Forks Page 19

  “I went by and checked on Glinda,” he said and stood. He pulled his shirt back down but not before I got another eyeful of his ripped stomach.

  “How’s she doing?”

  “She hasn’t woken up…yet, but they are still hopeful.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear…I guess.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “Ken,” Mom pouted, her voice bordering on whiney.

  “I gotta go and get some homework done.” I made a break for it and ran up the stairs before Mom had a fit.

  Once in my room, I dumped my food and magazine on the bed and changed quickly into my comfy sweats and an old battered t-shirt. Climbing on my bed, I opened up my chips and popped the tab on my soda, taking a sip. My phone rang just as I was flipping open the magazine. Rummaging through my bag, I pulled it out. I didn’t recognize the number.

  I hit the answer button.

  “Hello,” I said, tentatively.

  “Hey, Amber….this is Jason.”

  “Oh, hey,” I said. “How’d you get my number?”

  “I looked it up.”

  I frowned. “Oh.” I didn’t know my number was listed. “So what’s up?”

  “I just wanted to check and see if you needed any help with your homework?”

  “Ah…” I took a sip of soda. “I haven’t even looked at it yet. I just got home.”

  “Really, what took you so long?” he asked sounding snippy.

  “Um, I had to stop at the store.” I turned the page, opened a flap for perfume, and sniffed it. I wrinkled my nose.

  “Oh,” he exhaled. The phone crackled, like he was covering it up. I heard muffled voices in the background. “So what are you doing, like right now?”

  “Um, drinking a soda and reading a magazine.” I looked at the phone a shiver of unease passing over me.

  “So what are you doing tomorrow?”

  “Going to school,” I said and turned the page. I ate a chip and moved the phone so I wasn’t chewing in his ear.

  “I mean after?”

  “Don’t know. I guess coming home to finish my homework.”

  He was quiet.

  “Why do you ask?” I ran my hand over a picture of a Calvin Klein model with gray eyes, he reminded me of Viktor. I tore the page out.

  “You wanna hang out or something?”

  “Um…” Crap. “If I can, I have to check with my mom.”

  “Oh, that’s cool.” A loud bang sounded in my ear and I jerked the phone away. “Jason?”

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “What was that?”

  “I dropped my phone.”

  “Oh.”

  “Can you come out tomorrow or not?” he asked again his voice sounding strained, like he was mad.

  I pulled my phone away, my brow creasing. “I don’t know,” I said louder, maybe he didn’t hear me the first time. “I have to ask my mom.”

  “I’m waiting.” His voice warbled.

  “Jason,” I sighed. “I’m not asking now. I will later.”

  “Amber,” he breathed. “What am I going to do with you?”

  I tensed. He was getting on my nerves. “I’ll let you know tomorrow,” I said just so he wouldn’t ask again. “Listen, I gotta go.”

  “Need to eat some more…” he snickered.

  I froze. I suddenly felt like I was being watched. Turning, I looked over my shoulder toward the window, half expecting him to be standing on my balcony. No one was there. I let out a pent up breath and lifted back up my phone. “How’d you know I was eating?” I choked.

  “I can hear you,” he laughed. It didn’t sound like a nice laugh though. It sounded like a demented person. I shivered and moved my bag of chips to the side. “I better go,” I said, “my mom’s calling me for dinner.”

  “Sure…right…” he said. “See you tomorrow. He coughed out… “Liar!”

  “What did you say?” I squeezed the phone. The line was quiet so long I thought he hung up.

  “Sorry, that wasn’t me,” he said apologetically, his phone crackling.

  “Then who was it?” I demanded.

  “Kirk was messing around.”

  “Right.” I didn’t believe him. “I gotta go.”

  “Okay,” he breathed. “Enjoy your Cosmopolitan magazine.” The phone went dead.

  A shiver of unease flitted over me. How did he know I was reading Cosmo?

  “I want you to be extra careful, Amber,” Ken was saying, cutting into his thick T–Bone steak that was so bloody I half expected it to Moo.

  “Why’s that?” I took a sip of water.

  “There was another incident, honey,” Mom blurted.

  Ken frowned down at his steak.

  “What kind of incident?” This wasn’t the first time an infamous incident was mentioned with no real explanation.

  “Just be careful,” Mom added, glancing at Ken, whose jaw was working. By the look on his face it was on something other than the bite of beef he just took.

  “Ken?” I prodded. “Don’t you think it would help if I knew what you were talking about?”

  “I’m really not supposed to give the details,” he explained, glancing at my mom.

  Mom squirmed in her seat and her face turned red. “I’ll just grab those sticky buns for dessert.” She stood abruptly, lifted her plate off the table, and scurried into the kitchen.

  “Ken, I won’t say anything,” I sighed, and fidgeted with my napkin.

  “I know,” he sighed. “Normally, I would tell you but …” He shook his head. “I just can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” I snapped, not meaning to but his elusiveness was getting on my nerves.

  “Both,” he exhaled and set his fork down.

  “I heard some girls were found in the woods…”

  “Who told you that?” he snapped.

  I shuddered involuntarily. “Um, just a boy from school,” I said.

  His eyes narrowed. “Was it one of the Roth boy’s?” he asked.

  “Nah…” I shook my head and balled up my napkin. “They weren’t at school today.”

  Ken’s expression showed his surprise. “Who then?” he prompted.

  “Jason, he’s a boy in my English class.”

  Ken’s brows creased. “What’s his last name?” He pulled out his little notebook from his pocket and flipped it open.

  “Um, I don’t know, but I can find out tomorrow.”

  “What does he look like?”

  “Ah, he’s about ah, five eleven, skinny, wears glasses.” Ken frowned and jotted something down.

  “Kirk said it was probably an animal attack.”

  “Who’s Kirk?” His brow lifted.

  “He’s Jason’s friend,” I explained. “Jason calls him Captain Kirk.”

  Ken frowned. “Captain Kirk?”

  “Yeah,” I exhaled. “I guess he’s into Star Trek or something.”

  “Oh.” Ken chuckled and shut his notebook. I guess he didn’t deem Kirk notebook worthy.

  “Is it true then?” I leaned forward. “Did you find the girls in the woods?”

  “Amber,” he sighed and shook his head. “I really can’t say.”

  “Who wants a sticky bun?” Mom said, carrying the package and plates in the room, setting them on the table.

  “Not me. I’ve lost my appetite.” I stood and lifted my plate.

  “Honey, are you feeling all right?” Mom asked, looking worriedly between me and Ken.

  “Yes, I feel fine,” I sighed. “I just have a lot of homework to do.”

  “Well, don’t worry about doing the dishes tonight, I can do them.”

  “Thanks Mom.” I started toward the kitchen with my plate.

  “Amber, don’t you have something to say to Ken?”

  I stopped and turned. “Thanks for dinner, it was really great,” I said with meaning because it really was. “Oh and thanks again for the magazine.”

  “You’re welcome.” He scrubbed his face with his hands and sighed. �
�Amber,” he said, “as soon as I can tell you, I will.” I could tell by the look on his face that he meant it.

  “Okay.” I conceded. I gave him a small smile and left the room.

  thirty one

  I woke up feeling pensive but when I saw another day filled with sunshine my mood perked right up. I dressed carefully and even blew out my hair since I didn’t have to worry about the rain making it curl all over my head. I even made my bed again and propped E on my pillow, giving him a good pat on his fuzzy head. I opened my bag and tossed my phone back inside. I noticed the crumpled up paper from lunch the day before that Kirk had wrote on. I pulled it out and smoothed the paper.

  There were three names written on it, Glinda, Sandy and mine. “What the…”

  Glinda and Sandy’s name were crossed out and mine had an arrow pointing to it that read: “She’s next.”

  I spurt of fear shot through me. Maybe the kids at school were right and Jason was a freak. Anger quickly replaced my fear though and I shoved the paper in my bag, fully intending to give it to Ken to see what he thought.

  When I went downstairs though, Ken was already gone. Mom wasn’t up either. I left Mom a quick note, grabbed a breakfast bar and a bottle of water, then left for school. I wanted to enjoy the sun while it lasted and of course, even though I didn’t admit it, I was also hoping to see Vincent and Viktor.

  I scanned the parking lot when I pulled into school, hoping to see Viktor’s SUV. It wasn’t here. My heart did a little dip and my mood plummeted as well. “So much for blowing out my hair,” I muttered despondently and grabbed my bag off the seat, along with my bottle of water and breakfast bar. I climbed out of my car and locked the doors. At first I was going o sit on the low wall that bordered the sidewalk near school but then decided to sit on the hood of my car in case Viktor or Vincent made a late appearance. Climbing up on the hood, I pulled my hair over my shoulder and took out Beowulf to read, to get ahead on some reading for English. At least this way I would get to soak up some much-needed Vitamin D from the sun before class started. A slight breeze ruffled the pages of my book. I pulled back the wrapper on my breakfast bar and took a bite, reading.

  “Then at dawn with the breaking of day the war-might of Grendel was made manifest to men; then after the feasting arose lamentation, a loud cry in the morning. The renowned ruler, the prince long famous, sat empty of joy; strong in might, he suffered, sorrowed for his men when they saw the track of the hateful monster, the evil spirit.”

  “Well that’s a bit deep.” I lifted my head. A few kids passed by. None of them really paid too much attention to me, which I was glad for. Maybe I was losing my luster to them and was now considered old news. I unscrewed the lid off my bottle and took a drink. I heard footsteps approaching but didn’t really pay much attention. I glanced up and Jason was standing in front of me waving his hand up and down.

  “Hey,” I said and placed my finger on the spot I was reading.

  “So did you hear?” he asked, sounding breathless and jumped up beside me on the hood of my car without asking, which kind of annoyed me.

  I turned to look at him. “Did I hear what?”

  “The Terrible Twins are having a party tonight.”

  “Who are they?”

  He gave me a look of disbelief. “Who are they?” he scoffed. “Only the two best wrestlers in school. They are going to take us to State, maybe even the Nationals.”

  “Um, okay.” I screwed the lid back on my bottle. I could care less. I didn’t know squat about wrestling.

  “Well,” he hedged, kicking his feet out, “you want to go?”

  I remembered the paper I found. “That depends,” I said, getting riled up all over again.

  He frowned and shoved his glasses back up. “On what?” he asked, squinting against the sunlight.

  I pulled my bag over on my lap and handed him the piece of paper. “What is this?”

  He opened the paper and his face flushed. “It’s just a theory,” he mumbled.

  “A theory for what exactly?” I snapped and jerked the paper out of his hand. I was still giving it to Ken.

  “We didn’t mean anything by it,” he said, shifting uncomfortably.

  “Why is my name written down…” I jabbed the paper, “with, she’s next?”

  “It’s not what it looks like,” he tried to explain.

  “Then explain what it is,” I said, fuming.

  He raked his hand through his hair and tugged on his shirt that read: “We’re not alone.” “We just do that when we are trying to figure out stuff.”

  “Why is my name on it?”

  “Because Kirk thinks you’ll be next,” he rushed out. His face burned red.

  “Thanks a lot.” I shoved the paper in my bag.

  “Amber, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean anything by it, promise.”

  “Yeah, well…” Some of my anger dispersed. “That isn’t very nice.”

  “I know and I’m really sorry,” his voice shook. “Please don’t be mad at me.” He looked like he might cry and I felt a wave of guilt. “If I could take it back I would.”

  “Imagine how that makes me feel,” I said.

  “I know, it was stupid,” he said and jumped off my car. “I didn’t even think you’d come to lunch…with us.”

  “So that gives you a reason to jinx me?” My voice cracked.

  “No.” His eyes widened. “I…we didn’t mean any harm by it.”

  “Kirk thinks I’m next?”

  “It’s just because you’re pretty and new here.”

  My brows creased. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  He raked his hand through his hair; it shook. “I don’t know.” He stared at the ground.

  A vehicle rumbled behind us, the engine revving. I immediately turned to see who it was. Curtis, the guy with blue hair, leaned out his window.

  “Hey Curtis,” Jason called, waving.

  Curtis made a face and punched the gas. A bank of exhaust swirled around us. Donkeyhole.

  A group of geese flew overhead squawking loudly. I grabbed my stuff and jumped off my car. On cue, the warning bell rang.

  “I gotta go,” I said to Jason.

  “Wait, Amber…” He blocked my escape. “Let me fix this,” he begged.

  Inwardly, I groaned. It was hard to stay mad at him when he was looking at me like that—he seemed so lonely and …desperate. “It’s okay,” I said, trying to move past.

  He spun around and walked with me. “How bout I take you to dinner or something, to make amends?”

  “Uh…”

  Curtis jumped out of his truck and headed toward us in a slow jog.

  “What does he want?” Jason grumbled following my line of vision.

  “What’s up dufus?” He jumped on the sidewalk in front of us.

  “Hey, Curtis,” Jason mumbled.

  “So, new girl,” he said, smiling. He reached out and handed me a purple flyer. “If you want to ditch the dork and come hang with some real men tonight, this is where we’ll be.” He waggled his brows.

  “My name is Amber and no…” I glanced at Jason. “I can’t,” I heard myself saying. “I’m going out with Jason.”

  “Yeah right,” he scoffed.

  “I am,” I said and linked my arm through Jason’s.

  Jason perked up. “Ye—eah,” he stuttered.

  He gaped at Jason and then looked at me with a cross between disbelief and outright shock. “You can’t be serious?” Curtis frowned.

  “That’s what she said.” Jason gloated and pressed back his thin shoulders.

  “Yeah,” I said trying to sound sure but I wasn’t.

  “Well,” he exhaled and shook his head again. “I guess I’ll…”

  “See you later Curtis,” Jason preened and pulled me forward.

  I followed beside him and once we were around the corner of school, I unlinked my arm from his. “Listen Jason…” I began.

  He gave me a small smile. “I know you didn�
��t mean it.”

  He was right. “I ah…am just not sure what I’m doing yet.”

  “It’s okay,” he assured me. “If you change your mind…”

  “Totally, I’ll let you know,” I said, thankful he had given me an out without too much bloodshed.

  “Am I forgiven?” he asked, sounding hopeful.

  “Yeah,” I sighed. “I guess.” It was hard staying mad at him.

  “Sweet.” He leaned forward like he was about to hug me and then stopped. His face paled. “I’ll just… ah…see you,” he said, and dashed off through the doors.

  For lunch, I went into the library under the pretense of studying. I was really hiding out from Jason and Kirk. Unfortunately, Cressida and Curtis were both at one of tables, talking in hushed tones. It was the last place I expected to see Curtis. When they saw me, they stopped talking and on cue, Cressida cut me one of her death dagger stares. I ignored them. Once I passed, Curtis said something to Cressida and she busted out laughing garnering a loud, “Shush,” from the Librarian, Mrs. Fitch.

  I smiled and headed to the back of the room and settled into one of the tables. The sun slanted in through the open window, warming the area. A slight breeze ruffled my hair and I tucked it behind my ear.

  “Who are you hiding from,” an all too familiar voice said. I looked up into the smiling green eyes of Vincent. Involuntarily, my heart did a little flutter.

  “Who say’s I’m hiding out?” I said trying to sound aloof but ended up smiling.

  “She smiles,” he said, sliding into the seat across from me.

  He looked better than I remembered. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing?” He lifted his brow.

  “I asked first,” I defended.

  “So you did.” He settled back in his chair and kicked out his long legs. “I thought you were looking for me and what do you know…here I am.”

  “Wouldn’t you be the one doing the looking since I was here first?” I asked flippantly.

  “You got me.” His lips twitched.

  I laughed. It felt good.

  He leaned forward and grabbed my book. “Beowulf?” His brows lifted.

  “English paper.”

  “Ahh,” He pushed the book over and the tips of his fingers brushed my hand. “And here I thought you were into one of literary gems of the century.”