I bit the inside of my cheek, attempting to hide my laughter. "So, does Garrett know you're going out of town this weekend?" I knew any talk about Garrett would definitely break the ice.
Keri squealed like a mouse. Her expression morphed, shifting to excitement within seconds. "Oh, yeah. I told him we were going shopping when I get back, but afterward I'll call him. I hope he doesn't change his mind while I'm gone."
"No playing hard to get, huh? And here I thought I taught you better than that," Crystal teased, flipping her white blond hair over her shoulder.
"I think I've played hard to get long enough," Keri said smugly, taking a sip of water.
"Hey, I have a paper to write for English this weekend, so why don't we see the seven o'clock movie?" I really wanted to impress the drill sergeant, Mrs. Wilson, and couldn't wait to start writing.
Crystal rolled her eyes. "You study too damn much, Trin. You could write the perfect English paper in your sleep." Crystal never had to study like the rest of us; being a genius, and partially the reason she always got out of the trouble she caused.
"Yeah, well, it's a college English class, so I have to push myself a little harder, unlike you."
"Whatever. I'll head over to your place around six. We can go in my car; it's way cooler than 'the ducky,'" Crystal said, openly dissing my car.
"Don't knock the Bug. I love my car." I always defended my car with her.
"Anyway, my '67 Mustang is so much faster. Besides, you know you're going be late as usual, so I assume we'll need a car that can move above threatening speeds."
I laughed before swallowing down the rest of my bologna sandwich with my water.
"Hey, let's get out of here and head to class before we're late. I'll see y'all when I get back Sunday. Have fun at the movies, you two." Keri waved as we went our separate ways.
The rest of the afternoon moved quickly. Before I knew it, I walked out of my Astronomy class and headed to the student parking lot. On my way to work, I made a detour to visit my dad. A perk of being a senior with enough credits is being allowed to join the work study program and leave school an hour early. I chose to work at the local pet store. Being around animals made me feel like a normal person. I couldn't sense any of their feelings.
As soon as I walked in my dad's law firm, Mrs. Grace, his secretary, greeted me with a pleasant smile and nod. She reminded me of a librarian; with her glasses hung from a gold chain around her wrinkled neck and her gray hair always pulled back in a tight bun on top of her head.
Reaching my dad's door, I noticed the usual empty office next to his was now fully furnished. Dad walked out before I could guess who it belonged to. His eyebrows shot up at my unannounced visit.
"Hi, kiddo. What brings you by?" He smiled, greeting me in a massive bear hug.
"Just wanted to drop by and say hi before heading to the store. Ms. Polly mentioned she might be a little late today."
"Oh, good. I want you to meet our new junior associate to the firm. She and her brother just moved into the River's old place down the street. She mentioned her brother will be starting high school once they settle in."
"I wondered if anyone would buy it. The outside is in serious need of a good paint job. Is that office next to yours hers?"
"Yep, sure is," my dad confirmed, knocking on the office door before entering.
As I walked in, the scent of fresh flowers filled the office. Amazed by the exotic flower arrangements around the room, the smell alone made me think of clear blue waters and coconut trees.
My dad cleared his throat and introduced me. "Ms. Heros, this is my daughter, Trinity."
She greeted me with an amazingly beautiful smile and then moved away from her desk. "It's very nice to meet you. You're just as beautiful as your dad said you were."
My cheeks heated. I mean, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She had a thin frame. Her auburn hair hung gracefully below her shoulders. With her aqua blue eyes and perfect smile, she could've been a model.
"I can't believe you're a lawyer," I blurted. She also looked way too young to be a lawyer. On the verge of apologizing for my outburst, her perfect round face beamed, thanking me for the compliment. "I hear you and your brother bought the River's old house. Do your parents live there, too?"
Sorrow filled her blue eyes. "Our parents died tragically a few years ago. Blain and I are the only family we have left."
"I'm so sorry." I apologized out loud this time. Hoping to redeem myself I asked, "My dad said he'll be going to school here?"
Before answering my question her eyes turned thoughtful. "Yes, he's a senior like you. He'll enroll Monday."
My dad politely took over the conversation. "Trinity, you should hit the road, no need to worry Ms. Polly. I'll see you at home in a bit."
"Uh, right. It was so nice to meet you, Ms. Heros." I'd nearly forgotten about the pet store.
"Oh, please call me Melia." She gave me a sweet, alluring smile.
"Like the daughter of Oceanus from Greek mythology," my voice squeaked in surprise.
My dad laughed and he briefly explained my fascination with Greek mythology. Melia's smile reflected a sparkle of interest in her eyes. "You know my mom did, too, which is how I was named. Again it was nice meeting you, Trinity. I hope to see you again soon."
Melia shifted her weight, and my stomach clenched in a ball of unease, sending an automatic shiver down my spine. When her subtle movement ceased, the dark feelings faded just as quickly. Melia watched me curiously and as I left, I hoped she hadn't picked up my sudden uneasiness toward her.
Not wanting to give in to the paranoia caused by my freakish ability, I dismissed the whole thing right away.
Driving to work, I secretly cursed the sluggish speed of my classic Volkswagen. I loved my car, but with as late as I usually was, its lack of speed presented a problem.
Heaving myself through the back door of the pet store, I tossed my bag on the table. Every Friday I cleaned the animal cages. I headed toward the back room until Ms. Polly waved me over. I walked next to the counter and waited as she finished her sale.
"Trinity, I have a few more errands to run in town. Do you mind watching the place until I get back?" Her request surprised me. She never left me alone.
"I'd love to."
"You don't have to clean the cages, by the way. I cleaned them this morning. See you in about an hour."
The cat clock hanging on the wall ticked loudly in the stillness after she left. With no customers to wait on, I figured I could use the free time to study. I ran to the back, but when I pulled the assigned book list out of my bag the front door dinged, and I hurried back out.
Instead of a customer, Crystal had walked in, talking fast. "Oh, my freaking goodness. On my way home, I dropped Keri off at her house, and I saw some gorgeous guy moving into the River's place." Crystal's face beamed at the prospect of guy candy.
"Really? Must have been Blain, Melia's little brother," I informed her.
"Little? Um, not so much," she confessed, wagging her eyebrows at me. "And who is Melia?"
"I stopped to see my dad before coming here. He introduced me to the new lawyer, Melia. She mentioned she and her brother were moving into the old place." I moved behind the counter and sat on the hard wooden stool, already exhausted by her mood.
"Did she say anything else?" Crystal pressed, leaning over the counter between us.
"Not really, just said their parents died a few years ago, and now it's just the two of them. Oh, and he's a senior like us. He should be starting school on Monday."
"You have got to be freaking kidding," Crystal annunciated each word. "We needed some new eye candy around." Crystal pondered the new guy, and then changed the subject. "So, how long do you have to stay here?"
"Ms. Polly had some errands in town. She said she'd be an hour or so." I shrugged my shoulders.
"Oh, well um, Dex mentioned a party tonight at his house. Want to go with?"
"No, you know I don't like
him. He's so not good for you." I exhaled sharply. I knew she would ask me about the party.
"Ha! Bad and me go hand in hand. You should know that by now." Crystal grinned devilishly.
"Yeah, I know." Some things never changed. "Just promise you'll be careful and call me on my cell when you get home."
"Yes, Mother. You know you should get out more. Stop being so damn afraid to let people in. Maybe meet a hot guy like the one who moved in down the street from you. Live a little, wear something other than your old crappy-ass T-shirts and jeans or–even crazier–wear some make-up. You have gorgeous golden eyes. Use what you got is my motto."
"Gosh, don't hold anything back, and did you just insinuate I need make-up to get a guy to notice me?"
She snorted loudly through her nose. "Yeah, you're a hag from hell. That's why every guy within a ten mile radius gawks when you walk by." She tilted her head to the side, intently looking at me. "I guess I should be grateful. I mean, if you did leave that shell of yours, I might not get as much action as I do."
"Now that is ridiculous."
"Okay, whatever. Stay in denial. One day I swear you should try on some self-confidence. You could so kick Courtney out of her 'I'm the most beautiful, perfect person on the planet' state of delusion she lives in."
"I think you do a great job all by yourself. Now get out of here." I shooed her with a wave.
"Suit yourself. See ya." She walked out the door shaking her head.
Crystal's words unlocked something inside me, a longing I've never felt. Someone who accepted me and understood me. Even surrounded by other's emotions, I felt alone…distant. Besides, why would anyone want to be with a person who felt the tug of darkness? I never understood the reason behind my unsettling dark feelings–my faceless evil–I just did. In the end, I knew I'd always be alone.
∞ ∞ ∞
When Ms. Polly came back, I helped tidy up the store until closing. I was almost ready to turn the open sign to closed when someone walked in.
"Sorry, but we're closing up for the night," I said before I realized who it was. Trevor Childers, a somewhat cute preppy guy with dark hair and amazing brown eyes. He and Garrett were friends, but he also associated with Courtney and the rest of her gang. Trevor gave me a shy half smile that, if I were being honest with myself, was really adorable. But since I refused to be honest, I didn't admit it.
"I was hoping I could grab a bag of dog food." He walked closer and leaned against the counter separating us. His dark hair fell over his forehead close to his eyes, and he smiled confidently. Immediately I moved back, wanting more space between us. Again refusing to think about his charm.
"Like I said, we're just about to close." I folded my arms over my chest, hoping he'd get the hint. Instead, his smile broadened.
"Well, 'just about closed' isn't actually closed," he clarified. Then to further my irritation, Ms. Polly confirmed he was right and allowed him to grab a bag of dog food from the shelf I'd just straightened.
"That'll be twenty-seven fifty." I gave him a hard smile. He threw two bills down, lifted the heavy bag over his shoulder with ease, and walked toward the door.
"Hey, I owe you like..." I looked down at the two bills he'd given me. "About ten dollars."
He shrugged his free shoulder as he walked out the door. "Keep it." As soon as it closed, I stomped over to the door, making sure to lock it before he or anyone else decided to barge in and demand to buy something else.
"Well, that was nice of him," Ms. Polly said, coming to stand behind me.
"Yeah." I added the extra money to the animal rescue fund and then headed home.
With the season change, the sun already dipped into the horizon leaving me no time for an evening jog.
At home, I found my parents in the kitchen discussing their day and making dinner. "Hi, honey. I made your favorite," my mom said.
"Oh, great. You got take out," I teased. My dad sputtered his wine over the tiled floor.
"Very funny. Set the table. I figured lasagna would be good tonight."
We took our seats at the table. Mom asked about my day, and I told her about Keri's good news, my earlier troubles forgotten.
My dad interrupted. "How is her dad?"
"Good I guess?" Unable to control my excitement, I continued. "Crystal and I are going to the ball, too."
"Wow, how were you able to talk Crystal into that one?" Mom looked surprised. She knew how much Crystal hated dressing up and attending school functions.
"I didn't. Keri did. Although, I think Crystal secretly wanted to go because it didn't take much to convince her. Keri even talked her into going to prom."
Dad's interest peaked. "Wow, she managed to persuade Crystal into going to two dances in one day. Do you think Keri's interested in law?"
"Dad, lay off my friends, okay?"
"Just asking," he replied, raising his hands.
"Sunday we're going to try the new boutique in the mall. I heard the owner designs her own stuff." My excitement of finding a dress for the ball trumped my usual regard of shopping, which I hated.
"I went in there the other day. It has possibilities." Mom smiled and sipped some of her favorite red wine.
After dinner, I helped load the dishwasher before heading up to my room to grab an extra thick sleeping bag. Next week would be the beginning of October and already the nights held a bitter chill in the air.
Placing the sleeping bag under the large oak tree, I carefully set up my telescope. Each star shone brightly under the clear night sky.
Even as a kid, I felt a connection to the mystical family tree that sparkled and shined above our heads. Their light and the fabled histories behind them made the world a little less unstable. I could always depend on them to be there. Even when hidden above a mass of clouds, they always waited for me to come home.
Looking through my high-powered lens, I found Orion and then took my time moving one by one to others. Before I knew it, my eyes became as heavy as bricks.
My head relaxed against the thick comfort of my sleeping bag. I promised myself I'd only close my eyes for a minute before heading inside.
My eyes blinked open to the night air, warm and welcoming as it skirted around me. I pulled myself off the ground. Through my foggy mind, I found it difficult to get my bearings. A distant memory pressed to the front of my mind, but I couldn't quite grasp it yet.
As I walked further, I began to hear the sound of crashing waves. The ocean's tide splashed over my bare feet, kneading grains of sand between my toes. A radiant white light stretched across my skin, keeping the darkness within at bay.
Out of nowhere, a Siamese cat meowed its hello beside my feet. As I bent down to caress her head, a sense of peace encompassed me.
Contently I watched as the cat leisurely wove in and out of my legs. Suddenly she stiffened. With a savage hiss, the fur on the cat's back rose. My stomach dropped in alarm.
The fog cleared as details clicked into place. I'd been sucked into the same dream of terror. Apprehensively, I twisted around and discovered the same tall man. He stood camouflaged by the shadows of a tree, but I could make out the familiar glow of his green eyes.
My pulse raced frantically as the darkness within grabbed ahold, jerking me hard. My breath caught in my throat as I searched for the light to balance death's dark grip.
The remaining glow around me dissipated as fear strangled what little comfort I had left.
Overhead, lightning streaked through the sky, and fierce winds whipped around me. The ocean's tides became a torrent of crashing waves, sending goose bumps rolling down my body as I fought the desire to join the man. The desire was a new unwelcome development to my hell from when I was a kid.
The whisper of my name from the man's lips carried the sweet seduction of dark promises. Spikes of pain stabbed in my gut as I forced my body to remain standing. But my resolve broke; my legs gave, and I crashed hard into the ground, facing the man in the shadows.
Helplessly I panted on my side;
broken and desolate. The menacing man raised his hands high above his head and launched a glowing red ball of fiery light in my direction. As it raced toward me, I screamed.
∞ ∞ ∞
I woke abruptly to my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Regrettably, I noticed all the lights were off in my house. Adrenaline surging through my veins, I leaped out of the sleeping bag, grabbed my telescope, and ran inside.
I stepped inside the shelter of the kitchen, and as I turned to lock the door, just behind the oak tree, a faint green glow materialized. My heart sprinted faster, and my palms became clammy with sweat. I squeezed my eyes shut. Taking a few deep, calming breaths, I slowly opened them again. Finding the green glow gone, I released a shaky breath.
I bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and locked my door to my bedroom before I crawled into bed. My temples throbbed from the chaotic speed of my pulse. My stomach ached numbly. For one crazy second I wondered if somehow I'd been sucked into another dimension where my dreams had become a sick reality.
I lay in bed unable to close my eyes, watching the shadows of branches create ghostly movements along my walls. God, why does this crap keep happening to me? My vision blurred, and before I knew it, my pillow became soaked with tears. Eventually exhaustion kicked in and I succumbed, allowing my eyes to gently close.
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Born and currently residing in Midland, Texas, Angela shuffles three busy children (not including her husband) all over the place. She works in a busy pediatric doctor's office as a nurse during the day, and writes at night. She is addicted to coffee–who isn't? And firmly believes chocolate can fix all–especially chocolate ice cream. She laughs a lot, often at herself and is willing to try anything once (she thinks). When Angela isn't rushing kids around, working or writing, she's reading. Other than life experience, Angela turns to a wide variety of music to help spark her creative juices. She loves to dance and sing, though her kids often beg her not to.
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