Kaitlyn picks out a pink dress, similar in style to the one I wore on Cole and I’s first date. Hope chooses a black, form fitting dress which looks excellent with her long, black hair. And Clara chooses a deep maroon colored dress that compliments her coppery hair but dips real low on her chest. “I’m trying to impress my date,” she tells me after I mockingly stare at her tits pouring out. She’s going to the dance with Ollie, which means this is the only part of Homecoming I’ll really get to spend with her since I’m still avoiding all contact from Ollie.
She and Ollie started dating a couple of weeks ago. They’ve gone out a couple of times and they are always together at school. I haven’t seen them be intimate but after the sex conversation in the car, I’m starting to wonder if there is more behind the scenes action then I was aware of.
When we finish shopping I drop off all the girls at their individual houses. I wait to drop off Clara last because there is something I need to know and I don’t want to ask her in front of the others. Something about Ollie. Something that might clue the others in that something is wrong. It would be easier to convince one person that nothing is wrong. Easier than it would be to convince three people.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Clara calls as she tries to collect her things and get out of the car.
“Wait,” I say before she can jump out of the car. She stops rummaging and looks at me. I freeze. I don’t know what to say. I’ve been struggling for the past five minutes on how to start this conversation, since we’ve dropped off Kaitlyn and I still don’t know how to start it.
“Yeah,” she tries to prod me into saying something.
“Um…well… I’ve been wanting to ask you if you’ve told Ollie about me and Cole,” I finally stammer out.
“No! I told you I wasn’t going to tell anyone. Ollie might be going to the dance with me and is becoming a part of our ‘circle’,” she puts quotes around the word circle, “but this is your secret. No one is talking.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Clara.”
She notices that I’m hesitating on asking something else. “What? What is it?
“Well…Ollie was giving Cole the death look a couple of weeks ago and then it seemed that they were obviously avoiding each other. And both of them said it was nothing but I could tell that they knew each other. I mean, obviously they must have because why else would they react that way? I was just wondering if Ollie has ever mentioned Cole to you.”
“No. That’s weird though.” She gets a faraway look like she’s thinking. Then she shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know. Do you want me to ask him about it? See if they know each other?” Her eyes focus on mine.
“No. Just leave it alone for now. If they have a bad past together it’s best not to bring it up,” I tell her.
“Where is Cole from?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. He had a rough childhood and isn’t ready to tell me about it yet,” I admit.
Clara gives me a skeptical look. “Well, if Ollie lived in Rome until now, then, I think you might have the answer to that,” she points out.
“Yeah, I assumed that already.”
“No wonder you haven’t had sex with him yet,” she teases. “You haven’t even shared past stories yet.” She looks sad for me all of a sudden. “Are you sure you’re with the right guy?”
I want to cry. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.” She moves in to give me a hug but I stop her. If I let her hug me then I really will cry. “No, it’s okay. It’s just that…my head tells me something isn’t right but my heart is telling me everything is.” I quickly try to explain without giving her the wrong impression. “Everything is perfect. I really, really, really care about him. We get along so well, have so much in common, you know? But he’s not ready to share his past with me. Though he assures me, he will, sooner than later.”
“That’s kind of scary,” she says.
She’s assuming the worst case scenario. He’s a killer, a rapist, a thief. I shrug off her concern. “I guess. I don’t want to worry until I know though, so don’t put any thoughts into my head,” I warn her with my finger pointed at her. She laughs at my warning. “I’ll see you later.” I dismiss her and she gets out of the car, waving as I pull away.
Chapter 11
The night of the Homecoming dance I decide to drive myself. Something I’ve never had to do before. It sucks. Usually I go to the dances as a group or with my date and another couple, Alex and Kaitlyn. But this time I have no date and it just felt too weird to ride with Alex and Kaitlyn, alone. So Alex drives Kaitlyn’s car and I drive mine, alone.
When I walk out the door to my house Cole is coming up the walkway. He’s not too dressed up but he still looks so gorgeous. His dark slacks, gray button up shirt and vest with the buttons undone is really making me reconsider not going off with him alone somewhere and saying, screw the dance. I’m amazed at how good he can make anything look. He stops his tread abruptly when he sees me. Eyes wandering from head to toe and back up again. I turn around slowly so he can appreciate every inch, mentally hoping he is suffering.
“I…I…,” he starts to laugh. “I’m speechless. Do you mean to tell me that I have to watch you all night, looking like that, and not be able to touch you, kiss you, talk to you?”
I laugh. Walking up to him seductively, I wrap my arms around his neck. “You can enjoy all you want right now.” I lean in to kiss his delicious mouth, savoring the kiss that will have to do until after the dance. He runs his hands over my back and plays with the ends of my hair.
I tease him by pulling away after that one kiss and head towards my car. “I’ll meet you at the dance, Mr. Astaroth,” I call back to him before sliding into the car and backing out the drive. He’s still standing where I left him, watching me leave with his hands in his pocket and his shoulders slumped over. It’s so cute how sad he looks. Mean to say but it’s satisfying.
When I get to the school the dance has already started in the gymnasium. I meet my friends over at one of the tables and start chattering with them about how good everyone looks. Alex and Kaitlyn look so charming together, so happy. I know they are going to be crowned tonight. Hope and Nathaniel are arguing about something, Nathaniel probably danced with another girl. He’s known for doing stupid things like that. I notice that Clara and Ollie make a great looking couple. I’m so glad they’re starting a relationship.
I notice when Cole shows up. He’s chaperoning the dance with a handful of other teachers and administrators. He and another teacher are watching the students dance, making sure none of them are getting inappropriate. Every once in awhile he glances in my direction and when I later take turns dancing with my friends, he does not take his eyes off me. I swear, once, when Ethan’s hand traveled too far south, he was about to jump in and try to break it off.
I’m quick to correct Ethan and move his hands away from my bottom. “You do know my boyfriend is watching us right now, right?” I raise my eyebrow at him.
Ethan laughs. “That’s why I have to mess with him.”
“That’s really messed up. Don’t mess with him and don’t mess with me or my knee is going to operate on its own behalf and shove your balls into your stomach.”
He mock flinches. “Ow. Lexi, that’s harsh.” He laughs again.
“Then keep your hands off my ass,” I tell him sternly with a smile.
The rest of the night is going as well as it could until Clara and Ollie start to come off the dance floor and almost run right into Cole. You can tell that Ollie had not seen him until that moment. I notice how Ollie’s eyes alter from joy into hatred automatically, how his hands form into fists and how Cole seems anxious. I don’t understand their responses to each other. Why is Cole alarmed by him?
Cole stumbles back a few steps, away from Ollie while Ollie cuts right past him and takes Clara back to the table we had been sharing earlier. He whispers something to her and then disappears. I look back at Cole to gage his reaction but he’s already gone.
I don’t see him anywhere. I look back at the table and see Clara giving me a ‘what was that’ look. I shake my head slightly and then follow Ollie with my eyes to see where he goes. He heads out the backdoor of the gym. I give Clara a ‘stay there’ hand motion and she nods back to me.
I walk to one of the side exits and peer out to see if he is coming around. When I don’t see him I walk out and close the door. I walk over to the back corner of the school building. There are no students around.
I’m about to come around the corner when I hear Ollie yelling at Cole, “What the hell are you doing here? What are you up to?”
I peek around the corner and see Cole standing in a defensive stance like he knows Ollie came for a fight. It’s weird seeing someone older and who is in a position of authority standing guarded and subordinate to a seventeen-year-old kid. I’m about to come around the corner and break up a fight that seems inevitable but decide to wait. I have so many questions about Cole and I know for sure now that Ollie knows him from somewhere. Maybe I’ll get some answers tonight.
Cole doesn’t answer any of Ollie’s questions. Instead he asks him, “Where is your brother?” He says brother like it implies something.
“Looking for more of your kind to rip apart,” Ollie spits at him.
Cole winces, but I don’t know if it’s from what he said or how he said it. “What are you going to do to me Samson?” His voice sounds worn out. “You’ve already ripped me apart. I have nothing. You’ve stripped me of everything.”
Ollie laughs wickedly and then turns serious. “I noticed Lexi was given someone’s wings,” he says with understanding. “I didn’t imagine it would have been yours. It never even occurred to me. Didn’t think you had it in you. To part with something of yourself.” He must be talking about the necklace. That means he’s figured out who I am dating.
He walks up closer to Cole and grabs him by the hair pulling him down to the ground. Cole doesn’t even struggle. “What do you want with the girl? Who is she to you?” His voice roars so loud I’m afraid others might hear and come running back here to see what is happening. I look back to see if anyone is behind me but there is no one.
“Again, I’ll remind you that you can’t do anything more to me. You can’t kill me. Why don’t you just leave me alone?” Cole tells Ollie defiantly.
Ollie lets go of Cole’s hair and pushes him more into the ground. “Who is she?” he asks again.
Cole stands back up and wipes the dirt from his clothing. He takes his time, avoiding the question. After he is done cleaning himself off he stands up straight and keeps his arms to the side with his hands formed into fists while Ollie circles him, either studying him or trying to intimidate. I have to admit, I feel intimidated and I’m not the one he’s circling.
“Why would you think she’s anybody?” Cole finally says, making my heart sink but then rise as he continues, “Why would you assume she’s anyone besides someone I just want to be with? Why do you always assume there has to be an ulterior motive?”
“Because you are always plotting. Because you don’t do anything except work towards accomplishing a goal that is a huge scam, a hoax that your ‘master’ has convinced you, and all the other fallen idiots, is true.”
“You’re the idiot, Samson. One day you will see that and on that day you will become no more,” Cole promises.
Ollie shakes his head in remorse. “Why are you with her, Astaroth?” Ollie asks one more time.
“Because I love her.”
My heart is beating frantically in my chest. I don’t know how to breathe all of a sudden. Did Cole just say what I think he said? But what about all the other things that were said. I wanted answers and all I’m getting is more questions. What did Ollie mean ‘more of your kind, someone’s wings, master, accomplishing a goal?’ And there was mention of ‘fallen’? And then, he said he loved me. Does he really or is Ollie’s assumption true, that he has an ulterior motive? Is he using me?
Thoughts start to merge and take form in my mind. The pieces are putting themselves together but I don’t think I like it or believe it. More importantly: what am I going to do about it?
I’ve heard enough and apparently Ollie has too because he is coming in my direction. Shit! I turn around and run for the closest door. I open the door and quickly peek through the crack. He’s not there yet. What if he came through the other door? I look inside toward the other door but don’t see that it’s open. Thank God.
I walk back to the table my friends and I have marked as ours. I continue to glance around looking to see if Ollie has come in. If I see him there is a chance he beat me inside and that terrifies me. Clara is staring at me with questions in her eyes as I walk up. I sit down next to her and lie to her, “I didn’t see them. That was weird though, don’t you think?”
I can tell she bought the lie; there is no suspicion in her eyes. “Yeah, I wish I knew what it was about. Ollie’s grip on my hand really hurt when he saw him.” I notice she is holding her hand, trying to massage the pain away.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just a little sore. I don’t even think he noticed he did it.”
“I’m sorry.” I feel like I have to apologize.
“Don’t be. It’s okay. Do you want me to ask him about Cole now?”
“No. Please,” I beg. “Don’t say anything. If you have to just mention something then as about the look he gave him. But don’t pry. I’ll get answers from Cole. He owes me that.” I give her a knowing look and she brings me in for a hug.
“I think he does too,” she says.
Just then, the school Principal comes onto the microphone and asks if everyone is having a good time. There are cheers and hoots from all corners. Then she congratulates our football team for winning our first home game. The crowd hoots and hollers even louder than before.
Clara is standing up now looking everywhere for Ollie. They’re about to announce the Homecoming King and Queen and he’s not here yet. I tell her I’m going to go to the other side of the gymnasium to look for him. I’m looking for Cole too, but I don’t see either one of them.
The principal starts her speech about the tradition of Homecoming King and Queen and how it’s not a popularity contest. Yeah right. Does she expect us to buy that load of crap? She announces the King nominees and there are cheers after each one is named. Then, she announces the nominees for Queens and there are more cheers for each girl. The drum roll starts and I cross my fingers. Alex and Kaitlyn. Alex and Kaitlyn. Alex and Kaitlyn.
“Our Homecoming King is…Alexander Hillevi!” The principal announces.
“Yes!” I shout out loud. I see Alex and Kaitlyn kiss, both of them beaming at each other. They look surprised and extremely happy. I’m so happy for them. But I don’t know why they are surprised. I look over to Clara and see she is clapping for them with a big smile on her face. Her eyes look disappointed though. I know she’s more disappointed that Ollie didn’t return than not winning.
Alex goes up on stage and bends over to have his crown placed on his head. He keeps his eyes on Kaitlyn, never releasing his gaze, full of smiles.
“And now for our Homecoming Queen,” the principal announces and the drum roll last longer. The principal reads the sheet of paper with the winner on it and her smile widens. “Kaitlyn Notten!”
Of course. I start to walk over to her but I doubt she notices, her eyes never moved away from Alex’s. She’s already making her way on to stage so I keep walking to go back to Clara but then I notice Ollie is back and is talking to her, probably apologizing for hurting her hand since he is rubbing it gently. I look back around the room and notice Cole still isn’t back yet. Where is he?
I decide to continue my walk towards Clara. “Hey,” I say, trying to get their attention. Ollie looks at me with newfound curiosity and anger. Great. I made his shit list now. I don’t think I want to get in a confrontation with him. He might ‘rip me apart’. I ignore him and talk to Clara, “I’m going to take off now
. Will you let Alex and Kaitlyn know?”
“Sure, hon. Take care.” She gives me a little hug.
When I go out to my car I notice a lonely figure standing with his back leaning up against a car. He has his hands over his face and his body language is screaming stress. I walk past the figure towards my car and tell him, “I need to talk to you.”
“I can’t tonight. I have to…go talk to someone,” he tells me.
“Who? Your master?” I call back and hear him gasp. I get into my car and drive home, fast.
Chapter 12
When I get home I rush to my room and turn on the light in my bedroom. I have a plan. Mom and dad are out of town this weekend. They went on a boating expedition with some of their friends along the eastern coastline. They told us we could have people over since it was Homecoming weekend and they expected we would do it anyways. I know Alex has plans with Kaitlyn, just Kaitlyn. I have plans of my own.
I pull my laptop out from under my bed and look up Cole and Ollie’s last names. Their names are just as questionable as Edmund’s last name. Just because, I look up all of their first names too. Then, I type up more ‘evidence’ to the growing list of ‘weird happenings’.
Oliver: army, warrior. Samson: sun.
Cole: charcoal. One with dark features.
Astaroth: demonology text refers to masculine demon!?!
Ollie and Cole’s conversation: more of your kind, someone’s wings, master, accomplish a goal, fallen?
Then at the bottom of that I write:
Please, if you Love me, tell me what it means.
I copy the dream I had of his voice, the night I fell asleep on the beach and add it to the bottom of the list. I know it fits. I know now that he was telling me something while I was unconscious because he was afraid, or couldn’t, tell me while I was awake.
Lunangelique (The Lunangelique Series) Page 12
