Devil's Deal (Infernal Contracts Book 1)

by Tessa Hastjarjanto

  She had never been there. Her mother promised she could go next summer if she had decent grades and saved enough money for the trip. Nora looked forward to it.

  During lunch, Nora sat alone. She had no interest in seeing Danny or Felicia after what she did that morning. Their friendship only went so far. It saddened her that the one she used to call best friend would think the worst when it concerned a guy. And was it really unthinkable that maybe one guy liked her? And that guy happened to be the best-looking guy in school? She had to admit that even for her imagination it went a little far.

  Nora thought back to the conversation they had a few nights ago, how Emily wished a hot guy transferred to their school. Well, they had two, and they ruined their friendship in less than a day.

  “What are you brooding about?” Michael’s voice sounded too close.

  “Whoa, you scared me.” Nora turned around and Michael’s face was inches away from hers.

  “Not my fault you were so lost in your own world that you didn’t hear the first three things I said.” Michael sat down next to her. “Are you okay? Why aren’t you with your friends?”

  “Felicia thinks I have the hots for the new kid.”

  “The blond guy? He’s so not your type. If she thinks you like him, she doesn’t know you at all.”

  “See? A real friend would know.”

  “That other guy, though. That’s your type.” Michael looked around to see if he could find Ben in the crowd.

  “What? No. Nuh-uh. Definitely not.” Nora shook her head.

  “Why not? There’s something about his face. It’s not symmetrical, but that flawed beauty is something you like.” He made some weird face to cheer her up.

  “Since when are you an expert in men?” Nora’s sarcastic side was rarely seen, unless she was upset.

  “Ever since I was born. Sorry, I’m teasing you.” Michael offered her the other half of his candy bar.

  “You’re forgiven,” she said as she ate the peace offering.

  “Why does Felicia think you like Danny?”

  “I have no idea. We have to do a report in art history and Danny picked me as his partner. She’s just jealous.” Nora sighed.

  “I’m sorry. I hope it passes once the assignment is done.”

  “I’ve asked Danny if I could do the report and he the presentation. That way we don’t have to work together as often. I hope he agrees. He’s not a bad person, but I’d rather not taunt Felicia. You know how she can be.”

  Michael’s face turned into a grimace. “It’s not something I’ll forget easily.”

  “How’s your new class?” Nora changed the subject, hoping it would cheer her up.

  “Not bad. It’s mostly the same people as last year. Jonathan and the others are in my class now, so it’s fun. Except none of the teachers want us to have fun.”

  Nora giggled. She knew that problem.

  “We have to create our own game in computer science. It’s pretty awesome.”

  “That’s great. You get to do something fun for your grades.”

  “So do you, right? Isn’t art history your thing? Your subject must be interesting if you’re willing to write the whole report yourself.”

  “You’re right. Sorry. It seems like your grass is so much greener than mine.”

  “We both have green grass, and we have each other. I’m your friend, we can always hang out if you don’t want to be with your other friends. I promise the guys won’t be weird. Okay?”

  Nora was grateful to have a friend like Michael. “Thanks. I hope things will get better soon though.”

  After lunch was Spanish. Nora shared the class with Josy. They walked to the classroom after gathering the books from their lockers.

  “Hey. Felicia told me you’re making a move on Danny?”

  Nora looked at her in disbelief. “Do you really believe that?”

  “No, that’s just what she said.” Josy kept her face straight. She knew Felicia better than anyone, and that she didn’t always speak the truth. She wanted to hear Nora’s side.

  Nora explained what happened earlier. Josy only listened as she told the story. She was glad that it was Josy with her, and not Emily. At least Josy could see things from multiple angles, not just Felicia’s.

  “It’s like she’s projecting her anger on you,” Josy concluded.

  “But why? I’m her friend. We’re best friends, why doesn’t she believe me?” Nora couldn’t believe Felicia would turn against her over the flavour of the month.

  “I don’t know. I’ll talk to her.” She put a hand on Nora’s shoulder.

  “Thanks. You’re the best.” Nora smiled at Josy as they entered the class.

  Things didn’t get better. Even after Josy had talked to Felicia. She ended up screaming that Nora didn’t respect her or their friendship. Emily took Felicia’s side, which wasn’t unexpected, while Josy tried her best to remain impartial.

  Nora felt isolated. Felicia kept making snark remarks towards her. Josy often said something about it, but Felicia never stopped. Her days at school felt more and more like punishment. The company of her friends made her uncomfortable. She stopped having lunch with them, preferring to read during lunch hour with headphones on in isolation.

  ***

  Being alone felt better than the constant discomfort she felt when she was around her friends. It wasn’t long until she avoided all of them, even in classes.

  It only took a few weeks until she was used to her new routine of avoiding everyone, when Michael stopped her on her way home.

  “Nora, wait.”

  She stepped off her bike. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “I should be the one asking you. Josy told me she hadn’t heard from you for a few weeks.”

  “Yeah, well, not my fault they kicked me out of the group chat.”

  “It’s not just that. It says you haven’t been online in seventeen days. Nora, talk to me.”

  Nora shrugged. “Wanna come with me?”

  Michael nodded and ran to get his bicycle.

  The ride home was quiet, with neither of them talking. Nora noticed the glances in her direction but ignored them.

  She opened the gate to the backyard and parked her bike in the shed. Michael parked his on the grass before heading to the large swing. It was large enough for two people, but only moved a little. The hinges were rusty and it creaked just from sitting on it. Michael and Nora often sat there talking and her parents gave them privacy as long as they were in sight.

  “I knew you were fighting with your friends, but there’s more going on than you’re telling me. Why else would you delete the app?” Michael was always straight with her.

  She owed it to him to do the same.

  “We’ve been friends, good friends, for three years and she was so nice the evening before school. I just can’t believe she changed overnight. What if she hated me all along? Or worse. What if she pitied me?” Her heart felt heavy. She choked up and tears filled her eyes. “What if they were never my friends?”

  “I don’t believe that. I know for sure Josy still wants to be your friend. You shouldn’t ignore her. She’s been feeling lonely as well. You’re not the only one who noticed a change in Felicia’s behaviour. Josy doesn’t recognise her friend either.” Michael put his hand on hers.

  “You’re not alone. I’m here for you too. Always. If you want to hang out more, I’ll ditch my friends more often.” He tried to meet her gaze. “I mean it. If I knew how bad it was, I would’ve looked for you sooner.”

  “I know. I didn’t want to worry you. Or my parents. They don’t know about this.” Nora had the habit of withdrawing when she felt bad. She never noticed she did until after she built a wall around her heart. She’d block everyone out, even her parents. The wall kept her from being hurt by others, but she also kept other emotions outside. Reading became her primary escape.

  “I won’t say anything, promise. But only if you promise me something.”

  Nora rubbed the t
ears away. She didn’t want to cry. “What’s that?”

  “You’ll message me every day.”

  “About what?”

  “Whatever. Even if it’s just to say hi, or something else if you want to hang out.”

  “Okay.” Nora nodded, not sure why he would ask that.

  “And text Josy you don’t hate her.”

  Nora looked up at Michael.

  “She misses you and Felicia drives her nuts. I think she’d rather be on your side than hers.”

  “Fine. I’ll text her tonight. Will you join us for dinner? I’m sure my mom has already put down a plate for you.” Michael’s presence had cheered her up. She wanted to be a better friend again.

  Michael grabbed his bag and headed for the back door. “You know that’s part of the reason I came.” He winked at her as he opened the door and greeted Nora’s mother.

  Later that evening, the conversation with Michael was still on repeat. Nora held her phone in her hand. The screen showed Josy’s number. Calling was better than texting. If she was worried as Michael had said, she’d appreciate it. She pressed the call button, but it went straight to voice mail. That was strange. Nora tried again. It rang a few times before it went to voice mail again.

  Josy normally wouldn’t ignore a call. Nora sent a text to ask if she was okay. Two hours later there was still no answer. What if Josy was mad at her for ignoring her messages? No, that would be something Felicia would do. Out of the four, Josy was the most mature. She wouldn’t do this to a friend.

  Nora realised she’d been a terrible friend to Josy. Even if she didn’t care for Felicia at the moment, it was no reason to abandon Josy. Emily crossed her mind, but she had sided with Felicia without hearing her side of the story. She had to make it up to Josy.

  Losing one friend didn’t mean she couldn’t have anyone in her life. She had texted Michael saying she’ll do better in the future and thanked him for the talk. Her phone vibrated before she could put it down. Michael sent her a smiling face and a thumbs up back. He was probably playing a game and was unable to type something more elaborate, but still wanted to let her know he was thinking of her.

  Another thing still bothered her. The other reason she built the wall—Ben.

  He had left her alone, as she asked. The nightmares became less frequent. Maybe now would be a good time to get to know him, without judgment. Nora wanted to tear down the wall she built over the course of a month, and she needed social interaction to do that, she had to open up again. It was time she explained to Ben why she freaked out as much as she did. Most men didn’t understand how bad it is for a woman to be attacked, or even just knowing it’s a possibility. Ben grabbing her bag felt like an attack, even if he didn’t mean to. He didn’t know that women, alone and in groups, were targeted the whole summer. Her parents hadn’t allowed her to go out at night. That was one of the reasons she hadn’t seen Emily or Josy all summer.

  Women were beaten up, sexually assaulted and robbed. Even when they were in groups. That fear was real and all of her female friends and classmates experienced it.

  Nora went home alone that night because of her stubbornness, thinking she was old enough to go alone. She even promised to go home earlier than they had agreed on at the beginning of the summer, before the attacks happened. If she had taken another route home, maybe nothing would’ve happened. Or maybe that would have made her an easier target with alleys and bushes close to the cycling path. She was naive.

  She learned from her mistake and no longer stayed out late. She had no reason to either, but maybe that would change with her friends back. Nora wanted to go to the movies with Michael again. Michael could bring her home or her dad could pick them up. He never minded playing taxi because he knew for certain his little girl would be safe. There was a time when Nora thought it was overprotective, on the border of obsessive. The older she got, the more she began to understand him.

  Chapter 8

  Ben left the classroom the moment the bell rang. Nora chased him down the hallway.

  “Ben!” Several people turned around and looked at Nora, except for the person she called out to.

  She cursed her short legs. “Ben, wait up. I want to talk to you,” she said, nearly tripping.

  He opened the heavy door to the staircases which gave Nora enough time to catch up.

  “Come with me. I know a quiet spot,” Nora said as Ben wanted to go down the stairs, and pointed up.

  He thought for a moment, until other students came and made their way down. Going up was much more attractive now. He still hadn’t said anything or even looked at Nora.

  Nora waited at the top of the stairs before she disappeared into an empty study area.

  “Here we can talk without being disturbed.”

  “Won’t the teacher find out?” Ben sat down a few seats away from Nora.

  She took out her lunch and started eating. “They have never caught me.”

  “So, what is it you want to say?” Ben bit into an apple, the juices slowly dripping down his hand.

  Nora passed him a tissue she found in her bag which he accepted in silence.

  She swallowed the bite of her sandwich. The food settled the nerves in her stomach a little. “I want to explain what happened. From my point of view.”

  “I know what happened.” He looked at the wall beside Nora. She wasn’t sure if he avoided eye contact, or if he genuinely didn’t care that she wanted to explain.

  “No, you don’t. You know which actions took place but you do not understand what the consequences were. There’s much more to it than you accidentally grabbing my bag and chasing me to return my wallet.”

  His eyes grew wide. If he didn’t have a piece of apple in his mouth, his jaw would’ve dropped.

  “Look, I know you’re not from around here so I don’t blame you for your ignorance, but there have been about a dozen women who were attacked, assaulted, and robbed on that path. I was afraid that was happening to me.” Nora sat on her hands to keep them from trembling.

  Ben finished his bite before he spoke. “You were afraid I was going to do something to you?”

  All she could do was nod. The hardest part of the conversation was over—starting.

  “And me chasing you must’ve given you more reason to believe that.” Ben didn’t know what else to do or say. It wasn’t a question. He had realised what kind of effect his actions had.

  Nora silently ate her second sandwich.

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea you were that scared.” Ben’s expression defrosted.

  “Scared? I was terrified. I had nightmares for weeks about men chasing me, hurting me. Seeing you the next day didn’t help. But it’s not your fault. I want you to know that. You deserve to know why I acted the way I did. Maybe getting to know you will help me fight my fears as well. Knowing you’re not a bad guy.” The flood of words came out with little control.

  “How do you know I’m not one of them?” A grin appeared on his face.

  “You returned my wallet with all my cash inside. If you had planned to rob me, you’d have taken all of it or you could have demanded a finder’s reward.”

  “Is that a thing? Can I still do that?” He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

  “No.” Her blood pressure rose. Her chest felt warm, and she wanted to throw a book at his face.

  “Nevermind. You are a bad guy.”

  “Ah, come on. That was an innocent joke.”

  Nora remained silent.

  “Nora, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to go through that. I didn’t mean for it to happen, not to hurt you, or to give you nightmares. I’m sorry about what happened to those women. I can’t change what happened, but will you believe me if I say I won’t do it again?”

  Nora shrugged. “I hardly know you, but thank you. That’s all I can ask for I guess.”

  “I promise to be more aware of my surroundings.” Ben got to his feet and threw away the apple and tissue. “I still have to get my books for the nex
t classes. But I want to ask, is it okay if I come here during lunch breaks? I don’t want to steal your hiding spot.”

  “As long as you promise to stay quiet and don’t mind me ignoring you occasionally. I like to read.” She didn’t have a choice. It was a public space. He only asked out of kindness, not because he needed permission from her.

  “I won’t bother you, but it’s been hard to find a quiet place around here. I never thought school would be this crowded. I’m longing for a break from the noise.” Ben didn’t look at her before he left.

  Rude, thought Nora. It went better than she expected, but she wouldn’t consider him a friend yet. He still annoyed her and she wasn’t sure if it was because of that night or his strange attitude. She hadn’t seen him being friendly with anyone. Not even Danny. Was he hiding something? Had she given up her precious space to a weirdo?

  Spanish was next. Nora expected to see Josy, but she didn’t show up for class. She had texted her friend to ask her if she was alright. She wished she could ask Felicia, but that might make things worse for Josy.

  Nora kept her promise to text Michael, but now she needed his help. Michael had to find out what happened to Josy without Felicia knowing anything. ‘No problem’, he had texted back.

  Ben came there every break for the rest of the week. As promised, he stayed quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. Nora listened to her music, and either read or did homework as the tests were getting closer.

  He just sat there with headphones on, against the wall opposite of her, eyes closed, until the bell rang. The only thing she ever saw him eating were apples.

  Nora sneaked a peak occasionally, just to see if he wasn’t staring at her. He never did.

  Instead of ignoring everyone, she now worried about two people. What was Ben hiding? He had to hide something. His behaviour was unlike other people around her. Even for a teenage boy it was weird. Why did he come to school if all he wanted was to be alone? Couldn’t he have continued with home school?