II

A Tragic Tale of Red Riding Hood

|. . . : . . .|

I have horrible luck when it comes to dreams, but doesn't everyone when they're in a dream they don't want to end?

James was in my latest, but when he opened his mouth to speak, the sound of my alarm clock blurted from his throat. At first, I was confused but as he began to slip away I realized my misfortune.

I was disappointed, to say the least. I fought the light trying destroy the beautiful images that I had been basking in, but parted ways with the remaining hues of crimson. I rolled over and stuck my head under my pillow, trying to retrieve the dream against the unnatural brightness, but I only caught a glimpse of James and the black fur cloak that clung to his back as he knelt on the bed.

I moaned. Seven o'clock. The usual time. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to go to school today. I didn't want to do anything. I only wanted to go back to sleep and have the same dream over again.

I sighed heavily and slipped out of bed, wishing that I could skip class today but knowing it was impossible. It was Friday, and that meant something important would happen, which included the test of art concepts in Beginner Drawing, unless Mrs. Finnel forgot. She was a delusional, old woman so it's possible, or at least I could only hope.

I made the bed and fixed my pillows. I picked up the dirty clothes from last night and slung them into the hamper in the bathroom, and didn't worry about taking a shower. I'm not trying to impress anyone at school, there is no point in washing my hair then washing it again when I got back home before heading over to Jake's.

Ugh. Jake's apartment. The thought made me feel sick to my stomach.

I threw on my boots then stuffed Eric's movie into my backpack. I would be a probably be a few minutes late, but my class wasn't a far walk from my apartment building. I slipped out the front door and turned to lock it.

"Bella," Jake called.

"Hey," I responded, turning around. He was situated outside his door, hanging onto the frame in a pair of dark wash jeans and still no shirt.

"Still on for tonight, right?" he asked.

"If you put a shirt on."

"I just might for you," he shrugged, letting go of the frame and crossing his arms.

"Then, we might still be on for tonight." I was halfway down the steps when I stopped. When my parents would go to someone's house, they had always taken something to the host, to be polite. "Just out of curiosity, if I were to come over would I need to bring anything? Dessert, maybe?"

He peeked over the railing above me. "Nope, just yourself."

"Okay. Six o'clock, or so?" I started down the stairs again.

"Sounds about right, I might see you then."

The walk to the art department was refreshing. The fall weather was so different here compared to Washington. It was sunny and warm; not a cloud in sight. As pleasant as the weather was, I missed the rain. It reminded me of home, especially the smell. I could always tell when it was about to pour just by the smell of the air. The absence of rain always reminded me how homesick I really was..

I crossed the street to the art department, admiring the modern structure of glass and brick. The lines of the building were intriguing; protruding railings and upward flaps made it unique. Inside the building art was hung from every wall with colors more vibrant than anything that was outside the building. While I enjoyed the art, it's not my passion. A lot of the art buffs have asked me what the hell I'm doing here if I'm not going to major in art.

I had to assure them that it's not to be around their lovely personalities. If I had better ways to spend my time, I would do it, but the truth of the matter is drawing is a great skill to have for any architect. They conveyed that architecture is a form of art, and I was welcomed to the club – as if I needed their permission anyways.

The door to the room was still open, which I found rather odd and I walked in, searching for Mrs. Finnel but not seeing her. Eric Yorkie, was patiently waiting like a loyal Pomeranian. If he had a tail, it would be wagging. I allowed my bag to slide off my shoulder and onto the floor then sat down in my chair, wanting to drop off his radar.

"You lucked out this morning, Mrs. Finnel isn't even here, yet."

"I saw. That's kinda weird."

"Tell me about it," he said.

"Oh, I have your movie." I unzipped my bag to retrieve the DVD.

"Thanks! What did you think about it?" He asked taking it from me.

"It was pretty good, I guess."

"You guess?" He sounded shocked. "Bella, this is the greatest horror movie of all time!"

I smiled as he went off explaining his reasoning for why it was the greatest. I couldn't have cared less. I nodded as he spoke and in the process pulled my cell from my pocket, hoping to break away from the conversation. I decided to text Jessica.

Howd things go w/ Lauren?

I moved the time and date around until my phone buzzed with an incoming message. Eric had moved his conversation to someone behind us.

He was gone when I got home. Thank GOD. I heard some gossip about you!

A commotion sounded from the front of the class. Mrs. Finnel walked in carrying her briefcase on her padded shoulder and let it drop next to the idle canvas at the front of the room. "Sorry, I'm running behind. I couldn't get these papers printed off. I think the machine was broken but that's no never mind," she waved a slender hand. "Get out your writing utensils and ready yourselves."

I sent off my message before she had the chance to drop my test.

Tell me later.

After class was dismissed, I collected my belongings and headed out the door. I called Jessica once I was outside the building.

"Calling to hear the dirt I got on you, huh?" she answered.

"I think I have a good idea what you're talking about," I said.

"So, why are you going over there? Going to get some sexin'?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Definitely not!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you? He's hot."

"As if that negates the fact that he's a slut."

"Oh my God, Bella. You are so perverse. So what if he's been in more girls than John Mayer."

"That's what turns me off, Jess. And perverse?"

"I'm just sayin'. You can't deny that he's fine."

"He's okay. And even his personality isn't bad, but him sleeping around..."

"I know. I know. Just roll a condom on him and hop on it."

"Jessica, you're the most awesome friend of all time, but that was the worst advice ever. Besides, I saw a guy last night that probably blows Jake out of the water."

"And you didn't call me? Again, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

By the time I explained to Jessica what happened at Maguuma last night I had reached my apartment. She wished me luck and let me go so I could get ready for myhot date – her words not mine. I undressed and stood in front of the full-length mirror, assessing myself. It wouldn't hurt to go on more walks or hit the gym a little more, but when?

I took a shower, then dried and straightened my hair. I walked around naked for a little while as I straightened up the apartment, one of the many advantages to living alone. Freedom.

I dressed comfortably in jeans, a shirt, and my sneakers; applied my cherry lip balm and headed out the door. I knocked once on his apartment door and planned on knocking again until the door slung wide open. Jake stood on the other side with a wide grin tugging on his lips and a wooden spoon in one hand. I eyed him quickly, shocked that he was fully dressed. His had even pulled his hair back in a low ponytail.

"Good evening," he said, "come on in." He stepped out of the way and I crossed the threshold into his apartment silently with my hands folded in front of me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard the door meet the frame. No turning back now, I thought as I walked down the dimly lit hall. I took in his apartment, trying to distract myself. He had the same layout as me; a long entrance with a kitchen to the left with the breakfast room separated by the bar, and an open living room to the right.

I was impressed by his style and pieces of furniture that he had selected for his living room. It was usually thought that every man had to have a black leather couch as the primary attraction, where a ritual gathering would take place on football Sundays. But, I didn't see a single piece of black. Instead, a rustic brown suede sofa and love-seat surrounded a table that was unusual, to say the least. The width was slender and looked rather old. I walked over to inspect it closer, fascinated by this one piece that seemed to stand out more than anything else in the room. The closer I got the more details I took in. It was a chest and it looked weathered. It had iron rings on the end and the wooden panels were warped at the top near the shut lid.

"That has been in my family's possession since the civil war," he said as he came up beside me.

"It's interesting. I can't believe you are using it as a coffee table."

He chuckled. "It doesn't get used. It's just my conversation piece."

I turned to him. "Well, it works."

He smile was pleasant. "Dinner is almost ready. Would you like a glass of wine?"

"That'd be nice."

He motioned for me to join him in the kitchen and suggested that I sit at the bar. The aroma was delectable. The garlic and ginger tweaked my nose in all the right ways and made me hungrier than I already was. There was something else too, that was almost coppery.

"Do you have a preference? Red or white?" He set a glass down in front of me and I reached out and placed my fingers on the base.

"Red, please."

He smiled at my answer and reached for a black bottle on the counter with a platinum label. "I'm a red drinker, too. There is nothing like something rich to accompany with your meal," he explained while pouring me a glass. "Let me know how you like that."

He slung a towel over his shoulder – very Emeril Lagasse of him – and took up the wooden spoon that he had set next to the stove. He uncovered one shiny pot and peeked inside while I examined the wine; swirling it around, allowing the bouquet to flourish and breathe. I sniffed inside the glass then took a generous sip. It was pungent yet sweet and bit at my tongue while filling my mouth heartily.

I took another sip, but more dainty this time, thinking ahead and trying to make the serving I was poured last until I left. Under any circumstance, I didn't want to have more than what I was allotted for obvious reasons that involved drunken seduction that was plagued by a lack of intimacy.

"What do you think?" Jake asked placing a lid on a pot on a back burner.

"It's good. I barely drink it now."

"I thought you liked to drink?"

"I'm more of a Corona kinda girl. My mom used to give me some of her wine when I was younger, so it's not my favorite now." I answered swirling the crimson liquid inside the glass by circling the foot on the counter, remembering her valuablelessons in good wine. He offered a smile and a nod while he uncovered another pot and stirred the contents with a metal spoon instead of the wooden that he had been using.

"I don't usually drink beer. I could never get used to the taste... too frothy and bubbly."

"It's only frothy on tap," I said and took a sip from my glass. "Are you going to be drinking?"

"In a bit. A friend of mine is in town and he usually brings by my favorite brand that you can't buy in stores here. I asked him to stop by earlier, but," he glanced down at his watch, "he's running late tonight."

It was silent for a few moments while he tended to the mysterious, but delicious smelling, food that was simmering on the stove. I pursed my lips, wondering if I should ask the question that came to my mind or if I should just leave it alone, but I was curious. "So, what is the real reason you invited me over here tonight?"

"Like I said, I wanted to make it up to you for being a horrible neighbor."

"Jake, you haven't been a horrible neighbor, a little overbearing at times, but not horrible," I said and then gave him a generous smile. "Besides, you helped me take all my boxes upstairs when I moved in. I think you're a decent guy."

"I hear a 'but' in there somewhere."

"But, I'm sure many slutty males are nice guys." I smirked a little and sipped again.

"I guess I deserve that," he said with a smile.

I nodded. "You did. I said it with good intentions."

"Are you always so charming?" He quirked an eyebrow at me.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad over here, after all. "Most of the time."

Two hard knocks echoed through the front hall. "It's about time," Jake sighed while taking a pot off the stove and to the sink. Noodles poured out into a strainer and Jake glanced back at me. "Can you open the door for him? I've got to put these in the pan with the sauce and veggies."

I pulled my glass from my lips and nodded, jumping off the stool and made my way to the front door. I opened it to the man on the other side, nearly gasping at the sight. It was him. In that moment I couldn't think of anything else other than him with black fur draped over his back like a predatory animal. The red bed that he knelt on came next and suddenly I was turned on by the sheer nearness of him. He was wearing the same clothes as last night which is a usual slob trademark, but I couldn't care less. He still looked good.

I wanted to lean into him and bury my nose in his jacket, knowing damn well that it would smell like rugged man and leather. He definitely wasn't a laid back surfer type like I had initially thought. There were guys like that in my classes and he didn't fit the bill. He's too mysterious, too seductive, too predatory, and every one of those traits turned my once solid knees to mush.

"Wells bells, what are the odds of seeing you here?"

"I think less than average," I said, suddenly feeling rather lightheaded. I felt my legs start to sway and I left the door and made my way back down the hall to my stool at the bar. I was going to need more wine.

"It's about time!" Jake said to James as I propped myself back on the padding of the tall chair. I reached for the black bottle with the shiny silver label and poured another.

"I'm sorry. I got distracted." James glanced over at me briefly and held out a black bottle by its neck. It was different than the bottle I was drinking from. The crimson red letters flared from the darkness. It looked expensive. "Here's your stuff. Drink it within two days and don't leave it out overnight like the last time, hm? "

"You're a life saver." Jake said and took the bottle from James and stuck it in the fridge immediately. James propped himself up on the wall that was the entrance to the kitchen and stole a glance at me when Jake turned back to the pasta now simmering in a brown sauce in a wide pan. When his eyes landed on mine, I looked away quickly which was stupid because I knew I had been caught.

"Oh, Bella this is James," Jake said as he emptied the pasta into a large serving bowl.

I cleared my throat and diverted my attention to my glass. "Yes, James and I met last night at Maguuma."

"Oh, what a coincidence," Jake responded, "would you mind if he stays to eat?"

"No, it's your dinner, anyway. No harm."

James let out a low chuckle as he pushed off the beige wall and walked to the bar. Jake joined him, smiling and letting out a slight chortle. I felt like I was missing the punch line of a joke.

"I am rather hungry, aren't you?" James asked.

"Starved," Jake said and he walked around and placed the large bowl on the table that was only set for one.

"Uh, Jake? There's only one place setting," I pointed out as I climbed down from the chair with my glass.

"Oh, so there is. Well, it's only me most of the time, so ya know how that goes. Go ahead and dive in, Bella. I need to get a couple more things. James, want a glass?"

"Yes," he responded and pulled the chair out that was placed in front of the dining wear. He motioned for me to sit down. I accepted and set my glass on the table before lowering myself to the seat. As he pushed inward, I felt his fingers lightly graze my middle back and I arched away in response. It was instinctually ridiculous that I felt the need to move from him but I couldn't help it.

"Thank you."

He leaned down to my ear and whispered, "Don't mention it."

As good as his lips felt against my ear, I shuddered. He had to know the affect that he had on me, how much he affected me last night. No guy is confident enough to put his lips on a girl's ear without first having premises for doing so.

Jake put two more plates on the table and took a seat to the left while James took a seat at the right.

Jake reached for the metal pasta spoon placed in the yellow bowl and dumped a heaping pile on my plate.

Having all been served, I picked up my fork and dug in, taking small bites at first but then caring less because it was so good.

"You were right," I said, nodding. "You do make a mean Thai pasta."

I was so concentrated on my dinner that I hadn't noticed the silence until then. I also didn't notice that I was half-way finished with my plate and they hadn't even touched their plates. They had their glasses raised to their lips while they eyed each other over the rims. My vision tweaked and pinched. I closed my eyes and shook my head slightly, trying to clean up the images. I opened them again and it was the same – blurry and distorted. The table seemed to move and paintings on the wall came to life. I put my fork down and cradled my head in my hand supporting the weight with my elbow on the table. I felt sick. My stomach churned and an instant heat rushed through my body, flushing me on the outside as well as in. I could feel the fever escaping through my pores and lingering right above my skin. I moaned and grabbed at my stomach with my free hand.

"Jake I don't feel so…" I couldn't finish. I felt myself start to fall and as much as I wanted to catch myself, I couldn't move my limbs to do so. They were heavy and lifeless. I felt a strong hand catch my shoulder and then another moved to my butt and I was removed from the chair completely, stolen from the table and lifted into the air. I looked up at the face so close to mine, it was Jake. I wanted to talk to him, tell him that I felt I needed a doctor, but I was rendered silent. Nothing came from my mouth and I couldn't move.

"Let's get her to the house," I heard James say. Jake nodded and the ceiling over head started to move. Blackness started to take over my form and I was completely helpless to stop it or where I was being taken to.

"One thing you will learn, Bella… there are no coincidences," Jake said as his face disappeared into the darkness.