“That’s not true!”Okay, maybe it was kind of true.
“Brooklyn, I’m your best friend and I still know virtually nothing about your home life or your childhood. And that’s okay, because I love you. But you have to let somebody in eventually, or you’ll end up alone.”
I didn’t respond. How had this conversation suddenly turned around on me?
“Thanks, Dr. Phil. I really appreciate it,” I snapped. “I’m going to take a shower.” I pushed her legs off my lap and stormed out of the room, knowing I needed space to cool down and time to remind myself that she was only trying to look out for me.
Back in my bedroom, I hopped in the shower and stood under the near-scalding water, hoping somehow it could wash away the emotions swirling inside my head.
A few moments later, my phone buzzed on my nightstand as I was pulling on a pair of jeans. I nearly tripped over my own feet in my hurry to answer the incoming call. The screen readBlocked Number– I wondered vaguely who it was as I lifted the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” I asked, slightly out ofbreath. When no one responded I repeated myself, less patiently this time. “Hello? Is someone there?”
I could hear someone breathing on the other end of the line, but they still didn’t respond.
“Who is this?” I demanded, growing angry as a chill raced up my spine. I could feel the fine hair coating my forearms beginning to prickle in alarm.
The slow breathing continued.
“I know you’re there. I can hear you breathing,” I pointed out.
Still no response.
“Don’t call here again, creep,” I hissed into the phone, jabbing at the screen to end the call.
First the nightmare, thena fight with Lexi, and now a disturbing prank caller? If this morning was any indication, it was going to be a long ass day.
***
That evening, I trudged home from campus in a relentless downpour. What had begun as a beautiful sunny day had quickly turned overcast as ominous storm clouds overtook the blue sky. I stepped out of my last class and, as if it had been waiting for me, the sky opened up and sent down buckets of rain that soaked through my jeans and thin t-shirt within minutes. Unequipped to handle the fast-forming puddles, my flimsy sandals continually skidded across the wet sidewalks as I sloshed through the streets. Of all days to forget my umbrella at home, of course it had to be today.
As I hurried around the corner onto my street, I began to sense a presence behind me. It wasn’t as if I could hear footsteps following me, since the poundingrain drowned out all sound, but I knew instinctively that someone was walking behind me.
Watching me.
Without stopping, I cast a furtive glance over one shoulder and tried to see who it was. The heavy rain andthick cloud cover had darkened the sky – though I thought I could make out a shadowy form standing still on the sidewalk about twenty yards behind me on the otherwise abandoned street.
Who stands out on the street in weather like this?
I began to walk faster, suddenly eager to get home for more reasons than just the rain. No doubt looking like a drowned cat, I cursed myself for not checking the weather forecast this morning and continued my waterlogged trudge.
As soon as the dilapidated Victorian came into view, I bolted for the stairs and rushed inside, chilled to the bone and sopping wet. Rather than drip water all the way to my bedroom, I immediately peeled the t-shirt over my head and shimmied out of my sodden jeans, leaving them in adamp pile on the kitchen floor.
Dropping my backpack beside the door, I walked into the living room in just my bra and panties and hurried toward my bedroom. My teeth were chattering with cold and my hair was dripping, the long dark tendrils tangled and plastered around my torso. I couldn't get to the shower fast enough, desiring nothing more than to stand beneath the torrent and let the heat gradually sink back into my bones.
A loud, appreciative whistle sounded from the couch and stopped me in my tracks.
“Do you always walk around like that or did you just know I was coming over?”
IknewI shouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning
Finnlounged on my couch, completely relaxed, staring at me with an amused grin on his face.Throwing my hands in front of my chest I tried to cover my most crucial girl-parts, strategically rearranging my hair so it blocked his view of my chest. Miracle of miracles, I was wearing lacy boyshorts, rather than of one of my skimpier sets that left little to the imagination.
“It was raining,” I stammered, completely mortified by his presence but damned if I was going to let it show. “What the hell are you doing in my house?”
“I came over with Ty. He and Lexi disappeared into her room, oh—” he glanced at his watch. “–about a half hour ago.” He was still grinning at me, clearly pleased with himself.
“Fine. Whatever. I’m going to shower.”