CHAPTER TWO
I lightly tapped Kat's window, wary of her older brother's room the next room over. Parker was extremely protective of his siblings and thought I was a bad influence on his precious little sister. Little did he know that Kat was the party animal. Skipping classes to go smoke in the school bathroom. Or sneak out in the middle of the night to go to clubs with her boyfriend. I knocked again and whispered through the glass. "Kat. C'mon lets go!" The window opened a crack and a tan hand shot its way out. "Did you bring the stuff?" She whispered. I rolled my eyes. "Of course. Here you go." I handed her a tube of bright pink lipstick and artificial lashes. Kat took them gratefully. Opening the window all the way I climbed into her room.
Kats bedroom walls were bright pink with brown swirls along the walls creating a huge oak tree. She had a huge king sized bed with a white lace bedspread and at least 12 feathered pillows. On her nightstand was tons of make up and jewelry. Sitting in front of her mirror was Katherine Hueler, my best friend, applying a layer of pink lipstick. Kat was one of those people who expressed herself through her wardrobe. Tonight she was wearing a neon green zebra striped long sleeve shirt with one of the sleeves dipped past her shoulder, exposing her copper skin. Spiked heeled boots covered skin tight skinny jeans. Her raven black hair was chopped short and uneven bangs covered chocolate brown eyes.
"Hurry up. You know how I feel about sneaking out." I grumble. I fidget nervously, glancing at her door expecting her family to burst through and catch us. I can see it now. Parkers glare, Kody rubbing his eyes sleepily wondering what all the noise was, and worst of all Jack Hueler. That man can make you feel like you stabbed his children.
"Beauty takes time." She states simply, gluing the lashes to her lids, with one final lash she jumped up. "Ok ready." We both climb out the window and I pull my Harley out of the bushes. "Helmet." I hand it to her and she scowls. "You want to give me helmet hair?" She demanded. I laughed lightly. "I want you to be safe." She rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything more. I grab my own helmet and start the bike. I hear the hum of the motor and sigh. Something about a motorcycle just gave me this sense of peace.
Heading down the old dirt road that lead to Veda's home I soon felt a chill crawl up my spine. There's that feeling again. Like I'm being followed. "Kat do you ever feel like your being watched?" I asked. I could feel her eyes on me. "I am being watched, 24/7." I nod. "Right."
We arrived at Veda's house and could hear head pounding music and teenagers laughing from inside. A few people were on the front porch talking and drinking. "Awesome!" Kat squealed with delight hopping off my bike. "Yeah." I agree putting down the kickstand. C'mon lets go." She grabs my hand, pulling me into the house. Inside is chaos, sweaty bodies collided together in tune to the music. Teens laughed and drank their beers. Kegs were stacked at the far end of the of the kitchen along with tons of chips and pizza.
The host of this party was currently talking to Kimmy Chang, a mathlete with a bad attitude. Veda Kessinger was considered a complete sweetheart who was friends with everyone. Being a sophomore myself I've seen her around school surrounded by people. She was beautiful. With light brown hair and crystal blue eyes. "Lets go say hi." I say to Kat, already heading over. "Hi Veda, awesome party." I gave her a small wave and she beamed up at me. "Hi. Sol right? I've seen you around school." I nod. "And I'm Kat!" My best friend grinned and gave her a hug. Vedas eyes popped open for a moment but she quickly relaxed. "Nice to meet you Kat." Kimmy tsked and rolled her eyes walking over to the kegs.
"It's nice to meet you to Sol. I'm glad you came." Suddenly Veda was shoved down to the ground by a couple of rowdy dancers. "Ouch!" She gasped. A hand reached out and grabbed her hand, helping her up before I even knew what was happening. "Are you ok?" A deep voice demanded. Mr. Jorden Garris stood tall beside her, concern etched into his handsome face. Kat elbowed me in the side. "Mr. Hotties here." She whispered excitedly. "Veda? Are you alright?" I ask her. She seems dazed for a moment but quickly snaps out of it. "I'm fine. Just surprised really. Thank you Mr. Garris" He shuffles uncomfortably suddenly embarrassed. "Well I'd better...go..." And just as quickly as he arrived, he was gone.
Veda seemed upset for some reason, looking longingly at Mr. Garris. "Oooo scandalous." Kat mutters. Veda turns to us and plasters on a weak smile. "Excuse me for a second." She then is lost in the crowd. "Lets get some beers!" Kat grins widely at me. "Oh and look at what else I've got." She pulls out a pack of cigarettes, waving them in my face. "No thanks Kat. You know I don't do that stuff." She frowns at me. "C'mon Sol! Don't be so uptight. You're already sixteen." I smile at her and for a moment, I consider this. I mean everyone's doing it now. One drink won't hurt me. Will it? But then I think about my mom and dad.
"No. But thanks Kat."
She sighed but then gave me a lopsided grin. "I guess I can't convince you. Wyatt always says I shouldn't be so pushy." I flip my hair and place my hands on my hips. "Well Wyatt can go fall off a cliff." Wyatt Cooper was Katherine's boyfriend and probably the most awful human being to ever walk this earth. He was the reason Kat was grounded all the time and why she smoked and drank. "Oh please Sol. You've never even met the guy. Don't be so quick to judge." She gulps down her drink and takes a drag of her cigarette. "C'mon Kat. Let's go outside." We headed out back to find many people surrounding a large pool, chatting it up. We headed out back to find many people surrounding a large pool, chatting it up.
"Hey girls." A very drunk Johnny Forns stumbled up to us. Johnny was the schools quarterback. He was known for taking girls behind the bleachers. "Y-You girls look so pretty." He slurred, I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he inched closer to me. "How is your hair so red?" He grabbed a lock of my hair and pulled it to his face, sniffing the fiery strands. My body froze and I felt sick to my stomach. "Hey dick get off my friend." Kat yelled at him pushing him away from me. He struggled to keep his balance and doubled over. "Bitch!" He muttered under his breath and wandered away, looking for another girl.
I shivered, running my clammy hands through my hair. "Don't mind that prick. He's just a drunk asshole." I nodded. "Let's go dance." My hips swayed to the music as I danced with Kat. I could see Veda Kessinger sitting in one of the lawn chairs, a beer in her small hands. She looked so sad. "Do you know what's wrong with Veda?" I ask glancing over to the older girl. "No idea. " I begin to walk over to Veda hoping to give her some sort of comfort. Kat follows behind me, and before I know it, Johnny Forns is grabbing me by the hair and kissing me. His tongue is sloppy on my lips as I refuse to give him entry. I don't move. I don't struggle. He soon pulls away and grins at me.
"You like that baby? There's more where that came from." I felt like throwing up. Kat fumed behind me. "I'm going to kick his ass." She grumbled, balling her hands into fists. I glanced around, everyone was watching us now, eyes peeled, waiting for me to do something. Among the faces I could see Veda and Mr. Garris. They both looked at me in sympathy. But in the middle of all those faces was Parker Hueler looking seriously pissed off.
"What the fuck is going on?" He shouted. His silver-blue eyes burned with rage and his muscles were tense against his shirt. His expression forced me to move. I reared back, clenching my hand into a fist I punched Johnny Forns square in the nose. He doubled over in pain, falling to the ground clutching his face. Hot tears threatened to fall and I couldn't stay where was anymore. "I'm sorry Kat." I whisper and ran across the deck towards the pool, heading towards the woods behinds the house. Before I could get any farther I felt a hand push against my side, throwing me sideways. I gasped as freezing water swallowed me whole, somewhere, I could hear my name being called.