I try to suppress a groan. He chuckles and pulls away slowly, leaning back in his chair with a shit eating grin across his lips.
I took an extra long shower after OA. I just needed the silence.
My brain is so far gone today that I managed to walk right into one of the teachers.
I still don’t know how I did it. I was circling the track and got off course.
I profusely apologized and she assured me it was fine but I still feel so bad.
By this point the water has run cold. I sigh and crank the handle, shutting off the water. I wrap myself in my towel and head to my locker to change.
Outside the vibe feels charged and gloomy.
People are huddled in groups and I feel like everyone is staring at me.
Some people even look offended. It’s lunch, shouldn’t they be heading to the quad?
Whatever, I really don’t care. I keep walking, taking the long way to the cafeteria.
The cool air smells fresh and I’d like to savor it as long as I can.
Suddenly, I’m hearing papers crumpling under my feet.
I stop walking and reach down grabbing one of the pages and I gasp.
My heart stills in my chest. The title reads “Local girl found dead in school bathroom.” I can’t seem to breathe.
My lungs hurt like they’re being squeezed.
I look down and see more papers. I pick up another.
A sob escapes my lips. A picture of a bloody hand, visible through a heavy wooden bathroom door is staring back at me.
Shoes I recognize all too well. White tights that stopped mid thigh.
I pull the pages away from my face and look down at the pile of papers, tears streaming down my face. A photo of me and Rissa, arms around each other's shoulders, smile back at me. At the bottom in red writing it reads, “She let her friend die.” My heart shatters and I fall to my knees.
Why are these here? I look around me and see walls, bulletin boards, windows, plastered with the same images.
People holding them, whispering amongst themselves, stealing glances at me or full on staring.
Things start to spin. All I can hear is my blood rushing in my ears.
My heart pounds at my chest. I keep searching the faces staring back at me.
Black. I stop on a familiar face. Morella.
My eyes trail down to the paper in her hands.
Next to her are the guys. Rafe has a paper and so does Archer.
They’re looking at me, confusion, pain, and hurt written all over their faces.
Movement. I see Silas moving. He’s coming for me. I can’t. I just can’t. I get to my feet and I push past him. I rush straight past everyone dropping the papers as I go. I hear Morella call out for me but I don’t turn around. I pick up my pace and run.
My phone rings again, the sound bouncing off the walls of the old church, echoing around me. I look at the screen and sigh. It’s Rafe calling. Everyone has been texting me but I’ve ignored all of those. I take a deep, shaky breath and answer the call on speaker.
“Liv?” Rafe's voice fills the silence.
I sniffle and wipe at a tear falling down my cheek and under my chin where several tears have gathered. I sniffle again and slam my eyes shut.
“Oh baby please don’t cry. Tell me where you are, I’ll come get you.” He tells me. I have never heard Rafe be so gentle in the time that I’ve known him. That mixed with the pet name makes more tears fall as my heart clenches.
I try to speak but instead a strangled sob comes out. I try to stifle it but that only makes it worse. I can hear the pain in Rafe's voice when he speaks again.
“Liv just tell me where you are. Please.” He begs.
I shake my head but I know he can’t see me. I swallow and take a deep breath, willing the pain to stop just for a moment so I can get the words out.
“Rafe please just give me some time. I need to be alone.” I hang up the phone before he can say anything else.
I hate that Rissa left me. I wouldn’t be hurting like this if she were still here. I wish I could just be with her.