Finding the Light (Whitsborough Chronicles Book 3)

by C. A. Rene

  “Thanks Anna.” Travis grins and opens the door for us to exit. “Poor woman, may just pass out from her overheated hormones.” He says as the door shuts behind us.

  “Anna is sweet.” Adri nods. “Emmett, I’ll take you to your locker.”

  “Yeah,” Travis nods, “I should get to mine before the bell. Let me see your schedule.”

  I hand him the piece of paper and look around at the other students as he reads it. I’m being stared at pretty hard right now and some are outright whispering to each other behind their hands.

  “We have chem together after homeroom and then trig after lunch.” He says looking up at me, “don’t mind them, they aren’t used to circus freaks.”

  “Fuck right off.” I sneer and we both chuckle.

  “We have English together as the final period.” Adri states, “looks like one of us will be with you each period.”

  “See you at chem.” Travis says as he turns and walks away.

  “See you, Asshole.” Adri mumbles.

  “Lockers?” I smile at her.

  “Yeah,” she pulls herself together, “what number are you?”

  “296.”

  “Fuck off!” She squeals.

  “Uh…” I raise a brow at her.

  “That was your sister’s locker last year. That’s so fucking freaky.”

  “That is weird.” I nod, “should you be swearing so much in a place called Precious Blood?”

  Her head falls back and her hair touches her tailbone, her plush, pink mouth spreads open and the full belly laugh I love so much from her, spills out. Her skin is a perfect mocha colour from the summer sun and her milk chocolate eyes dance with mirth.

  “Who gives a fuck?” She continues to giggle.

  “Maybe Jesus?”

  “Let’s go, you saint.” She chuckles as she leads the way to our lockers.

  “I’m five down from you,” she looks back at me with those wide chocolate eyes.

  “Sweet.” I pull my bottom lip into my mouth and bite down. Her eyes follow the movement and her face turns a soft pink. So fucking delicious.

  “This is your locker.” She points out, “and mine is right here.” She moves down on my right hand side a bit and looks at me with a smile.

  I pull open the locker and start stuffing my bag inside. Movement to my left catches my eye and I stop what I’m doing. The next locker to my left is being opened by a pretty girl with purple hair. She’s tall, maybe like 5’10” and she has long ass legs, too. I stop my perusal at her feet and roll my eyes when I see six inch heels. Scratch the tall, she’s shorter than average but still has a nice set of legs and her ass isn’t too bad either.

  “Are you done?” She sneers and I look up into her face with my signature grin. I watch as her blue eyes widen and her small pert mouth opens on a gasp. Her face is pretty enough but why the fuck would she dye her hair this hideous purple colour?

  “You’re Ember’s twin.” Her skin has gone a couple shades paler and for this girl that means almost bluish because she is already so pale.

  “Yeah, name’s Emmett. Changed it from Ember’s twin last week, it was just such a mouthful.” I roll my eyes.

  “I see you’ve met the fucking skank of Precious Blood.” I hear Adri behind me. Whoa, that’s just fucking harsh.

  Purple top closes her locker and adverts her eyes as she scurries away down the hall. “Whoa Tiger, pull the claws in. This isn’t a Mean Girls movie.” I tsk at her.

  “That was Marlana,” she screws her nose up at me, “didn’t anyone tell you ahead of time about her purple as fuck hair?”

  “I can’t remember,” I shrug, “the girl looks like a kicked puppy.”

  “She better stay out of our way this year or she’ll be a dead one.”

  Yup, my sister has somehow tarnished Adri without even telling her what she does in her spare time.

  “Okay Tiger. Homeroom.” I grin at her, fuck she looks hot when she's angry. Do not pop a boner, Emmett.

  Mrs. G fucking loves me. Especially when I confessed to her how much I love to pray to Jesus every night before I sleep. I even closed the class today with a prayer for everyone to have a safe and productive first day. I could just feel the Holy Spirit rising out of my body just for her. My father was a practicing Catholic and we did church every Sunday even while he was in jail. So, I know my way around the Bible and I can certainly spout nonsense verses in my fucking sleep, which was a plus today in winning over one of my teachers.

  “You are so fucking full of shit.” Adri giggles while we leave the classroom.

  “You’re just jealous.” I shrug.

  “What’d I miss?” I hear his deep voice to my right. I turn and see Travis leaning against the wall. Looks like he undid a few buttons at the top of his shirt and his golden chest contrasts with the white shirt perfectly.

  “My prayer for everyone’s safe keeping on their first day of school.” I widen my eyes innocently.

  “Must’ve soaked Mrs. G’s panties.” He snorts.

  “Fucking right.” I nod.

  “Gross,” Adri groans and rolls her eyes. “I’ll see you douches at lunch.” I watch as she turns on her cute little kitten heels and walks away down the hall, her fucking fine ass swinging in her kilt.

  “Ready for chem?” Travis breaks through my thoughts.

  “No.” I shake my head, “but maybe I can make it interesting by blowing something up at least once a week.” I wink at him.

  After chem is over I am thankful to finally have lunch. My brain is fucking hurting and I am just realizing that maybe my homeschooled life just wasn’t up to par. Thank God my sister is a fucking straight A student, looks like she’ll be using her spare time tutoring her brother so we can both graduate together.

  Travis and I both head to the cafe and we find Adri standing in front of the doors. She has taken off the blazer and her blouse is also rolled up at the sleeves. I can see a bit of a tattoo peeking out at the crease of her arm and she has on a pair of black, thick framed glasses. I pray my brain doesn’t alert my dick to how fucking hot she looks standing there.

  “Hey!” She calls out with a large smile on her face. “How was chem?”

  “Shit.” Travis grits out and moves past her to the cafe.

  “Why the fuck is he so moody with me?” She huffs as her hands form fists.

  “Not sure,” I go with the honest route. “You should probably ask him.”

  “I don’t care anymore.” She shrugs her shoulders. Liar.

  I hold my arm out for her and she blushes as she slips her hand through it. I see the little spade tattoo on her hand, just under her thumb and it’s so fucking cute.

  “What are we eating today?” I ask her.

  “Your sister loves the grilled chicken salad here.” She looks up at me.

  “And we both know my sister is a little crazy.” I wink. Obviously, she knows nothing. “I want something not intended to feed small herbivore animals.”

  She lets loose her full laugh and I just stand there in all its glory, happy I’m the one that keeps making her do that.

  “I’m telling her you said that.” She snickers and leads me to the line, “I like the burgers here and the crispy fries with gravy.”

  “Sounds pretty close to perfection.” I nod.

  I follow Adri to a table and pass by Travis’. Looks like he’s eating with the jocks. As if sensing me, he looks up and our eyes lock. He does a slow perusal of me from bottom to top and I’d be fucking lying if I said I wasn’t sporting a chub right now. When he reaches my eyes he gives me a quick nod and goes back to talking to his friends.

  “He used to sit with Ember and Vin when they were here. Sometimes I would sit there too. Most of the time I sit with my friends. You’ll like them, they really loved Ember.”

  “Cool.” I nod at her.

  She leads me to a table with a few guys and one small pixie like girl. Her white blonde hair i
s just a few shades lighter than her pale skin and she has the biggest blue eyes. She looks like a literal fairy.

  “That’s Cara, Jordan has been in love with her forever. Just a warning.” Adri says with a slight scowl on her face. It’s fucking cute that she looks a little put off about me potentially liking another girl.

  “Not my type.” I shake my head as I stare into her eyes.

  “Okay.” She smiles a little and puts her tray on the table. “Guys, this is Ember’s twin Emmett. Emmett, this is Jordan,” she points to a tall, built guy with a man bun, “that’s Jake,” he’s a slighter build with a dark mop of curls on top of his head. He also has a skateboard propped up beside him. “And, that’s Cara.”

  “Hey.” I wave to each, “love the board, dude.” I point it out to Jake.

  “You skate?” He raises a brow.

  “It’s been a while but seeing that makes me want to.”

  “We usually do the skate park a few days a week.” He mutters shyly.

  “Oh yeah?” I nod, “maybe I will join you guys.” I look at him and Jordan.

  “Oh, fuck no.” Jordan starts to laugh, “I can’t skate for shit, he’s talking about Charlie and a few of the drama club guys.”

  “Bring your board tomorrow and I will introduce you to the guys.” Jake says with a little more confidence.

  “Cool man, I will.”

  “Didn’t take you for a skater.” Adri teases.

  “Why not?” Cara chimes in, “he rides a motorcycle and apparently sacrifices newborns for devil worship.”

  It takes all my strength not to spit out my chocolate milk, “what?!”

  “Just what I’ve heard.” She shrugs.

  I look to Adri who’s bent over on the bench laughing silently. “What the fuck did I miss?” I look around the table.

  “That was all Ember. During the summer we went to The Route and we saw a couple of nosy students and that’s what she told them she did.” Adri giggles.

  Of course, this is all Ember, I should have known. “Obviously, we don’t sacrifice newborns,” I shake my head and look at each of them, plastering on my creepiest grin, “just kittens.”

  Adri falls over again and this time her laugh is loud and full, “she said that, too!”

  “Done being a creep?” Travis says from behind me and I instantly feel the warmth from his body penetrate mine.

  “No!” I scoff, “I am what I am.”

  “Let’s get to trig, Creep.” He says with a slight teasing tone.

  After dumping my tray, I follow behind Travis as he leads us to trig. His shoulders are always squared and tense, like he’s on constant alert here and the tension he exudes is thick. No wonder people had let him drift under the radar for so long. It wasn’t because he didn’t get noticed, because I can tell you, every guy and chick alike, gives him a once over when he passes. No, it’s because the energy he throws out is violent and unstable.

  “Mr. Corelli is a bit of a prick. Just sit by me and I will guide you through the shit. Don’t ask him too many questions because he has no fucking patience.” He says as he walks in the room.

  “Noted.”

  He goes to the row in the far back and sits at a pair of desks. I watch as he slouches down and his legs are thrown out wide. Fuck, Travis has no idea just how attractive he is and it’s so fucking hot. I sit down beside him and my leg brushes against his. So, I move it over a bit only to have him move his wider until we’re touching again. I turn my face to look at him but he’s looking straight ahead with the same scowl he always has on his face. I watch his jaw clench and immediately I’m hard as stone.

  I have barely absorbed anything in this class, with my hard as fuck dick and Travis’ constant brushing me with his knee, I just couldn’t think straight. As soon as the bell rings I exhale a sigh of relief and rest my head on my arms on the desk.

  “You good?” He asks.

  I look up at him and meet his eyes, “I’m fucking confused.”

  “You’ll get it,” he nods. “I’ll help you.”

  I don’t just mean school, I mean him as well. Like what the fuck is going on with us? But I don’t say shit and gather my stuff into my bag. All the new textbooks are heavy and I decide to make use of the ten minutes between classes to get to my locker for a drop off.

  “English is in this hall, just a few doors down.” Travis says as he swings his bag over his shoulder.

  “Thanks.” I mutter and watch as he leaves the classroom.

  It takes me about six minutes to find my way back to my fucking locker and standing at hers is Marlana. I’ve never been one that feels the need to bully or torment anyone unless I am provoked and looking at this girl makes me feel a bit sorry for her. Did she fuck up? Fucking yes she did but I can only guess she was in love with Vin and was trying to keep her claws locked in tight when she felt him slipping. I don’t want anything to do with her because of the shit she pulled on my sister but I don’t want to partake in any bullying either. If she stays out of my way, I’ll stay out of hers.

  I open my locker beside her and watch as her body tenses. She’s afraid and it’s not something I like. I don’t want to have females afraid of me, that’s just not who I am and I know my sister wouldn’t force me into bullying this chick if I didn’t want to. I’m not even completely convinced she would bully her either.

  “So, how long do I have before the dream couple are back to make my life hell?” I hear her sneer. Huh, so maybe not such a kicked puppy after all.

  “Next week.” I close my locker door and study her. She won’t meet my eyes but her face is distorted in disgust. “Word of advice? Keep your head down and mind your own business.”

  “They don’t scare me.” She closes her locker door.

  “That’s your first mistake.” I exhale and shake my head.

  I turn around and start my trek back to where my English class is. I don’t care to think too much on this Marlana chick, honestly? It’s just not my problem and I know my sister is more than capable of dealing with her if she has to. I have my own fucking problems I need to sort out somehow. Like, who do I want? Travis or Adri? What if I want both? What the fuck am I going to do?

  6

  This week has been so fucking weird. Adri and I are barely speaking and I know it’s because of me but I can see the sexual tension between her and Emmett and I am not putting myself in the line of fire over heartbreak. Then there’s also a weird tension between Emmett and me. I can’t explain it but it’s like my body demands that I stay near him and when I’m close enough, I need to touch him too. A discreet brush of our hands or legs, our eyes meeting whenever the other steps into the room and the crackle of want that surrounds the both of us. I notice him staring but I try to ignore it because I just don’t know what it means. Yes, I have been with a few guys before, I know the signs but it’s different with him. This is E’s brother and there would be no turning back from that. There can’t be any mistakes.

  My phone starts ringing on my bedside table. I pick it up and see E’s name flashing back at me.

  “Hey E. You okay?”

  “Hey,” she sounds tired and slightly defeated. “We’ll be home Sunday afternoon.”

  “You good?”

  “We lost her.” She whispers sadly, “somehow she slipped through our fingers. She was right there Trav, we had her. I don’t know what happened.”

  “Fuck,” I exhale and scrub my hand down my face. “Get home safely and we’ll figure it out.”

  “Okay.” She murmurs and I hate the sound of dejection in her voice. “Your brother wants to talk to you.”

  “Okay.”

  “I love you, Trav.”

  “I love you too, E.”

  “Bro,” Vin’s deep rasp comes through the phone, “how’s everything there?”

  “Good man,” I nod, “your mom is good. I checked on her a few days ago.”

  “Thanks, how’s school?”

&nbs
p; “Shit, nothing new there.”

  “Marlana?” He questions with grit in his voice.

  “Keeping her distance, although she has a locker right beside Emmett.”

  “Of course she does.” He growls.

  “You just worry about getting home safe.”

  “Yeah,” he yawns loudly. “We’ll see you Sunday.”

  “Okay, take care.”

  “You, too.” And the line goes dead.

  The feeling of being watched comes over me and I shut my eyes against the onslaught. The familiar feeling doesn’t let up and I turn my head to look at him leaning in my doorway. His dark hair is wet and curling slightly at the ends and his lips look pillow soft against the harsh angles of his face.

  “My sister?” He asks as he points at the phone.

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  “Carm just called me too.” He runs his hand through his hair, “they’re coming home on Sunday.”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  “How’s Ember?” He asks, “we texted but I can never read anyone over text.”

  “She sounds a bit defeated. Once she’s here though we’ll bring her back.”

  He nods and looks around my room, “what’s there to do here on a Friday?”

  “Uh…” I run my finger over my mouth and his eyes zero in on it. “There’s always a house party somewhere. There’s also one bar that will serve us as long as we behave, but Friday’s are karaoke night.”

  “Done!” He turns around, “get dressed, we’re singing.”

  “Wait!” I sit up in bed, “I don’t sing!”

  We’re riding in an Uber and on our way to General Grady’s. This bar is run by a good friend of my father’s. He has always looked the other way when us high schoolers come in as long as we don’t cause a scene, and get him busted for underage drinking. The high schoolers that do frequent here? Marlana, Shay and their little group and some drama club guys. Mostly everyone else just throws a party at their houses since parents aren’t really present among our classmates.

  “Ladies night?” Emmett asks as he looks up to the neon sign above General Grady’s.