It had been four days since Derek walked out on me. I still wasn't quite sure what happened. I didn't see him at school again. One night I could have swore I saw his car parked outside my house, but it was dark and raining so I couldn't be sure.
Lydia had been giving me a ride home from school everyday so to repay her I was going to the lacrosse game with her tonight. We were in her room at her house while she was throwing clothes on the bed I was lounging on.
"Ugh! I have nothing to wear! I new I should have bought that red shirt at the mall yesterday…"
"Whatever, Lydia. You look gorgeous in everything you wear!" She smiled at me, accepting the compliment easily.
"Thank you. Are you sure you don't want to borrow some clothes? I have a purple dress that would look UH-Mazing with your dark hair!"
"Umm, no thanks. I'm fine." She frowned at me and clasped her hands together, begging me. I sighed. Maybe walking home would have been worth it after all.
"FINE! But just a top. I'm keeping my jeans. And no heels!" She squealed and ran back into her closet, coming out with a top that belonged in Moulin Rouge.
"No. Nope. Nahuh. NO WAY!" Maybe Lydia thought that by 'just a top' I meant 'the smallest one you own.'
"Ugh you are no fun Nina! You have the best body in the whole school and you won't let me show it off! I would kill to have your body. Literally." Sighing heavily, I picked up a top that at least had sleeves on it. Trying it on I found it was tight, but not unbearably so.
I picked a red undershirt with a black sheer top out for Lydia and breathed a sigh of relief when she agreed to wear it. Grabbing our purses and a sign Lydia had made for Jackson (her sort of boyfriend) we headed to the game.
I was surprised to find the stands relatively packed. Maybe this lacrosse game really was a big deal after all.
"Ah! There's Jackson! Help me hold the sign."
It was a pretty short game. Although I didn't understand the rules, I realized that other than the two or three boys that were good at lacrosse, the rest of the team sucked miserably and we lost. Stiles only got to go in once, and it was only because another boy received a nasty blow to the head and probably had a concussion.
Lydia went off to the locker rooms to find Jackson and I told her I would wait by the car. Standing outside in the chilly wind I was thankful I had the foresight to pick a sleeved shirt.
I waved to a few other kids from class I recognized as they passed but Lydia still hadn't come out. Shifting the weight on my feet, I reached into my purse to check my cell
"1 New Message"
From: Mom
Ninochka,
I won't be at the house until tomorrow. Really busy with case here. Won't stay the night. Rick's son has a concert Sunday morning. See you maybe.
I guess using tender names was supposed to suffice for an "I love you." I wasn't surprised she wasn't going to stay. Ever since Dad died, she met Rick and made an effort to stay close to his family. She bought this house as "ours" but I knew it was more of "Here's a house for you Nina so you don't have to be in the way with Rick and I'll pretend to come and visit now and then."
Shoving the phone back in my purse I saw something flash by me in my peripheral vision. Turning suddenly to see who it was, I was faced with only empty space. What the hell?
That's when I saw him.
Across the parking lot in the middle of the trees I could just make out his tiny figure. His face was so pale I could only see his dark brown eyes. They called to me and his hand beckoned me to him. For a moment I was too stunned to move, but the sadness in his eyes forced me to follow him.
He moved quickly. I would lose sight of him for a few minutes then find him again. Each time I lost him would last longer. Just when I thought he was lost for good, he would show up again farther in the distance.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but finally I wasn't able to find him anymore. Looking around, I realized I was a lot farther into the woods than I first imagined. Why would he bring me out here and then leave me?
"Mischa? Mischa!" I called desperately to him, but he didn't show.
I felt something wet on my face. Wiping it off I realized I was crying. Lost in my own agony, I didn't hear the figure behind me until it was too late.
