Blue Moon: (Blue Raspberry Series #2)

by D. K Lake

  Blue Moon

  (Blue Raspberry Series)

  Book 2

  Copyright © 2018 by D.K. Lake

  Cover image by © creativecommonsstockphotos

  https://www.dreamstime.com

  https://www.bigstockphoto.com

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of a reviewer in brief quotations.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  26

  Monday morning I wait until Mom leaves the house, then I convince my sister I'm dying and can't possibly go to school. I can't face school today. I vegetate on the couch and watch Netflix and eat all of my mom's favorite chocolates that she hides at the back of the kitchen cupboard. I spend the day mentally preparing myself for tomorrow because I have to go back to school to hand in my history assignment.

  Tuesday morning, I drag my ass out of bed and get myself ready to catch the bus to school. Mom has already left for work when I get up, and I plan on avoiding her for as long as possible. The other night when I came back from staying with Nessie, we got into a massive row and she basically told me the next time I stay out all night I shouldn't bother to come home. She grounded me indefinitely and she took away my laptop. So on top of feeling completely hurt and angry at Mitchel, my mom has now grounded me and taken away any social life I had. But right now there's no one I want to see outside of school so being grounded suits me fine.

  When I arrive at school, I take the long route all the way around the school and enter through a side door, bypassing Mitchel's locker. I still feel like an idiot for the whole thing. He must have been laughing the whole time behind my back. He probably even told Phoebe I was stalking him or something like that. Ugh. I lift my head up and shake away any thoughts of Mitchel.

  Today is the beginning of a totally new me. No, that sounds way too cliché. Today is the beginning of my new, carefree life. No boy drama allowed! And I don't give a flying fuuuu...Oh no!

  JT stands next to his locker with his arm draped over Amber's shoulders.

  What is he doing? I thought he didn't like her. But that was probably a lie too. Are they a thing now? Not that I care. Mitchel is with him and Phoebe is standing very close to him, leaning in to talk to him. Mia is a few feet away looking at her phone and Boston is chatting to JT.

  I suddenly don't need books.

  I'll just have to give up my locker and share with Nessie.

  Mitchel's eyes start to scan the corridor like he's looking for someone. I take a few steps back about to leg it down the corridor but he spots me before I make it to the corner.

  It looks as though he wants to come over here, he even takes a step away from the group but I quickly spin around to run away. Yes, that's right, I'm running away because I'd rather not get into a fight with Amber and Phoebe this early in the morning and I can't face Mitchel.

  As I spin around I bump straight into Stephen. Surprisingly, I'm relieved to see him.

  "Is he coming over here?" I ask quickly.

  Stephen looks over my head (he's that tall...or I'm that short). His eyes darken and he scowls in the direction of the group.

  "No. He's gone back to Phoebe."

  "Good. I don't want to speak to him."

  "Why, what did he do?"

  "He's into Phoebe." is all I say.

  "I don't know why. She's trash compared to you."

  I kinda want to hug him for that.

  "I have to go, where's Nessie?"

  "Outside. She won't get out of the car."

  "Why not?"

  "Something about needing to speak to you ASAP."

  I make my way through the crowded corridor and back out to the parking lot. I laugh out loud when I see the car. She finally got it. And it's so pink! It looks like something Barbie would drive. I cross the parking lot and open the passenger door.

  "Hi, Barbie, where's Ken?" I joke, sliding in.

  "Isn't it great!" she says, hugging the steering wheel.

  "Yes, if you're plastic and have blond hair."

  "Don't make fun. You'll thank me when I pick you up tomorrow morning."

  "What does Stephen think about it?"

  "He sat in the back, tinted windows."

  "You're wicked."

  "I know."

  "So what did you want to speak to me about?"

  "Oh, yeah...so Cole has been messaging me."

  "Has he now?"

  "What do you think, should I go for it?"

  "Uh, did you forget that JT and I saved you from him when he wanted to strip you naked...when you were unconscious?"

  "I know, and I've already spoken to him about that and he told me he didn't want me to ruin my dress."

  "And you believe him?" I frown.

  "I do. He's been so sweet to me. He even invited me to spend time with him and his parents at their lake house."

  "I dunno. I don't trust the guy."

  "Oh, come on, Kelsey, just because Mitchel was a total asshole to you doesn't mean all guys are assholes."

  "Fine! Do what you want. Date Cole Roberts. I've had enough of all this dating shit. It's bad for your health."

  "I'm sorry...I feel like a bad best friend now."

  "No, you're not. I just don't think Cole is right for you."

  "Well, there's only one way to find out. I can go on a few dates with him and get to know him a little better, but I have to wait until he's allowed out. JT really messed up his face, he's lucky Cole's parents haven't informed the police."

  "Hmm...probably because Cole doesn't want to tell them what really happened."

  "He's not like that."

  "Whatever, just don't get paralytically drunk around him."

  "Wow, you're an angry little girl today."

  "I got into another fight with my mom last night, and she called me a little slut. I mean, little?! I'm not that short! I'm grounded and I have no laptop. And she wants to put me on birth control." Nessie giggles. "It's not funny."

  "At least you'll be prepared for when Mr. Right comes along."

  "I don't think Mr. Right exists. Oh, and by the way, I need to share your locker from now on."

  She gives me a look before climbing out.

  "You can't hide from him forever."

  "I can try."

  "Just do what I told you, pretend he's not there."

  "Easier said than done."

  The bell for first period rings. French is repetitive. History is dull, and I'm glad when JT doesn't show up for class. I don't get why they even bothered to come to school if they can't be bothered to show up to class. In gym class, I get soaked because the teacher makes us run laps in the rain. I'm just glad I didn't bother with any makeup today.

  After gym class and ten minutes spent blasting my hair under the hand dryer, we quickly buy lunch (Nessie pays for mine) and decide to avoid the cafeteria and sit outside on the benches under the canopies, the weather hasn't improved and it's still drizzling.

  "So what time do you have to be home by?" Nessie asks.

  "Four."

  "How will she even know if you're not home by four? She doesn't get in until 5.45pm, right?"

  "Yup but I'm sure Paige will tell her if I made it home on time."

  "Maybe we can bribe her."

  "With what?"

  "I don't know,
she's your sister, what does she like?"

  "One Direction."

  Nessie snorts. "How about I get her some tickets to one of their concerts?"

  "I'm pretty sure they broke up or went on a break or something."

  "Oh, well that's no good. Does she like anything else?"

  "I don't know, yoga and food."

  "You two are so close." Nessie says sarcastically. "So the plan is to drop you off at four?"

  "Just drop me off after school."

  "But it doesn't take that long to get back to yours, at least come and get some ice cream with me."

  "Why bother? It will only make me put on extra weight and then I'll get depressed all over again."

  "It's one ice cream, and you're not fat."

  "Phoebe's thinner."

  "Who cares how thin or fat Phoebe is? She's still a skank...Oh, speak of the devil."

  "What?!" I turn around and see JT and Amber strolling this way with Phoebe. I can't see Mitchel but I don't want to be out here anymore.

  "C'mon, get up!" I urge.

  "I'm not the one hiding from them."

  "Don't be difficult, just get up!"

  "No, I want to finish my food out here. Plus I have a few words to say to JT about what he did to Cole."

  "Really?"

  "Just go inside and wait for me."

  I leave her and hurry inside. I'm not in the mood to deal with Amber and Phoebe, hopefully, Nessie won't end up fighting with them this time.

  I take the opportunity to get what books I need from my locker.

  As I'm filling my bag with everything I can fit in there someone places a hand on the locker next to mine and leans over me.

  "Why are you avoiding me?" Mitchel asks.

  Ah, crap. I ignore him and quickly finish what I'm doing.

  "Kelse, what's going on? You just disappeared on Saturday night, I was really worried."

  Still ignoring him. I shut my locker and turn my back on him and walk the other way.

  "What the fuck?" I hear him mutter. "Kelsey!" Mitchel barks, stalking after me.

  I don't get very far. He gets in front of me and grabs my arms and backs me into the lockers.

  "Why are you ignoring me? What have I done wrong?"

  Seriously, does he think I'm stupid? Doesn't he know I figured it out that he was lying to me the whole time?

  "I'm not. I just don't want to talk to you anymore."

  "And why the fuck not?"

  I'm going to have to tell him otherwise he'll never leave me alone and I want to move on and forget about him.

  "I saw the messages to Phoebe on your phone."

  "So you did go through my phone." he says. I can't tell if he's angry or not as his tone is flat.

  "Yeah, I did. You were gone and I saw Phoebe's name on the screen and curiosity got the better of me and it's a good job it did, 'cause now I know you're full of shit and you were...I dunno, using me or something."

  I try to push him out of the way but he pushes me back into the locker again.

  "JT sent those messages to Phoebe." he says evenly.

  "Really?" I laugh.

  "Really. He did. I was asleep when he did it."

  I shake my head. I'm not falling for it.

  "Ok, so why did he do that?" I play along.

  "He did it to piss me off and to get me to join in."

  "Join in what?"

  Mitchel's shoulders sag a little and he scrubs a hand through his hair.

  "It's complicated. But it's nothing to get upset over."

  Nothing to get upset over? Is he kidding?

  "Fine. I'm not upset. Now, please move."

  "Kelse," he breathes. "Please, I'm telling you the truth."

  "So are JT and Amber dating now?"

  "Um...kind of."

  "Kind of?"

  "Well, yeah, he's spending time with her."

  "Why? I thought he didn't like her?"

  "He doesn't."

  "You're not making any sense."

  "Look, I don't want to talk about JT and Amber. Where did you go on Saturday night? I looked everywhere for you!"

  "It doesn't matter where I went. Thanks for showing up at my house by the way. My mom hates me a little bit more now."

  "I was worried about you. We came back and you were gone."

  "I was with Nessie. Safe. Ok?"

  "Ok, that's all I wanted to know...but where? We went to her house and her mom said she didn't know where she was."

  "Why does it matter?"

  "'Cause I couldn't find you and I was worried."

  I roll my eyes. Worried? Yeah right! I shove past him using my shoulder and this time he lets me pass but he follows me down the corridor.

  "Kelse!"

  "No, just go away!" I say, quickly darting into the girls' bathroom.

  I put my books and bag on the counter and lean against the sink and I'm about to message Nessie when the door slams open and Mitchel stalks in.

  "Just leave me alone." I plead, turning around and running my hands through my hair, trying to ignore him, but it's hard to do that when he's looking at me in the mirror. "What do I have to say to get you to leave me alone? Can't you go and harass Phoebe? I'm sure she'd love the attention."

  "I don't want Phoebe."

  I shrug. "I don't care."

  "You know I didn't send those messages."

  "No, I don't. I hardly know you."

  "I didn't send them, JT sent them!" he shouts just as a girl opens one of the bathroom stalls with a scared look on her face. She takes one look at Mitchel and runs out of the bathroom without washing her hands.

  "Well, why don't you go and shout at him and leave me alone."

  "Kelse, please..."

  I stare at him in the mirror. Is he telling the truth? Did JT send those messages? Why would he do that?

  Grrrrrrr! His hands reach around my waist and he pulls me back to him and watches me in the mirror. He moves my hair away from my neck and I know I should tell him to get off but I don't want him to stop. He kisses my neck softly, causing me to shiver.

  Damn this boy.

  "I did not send those messages." he tells me between kisses as he works his way up to my ear.

  I want to believe him...but I can't. I shrug him off and grab my books and bag and run out of the bathroom. I still don't get why he keeps coming after me? I'm nothing special. The bell rings and I'm the first in my seat for English class. The class fills up and Nessie walks in.

  "How did it go?" I ask, referring to her little conversation with JT.

  "I don't know...there was a lot of yelling and a teacher had to separate us. What's a royal kitten?"

  "Why?"

  That's what he called me...oh, wait I just got it. I have money and a vagina."

  I try not to laugh and ignore her randomness.

  "What did Amber and Phoebe say?"

  "Nothing. He ordered them away before he came over to me."

  "What did he want?"

  "He actually wanted to know where you were."

  "Well, I was busy hiding from Mitchel but apparently he has no boundaries...not even the girls' bathroom is off limits."

  "He followed you into the bathroom?"

  "Yup."

  "What did he want? Please tell me you told him where he can shove it?"

  "Yes, I did. And according to Mitchel, he didn't send those messages, JT did."

  "What? What a liaaaaar."

  "I don't want to talk about it." I sigh and lean on my desk.

  Mitchel strolls in and I look the other way. The teacher announces we're going to be focusing on Romeo and Juliet and I catch Mitchel looking over his shoulder at me.

  Sigh. I hate my life. If the teacher asks me to read the part of Juliet I think I might jump out of the window.

  I don't look at Mitchel for the whole of English, and I'm quite proud of myself. Nessie is called out halfway through English and doesn't come back until after the bell. I casually chat to Stephen which keeps Mitchel away wh
ile I wait for Nessie to come back,

  "What was that about?" Stephen asks when Nessie strolls back into the classroom.

  "It was just about our little catfight on Friday night."

  I look at her wide-eyed. I had nearly forgotten about that.

  "Don't worry, I didn't mention you, and neither did Amber or Phoebe. So they can't pin it on anyone. And I'm still on the squad."

  Stephen waves goodbye to us and we wander into the corridor, in no rush to get to science class.

  "Why would they do that? Why not just tell everyone I started it? That makes no sense." I say.

  "I wouldn't worry about it. As long as we're in the clear then who cares, right?"

  "You don't think this has anything to do with JT or Mitchel?"

  "Why would it?"

  "What if he said something to Amber or Phoebe?"

  "Like what? Don't turn Nessie and Kelsey in?"

  "I don't know, maybe?"

  "I'm too low on sugar for this discussion. C'mon, one more class then I'm taking us to get ice cream."

  "That place is for six-year-olds."

  "Yes and those six-year-olds don't appreciate how good that shit is."

  I laugh and find my seat in science, it's physics today which I hate. But it's not that bad in the end because JT and Mitchel are a no-show, and I have Boston to keep me company, and I'm warming up to him.

  "Boston?" I say.

  "Yup?" he replies, twisting his pen between his lips.

  "Why would JT want Phoebe to think that Mitchel likes her?"

  Boston raises an eyebrow at me.

  "Did you hear me?"

  "Yeah, I heard you...why would you say that?"

  "I found messages on Mitchel's phone to and from Phoebe, but he said JT had sent them to her, did he?"

  "I wouldn't know about any messages. But Mitchel does like you."

  "I'm not so sure about that."

  "Trust me, you didn't see him when we got back on Saturday night. He flipped out and thought one of JT's buyers had kidnapped you."

  I turn my head and stare at him like he's grown another head.

  "What? Are you being serious? Would someone actually do that?"

  "Well, yeah...people will do anything to score sometimes."

  "But he only sells pot and a little coke."

  "And the rest."

  "Where is it?"

  "What?"

  "Where does he stash it? In the house?"