Masquerade

by Cambria Hebert

  “That’s your story? It was a bet, and you did it because you thought you wouldn’t get caught?”

  He made a frustrated sound in the back of his throat. “I’m not into Jenna.”

  That I actually believed. He was too good for her. “You went too far this time, Cole.”

  “Funny thing is – I did it for her.”

  I stopped in my tracks. “You kissed another girl for Kimber?”

  “It was a bet. I made a lot of money. Kimber’s birthday is next week.”

  “You have a job.” I pointed out. He worked at the local grocery store bagging groceries.

  “I don’t make enough to get her what I wanted to get her.”

  “Looks like you won’t have to get her anything now.”

  We went up the front steps; he walked ahead and held open the door for me. I paused before going in. Just another day, just like yesterday. I went in, and Cole followed.

  “She’s not going to forgive me, is she?” He sounded miserable.

  “I don’t know.” I shuffled from foot to foot. Did that mean I couldn’t forgive him either? He was like a brother to me. He was one of the very few who still treated me like I was normal, even though I wasn’t. I sighed. “I’ll see if I can get her to talk to you.”

  “You’re the best, Hev.”

  “Give her a few days okay?”

  “You got it.” He grinned. “I’ll call you later.”

  I nodded, and he went down the hall calling out greetings as he went. I tried to remain invisible as I walked to my locker. There were only a few stares this morning, which was good. One of the girls I used to cheer with called out a timid greeting. I gave her a little wave and a small smile before returning my gaze back to the floor. Just because people weren’t staring didn’t mean they weren’t looking. They tried not to stare, but they couldn’t keep their eyes away. I was a freak now. I made people uncomfortable – and not necessarily because of my scars – but because what my scars represented. Danger, fear, and the unknown. Something bad had happened to me, something not even I could remember. They all probably thought that I was crazy, that I somehow did this to myself. I couldn’t blame them. How could I? They might be right.

  Chapter Two

  Heven

  “What did he say?” Kimber asked before I’d even sat down. I pulled out a chair, facing her and the wall away from everyone else. Kimber’s fashionable lunch bag was open before her, along with a bottle of Smart water.

  “Where’s your lunch?” she asked, frowning.

  “I’ll get something from the cafeteria.”

  She grimaced. She didn’t eat food from the cafeteria. She said that if she couldn’t tell what it was, she wasn’t going to put it in her body. I used to feel the same way. She reached into her bag and pulled out a turkey sandwich on wheat with avocado slices. “Here.”

  “I’m not going to eat your lunch, Kimber.”

  She pulled an identical sandwich from her bag and raised her eyebrow. “Eat.”

  She stared at me until I was chewing. Only then did she start eating. “So you talked to him this morning?”

  I nodded. “Maybe you should talk to him.”

  She shook her head adamantly.

  “He said it wasn’t what it looked like.”

  “Do you believe that?”

  “Maybe.” I put the sandwich down. It was hard to swallow.

  “You’re on his side?” She looked absolutely wounded.

  “No!” I cried. “I’m on your side. I just hate to see you so upset.”

  “Cole cheated on me, Heven.”

  “With a skank,” I added, hoping to make her smile again.

  “The skank is headed this way,” she whispered under her breath.

  I resisted the urge to turn and look. A scent of freesia wafted toward us announcing her arrival. Before I looked up I pulled my hair to the side and over my left shoulder.

  “What do you want, Jenna?” Kimber asked, her voice full of annoyance.

  “Just wanted to remind you that we’re having an extra practice Saturday morning. The competition is next month, and you need all practice you can get so you don’t embarrass the squad.”

  In my lap my hand balled into a fist.

  “Well, if I need extra practice it’s because you taught the team the cheer we’re doing. It’s hard to get the moves down when your form is so sloppy.”

  I giggled.

  The breath hissed between Jenna’s teeth. “Speaking of sloppy,” she purred. “I’m going to have to teach Cole how to kiss…clearly he’s learned nothing from you.”

  “Bitch,” Kimber growled, standing.

  Jenna laughed and flicked a glance at me. “Freak,” she taunted under her breath then walked away.

  “She’s evil,” Kimber said, sitting back down.

  “She’s just jealous you’re a better cheerleader than she is.”

  “We still on for some shopping after school?”

  “Sure. I’ll meet you at the car after the final bell.”

  Kimber packed up her uneaten lunch, looking more shaken than normal. On the way from the lunchroom she put her hand on my arm. “Hev.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You know you’re not a freak, right?”

  “I know,” I assured her with more bravado than I felt.

  “Good. Because if anyone is a freak around here, it’s her.”

  “You missed Bible study.”

  Mom’s voice startled me, and I jumped. I looked around guiltily, relieved when I saw she was talking from the kitchen. How had I not heard her come in? I grimaced at the book and notebook in front of me, my attention certainly hadn’t been on homework. Ever since the sky began darkening, it became harder and harder to not stare at the window worrying about what might be out there. At one point I drifted to sleep, bored to tears by my chemistry homework, and woke to a light scraping sound over the glass of the nearby window. My heart hammered in my chest when I saw a single sharp claw slowly slide down the glass then pull away only to slam back into the pane, causing it to vibrate. I jumped up, sending my chair clattering to the floor, ready to run, when I realized it was only the branch of a tree. I was an idiot. But knowing that didn’t make me any less afraid.

  I heard the fridge door close, and something hit the counter. I stifled a groan; please not chicken again tonight. Somehow my mother had gotten the idea that she should cook chicken in every way she could think of. So far, none of her creations tasted good.

  “Sorry,” I said, walking into the kitchen. “I have a ton of homework, and I’m not feeling well.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Shopping with Kimber was overwhelming and left me with a headache, and the smoothie she’d insisted I drink was sitting in my stomach like a rock. When Kimber finally dropped me off, I let myself into the house and was so grateful to be alone I could have wept. I tried to distract myself with homework, but it was impossible to focus.

  “You look pale,” Mom clucked, placing a hand to my forehead. “No fever. Did you eat today?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well good. Hope you saved room because I have a new chicken recipe!”

  When she turned around I glared at the chicken on the counter. “Actually I have homework.” I stepped backward toward the door.

  “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

  I went to get my book bag, wondering how to get out of eating the newest chicken delight. My cell phone rang, and I reached into my pocket silencing the generic ring. “Hello?”

  “He sent flowers.”

  “What kind?”

  “Roses. Pink. They’re too pretty to throw away.”

  I smiled. “He really is sorry.”

  “Sorry isn’t good enough,” Kimber’s voice wavered.

  I sighed, throwing my book bag onto my bed. “I guess it isn’t.” But why couldn’t it be?

  “What are you doing?”

  “Homework and trying to get out of another chicken dinner.”

  “Want to go grab
a Panini and an iced coffee?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said. I was still a little on edge from our trip to the mall earlier.

  “Come on, Hev. If I don’t get out of here I’ll go crazy looking at these flowers all night.”

  “I don’t know. Mom might not let me because I missed Bible study.” For once I might be grateful of Mom’s strict rules.

  “Leave that to me.”

  Before I could question her plans, she hung up the phone.

  The doorbell rang ten minutes later, and I heard Kimber’s voice downstairs. I rolled my eyes and went to see what she was up to.

  “It’s just awful, Mrs. Montgomery! He broke up with me!” Kimber sobbed at my mother.

  “Maybe it’s better this way, dear. You’re too young for a boyfriend.” Mom reached out and patted Kimber’s shoulder.

  I bit my tongue trying not to laugh.

  “Maybe you’re right,” Kimber agreed seriously. “Can Heven come have dinner with me? It would make me feel better.”

  “Why don’t you come in and have dinner with us? We’re having chicken.”

  Kimber stepped into the house glancing at me. “Chicken sounds wonderful, but I was hoping we could go to the library too.” She hung her head. “I kind of need help with my chemistry.”

  Mom nodded. “All right then.” Before turning away she patted Kimber again. “With no boyfriend you’ll have more time to study.”

  Kimber nodded gravely and wiped at her eyes. When Mom turned away, she grinned. I stifled a laugh.

  “That was quite the performance,” I told Kimber once we were in the car.

  She grinned. “I knew it would work.”

  At the café on Main Street we settled into a corner booth with our drinks: a mocha latte for Kimber and a hot green tea for me. My nerves were already shot from my dream and our trip to the mall, so I figured the less caffeine I drank, the better.

  “I’ve decided what to do about Cole.”

  “You have?”

  “I’m going to give him a taste of his own medicine.”

  “What do you mean?” Although I was afraid I already knew.

  “I’m going to make him jealous.” She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

  “It’s perfect.”

  “He’s really sorry, Kimber. He’s already miserable.”

  “He’s the one who cheated,” she snapped.

  Our Panini’s arrived, and we were silent for a minute. Kimber picked at her chips, pushing them around on her plate. “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too. I didn’t mean to make it sound like he’s innocent.”

  “It really hurts, Hev,” she whispered, leaning across the table. “He really hurt me.”

  “I know.” I’d never seen her so down.

  “Why would he do that?”

  “He told me that it was a bet.”

  “What?” she exclaimed.

  “He said he did it for the money. He wanted to get you something really nice for your birthday.”

  Kimber laughed without humor. “He cheated on me…for me?”

  I shrugged. I thought it ridiculous too. I watched her green eyes narrow, and she smiled.

  “Kimber, what are you thinking?”

  She picked up a chip and popped it into her mouth. “Payback’s a bitch.”

  “You’re serious? You’re going to kiss another guy to make him jealous?”

  “No.” She sipped her latte.

  “Then…?”

  “I’m going to date someone to make him jealous.”

  “What? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “When I’m done, Cole will never cheat on me again.”

  “So you’re going to forgive him?”

  She sighed, and her green eyes melted. “Yeah, I love him.” Then her voice rose, and her eyes hardened. “But he needs to be taught a lesson. One he won’t ever forget.”

  I took a sip of my tea, trying to figure what I should say. I didn’t think this was a good idea, but saying so would make her angry. She’d already accused me of choosing his side over hers. She was my best friend, my only friend since the accident – well, except for Cole.

  “Who do you plan to make him jealous with?”

  She pursed her lips, thinking. “He has to be hot, popular, and have a car.”

  “It can’t be one of his friends,” I cautioned.

  “He has a lot of friends,” Kimber complained. “Why does he have to be so popular?”

  “Yeah, why couldn’t you be dating an ugly, clumsy nerd?” I wondered sarcastically.

  Kimber laughed. “It would make it easier.”

  We lapsed into silence. I surprised myself by eating a few bites of my Panini. It was pretty good. Kimber was staring off behind me, her attention caught by something or someone. I didn’t turn around; I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.

  “Too bad he doesn’t go to our school.”

  “Who?”

  “That guy over there. He definitely has what it takes to make Cole insane with jealousy.”

  I resisted the urge to turn and see for myself.

  “He’s totally hot. Look,” she urged. “I haven’t seen him around before.”

  Slowly, I peeked around the back of the booth. He was standing near the counter, waiting for his coffee with his back turned. He was tall, well-built without being bulky, and the back of his head held shaggy, dark blond hair. When I kept looking Kimber whispered, “Told you.”

  Despite my usual need to keep hidden, I wished for a fleeting moment that he would turn around so I could see his face. Then he did. He looked right at me. The booth vibrated with the force of my retreat from sight. Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach, and my hands shook slightly. I pressed my back into the wood of the booth and willed myself to calm down. I looked up at Kimber, embarrassed over my reaction, but she wasn’t paying any attention to me. She was waving at him and smiling.

  “Stop it,” I hissed.

  She looked at me, and her smile was replaced with a frown. “What?”

  “Don’t draw any attention to us.”

  “Too late,” she whispered. “He’s heading our way.”

  My head swam. He was coming! I didn’t want him to see me. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I said rushing out of the booth. It would have been the perfect escape if I hadn’t run right into him. I bounced off his chest, and his arms came out to steady me, but I cringed back into my seat, letting my hair fall around my face. “Sorry,” I mumbled, looking down.

  “No problem.” His voice was raspy and low. My stomach fluttered again. He was more gorgeous than anyone I had ever seen. I wanted to look up so badly, but I wanted him to look at me less.

  “Haven’t seen you around before,” Kimber said boldly.

  “I’m new in town.”

  “I figured. I would have remembered if I had seen you around.”

  She was completely wicked. A part of me was jealous of that wickedness.

  “What’s your name?” he asked. His voice was unlike anything I’d ever heard – yet confusingly familiar; it filled me with something that I could only long for these past months: a sense of safety. It was beyond understanding because, right now, I shouldn’t feel safe. I never felt safe around anyone new, but his presence was like a blanket to my shivering insides, whatever he projected reached out and wrapped around me, keeping my fear at bay.

  “Kimber.”

  “Cool.” he turned to walk away. I felt the urge to reach out and grab his hand. Stay.

  “What’s your name?” Kimber asked.

  I inched closer desperate for the answer.

  “Sam.”

  “Well, Sam, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

  After he walked away it occurred to me that my attempt to be invisible worked really well. He never asked my name, and even though I hadn’t wanted him to notice me (had I?), I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed.

&n
bsp; I woke again that night to another frightening, unfinished reminder of the night my life changed forever. It was too early to get up for the day, and once again, I was too edgy to lay there, so I paced around my room. It was no surprise that I found myself at the window, looking down at the dark yard, my eyes always drawn to the trees and bushes, searching for someone I felt was there though always just hidden from sight.

  “I know you’re there,” I whispered, even though, once again, I saw no one.

  Something darted from the edge of the yard and disappeared around the side of the house. My stomach clenched. I watched awhile longer, waiting for whatever it was to come back. It didn’t, and nothing else moved, but I knew my chance for sleep tonight was gone.

  A shiver built low and raced its way up my back, making my body shake. I was just about to turn back to bed when my attention was caught by something up in the sky – the stars. It was a clear night, and many were visible. It made me remember the many nights when I was little that my dad would take me out into the yard on his shoulders and point out the many constellations. We always stayed outside until we saw at least one shooting star to wish on. I always felt safe with him; I missed him so much.

  Just before I closed the curtain, I glanced back at the sky. There was a star twinkling so brightly that I wondered how I couldn’t have noticed it before. It was the brightest and biggest in the sky, and it radiated warmth. As I watched it began to move, shooting through the sky and leaving a glittering path behind it. I didn’t bother to make a wish because it already made me feel so much better.

  Maybe sleep wouldn’t be so out of reach after all.

  Chapter Three

  Heven

  “Jenna is such a witch,” Kimber growled. I abandoned my lunch to watch her drop into the chair across from me.

  “What did she do now?”

  “She scheduled extra practices all week for the competition coming up.”

  “So? We always have extra practices when a competition is close.” I grabbed my water and took a long sip, just now remembering the fact that I didn’t cheer anymore.