“I need to get out of the water,” Lizzy said. “The movement is making me sick.”
Danica and I worked together and pulled Lizzy through the water and out of the pool. She sat at the edge of pool, slumped forward, and I put a towel around her.
I patted her head.
“You’re a great friend,” she said to me.
“Yeah. You too, Lizzy.”
It’s been all of, what, fifteen hours since we met?
I stood and faced Danica. “You two can sleep on the couch.”
“I’ll take her home.”
“You’re not leaving here drunk.”
“I don’t drink,” Danica said.
“What?” I asked.
“I don’t drink. I hate being drunk. Can’t stand that feeling.”
“But… Lizzy said… the night you…”
Danica shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t like that. Okay? I was having fun and I let something happen that maybe I shouldn’t have let happen. Or maybe I didn’t want to have happen. You know?”
My heart suddenly ached for Danica.
I inched toward her and she inched back.
I took the hint and stayed in place.
“I wish I knew that,” I said. “I really don’t drink all that much myself. I thought we were all just hanging…”
“We were,” Danica said. “You’re not too bad, Belle. You should go check and see if your clothes came. I’ll drag the drunk bitch to my car and get her home.”
“Okay,” I said. “Thanks for coming. And for telling me what you did. I’m trying to understand it. I feel like everyone I talk to… I don’t know. Like they all come with a warning.”
Danica laughed. “Welcome to Bay Falls High. I don’t know what your situation is like at home but if you had friends and guys there… my advice is to run.”
I reached for Danica’s wrist. “It was horrible. I had one good friend. Sarah. The others were backstabbing bitches. And a guy I thought I was okay with ended up doing something bad to me. To best honest, I never want to go back there again.”
“Well,” Danica said as she put her hand to my hand. “You need to survive at BFH then.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning… stay away from Them.”
I opened my mouth and stopped.
I nodded.
Danica laughed. “You’re not good at lying. You’ll get there soon though.”
She winked and let me go and helped Lizzy to her feet.
“Come on you drunk bitch,” she said. “Let’s get you home.”
I watched them leave and I stood alone, staring at the water in the pool as it bounced, creating a rippling effect on the neon lights.
I walked toward the back door and my phone beeped and vibrated with a text.
I wished it was Danica saying she was coming back.
It was an unknown number.
Which could have been Danica.
But the text…
I looked around.
Then I read the text again.
Can’t stop picturing you on your knees, beauty. ;)
nine
You’re such an asshole Uly
I didn’t send the text though.
There was one word that threw me off.
Beauty.
Whoever this was texting me called me beauty.
And as pathetic as it was, as I entered Jo’s house and stopped a few steps in, I pulled up the fresh (and ungodly hot) memories of Uly. And Ash.
Uly had used the word doll over and over when he was talking to me. Maybe that’s what he decided to call me. Or maybe that’s what he called everyone.
Then there was Ash.
He was maybe worse than Uly… but that hair and clean cut face and strong jaw line and those colorful sleeve tattoos pouring from his shirt down to his wrists…
“Angel,” I whispered.
That’s what Ash had called me.
Angel.
Again, that was probably some name he called every girl.
Which meant… if this was the full circle of Them…
Who is this?
The more generic reply back, but whatever.
I started to walk again and a reply quickly came back.
You know exactly who the fuck I am, beauty. You couldn’t keep your eyes off me. Even with someone closer to look at.
I put my fingers to the screen to type back when another message came through.
What color are my eyes?
I laughed.
I licked my bottom lip.
I replied.
I don’t know. Come see me so I can look for real.
Now that was a dangerous text to send.
But it was sent. Oh well.
I kept walking and then put on the brakes.
I spun around and eyed the back door again.
My bag - and my cigarettes - were still out back.
I went to get them and wait for a response.
Texting… flirting… it made me think of Gray.
Stupid fucking Grayson. Jerk off asshole.
I stood at the glass table to get my stuff when another text vibrated through my phone.
That’s a very dangerous thing to say to someone like me.
The response was eye roll worthy.
But this was BFH.
I walked back to Jo’s house, my bag over my shoulder.
My eyes were toward the front of the house.
Not that I could actually see the front door from where I was. That required me to take a bus and a train. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Oh well then.
I wanted to tuck my phone into my back pocket like some badass bitch but my shorts were still wet.
Before I got to the front door, another text buzzed through.
Don’t ignore me, Belle. I’m the one who knows the truth about Uly.
I reached for the front door and paused.
“Hmm,” I said.
Well, well, well, this just got very interesting, huh?
There were a few bags waiting for me outside on the sprawling front porch. Well, it wasn’t actually a porch at all. It was just a big concrete slab with pillars that were spaced evenly. I mean, you weren’t going to put some chairs out there and sit and watch the sunset and have a drink and laugh about all the crazy shit in life.
The bags were a powder blue color with nothing on them.
I sat down on the top step and grabbed the first bag.
They were buttoned shut.
The fanciest bags I had ever seen in my life.
Right there on top was the bathing suit I ordered.
Just a plain dark red bathing suit. Nothing with designs and frills. Just something basic and simple.
I reached into the bag some more and my phone vibrated again.
Oh, shit, I forgot…
Are you ignoring me?
I grinned.
This was actually kind of fun.
Whatever it was.
I replied back…
What if I am? You won’t even tell me who you are.
I sent the text and put my phone next to me to look in the rest of the first bag.
Everything I had ordered just hours ago was here. Just like Brie said. It was really cool. And I ordered it without caring about the price tag. Talk about a sense of freedom. Or just being spoiled.
Either way I kind of liked it.
I hated to admit it but I could get used to it.
I already was used to it.
I bit my lip as I pushed the first bag away and reached for the second one.
My phone buzzed with another reply.
Tell me what you’re doing right now.
I snorted.
I’m going through new clothes. Had them delivered.
He replied back really fast.
Anything you wouldn’t want me to see? ;)
That made me laugh out loud.
Maybe… too bad you’re not here. Right?
I pulled at the buttons of the second bag a
nd let out a playful oooh sound when they popped.
The clothes smelled good too. Which was weird. They didn’t smell like cheap new clothes from a cheap store. That machine, chemical smell.
They smelled fresh. Real. Expensive.
I couldn’t help myself when I ordered a hoodie, and that was right on top.
I pulled it out and put it to my nose and smelled it.
My next plan was to shower and wear that hoodie to bed.
A text reply waited for me.
Put something on and take a pic. I won’t show anyone. I promise.
Now that made me laugh harder.
You could call me new. You could call me unworthy of this place. You could call me anything… but to be that naive?
Not a chance in hell, asshole.
Which was actually what I decided to type to him.
Not a chance in hell asshole.
That felt good to send.
I buttoned up both bags and traded fancy clothes for a not-so-fancy cigarette.
I knew which one I liked better.
My phone buzzed again, but it wasn’t a text.
It was a call.
From that same number.
I sucked in a breath and wasn’t sure what to do.
I already knew how this would go.
If I ignored the call, he would just call back.
Over and over… and over and over…
Plus, if I answered, I’d get to hear his voice.
Figure out just who this was.
For all I knew, it could have been Sophie playing some bitchy game. Which wouldn’t have surprised me one bit. She seemed to be the type to try and get a quick pic of me in something meant for private so she could spread it around BFH.
What a bitch.
Now I had to take the call. Because if it was Sophie, I was going to just hang up on her and then deal with her in person tomorrow.
“This better be worth my time,” I said as I took the call and brought my cigarette to my mouth.
“Oh, I think it will be, beauty,” a wickedly smooth and sexy voice said.
It was so shocking that I tried swallowing, only to end up coughing like it was the first time I ever tried a cigarette.
I held my phone away and regained my composure, even though my eyes were full of tears and I felt my face burning hot.
At least he couldn’t see me.
“So make it worth my time,” I said. “Whoever you are.”
“See, this is fun because you know who I am,” he said.
His voice was just so… it was almost lyrical with everything he said. Like the person who could sing amazingly without even trying. Like his voice was meant to sing or something.
“Right,” I said. “I know exactly who you are. Stupid me. I’m just playing with you.”
“No, beauty, you’re flirting with me,” he said. “And I fucking love it.”
I took a drag of my cigarette and smiled. “You’re smooth, dude.”
“Yeah, I am. And is that a cigarette I hear?”
“What? How…”
“I hear and see everything, Belle,” he said. “Can’t believe a beautiful girl like you smokes. Now why would you want to go and ruin yourself like that?”
“Seriously? You’re going to tell me not to smoke? Try again, dude.”
“I’m just saying… it’s really bad for your health.”
“There’s worse things out there.”
“I guess you’re right,” he said. “Actually, I’m in the mood for a smoke myself.”
“Yeah? Just suddenly, huh?”
“Maybe we can share a smoke someday,” he said. “You know… you sitting at my window, wearing nothing but your favorite blanket off my bed. I’ll just sit there with nothing on because… once you see me, you’ll get it…”
I laughed. “You’re confident.”
“I’m actually waiting for someone right now.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
“Does her name matter?” he asked.
“I’m just making small talk, dude.”
“Well, beauty, why don’t I put the phone down and let you listen…”
I swallowed hard. “What?”
He laughed. “Now I’ve got you nervous. And a little jealous. I can feel it.”
“You can go feel yourself,” I said. “I’m fine right where I am.”
“Hopefully that big house you’re living in doesn’t have any cameras pointing at you right now,” he said.
“Why not?”
“In case the mood hits you…”
I curled my lip. I was angry and attracted at the same time.
“Not going to happen,” I said. “Nice try. And whoever you’re with, I feel bad for her.”
“I’m sure you do,” he said. “It’ll be you soon enough.”
“Doubt it. Are we done here?”
“No, beauty, we’re just getting started here. You have no idea what I’m-”
“Hey, Hil, who are you talking to?” a voice called out.
That’s when the call went dead.
It was Hil.
Ohmyfuckinggod.
My cheeks burned hotter than ever. I smoked my cigarette faster.
And I stared at my phone.
My heart raced.
I kind of knew it was Hil already, right?
But knowing for sure… and that voice… and the way he called me beauty…
And that he actually had a girl with him.
And he was calling me.
It was…
My phone buzzed.
Sorry, beauty, had to cut you short. Want to know what’s happening right now?
My jaw dropped.
I jammed my cigarette to the step and then flicked it into a bush.
I grabbed my bags and hurried toward the front door.
Once inside, I put my back to the door and replied.
Just tell me how you got my number and then go have fun.
I waited for what felt like ten years.
Hil finally replied.
You’re a loud talker, Belle. Careful giving your number out.
I let out a loud groan.
I walked to the steps, shaking my head.
It felt stupid and cheap.
Hearing me give my number to Lizzy.
Which meant he had been lingering near me. Without me knowing.
Why?
That was for sure creepy.
So I ignored him.
But that didn’t end the conversation.
Do you want to know what she’s doing to me now?
I finally made it to my room.
I opened the large French doors and stuck out my tongue. Living at Jo’s house would definitely keep me in shape. Walking four miles to get to one room would do that to a person.
Leaving Hil’s messages ignored didn’t mean a thing to him.
He texted me again.
I’m going to tell you anyway, Belle. Because anything she does to me… I’m thinking of you.
I sucked in a breath and held it.
Hil wasn’t serious.
No fucking way in hell.
I, again, just ignored the message.
I walked to the daybed and put my bags of new clothes down. Then I dropped my other bag to the floor. My eyes looked to the bathroom and taking a shower suddenly felt way too personal.
My phone buzzed again.
“No,” I whispered, shutting my eyes.
She’s kissing my neck, Belle. I wish is was your tongue.
I curled my lip and finally decided to reply.
Fuck you Hil. You don’t know me. I don’t know you. You and Ash are both assholes. And that also includes Uly. I’m not some new girl that you can fuck with. Trust me. Don’t text me when you’re trying to get laid by some other girl. That’s pathetic like you and ‘Them’
I hit send and felt good.
“Ha!” I yelled as I walked to the bathroom with some serious bitchy swagger.
I put my phone on th
e bathroom sink counter and wrestled to get out of my wet, tight, uncomfortable clothes.
At least next time I wanted to swim I had a bathing suit.
“Should have ordered two,” I whispered. “Or three.”
I looked in the mirror and grinned.
Order as many as you want, bitch. The plastic has no limit, motherfucker…
My phone buzzed again.
“Give it up, dude,” I whispered.
I looked down at Hil’s message and gasped.
Just told her to leave. Happy? Now I need to see you.
My fingers scrambled.
No
That wasn’t going to work.
I typed again.
Getting in the shower.
I sent it and let out a yell.
That would only…
I’ll join you.
I shut my eyes, expecting that reply.
I shook my head.
Hil, what the hell do you want? Honestly.
His reply came through as fast as ever.
I just want to see you, beauty.
I got to wear my new hoodie.
That and a pair of dry shorts.
The hoodie was comfortable but I wasn’t.
I was still in need of that shower.
Hil made it very clear he was on his way to see me.
There was no way in hell I was going to walk all the way down the driveway to meet up with him either.
Which meant I had to stand at the front door and look at the square screen on the wall that showed the gates to the driveway. Waiting for him to pull up so I could type in my code to let him in.
Believe me, my head screamed what the fuck are you doing? about fifty times.
But I figured he wasn’t going to stop texting me. Or calling me.
And if he wanted to make his move to look cool in front of Ash, then so be it.
Plus, there was this giant mystery of it all.
Of Them.
Why Hil and Ash were friends but Uly wasn’t friends with them anymore.
Everything was mysterious and definitely not my business.
But if I was going to stick around BFH… even for a little bit… why not see what it was all about? Because that was the thing I had that nobody else did.
The power to leave.
I wasn’t stuck there.
Jo wasn’t my mother. She wasn’t even family.
I could pack a bag and just leave and that would be that.
Hil showed up on a motorcycle.
An all-black motorcycle that growled like a hungry animal. And he pulled into the driveway wearing a helmet that only covered the top of his head, some kind of sunglasses or whatever on his face, and a cigarette in his mouth.
NOT SO Innocent (Bay Falls High Book 4) Page 9
