"What?" I ask him, when I notice him staring. I smile but am curious what he's so busy looking at. He looks to be deep in thought.
"Nothing. You're beautiful, you know. My pretty girl." He flirts with me, reaching towards me, and pushing my hair away from my face before tucking it behind my ear. I get a flashback of when we would ride on his motorcycle and he'd take my helmet off. I grab his hand on my face and hold it there, tilting my head into it like a purring kitty.
"You're drunk." I state and start to laugh again.
"No, I'm not!" He yells to me. I laugh again. "Unlike you, I can hold my liquor." He defends himself smiling down at me playfully.
"I love you." I state very honestly to him having a moment of seriousness. I really, really love Ari. I love everything about him. Mostly, I love him like this. I love him being carefree and honest. He has never once betrayed me or lied.
"I love you, too, Eury." He responds back. I giggle a little but he stops me by putting his mouth over mine. He laughs into the kiss. It isn't passionate, it's just a simple kiss—goofy even. I love it though.
I break my gaze with Ari and look next to us. Three new figures stand in the doorway. I recognize one as my counterpart in crime tonight. My batman. "Junior!" I squeal waving him over.
He doesn't budge though. I look to Ari and his eyebrows are raised in question. It looks funny on his face so I start giggling, again.
Junior, fireman Ollie and a bottle of ketchup start walking over. I realize we are in deep trouble. This only makes me giggle more. Ari chimes in for a second but suppresses the need to continue laughing and urges me to shut up by shoving my shoulder.
"Ryder, are you drunk?" Junior asks me. I look at him and try to make my face serious. I can't hide the dimples on my face. I try to make my face look angry. I don't want him to think I am making a joke out of this. I think about cold showers and a dislocated shoulder and Becca—all bad thoughts welcome right now.
"No." I say. I wait a couple seconds but can't hold it in any longer. I laugh out loud.
"Unbelievable." Ollie mutters under his breath. That sobers me up real quick. Dimitri must see the look on my face because he snickers, leaning back to cross his arms.
"Dude, you're drunk! And you reek of smoke." I state crossing my arms over my chest defensively.
"What's your point?" He asks me dead on.
"You're a hypocrite and unbelievable." I mimic him, putting air quotes around the word, unbelievable.
"Let's just go, Ollie." Junior cuts in when Dimitri grabs his arm. Ollie refuses to budge, though.
"No, I feel like hanging out here with Ari. He's my best bud." Ollie says. I put myself between the two like I am protecting Ari. I don't want Ollie near him.
"No, you aren't." I sternly say to him.
"What are you going to do?" He asks, challenging me. I am getting heated up now. I will not be told what to do. I will not be told who I can and cannot see. Dimitri tenses and walks over to Ollie's side like he's freaking back up or something. Ollie has no power over me. I walk up to him, look him dead in the eyes and push him.
He flies back ten feet before landing on a metal bleacher. I cover my mouth with my hand and gasp. "Oh my god!" I rush over to Ollie's side. Thankfully nobody else is around to see that. Junior, Dimitri and Ari follow behind and try to figure out what just happened.
I kneel down next to Ollie. "Are you okay?" I ask him. He looks fine, just livid with a scowl across his face. I don't really feel drunk anymore. I look at my hands thinking they might look different. I just threw a two hundred pound guy ten feet through the air.
"I'm fine. Back up." He pushes past me getting to his feet while shooting daggers at Ari. "We had a deal." He states while Ari just stands there.
"I know." He responds. I am not sure what is going on. Ollie and Ari look like they are having a staring contest or something.
Finally Ollie breaks eye contact. He and Dimitri walk away with Junior following silently behind. Since when was Junior his wing man. He is supposed to be my best friend! This is a betrayal if I've ever seen one.
"You're gaining more powers." Ari says, softly rubbing my back.
"Clearly." I retort back. I want to get out of here. I didn't want to come to this stupid dance in the first place. "I want to go home." I tell Ari. He just nods and takes my hand in his. I don't think he cares who sees us holding hands anymore.
We walk back into the dance and it's still packed with bodies. Everyone looks drunk and on cloud nine. People grind up on each other half naked. With Ari still holding my hand, we push through the crowd trying to get to the door as fast as possible.
"We have an announcement to make." The DJ announces over the microphone. A few seconds go by while everyone stands, frozen, waiting on the message.
"Hello, this is Mrs. Lavensol. I've been informed that the refreshments have been tampered with. I need the children responsible to come forward or winter formal will be canceled." She announces, garnering groans from the entire school body. Nobody moves though. "This is not a bluff, the culprit will be found out. If you have any information regarding the student please find me. Thanks." She says handing the mic back to the DJ.
Immediately the room erupts in whispers and accusations. Ari grabs my hand again and we start making our way to the door. I catch a few people accusing Kevin, a big football douche and I smile, hoping he gets in trouble. Near the door, there is a group of girls hovering around an easel.
I immediately recognize Becca and tense. Ari leans down to my ears and whispers to me, "she won't recognize you looking like that."
I feel better, realizing he's right. We start to walk by them and I hear my name come out of her mouth. I don't know in what context but I am the only Ryder in the school. I look over and see a picture of me kissing Ollie in the library—our first kiss.
They have a bunch of markers out and are drawing things all around me. They write sayings on it and draw on my face. Tears prick the edges of my eyes seeing the comments quoted by Ollie.
Apparently he says that I refused to have sex with him since I was gay. They write how I am such a faggot. They write how Becca punched me in the face. It's all lies. I want to go up there and really punch her in the face. Screw the hair pulling, I will get violent.
Ari tugs on my hand and moves us out of the school wanting to put as much distance between myself and the girls as possible. I am full on crying now. I hate the torment I am forced to go through. I hate everything. I hate the curse. I hate Ollie and right now I even hate Junior. I can't stand the way that my life is going.
Ari walks me to my car and has me sit in the passenger side. He gets in the driver seat grabs the keys from the wheel and starts it up.
He drives me home—my safe haven. Dad's car is in the driveway but the house is dark so he must be in bed already. I check the dashboard that reveals it's eleven pm. Ari turns the ignition off as we sit in silence, reflecting.
"I'm sorry." I apologize, knowing I acted like an idiot.
"For what, Eury?" He asks me, truly confused.
"Being so dumb." I admit, the tears starting up again.
"You aren't dumb. You're beautiful." He says, pulling me onto his lap so I lay on his chest. "We need to talk though." He adds in sullenly.
"What?" I ask. As if this night could get any worse.
"We can't be together right now." He holds me tighter, knowing I'll object. He can't mean what he is saying. Why is he doing this to me?
"Why not? We love each other." I say, trying to understand.
"I know but it isn't our time." He explains.
"Why?" I ask, crying more steadily now.
"I have to keep my promise to Ollie." He states again.
"Don't." I mutter, needing him now more than ever.
"I have to Eury. You know I love you." He says.
"Can you stay with me tonight?" I ask him, craving it.
"Sure." He finally gives in. He kisses my cheek and lifts me up off his lap. We walk into my h
ouse and go directly to my room. I go into the bathroom to change out of my costume and put on comfortable clothes. I opt for leggings and a long teeshirt and throw my hair into a bun. Lastly, I brush my teeth before going back to my room.
Ari has taken his costume off and is in a white tee and black pants. I move towards the bed and get in, my gaze never leaving Ari. I pick my side and then pat for Ari to get in. He walks to the window, shuts the blinds and then climbs in next to me. Neither of us say a word.
I flip over to turn the light off and it's pitch black in the room. His arms wrap around my stomach as he turns me so that my butt faces him, spooning me.
I cry a little when I think back to my night. First Ollie being drunk, then my new powers, and Ollie being a jerk. What really sets me off is Junior. He completely took Ollie's side. He doesn't even know what's going on.
Ari holds me the whole time while I cry not saying anything, just holding me still and comforting me by being there.
Epilogue
About 3 months later…
Move in day. My dad is driving and Junior is with me surprisingly. I wanted to drive myself but my dad would hear nothing of that. Plus I have so much stuff to bring that I need the help carrying it in.
The ride is only three hours from my house but the car ride takes forever. I'm not sure if I'm just nervous or what but it drags. Junior and I play a game in the car trying to find colors and play eye spy but as we get closer to school, the land gets more and more rural.
When Ari said New York, I just assumed New York City. Boy am I wrong. This place is in the middle of no where. It's in upstate New York, basically Vermont. The school is located on Shaker Mountain. The ride starts getting bumpy and darker the closer we get.
The trees cover most of the sky making the morning look like night. It's spooky. It is way too dark for being eleven am. The roads start to wind and I figure we are making our way up the mountain.
About five minutes later, we make it to Gloversville, which is the town the school in. We stop at a set of huge gates. They aren't like the ones in Hell. Those were scary. These are beautiful, as they line the perimeter of the whole school. They are black but skinny, not intimidating at all. They only go up about seven or so feet as they seem to be more for decoration than for protection.
The school is beautiful looking like a dream land. Dad stops the car at the gate as we sit, admiring the place. A long driveway branches out in all directions, the stone going every which way. There are tons of buildings set on the land.
A light white dusting of snow covers the yard making it look ethereal. A fountain sits at the circle before the first building but it's off, most likely due to the cold.
I assume the middle building is Administration and where I should go first. There are a bunch of stone buildings sprawled across the lawn. The administration building is the largest I can see and it is stunning, standing behind the fountain. It looks more like a rich person's house than a school building.
Finally the buzzer beeps and the gates open wide, allowing us access in. Dad drives in and parks at the top of the circle right in front of the building. We sit there wide eyed for a second before I break the trance.
"I'll be right back." I tell them, opening my door. I am taken aback by the outdoorsy smell that assaults my nose. I stretch my legs then walk over to the building. I have a little bit of anxiety but it's just because I'm in a new place. Hopefully it will pass away so I can start to explore.
I open the big door and step inside tentatively, making sure I'm in the correct building. This place reminds me of Grand Central Station in New York City. It has enormous high ceilings—balconies and staircases everywhere. There are so many different places to explore. I wonder where all the doors go. In front of me are four tables set up with four people sitting there staring at me expectantly.
"Hello. I'm a new student." I say to one of the people, snapping out of my astonishment. They each have a stack of papers in front of them and boxes. One of the women looks at me, sizing me up. She is pretty with dark brown hair and light brown eyes. She is very plain but still pretty. The other woman is the one who speaks up next.
"What's your name please?" She asks in a quiet girly voice.
"Eurydice Mason." I tell her.
"Brandon, that's your list." The girl says. The guy, Brandon looks through his papers and then about halfway through stops and points to what I assume is my name.
"Miss Mason. You are in Aphro Hall. Here is your room key, access card and schedule." She hands me an envelope filled with goodies and I gladly take it. I'm not going to lie, I am warming up to the idea of this school. A new start. Nobody knows me. It's kind of liberating.
"Aphro hall?" I question the odd name.
"It is short for Aphrodite. She is a Goddess our school worships." The girls answers, kind of bitchy. I know who Aphrodite is. I am not that much of an idiot.
Plus I have been researching Greek Mythology lately. I know a little bit about my heritage. They tell me the location of my dorm and I leave, their judging eyes staying on me the whole time I leave.
I tell my dad directions and we get to Aphro Hall fast. It is a similar looking building as the administration building but smaller. It has five floors and the outside is stone. It's set back farther than the other buildings and surrounding it is all woods. I see the fence about a hundred feet back from the dorm, hidden. There is a hall on either side of it. How many kids go to this school?
Dad parks right on the driveway and we all file out of the car. Junior goes to the trunk and gets my bags and dad gets some, too. I brought a case of water with me and food so I grab that stuff before we make our way inside. There is an upperclass man sitting at the desk near the front door who tells me where to go. I am on the third floor which is good I guess. Doesn't make a difference to me. I'm just happy to be here.
We get to my room finally and pile everything in. I have a roommate, that much is clear. One side of the room is draped in pinks and purples. There is a bed made and pictures everywhere, giving me a window into her personality. My side is pure white. It's depressing.
"Oh you've got a roomy!" Junior exclaims, getting himself a nice punch on the arm. He laughs and then gives me a smile. If she's hot, Junior will probably be here every weekend.
The next hour is spent organizing my room. Dad helps me unpack my desk stuff, while Junior sets up the bed, raising the mattress to the top post so that I have storage underneath. Finally, all that is left is my clothes and I'll do that later.
Three o'clock rolls around so dad and Junior have to leave. I don't want them to go yet, especially because I am all alone here. I want them to wait for dinner but I know dad doesn't like to drive late. Plus it is cold and icy.
"I love you sweetie. Call me, okay? Promise?" Dad demands as he gives me a huge hug. He wraps me tight in his arms and squeezes, making me yelp. It's hard for me not to tear up. Dad leaves and just Junior and I are left.
"You'll be okay Ryder, I promise." He states hugging me as well. He kisses my head and holds me a little longer. "Anyone starts to pick on you, you call me. I'll mess them up. I'm sorry it's been weird between us lately but I love you." He reveals making me the happiest girl ever.
"I'm sorry, too. I love you." I say on the verge of tears. "Take care of my baby." I joke with him.
"Don't worry. I'm going to improve her!" He says but I can tell he's joking. Since I have no use for my car here, I told Junior he can use it on one condition—he promises to never drink and drive. I kill two birds with one stone.
"Love you, Ryder." He says again leaving me alone in a new place that I know nothing about. I am so scared. I decide to keep busy so I unload all of my things. I put my doggie calendar on the wall. I brought a small bookshelf dad got me from Bed, Bath and Beyond and put my favorites in it.
I put up four pictures in my room—the picture frame dad got me for Christmas goes on my desk. I pick my favorite picture of Junior and I and put it next to the calendar. I pick a pictur
e of Ollie that I love. I took it when we were studying in the library one time. I put that one above my bed and right next to it I put a candid of Ari. It's the only picture I have of him but even if I had thousands, it'd be my favorite.
As I am finishing up putting my clothes away, the door swings open and a bubbly little blonde walks in. At first she puts up her arms like she is going to attack me but when she sees my surprise as well, she relaxes.
"Are you Eurydice?" She asks, gauging whether I'm her roommate or a burglar.
"Yes I am. Who are you?" I ask back defensively.
"I'm your roomy! Oh my God. We're going to be best friends! My names Kara." She says rushing over to me.
"Nice to meet you." I say holding my hand out for a shake. She takes that as an invitation and gives me a monstrous, overly friendly hug. She pulls back and looks me up and down getting a good look.
She is beautiful. She has blue eyes and blonde hair. She is actually the same size as me. She has smaller boobs but close enough. Her hair is long and wavy, falling at her waist.
She looks like a Goddess. She is wearing a grey dress with brown and pink cowboy boots. I'm not sure why she is wearing what she is because it is January and freaking cold but she looks hot anyway.
She is definitely going to give me a run for my money. She seems much more outgoing than me—a total social butterfly. The way she says we are going to be best friends makes my stomach flutter.
I haven't had a girlfriend in years and even so it was Becca. I miss having someone to talk to about boys and girly things. Don't get me wrong, Junior is amazing. He's the best friend someone could ask for but it's not the same. Girlfriends are different.
I know it's my first day and all but I am excited to start classes and meet more people. If everyone is this nice, I am going to love this place. For once, I feel like I might fit in.
Kara takes my hand in hers. "Let's go to dinner together. I have a lot to catch you up on. First you need to meet everyone. My friends are going to love you. I've been waiting for a roommate for like six months. Finally, they give me one! I mean seriously how many times can a girl ask? Oh my God, you have to see the guys, too. Do you have a boyfriend?" I am starting to re think this whole girlfriend thing. It is going to be a long semester.
The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) Page 24
