True Colors (book #1, The Masks Series)

by Melissa Pearl

  “I know.” His smile was pained. “I just suddenly wish I went to Pali High, so I could watch your back.”

  I grinned. “That’d be good.”

  “I was thinking about what Nicole said, about people helping you. I know you don’t want to tell anybody, but maybe you should ask that guy, Micah, to help you. Out of everyone you’ve told me about, he seems the most genuine and if Indie does like him the way you think she does, then maybe he can get her talking.”

  I ran my hand up his bare arm, hating the idea of burdening Micah, but knowing Eric was probably right.

  “It’d make me feel better, knowing he was there to help you.”

  “I just don’t want to pull anyone else into this.”

  “If Micah feels about Indie the way I feel about you, then he’ll want to be pulled in. Trust me.”

  It was all I could do to breathe. I slid my hand up his neck and threaded my fingers into his hair, pulling his lips down to mine. His warm body pressed against me, a secure blanket that I wanted to hide beneath. I’d do anything to take him to school with me on Monday, but I knew I couldn’t. Eric was right. I had to let Micah in.

  Chapter 23

  “Hey, Micah.” His easy lope didn’t falter as I jogged up beside him. I knew I’d find him on the track. He always got to school an hour before first bell to run and workout. I was determined to talk to him no matter what he was doing and was relieved to see him pounding the track.

  “You’re here early.” He kept his eyes ahead, his body straight. He was such a natural athlete; his running style was a pleasure to watch. I hoped I could keep up with him. Thankfully I wasn’t a shorty and was pretty fit, so keeping up with him was going to be manageable as long as we didn’t run for too long.

  “I need to talk to you.” My shoulders relaxed as I eased into a steady rhythm beside him.

  He gave me a sidelong glance and I read his immediate wariness. I didn’t want to push him away before I even got talking, but I had to win this conversation.

  “Micah, I really need your help.”

  He remained silent at first; the only indication that he’d heard me was an acceleration in his pace. I matched easily, but knew I wouldn’t be able to last as long at this speed.

  “Micah, please.”

  Shaking his head, he pursed his big lips. “Look, I don’t know what you’re into Caitlyn, but I can’t.” He felt bad saying no. “I’m usually down for anything, but this is my shot at playing college ball. I’ve gotta keep my nose clean.”

  “I’m not asking you to get it dirty...I don’t think.” I winced.

  He scoffed and picked up his pace even more, leaving me in his wake. I had no show of catching him.

  “Micah, wait!” I slowed from a run to a walk. “It’s about Indie. She’s the one that needs our help.”

  I hadn’t intended to shout it across the track and was grateful we were there on our own. Micah came to an abrupt stop. He turned and walked back to me with his hands on his hips, his dark eyes anxious. “She in some kind of trouble?”

  “I think so.” I put my hands on my knees, trying to slow my breathing. Micah had fully recovered already, standing over me, silently demanding more. “I’m trying to figure out exactly what she’s into, but I know she’s, um...” I stood up and scratched my nose, not wanting to say it. “She’s really scared of Liam.”

  “What are you talking about?” Micah’s wide mouth turned down at the corners. “Liam? He’s a bunny rabbit. They’re always making goo-goo eyes at each other.” This hurt him, big time. He hated it with every fiber of his being, but knew he had to accept it.

  “It’s fake, Micah.”

  I watched hope flitter across his face, dark concern followed in its wake.

  “Liam Donovan is not at all what he appears, and Indie only looks at him that way because she knows that’s what he wants. She’s petrified that if she lets her true feelings show he’s going to hurt her.”

  “He hurts her?” The black pulse of rage that shot from him made me take a step back. I shoved his mask back on to dampen the impact of his wrath. It worked...sort of.

  I swallowed. “I don’t know for sure, but I think he does.”

  Micah’s features distorted with a deep frown. “How do you know this stuff?”

  I wasn’t sure how much to tell him. How did I sell it without coming across as an unbelievable weirdo? I mean, Nicole and Dale bought it, but I had Eric to back me up...and they seemed to be open to the supernatural for some reason.

  Micah’s intense gaze wouldn’t let up, so I sighed and just went for it. “I can see things that other people can’t.”

  “What?”

  “I guess you could call it a gift?” That still sounded wrong to me, but anyway. “I can read people’s emotions. I don't know what they're thinking, but when you see what they're feeling...I don't know, it's easier to work out what's going on in their heads. So I'm not a mind reader, per se, but an emotion reader. Does that even make sense?" My nose wrinkled as I ran my hand through my hair. "That's how I knew your feelings for Indie."

  His dark skin heated as he looked to the ground and scratched the back of his head.

  “When I was at Liam’s big party two weeks ago, I spotted Indie’s fear and I haven’t been able to ignore it since. I’ve been spying on her and trying to figure out how to help her. The other day I overheard a conversation between her and Liam. He was really pissed and threatened to punish her if she didn’t do what he said.”

  “What did he want her to do?”

  “Keep her mouth shut about his business or something. I can only guess what he was referring to, but I do know Indie doesn’t want to be involved. I have a feeling that Libby is somehow caught up in this and she wants out, too.” I shrugged. “I figured because we’re working with them at the moment, this might be a good chance to get them to open up to us.”

  “Indie’s a closed book, Caitlyn. You know that.”

  “But I don’t think she wants to be.” I really wanted to tell him what I saw at the game...the way Indie had looked at him. But what if I’d just been imagining it? I didn’t want to get Micah’s hopes up, but... “I think she’d listen to you. She respects you, Micah. She sees that you’re a good guy.”

  Micah’s laughter was hard and dry. “No, she doesn’t. She’s just as scared of me as everybody else is.”

  “I’m not scared of you.”

  “You’re different.” He lightly punched my shoulder.

  “She’s not afraid of you. I’ve seen it in her expressions. She trusts you.”

  The corner of his eye twitched. He was trying to figure out if he could believe me or not. Like my news was somehow too good to be true.

  “How am I supposed to help her?” he whispered, his vulnerable fear showing through.

  “She needs to feel safe right now. You can give her that.”

  This made him feel good. I decided to play on the shining knight tangent.

  “She’s trapped inside Liam’s world and she’s desperate to be rescued, but she doesn’t think she can be. If we...if you...can make her feel protected, then maybe she’ll tell us the truth.”

  “And how am I supposed to do that?”

  “Stop hiding how you feel about her.”

  His face dropped, his eyes flashing wide for a moment. The idea terrified him, but it was also appealing.

  “We need to find out the truth so that we can help set her free,” I continued.

  Micah bit the corner of his mouth, his large hand cupping the top of his shaved head. “At the beginning of the year, Indie came up to me with an offer to help me get good grades.”

  My insides stirred as another piece began to slide into place. “How?”

  “She was really vague, saying she had resources that could guarantee I’d have a sweet ride this year.” Micah shook his head. “I could tell it was this elite thing, like only a few were being approached about it and man, because it was her, I was tempted. But there was just this flicke
r in her eyes, like a warning. I’d only just finished my probation. There was no way in hell I was getting mixed up in something else. It felt wrong, so I told her I didn’t want to know. She smiled all sweet, but something was off. I liked her before that, but man, whatever I saw that day just made me want to wrap her in my arms, you know?” He tipped his head towards where I’d first approached him on the track. “That’s why I fobbed you off before; I thought you were coming at me with something like this.”

  “Well as you can see, I don’t know anything about it.” My eyes bulged wide as I remembered another conversation. “Stella,” I whispered.

  “What about her?” Micah didn’t even bother hiding his derision.

  I ignored his expression and kept on. “She asked me if Libby was working for me. She got all closed off when I tried to question her about it.” I crossed my arms. “I think Liam’s business is some sort of cheating scam or something. He’s using the smart kids to do all this work for the people who can’t be bothered. Do you think they're paying him? Maybe that’s what he means by running a business.”

  “Could be.” Micah nodded, not happy about my theory, probably because he knew it was true. “Pressure’s pretty high to do well here. And I gotta say, Liam’s crew don’t seem that stressed about school work...at least the guys in the basketball team aren’t.” Micah pursed his lips. “Damn.” He shook his head. “You’d be opening a big ass can of worms if this is real.”

  I bit my lip, nerves skittering through me like frenzied fireflies. “You want to help me do it?”

  No. I could see it all over his face.

  My insides deflated as I watched him push his lips together and then sigh. “You know I can’t afford to screw up this close to the end of the year. I can’t get involved in anything that’ll jeopardise what I’ve been working so hard for.” He winced and let out a soft hiss. “But I want to get Indie out of whatever shit she’s into, so I’m in.”

  I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him. I was so relieved. Instead I sufficed with a friendly slap on his arm and jogged with him back towards the changing rooms. We agreed to broach it at the biology assignment meeting we’d set up before school that day. I was so nervous I wanted to puke, but knowing Micah would be there to back me up was a huge comfort.

  Pulling out my phone, I texted Eric with an update as I’d promised I would. It felt good knowing he was there for me, even if not in the physical sense. Today could go one of two ways. I’d find out the truth and sneak Indie into freedom or I’d find out the truth and everything would blow up in my face.

  I rubbed my stomach and forced my lungs to inflate as I made my way to the library, the attack on Friday night still way too raw and fresh in my mind.

  Chapter 24

  The study area of the library was empty, which is why we’d agreed on Friday to meet there first thing Monday morning. Libby’s idea was huge and brilliant, but it was taking us longer than we expected. No one seemed to mind the extra workload. We were enjoying hanging out together, but a very different feel hung in the air this particular morning.

  Indie arrived looking flustered. Her hair was mussed and she was busy adjusting her white linen dress. She caught me watching her and shame turned her cheeks pink. I could tell she’d just been made to do something she hadn’t wanted to. I didn’t know what, but the sick feeling in my gut made me wonder. Her hands trembled as she sat down across from me, unable to look me in the eye.

  “Morning,” I said with a smile.

  “Hey,” she mumbled.

  “How was your weekend?”

  “Okay.” She shrugged.

  “Yours?”

  I tried to look casual and unfazed. “It was pretty quiet, although Friday night was interesting.”

  She went pale, her high cheekbones sticking out as she ruffled her bangs. So she did know about what had been done to me. Stripping back another layer I saw her guilty tears. She felt so bad about what had happened that I didn’t feel one ounce of anger towards her.

  Micah strolled in looking edgy, but determined. He sat down next to Indie and a calm relief descended around her. She shot Micah a polite smile, but I could see how safe she felt beside him. Micah glanced my way and I gave him an encouraging smile. We hadn’t really talked about how we were going to broach this and now I wish we had. Who would start the inquiry? Was it better if I did? I knew Libby was still a little afraid of Micah, but she didn’t seem too keen on me at the moment either.

  “Morning, everybody.” Libby bubbled into the room.

  I gave her a warm smile, which she instinctively returned before swallowing and slumping into the chair beside me. Everyone was silent. It was mega-awkward, to the point that Indie actually initiated.

  “So, what are we working on today? Where’s everyone up to?” She opened up her book of notes and began scanning them. "Did you all manage to gather some more samples over the weekend? I only got a few. I haven't had a chance to identify them yet though."

  She reached down to unzip her bag and I knew this was my chance.

  I willed my courage not to flake as I leaned forward and laid my hands on the table. “Before we get started, I just wanted to say...” I glanced at Micah. “How much I enjoy working with you guys. I feel like we’re a really great group. We work well together.” Although confused, everyone nodded. Indie sat up with a small grin, giving me the confidence to go on. “It might sound weird, but I feel safe with you guys, like I could tell you anything and it’d be okay.”

  Indie’s smile fled. She glanced at Micah who was watching her with the softest expression I’d ever seen. Behind his mask his face was glowing with pure affection. It was so strong it was breaking through and Indie saw it. Her eyes glistened before she had a chance to turn away and blink at tears.

  Libby squirmed in her seat as my gaze hit her. “Do you feel that way?”

  She shrugged, but I could see that she did.

  I took her hand. “Libby, you can tell us anything and it’ll be okay.”

  I looked to Indie. Her blue eyes were wide with fear. “You too, Indie. No one’s going to hurt you here.” She flinched, her gaze pressing into me with a look that was both pleading and angry.

  The tension in the air grew thick and suffocating, and I wasn’t quite sure what to say next, but then Libby drew in a deep breath and kind of let out this hiccuping sob. “I didn’t want be involved in this, but after the whole Carter thing I had no choice.”

  “Libby, stop.” Indie’s voice was steel cold, but behind her mask she was a quivering mess.

  “I can’t do this anymore, Indie! I don’t care what Liam threatens me with.” Her bravado was only just masking her palpitating terror.

  “Keep going, Libby, tell me what’s happening with Liam.” I tentatively touched her arm, not wanting to scare her off, but feeling like a little human contact might help her along.

  Libby sniffed, big fat tears popping onto her lower lashes. “He started up a business last year. He recruited a whole bunch of vulnerables.” She pointed at herself in anguish. “And he makes them do all this extra work - assignments mostly, but he’s managed to steal a few tests as well. We have to complete them and then hand in the answers and then the rich kids who aren’t smart enough to do their own work, pay him.”

  “Libby, please stop.” Indie’s teeth were clenched.

  “No, Indie.” Libby threw a vehement look at the meek redhead before turning back to me. “Liam approached me a few months ago and I was hesitant at first. It felt wrong to me, but he kept telling me how much he needed me and how there’d be these great rewards.” Libby swiped at her tears. “That’s why I knew whenever you guys were doing anything social. He knew I wanted to be part of your crowd and he kept inviting me and finally I caved. But then I started second-guessing myself and I tried to quit. I told Liam the workload was getting too much. That’s when he set up the Carter thing. He knew I liked Carter and he also knew there was no way I’d have the guts to do what Carter was demanding
. It was the perfect threat to keep me in line. Carter was going to start these rumors about what we’d done in that upstairs room. He made sure everyone saw us go up there and then people saw me leaving in tears. On Monday, Liam told me he’d taken care of any rumors, but nothing could stop him from igniting some new ones. He threatened to call my parents. I had no choice but to do what he wanted.”

  “Libby, shut up!” Indie slammed the table. “Don’t you get it? He’ll destroy you. If this gets out, you’re dead.” Her voice hitched.

  “Indie, it’s okay.” Micah gently touched her hand.

  “It’s not okay.” Tears flooded her eyes, making them a brilliant blue. She yanked her hand away and stood from her chair. “You don’t know what he’s like. You don’t know what he’s capable of doing. Libby needs to shut up and toe the line. That’s the only way to be safe! You’re an idiot, Libby!” Her finger was trembling as she pointed at the weeping girl beside me. “You should have kept your mouth shut! Now we’re both gonna pay!”

  “Indie.” Micah’s voice was a soothing balm. He reached for her hand again and held tight when she tried to snatch it away. “It’s okay.” His large thumb caressed her pale skin. She looked so small and fragile beside him.

  Her chin trembled as her lips fought for control. “It’s never going to be okay,” she whispered.

  “Yes it is.” I could see Micah’s anguish as he gently pulled her onto his knee. I thought she’d fight him, but she didn’t. She sank into his embrace and buried her face in his shoulder. His strong arms encircled her, cocooning her from the world.

  Her pitiful sobs brought tears to my eyes. I looked at Libby and nearly started laughing. We were all blubbering messes. I yanked some Kleenex out of my bag and passed one to her. She gave me a watery smile as she took it, her eyes filling with an apology that didn’t need to be spoken. I shook my head and squeezed her hand.

  As Indie’s tears slowly ebbed, she turned to look at me. Her head was perched on Micah’s shoulder and she didn’t want to move it. I passed her a Kleenex. Our fingers brushed as she took it and her face crested with pain.