Written In Black

It had been days since Peter left, again, and finally I made the courageous decision to ask myself, what am I waiting for? And why was I starting to feel like a useless pawn?! And another good question, why the hell was I being hunted down, who was looking for me?!

“Rough week?” Cay smirked. It was thursday, as in the most torturing day of the week, the day before friday, it was always a nightmare.

“Rough as in boyfriend issues, then yes, rough week.”

“You have a boyfriend?” I looked at Cay the same way I looked at Allie when she asked me that same question.

“I mean...sorry, it’s just, I didn’t realize...wow,” he paused, “so whos the lucky guy?”

“What’s the point, you don’t know him.” I shrugged.

“Try me.”

“His name’s Peter.” I stared back at Cay, he shared a glance, torn between recognition and total cluelessness.

“Don’t know anyone by that name, descriptions?”

I snorted, “Are you asking me to describe my boyfriend?”

Cay laughed, “No need to get weird, come on.”

“Alright...well for starters he’s got black hair and brown eyes.”

“Wait, brown eyes, or really brown eyes?” he leaned in, palm pressed against his cheek.

“Is there a difference?” Even though in my mind I already had my answer.

“Yes, there are the people with brown eyes, you can tell they are brown, but then there are the people with really brown eyes that almost...I don’t know, shine, you can tell they’re brown from a distance.”

“Well, I’m guessing really brown eyes...and he is homeschooled--was, he just started college, he’s more of a private guy you know, not really good with people.”

“Well he must’ve been good with people because he got you.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but I knew I blushed.

I checked my phone for the time, “We should probably head to class, the bell will ring soon.”

“You’re probably right...too bad you don’t have a picture or something, could have seen what this guy looked like, or we could’ve double dated, you and Peter, Allie and I.”

I turned back to Cay, “You’re with Allie!?” An overwhelming feeling of jealousy flushed over me, yet I had no idea why.

“Shocked?” Cay looked at me.

A hint of adrenaline rushed through me, was I really this jealous, and for what, I had no real feelings for Cay.

“No, actually, when did you guys start going out?” I said, trying to hide his attention away from my flushed cheeks.

Cay shrugged, “We were planning on telling you, after the first day you introduced us, we kind of just hung out, and after that, we’ve been seeing each other, jealous?”

I laughed again, “Of what...I already told you, I’m taken, nothing to be jealous of.”

Cay walked me to my homeroom, just about the time that I ran into a friend from the shop, Scarlett.

“I was wondering what happened to you.”

“Sorry I didn’t call, I helped myself around last week, I got around okay, but I’ve been meaning to call because I needed a partner for my english project, the teacher said I could choose anyone from outside of the class, but I haven’t seen you around lately, and here you are and--I’m mumbling aren’t I, sorry.”

I turned back at Cay, we both knew this would be a long conversation,

“I’ll see you later.” and gave me a hug goodbye.

Before Cay walked away, Scarlett and him shared glances, Scarlett looked at Cay with a dark gaze, then turned back to me.

“Well here I am, who do you have for english?” Scarlett asked with such simplicity that it was like her moment with Cay didn’t even exist.

“Mr.Johnson. Do you have him?”

“Yes, which means we’re both doing the same project, what book have you chosen to do the project on?”

“I haven’t chosen the book, but I’m more of a fiction type girl, what about you?”

“Really, those are my type of books, it’s a good thing we’re partners, so then what book?”

Scarlett looked around for an idea, then glanced down at my bag, “What’s this book?” She noticed hanging out of my bag.

“A broken fall, let me read the back…” Scarlett stood there reading the back description, I couldn’t believe after all this time, I still had that book. But I loved it so much, the detail, the romance behind it, every time I finished it in under a day, great every time.

“I see, heartbreaking love story, happy ending?”

I shrugged, “Guess you’ll have to read it and find out…” Then I murmured, “And the preceding three that go along with it.” The first one was always my favorite, the others stayed on my bookshelf at home.

“Alright, give me until tomorrow, I should finish it by then, while I read, you mind writing up the protagonist and antagonists names?”

“Sure, we can meet up at my house after school.”

“Alright, think I can hitch a ride with you...I take the bus--wait, you have a car don’t you?”

I laughed, “Yes, meet me in the front after school and we’ll head to my place.”

“Great, alright, I need to get to class, see you later.”

I had been relieved to know that had made it around okay, something about her though still irked me, I know I had seen her before, and not from school either...As the day passed on I began to think more and more about my mom, and more importantly, how much stress she was under, maybe my getting a job would help her on the weekends, but everything else was like a rollercoaster, and we were both still stuck on the ride.

Scarlett came from the school, rushing past cars as she came up to me, “So where’s your car?” she glanced around, as if already knowing which car it was.

“It’s the black chevy truck towards the back, follow me.” I led her towards my car and naturally, she took shotgun.

“Hey, do you mind that we stop by a gas station or something, I’m starving.” Scarlett suggested.

“Didn’t you eat lunch?” I asked this as I turned the key in the ignition.

“Yes, but my appetite is different from others, I get hungry in seconds.”

“Alright, there’s a gas station down the road, we’ll stop there.”

“Thanks.”

We got to the gas station in short time, Scarlett ran inside opening the door for an old man who was still half a mile away from the store itself.

How had she known he was coming into the store, I hadn’t noticed. Then she slowly walked inside greeting the man on her way in. I sat back and played on my phone when I noticed a knock on the window, I unlocked the door and Scarlett hopped in.

“Hey, while I was in there I got you a soda, you like Coke?”

“Like? I live for it, hand it over!” I snapped open the cap and took a large gulp.

Scarlett laughed, “I hadn’t realized you had an addiction for soda.”

“Blame my mom, all it took was one sip when I was ten, and bam, love at first sight.”

“Speaking of love, you going to the dance that’s coming up, I heard it’s supposed to be like a ball or something, still finding someone to go with?”

“I don’t know really, I was supposed to go with my boyfriend.”

Scarlett clapped her hands in a cheery manner, “Ooh, does he go to our school?”

“No, and besides, things are complicated lately, family problems, not the best time for either of us really.” I said with my head down.

Scarlett relaxed her hand on my arm, “I’m sorry...is there anyone else you might be able to go with, somebody at school?”

Only one name popped into my head, one I hadn’t wanted to remember at the moment, Cay.

I shook my head, “Not in particular no, it’s fine, I didn’t have the money anyway, I hear admission is at least fifty dollars.”

“Hmm, maybe you can ask your mom for money, and what about Cay, you guys are friends aren’t you?” Even if I did go with Cay, he was with Allie now.

I shrugged, “Cay’s in a relationship, plus it just feels awkward going with someone else other than Peter.”

Scarletts eyes widened, “So that’s his name, well what’s he like?”

I waited a few moments then spoke, “Unexplainable, gorgeous, and extremely abominable.”

“Sounds like you’re in love.”

I nudged Scarlett on her shoulder, “Please,we’re just teenagers in high school,” Though even as I said that I knew it wasn’t true, Peter was more to me, for as long as I could remember.

“Anyways, we both agreed it would be best.”

Scarlett nodded in agreement and then we headed home.

We were nearly at my house when I noticed Peter standing by my door. He wasn’t dressed in the clothes he usually wears. Whenever I saw him he wore long khaki jeans, not the kind you’d find a banker wear, but khaki skinny jeans. Including that, he wore t-shirts, always the same colors, either dark blue, black, grey, brown or white. And he always, I mean always, wore his black boots, and nothing else. But this time, he was dressed in blue jeans along with a trim fit light green military jacket along with a red overshirt underneath. And he wore black shades along with a rigid black beanie.

I led my eyes over to Scarlett, I could have sworn I’d seen drool. “Who’s that?”

“Don’t get too over-excited, it’s Peter.”

“Oh,” Scarlett said shyly.

“Sorry.”

I parked the car and quickly ran out brushing my arms over Peter’s shoulders.

“What are you doing here, I mean, I’m glad you’re here but--”

“I didn’t realize you had company, I needed to talk to you.” I looked back at Scarlett who was leaning alongside the car door, I knew from the look on her face she already knew her next move, “Just hand me the keys and I’ll meet you inside.” I tossed my house keys and turned back at Peter.

“I’ve never seen her before, new friend?” Peter glanced back at Scarlett, then at me.

“She’s great, new to our school actually, her name is Scarlett.”

“I know you’re not going to like to hear this, but I’m going to need you to keep a distance between your classmates, anyone could be anyone, and right now, no one can be trusted, I need to make sure you stay safe.”

“You mean, under supervision. I know you know I’m in danger, but is that really necessary?”

“Please just trust me on this, for your own safety?”

I hadn’t liked the whole babysitting idea, but if Peter said it was necessary, I would go along.

“So then what did you come to tell me?”

“There’s news from my people, they had found out a student transferred to your school recently, someone who might be a danger to you.” I looked back inside at Scarlett, no way.

Peter shook his head, “I don’t know who, but just make sure to keep a short distance. Was there anyone else new at your school?” I didn’t have to second guess myself, my mind popped straight to Cay.

“I don’t think so, Cay is the most sensitive guy I know, he wouldn’t hurt me...and why don’t you tell me something more along the line of your people. Who are they?”

“That’s not important right now, just keep your distance from Cay.” What did Peter think he was doing, guarding me around like I was some helpless child, I knew Cay, maybe not for that long, but enough to know who he was and what he wasn’t capable of.

“You can’t just tell me to keep my distance from Cay, we have school together, I’m going to see him one way or another.” Though this was more about my feelings for Cay than my demands coming from Peter that bugged me, I tried brushing them aside.

“I don’t understand why you’re getting so upset.”

“Really? Because I see it, I’ll listen when you speak, got it?” With that I stormed off to the door. I turned back to take one last glance at Peter, he vanished. Scarlett was in the kitchen helping herself to a glass of water.

“What was that about?”

“Nothing, like I said, complicated.”

“Appears so.” she said, not paying attention to her own words.

“Wheres your parents?”

I cleared my throat and spoke, “Mom’s still at work and dad died a while back.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to--”

“It’s fine really.” I said with a smile (the best I could put on).

“So when can we get started?”

“Now actually, follow me up to my room and we’ll work there.”

Scarlett sat herself on the chair at my desk, I snuggled up on my bed, back leaning against the wall, once I got comfortable enough, I realized I’d left my backpack downstairs.

Unwillingly I sat up, “I forgot my stuff downstairs, I’ll be right back.” I searched downstairs for my backpack, I figured I’d left it in the kitchen since I was there last, but it wasn’t. In fact, it was nowhere to be seen. I headed back upstairs to find my backpack hid under the bed, where I’d left it.

“You’re kidding?”

“Did you find it?” I reached under my bed and yanked the bag out, holding it up in front of Scarlett’s face.

“It’s days like these when I start to question my existence.” I chuckled…

“So, the book?”

“Right, so basically, the book is about a teenage romance that can never happen because one of them is immortal and is forbidden to fall in love with a human and--this is so difficult to explain, why don’t you read it.”

“Sometimes those stories have deeper meanings than they seem, it’s sad really.”

“It’s just a book.”

Scarlett shrugged, “I have really sensitive emotions, get it from my parents.”

“I guess I will start on the protagonist and antagonist. When do you think you’ll be done reading the book?”

“Should finish in a day or two...chapter one…”

The afternoon went on, I finally finished writing about the characters, Scarlett managed up to chapter eleven over the hour.

“This book is really good, and there’s more books added on?”

“Three more.”

“Cool, well...this was fun! We can finish up over the weekend?”

“Can’t, I have work, how about monday after school?”

“Sound’s like a plan.”

I was about to drop Scarlett off, that’s when my mom pulled in.

She looked shocked as Scarlett stepped out on the porch, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, hey mom, this is Scarlett, she goes to my school, we are partners in an english project, she came over so we could work on it.”

She nodded her head vigorously, “I see, would you like to stay for dinner?”

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude--”

“Nonsense, come on back inside, I’m cooking up some stew.”

Scarlett followed back inside, resting her backpack on the barstool.

“So, are you in Jay’s grade?”

“Graduating this year, yes.”

“Where are you planning to attend college?”

“Not sure yet, I’m receiving applications from several colleges at the moment.”

“Sounds intriguing, Jay here’s planning for Yale. She’s always been such a bright students ever since she was--”

“Mom!”

“What, is it a crime to brag about my daughter?”

Scarlett let out a loud chuckle, “That’s fine, my mom does the same thing when guests arrive at our house, not always the most comfortable situation, but it definitely makes you feel your worth and potential.”

“Essentially.” Mom spoke.

“So what’s your project on?”

Scarlett spoke up, “We’re doing a book report on Jay’s book, A Broken Fall.”

“And how is that coming?”

“Oh it’s great, Jay’s book is really good, I can’t wait to finish the rest of them!”

It grew silent, I began to speak, “So how was work?”

“Busy busy, you know how it is, you start work tomorrow?”

“Yep, so I won’t be home till the afternoon.”

I was starting to re-think this whole decision to get a job, we needed the money, but with everything that has been going on, and Peter. Lately, he has been nothing but useless to my knowledge of understanding, why he kept popping in and disappearing, why there were people looking for me. And why on earth he is telling me none of it…

We finished up dinner.

“Alright, thanks for having me over.” Scarlett waved to my mom and we left.

“So where do you live?”

“Not too far from here, just take another right…”

It grew quiet and Scarlett spoke, “What happened between you and Peter?” she asked, almost like she knew but was waiting for my response.

I shrugged, “It’s nothing really.” A lie.

“He’s keeping things from you, isn’t he?” Scarlett was right on point, like she’d already expected the answer if I’d told the truth.

“How did you know that?”

Scarlett raised her eyebrows, “How could I not know that? I practically heard your argument from your kitchen.” she laughed trying to lighten the mood.

I sighed, “He’s lying to me, but at least he is being honest about lying, he told me he’ll tell me everything when the time is right.” I raised my hand in the air, “Whatever that means.” I let out another irritated sigh.

“Turn here.” Scarlett spoke, so I did.

We probably made about fifty rights and lefts, not far my butt, but we made it to the house--scratch that, the apartment complex. It was a dark blue and black, and about four stories high.

“I’m in the B building, right over there.” Scarlett pointed.

“Well thanks for the ride, and having me over...so we’ll work on the project on monday?”

“For sure, and you’ll be done reading by then?”

Scarlett nodded in approval, “Alright, see you on monday.”

That night I made sure to get extra hours of sleep for my first day of work tomorrow…

“Ms.Radner, right over here, now I’ve gone over the guidelines and regulations, do you have any questions before you start?” I was rather interested in the fact that on my first day, my job was editor.

“How had I managed to get the job as editor, isn’t that for someone who’s been to college and finished school?”

A drop of agony flushed in her eyes, “Yes, things have been on a tight shift lately, the last editor quit and no one would take the job, which meant writing couldn’t get sold and no profit for the company, but when you called in, the whole staff was in shock, even myself in particularly, anyhow, if that’s all, then you can get started right away.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Sam, call me Sam, if we’re going to be working together, a first name basis would be great.”

The day had been a drag, no good stories out, mostly ones about how to economy can lead to a brighter future. I made a quick call to mom to see how she was doing. She answered on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey mom, just checking up, how’s the free day?”

“Wonderful, thanks to you Jay, I’ve gotten so much paperwork done, I even had time to go out shopping, and I have a surprise for you!”

I rolled my eyes, knowing she’d taunt me for a moment or two.

“What is it?”

“I heard from a little bird, that there is a dance coming up, and I got you a dress!”

“Who told you about the dance?”

“Well for starters, I receive emails from the school about special events, and second, Allie called me, said you were feeling bad about Peter not being able to go so…” I had just realized no one even knew Peter was back, well except for Scarlett, who saw him this week. Which also meant I had to make sure she didn’t let anyone find out.

“Thanks mom, but I don’t have a date, or money to get in--”

“Already covered, and you won’t go alone, Allie and Cay are going together and decided to take you as well, I paid for your ticket and dress, what do you think?”

“Well, it’s all so sudden, are you sure, can you afford it, it’s alright with Allie?”

“Jay, you need to have some fun, I noticed that’s something you’ve been lacking lately, I want you to have a great time with your friends.”

“I don’t know, you’re sure?” I fiddled with my nails.

“I’m sure...do it for me Jay, please, just enjoy yourself.” It sounded more of a demand then a question.

“Alright, thanks mom.” I could feel a smile on her face over the phone.

“Alright, see you later--love you.”

“Love you too, bye.”

The day passed quickly, not before long I was in my car heading home. And not too suddenly had it started to rain, pouring was more like it, the air had become colder as well. A girl had been walking alongside of the road, was it, it looked like--it was, it was Scarlett! I rolled down the window and yelled out for her.

“Need a ride?” She was huddled tightly under her blue hoodie, and her hands were buried beneath her pockets.

“Thank you!” She threw herself in, drops of rain poured on the tip of my nose from outside. They were colder than the air, yet it felt so refreshing on my face.

“Why are you walking out here in the rain, and a better question, why aren’t you home in a warm bed?”

“Why are you acting like my mom, I’m probably going to get the same lecture when I get home.” Scarlett chuckled.

“Sorry,” I laughed, “So, why are you walking out here in the rain?”

“Well, we both know I don’t have a car, but I was out earlier, looking around, shopping, then boom, it started to pour.”

“Let’s get you home.”

Than I remembered our assignment, “Did you finish the book?”

Scarletts head shot up immediately, “Yes, I forgot to tell you…it was a great book! I especially loved the part when she found out who Josh really was, great ending, I can tell there will be a sequel, how many others did you say there were?”

“Three, I know they’re really good, you could borrow mine if you want,” I offered.

“Awesome.”

“Scarlett, there’s something I need to ask you, it’s about Peter,” I turned to her to see she was facing the window, but she had nodded.

“My mom, no one in fact, knows that Peter is...back, you see he was missing for the past few months, and it was only until recently that I’d seen him, for some reason though, he doesn’t want my mom, or anyone knowing, you think you could keep this between us?”

This time she was facing me directly, “What do you mean missing?”

“He wouldn’t tell me, but can this be between us?”

She nodded quickly, “Sure sure, but--this is crazy, and he only just recently showed up, he won’t tell you where he’s been, and know one can know he is back?”

“And that’s only half of what’s been going on in my life lately.” I said, relieved that I might just be able to discuss this with someone else then Peter or my mind.

“Are you alright?”

“I don’t even know anymore, lately ever since Peter’s been gone, there has been this--”

“Jay look out!” Without warning, Scarlett grabbed the wheel to a turn, the car slid off the road ramming into another car parked on the side of the street, my entire body felt like the force had been ripped out of it.

I realized my seatbelt had been unbuckled, and so had Scarlett’s. My head rammed into the window creating an enormous banging pain to my forehead, pieces of glass shattered all throughout the car and onto the road, then my shoulders came through with me and so forth, I could feel one of my legs and arms bending in the opposite direction, breaking my bones, then everything went white…