CHAPTER TEN

ALYSSA

When I got home that afternoon, I was home alone. I'm fine with that. I plopped down on the couch and turned on the television. I clicked my way to Netflix and then clicked on American Horror Story: Freakshow. I started to watch the episode where Twisty found a "babysitter" for the children. While Twisty killed Troy, I picked up my phone and started to reread the message Myrah sent me. I really questioned whether I love Derek or not. He asked me to send him nudes frequently and I wondered if he loved me for more than just my body. I sniffled and reached over for the box of tissues, dabbing at my eyes with a wad of Kleenex tissues.

I tried to focus on the television again. I watched as Twisty chased Bonnie away from Troy's dead body. Something about that scene calmed me down. I didn't know what it was. Maybe it was the fact that I could be a killer too and I wouldn't need any weapons. Just my mind and some energy from deep within. I promised myself I wouldn't become something like that. At least not for a while.

My natural curiosity took over and I hit pause on the television. I opened my palm and concentrated. A gentle blue aura filled the room and suddenly there was a poof. I opened my eyes and looked at the small little blizzard I was controlling in my hand. I smiled and closed my hand. The blizzard diminished and all was calm. All of the sudden the doorbell rang and I perked up. I paused the show and then jumped up to answer the door. My heart nearly dropped to my stomach when Derek was standing there. He had a bouquet of daisies in his hand. His face was sympathetic.

"Hello, baby." Derek coos.

"Hi cutie!" I say nervously.

"Can I come in?" Derek says, and I notice blush creeping up his face. I nod and step aside, beckoning him inside. I shut the door behind him.

"What are you doing he—" I say, turning around to face him. I'm interrupted mid-sentence by Derek's lips crashing onto mine. I hear the bouquet of flowers hitting the floor gently and he wraps his arms around me.

"Derek." I moan into his mouth. He pulls away, leaving me conflicted. I'm not sure if I liked his kiss or not. I finally decided I didn't like it. I pretended I did for the sake of sanity.

"Alyssa, I'm sorry for everything I did wrong. I came over to make it up to you." Derek says, his breath dancing across my skin. I pretend to like the peppermint smell. Except I hate it.

"Come here, now." I growl, jumping up to wrap my legs around his waist. What the hell am I doing? I inhale the smell of his shoulder as he carries me over to the couch. Axe and chocolate. Hate it. His grip on my waist tightens and his free hand gropes my butt cheek from under my skirt. He plops me down on my ass on the soft cushions of the couch and starts kissing me again. I cup his jaw as we kiss and all the sudden he pops his slimy tongue inside my mouth. I used to love the feeling and the taste. I'm just disgusted now. I try not to choke on his tongue as we French kiss.

"Know what I'm gonna do when we're old enough?" Derek whispers in my ear as he starts kneading my ass. He pulls my skirt off, revealing my pink Aerie panties.

"What?" I say breathily. If I act aroused, will he quit this shit faster?

"I'm gonna pull you under the covers with me, strip you of all your clothes, slip my cock into you, and start thrusting. Harder. Harder. Till you're screaming my name and grabbing onto me." He purrs. You're trying to sound sexy? You fail.

"Oh, Derek!" I cry out as he slips his hands down my panties and teases my sensitive areas. It doesn't feel all that good, actually. I'm a little ticked off.

"Yeah, Alyssa. Damn, I have such a boner right now." Derek grunts. Eeew…

"I wanna suck your dick." I say to him, trying not to let my voice waiver. In literally no time, his penis is hanging out of his basketball shorts. What the hell? What am I getting myself into? The moment he placed the head at my lips, his cell phone rang.

He answered it and was talking to someone for a while as he shoved his dick back into his pants. RELIEF! He hung up and sighed.

"Sorry, baby. I gotta go home!" Derek says, giving me a light peck on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." I say. I watch him walk out the front door. I am kinda happy he's leaving because I think I've reached a conclusion. I think I love Myrah.

Ever since kindergarten Myrah has been my best friend and I've been with her through everything. We played together at recess, shared snacks, and slept real close to each other during nap time. For a while, we were super close. Myrah and I had a fight about something stupid one day and we weren't friends for a while. Her new best friend was Christin Claire. They did everything together. I was pretty upset at Myrah.

A few months later Christin got sick of Myrah and Myrah ran back to me. I had a piece of me back.

I won't deny I love Myrah. I'm just a little concerned. If we do start dating, how will we come out to everyone?

My thoughts were cut short by my iPhone playing a ringtone to let me know I had gotten a text. Myrah.

Hey Aly, the message read.

Heya Myrah, I responded.

Can I talk 2 u plz, Myrah texted back. My heart picked up the pace.

Yeah what about? I responded. I got a message back a millisecond later.

U and me… Myrah texted.

About that, I texted her, feeling my face get hot and my eyes brim with tears.

What? Myrah says. I type my message broken-heartedly.

We should just be friends… I'm sorry… Believe me Myrah I love you more than anybody… But I don't wanna hurt Derek… Not yet at least. He does something unforgiving and we're done and I'll run to you K? But for now, it's for the best… I'm sorry… Please forgive me…

I don't understand… Myrah says. A new text bubble appears under her message. He's dangerous, Aly! Don't think I don't know about the pictures he asks u for! Then a frowny face. I start crying.

That was our little secret for Derek and I only.

No more keeping secrets… There's something else you're hiding and I know it… Please tell me… I don't want you getting hurt, Myrah texts.

Fine. I respond.

I'm a Manipulator, I type.

Myrah doesn't respond for minutes on end. I start getting worried and I'm freaking myself out. I'm just about to text her again to check on her when she responds.

You're serious? Myrah responds.

Dead serious.

Well… Myrah responds. She says something else in a new text bubble.

I'm a Manipulator too.