Throwing off my comforter, I ran to the window, and looked out. Peggy Sue was in the driveway and his SUV was gone. I pushed open the window and cool air blew against me. Shivering I looked out at the dreary landscape. The air was cloying with the smell of decomposing wet leaves. I shut the window and tossed on my hoodie, and went down to my mom’s room. The door stood ajar. Faint light streamed into the hall. I pushed open the door and Mom was sitting up with her glasses on, reading.
“Mom,” I called quietly as to not scare her, hugging the doorframe.
“Amber,” she said, looking surprised and pulled off her glasses. “What are you doing up?”
“Did Ken come back?”
“No, but he called me.” She turned the page and put back on her glasses.
“Well?” I gaped at her. “What did he say?”
“Oh,” she said, glancing up from the page. “Everything is fine. He’s coming to see me tonight.” She blushed.
“Mom, what about Viktor?”
“Amber, what is your problem?”
“My problem is, I am waiting for you to tell me what happened, and all you keep doing is reading.”
“Sorry.” She gave me a sheepish smile and tapped her book. “I am at a really good part.”
“Mom, I don’t care.”
“Well, you asked.” She pursed her lips.
I took a breath trying to find some patience. She wasn’t acting any different but right now it was really starting to make me angry. “And what happened to Viktor?”
“I suppose he is all right, Ken didn’t really say.”
“Who brought the car back?”
She glanced back down to the page. “I guess someone brought it back.”
“Oh my God, you are ridiculous.” I stomped away. Talking to my mom was like pulling teeth sometimes. I climbed the stairs back to my room and tossed off my hoodie. Climbing back in bed, I laid there, staring up at my ceiling, feeling anxious. Of course, I didn’t have his number so I couldn’t check on him to see if he was okay. I shut my eyes and tried to go back to sleep but I kept replaying the night in my mind.
Irritated, I got up and went downstairs to make some coffee. After I brewed a pot, I poured two cups of coffee and took one up to my mom, too. I was hoping to lure more information out of her.
“Oh, thanks honey.” She took the cup and cradled it, her eyes scanning quickly across the page of her book.
“What time is Ken coming over?”
She beamed, her book forgotten. “He’ll be here after work, around seven, I think.” She took a sip of her coffee.
Well that was helpful…not. “Okay.” I walked toward the door.
“Amber,” she called.
“Yeah,” I said and turned.
“I am sure Viktor is all right or Ken would have said.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“You like him?”
I frowned. “I don’t know” I sighed. “I really don’t know him well enough to form an opinion yet.”
“He’s awfully cute.”
“Yeah,” I smiled, “he really is.”
“What do you think of Ken?”
“Um, he seems nice.”
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” she asked. “Did you see his muscles?” She wiggled like an excited kid.
This conversation, some would consider inappropriate, but my mom acted more my age than I did most of the time. She was what my dad used to call a free spirit. I wasn’t sure about the spirit part but she was certainly “free” in other ways. But hey, she was an adult and it was her life. I just hoped things worked out with Ken, if not…well I wouldn’t think about that now. I didn’t want to jinx it for her.
Trudging back up to my room, I pushed open my door and walked to my desk. Setting down my cup, I sat, and flipped on my computer. It made an abundance of clicking noises and finally flickered on. I looked up the history of Forks and the demographics. Assault and rape were really high compared to the standard. I couldn’t help but wonder if those were the “incidents” Ken was talking about. No wonder he didn’t want me going out alone.
On the town’s main page there was a caption that said, “Come join us and celebrate Bella’s birthday.” I looked at the date. It was today. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I decided to check it out. I grabbed a piece of paper, jotted down the different times for the events, and wrote down where the Quileute tribe member was giving a tour of La Push. Now that I had something to do, I shut off my computer and went to get ready. I didn’t want to admit what I was really hoping for—that I might run into a particular boy.
eight
A large crowd gathered out in front of Forks Visitor Center and the Forks Timber Museum. Across the street was an airport, although I didn’t think they used it much anymore. Pulling my jacket closer, I looked for familiar faces; I saw two, and groaned. Viola and Cressida were standing off to the side, taking pictures in front of Bella’s truck from the movie. There was even a cutout of Kristen Stewart inside. Seriously.
Feeling weirdly out of place and alone, I pulled out my phone and dialed Glinda’s number. I bounced in place trying to warm up “Pick up. Pick up.”
“I’ll be there in five,” she said and then nothing but dial tone. “What?” I stared down at my phone and then shoved it back in my pocket. Standing away from the crowd, I angled myself so Bella’s truck was behind me, and after Viola and Cressida left, I snapped a quick selfie.
Sue me. There was no reason why I shouldn’t get into the Twilight craze too. I mean, everyone else was, so if you can’t beat’ em…join’ em, I always say. In the distance, I heard a bullhorn. The bus-taking people to the Swan’s house were leaving in five minutes. Edging my way to the line, I waited for Glinda. Cold hands snaked over my eyes.
“Boo,” a little voice chirped. Hands lifted off my eyes.
“What took you so long?”
Glinda looked up at me, blinking. Her china blue eyes were even more alarmingly bright outside against the dreary backdrop. She had on a stocking hat with earflaps and little tassels, hanging down. Her curly blonde hair stuck out from underneath and she had a scarf wrapped around her neck. She reminded me of Tinkerbelle. She seemed to recover and giggled. “You got me.” She bumped shoulders with me.
“How’d you know to meet me here?”
She tapped the side of her head. “I had a feeling you would call.”
I gave her a look of disbelief and then she giggled again. The sound reminding me of tinkling chimes. “I’m just messing with you. I was already on my way here. I come every year.” She opened her jacket and showed me her Team Jasper t-shirt.
“What no Edward or Jacob?” I laughed.
“No.” She bit her lip and shook her head. “I am partial to the strong silent types.
“Hmm.” I wasn’t sure exactly what she meant by that since I had never watched the whole movie or read the book. I guessed at some point I may want to, just so I knew what everyone was talking about.
“Where are we going?” She nodded in the direction of the bus.
“They said the Swan house.”
“Ooo-Yay! I want to see it before Charlie moves.”
“Huh?”
She tilted her head to the side. “Oh, you don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“The people who owned the house, well they are going to sell it. So, we just say Charlie might be moving.”
“Oh,” I said and rocked back on my heels. “Good to know.” I widened my eyes and looked at some distant spot, not really seeing anything.
“You don’t get us, do you?”
“Um…” I pulled my lip in, contemplating my answer. “No, I guess not.”
“It’s okay. You’ll get it, soon enough.”
“Oh—kay.” It was colder out today and with the dampness from all the recent rain, there was a bite in the air. Clouds hung heavily and it looked like it might rain at any moment. I was just glad it wasn’t raining now. Glinda grabbed my arm and pu
lled me closer to the bus. I stood behind her and blew on my hands, trying to warm up my fingers—the tips were white. Finally, I pulled out my mittens and slid them over my hands.
“So did you have fun with Viktor last night?” she asked suddenly. Her eyes glittered with humor.
“How’d you know I was with Viktor?”
She shrugged. “Just a lucky guess,” she said. For some reason I didn’t believe her.
“Um, well,” I hesitated. I didn’t know if I should go into all the stuff that happened or not.
“He’s fine by the way.”
“What?”
“You were worried about him, weren’t you?”
“Um…” My throat clogged. I swallowed. “How do you know he’s fine?”
She nodded her head toward where all the cars were parked. Viktor climbed out of his SUV and my stomach swirled.
“See, he’s fine.” She smiled knowingly at me.
Suddenly my hands were hot, as was the rest of me. “Did you talk to him?”
“Nope.” She shook her head.“Uh-oh.” She widened her eyes toward the SUV.
My eyes boggled and my heart sped up. Vincent climbed out of the passenger side of his SUV. “What is he doing with Viktor?” I voiced before I could stop myself.
She gave me a curious look. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“They are brothers.”
My mouth dropped open.
Glinda laughed and shoved me. “Amber, close your mouth before something flies into it.”
I glared at her and clamped my mouth firmly shut.
“Why do you look so surprised?”
“I just…” I shook my head, unable to find words. I watched them through the crowd. Vincent ran through a group of people and I thought for sure he had seen me. But he kept going and ran right past me. I turned to see where he was going and my stomach clenched. He scooped Viola off her feet and spun her around. Her black hair floated in the air and she was laughing, hugging him. An intense surge of jealously shot through me and I fisted my hands. I turned away and concentrated on the dirty bus. I knew I was being stupid. It shouldn’t matter; it shouldn’t even bother me, but it did—really bad.
“Heads up tiger, you got company coming,” Glinda stepped to the side.
I looked up and my breath caught.
“Long time no see,” Viktor said, and his lips lifted into a slow grin.
My stomach swirled. “Hey.” I tried to take a breath but it was caught in my throat.
“Breathe,” Glinda said, nudging me with her foot.
I took a breath.
“Sorry bout last night.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
I recovered somewhat. “No biggie,” I croaked like a frog and then coughed to cover it up. I sounded so stupid.
Glinda patted my back. Her little hand slammed harder than necessary. I glared at her and she widened her eyes at me.
“So, you going on the tour?” He nodded his head toward the bus.
“Yeah,” I said, suddenly not able to look him in the eyes. I felt like my cheeks were on fire.
“Cool.” He looked around at the people. A girl with curly brown hair was chasing a blonde boy through the crowd. Each of them were wearing Vampire teeth, acting out the parts. I recognized the little girl from yesterday—Suzie. I glanced around wondering if her pervo dad was here too. The hair on my neck lifted and somehow knew I was being watched. I turned slowly, expecting her dad to be gawking at me again but it wasn’t him. It was Vincent. He smiled at me, and it warmed me so thoroughly. It was like the sun had just appeared.
“Shoot.”
“What’s the matter?” Glinda pressed up on her toes and whispered, “Speak to him.”
“Who?” I muttered under my breath, my eyes glued to Vincent.
She exhaled. “The one you want to talk to, obviously.”
I suddenly wished I stayed home.
“Anyway, I just wanted to say sorry….” Viktor was saying, his voice …intense.
I tore my gaze from Vincent and looked up into Viktor’s stormy gray eyes and my breath fled once again. It was the strangest thing, I felt a pull to him so strong suddenly, and without meaning to, I took a step closer.
“Care if I join you two?” Viktor asked his voice deep and low.
“Sure,” I said lowering my voice, trying to make it sound sexier somehow.
His brow lifted, and his lips curled into a knowing smile. I had no idea why but I felt he looked like he had just won a battle, a silent one that was waging.
“You’re going to be in 146sooo much trouble,” Glinda singsonged under her breath when Viktor turned to talk to someone.
I turned my head and looked for Vincent. When I saw the expression on his face, I realized how true my assumption had been. Pain swelled in my chest. I stepped forward but then the crowd jostled me toward the bus. When we stopped moving, I looked for him again…but he was gone.