Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
NOLA
It’s been two weeks since school started. Between getting into the groove of the new year, new classes, and all the new changes, I’ve found myself oddly busy.
Every morning, Callie and I meet for coffee before going to class. Then later we get lunch together. We seem to be growing closer and closer every day.
I haven’t seen the guys since we all went out for lunch the first day of school. At least not in person, Skittles has been following them around for me. I’d do it myself, but like I said, I’ve been busy.
I’m kind of disappointed I haven’t seen them around. They don’t even come check up on Callie. Even she’s finding it a bit odd, expecting them to be more overbearing.
Do I enjoy watching other women hit on them? No, but at least it would give me ideas on who to take out next.
The girl from the cafe was the last person I killed, putting my grand total at two people. It’s a little underwhelming if you ask me.
I’m itching to kill again, but it’s hard when, as of right now, there’s no potential victims. Skittles hasn’t picked up anything on the camera, and I haven’t seen them with any women.
Does that mean that they haven’t been with anyone since? No, it just means that I’ve not been able to catch them with anyone, and it’s pissing me off.
I’m really going to need to find a way to get some cameras inside that house. At the very least, their rooms.
As eager as I am to start adding to my kill list, I’ve been enjoying having a friend. Callie is the best. She’s funny, caring, and doesn’t look at me like I’m odd or weird. That means so much to me.
We went to the zoo last weekend and watching her come alive as she talked about all the things she knew about each of the animals there made me smile.
She came over to hang out, meeting my mom and dad. They love her.
I did, however, have to take down all the photos of the guys that I had up on my wall. The last thing I need is her thinking I’m some psycho, stalker freak.
I mean, I am, but she doesn’t need to know.
We’re just walking out of the building after class when the gods decided to bless me with good fortune today. Jasper, Wesley, and Sylas head toward us, making my heart begin to race.
Breathe, Nola. No sweating. Remember, be cool. Use your words.
“Ladies.” Sylas grins when he stops in front of us. He looks like he normally does: black clothing from head to toe. He’s left his black dress shirt unbuttoned, showing off his toned body and tattooed skin.
“Do you know how to wear a shirt properly?” Callie huffs. “No one wants to see your chest.”
Uh, I do.
“I’m positive you’re wrong on that one, sis.” Sylas winks. “Plus, it’s New Orleans. It’s hot.”
“Then try wearing a different color other than black,” Callie snarks.
Sylas blinks at her like she’s grown a second head. “Why would I do that?”
Callie rolls her eyes. “Boys,” she sighs, directing that comment to me.
I just stand there, biting my lip, not sure what to say or do.
Sylas swings his gaze my way. “Hey, Lola Girl. Being good?”
Is that a rhetorical question? Because murdering the girl he was planning on hooking up with wouldn’t be considered good, right?
I mean, I personally think it’s good that she’s dead. But I’m not sure everyone would agree with me on that.
“Yes?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Why does it sound like you’re not quite sure about your answer?”
“Of course she’s been good,” Wesley cuts in. “It’s Nola we’re talking about.”
“What does that mean?” I mutter.
Wesley raises a brow. “Name one bad thing you’ve done?”
I murdered someone, twice. Burned their bodies. Been stalking you for a long time, had photos of you on my wall. And my pet raven follows you everywhere.
“I stabbed Mr. Robinson in the thigh with a knife.” I lift my chin. That much they already knew.
“I almost forgot about that,” Sylas replies with a chuckle. “I must say, I didn’t know you had that in you, Lola Girl.”
“Well, maybe he shouldn’t try to force himself onto women, and he wouldn’t find a knife in his thigh.” I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes.
Hey, look at me, I’m making full sentences, and I haven't blushed yet!
“Wait, what?!” Callie gapes at me. “You did what?”
“He’s irrelevant, so it doesn’t matter anymore,” Jasper grunts. “He’s gone and not going to be an issue.”
I pinch my lips together tightly, trying not to smile.
No, he’s not going to be an issue, because these three made sure of it. By killing him. For me!
Fuck it, so much for not blushing.
“Anyways, enough about him.” Sylas waves his hand. “There’s a reason we tracked you down, Callie. Tell me why I’m getting text messages for an invitation to a party happening at my own house?” He raises a brow.
Callie’s lips lift into a grin. “Because I’m throwing a party, big brother. We need to celebrate starting university."
“We’re graduating this year,” Jasper deadpans.
“Okay, so celebrate that I’m starting university,” Callie huffs. “Look, I’ve been overseas for half my damn life, in a school filled with religious, super-strict, stuffy nuns. I’m free to do whatever the fuck I want now. And that means throwing a party.”
“But why at our place?” Sylas asks. “We like to host our parties in the cemetery."
Callie wrinkles her nose. “Why? Who the hell wants to be around dead people? I’m not risking getting my ass possessed or haunted, thank you very much.”
Wesley snorts. “If that was going to happen, trust me, it would have already happened with us. And look, we’re fine.”
Callie blinks. “Fine? You're joking, right?” she huffs out a laugh. “Dude, you three are anything but fine.”
“I mean, I think they’re fine,” I mumble out, eyes widening in horror as I realize what I just said. My hand slaps over my mouth as my face and neck heat.
“You do now, do you?” Sylas grins like the cat who got the cream. “You think I’m sexy?”
“I didn’t say that,” I murmur.
“Leave her alone.” Jasper’s voice has a hint of sharpness to it.
“But you heard her. She thinks we’re fine.” Sylas steps closer to me, and I forget to breathe. “You’re pretty fine yourself.” He winks.
Yeah, I’m gonna pass out.
“Come on,” Jasper grumbles. “We have class.”
“No party,” Sylas tells Callie, stepping backward, away from me. “I mean it. No one at our house.”
We watch as they walk away, Wesley casting a glance over his shoulder at me. He takes a puff of his cigarette, giving me a once-over. His eyes lock on mine as he blows out a puff of smoke, a smirk curving on his lips before he looks away.
What was that? What the fuck was that? All of that!
“So…” I ask Callie as we head towards our next class. “What are you going to do?”
“About what?” she asks me.
“The party.”
“Oh.” She grins. “It’s still happening. You’re coming, right?”
“I’m not really a party person,” I admit to her. “But, yeah. I’ll come.”
“Yay.” She grins. “It’s going to be so much fun. Can I be honest with you?”
“Of course.” I nod.
“There’s this guy I like. He’s in my art class.
Normally, I’m very picky with my guys, because a lot of them are way too immature for my liking, but I don’t know, I think there’s something there.
Or there could be.” She shrugs. “I don’t have a lot of experience with guys in the first place, thanks to the all-girls boarding school.
” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know, I feel like a party might be a good excuse to get to know one another without it being awkward. ”
I’m not sure how many parties she’s gone to, and while I’m in no way an expert, from what I’ve managed to observe from the ones at the cemetery, there’s not much talking and getting to know someone going on. Fucking, yes. Blowjobs against a tombstone, also yes.
But I’m not going to tell her that. Mostly because I don’t want her to change her mind on this party. It’s the perfect excuse for me to not only find a new victim, but I could also sneak off and plant the cameras.
There's no way the guys won’t be there, not at a party in their own house. And if the guys are there, girls will flock. Therefore, prime picking.
A rush of excitement fills me. What if there's more than one girl? Could I take them all out?
No. Too much, too soon. I need to space the deaths out. Three at one party would draw too much attention. People will get suspicious.
“Anyways.” Callie pulls me out of my racing thoughts of all the fun I could have. “Want to come over to my place and get ready before the party?”
“Yeah.” I smile, nodding. “Sounds like fun.”
“Okay, what do you think?” Callie turns around, showing off the dress she picked out.
“It looks amazing on you.” I smile. She’s dressed in a blood red bodycon dress with a sheer black layer over it.
“Thank you.” She grins. “I’m thinking of just having my hair down and curled.
“That would look nice.” I love her hair. It’s dark and thick. Her bright blue eyes pop against the dark contrast of her hair. And now that she’s been back in New Orleans and under the sun, she’s gotten a tan that only enhances her beauty.
If I were into women, I’d be a goner for her.
“Now you,” she says, clapping her hands.
“What about me?” I ask, raising a brow. I’m lying on her bed, my head in my hands.
“What are you going to wear?” She laughs.
“Oh.” My brows furrow, and I move to sit up, crossing my legs. “I was just going to wear this?”
Since starting university, I have been wearing less of my baggy clothes and more jeans and long-sleeve shirts.
I get cold easily, so I don’t mind layers. Even in this heat.
“But you wore that to school,” she points out.
“What's wrong with it?” I ask, looking down at my emerald green shirt. It’s cute, shows off the tops of my breasts, and hugs my body. And my jeans are nice, too.
“Nothing. It’s a cute outfit. But this is a party, babe! We’re going to drink, dance, and meet cute boys.”
“We are?” Huh. This is news to me.
I was planning on watching the guys from afar, seeing who they plan on fucking around with, and then going out to my car to change before coming back to grab the bitch.
“Nola,” Callie groans dramatically. “You’re killing me.”