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Chapter 5

Oh, the weekend never compared to that day! Not when I went to the mall on Saturday; or when I researched at the library or rented a whole stack of books. Not even when Mom and I had a whole girls' day out on Sunday. The weekend seemed mundane after Friday night. I was lost in a dreamland for most of it.

Somehow, I figured things would never be the same between Riley and me. The feeling had been pleasing, yet plaguing me simultaneously. And that feeling returned as I hung up the phone. Flopping back-down on my bed, I sighed heavily --- just like I had that night. I fingered the phone in my room, a smile playing on my lips. I had just talked to Riley again. Heaving a sigh once more, I put my hands behind my head.

Riley was going to be gone for the last half of this week but only actually at school one day. I'd have to wait until Wednesday to see him another time. I fiddled with the small leather band around my wrist. It was almost like it was tying me to him.

Groaning, I rolled onto my side. Most likely, there were going to be rumors spreading quickly to challenge me tomorrow. And I'd have to brave them --- alone. I fingered the phone yet again, debating whether to call Riley to tell him to come to school tomorrow instead of Wednesday.

But, no, that wouldn't be fair. I'd confront them --- and have no problem doing so. I set the phone in its proper place then ran downstairs into the living room. After fixing myself some popcorn --- which was probably the only thing I could often successfully not burn or disintegrate --- for lunch, I checked in my mom's bedroom only to find her fast asleep. Must've been a long night. I concluded as I settled on a movie. Proceeding the next few minutes of the dichotomy of good and evil interlaced with bouts of drama, I heard the phone ring. Glancing at it begrudgingly, I decided I'd just let the answering machine get it before resuming my task of stuffing my face with popcorn and laughing heartily at B-rated acting.

It wasn't until I heard that voice that I started panicking.

The message's opening beep was like an admonition, a foreboding signal that almost screamed for me to shut it off now. I glanced, this time casually, at the machine before my eyes stayed glued there. Before I heard him . . .

"I'm sorry, Rosette. I couldn't stand it anymore. I searched up your number to get a hold of you somehow. So, please listen to what I have to say. I know you're home, dear. Don't try to fool me." I wrenched myself from my frozen position to pull all the curtains down over the windows fiercely and swiftly. My head was still turned toward the voice --- that voice --- that haunted me as I pulled down the last one. He chuckled. "I should have known. Paranoid much, Rosette?" Another chuckle boomed in over the line, confirming my theory that he was standing outside. This time, my eyes never left the source of it as I sat down stiffly on the couch. "I can't explain it all to you, but I certainly desire to."

"Bull!" I screamed, hoping he could hear it.

"I would love to tell you the truth, but that's also forbidden. C'mon, you're a smart girl. I know you can figure it out." The sweetness of his voice was having the opposite affect of its purpose, I'm sure, as I clawed at one of the couch pillows, wielding it to throw at the phone the first chance I got. "But I needed to talk to you, needed to see you. But I'm guessing neither is going to happen. I ---" This time I threw the pillow, full-force, at the phone. This knocked it off the hook and it lay, listening, on the floor ten feet away. "Ros---" he began to ask, still on the answering machine, before I cut him off.

"I want nothing to do with you!" I screamed with a passion at the phone, clutching desperately at the couch. My short fingernails were digging into the fabric. I could feel one of the seams ripping under my vice-like grip.

"I know it's hard for you, but---"

After running to the pillow I had thrown, I began beating the phone senseless until I heard that tell-tale click. I glared at the curtained window before dashing to it. "Just tell me." I sobbed hysterically.

"I . . . can't," I heard Everett choke from the other side.

That was enough. I threw my jacket on resolutely and flung the door open. Marching outside, I whipped my head around for any sign of him. "Everett!" I yelled angrily, swiping the cascading tears from my face. "I know you're out here!"

Before I could even count to five, the door shut noisily behind me and a familiar hand was clasped around my wrist. I whipped around, ready to slap him, when he caught my other wrist. His grip was strong and unyielding, but at the same time gentle and benign. Just as quickly and powerfully as he had locked his hand around my wrist, his eyes locked with mine, his intensity unwavering.

I tried to avoid his piercing gaze into my now-dry eyes, but my struggle was futile. "I know you're scared. I know it confuses you. I know you want the truth." His left hand moved from my wrist to intertwine with mine. "But, it's . . . complicated." He scoffed. "That's quite an understatement, but it's the best way I can put it." His eyes searched my face, barely leaving mine each time. "Did you never see? You never noticed I was a bit . . . unusual? It never struck you how diverse we were?" Those same lava-like eyes with the flecks of black glossed over mine again and settled there deeply. "Look at my eyes." As if I have any other choice! "Did you not discern an unusual quality about them? Or was I dazzling you too much for the discovery to be made?" The pools of fiery liquid that were Everett Caine's eyes had always magnetized me yet eluded me all together. But now, as I stared severely into them, I noticed that diversity, that unusual quality, the discovery that had been evading me this whole time.

Titian. Bronze. Ochre.

That was surely not a common eye color. Especially with flecks of black. Not to mention the tinge of black around their smoldering edges.

"I never did." I finally answered, my voice cracking. Our minimal distance was driving me insane. I wanted him to let go of me. I wanted him to leave! Never come back! I wanted to scream. But the mesmerized side of me kept pulling me back down to thinking I was jumping to conclusions. It was only logical! Who else would be the creature stalking me?!

His laugh abruptly ended my thoughts. "Rosette." As soon as his hand unleashed me to stroke my face, I promptly back-handed him across the cheek.

I was surprised at the cold surface I made contact with.

He shoved me backwards, sending me flying, that same black blanketing his eyes like it had when he ran away. His hands drooped at his side, the fists clenching and unclenching in the same way. But instead of a contortion of pain, a smirk wiped across his face.

In the blink of an eye, he was racing towards me. I scrambled up from where he had literally thrown me at the edge of the forest and started to back away, whispering "No!" over and over again, as if it was that same day once more. In another step he would be there, which signaled my life would soon be over.

Right before colliding with me, he came to a standstill. The shock of having him right there in front of me was too much and I began to tumble backwards. Two cold, marble arms caught me a second before I hit the ground.

His face was less than an inch from mine. His eyes were still black, wholly black. They were as deep and deadly as ever, as sinister as a demon, and as bleak as twilight. I was sure I was going to die now as he elevated me to stand straight, no more than millimeters from him. His gaze was just as intense as before.

To die by a friend, an ally, an angel, would be a terrible fate.

He lifted his hand to my face. "Rosette." The black leaving his eyes as quickly as it had flared up, he shook his head as if he was trying to ward off a bad dream. "Rosette," he repeated, finally stroking my face. "I-I'm so sorry. I lost control. Please, please forgive me." His tone was desperate, his hand cupping my cheek, and his eyes searching mine for the pardon he was seeking. Although, none of the caresses revealed a passion behind them. They were shallow.

I was scared stiff, frozen in fear. I couldn't answer. I could barely even move my mouth. But I did manage to mouth the word "Yes." to him. I felt something across my cheek and thought he was caressing me again -- those cold, meaningless caresses -- until he wiped it off with his forefinger. Then, I could feel the dampness of my tears.

I hadn't known I was crying, but suddenly I let it all out, sobbing into his rigid shoulder as he clasped me closer to him.

I didn't care he was my attacker. I didn't care he was the cause of this. I didn't care he could be my murderer any second. All that mattered was that his shoulder was there and that his arms were around me, embracing me like he would never let go.

"I'm so sorry," he repeated, whispering into my ear. After I had calmed down quite a bit, he held me away, arms-length from him. "Now you see why we can't be near one another. It-It's too . . . difficult." His eyes searched mine once more. Now, they were a smoldering titian with no black to be seen --- not even weakly. "But, I still have the feeling I need to protect you."

I shrugged fiercely away from him, reality overwhelming my emotions like a slap in the face. Idiot! What were you thinking?! "Protect me from what?" I shoved past him, sparing no look back as I headed for the door. "Yourself?" I called back as I trailed the gravel path, rage and terror both blazing yet again.

I suddenly heard a secondary set of footsteps and knew he was right beside me. But I didn't dare look up. I didn't dare let him see the fear.

"I lost control just this one time, Rosette. I need to protect you! There are more dangerous things than me out here!" He was yelling to get my attention, to get me to look at him, but I wouldn't dare meet his eyes.

I was almost to the door. I just had to slip in quickly before he could as well. It was so close. I was nearly there. As my hand grasped the doorknob, an additional hand clasped over mine. I finally looked up and met those eyes, rage and terror still clear within mine. I slowly removed my hand and slapped his away before dashing through the door I had just opened.

I should have known he'd be there too.

He pinned me against the closed door inside my house, both hands placed on the door next to either side of my head, as he stared down at me. "I'll be here. Whether you want me to be or not." And, with that, he was gone.

I slowed my breathing as I trudged to my mom's bedroom to check on her. She was still sacked out, sprawled out over her bed. I softly chuckled, also releasing all the tension that had racked me in the past few moments. "A really long night." I uttered, shuffling away. I hastily ascended the stairs. I needed my room. I needed solitude --- a solitude that was mine.

There, on the bed, I found a note sitting, folded to stand upright.

I'm watching out for you.
Everett Caine

The van pulled away hastily, almost in fear, as if it wanted to get as far away as possible --- just like me. This left me helpless and alone on the foreboding grounds of Spring Hills High. The flag flapped ominously behind me, seemingly laughing at my cruel fate. I glared at it crossly before charging up the steps.

Here goes nothing . . .

Gradually, I opened the double doors that led me to my demise. Before me, teenagers bounded across the halls, slammed lockers, held entertaining conversations, and killed time by hounding others. I took a deep breath prior to taking my first step into the school. Shifting my backpack to a more comfortable position, I marched forward.

Okay . . . No staring. No whispering. That's good.

Everything seemed to be going okay. And the nervousness I felt today was almost enough to push Everett from my mind. Almost.

Mentally gulping, I trudged over to my locker. No one was really in that area. That was lovely too. I was so not good with attention, especially lots of it. As I dialed the combination and opened my locker, I targeted Mitchell out of the corner of my eye.

The minute he moved closer, I'd make an escape. If he did come over, that is. We hadn't talked lately, so there wasn't a high chance of that.

Right?

While I shoved unneeded books in and pulled out all my required books, I caught Mitchell saying goodbye to his friends and knew I only had a few seconds. I shoved the rest in, needed or not, and slammed the locker shut. Turning to get away as quickly as I could, I heard his voice float across the hall. "Rosette?"

It was more of him calling me than a statement or question.

I grunted pathetically and pushed myself a bit faster. "Rosette!" Now he was running. Oh boy . . .

"Move faster . . ." I demanded of my legs in an anxious sing-song fashion.

"Rosette!" He was practically sprinting now.

Why was everyone faster than me?

It was so close. A girl's one sanctuary --- one location to escape any male. The one place I could escape this male.

The girls' bathroom.

I could hear him halt the second my hand touched the door. When I glanced back, he stood there, defeated --- now knowing I was rejecting him. I didn't care at this point.

I had won this round.

I hastily slipped inside and leaned on the other side of the door for a few seconds, cooling down. I had actually escaped. But how long would that last?

This brought a new barrage of questions to my attention. If I was avoiding Mitchell today, and Riley was absent, who would I be with all day? (That is, when I wasn't trying to escape . . .) The answer was clear. I would be alone --- just as before.

I hated before.

I pushed myself off the door and sauntered over to the mirror. I shook my hair around with my hands a bit --- I didn't really care how it looked. I wasn't going to impress anyone today. Then, I splashed some water on my face. It was burning up.

Today was going to be a long day . . .

To my luck, it was exactly the opposite. All classes before lunch rushed by. It was only when it got to lunch that I had to face the inevitable. As I took my seat at a table across the room from my usual, I already spied Mitchell heading this way.

Shoot! And I really thought the table switch would throw him off . . .

I seated myself casually, calmly, even though I was screaming mentally. I had told myself I'd have no problem. I was already encountering one. And its name was Stage Fright. Ugh! I could not act this way. I had to brave the rumors --- dismiss them offhandedly. Most were probably not true anyway. And, as I glanced again, the harbinger of them all was strolling toward me.

I sucked in a large breath then started picking at the food on my tray. I wouldn't be able to eat much of it, talking to Mitchell. Unless he pulled another one of his "you don't exist, and I don't care" routines, that is --- which was most likely. I shoved my fear away and began eating leisurely. The food wasn't much good anyway.

By the time he finally reached the table, I had dulled my fear down to minimum anxiety: I just wanted this over with. He arranged his food on his tray and scooted his chair in perfectly before even sparing me a look. He hadn't even sat across from me. He was on my left side, two chairs away. Apparently, he was still mad about this morning. It made me a little self-conscious, him sitting that far. I swallowed that down too.

Determination was the only emotion I needed right now.

I sucked in another profound breath and finally looked his way. He was staring up at me with a posture and look about him that told me he wasn't planning on eating. "What?" I finally blurted out coldly before taking another massive bite of my food. Uneasiness made me eat a lot more.

He gave me an astonished look. Probably wondering why I spoke first. I mean, it was no shock for me to ask what he wanted when he plopped down near me and started staring at me.

I mean, wouldn't you?

Leaning back in my chair, sighing, I turned to face him and put down my fork. After staring him down a few seconds, I crossed my arms. He just wasn't going to speak, was he? "What do you want?" I enunciated each word carefully and clearly to get my point across --- I didn't want him here.

He finally sighed himself and leaned back in his chair just like me. "How've you been?" His tone was smooth and calm but I could tell he was irritated and anxious.

My anger flared up violently. It made me tremble with rage as I glared the death look at him. I took a deep gulp of my malice before choking out, "We both know you didn't come here to make small talk!" I clenched my fists under the table. But this was only the beginning of my anger. Apparently, the recent stress of everything was augmenting every other emotion. Not to mention, I wasn't getting much sleep lately knowing that a creature that was most likely one of my friends was watching me.

"I was only asking how you've been. Isn't that something your closest friend should do?" A grin swept quickly across his face and grew wider. He had no idea what was coming . . .

"Closest FRIEND?!" I screamed, my fury finally overflowing my mind and seething past my lips. "Does your closest friend desert you?! Do they pretend not to notice you just to gorge their starving ego?! Should the definition of a closest friend be 'the boy who doesn't need me anymore'?! 'Closest friends' don't run away for weeks, even months, only to gain a better reputation than you could provide them, leaving never a reason, an explanation, as to why they turned their back and walked away. You are nothing but an enemy, a wisp of memory to me now! Yet you call yourself my closest friend?! You don't even deserve the title of friend! You were never one! And now I realize that. There's more to life than your splinter --- shred --- of compassion. I have a closest friend. And, well, it isn't, never was, and never will be you."

Suddenly I was suffocated by misery. I couldn't stand the heated atmosphere, couldn't stand the diminishing room, I couldn't even stand the shocked look on his face anymore. I could feel all the eyes on me, alarmed by my sudden outburst. I had to escape. I pushed through the cafeteria double doors effortlessly. I tried to take deeper breaths, but it felt like my windpipe had caved in on itself. I wanted to shut my eyes tight, but they were glued open. When I finally reached the girls' bathroom for the second time today, my eyes were already brimming with tears that were by now cascading down my face. I raced in and slumped against the wall. I wouldn't break down. This situation didn't call for sobbing. I had only let go, I had only released what I had bottled up --- just at exactly the wrong moment. I brushed my hand through my disheveled hair. It stayed there and my fingers began to tighten, bunching up my locks.

Yes, I felt better --- but at what cost? He deserved it, but he hadn't at this moment. Overreaction seemed to be my forte. Sighing, I let my hand fall from my hair and stood up gradually. Trudging over to the mirror, I mulled over the past few minutes.

Overreaction may have been my forte, but Horrible Timing was my companion.

How could I have been so stupid?! My moronic timing was what solidified the injustice in my speech --- not the speech itself. Mitchell deserved a good hardcore chewing-out. Only, not at this time. He had done nothing right now, even if he had been a jerk the past few months. This was totally and completely my fault.

Yes, I was the pinnacle of disappointment.

Laying my hands on the counter, I sighed deeply as I gazed at my reflection. My hair was mangled and my face was a patchy red and swollen. I had only cried a few seconds --- and hadn't even reached hysterics --- and already my face was sporting red splotches and puffy eyes.

I hated that part of emotion.

Slowly, I rested my head against the cool, refreshing mirror and closed my eyes. The frozen touch of the mirror against my heated face was soothing. I was comforted, if just for a moment. Oh! I had to make this right, didn't I? My eyes snapped open as this new resolution clung to me with iron hands. I straightened up immediately as a new determination flooding my eyes. My hair was barely worried about --- I flattened it subtly here and there --- while I marched out of the door with my task guiding me to the cafeteria.

By the time I staggered in, determined, everyone was already filing --- some hastily, others casually --- out of the crowded room into the hall through the door on the other side of the cafeteria. I searched through the crowd with purpose, trying to single out a familiar bobbing head. Then I saw the flash of blonde I had been waiting for.

"Mitchell!" I cried out desperately.

He only turned to give me a meaningful and hurt look.

I trudged into the classroom, defeated, right as the bell rang. We usually didn't start this class promptly anyway because of the ruckus from lunch and the fact that it was last period. Mitchell was in the back right corner of the classroom, an empty seat next to him --- which he had resolutely spread his books out in front of. I didn't dare sit there. I chose a seat in the back opposite corner.

It seemed once I was safely seated, he relaxed, removing his books from the other desk. Where I sat, there was an empty seat beside me as well. I left it that way, figuring it was better if someone obscured our view of each other.

Yet no one sat anywhere in our row. They even got desperate to keep the empty gap between us. This was not encouraging. Could everyone else see the dark aura between the two of us?

The empty gap just seemed to make us angrier towards each other. Or at least made him angrier. I was merely ashamed and apologetic; but I was getting irritated at the way he kept staring at me, his penetrating gaze thick with accusation. My gaze only betrayed regret, overplaying it to make his countenance soften. But it didn't. In fact, I think it got colder. We stared at each other for the longest time, the minutes ticking by ceaselessly, before the teacher called on me for the answer. My head snapped up and I scanned the whiteboard quickly, trying to make my hesitation look like I was checking my answer.

"243,609 centimeters," I answered finally, sighing with relief when the teacher dubbed it correct. I glanced over at Mitchell frankly, but he still kept up the cruel stare.

This was going to be a long class period.

The rest of the hour, I could feel his eyes on me. Mostly, I kept my eyes on the desk and my book; but when I did glance over, a chill ran down my spine at his expression. He was seething resentment now.

This was one of those times I stole a glance. Quickly turning to my books after his eyes met mine, I sighed deeply, but quietly, in frustration before checking the clock. There were only five minutes left. I was going to get this over with after class --- no matter how opaque he was or how pathetic and desperate I was. It was going to be done.

I spared no more glances at him for the remainder of the class, yet I could feel his cold stare every second. Had I really been that mean? He must be holding a grudge from before, too! I assured myself.

It didn't help too much.

When the time finally came and the homework was being dictated, I didn't give it a thought. I packed up as quickly as I could --- I had more important things to worry about. (Plus, I could get the homework from at least someone after all this was said and done.) As soon as the fateful words were said that released us all, I was racing to follow him. He dashed as quickly from the classroom as I had from my seat.

He was barely out in the hall before I fell into step alongside him. After glancing up to note this, he sped up his pace slightly. I caught up with little effort.

It just goes to show you, girls have the power when it comes to the legs.

Turning to me, he snorted. "What? Are you going to yell at me again?" He turned away, annoyed.

Well, at least he's not angry anymore.

"No," I replied defensively. "I want to talk to you." Here it comes. Just apologize, then its over. His turn. No more spotlight.  I encouraged myself. Once again, it didn't help too much.

He shoved open one of the double doors and leaned casually against the middle post while I strode through. "Oh, so there's more?" he queried with a disgusted and dissatisfied tone. He jumped up from the post, rubbing his hands together. "Wait a minute," he demanded as he held up one finger on each hand. Bracing his legs apart and standing straight and tall, he started to smirk cynically. "Well then," Lastly he stretched his arms, palms out, towards me as if he was about to fend off an attack. "I'm ready," he sarcastically declared.

I eyed him contemptuously. He was taking this way too far. I hadn't been that hateful --- at least, I didn't think I had. "I'm trying to make an apology, if you please," I confessed curtly, crossing my arms. I stared at the concrete and started tapping the toe of my sneaker resolutely against it. I began to fidget with the sleeve of my coarse sweater as the cynical light deflated from his countenance.

"I-I'm the one that should be regretful. I . . . didn't realize how I really was." Taken aback by his sudden change of air, I could barely nod infinitesimally at this fact. "I did deserve it. And," He sighed wearily. "and I'm sorry."

By the time he was done, I could swear my mouth was probably hanging. I had expected his cynical nature to come out stronger after I'd said that. But I guess it just showed how much we never knew each other. "No. I had the wrong timing. It was completely uncalled for. I'm to blame and you're completely innocent." I assured him speedily.

"No, no, no." He waved his hands in from of him. "I deserved it. You're right about the bad timing, but I am glad you at least took the opportunity to open up my eyes to the truth like a slap in the face." He grinned. "I needed to find out sometime. Even if it wasn't the right time. I guess I shouldn't be making comments about being someone's 'closest friend' unless I seriously act that way. And I'm genuinely sorry for doing so."

I was absolutely staggered now. I had never seen this side of Mitchell. I didn't know how to respond or even what to do for the next few seconds. I was paralyzed, rooted to that spot.

Mitchell started to back up. "I understand." He was about to turn away when I finally found my voice.

"Wait." I demanded. That halted him. He was still nearly turned to the side as I ambled over. "Mitchell, I'm sorry. For the wrong timing and for hurting you." I answered, my voice barely audible to anyone but him. "But you didn't have to stare at me so hard for the last hour! I wasn't that mean!" I tittered, and he laughed along too.

Turning around, a broad grin lit his face. "Well, maybe that was my revenge. Staring, my eyes boring into you, to make your guilt eat you alive." He uttered in a mocking grim tone. Now that was the Mitchell I knew.

"You're evil."

"Well maybe that's just my job," he shot back proudly.

We both started laughing heartily. Now, everything was patched up. No worries now. We were going to be fine.

"So, like I was saying," Superficial gravity entered his tone again. "I need to be a better friend. We'll be closest friends. Or at least try." He laughed again. "Yeah, we'll just try."

I was about to answer when Everett's car pulled up. There was no escape fast enough, so I figured I'd stay where I was and take my chances. A second later, the engine's hum ceased and immediately Everett was out of the car. Time seemed to move in slow motion as we shared a meaningful look for only a second. "Hey Mitchell," he acknowledged with a cliché half nod.

"Hey . . . um, Everett." Mitchell responded reluctantly. I guess he was a bit freaked out by the sudden unexpected greeting. Students had already started to scramble out and rushed past us on both sides.

Everett's eyes stayed on me until he passed through the doors. And I tried to prevent mine from wandering towards him. Mitchell seemed to notice this and raised one eyebrow.

"So, you and Caine, huh?" he inquired somewhat mockingly.

"Never!" I yelled a bit too quickly. I was about to add on to it, when the bus pulled up.

"Man, taking the bus, aren't you?"

"Yeah. We'll start the friend thing tomorrow. Deal?" I held up my hand for a high-five, which he gave me immediately. Before I left for the bus, I smothered him in a tight hug.

The next day flew by too quickly. Mitchell and I spent every second we could together. It was nice. For once, I had someone to be around all the time. Not that Riley wasn't enough, but he was a senior and I was a junior. That didn't provide us with much time together. Plus, he wasn't here now.

The minute I got home, the phone rang off the hook with telemarketers and Everett trying to get a hold of me, the last call being Riley inviting me over to his house that night.

Excited as I could be, I got ready quickly, dressing in more casual apparel than last time. I was more of an old-jeans-and-plain-tee kind of girl, anyway. When I was finally ready, Mom searched up Riley's address to get a map. She had insisted on dropping me off there, (possibly to observe Riley?) so I couldn't refuse. On the way there, my mom and I, to both our surprise, talked about things we had never mentioned to each other before and resolved things we'd been too scared to say. This day just seemed to be going for me. And since Riley was coming to school tomorrow, I doubted tomorrow would be any less.

When we pulled up to the house, Riley was already standing in the driveway, waiting. I was flattered by this and I waved when we reached him. The minute the car stopped --- even before that, I think --- I hopped out and ran to Riley. He encompassed me in a huge bear hug that lifted me up off the ground. I hugged him just as tight before he set me down.

When I looked behind me, Mom was giving me the look. Apparently I'd done something wrong. I tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear and grinned sheepishly, subconsciously edging away from Riley. When her look diminished, I knew it had only been the "Mom-syndrome" rearing up again. We began to amble inside. Riley's parents stood up the second we took our first step through the door. His mom strolled toward mine, while his dad sauntered over to us, looking me up and down.

"Hello! You must be Rosette's mom. I'm Laura Aster, Riley's mother," I heard Mrs. Aster say in a perky voice, extending her hand.

Mrs. Aster was a fair woman with a kind countenance. Her hair was a dirty blonde, piled upon her head with curl after curl. Her eyes, gleaming with delight, were a light brown, with a smile forever enduring inside of them.  She seemed to smile all the time and had a soft voice with always a tinge of complete joy behind it. Not too tall, she was about a foot or two shorter than Mr. Aster and a bit skinnier than he was.

Mr. Aster, on the other hand, was a tall man, with red hair that was already graying. At this, I wondered where Riley got his thick brunette locks from. Mr. Aster had a wary look about him --- with his long, thin nose and small firm lips. His eyes were a deep swirling abyss of blue that seemed to assess you in one glance. His voice was flat, but not lifeless --- a low, deep voice with some kind of sing-song pattern. He was broad-shouldered and big-boned, with a bit of muscle to boot.

"So, this is the Rosette I've been hearing about." He eyed me appraisingly, as parents always do with any one person that could possibly be a potential spouse. Parents pounce upon this opportunity like a starving lion upon a shred of meat, sometimes even scaring that one person away. He smiled. Then, when I turned away to smirk at Riley, out of the corner of my eye I noticed him giving Riley a thumbs-up that I wasn't supposed to see. "Dan." When I turned back, he extended his hand to me and I shook it gently.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I replied politely, smiling good-naturedly in the usual manner. While Mrs. Aster was still talking my mom up, Mr. Aster lumbered into the living room to continue watching his sports. At this point, Riley quickly seized my hand.

"Want to see my room?" he whispered impatiently. I had no choice but to consent to being dragged up the stairs to the location mentioned aforehand. It was the stereotypical staircase --- two series of stairs, the second one facing the opposite way at the top of the first; a chain of family pictures following you upward, each one seemingly staring you down with welcoming eyes and cordial smiles; a warm brown banister, glazed over with a gleaming finish, and white wooden stairs that groaned just enough to cause a chill up your spine. At the top of the stairs, right before us, was the door to Riley's bedroom. I fiddled with my leather bracelet once more before he led me in, looking down at it with a large grin.

Immediately I found myself in a medium-sized room with cooking posters and random ones --- the majority being random. The walls were also covered in sticky notes. Skimming over them interestedly, I spotted one with a phrase that seemed familiar. I rapidly plucked it from the wall and read over it more avidly. "'Yes. I have been staring at your eyes the whole time. It was an inescapable opportunity, and there was no guarantee I'd have the chance again!'" I read aloud. Dropping my hands to my side, I turned to Riley, whose grin was growing. "Hey! I said that." I declared, pointing at the sticky note.

"Of course." He sat down on the corner of the bed, still beaming at me. "That was one of my favorite things you said. It was the point when we both realized you liked me." He seemed to tremble in pride like a bird that ruffles up his feathers in self-importance. "It was also my favorite day." His hand slowly rose to his chin. "That is, besides the day you went out with me . . ." he trailed off.

I shook my head in amused disappointment, slapping the note back in its place. "Oh! I've got good news." I had almost forgotten about it amid how Mitchell and I were getting along. Sitting down in a wooden chair across from where he was, I rested my hands on my knees and leaned in as if I was about to tell a small child a secret. He leaned in closer too, possibly in anticipation. "No rumors!" I commented cheerfully, straightening back up. "I talked with Mitchell for two days in a row, and," I slapped my hands on my legs. "nothing!" I chuckled, standing up to traverse the room. Riley soon followed and met me where I was fingering a cooking poster.

Leaning up against the wall, he eyed me skeptically before voicing his opinion. "Well, I guess if you spoke to the vendor-of-all-things-gossip, there's nothing to worry about." A grin broke out across his face. "Hey, I've been thinking a---"

At that moment, the door opened, revealing Mrs. Aster with an apron over her outfit and oven mitts on her hands. "Hey, guys! Are you just going to let your chicken get cold?" she questioned, the ever-existent smile lighting up her face. Riley glanced at me, chuckling and shaking his head amusedly, before following his mom down the stairs. I shook my head myself and made my way down the long staircase. Once again, the pictures seemed to eye me blithely. What was it with lengthy staircases in the midst of family photos?

The night went pretty quickly after that. Mom stayed for dinner --- at Mrs. Aster's begging of course --- and we both enjoyed a wonderful chicken diner made by her. Even though I was disappointed that Riley wasn't the one cooking this time, I had to admit it was superb. I could undoubtedly see where Riley got his exquisite cooking flair from.

Once we were finished, it had gotten exceptionally late. The Aster's insisted they take us home, but we refused to have them go through all the trouble. It seemed Fate worked in this instance, for as soon as I had gotten home, Everett emerged at my window. Of course, I irately shoved the curtains closed and before long heard him jump off.

A few minutes later, when I thought he was safely gone, I shifted the edge of the curtain aside and peered through the window. Yet, there he was at the border of the forest, zipping -- which was probably more like pacing to him --- to and fro as if he was a guard. I momentarily questioned why my predator would also be my guardian. I stared him down once he stopped: he was looking back and forth for any "signs" of my "stalker", which he would never find, considering it was him. Maybe he was defending me from himself --- his other half, that is. It had to be him. The other day had proved that much. My suspicions arose and everything seemed to fall into place.

During this whole time, I hadn't been focusing on what I'd been staring at, only gazing off into a blurry mess. But when I did finally focus on what was in front of me, his gaze was piercing through my eyes into my very soul. His were full of concern --- mine, fury.

He was my enemy now --- at all costs.

The next day was just as splendid as I predicted it would be. Riley and I were disappointed that we couldn't spend every second together, but were satisfied with the time at lunch and before school. During my classes, I noticed that Valerie wasn't here. Then I tied this on with the fact that she hadn't been here for the past few days. I cursed myself for not realizing that yesterday and the day before. Then why had Everett come to the school the other day if it wasn't for his sister? After school, I asked Riley about Valerie's frequent and current nonexistence, omitting the Everett bit.

"It happens a lot." he told me, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall. "They went missing for weeks on end when Everett and the others went here." He scrutinized me suspiciously. "Why are you so concerned about the Caine people?" His head sagged low, and he heatedly beat his shoe into the sidewalk. His sidelong glance vexed me, but it wasn't what he thought; was it?

"Nothing. It just seemed . . . unusual. Plus, I've been trying to break Valerie's icy shell." I tried not to meet his eyes, and this seemed to end the conversation. A few seconds of silence consumed us both, which led us to sift through possible conversation starters. One finally emerged fatefully in the form of the bus. This I could tell by the light that seemed to grace over Riley's face when the bus pulled up to the sidewalk.

I swung my backpack to my other shoulder, ready to head toward the bus when Riley hailed me. I spun around quickly at the sound of my name. "Hey, why don't I drive you home today? I drove my truck here." He pointed in its general direction and my gaze roughly followed the route of his hand, only to land on the familiar lime green Ford Bronco.

I didn't know how to answer. The last time someone had taken me home was . . . Immediately flashes of that day and Everett's face filled my mind. Valerie's words rang in my ears while his face changed just in the same way it had a few days ago. 'I knew you shouldn't have done this' echoed over and over with the rhythm of the flashes.

The contorted expression. Valerie's furious glower. The black specks, highlighted in fiery pools. Each caring gesture and precaution he had taken that day.  His concerned expression melting into the evil glare of a predator. It was all there. It all burst in my mind, for perhaps only a few moments in reality, but eternally was how it felt.

The older memories seemed to wither away as the latest ones attacked me with remarkable force. How our eyes met last night. That fathomless black in his eyes when he attacked me. That murderous glint. The speed at which he zipped towards me. His intense gaze when he told me he'd be watching. Those eyes. Those eyes! Ocher. Black. Incredible and stunning. Vile and ominous.

My mind was working overtime as it wrestled hysterically to scatter the memories away --- to snuff them out. I strove to seize some reality, to flee from the recollections asphyxiating me. The figures began to fuse with my own imagination as the monster in question, Valerie, and Everett himself turned more menacing in my thoughts. Everything was spinning out of control. I couldn't tell fact from fiction anymore. Certainty and falsity blurred into oblivion. I didn't even realize I was falling until Riley's tender arms prevented my plunge.

By the time reality and all my senses came back to me, I was seated safely in the passenger side of Riley's truck --- the door beside me closed and Riley's eyes searching every inch of my face for answers. "Rosette?" It was more of him making sure I was okay than a question. He grabbed my shoulder and shook it gently a few times before I twisted my head towards him. "Are you okay? Why'd you faint? Do you need to go to the hospital? Do you want me to drive you home? You sure you're okay?! Why aren't you answering my questions?!" He fired them one after the other, hardly giving time for him --- let alone me --- to even take a breath in-between.

"Because you're not even giving me time to breathe after you ask me one! Let alone time to answer! I'm fine!" I sighed, exasperated, and then put my seatbelt on, my eyes never straying from my hands.

It was a long ride home after that. I tried to discourage him from taking me there, making excuses left and right. But the true reason I didn't want him at my house was that my mom wasn't home and Everett was still "guarding" us. I was horrified that he would come after me and Riley would get hurt or killed in the process. It would be horrible to be responsible for that happening. This was why I rejected and trembled the whole drive home.

By the time we finally pulled up in the driveway, I was about ready to explode of terror. I practically jumped out of the car door the second it stopped. "Y-you really didn't have to do this." I sputtered, shaking my hands back and forth as Riley stepped out of the car. I glanced back and forth madly as he slammed the door shut. Everett seemed to be nowhere in sight --- which was the most dangerous.

"But I wanted to. Once again . . ., are you okay?" He seemed to hesitate in asking me --- probably because of how frustrated I had gotten earlier. I sprinted towards the house as he sauntered along. His sluggishness was driving me insane! I waited for him at the door, bouncing up and down fretfully. "Are you late for something?" he inquired once he reached me, examining my actions skeptically.

"No, i-it's just probably…best that we get…inside" I peered around him to make sure the path was still clear. "as…fast as possible." I sucked in a loud, uneasy breath as I unlocked the door with quivering hands, almost dropping the keys. The instant it was open, I flitted through the door quickly, closing it and yelling, "Thank you!" behind me to Riley.

He swiftly jabbed his hand in between the door and the doorframe and poked his head through. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

I hadn't thought he would take it that way --- or catch on so quickly. I shoved his hand out of the way before slamming the door and hollering, "No, not really." The door, which I had "slammed," hadn't shut all the way; and I recognized this too late as Riley heaved his way through, consequently whacking me to the side. "Ok, maybe," I amended unimpressively, dusting myself off as I rose to face him.

"Why?" he demanded simply, crossing his arms. Even in anger, he still appeared laid-back! I was a failure at that.

I merely sighed heatedly and crossed the room to lock the door.

"What's going on?" He turned as I walked past him, his eyes following me every moment. While I turned from my position by the now-bolted door, he took a step forward. "Is there something I need to know?" The laid-back mode he was in had still not departed him as he inclined against the kitchen doorway.

I sighed once more then strolled over to the table to sit down. "We've been having an . . . animal problem. It's been coming after us a few times. I didn't want you to get hurt because you were around me. It has a certain . . . hatred of me."

He leisurely sat down across from me with an unmoved gleam in his eyes. "And this animal can open doors?" he posed, specifying the dead-bolted door with a minuscule nod of his head. That doubtful glint was in his eyes still, piercing through my very heart and soul.

I stood up swiftly. "Animals can learn to open doors. I mean, babies and toddlers learn to. Dogs and cats have been proven to learn to open doors. They watch their owners time after time then keep experimenting themselves until they get the hang of it. What makes a wild animal so different? Some raccoons can! Any animal can learn in time by watching humans. It's simple. They just . . ." I kept rambling on until I finally noticed his expression, halting my pacing in the process. "You don't believe me do you?" Now it was my turn to lean against the doorway and stare him down.

He shifted in his seat to face me fully and rested his ankle on his other knee. "It seems pretty iffy, so, I-I don't know. Look, I believe you." He shifted again uncomfortably. "It's just hard to believe." He finally stood up and approached me. "Hey, don't worry," he soothed me softly. "You still have fear in your eyes." He tucked a wayward wisp of hair behind by ear and gazed straight into my eyes compassionately. His caress resurfaced unwanted memories of him, but I forced them down ferociously. Riley's caresses were so much different: there was actually feeling behind them. "Why don't you call Animal Control? They'd take whatever it is away, and you wouldn't have to worry about it anymore."

Hmmm…. Animal Control. I didn't think of that. But no, I couldn't do that.

Everett was still a human.

"I-I don't want anyone to get hurt," I fibbed promptly. "Until we know exactly what it is, we don't want anyone else going after it." I slipped my hand onto his shoulder in assurance. As my eyes started to wander away, I caught a glimpse of the time. Oh boy, my mom would be home soon. I swiftly pecked him on the cheek. "You should go."

Apparently my hand on his shoulder and the kiss on the cheek had affected him, as he didn't ask me how we didn't know what the 'animal' was. "Yeah, I probably should," he agreed, glancing at the stove clock himself. "It'd be pretty weird for your mom to come home and see us together alone." He grinned.

"Very," I chuckled before leading him out of the door. I kept my wits about me every step until we reached the car, holding eachother's hands the whole time. When we did reach it, he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently, fingering the bracelet that he had given me. A smile swept across his face and stayed there as he got into the car. Pulling away slowly and savoring the moment, we finally released hands right before he left.

The second I closed the door and locked it --- again ---, the phone rang. I debated ignoring for a few moments, but decided they'd only call again. Begrudgingly I picked up the phone and cleared my throat before pressing 'talk.' "Willows' household, Rosette speaking," I answered in the most accommodating voice I could manage.

"Yeah. I think I know that by now. Animal Control? Seriously?" replied a familiar voice.

"Where are you?" I replied wrathfully, practically hissing it through my teeth.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm far from your house by now. I considered paying you a visit, but then I remembered how angry you are and---"

"Of course I'm angry! Why would you expect me not to be?" Before Everett could answer, I dove into another set of questions. "Where have you all been? Why did you leave?"

"Aw…" he cooed. "Missing me?" I could hear the grin in his voice. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I'm only guarding you, Rosette. Without me you'd be dead. I deserve a thank-you." His tone turned solemn --- which scared me.

I quickly covered it up with malice. "I'd be dead with you! Why are you trying to protect me when you're the very one who's stalking me --- when you're the predator yourself?!"

The line went out for a few seconds before it came back on with a boom. "What? What was that? I couldn't hear you because of the static. Rosette, what did you say? The phone is going out."

"Good." And with that I hung up the phone and practically ground it back into its holder. I ran to my room to take my anger out more efficiently --- by trashing it.

Riley was running beside me. We were laughing. All seemed right in the world. The same unending light bathed me this time as it had last. I pushed myself a bit faster to get ahead, and then swerved in front of Riley. I wanted to get to wherever first. My destination was unclear. I just knew to keep running. Just keep running.

But just then, a horrible sound filled my ears. It was a scream of terror. My rushing legs stopped too late as I spun around to behold Riley on the ground, with Everett looming over him. I began screaming incoherent, and apparently inaudible, words and demands at him, but he never stopped. Before my eyes, he murdered Riley, the one hold to reality and sanity in my life. Before my eyes, he destroyed my very being. Before my eyes, he grinned when it was over. It was my grin. The smirk he sported whenever he was around me. Only, this time, it held a wicked glimmer to it --- a certain air of pride and accomplishment. And then, he vanished into the trees, leaving me forlorn and crushed.

I woke up to a knock. Sitting up quickly in bed, I immediately checked my window. Something was moving out there. I was so petrified that it would be him that I was frozen in place for who knows how long. Finally, I was able to slowly step out of my bed and throw a spare sweater on over my pajamas. The closer I got to the window, the more I recognized it was my tree moving. I gradually slid my window open, my hands trembling in fright still, and peered outside. "Rosette." I heard faintly from the tree. This made me jump back quite a few feet.

I regained my composure and stuck my head out yet again. "Riley!" I whispered fiercely, "You scared me half to death, you moron!"

I still couldn't find him in the tree. "Well it's good it was only half, because it would be a shame for you to die when I sneaked out just to see you," he chortled. I finally spotted him in the tree and scowled.

"What on earth are you doing up in the tree?!" I demanded ferociously. I held my hand to my head. My drowsiness was still wearing off and I guess I was still crabby. Otherwise, I'd be thrilled to see him.

"I thought I'd say goodbye to you before I left tomorrow. Sorry." He hung his head. "Guess this" indicating the tree "wasn't such a good idea."

"No, no! I'm happy to see you. Just, you don't need to try to get yourself killed to see me!" I looked the tree up and down to assess its height. "Riley," I sighed, amused "I worry about you sometimes."

He laughed. "Hold on, let me get over there." He dexterously swayed from branch to branch over to the one that was before my window. I once more acknowledged that I was a complete failure at everything. Once he was at the branch, he swung his legs over one side and sat on it casually, leaning against another branch bent along the wall.

"Why? You just saw me today. Not even 5 hours ago, I think!" I shook my head. "Can't get away, huh?"

He nodded dramatically.

"Me too." I scrambled onto the ledge of my window pane. It stretched out just enough for me to recline. "So, you ready to go? Excited for the trip?"

"Except for the fact I'll be leaving you." He began to scratch and pick at the branch.

"Hey, let's not make things mushy here," I tittered. "I'll miss you too. You're all I have." I even began staring at my hands and fiddling with the hem of my sweater.

I heard the branches creak a bit and realized Riley was trying to move closer. "Me too. You're basically my only friend, if not . . ." he left it hanging there, unable to finish, I suppose.

"Me too! You know, we do have a lot more in common than we think." I looked up, only to lock with his eyes. I couldn't escape his intense gaze. I didn't want to. Without thinking, we both began to lean in, him scooting closer on the branch. And before I knew it, my lips were forming with his.

The whole world seemed to evaporate. It was only him and I. I braced my hands against the window pane to steady myself and Riley braced his hands on my shoulders. All I knew was his lips touching mine. I never wanted the world to return. I wanted to live in this nothingness. Our world. I never wanted this bliss to end. Yet suddenly, it broke off as I heard a snap.

I was roughly pulled forward, which caused my eyes to snap open wide. The next thing I knew was Riley falling. Before I could even yell, Riley jumped up from the ground. "Oh my word! Riley! Are you okay?" I practically screamed.

"Yeah. I grabbed onto the vine." He held it up over his head proudly, snickering. The smirk just wouldn't wipe off of his face, would it? Neither would mine.

"Now, why couldn't you use that to climb up here?" I chided gently.

"Hey, well at least I got to see you. And by the way, that was one excellent kiss." He whistled in confirmation of it, dropping the vine.

I laughed for probably the fifth time tonight then shook my head. "Get home Riley. And enjoy your trip." I grinned. "And yes, that was great, wasn't it? Yes, very excellent."

We were both so awkward.

He grin grew wider as he walked away backwards, his eyes never leaving me until I closed the window. No, my grin will never leave. I accepted as I flopped down on my bed with delight.

Description
Chapter 5

Oh, the weekend never compared to that day! Not when I went to the mall on Saturday; or when I researched at the library or rented a whole stack of books. Not even when Mom and I had a whole girls' day out on Sunday. The weekend seemed mundane after Friday night. I was lost in a dreamland for most of it.

Somehow, I figured things would never be the same between Riley and me. The feeling had been pleasing, yet plaguing me simultaneously. And that feeling returned as I hung up the phone. Flopping back-down on my bed, I sighed heavily --- just like I had that night. I fingered the phone in my room, a smile playing on my lips. I had just talked to Riley again. Heaving a sigh once more, I put my hands behind my head.

Riley was going to be gone for the last half of this week but only actually at school one day. I'd have to wait until Wednesday to see him another time. I fiddled with the small leather band around my wrist. It was almost like it was tying me to him.

Groaning, I rolled onto my side. Most likely, there were going to be rumors spreading quickly to challenge me tomorrow. And I'd have to brave them --- alone. I fingered the phone yet again, debating whether to call Riley to tell him to come to school tomorrow instead of Wednesday.

But, no, that wouldn't be fair. I'd confront them --- and have no problem doing so. I set the phone in its proper place then ran downstairs into the living room. After fixing myself some popcorn --- which was probably the only thing I could often successfully not burn or disintegrate --- for lunch, I checked in my mom's bedroom only to find her fast asleep. Must've been a long night. I concluded as I settled on a movie. Proceeding the next few minutes of the dichotomy of good and evil interlaced with bouts of drama, I heard the phone ring. Glancing at it begrudgingly, I decided I'd just let the answering machine get it before resuming my task of stuffing my face with popcorn and laughing heartily at B-rated acting.

It wasn't until I heard that voice that I started panicking.

The message's opening beep was like an admonition, a foreboding signal that almost screamed for me to shut it off now. I glanced, this time casually, at the machine before my eyes stayed glued there. Before I heard him . . .

"I'm sorry, Rosette. I couldn't stand it anymore. I searched up your number to get a hold of you somehow. So, please listen to what I have to say. I know you're home, dear. Don't try to fool me." I wrenched myself from my frozen position to pull all the curtains down over the windows fiercely and swiftly. My head was still turned toward the voice --- that voice --- that haunted me as I pulled down the last one. He chuckled. "I should have known. Paranoid much, Rosette?" Another chuckle boomed in over the line, confirming my theory that he was standing outside. This time, my eyes never left the source of it as I sat down stiffly on the couch. "I can't explain it all to you, but I certainly desire to."

"Bull!" I screamed, hoping he could hear it.

"I would love to tell you the truth, but that's also forbidden. C'mon, you're a smart girl. I know you can figure it out." The sweetness of his voice was having the opposite affect of its purpose, I'm sure, as I clawed at one of the couch pillows, wielding it to throw at the phone the first chance I got. "But I needed to talk to you, needed to see you. But I'm guessing neither is going to happen. I ---" This time I threw the pillow, full-force, at the phone. This knocked it off the hook and it lay, listening, on the floor ten feet away. "Ros---" he began to ask, still on the answering machine, before I cut him off.

"I want nothing to do with you!" I screamed with a passion at the phone, clutching desperately at the couch. My short fingernails were digging into the fabric. I could feel one of the seams ripping under my vice-like grip.

"I know it's hard for you, but---"

After running to the pillow I had thrown, I began beating the phone senseless until I heard that tell-tale click. I glared at the curtained window before dashing to it. "Just tell me." I sobbed hysterically.

"I . . . can't," I heard Everett choke from the other side.

That was enough. I threw my jacket on resolutely and flung the door open. Marching outside, I whipped my head around for any sign of him. "Everett!" I yelled angrily, swiping the cascading tears from my face. "I know you're out here!"

Before I could even count to five, the door shut noisily behind me and a familiar hand was clasped around my wrist. I whipped around, ready to slap him, when he caught my other wrist. His grip was strong and unyielding, but at the same time gentle and benign. Just as quickly and powerfully as he had locked his hand around my wrist, his eyes locked with mine, his intensity unwavering.

I tried to avoid his piercing gaze into my now-dry eyes, but my struggle was futile. "I know you're scared. I know it confuses you. I know you want the truth." His left hand moved from my wrist to intertwine with mine. "But, it's . . . complicated." He scoffed. "That's quite an understatement, but it's the best way I can put it." His eyes searched my face, barely leaving mine each time. "Did you never see? You never noticed I was a bit . . . unusual? It never struck you how diverse we were?" Those same lava-like eyes with the flecks of black glossed over mine again and settled there deeply. "Look at my eyes." As if I have any other choice! "Did you not discern an unusual quality about them? Or was I dazzling you too much for the discovery to be made?" The pools of fiery liquid that were Everett Caine's eyes had always magnetized me yet eluded me all together. But now, as I stared severely into them, I noticed that diversity, that unusual quality, the discovery that had been evading me this whole time.

Titian. Bronze. Ochre.

That was surely not a common eye color. Especially with flecks of black. Not to mention the tinge of black around their smoldering edges.

"I never did." I finally answered, my voice cracking. Our minimal distance was driving me insane. I wanted him to let go of me. I wanted him to leave! Never come back! I wanted to scream. But the mesmerized side of me kept pulling me back down to thinking I was jumping to conclusions. It was only logical! Who else would be the creature stalking me?!

His laugh abruptly ended my thoughts. "Rosette." As soon as his hand unleashed me to stroke my face, I promptly back-handed him across the cheek.

I was surprised at the cold surface I made contact with.

He shoved me backwards, sending me flying, that same black blanketing his eyes like it had when he ran away. His hands drooped at his side, the fists clenching and unclenching in the same way. But instead of a contortion of pain, a smirk wiped across his face.

In the blink of an eye, he was racing towards me. I scrambled up from where he had literally thrown me at the edge of the forest and started to back away, whispering "No!" over and over again, as if it was that same day once more. In another step he would be there, which signaled my life would soon be over.

Right before colliding with me, he came to a standstill. The shock of having him right there in front of me was too much and I began to tumble backwards. Two cold, marble arms caught me a second before I hit the ground.

His face was less than an inch from mine. His eyes were still black, wholly black. They were as deep and deadly as ever, as sinister as a demon, and as bleak as twilight. I was sure I was going to die now as he elevated me to stand straight, no more than millimeters from him. His gaze was just as intense as before.

To die by a friend, an ally, an angel, would be a terrible fate.

He lifted his hand to my face. "Rosette." The black leaving his eyes as quickly as it had flared up, he shook his head as if he was trying to ward off a bad dream. "Rosette," he repeated, finally stroking my face. "I-I'm so sorry. I lost control. Please, please forgive me." His tone was desperate, his hand cupping my cheek, and his eyes searching mine for the pardon he was seeking. Although, none of the caresses revealed a passion behind them. They were shallow.

I was scared stiff, frozen in fear. I couldn't answer. I could barely even move my mouth. But I did manage to mouth the word "Yes." to him. I felt something across my cheek and thought he was caressing me again -- those cold, meaningless caresses -- until he wiped it off with his forefinger. Then, I could feel the dampness of my tears.

I hadn't known I was crying, but suddenly I let it all out, sobbing into his rigid shoulder as he clasped me closer to him.

I didn't care he was my attacker. I didn't care he was the cause of this. I didn't care he could be my murderer any second. All that mattered was that his shoulder was there and that his arms were around me, embracing me like he would never let go.

"I'm so sorry," he repeated, whispering into my ear. After I had calmed down quite a bit, he held me away, arms-length from him. "Now you see why we can't be near one another. It-It's too . . . difficult." His eyes searched mine once more. Now, they were a smoldering titian with no black to be seen --- not even weakly. "But, I still have the feeling I need to protect you."

I shrugged fiercely away from him, reality overwhelming my emotions like a slap in the face. Idiot! What were you thinking?! "Protect me from what?" I shoved past him, sparing no look back as I headed for the door. "Yourself?" I called back as I trailed the gravel path, rage and terror both blazing yet again.

I suddenly heard a secondary set of footsteps and knew he was right beside me. But I didn't dare look up. I didn't dare let him see the fear.

"I lost control just this one time, Rosette. I need to protect you! There are more dangerous things than me out here!" He was yelling to get my attention, to get me to look at him, but I wouldn't dare meet his eyes.

I was almost to the door. I just had to slip in quickly before he could as well. It was so close. I was nearly there. As my hand grasped the doorknob, an additional hand clasped over mine. I finally looked up and met those eyes, rage and terror still clear within mine. I slowly removed my hand and slapped his away before dashing through the door I had just opened.

I should have known he'd be there too.

He pinned me against the closed door inside my house, both hands placed on the door next to either side of my head, as he stared down at me. "I'll be here. Whether you want me to be or not." And, with that, he was gone.

I slowed my breathing as I trudged to my mom's bedroom to check on her. She was still sacked out, sprawled out over her bed. I softly chuckled, also releasing all the tension that had racked me in the past few moments. "A really long night." I uttered, shuffling away. I hastily ascended the stairs. I needed my room. I needed solitude --- a solitude that was mine.

There, on the bed, I found a note sitting, folded to stand upright.

I'm watching out for you.
Everett Caine

The van pulled away hastily, almost in fear, as if it wanted to get as far away as possible --- just like me. This left me helpless and alone on the foreboding grounds of Spring Hills High. The flag flapped ominously behind me, seemingly laughing at my cruel fate. I glared at it crossly before charging up the steps.

Here goes nothing . . .

Gradually, I opened the double doors that led me to my demise. Before me, teenagers bounded across the halls, slammed lockers, held entertaining conversations, and killed time by hounding others. I took a deep breath prior to taking my first step into the school. Shifting my backpack to a more comfortable position, I marched forward.

Okay . . . No staring. No whispering. That's good.

Everything seemed to be going okay. And the nervousness I felt today was almost enough to push Everett from my mind. Almost.

Mentally gulping, I trudged over to my locker. No one was really in that area. That was lovely too. I was so not good with attention, especially lots of it. As I dialed the combination and opened my locker, I targeted Mitchell out of the corner of my eye.

The minute he moved closer, I'd make an escape. If he did come over, that is. We hadn't talked lately, so there wasn't a high chance of that.

Right?

While I shoved unneeded books in and pulled out all my required books, I caught Mitchell saying goodbye to his friends and knew I only had a few seconds. I shoved the rest in, needed or not, and slammed the locker shut. Turning to get away as quickly as I could, I heard his voice float across the hall. "Rosette?"

It was more of him calling me than a statement or question.

I grunted pathetically and pushed myself a bit faster. "Rosette!" Now he was running. Oh boy . . .

"Move faster . . ." I demanded of my legs in an anxious sing-song fashion.

"Rosette!" He was practically sprinting now.

Why was everyone faster than me?

It was so close. A girl's one sanctuary --- one location to escape any male. The one place I could escape this male.

The girls' bathroom.

I could hear him halt the second my hand touched the door. When I glanced back, he stood there, defeated --- now knowing I was rejecting him. I didn't care at this point.

I had won this round.

I hastily slipped inside and leaned on the other side of the door for a few seconds, cooling down. I had actually escaped. But how long would that last?

This brought a new barrage of questions to my attention. If I was avoiding Mitchell today, and Riley was absent, who would I be with all day? (That is, when I wasn't trying to escape . . .) The answer was clear. I would be alone --- just as before.

I hated before.

I pushed myself off the door and sauntered over to the mirror. I shook my hair around with my hands a bit --- I didn't really care how it looked. I wasn't going to impress anyone today. Then, I splashed some water on my face. It was burning up.

Today was going to be a long day . . .

To my luck, it was exactly the opposite. All classes before lunch rushed by. It was only when it got to lunch that I had to face the inevitable. As I took my seat at a table across the room from my usual, I already spied Mitchell heading this way.

Shoot! And I really thought the table switch would throw him off . . .

I seated myself casually, calmly, even though I was screaming mentally. I had told myself I'd have no problem. I was already encountering one. And its name was Stage Fright. Ugh! I could not act this way. I had to brave the rumors --- dismiss them offhandedly. Most were probably not true anyway. And, as I glanced again, the harbinger of them all was strolling toward me.

I sucked in a large breath then started picking at the food on my tray. I wouldn't be able to eat much of it, talking to Mitchell. Unless he pulled another one of his "you don't exist, and I don't care" routines, that is --- which was most likely. I shoved my fear away and began eating leisurely. The food wasn't much good anyway.

By the time he finally reached the table, I had dulled my fear down to minimum anxiety: I just wanted this over with. He arranged his food on his tray and scooted his chair in perfectly before even sparing me a look. He hadn't even sat across from me. He was on my left side, two chairs away. Apparently, he was still mad about this morning. It made me a little self-conscious, him sitting that far. I swallowed that down too.

Determination was the only emotion I needed right now.

I sucked in another profound breath and finally looked his way. He was staring up at me with a posture and look about him that told me he wasn't planning on eating. "What?" I finally blurted out coldly before taking another massive bite of my food. Uneasiness made me eat a lot more.

He gave me an astonished look. Probably wondering why I spoke first. I mean, it was no shock for me to ask what he wanted when he plopped down near me and started staring at me.

I mean, wouldn't you?

Leaning back in my chair, sighing, I turned to face him and put down my fork. After staring him down a few seconds, I crossed my arms. He just wasn't going to speak, was he? "What do you want?" I enunciated each word carefully and clearly to get my point across --- I didn't want him here.

He finally sighed himself and leaned back in his chair just like me. "How've you been?" His tone was smooth and calm but I could tell he was irritated and anxious.

My anger flared up violently. It made me tremble with rage as I glared the death look at him. I took a deep gulp of my malice before choking out, "We both know you didn't come here to make small talk!" I clenched my fists under the table. But this was only the beginning of my anger. Apparently, the recent stress of everything was augmenting every other emotion. Not to mention, I wasn't getting much sleep lately knowing that a creature that was most likely one of my friends was watching me.

"I was only asking how you've been. Isn't that something your closest friend should do?" A grin swept quickly across his face and grew wider. He had no idea what was coming . . .

"Closest FRIEND?!" I screamed, my fury finally overflowing my mind and seething past my lips. "Does your closest friend desert you?! Do they pretend not to notice you just to gorge their starving ego?! Should the definition of a closest friend be 'the boy who doesn't need me anymore'?! 'Closest friends' don't run away for weeks, even months, only to gain a better reputation than you could provide them, leaving never a reason, an explanation, as to why they turned their back and walked away. You are nothing but an enemy, a wisp of memory to me now! Yet you call yourself my closest friend?! You don't even deserve the title of friend! You were never one! And now I realize that. There's more to life than your splinter --- shred --- of compassion. I have a closest friend. And, well, it isn't, never was, and never will be you."

Suddenly I was suffocated by misery. I couldn't stand the heated atmosphere, couldn't stand the diminishing room, I couldn't even stand the shocked look on his face anymore. I could feel all the eyes on me, alarmed by my sudden outburst. I had to escape. I pushed through the cafeteria double doors effortlessly. I tried to take deeper breaths, but it felt like my windpipe had caved in on itself. I wanted to shut my eyes tight, but they were glued open. When I finally reached the girls' bathroom for the second time today, my eyes were already brimming with tears that were by now cascading down my face. I raced in and slumped against the wall. I wouldn't break down. This situation didn't call for sobbing. I had only let go, I had only released what I had bottled up --- just at exactly the wrong moment. I brushed my hand through my disheveled hair. It stayed there and my fingers began to tighten, bunching up my locks.

Yes, I felt better --- but at what cost? He deserved it, but he hadn't at this moment. Overreaction seemed to be my forte. Sighing, I let my hand fall from my hair and stood up gradually. Trudging over to the mirror, I mulled over the past few minutes.

Overreaction may have been my forte, but Horrible Timing was my companion.

How could I have been so stupid?! My moronic timing was what solidified the injustice in my speech --- not the speech itself. Mitchell deserved a good hardcore chewing-out. Only, not at this time. He had done nothing right now, even if he had been a jerk the past few months. This was totally and completely my fault.

Yes, I was the pinnacle of disappointment.

Laying my hands on the counter, I sighed deeply as I gazed at my reflection. My hair was mangled and my face was a patchy red and swollen. I had only cried a few seconds --- and hadn't even reached hysterics --- and already my face was sporting red splotches and puffy eyes.

I hated that part of emotion.

Slowly, I rested my head against the cool, refreshing mirror and closed my eyes. The frozen touch of the mirror against my heated face was soothing. I was comforted, if just for a moment. Oh! I had to make this right, didn't I? My eyes snapped open as this new resolution clung to me with iron hands. I straightened up immediately as a new determination flooding my eyes. My hair was barely worried about --- I flattened it subtly here and there --- while I marched out of the door with my task guiding me to the cafeteria.

By the time I staggered in, determined, everyone was already filing --- some hastily, others casually --- out of the crowded room into the hall through the door on the other side of the cafeteria. I searched through the crowd with purpose, trying to single out a familiar bobbing head. Then I saw the flash of blonde I had been waiting for.

"Mitchell!" I cried out desperately.

He only turned to give me a meaningful and hurt look.

I trudged into the classroom, defeated, right as the bell rang. We usually didn't start this class promptly anyway because of the ruckus from lunch and the fact that it was last period. Mitchell was in the back right corner of the classroom, an empty seat next to him --- which he had resolutely spread his books out in front of. I didn't dare sit there. I chose a seat in the back opposite corner.

It seemed once I was safely seated, he relaxed, removing his books from the other desk. Where I sat, there was an empty seat beside me as well. I left it that way, figuring it was better if someone obscured our view of each other.

Yet no one sat anywhere in our row. They even got desperate to keep the empty gap between us. This was not encouraging. Could everyone else see the dark aura between the two of us?

The empty gap just seemed to make us angrier towards each other. Or at least made him angrier. I was merely ashamed and apologetic; but I was getting irritated at the way he kept staring at me, his penetrating gaze thick with accusation. My gaze only betrayed regret, overplaying it to make his countenance soften. But it didn't. In fact, I think it got colder. We stared at each other for the longest time, the minutes ticking by ceaselessly, before the teacher called on me for the answer. My head snapped up and I scanned the whiteboard quickly, trying to make my hesitation look like I was checking my answer.

"243,609 centimeters," I answered finally, sighing with relief when the teacher dubbed it correct. I glanced over at Mitchell frankly, but he still kept up the cruel stare.

This was going to be a long class period.

The rest of the hour, I could feel his eyes on me. Mostly, I kept my eyes on the desk and my book; but when I did glance over, a chill ran down my spine at his expression. He was seething resentment now.

This was one of those times I stole a glance. Quickly turning to my books after his eyes met mine, I sighed deeply, but quietly, in frustration before checking the clock. There were only five minutes left. I was going to get this over with after class --- no matter how opaque he was or how pathetic and desperate I was. It was going to be done.

I spared no more glances at him for the remainder of the class, yet I could feel his cold stare every second. Had I really been that mean? He must be holding a grudge from before, too! I assured myself.

It didn't help too much.

When the time finally came and the homework was being dictated, I didn't give it a thought. I packed up as quickly as I could --- I had more important things to worry about. (Plus, I could get the homework from at least someone after all this was said and done.) As soon as the fateful words were said that released us all, I was racing to follow him. He dashed as quickly from the classroom as I had from my seat.

He was barely out in the hall before I fell into step alongside him. After glancing up to note this, he sped up his pace slightly. I caught up with little effort.

It just goes to show you, girls have the power when it comes to the legs.

Turning to me, he snorted. "What? Are you going to yell at me again?" He turned away, annoyed.

Well, at least he's not angry anymore.

"No," I replied defensively. "I want to talk to you." Here it comes. Just apologize, then its over. His turn. No more spotlight.  I encouraged myself. Once again, it didn't help too much.

He shoved open one of the double doors and leaned casually against the middle post while I strode through. "Oh, so there's more?" he queried with a disgusted and dissatisfied tone. He jumped up from the post, rubbing his hands together. "Wait a minute," he demanded as he held up one finger on each hand. Bracing his legs apart and standing straight and tall, he started to smirk cynically. "Well then," Lastly he stretched his arms, palms out, towards me as if he was about to fend off an attack. "I'm ready," he sarcastically declared.

I eyed him contemptuously. He was taking this way too far. I hadn't been that hateful --- at least, I didn't think I had. "I'm trying to make an apology, if you please," I confessed curtly, crossing my arms. I stared at the concrete and started tapping the toe of my sneaker resolutely against it. I began to fidget with the sleeve of my coarse sweater as the cynical light deflated from his countenance.

"I-I'm the one that should be regretful. I . . . didn't realize how I really was." Taken aback by his sudden change of air, I could barely nod infinitesimally at this fact. "I did deserve it. And," He sighed wearily. "and I'm sorry."

By the time he was done, I could swear my mouth was probably hanging. I had expected his cynical nature to come out stronger after I'd said that. But I guess it just showed how much we never knew each other. "No. I had the wrong timing. It was completely uncalled for. I'm to blame and you're completely innocent." I assured him speedily.

"No, no, no." He waved his hands in from of him. "I deserved it. You're right about the bad timing, but I am glad you at least took the opportunity to open up my eyes to the truth like a slap in the face." He grinned. "I needed to find out sometime. Even if it wasn't the right time. I guess I shouldn't be making comments about being someone's 'closest friend' unless I seriously act that way. And I'm genuinely sorry for doing so."

I was absolutely staggered now. I had never seen this side of Mitchell. I didn't know how to respond or even what to do for the next few seconds. I was paralyzed, rooted to that spot.

Mitchell started to back up. "I understand." He was about to turn away when I finally found my voice.

"Wait." I demanded. That halted him. He was still nearly turned to the side as I ambled over. "Mitchell, I'm sorry. For the wrong timing and for hurting you." I answered, my voice barely audible to anyone but him. "But you didn't have to stare at me so hard for the last hour! I wasn't that mean!" I tittered, and he laughed along too.

Turning around, a broad grin lit his face. "Well, maybe that was my revenge. Staring, my eyes boring into you, to make your guilt eat you alive." He uttered in a mocking grim tone. Now that was the Mitchell I knew.

"You're evil."

"Well maybe that's just my job," he shot back proudly.

We both started laughing heartily. Now, everything was patched up. No worries now. We were going to be fine.

"So, like I was saying," Superficial gravity entered his tone again. "I need to be a better friend. We'll be closest friends. Or at least try." He laughed again. "Yeah, we'll just try."

I was about to answer when Everett's car pulled up. There was no escape fast enough, so I figured I'd stay where I was and take my chances. A second later, the engine's hum ceased and immediately Everett was out of the car. Time seemed to move in slow motion as we shared a meaningful look for only a second. "Hey Mitchell," he acknowledged with a cliché half nod.

"Hey . . . um, Everett." Mitchell responded reluctantly. I guess he was a bit freaked out by the sudden unexpected greeting. Students had already started to scramble out and rushed past us on both sides.

Everett's eyes stayed on me until he passed through the doors. And I tried to prevent mine from wandering towards him. Mitchell seemed to notice this and raised one eyebrow.

"So, you and Caine, huh?" he inquired somewhat mockingly.

"Never!" I yelled a bit too quickly. I was about to add on to it, when the bus pulled up.

"Man, taking the bus, aren't you?"

"Yeah. We'll start the friend thing tomorrow. Deal?" I held up my hand for a high-five, which he gave me immediately. Before I left for the bus, I smothered him in a tight hug.

The next day flew by too quickly. Mitchell and I spent every second we could together. It was nice. For once, I had someone to be around all the time. Not that Riley wasn't enough, but he was a senior and I was a junior. That didn't provide us with much time together. Plus, he wasn't here now.

The minute I got home, the phone rang off the hook with telemarketers and Everett trying to get a hold of me, the last call being Riley inviting me over to his house that night.

Excited as I could be, I got ready quickly, dressing in more casual apparel than last time. I was more of an old-jeans-and-plain-tee kind of girl, anyway. When I was finally ready, Mom searched up Riley's address to get a map. She had insisted on dropping me off there, (possibly to observe Riley?) so I couldn't refuse. On the way there, my mom and I, to both our surprise, talked about things we had never mentioned to each other before and resolved things we'd been too scared to say. This day just seemed to be going for me. And since Riley was coming to school tomorrow, I doubted tomorrow would be any less.

When we pulled up to the house, Riley was already standing in the driveway, waiting. I was flattered by this and I waved when we reached him. The minute the car stopped --- even before that, I think --- I hopped out and ran to Riley. He encompassed me in a huge bear hug that lifted me up off the ground. I hugged him just as tight before he set me down.

When I looked behind me, Mom was giving me the look. Apparently I'd done something wrong. I tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear and grinned sheepishly, subconsciously edging away from Riley. When her look diminished, I knew it had only been the "Mom-syndrome" rearing up again. We began to amble inside. Riley's parents stood up the second we took our first step through the door. His mom strolled toward mine, while his dad sauntered over to us, looking me up and down.

"Hello! You must be Rosette's mom. I'm Laura Aster, Riley's mother," I heard Mrs. Aster say in a perky voice, extending her hand.

Mrs. Aster was a fair woman with a kind countenance. Her hair was a dirty blonde, piled upon her head with curl after curl. Her eyes, gleaming with delight, were a light brown, with a smile forever enduring inside of them.  She seemed to smile all the time and had a soft voice with always a tinge of complete joy behind it. Not too tall, she was about a foot or two shorter than Mr. Aster and a bit skinnier than he was.

Mr. Aster, on the other hand, was a tall man, with red hair that was already graying. At this, I wondered where Riley got his thick brunette locks from. Mr. Aster had a wary look about him --- with his long, thin nose and small firm lips. His eyes were a deep swirling abyss of blue that seemed to assess you in one glance. His voice was flat, but not lifeless --- a low, deep voice with some kind of sing-song pattern. He was broad-shouldered and big-boned, with a bit of muscle to boot.

"So, this is the Rosette I've been hearing about." He eyed me appraisingly, as parents always do with any one person that could possibly be a potential spouse. Parents pounce upon this opportunity like a starving lion upon a shred of meat, sometimes even scaring that one person away. He smiled. Then, when I turned away to smirk at Riley, out of the corner of my eye I noticed him giving Riley a thumbs-up that I wasn't supposed to see. "Dan." When I turned back, he extended his hand to me and I shook it gently.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I replied politely, smiling good-naturedly in the usual manner. While Mrs. Aster was still talking my mom up, Mr. Aster lumbered into the living room to continue watching his sports. At this point, Riley quickly seized my hand.

"Want to see my room?" he whispered impatiently. I had no choice but to consent to being dragged up the stairs to the location mentioned aforehand. It was the stereotypical staircase --- two series of stairs, the second one facing the opposite way at the top of the first; a chain of family pictures following you upward, each one seemingly staring you down with welcoming eyes and cordial smiles; a warm brown banister, glazed over with a gleaming finish, and white wooden stairs that groaned just enough to cause a chill up your spine. At the top of the stairs, right before us, was the door to Riley's bedroom. I fiddled with my leather bracelet once more before he led me in, looking down at it with a large grin.

Immediately I found myself in a medium-sized room with cooking posters and random ones --- the majority being random. The walls were also covered in sticky notes. Skimming over them interestedly, I spotted one with a phrase that seemed familiar. I rapidly plucked it from the wall and read over it more avidly. "'Yes. I have been staring at your eyes the whole time. It was an inescapable opportunity, and there was no guarantee I'd have the chance again!'" I read aloud. Dropping my hands to my side, I turned to Riley, whose grin was growing. "Hey! I said that." I declared, pointing at the sticky note.

"Of course." He sat down on the corner of the bed, still beaming at me. "That was one of my favorite things you said. It was the point when we both realized you liked me." He seemed to tremble in pride like a bird that ruffles up his feathers in self-importance. "It was also my favorite day." His hand slowly rose to his chin. "That is, besides the day you went out with me . . ." he trailed off.

I shook my head in amused disappointment, slapping the note back in its place. "Oh! I've got good news." I had almost forgotten about it amid how Mitchell and I were getting along. Sitting down in a wooden chair across from where he was, I rested my hands on my knees and leaned in as if I was about to tell a small child a secret. He leaned in closer too, possibly in anticipation. "No rumors!" I commented cheerfully, straightening back up. "I talked with Mitchell for two days in a row, and," I slapped my hands on my legs. "nothing!" I chuckled, standing up to traverse the room. Riley soon followed and met me where I was fingering a cooking poster.

Leaning up against the wall, he eyed me skeptically before voicing his opinion. "Well, I guess if you spoke to the vendor-of-all-things-gossip, there's nothing to worry about." A grin broke out across his face. "Hey, I've been thinking a---"

At that moment, the door opened, revealing Mrs. Aster with an apron over her outfit and oven mitts on her hands. "Hey, guys! Are you just going to let your chicken get cold?" she questioned, the ever-existent smile lighting up her face. Riley glanced at me, chuckling and shaking his head amusedly, before following his mom down the stairs. I shook my head myself and made my way down the long staircase. Once again, the pictures seemed to eye me blithely. What was it with lengthy staircases in the midst of family photos?

The night went pretty quickly after that. Mom stayed for dinner --- at Mrs. Aster's begging of course --- and we both enjoyed a wonderful chicken diner made by her. Even though I was disappointed that Riley wasn't the one cooking this time, I had to admit it was superb. I could undoubtedly see where Riley got his exquisite cooking flair from.

Once we were finished, it had gotten exceptionally late. The Aster's insisted they take us home, but we refused to have them go through all the trouble. It seemed Fate worked in this instance, for as soon as I had gotten home, Everett emerged at my window. Of course, I irately shoved the curtains closed and before long heard him jump off.

A few minutes later, when I thought he was safely gone, I shifted the edge of the curtain aside and peered through the window. Yet, there he was at the border of the forest, zipping -- which was probably more like pacing to him --- to and fro as if he was a guard. I momentarily questioned why my predator would also be my guardian. I stared him down once he stopped: he was looking back and forth for any "signs" of my "stalker", which he would never find, considering it was him. Maybe he was defending me from himself --- his other half, that is. It had to be him. The other day had proved that much. My suspicions arose and everything seemed to fall into place.

During this whole time, I hadn't been focusing on what I'd been staring at, only gazing off into a blurry mess. But when I did finally focus on what was in front of me, his gaze was piercing through my eyes into my very soul. His were full of concern --- mine, fury.

He was my enemy now --- at all costs.

The next day was just as splendid as I predicted it would be. Riley and I were disappointed that we couldn't spend every second together, but were satisfied with the time at lunch and before school. During my classes, I noticed that Valerie wasn't here. Then I tied this on with the fact that she hadn't been here for the past few days. I cursed myself for not realizing that yesterday and the day before. Then why had Everett come to the school the other day if it wasn't for his sister? After school, I asked Riley about Valerie's frequent and current nonexistence, omitting the Everett bit.

"It happens a lot." he told me, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall. "They went missing for weeks on end when Everett and the others went here." He scrutinized me suspiciously. "Why are you so concerned about the Caine people?" His head sagged low, and he heatedly beat his shoe into the sidewalk. His sidelong glance vexed me, but it wasn't what he thought; was it?

"Nothing. It just seemed . . . unusual. Plus, I've been trying to break Valerie's icy shell." I tried not to meet his eyes, and this seemed to end the conversation. A few seconds of silence consumed us both, which led us to sift through possible conversation starters. One finally emerged fatefully in the form of the bus. This I could tell by the light that seemed to grace over Riley's face when the bus pulled up to the sidewalk.

I swung my backpack to my other shoulder, ready to head toward the bus when Riley hailed me. I spun around quickly at the sound of my name. "Hey, why don't I drive you home today? I drove my truck here." He pointed in its general direction and my gaze roughly followed the route of his hand, only to land on the familiar lime green Ford Bronco.

I didn't know how to answer. The last time someone had taken me home was . . . Immediately flashes of that day and Everett's face filled my mind. Valerie's words rang in my ears while his face changed just in the same way it had a few days ago. 'I knew you shouldn't have done this' echoed over and over with the rhythm of the flashes.

The contorted expression. Valerie's furious glower. The black specks, highlighted in fiery pools. Each caring gesture and precaution he had taken that day.  His concerned expression melting into the evil glare of a predator. It was all there. It all burst in my mind, for perhaps only a few moments in reality, but eternally was how it felt.

The older memories seemed to wither away as the latest ones attacked me with remarkable force. How our eyes met last night. That fathomless black in his eyes when he attacked me. That murderous glint. The speed at which he zipped towards me. His intense gaze when he told me he'd be watching. Those eyes. Those eyes! Ocher. Black. Incredible and stunning. Vile and ominous.

My mind was working overtime as it wrestled hysterically to scatter the memories away --- to snuff them out. I strove to seize some reality, to flee from the recollections asphyxiating me. The figures began to fuse with my own imagination as the monster in question, Valerie, and Everett himself turned more menacing in my thoughts. Everything was spinning out of control. I couldn't tell fact from fiction anymore. Certainty and falsity blurred into oblivion. I didn't even realize I was falling until Riley's tender arms prevented my plunge.

By the time reality and all my senses came back to me, I was seated safely in the passenger side of Riley's truck --- the door beside me closed and Riley's eyes searching every inch of my face for answers. "Rosette?" It was more of him making sure I was okay than a question. He grabbed my shoulder and shook it gently a few times before I twisted my head towards him. "Are you okay? Why'd you faint? Do you need to go to the hospital? Do you want me to drive you home? You sure you're okay?! Why aren't you answering my questions?!" He fired them one after the other, hardly giving time for him --- let alone me --- to even take a breath in-between.

"Because you're not even giving me time to breathe after you ask me one! Let alone time to answer! I'm fine!" I sighed, exasperated, and then put my seatbelt on, my eyes never straying from my hands.

It was a long ride home after that. I tried to discourage him from taking me there, making excuses left and right. But the true reason I didn't want him at my house was that my mom wasn't home and Everett was still "guarding" us. I was horrified that he would come after me and Riley would get hurt or killed in the process. It would be horrible to be responsible for that happening. This was why I rejected and trembled the whole drive home.

By the time we finally pulled up in the driveway, I was about ready to explode of terror. I practically jumped out of the car door the second it stopped. "Y-you really didn't have to do this." I sputtered, shaking my hands back and forth as Riley stepped out of the car. I glanced back and forth madly as he slammed the door shut. Everett seemed to be nowhere in sight --- which was the most dangerous.

"But I wanted to. Once again . . ., are you okay?" He seemed to hesitate in asking me --- probably because of how frustrated I had gotten earlier. I sprinted towards the house as he sauntered along. His sluggishness was driving me insane! I waited for him at the door, bouncing up and down fretfully. "Are you late for something?" he inquired once he reached me, examining my actions skeptically.

"No, i-it's just probably…best that we get…inside" I peered around him to make sure the path was still clear. "as…fast as possible." I sucked in a loud, uneasy breath as I unlocked the door with quivering hands, almost dropping the keys. The instant it was open, I flitted through the door quickly, closing it and yelling, "Thank you!" behind me to Riley.

He swiftly jabbed his hand in between the door and the doorframe and poked his head through. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

I hadn't thought he would take it that way --- or catch on so quickly. I shoved his hand out of the way before slamming the door and hollering, "No, not really." The door, which I had "slammed," hadn't shut all the way; and I recognized this too late as Riley heaved his way through, consequently whacking me to the side. "Ok, maybe," I amended unimpressively, dusting myself off as I rose to face him.

"Why?" he demanded simply, crossing his arms. Even in anger, he still appeared laid-back! I was a failure at that.

I merely sighed heatedly and crossed the room to lock the door.

"What's going on?" He turned as I walked past him, his eyes following me every moment. While I turned from my position by the now-bolted door, he took a step forward. "Is there something I need to know?" The laid-back mode he was in had still not departed him as he inclined against the kitchen doorway.

I sighed once more then strolled over to the table to sit down. "We've been having an . . . animal problem. It's been coming after us a few times. I didn't want you to get hurt because you were around me. It has a certain . . . hatred of me."

He leisurely sat down across from me with an unmoved gleam in his eyes. "And this animal can open doors?" he posed, specifying the dead-bolted door with a minuscule nod of his head. That doubtful glint was in his eyes still, piercing through my very heart and soul.

I stood up swiftly. "Animals can learn to open doors. I mean, babies and toddlers learn to. Dogs and cats have been proven to learn to open doors. They watch their owners time after time then keep experimenting themselves until they get the hang of it. What makes a wild animal so different? Some raccoons can! Any animal can learn in time by watching humans. It's simple. They just . . ." I kept rambling on until I finally noticed his expression, halting my pacing in the process. "You don't believe me do you?" Now it was my turn to lean against the doorway and stare him down.

He shifted in his seat to face me fully and rested his ankle on his other knee. "It seems pretty iffy, so, I-I don't know. Look, I believe you." He shifted again uncomfortably. "It's just hard to believe." He finally stood up and approached me. "Hey, don't worry," he soothed me softly. "You still have fear in your eyes." He tucked a wayward wisp of hair behind by ear and gazed straight into my eyes compassionately. His caress resurfaced unwanted memories of him, but I forced them down ferociously. Riley's caresses were so much different: there was actually feeling behind them. "Why don't you call Animal Control? They'd take whatever it is away, and you wouldn't have to worry about it anymore."

Hmmm…. Animal Control. I didn't think of that. But no, I couldn't do that.

Everett was still a human.

"I-I don't want anyone to get hurt," I fibbed promptly. "Until we know exactly what it is, we don't want anyone else going after it." I slipped my hand onto his shoulder in assurance. As my eyes started to wander away, I caught a glimpse of the time. Oh boy, my mom would be home soon. I swiftly pecked him on the cheek. "You should go."

Apparently my hand on his shoulder and the kiss on the cheek had affected him, as he didn't ask me how we didn't know what the 'animal' was. "Yeah, I probably should," he agreed, glancing at the stove clock himself. "It'd be pretty weird for your mom to come home and see us together alone." He grinned.

"Very," I chuckled before leading him out of the door. I kept my wits about me every step until we reached the car, holding eachother's hands the whole time. When we did reach it, he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently, fingering the bracelet that he had given me. A smile swept across his face and stayed there as he got into the car. Pulling away slowly and savoring the moment, we finally released hands right before he left.

The second I closed the door and locked it --- again ---, the phone rang. I debated ignoring for a few moments, but decided they'd only call again. Begrudgingly I picked up the phone and cleared my throat before pressing 'talk.' "Willows' household, Rosette speaking," I answered in the most accommodating voice I could manage.

"Yeah. I think I know that by now. Animal Control? Seriously?" replied a familiar voice.

"Where are you?" I replied wrathfully, practically hissing it through my teeth.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm far from your house by now. I considered paying you a visit, but then I remembered how angry you are and---"

"Of course I'm angry! Why would you expect me not to be?" Before Everett could answer, I dove into another set of questions. "Where have you all been? Why did you leave?"

"Aw…" he cooed. "Missing me?" I could hear the grin in his voice. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I'm only guarding you, Rosette. Without me you'd be dead. I deserve a thank-you." His tone turned solemn --- which scared me.

I quickly covered it up with malice. "I'd be dead with you! Why are you trying to protect me when you're the very one who's stalking me --- when you're the predator yourself?!"

The line went out for a few seconds before it came back on with a boom. "What? What was that? I couldn't hear you because of the static. Rosette, what did you say? The phone is going out."

"Good." And with that I hung up the phone and practically ground it back into its holder. I ran to my room to take my anger out more efficiently --- by trashing it.

Riley was running beside me. We were laughing. All seemed right in the world. The same unending light bathed me this time as it had last. I pushed myself a bit faster to get ahead, and then swerved in front of Riley. I wanted to get to wherever first. My destination was unclear. I just knew to keep running. Just keep running.

But just then, a horrible sound filled my ears. It was a scream of terror. My rushing legs stopped too late as I spun around to behold Riley on the ground, with Everett looming over him. I began screaming incoherent, and apparently inaudible, words and demands at him, but he never stopped. Before my eyes, he murdered Riley, the one hold to reality and sanity in my life. Before my eyes, he destroyed my very being. Before my eyes, he grinned when it was over. It was my grin. The smirk he sported whenever he was around me. Only, this time, it held a wicked glimmer to it --- a certain air of pride and accomplishment. And then, he vanished into the trees, leaving me forlorn and crushed.

I woke up to a knock. Sitting up quickly in bed, I immediately checked my window. Something was moving out there. I was so petrified that it would be him that I was frozen in place for who knows how long. Finally, I was able to slowly step out of my bed and throw a spare sweater on over my pajamas. The closer I got to the window, the more I recognized it was my tree moving. I gradually slid my window open, my hands trembling in fright still, and peered outside. "Rosette." I heard faintly from the tree. This made me jump back quite a few feet.

I regained my composure and stuck my head out yet again. "Riley!" I whispered fiercely, "You scared me half to death, you moron!"

I still couldn't find him in the tree. "Well it's good it was only half, because it would be a shame for you to die when I sneaked out just to see you," he chortled. I finally spotted him in the tree and scowled.

"What on earth are you doing up in the tree?!" I demanded ferociously. I held my hand to my head. My drowsiness was still wearing off and I guess I was still crabby. Otherwise, I'd be thrilled to see him.

"I thought I'd say goodbye to you before I left tomorrow. Sorry." He hung his head. "Guess this" indicating the tree "wasn't such a good idea."

"No, no! I'm happy to see you. Just, you don't need to try to get yourself killed to see me!" I looked the tree up and down to assess its height. "Riley," I sighed, amused "I worry about you sometimes."

He laughed. "Hold on, let me get over there." He dexterously swayed from branch to branch over to the one that was before my window. I once more acknowledged that I was a complete failure at everything. Once he was at the branch, he swung his legs over one side and sat on it casually, leaning against another branch bent along the wall.

"Why? You just saw me today. Not even 5 hours ago, I think!" I shook my head. "Can't get away, huh?"

He nodded dramatically.

"Me too." I scrambled onto the ledge of my window pane. It stretched out just enough for me to recline. "So, you ready to go? Excited for the trip?"

"Except for the fact I'll be leaving you." He began to scratch and pick at the branch.

"Hey, let's not make things mushy here," I tittered. "I'll miss you too. You're all I have." I even began staring at my hands and fiddling with the hem of my sweater.

I heard the branches creak a bit and realized Riley was trying to move closer. "Me too. You're basically my only friend, if not . . ." he left it hanging there, unable to finish, I suppose.

"Me too! You know, we do have a lot more in common than we think." I looked up, only to lock with his eyes. I couldn't escape his intense gaze. I didn't want to. Without thinking, we both began to lean in, him scooting closer on the branch. And before I knew it, my lips were forming with his.

The whole world seemed to evaporate. It was only him and I. I braced my hands against the window pane to steady myself and Riley braced his hands on my shoulders. All I knew was his lips touching mine. I never wanted the world to return. I wanted to live in this nothingness. Our world. I never wanted this bliss to end. Yet suddenly, it broke off as I heard a snap.

I was roughly pulled forward, which caused my eyes to snap open wide. The next thing I knew was Riley falling. Before I could even yell, Riley jumped up from the ground. "Oh my word! Riley! Are you okay?" I practically screamed.

"Yeah. I grabbed onto the vine." He held it up over his head proudly, snickering. The smirk just wouldn't wipe off of his face, would it? Neither would mine.

"Now, why couldn't you use that to climb up here?" I chided gently.

"Hey, well at least I got to see you. And by the way, that was one excellent kiss." He whistled in confirmation of it, dropping the vine.

I laughed for probably the fifth time tonight then shook my head. "Get home Riley. And enjoy your trip." I grinned. "And yes, that was great, wasn't it? Yes, very excellent."

We were both so awkward.

He grin grew wider as he walked away backwards, his eyes never leaving me until I closed the window. No, my grin will never leave. I accepted as I flopped down on my bed with delight.