Afterlife (Afterlife Saga) (24 page)

“Well that's the thing, it's not always just rumours though is it Jack?” She stared at him with a knowing looking, as though this would jog some memory of his.

“Don't Rachel!” It was the first time I had heard anyone say her real name, apart from when she had introduced herself, explaining what RJ stood for. At Jack's outburst this she backed down as though he had shouted at her for the first time. Which had me wondering what had I missed? It must have been something bad. For two reasons, the first being if the town's biggest gossip hadn't told me about it and secondly, it would have to be something pretty big to get her to back down.

I felt even more awkward now and I needed some air, so I decided to make my excuses and wait outside for Frank. He should be here in about twenty minutes.

“Hey guys, sorry I'm going to bail. RJ I'll see you tomorrow, ok?” I got up and started to put my jacket on, when Jack grabbed one side and helped me with the other arm. I froze as he was so close to my scars but thankfully it was over quickly and he didn't realise my hesitation. Then I noticed Chaz had resumed his glaring at me only this time his stare was no longer one of amusement and had been replaced by one of hate but this wasn’t only directed at me. No one else seemed to notice and just before I lowered my eyes I saw the deepest colour of purple flash in them before once again Lanie spoke to him, breaking the spell.

“I think I'll join you outside for some air, it’s a little crowded in here tonight.” Jack was still angry with RJ and it was strange to see his face in this new light. His soft features turned hard and made him look more like a man, taking away his boyish charm. However it had been replaced by something else. He now looked sexy instead
of cute.

We both walked outside and I couldn't help but look back at the balcony one last time before I left through the huge carved oak doors. There my eyes played tricks on me as I could swear I saw a dark figure staring back but I looked away quickly, knowing I was only seeing the things that my mind wanted to.

I let the cool air sweep over my body and cleanse my exposed s
kin. It felt good to be outside. T
he smell of that place did strange things to me. I couldn't think in there. It played with my emotions but out here I could think clearly and rationally.

“You ok?” I had almost forgotten Jack was with me and felt embarrassed when he noticed me with my eyes closed. 

“Yeah... sorry, I just really needed some air and to get away from all the stares.” I don't know why I chose to add that bit but I felt like Jack was a friend and one that wouldn't judge me.

“I know what you mean.
I just hate when they come here and the whole town hypes up all this crap about them. I just wish they wouldn't even come here.” He sounded different, like something about the Dravens hurt him personally but I couldn't think for the life of me what it could be, seeing as the Dravens didn't have anything to do with the locals.

My phone suddenly started singing ‘
Gimme
,
Gimme
,
Gimme
’ by ABBA and I fished around in my pocket frantically before it started to get louder. I would have to remember to change the ring tone when I got home.

“Nice, hey if you wanted to boogie then all you need to do is ask.” He laughed giving him back that warm glow I was used to. I smirked back before answering the phone.

“Hello, oh Frank... is everything all right?”

“Hi honey, I'm sorry but I'm going to be late, things got a bit crazy here but I'll ring Libby and ask her to come and pick you up.” That was the last thing I wanted, plus I didn't like the idea of her driving those bendy roads in the dark, especially with her way of driving.

“That's ok I'll stay with my friends until you can get here, I don't mind waiting.”

“Ok, I should only be another hour or so. See you soon.” I said goodbye and flipped the phone shut. Jack was still smiling at me with a huge grin on his face.

“It was my sister's phone and what can I say, she loves ABBA.” We both laughed and it felt good. It was so natural when I was with Jack, like breathing in fresh air on a night like this.

“Come on, I'll drive you home.” He was walking towards the car park before I could object so I followed until we got to his blue
pickup
truck.

“You don't have to you know
,
I don't mind waiting for Frank.”

“
It’s
fine. I was going to call it a night anyway and besides this way I get a better chance to hear that adorable little giggle and snort of yours.” I almost died with embarrassment. I hated my snort and thought that I had it under control.

He winked at me and unlocked my side first. Was he flirting with me? I couldn't tell. I'd been out of the game for so long, I didn't know the rules anymore and also I think they played a different game over here. In England you didn't really have guys
that came over to you asking you outright on a date or at least I had never experienced it. But even when Libby had met Frank, she was shocked that it didn't take more than fifteen minutes before he asked her out. Well, after she came round that was. She had fainted when the fight broke out.

Once inside, Jack cranked up the heater and switched stations from the death metal to something softer. Then turned to me and said,

“Sorry
,
no ABBA.” I couldn't keep the smile from my face when I replied,

“HA
,
HA, I told you it was my sister's phone.” He leaned over and nudged my arm saying “Yeah sure it was.” He was such a tease. But this was one kind of attention I wasn't minding as much. I really wanted to ask him what RJ had meant but I didn't want to spoil his good mood, as I had witnessed the change in him earlier. It must be something of a delicate nature. Maybe I would ask RJ tomorrow on our way to college.

We were just chatting about friends and college stuff when he asked me outright about something of a delicate nature to me.

“So, how come I always see you wearing gloves?” I don't think he expected my reaction, so he couldn't have been thinking the obvious. I sunk down into my seat and looked out of the window before thinking what to say when I noticed something moving with us...no, not moving but more like following. It was fast whatever it was and very black with a bluish tinge when the moonlight hit it. Like a moving blur.

“What's that?” I said pointing to my passenger side window. Jack looked but by the time he turned his head it had gone. Great, now he just thinks I'm crazy and seeing things. Well it wouldn't be the first time and no hope in it being the last.

“I don't see anything.
I suppose the effect of the VIP is playing tricks on your mind.” That smile again, if Helen of Troy had the face that could launch a thousand ships then Jack's smile was the male equivalent.

“So what did happen up there? You didn't seem yourself when you came down and you were up there a long time?”

“How do you know...I mean you only just arrived when I...”  He shook his head hiding a smile while he was pulling into the dirt road leading to my house.

“I got there earlier but was sat at the bar with some other friends. I asked if you were working and Mike told me where you were, so I waited.”

“So that's why you weren't shocked when RJ told you, you already knew.” He nodded as though embarrassed about something but I couldn’t tell what. He had pulled in front of the house and cut the engine. The light was on in the house and I saw a curtain move. It must have been Libby, Frank must have told her after I text him in the car to let him know that I had got a ride. 

“The ABBA fan?” He said chuckling to himself. 

“Yep, she's also taken on the role of my mother, seeing as my real one is in England. She's sweet though but a little paranoid, she doesn't like me working at the club and also doesn't trust the Dravens.” I said this last part to try and prompt something out of him, to try and understand where the hatred came from.

“She's a smart girl!” He said with a distant look as though the thought of a bad memory had re-entered his thoughts. I decided to call it a night, feeling bad for him. I didn't like seeing him all serious, it was just like a puzzle piece that fit but was the
wrong shade.

“Well thanks for the ride.” I opened my door and noticed Jack also getting out. He walked round to meet me and said,

“Please allow me to walk a lady to the door.” He put on a southern accent and tilted an imaginary hat taking my hand adding “Ma'am” for effect. He made me giggle again and the dreaded snort showed itself. He laughed as he walked me up the porch steps to the front door. He still had hold of my hand and I was going red with embarrassment. He then stopped in front of me and leant down to my ear, which shamefully reminded me of someone else. I felt guilty for even thinking it but I couldn't help the way I felt about Draven.

Jack whispered in my ear.

“Did I mention it's the cutest thing, that little snort of yours.” I held my breath knowing what was coming next. Maybe if I had never had this weird obsession thing with Draven going on then this would have been what I wanted. But that fact remained, I did still feel the same and I didn't want to hurt Jack's feelings in the process.

He was turning his head towards my lips and his arms were moving their way around my torso. I hadn't yet decided what to do. If I stopped it, it would hurt his feelings but if I didn't then I was leading him on.

My mind was reeling off excuse after excuse in the seconds it took for his lips to close the distance but then something happened.  He paused suddenly and his arms that were around me went rigid. I lifted my head but saw his eyes were elsewhere. His arms dropped and he moved to stand with his back to mine facing something I couldn’t yet see.

“What the hell is that thing?” I looked around his strong shoulders and saw a familiar sight.

My stalker bird was back...

And it looked enraged.

Chapter 13 – Dreaming of Draven.

As soon as I had laid eyes on the bird it took flight from the porch banister where it was perched. Jack had been freaked.

“What the hell was that thing doing? Not like any crazy ass bird I have ever seen, maybe an eagle?” I didn't even know if he was talking to me or himself but he said “Goodnight” and went back to his car still muttering.

It was the one time I was happy the bird had appeared and also it confirmed that it wasn’t just my imagination. It had been real all this time. I couldn't be happier at this moment. Nothing like confirming ones sanity to lift a girl’s spirits!

Libby was trying to act casual when I got in, sat on the couch watching TV. Well if she wanted to put on a convincing show then she shouldn't have put the TV channel to Football highlights. She hated most sports.  I pulled her up on the bluff.

“Who's winning?” I said trying to hide my smile.

“What, oh umm... Liverpool.” I very much doubted that, seeing as she was watching American football game.

“Umm strange that...I didn't know Liverpool were playing the Bronco's this week, that should be an interesting game.” I laughed as I watched her realise her mistake.

“Ok, so I wasn't watching the stupid TV.”

“No really? I would never have guessed but you were watching something.” I was making my way to the kitchen when she followed me.

“There's some pasta still left in the fridge.” I opened it up to reveal a car crash of a meal left in a bowl. I couldn't understand how you could burn pasta? I would have to think of something quick to cook tomorrow before work.

“It's ok, I just fancy some toast.” I put two slices of bread in the toaster and filled up the kettle. “You want one?” She nodded in response and I grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard. 

“So, he seemed nice, was that Jack?” I knew it wouldn't take long so I sat down and joined her.

“Yes that was Jack and we’re just friends.” I knew she just wanted me to be happy, like she was with Frank. In her way she thought that if I could just meet someone nice then everything would work out.