by Raathi Chota
“Fuck no,” Keene scoffed then walked toward the bags that Ethan and Blake took upstairs. Tamia laughed then spun around toward the kitchen.
“I’ll go help with dinner,” Tiffany said.
“Hmm…now we’ll know who’s sharing a room with Tamia.” Melissa grinned at Tiffany.
“Nu-uh, I call dibs on sharing with Lana,” Tiffany said then walked off.
“Ugh, fine, I’ll just gossip with Miranda late at night.” Melissa sighed as I laughed.
Ten minutes later, I walked upstairs. Ethan walked past and told me where Tiffany’s and my room was, and I thanked him. Blake came out of a room, and I was about to walk past him, but he didn’t let me. I raised my head to be met by his brown eyes.
“I know that fight wasn’t just because of Liam’s undying love for your best friend.”
“How do you know that h—”
“Come on, Lana, there’s a difference when he’s acting friendly or nervous.” He laughed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “And when he’s around her, he’s extra nice and a whole lot nervous.”
“Wow, anyone else you can pick out?”
“Yep.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Not yet.” Blake smirked then ruffled my hair as he walked past. I scoffed and spotted Benny and Nick in their room then walked in. It was two beds with white sheets on and a bedside table. Like downstairs, the furniture was dark. I closed the door behind me then joined Benny on the bed. Nick went through his bag while Benny played with his keys. I looked at the keys then him.
“I put your bag in your room for you,” he said as his eyes met mine.
“Thank you.” I managed to smile then leaned my head on his shoulder. I watched as he twirled the keys using his index finger. After a few more spins, he suddenly stopped. He squeezed the keys so hard into a fist that I saw veins from his wrists.
“I asked Ethan if anyone was staying before we came and he said no,” Benny said. “The last time was Carter, Aidan, Blake, and him, last summer.”
“Which means that James or Mike could’ve broken in and put the keys here,” Nick said as he stood opposite us.
“They must’ve cracked the security code because Ethan would’ve told me if there was a break in, especially by him.” I shrugged then stared at Benny’s fist. “I’m so scared.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Benny said then kissed my temple.
“I-I just don’t get it. James said if I talk, he’ll bring back evidence. I didn’t say anything.”
“Maybe he’s also referring to us. I mean, we’re involved too,” Nick snarled.
“But you guys didn’t say anything, right?” I asked. They shook their heads, and for a few seconds, silence filled the room. I thought of the recent events up until the discovery of the keys. Our past conversations and whereabouts.
“Liam,” Benny and Nick said in unison. Nick cursed then paced up and down the room. I knitted my brows then turned to Benny. His eyes were closed as he muttered something. I looked down to see that his hands were tightened into fists.
“He wouldn’t say stuff directly, but maybe he did indirectly, like that one day in the cafeteria he said, ‘Call us if you wanna get rid of the body.’ He’s fucking careless at times,” Nick grunted.
“And when he asked Mr. Bronx if he saw Jack August before he was revealed as Christo,” Benny added.
“You don’t think he said anything in the past few days that might’ve caused this, right?” I motioned to the keys. Benny gave me a troubled look as if he didn’t know what to say.
“Shit, what else did James say when there’s evidence?” Nick asked.
“He said…” I trailed off as I tried to remember the conversation that night. Suddenly, I paled as I remembered his exact words and how he described it. “He’ll kill someone.” I breathed out then looked at Nick, who slowly nodded. I instantly stood up as I thought of that night. Mike had the rifle pointed at Keene. “No, no, no, this is all my fault. Keene’s gonna die because of me,” I muttered then paced up and down. I repeated the same words as Benny tried to stop me, but Keene ran through my mind. He began to turn right. He was an ex-junkie who attempted to start over and make good in the world. He couldn’t die.
“Lana!” Benny exclaimed then stopped my paces as he gripped my shoulders. “Keene is not going to die.”
“Someone in this house is, Benny!” I cried out, and he pulled me into his arms. I cried and buried my face in the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and stroked my hair.
“What if he’s bluffing?” Nick asked. “He wouldn’t risk getting caught by just coming here, plus there’s seventeen of us.”
“Which makes it easier for him!” I hissed as I pulled away from Benny to look at Nick. “I watched him shoot a guy in the head just because the guy couldn’t shut up, and he killed Ernst less than twenty-four hours after I spoke to him!”
“I know, Lana, but if we all stick together, he won’t risk it,” Nick mumbled then walked to the door. Benny and I watched as he opened the door then looked at us. “Just…try to look at things on the bright side.”
***
After Benny helped me unpack, we went out to look for Liam. We were close to the pier, so we walked out there and bought a bag of popcorn. There was a skate park next to the rides, and I noticed a tall brunette.
“There’s Liam,” I said then pulled Benny toward the few people who skated. We sat on top of an unused ramp. Our legs dangled over as we watched our friend. As we ate the popcorn, I noticed cuts and bruises on Liam’s face. Benny seemed to see it too as he turned to me.
“W-Was that there before?” he asked. I shrugged as we turned back to Liam. He normally skated for a while, but when he wanted to break, his foot went up, and he landed face first on the concrete. My jaw dropped, and Benny cussed as we watched Liam hit his fist against the ground. “Liam!”
His eyes widened, and he instantly got up. Benny got up as he helped Liam, who limped toward us. I took the skateboard from him and placed it next to me. Benny and Liam sat down on my other side, and I offered him popcorn.
“You can’t beat yourself up like this, man,” Benny said after a while. Liam let out a sigh then turned to us.
“I know it was wrong for me to go off on Marcus like that, but I just…I don’t envy him anymore. I just hate him,” he hissed. “Yet I don’t want to because Miranda will hate me.”
“Then don’t. Just behave around him but keep your distance,” Benny said. “We all should. He could spill on us any minute.”
“Yeah, now I’ll have to apologize!” Liam groaned. “You guys will have my back, right?”
Benny nodded then swung his arm around Liam’s shoulder. They turned to me with a questioning look as I bit the inside of my cheek.
“Miranda’s my best friend, and I’m not good with taking sides…”
“Understandable, but Aidan and Nick are on my side too, and Ethan.” Liam smiled. “I think Keene likes me too, he never shows any emotion, but I think he approves of me. Don’t know about the rest, though.”
“Dude, everyone loves you. You’re funny, clumsy, smart when you want to be, and huggable,” Benny pointed out.
“Thanks, man.” Liam put a hand to his chest as he smiled at Benny.
“Anytime.” Benny laughed. “Come on, we have to go. Dinner’s probably ready soon.”
Even though Liam limped at first, by the time we got to the house, he walked and talked the time away. It was only when we entered the house that I felt the tension. Everyone was ready to have dinner when the three of us stepped into the dining room. Liam snarled, and I followed his gaze to see that Marcus was shirtless at the table with Miranda on his lap.
“Dude, you okay?” Levi asked as he looked at Liam’s face. “Did Linda’s lost cat scratch you?”
“I’m fine. I wish.” He muttered the last part with an innocent smile. Benny nudged Liam with his arm and shifted his gaze to Marcus. Liam sighed then lowered his hea
d. “Marcus…I err…I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier. I didn’t mean what I said or…to pull your hair.”
Marcus slowly nodded, and I noticed that he unclenched his fist that rested on the table. Tamia walked to Liam and handed him an ice pack for which he thanked her.
“Dude, look at this.” Levi laughed as he held a lock of hair on his palm. Miranda scoffed as she stood up and chased Levi for the hair that belonged to her boyfriend.
“All right, now that that’s out of the way…” Aidan trailed off. “Let’s eat!”
That’s when the dining room and kitchen were busy again. Everyone walked up and down to find a seat. I ended up between Liam and Tiffany. As I dished some potatoes on my plate, Liam leaned forward.
“You should get that hair from Levi. It could come in handy…if y’know, we wanna frame him,” Liam whispered, and I glared at him while he laughed.
The next morning, we woke up late and decided to go to the beach. We were packed and ready with towels and beverages. Some of us stood in the living room and waited while the others lingered upstairs. I decided to wear my white bikini, but I had black sweatpants and a red graphic hoodie over it with my black slip-on shoes. I leaned against the window and peered outside to see Blake, Levi, and Jaden smoking. Blake stood in the middle as he talked with the other two. Jaden’s back faced me, and as Blake turned to him, he spotted me. I stared at him as the ash burned. He stared too, but I turned away when I heard footsteps come down the stairs.
“What did you two do?” Melissa asked as Liam and Aidan laughed.
“Wait for it…” Aidan trailed off and raised his index finger. I squinted my eyes at the two. Liam wore an olive-green tank top with swim shorts while Aidan wore red swim shorts.
“What the fu—who the—”
Marcus marched down the stairs, and I folded my arms since he took the longest. He and Miranda went on a jog, so naturally, they took the longest to get ready since they showered.
“Oh my God,” Miranda breathed out as we stared at the captain of the soccer team. His “luscious” brunette locks were blue.
“While I was showering?” he demanded.
“Dude, it was actually supposed to be for whoever showers first when we got home, but since you’re forward…” Aidan said. Marcus balled his fists and cursed so many times I waited for the actual outbreak. Suddenly, he calmed down and walked to Miranda.
“Yo, Marcus,” Nick called out. Marcus spun around to face Nick but fell for his trap as Nick took a photo.
“You guys suck ass!” Miranda giggled as she ran a hand through her boyfriend’s hair. “I like it on you, though…”
Marcus searched furiously through Miranda’s beach bag as everyone else came down. I noticed Blake, Levi, and Jaden remained outside, which was good, because I would’ve glared at them.
Finally, we walked out of the beach house. Thankfully the beach was across the road, and Ethan said he had his favorite spot ready. Tiffany walked beside me as we went down the driveway. No fences separated the houses, just a few feet, then the neighbor’s yard, which was in use.
“Shit, I thought they’d be gone by now,” Ethan muttered beside me, and I turned my head to see Parker, Austin, Quinton, and the Willis twins on the porch.
“Whose place is this?” Tiffany asked as we stopped.
“Noel and Jennifer’s. I spoke to Noel, and he said he’ll try to tell them to behave. They’ve been here since Wednesday,” Ethan answered. Parker and Quinton noticed us and walked over. Blake strolled toward them with Carter behind him. Ethan tried to stop them, but Blake kept his gaze locked on Parker.
“Hey, neighbors,” Parker sang then ran a hand through his curly blond hair.
“What the fuck are you still doing here?” Blake demanded.
“We have every right to be here just like you do, Gunner,” Quinton replied then folded his arms.
“How’s the cut, Radcliff? Should’ve taken your car so you could bleed to death in the comfort of your princess.” Parker fake pouted. I glanced at Levi, who looked down. His fists clenched, and I knew he wanted to fight Parker, but he couldn’t because of his arm. Levi tugged on my arm and brought Tiffany and me back. Carter and Austin dissed each other as Parker and Blake stared. Aidan jogged toward us. The Willis twins joined too, and it turned into an argument. I sighed as I pulled on Blake’s shoulder and told him to leave it.
“Hey, Rowley.” Austin fake smiled as he waved to Aidan.
“A-Aidan, let’s go,” Tiffany mumbled.
“Yeah, listen to your little redhead, but wait…aren’t redheads linked to the devil?” Austin laughed. My eyes widened, and I swore I’d never seen Aidan Rowley move so fast before. He tackled Austin to the ground and punched him. Blake took it as a chance and literally grabbed Parker’s head and bashed it against his knee. Levi pulled Tiffany and me away across the road. Tiffany yelled out to Aidan, but I just stared. Carter and Blake beat Parker, Aidan still had Austin, Ethan fought Quinton, while the Willis twins laughed. I noticed two girls on the porch. Kelly was in her bikini, legs folded as she sipped her drink. I scowled at the other girl—Katherine Taylor—as she looked at us. Well, at Levi, to be specific, and he noticed and smirked back. Jennifer had her headphones on, completely oblivious to the situation. Noel came out of the house and jumped in, trying to stop the fight. Yet someone else’s voice suddenly made everyone stop. It was evident that Parker and the Willis twins were scared of Jaden. Heck, even sometimes I was when he’s not annoying. Jaden stepped onto their lawn with an expressionless look.
“How fucking stupid are you?” Jaden exclaimed as Blake held up Parker. He coughed out, bloodied, and his eyes widened at Jaden.
“J-Jaden, I thought you weren’t co—”
“Oh, but I am here, Parker.” Jaden laughed. “I told you I’d find you if you didn’t get my stuff.”
“I-I don’t have it right now, but when we get back to sch—”
“I can’t wait that fucking long!” Jaden snapped then pressed his finger against Parker’s bloody nose. Parker cursed and groaned in pain, and Blake dropped him to the ground. Jaden crouched down and whispered something to Parker. Whatever it was made Parker’s face drain of color. He nodded then crawled away. Jaden straightened his posture then looked at the Willis twins. As they caught his eye, they innocently waved. “The hell is wrong with you two fucktards?”
“N-Nothing, Jaden,” one of them stuttered.
“Don’t talk shit. I heard you two causing trouble with these pricks.” Jaden pointed at Quinton and Parker. I noticed they walked back to the porch. Aidan finally got off Austin but still glared at him. “I let you two stay at my house for a reason. Don’t fuck it up.”
“Why don’t they live with Quinton?” I asked Levi. They were his stepbrothers, after all. Levi shrugged as his gaze shifted from Katherine to Jaden.
“They don’t want to.”
As Blake, Carter, Aidan, and Jaden walked toward us, I saw Noel and Ethan converse. Once they were on the sidewalk, we spun around and stepped down to the beach.
“That was so unnecessary,” I muttered. Blake heard me as he scoffed.
“I think they’ll learn to back off now,” Aidan said as he swung his arm around Tiffany.
***
Over the next few days, we chilled, and as Noel said, he’d try to keep his guests away. Noel was cool and somehow we accepted him, so he hung out with us sometimes. That and he was Keene’s roommate. It was early evening, and I walked out of Tiffany’s and my room. I put my earphones in, ready to walk downstairs and see what’s for dinner. I made my delicious cinnamon rolls for dessert last night. Unfortunately, the guys demolished them, so there weren’t any for breakfast. However, Blake and Axel offered to make pancakes, so it was a good breakfast. As I walked past Levi and Blake’s room, someone stormed out. I backed away before I fell and noticed Katherine. She forced a smile then walked off. I narrowed my eyes because she only wore a black see-through dress. I shivered and was about to walk on but heard
Levi call me. I rolled my eyes and took out my earphones then stuffed them into my back pocket. I slowly entered the room to see Levi sat at the edge of his bed shirtless. I tried not to think about Katherine as I stared at his chest.
“Can you help me, with my…” He pointed to his bandage. I forced a smile and nodded as I sat next to him. Being the lazy ass that Levi was, I had to clean his wound every day. As I cleaned it, the bathroom door slid open to reveal a shirtless Blake. My eyebrows rose. Maybe she stormed out because of him, I thought. Katherine Taylor was perfect. Even Uncle Griff wanted to bang her mom when they were in college. Katherine had long ombre hair, long legs, tan skin, and cute freckles. Imagine how her mother, Misty Taylor must’ve loo—“Ouch!” Levi exclaimed, and I looked down to see that I pressed the ointment on his wound.
“Sorry,” I mumbled then put the gauze on. He let out a sigh of relief as I bandaged him up again. As my fingertips grazed over his bicep and around his arm, I noticed the little hairs rise. “Do I give you goosebumps?” I asked as I ran my index finger down his arm. Levi’s jaw clenched as he closed his eyes.
“No,” he stated, and I grinned. I finished just as Jaden walked in. He walked toward Blake, who had a shirt on now.
“You guys ready?” he asked Levi and Blake. Levi got up and walked to his bag to get out a shirt. Since Melissa wanted a girls’ night and Tamia didn’t want to cook again, the guys decided to go out, and on their way home, they’d get food. “Keene’s not coming. He’s still feeling sick from yesterday,” Jaden added with a chuckle.
“I told him not to have ice cream and a milkshake.” Levi huffed as he quickly put on a maroon tee. “His tummy is sensitive,” he said then walked out of the room, probably to check up on Keene.
“Are you girls gonna be okay here for the next few hours?” Jaden asked as he and Blake got up. I slowly nodded, and he gave me a nod then walked out of the room. I thought Blake would follow, but instead, he crouched down so that he was eye level with me.
