Confidential

by Jack Parker

  Until the group's curiosity of 'Heidi, the new girl', kicked in. I had a couple drinks, and was a little tipsy, but I was never one to loose control, so I was taking it slow, and was glad for it too, because they began firing away with questions.

  "Where are you from again?" One of the guys asked, I sighed, recognizing the signs of the beginnings of such moments.

  "Phoenix." I said, boredom in my voice, hoping he'd get the hint.

  Nope. "That's cool. Wait. So why did your family move to this random place?"

  "They didn't. My aunt just went through some shit divorce. And my parents are on a sabbatical. They're traveling the world, going through some mid-life crisis. So they sent me to live with my aunt and help her get settled."

  "That sucks. Did you even want to move here?" The curly haired girl asked.

  "No. The weather sucks, and Phoenix is way cooler than this place. It's close to everywhere, Vegas, California, Flagstaff, so I miss that. But it's not so bad."

  "Are you kidding me?" She said, "This place totally blows. I can't wait to get out of here."

  I shook my head, "You guys don't even realize how lucky you are to grow up here though." That got everyone to perk up and look at me, especially Camdon, but I purposefully avoided his intense gaze.

  "What do you mean?" The girl asked.

  I took a long sip of my drink and shrugged. "To grow up somewhere safe. It can be dangerous to live in such big places. It's nice to leave a house and not have to watch my back all the time."

  "I guess I never thought about that, but still, you've got street smarts and everything."

  "That can't save you from everything." I was antsy, really ready to change the subject.

  "So… have you even heard from you're parents?" This guy in my math class asked.

  "Not really. They're off across the world remember?" I was a little snippy, but I was irritated about talking about myself so much. This was getting way too personal.

  "So what are you going to do about thanksgiving?" He asked.

  I could feel the pity in the group come out and glared at them all. "I'm not living on my own you guys. I have my aunt."

  The conversation gradually changed from me to someone else, and I was relieved.

  About an hour later, when my skin was pruny, and everyone was really drunk except for Camdon, Camdon whispered in my ear, "You ready to go?"

  It was like the heavens opened up and Angels started to sing. "Basically since that girl puked over the side of the pool."

  "Her name is Kelly." He whispered back at me.

  "Okay." I said. And instantly burst out laughing seconds later.

  "What's so funny?" Kelly asked.

  "I am." I declared. Making myself laugh again. I tried to stand up but Camdon put an arm on my shoulder.

  "Let me help you up." He got out and gently pulled me to my feet.

  "I'm fine, I swear." I tried to reassure him, but he gave me that look he gave me earlier and was feeling temperamental. "What?" I yelled exasperated.

  "Nothing!" He yelled back in the same voice, laughing at me. "I just don't want your drunk ass to puke in my car."

  "Whoaaaa." Kelly said. "Did Camdon actually say something that wasn't nice?" She stared at us in disbelief.

  "Oh chill out. He was making a joke." I instinctually defended him.

  Camdon grabbed my clothes and ignored the teasing calls of the obnoxious group. "Let's get out of here please."

  We walked out together, hand in hand, and I went out of my way to step over Clarissa's unconscious form, as I cheerily hopped into his truck, not even noticing the cold.

  Camdon stared at me. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

  "What?" I asked sweetly, giving him a smile.

  He held up my clothes. "Oh!" I gasped. "Thank you, I totally forgot." I tried as gracefully as I could to get my jeans back on, but needed Camdon's help to steady me. I looked up at him curiously, he didn't even try to take advantage of my state. My heart kind of swelled a little at his kind gestures in making me look presentable.

  "Thank you for always being so nice to me." I said softly. Not really realizing the words had come out of my mouth.

  He sighed and pushed the hair out of my face, kissing my forehead. "Will you do me a favor?"

  I nodded. "Of course."

  "Eat Thanksgiving Dinner with my family."

  I groaned. "Camdon-"

  He put a finger over my mouth to silence me. "I'm serious, my mom adores you, she would love to have you and Anna over. Please? For me?"

  "This is not out of pity." I said sternly.

  "In no way is it out of pity." He was lying through his teeth, I could see it clear as day, but at least he was trying to cover it up.

  "For you." I repeated, mulling it over in my head.

  "For me." He asserted.

  "Fine."

  He pulled me in for a big hug and spun me around until I was woozy.

  "Stop. I'm going to puke on you." He immediately put me down.

  I stumbled into the house, feeling a little more intoxicated than I would have liked. Anna had fallen asleep on the couch, and sprawled across the floor were dozens of papers, some large photographs, others looked like charts, and some just looked like regular documents.

  I turned and looked at Anna, who, even in her sleep seemed weary. I immediately felt guilty, Anna was doing a lot for this case, and held a normal job too. The stress of it all had definitely affected her, bags were under her eyes, she always seemed a little frazzled, and she anxiously shifted around in her sleep, as if her mind was constantly thinking about it.

  I grabbed an extra blanket and threw it over her, and picked up the dishes she left on the ground. I came back, curiosity drawing me to the papers on the floor. I clumsily sat down and picked up a picture. It was the face of a man, beat and battered, his eye swollen shut, and cuts across his face. Another picture was that of an abdomen, with a bullet hole in the side, and the picture under it was what I assumed to be how the man got shot, an empty warehouse with several men encircling one.

  I shifted uneasily and put it back, looking at one of the documents instead. But they were no better, it was all times and dates and descriptions of what happened, and I started feeling sick. I put it down and went upstairs to crawl into my bed, holding my knees to my chest and squeezing my eyes closed, trying to forget the image of the man's face, beaten and bloody.

  Chapter 11

  Camdon continued to pester me about eating thanksgiving at his house, always asking if I had asked Anna yet.

  It had kind of been a sensitive subject with me since we went to Clarissa's, because now I knew he knew that I had no contact with my parents. I rolled my eyes at his approaching form and slammed my locker shut, turning to face him.

  "No I haven't asked her yet." I said before he had even opened his lovely mouth.

  "Heidi come on, Thanksgiving is in two days. What if she is already making plans?" He actually looked worried.

  "Trust me, she's not." I fiddled with my books, avoiding eye contact. "She's been really busy, so I don't think she's giving much thought to it."

  "With what?" He asked frowning, but after looking at me he just sighed. "One of your don't ask don't tell things?" I shrugged, growing quiet. "Look," Camdon began again, "that's even more of a reason to come over, she wouldn't have to plan anything."

  "Okay, okay. I'll ask her tonight."

  "You promise?"

  "Yes! I swear."

  * * *

  I gently pushed open the front door of my house, slipping into its comfy quarters and instantly threw myself on the couch. Dylan and Marcus were not far behind me, shoving me over and squeezing onto the couch with me.

  "I brought Fast and Furious!" Marucs cheered. Holding up the DVD with gusto.

  "Which one?" Dylan asked, while I, at the same time, said, "Good. That blonde haired guy is so hot."

  "Tokoyo Drift. That's the best one." Marcus replied, and added, "and that guy's not in this one," ju
st for me.

  "Ugh. Are you serious? " I pulled myself up to look at him. "That girl isn't even Japanese, she's like, Pilipino or something. They have the whole movie wrong."

  "Wow." Marcus said, "How do you know what she is? She wears a school girl's uniform that barely covers her you-know-what. I'm hoping they did something wrong with editing, because this kid in my Spanish class told me that there is this scene towards the middle where she bends over in the background and-"

  "STOP." I put a hand out in front of his face. "That's disgusting. I don't want to hear anymore."

  Dylan smacked me in the head with a pillow, "You guys both need to stop. Put in the movie already."

  I grinned and pulled the movie out of Marcus' hands, "You know, I feel like we haven't done this in forever."

  "We haven't." Marcus called from the couch, "You've been to busy sucking face with Golden Boy."

  I turned around and raised my eyebrow at him, "Jealous?"

  "A little." Marcus winked.

  Dylan pointedly ignored Marcus, "You guys are getting pretty serious. I've never seen him hold onto a girl this long."

  "That's true." Marcus put in, "I think a month is the longest anyone has ever lasted. For someone so nice, that kid sure is a heartbreaker."

  "Aw. Look at her. She's embarrassed." Dylan said, referring to my flushed cheeks.

  I rolled my eyes. "Just press play please."

  "Oh no. Let's not leave this subject. Everyone wants to know what is going on between you two." Marcus grinned as I fidgeted.

  "What are you guys, girls?" I said a little defensively. "What, you want to know what I'm wearing to Thanksgiving or something?"

  "Why would we care what your wearing at Thanksgiving-"Marcus began,

  "OH MY GOD." Dylan shouted. "Your spending the holiday with his family? Are you guys getting married or what?"

  "No way." Marcus looked at me weirdly. "He shields his family from everybody. Especially that sister of his. I can't believe you even know them. Even his friends never come over."

  I rolled my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal, he's just being his nice self. He pities me, that's all."

  "Right. He pities you." Marcus said sarcastically, finally pressing play.

  I plopped down next to them, a little uncomfortable at the weird looks they were both giving me. I kicked them out once they raided my fridge and ate all 4 bags of popcorn, just looking for time to lie down by myself.

  Anna came in just as they were leaving, and Marcus gave her a little wink, and Dylan shoved him out of the house.

  "Hey Heidi," She said, oblivious to such advances.

  "Hi." I mumbled, all the sudden very sleepy, and not at all wanting to talk to her about Thanksgiving. "How's work?" I asked.

  "Oh you know," She sighed, "The usual." She began to say something else when there was a knock at the door. Anna pulled open the door, and I heard from my lazy position on the couch, "Oh hi, Camdon!"

  I groaned. "Seriously?" I said out-loud.

  "Hey Anna!" I yelled from the living room.

  "Yes?" Her sweet voice answered back.

  "Want to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Camdon's house?" I grinned to myself as I imagined him shaking his head with a knowing smile, which I was sure he was doing.

  "Um… now that you mention it, that might be nice. I've been so busy, I just haven't been able to plan anything."

  I walked over towards her, "It's not a big deal, Camdon was nice enough to offer. Right?" I looked at him, giving him a fake smile.

  "Yeah." He said, having that knowing smirk on his face, "I was just checking how many plates my mom needed to set on the table."

  "Oh, I see." Anna said. "Well, that is very nice of you. Did you put in those potatoes I asked you to?" She turned to look at me.

  "Uh…" I looked at her sheepishly. "I forgot. Dylan and Marcus were over…" I gestured towards the living room. "I'm sorry." I really was sorry, I felt bad that she had to come home to no dinner.

  "Don't worry about it, I'll just go put them in now." She wandered into the kitchen and I turned to face Camdon.

  "Were you checking on me?" I glared playfully, putting my hands on my hips.

  "Nope. Just came over to say hi." He smiled

  "Really? Well, I don't think Anna is going to like you coming over and keeping me up. It's a school night you know."

  He just leaned in and gave me a quick kiss before whispering in my ear, "I'll meet you in your room."

  I felt a little flustered by his sudden closeness, "Okay." I whispered back, and just like that he was gone, walking around to the side of my house.

  I walked into the kitchen, making a quick salad for Anna, "Did Camdon leave?" She asked. I nodded. "Oh good, he's a really sweet kid and all, but I would have had to kick him out, it's getting kinda late. I have to be kind of responsible for you."

  I laughed. "You're an amazing body guard." I joked, but quickly dropped it, remembering Camdon upstairs.

  Anna shook her head at me, trying not to laugh.

  "I'm going to go upstairs okay? I'm gonna start on some homework, I'll be down in a little bit."

  "Okay." She answered with a mouth full of salad.

  I practically ran up the stairs and flew into my room, jumping on Camdon. He tried to laugh quietly and squeezed me into a tight hug. "It felt weird not taking you home today."

  "I know. Marcus and Dylan were making fun of me for it the whole time." I laughed into his chest.

  He gave me a quick kiss that started to turn into something more, and before I knew it, we were on my bed and our shirts were discarded on the floor. I broke away, panting, to shift under him when I heard Anna coming up the stairs.

  "Hey Heidi!" She called, "I brought you potatoes."

  I quickly put on my shirt and threw Camdon his, while bracing for her to open the door any moment.

  "What should I do!" Camdon asked, the oh-shit look on his face was probably matching mine.

  "Under my bed! Hurry," I jumped on top of the bed as he hit the bottom of it with my fist.

  "Don't do that! I'm under here."

  "What?" Anna asked, opening the door.

  "Hmm?" I asked innocently, grabbing a book at random and having it opened in my lap.

  "Why are you reading your math book?" She looked at me skeptically.

  "I have a test coming up." I said coolly, taking the potatoes from her hands. "Thanks. Sorry I forgot to put these in, I totally blanked."

  "Its okay." She waved her hand like she wasn't starving when she got home, "It's part of the body guard duty."

  I laughed hollowly along with her, trying to decide how much of an overreaction it would be to start panicking.

  "Um. There's actually a reason I came up here, it wasn't just to bring you food, I wanted to talk to you." I waited, extremely tense, hanging on to her every word.

  "I know you've been gone for a couple months now, and I can't imagine how hard it must be not to be able to contact your family, especially around the holidays, and I just wanted to let you know, if you're not feeling up for it, we don't have to go over to Camdon's."

  "It's okay." I said, a little relieved that was all she had to say. "I want to go, I don't want to sit around and mope about it." I paused for a moment, and practically whispered, "I really miss them."

  "I know." She said, patting my leg in comfort. It was more than awkward, knowing Camdon was under my bed, probably listening intently to what Anna was saying. I couldn't blame him though; I never talked about my past. If only he knew it was for a good reason.

  "If there was anyway that you could contact them safely…" She sighed, and the muscles in my entire body froze. "Its just not a good time right now. I know I'm not supposed to say, but things haven't been going as planned, and there's nothing we can really do but wait."

  "I understand." My voice came out strained, as I was gritting my teeth, but I was ready for her to leave, so this conversation didn't get any riskier than it already has. I didn't want Camdon to be cramp
ed under my bed like he was, and I didn't want him to listen, hanging on to every word like I knew he would.

  "What you're doing Heidi, its worth it. Its incredibly brave, you're going to save-"

  "You a lot of time moving in, I know." I said over her words. "You don't have to keep reminding me, I don't think its brave you know, I love spending time with my aunt." It all came out in a rush as I motioned to under my bed, and mouthed 'He's here.'

  Anna's eyes instantly hardened. She gave me a look that said "Are you serious?" and I shrank back and shrugged hopelessly. She shook her head, but went with it. "I guess not. But I don't know how many teenagers would uproot themselves during the school year with such little fuss. I know you didn't really have a choice, but you have done so well, and respected my rules and everything."

  She added that little end just to bother me. '5 minutes' she mouthed, with a stern look on her face. "I'll leave you alone. Enjoy your dinner."

  As soon as the door closed I was off my bed and pulling Camdon out from under the bed. "I am so, so, so, sooo sorry." I pleaded. "She kept talking and I didn't know what to do."