I can’t sleep and wiggle around in the bed. Every time I close my eyes my father haunts me. He looked like a complete stranger, there was nothing there of the man I remember. I punch the mattress in rage, blinking up at the dark ceiling.
I feel sick, mainly because I’m missing home and mainly because my father looked at me like I was nothing. I feel so lonely, either though I know Ayden is in other room. Tonight I just really want to be on my own.
I sit up in bed and reach over to the bedside cabinet for my phone. I really want to hear a friendly voice and search through my contacts. There’s only really one person worth taking to and that’s Ali.
I hit the call button and place the phone against my ear.
I’ve been meaning to speak to her ever since leaving her at the dance with those gunmen. I guess nothing happened, but I would like to make sure. I patiently wait and finally she answers.
“Hello,” her voice is a little groggy; I guess I have woken her up.
“Hey,” I try to keep my voice as normal as possible. Even though I actually feel like breaking down into tears.
“Jen!” She screeches. “Oh my god Jen, where are you? Are you okay? What’s going on?”
I give a little laugh at her endless questions. “Ali, calm down. Everything is okay, I’m fine. I’ll be back in a few days. Tell me what I’ve been missing out on?” I get comfortable and wait to hear all the latest gossip.
“Well,” she sighs. “Chase has been telling the whole senior year he dumped you.”
I roll my eyes. He must have a sore ego. I don’t really mind, if he wants to go around telling lies then he can knock himself out. She never mentioned anything about the dance, should I bring it up? I bite down on my lip. I would like to know that everyone is safe. I swallow hard and finally ask my question.
“What happened at the dance?’
“Oh yeah,” Ali shrieks. “The men with guns – What happened to you?”
“I went out the emergency exit. Well, Ayden dragged me out of there. Did anyone get hurt?”
“No. No one knows who they were looking for. After five minutes they left. Security at school is now over the top. But yeah, it was very scary.” She lets out a deep breath. “Ayden’s left.”
“He’s left?” I try to sound surprised.
“Yeah. No one has seen him since the dance. Gossip around the town is that the men were for him. Becks is depressed, she thought her and Ayden were getting serious. But I knew he only had a thing for you.”
Her words bring a little smile to my lips. I do feel bad that I can’t tell her the whole truth. No one knows about Ayden and why he was really in Summerton. Once again my mind drifts back to my father and I feel uneasy again.
I shake my head and try to concentrate on my conversation with Ali. I need something uplifting.
“How are things with Travis?”
She lets out a little girly giggle. “Very well” she coos down the phone. “I introduced him to my family on Sunday and my dad was actually nice to him.”
“Did your dad talk about his boat?”
“Of course” she snorts. “Why have you gone away?” She asks unexceptionally.
How do I answer, what shell I answer with? I think quickly just as there is a tap on the door and
Ayden enters. “Jen, who are you talking to?”
“Who’s that?” Ali yells surprised down the phone.
I look over at Ayden and give him a little smile which he returns. “It’s my cousin” I lie. “I’m just staying with family in Seattle. I’ll be back in a few days. We can talk then, bye Ali.”
“Okay” she sighs disappointedly. “I’m really missing you. Becks is driving mad with her endless talk of Ayden. You better make sure you come back…”
“I will” I insist, just as soon as everything is sorted with my dad. I don’t say that out loud and feel guilty that I have lied to my friend. “Bye Ali” I don’t wait for her to reply and end the call. I stare down at my phone. I still don’t feel any better.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Ali” I sadly reply. I want to cry now, I am fed up with crying. I seem to be feeling every emotion possible. Why does my life have to be this messy? I begin to think about my father again. I don’t know why he acted so shocked when he saw me. This is my home, technically. Surely I can come and go when I like.
Ayden sits down next to me and places his arm around my shoulder. I feel we are getting too close, but I enjoy being held by him. I am safe with him and I trust him immensely. I rest my head against his chest and take in his scent.
“I’ve found something out” he says into my hair.
“And what’s that?”
He pulls away and I turn to face him. His brow is knotted together and he avoids eye contact with him. “It’s Mel,”
“What about Mel?”
He shakes his head and I know it’s not good. “She’s in a relationship with Mario Lopez.”
“What?” I scream in shock. “She’s with my father, isn’t she?”
“I don’t think so” Ayden replies. “I think she’s there to keep an eye on him and is waiting for Mario’s money.”
“Which she won’t get” I add, as I stare down at my hands.
“No. We need to get your father on his own and talk to him. We need to know how long Mel has been in the picture and what her involvement is.”
“Great” I roll my eyes. “That isn’t going to happen. If she’s there to watch him she isn’t going to let him out of her sight.” I throw my hands up in frustration. “This isn’t going to work, is it? We’re not going to get him to hand himself in.”
“I don’t know” he shrugs, his voice a little edgy. “We need to come up with another plan.”
“It’s a waste of time.”
His dark eyes glare at me and slowly narrow. “Don’t say that” he hisses, his voice sends shivers down my spine. “We will do what we came here to do. I promise.” His facial expression softens and he slowly leans towards to me. “You can trust me.” With that his lips brush my cheek, he stands up and walks towards the door. “Get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow.” He steps out of the room and closes the door.
I fling myself back on the bed and stare up at the dark ceiling. My cheek tingles from where he has just kissed and my blood is pumping through my veins. I know deep down nothing will happen between us. Firstly, he is too old for me and secondly, after this is over he will leave. This is just his job.
I close my eyes and try to sleep. All I can see is Ayden’s face and those dark eyes which make me feel small and weak.
I think I am slowly becoming crazy. Everything goes from one extreme to another. Just a month ago my only problem was my mother and dealing with her unacceptable behaviour. Now I know that was probably her way of dealing with this stress and I under more why she never told me anything.
Finally sleep takes its grip of me, I have vivid dreams all about horrible looking bad men, dark eyes and guns.