by J. N. Colon
I eased into the cavernous, tiled room with a giant Olympic sized swimming pool glistening under florescent lights. “Just like a giant communal bathtub,” I muttered, inching closer to the edge.
Hardwood benches sat against the walls and rows of bleachers were pulled in like an accordion, leaving the pristine white tiled floor bare. Plastic ropes that usually separated the pool into lanes were rolled up, creating one big open space of water.
Even though my heart ached for a good swim this was not my cup of tea.
My eyes explored the blue pool, searching for a mysterious monster skulking at the bottom. Before I saw much of anything a click resonated and the room plunged into darkness.
My heart lodge in my throat, obstructing my breathing, and a sense of impending dread poured down my back. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but they never did. The sensation was like being trapped in a box with no light buried a hundred feet down in the earth.
Impenetrable blackness.
Waves of trepidation slithered down my back as tears glistened in my blind eyes, sensing something bad was about to happen.
My dark fears were proved right when hands shoved my chest so hard I soared backwards and into the giant pool.
A gasped exploded out my mouth when I hit, filling my lungs with chlorine water. By the time my head reached the surface I was choking and flailing for the edge of the pool. In normal circumstances I was a stellar swimmer, but the shock of being tossed blindly into a pool confused my senses.
My hands continued to reach for something solid only finding more icy water. I had no idea where the edge was or if I was heading into deeper water. I was lost in the dark with panic as my only companion. My fear was so heavy it threatened to rip the consciousness right from my body and leave me sinking to the bottom of the pool. To my death.
The lights suddenly flashed on, blinding me, but not before I glimpsed the edge. I dashed for it, bruising my hand as I slapped it.
“Rubi!” A familiar voice echoed followed by footsteps. “What happened?”
I peeked up to see Jackson reaching for me. I let him pull me on the cold tile floor. “Someone pushed me in the pool,” I choked, my lungs still screaming for air.
He wrapped his jacket around me, his face a mask of shock and horror. “In the dark? You could have drowned.”
I pulled myself into a shivering ball, pressing my eyes against my knees so he wouldn’t see the tears. “I’m okay now,” I lied. I was so far from okay. “I’m glad you found me.” That wasn’t exactly a lie although I had been wishing it was Mac to the rescue again. He must have been busy.
“Thanks for walking me to my room Jackson.” My hand still trembled as I reached for the doorknob.
“Of course. No way was I going to let you walk by yourself after what happened. That creep could still be out there.”
The thin black pants and gray t-shirt we found in the locker room hung off me, but it was better than trudging across campus in sopping wet clothes.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell the headmaster?” Jackson’s whisky eyes were so full of concern it warmed my heart.
I nodded. I didn’t know who pushed me and if it was a crazed vampire—maybe Brant—telling the headmaster would probably make things worse. No thanks.
“Just be careful then Rubi.” Jackson put a warm hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I care about you.” He bowed his head bashfully, making his auburn brown hair fall in his face.
My cheeks flushed and a tiny tingle rippled through my stomach. He was so sweet. The epitome of the boy next door and any girl would be lucky to have him. “I’ll be careful.”
My mind flashed to Mac, comparing my situation with the two boys. Mac ignored me in public for reasons I didn’t understand and sent mixed signals when we were alone. He wasn’t the one that saved me tonight. Jackson was. And Mac was probably off somewhere with Paisley, making out or maybe even biting her.
Jackson was here with me, willing and ready. If I got together with him maybe this lonely feeling would dissipate. I wouldn’t be walking around campus alone so much for trouble to find me either.
“Rubi, I was wondering…” Jackson inched closer, his eyes filling with an unfamiliar heat. “Would it be all right if…?”
My skin tingled, knowing exactly where this was head and wasn’t sure I could stop him. Or wanted to.
He brought his face so close I could feel his feather light hair brushing my forehead.
Why not? Mac probably couldn’t care less.
When I didn’t back away Jackson went in for the kiss, our lips a breath apart…until he was wrenched away from me, stumbling sideways.
I turned to see that midnight hair disheveled and those jade eyes glacier hard. Mac was standing next to me, glaring balefully at Jackson.
What the hell?
“What gives man?” Jackson asked, stepping back to my side and straightening his sweater.
Mac’s lip curled in contempt and tiny silver flecks danced dangerously in his green irises. “You don’t belong in this dorm. Go back to yours before I kick your ass.”
“Are you serious?” I rounded on Mac, crossing my arms against my chest as anger spread through my insides.
“You bet I am.”
My eyes narrowed at his unbelievable immaturity, finding it totally annoying.
“I didn’t think you cared about that Mac.” Confusion creased Jackson’s forehead. “And no one in this building is friends with Rubi. Someone had to walk her back after…”
I elbowed Jackson in the ribs, staunching his words.
“After what?” A new kind of tension entered Mac’s expression and he was no longer the cocky jerk. “Why is your hair wet? And you smell like chlorine. Did you fall in the pool?”
“It’s none of your business,” I snapped.
“What happened?” Mac reached a hand toward me, but quickly let it drop.
Realization broke across Jackson’s face, curling his lips in a knowing smile. “Oh. I get it now.”
I wished I did instead of staring stupidly between the two guys who each squared their shoulders and puffed up.
Jackson turned his attention back to me and gently rubbed my arm. “I’m glad you’re okay Rubi, but I guess I better get back.”
I nodded. The tension in the hall was so palpable anyone walking by would notice.
“Call me if you need anything.” His voice was gentle, expressing his concern for me.
“Thanks,” I said.
After Jackson disappeared around the corner I rounded on Mac again, anger pulsating through my veins. “What the hell was that?”
He shrugged, his face suddenly the epitome of innocence.
I rolled my eyes and turned toward my door, but Mac’s muscled arm shot out, blocking my path.
“What happened tonight?” He was standing so close I could feel the heat from his skin and smell his woodsy, heady scent.
This close he was doing things to my body that turned my knees wobbly. Electricity played down my neck and my heart was fluttering. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from releasing a sigh.
I reluctantly peeked up and saw the worry brimming in his jade eyes. I swallowed hard, suddenly reminded of how he took care of me last night. I wanted to tell him so badly I could cry and I wanted him to hold me and say he’d protect me.
My mouth opened and he stepped closer, his expression expectant until a familiar girlish giggled resonated around the corner.
We both stiffened at the sound of Paisley approaching.
“You better go,” I said, attempting to hide the hurt in my voice. “You wouldn’t want anyone seeing us together.”
Mac looked as if I physically stung him.
I stepped through my door, my heart heavier than ever. A big hand unexpectedly shot through and grabbed mine, squeezing it hard. My skin burned like wildfire where we touched.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Rubi,” Mac whispered before letting go.
I sighed, slumping against the door as my pulse raced in a mixture of excitement and confusion. Less than five minutes ago I’d been ready to kiss Jackson and then Mac showed up and I was totally knocked off my feet by him.
What in the world was happening here?
***
I couldn’t sleep that night. Aspen’s snoring was on overdrive and when I did sleep it was nightmares about being chased. I finally gave up and decided to take a walk through the halls to tire myself out. It wasn’t like there were any teachers on duty to stop me. They were all peacefully sleeping unlike me.
I snuggled into my favorite hoodie and tucked my feet into my furry boot-slippers. I padded down the hall, my eyes straining to decipher those shadows coalesced in the corners.
Maybe a walk through the scary halls of Highland wasn’t the best way to tire me out. I quietly slipped into the common room on my floor, movement on a plush couch catching my eye, but the electric charge tickling my back told me who I’d find.
Mac sat on the couch—with Paisley in his arms.
My heart dropped and deflated like a popped balloon. This image was going to spawn a whole new level of disgust in my nightmares. Just a few hours ago he was holding my hand, squeezing it like his life depended on it. Now he was with Paisley making out or…
Horror gripped windpipe while my body shuddered with revulsion. No. I didn’t want to see this. My mind couldn’t handle what was happening right before my eyes. Paisley made a low moaning sound of pleasure, sending my stomach curdling. Mac lifted his head from her neck, a drop of scarlet glistening on his mouth.
I stood unmoving, my body as cold as the unlit fireplace. Mac’s jade eyes widened when he spotted me and shock visibly rippled through his body. The sight was so sickening, but not for the reasons a sane person would have. It was because he was with her instead of me.
Paisley’s cobalt eyes were glazed and a sleepy smile twisted her lips as she tried to pull him back for more.
Jealousy suddenly boiled my blood so hot he could probably feel it. It chased away the coldness that had swept over me at the sight of her in his arms. I was now a raging ball of anger, thinking that should have been me in his arms. I was the one who knew his secret without being made to forget. It didn’t matter I couldn’t be made to forget. Electricity crackled between us, not him and Paisley.
Mac wiped his mouth clean with the back of his pale hand, guilt slipping into his expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could he say anyways?
“Rubiks?” An accusatory edge sharpened Paisley’s voice and her lips curled in contempt. “What’s she doing here?”
Mac gripped her shoulders, pulling her close as his gaze unnaturally brightened. “Nothing. Forget you saw her.”
A lazy smile melted the hostility in her expression. “Okay.”
It was that easy.
Mac stood and took a step toward me, but the look on my face had him freezing. I turned heel and strode out the double doors without a word, angry tears pooling in my eyes.
Sometimes I wish it was that easy to make me forget him.
Chapter 22
The next morning my anxiety level was at a new high and I still had a bad taste in my mouth from last night. The scene I witnessed between Mac and Paisley played through my mind on repeat. It made my chest hurt, eyes burn, and stomach curl. I might collapse on my bed and burst into tears at any moment.
The whole situation at Highland was stressing me out beyond my usual capacity. Let’s not forget the trouble it took to avoid Brant. Oh and the recent blood loss thanks to him.
I resisted the urge to touch those two now barely visible wounds on my neck. Vampire bites healed incredibly fast. How convenient for them. Suspicions would be perked if half the popular kids were walking around with similar wounds on their necks.
“Watch out,” Aspen hissed after I accidently elbowed her while pulling on my crimson uniform sweater. “I could have poked myself in the eye.” She tossed her auburn hair over her shoulder and continued applying mascara in front of our gilded mirror with a sour expression.
I bit my tongue to keep from spewing insults. I wasn’t in the mood to hear her annoying voice. And to make things worse a knock resonated on the door and Paisley sauntered in, flashing a mocking smile.
“Hey Paisley,” Aspen smirked, straitening her gray knit sock. “Come to walk me to class?”
Paisley perched on the edge of the desk, carelessly surveying the ends of her black hair. “Yeah. Whatever.”
My eyes avoided her neck, unable to stand the sight of those marks from him on her.
I lost track of their conversation, attempting to get dressed so I could high-tail it out of the room before someone else decided to stop by and walk Aspen to class—say like Brant. But I was having trouble finding all the pieces to my uniform. I ruffled through my drawer like a mad woman, searching for another gray sock.
“Damn it,” I hissed under my breath and crouched down to see if any had fallen on the floor when I put my laundry away.
“Oh Paisley,” Aspen began, her voice rising with excitement. “I heard Sutton’s been hanging out with Tristan.”
“The hot senior Tristan?” Paisley sounded less than pleased.
“Duh.”
A heavy pause followed and I finally found my other sock. Now if I could only find my other Mary Jane.
Paisley rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Sutton probably made that up in a pathetic attempt to make people forget Mac dumped her for me.”
“No. I saw them together.” The moment the words left my mouth I regretted it. I saw them at that party—the one I wasn’t supposed to remember and the one Aspen thinks she attended. Crap.
“When?” Paisley narrowed her cobalt eyes at me, her lip curling in disbelief.
“Uh,” I stalled, looking under my desk for my shoe. “I saw them walking around together the other night. That’s all.”
A smirk grew on Aspen’s perfectly symmetrical face. “I told you.”
“Whatever.” Paisley crossed her arms against her chest with a petulant expression. “Mac’s still way hotter.”
I peered under Aspen’s bed, thinking that was one topic we agree on.
“What are you looking for?” she huffed.
“My other shoe.”
“Did you think to check the closet?” She rolled her amber eyes, sarcasm thick in her voice.
I stomped to glossy wooden door inlaid with delicate carvings along the edges, silently cursing myself for not checking the stupid closet where shoes actually belonged. I wrenched it open and sure enough the Mary Jane sat right in front, hiding in plain sight.
A gasp resonated across the room and Paisley marched over, her face murderous as she yanked a green jacket off the hook on the door.
Oh shit.
“This is Mac’s!” She waved it around, her eyes darkening to the color of storm clouds.
The image of him giving me his warm jacket in the library and asking me to run away with him flashed through my mind, bringing a flush to my cheeks. I didn’t forget the jacket was there hanging like a treasured memento. I just wasn’t currently thinking. Stupid blood loss.
She brought it to her nose and sniffed. “It smells like his cologne!” Her lips thinned as she towered over me threateningly. “Why do you have Mac’s jacket Rubiks?”
The sound of my stupid name coming out of her mouth with such derision snapped me out of it. “It is not his.” I snatched it out of her hand and chunked it in the closet. “That’s just crazy.” I closed the door and strode back to my bed, my heart hammering. “It’s Jackson’s,” I lied.
Aspen suspiciously arched one perfectly sculpted auburn brow.
I jammed my foot in my shoe and buckled it with trembling fingers. I did not need this right now. My nerves were already frayed because I had to face Brant for the first time since he chomped on my neck. How was I supposed to pretend I didn’t remember his fangs tearing painfully into my flesh? And now thi
s.
Paisley screeched again as she reached for something soft and black on my bed.
Things just kept getting better. I woke up freezing last night and the first thing I found in my drawer was Mac’s black sweater he gave me the night of the party. Okay, maybe I grabbed it on purpose.
Of all the times she’s been in here she decided to pick today to notice his stuff.
“I know this is Mac’s,” she hissed, shaking the cashmere sweater in my face. “Here are his initials.” Her voice turned shrill on that last word as she pointed to the M. D. stitched on the inside collar.
Why did rich people find it necessary to stamp their names on things?
I opened my mouth to respond, but no logical explanation came out. I stared wide-eyed while her nostrils flared like a wild animal about to charge.
And then she did.
Paisley dropped the sweater and snatched me up, shaking me. “Why is my boyfriend’s stuff in your room Rubiks?” she demanded, her fingers digging into my flesh hard enough bruise.
I had a sudden flash of the thing chasing me in my nightmare with sharp claws and soulless eyes. And then I remembered Brant attacking me and those horrible moments when I was flailing blindly in the pool yesterday. I was terrified all over again, my heart racing and sweat beading across my forehead. It was hard to breathe and the room spun sickeningly.
A storm was raging in Paisley’s darkened gray eyes, angry lightning flashing. Her lips curled back, revealing clenched teeth, but thankfully no fangs. If Paisley was a vampire I’d be dead by now.
“Tell me!” Her piercing, anxiety-ridden voice leaked into my brain and I suddenly realized something.
This was Paisley the mean socialite, but the very ordinary, very human girl who played petty mental games for fun. She wasn’t a scary vampire who could tear my throat out. She was nothing but a stupid, jealous girl.
I snapped.
Hot anger hemorrhaged through my veins. I yanked away from her and shoved her into my dresser, shaking it violently. “Don’t ever touch me again.” My voice was low and held a sharp edge of danger, barely recognizable to my own ears.
