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“What did you do at Sophie’s?”
He asked.

“I asked her who was invited to the party.
” I said. “It was only seniors from school so how hard is it to find a crazy senior with a knife and who’s a rapist?”

Alex held my eyes for a bit as the last part sank in. I don’t know why I said that the way I did, but I did. I wasn’t trying to make fun of it. It’s not funny.

“I just can’t imagine someone from school doing this. It doesn’t make any sense.” Alex said.

“What doesn’t make any sense is Mrs. Diaz. She hasn’t showed up for over two weeks. What if something happened
to her?” I asked. I’m really worried.

“All we know is that she was on vacation.”
Alex said. That’s weird too. Why would her husband plan a vacation now? He knows she loves teaching and she wouldn’t want to miss a day.

“
Do you know what party is going on today? Tiffany and Giovanni are going and when I went to Sophie’s, she mentioned it too. I haven’t heard anything. Well I haven’t been around to hear anything, period.” I said.

My phon
e chimed and I ignored it

“
Haven’t heard anything.” Alex said leaning forward to grab me. I know he’s getting ready to tickle me. “Do you want to do something tomorrow? I have a feeling you’re going to love it.”

“W
hen you say it like that I can’t say no.” I said.

He moved his hand to
my ticklish spot and I pinched his arm. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He said as a smile lit up his face. “I’ll get everything ready for tomorrow then. I’ll pick you up.”

I nodded and
ran my hand over his arm, drawing circles everywhere.

Alex
held me tight and I let myself think he’d never let me go.

I felt someone lifting off the bed and that made me wake up but not enough to open my eyes. It’s Alex. He stayed the night…against Declan’s wishes. It made it more fun. We just watched TV and made out. Nothing overboard.

I stretched my arm toward him. “Don’t go.
” I said.

“I’ll be back soon.” Alex said kissing
my shoulder lightly. I was lost in my dreams so I grabbed the comforter and went back to sleep.

***

I woke up feeling b
etter than ever. Last night Mom came home and told me about the dog I’m supposed to be getting around this time next week. A setback because of Christmas. I can’t wait. I’m getting a dog.

I turned
expecting to see Alex but he wasn’t there. Instead I saw the time. 12 pm. I sat up and tried listening for his voice. I only heard my family talking from across the hall, most likely in Scarlett’s room.

I checked my phone
and called Christy. She’s over Mark’s place so I kept the call short. I didn’t want to stick around for the moaning. Those two are the poster couple for being in love and never being away from each other. It’s rare to call or text and learn that they’re not busy with each other.

Tiffany texted me last night but I ignored it.
Now I feel like shit. She said she drank too much and asked if I could pick her up. Wasn’t she with Giovanni? He had to drive her home, right?

I tried cal
ling her but her phone was off.

I walked in
to the bathroom, set the bath and that’s when I remembered Alex left this morning. Wasn’t that a few hours ago though? And he said he’d be back soon. How long is soon? I’m not the only thing in his life so I shouldn’t expect him to be here 24/7.

I thought
about Tiffany while the warm water relaxed my muscles. Did she go home okay? She had to. She never drinks a lot. Besides she was probably with Bryan.

Bryan
.

It still hurt
s that he’s ignoring me but Tiffany said he’ll come around.

I spent time
thinking about my friends, family and life in general. It’s going to get better. I have to start living again.

I grabbed my phone and texted
Bryan. It’s worth a shot.

Me: Is Tiff with
u? I tried calling but there’s no answer.

I waited for an answer but got nothing.
I tried. I dried myself off and walked into my closet. There’s a cute shirt I bought last month and never wore that I picked out for today. Sexy yet chic dark blue skinny jeans were calling my name too. I looked down the aisle to the shoe section and found my stilettos. Those were a gift for my seventeenth birthday. This is the outfit for tonight.

My phone chimed and I lunged o
nto my bed.

Bryan
: Yeah

That’s it?
Yeah
. At least he texted back though.

I sent out another text, t
his one to Alex.

Me:
What time are we going out?

Alex: Around 7. I’ll send
you the address.

My eyebrow shot up. What? I thought he was going to come back and pick me up.
It was a date after all. That’s weird. I mean, I don’t mind driving.

A knock on the door brought me back to realit
y.

“Come in.”
I said. Scarlett came in. “How are you feeling?”

“I came alone. I’m not that much of a baby.” She
said.

“
Much better. Painkillers work.” She eyed the outfit on my bed and smiled. “Are you going out today?” I nodded. “With Alex or friends?”

I need to hang out with friends soon.

“Alex. Don’t know where though.” I said.

“Those shoes go with any setting.” She
said touching my heels. “Are you going to be back for the Christmas Eve party?” I thought we weren’t going to do the whole Christmas thing. She must have read me. “Yes, we’re still doing that. Mom doesn’t want to break tradition.”

“Al
l right. We’re going out at seven so I should be back in time. Is it just the family?” I asked. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz usually come by.

“Yes a
nd Alex of course. You know he grew on us. He’s nice, and it looks like he cares about you. A lot.” Scar said.

I looked around my room
with a smile on my face.

“I guess.”
I said full on blushing now.

“Well
, don’t be late tonight. Come downstairs and eat with me.”

I went into my closet and threw on some pajamas.

“Do you know if it’s going to be cold today?” I asked.

“
Mom was talking about us going somewhere because it’s going to be beautiful all week. No white Christmas this year.” She said.

M
om and Declan were waiting downstairs in the kitchen. Blueberry muffins were calling my name. I was halfway through one when Mom did nothing but stare at me.

“What?”
I asked. She blinked in surprise.

“Nothing…
I was just looking at you.” She said. Okay…

“It was more like staring. Is there something on my face?” I
asked wiping a hand over my face.

“
No, you look beautiful. I just…you look better. Different actually. In a good way.” Mom said smiling.

“Thank you…
” I looked at Declan and Scarlett and they had the same awkward look I’m positive I was giving back.

“So
where’s Alex? I heard him leave this morning. I thought he’d be back already, since you know, he’s always around.” Declan said. I stared at him. “What? I like him but you two are serious now. I don’t like him sleeping in the same bed with you.”

“Jeez Dec, give her credit. She’s not a
whore.” Scarlett said.

“Language.” M
om said. “So you two are serious?” I nodded. “That’s good.” Mom smiled. “Declan’s trying to be the man of the house now.” Declan rolled his eyes.

“
Alex is planning something for tonight.” I said. Mom was about to say something when I cut in. “I’m going to tell him about the party. We’ll try to make it but c’mon…I can’t cut the date short for my family. I’ve had enough of you guys already.” I teased. “I don’t want winter break to be over.” I said eyeing my siblings. I’ve barely spent time with them.

After everyone finished eating
, we went into the living room. I was astonished when I saw a Christmas tree lit with presents too. “When did this happen?” I asked. I didn’t see this when I walked into the kitchen.

“After you went upstairs last night we decided to ge
t one. It’s Christmas. We need a tree.” Mom said sitting on the couch. “Come sit. We can watch a movie while you wait for Alex. Family time.”

“
Fine. I left my phone upstairs, let me run up and get it then we can start.” I said. I ran upstairs and back down in less than a minute. My family spending family time together is weird. We haven’t done this for years but at the same time it felt right. This is what Christmas does to people.

This is what Alex lost
. I thought.

We watched two and a half movies when Alex texted me.

Alex: Everything’s ready. Meet me on Willow Road.

I went upstairs and got dressed. Willow road? Why there? I decided to leave my purse behind. I put my phon
e and license in my back pocket and grabbed my car keys. I put my hair in a tight high ponytail and I have to say I look good. I haven’t dressed like this in awhile. It feels good.

“I’m leaving now.
” I said when I got downstairs.

“Where
are you going again?” Declan asked. Maybe it was the way I looked but he seemed to sense something was going to happen tonight. Which wasn’t. Maybe.

“
Willow Road.” I said.

“
What the hell is there?” He asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

“
There use to be a carnival…I don’t know. I’ll see you later. If we’re late you guys can go on with your plans. Don’t stop the party because of us.” I said waving. “Merry Christmas you guys and I love you.”

“Merry Christmas.” They said together
.

I got in the car and drove toward
Willow Road. Thirty minutes later I was on the street and Alex was nowhere. I followed the road until the last house showed up when I called him. Seriously? He just ignored me.

Me:
Alex, I’m here. Where are you?

Alex:
Go down the road and take a left

I followed his directions. I spo
tted his car and parked behind him. I walked up to his car and it was empty. What the hell are we doing here?

I took out my phone ready
to text him when my phone chimed.

Alex:
Your surprise is in the house.

I looked around the area and found the only
house to my right. What the hell are we doing here? It doesn’t make sense. There is no carnival, there are no restaurants. It’s deserted.

I shoved my car keys and phone in my back pocke
t and made my way to the house. The front door was cracked open so I walked in…to an empty house. Nothing hung on the walls and the floors look like they haven’t been swept in years. Why would he choose this place?

I heard foot
steps behind me.

“Alex
, what are–”

S
omeone grabbed me from behind and brought something to my mouth. I inhaled something sweet. This isn’t Alex. This is a trap and I fell for it. I tried moving away from him but he was to strong. I kicked my legs around but nothing worked. I felt myself weaken.

My body went limp and m
y eyelids closed.

***

I heard some
one talking but I can’t make out what they’re saying. My arms hurt, my body feels rigid and my eyes feel heavy. I moved my arms but they were bound with rope. I tried jerking them again but they wouldn’t budge. From the way my body feels, I know I’m standing up.

“
She’s awake.” I know that voice. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.” I felt something cold on my back, tracing my tattoo then down my body. I know that cold feeling.

My eyes
shot open. Ohmygod. I turned around and there he was. Brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo of something on his left forearm.

“G
iovanni?”

He walked in a semi-
circle around me and I followed him, never tearing my eyes off him. His eyes were glued to my body though. Great, I looked down and I wasn’t wearing a shirt. I looked up and confirmed that my hands were tied to a rope hanging from a hook attached to a block above my head. I looked back at Giovanni.

“You…
it was yo–”

“Yes
! It was me.” He said.

How could I not
have known it was him? How could it even be him?

My
legs were the only part of my body that could move so I kicked him while I yelled, “You raped me!” I kicked him again. “And you hurt my sister!” I kicked him in the side of his rib cage as hard as I could when he came at me and grabbed my throat.

“I’d be carefu
l what you do. Your friends might end up paying for it.” He said. For the first time since I opened my eyes, I looked behind him and saw five things moving back and forth and side to side. I squinted. My vision is still blurry, it’s too bright.

I gasped
for air and he let me go. That’s when I saw them. Sophie, Zach, Tiffany, Alex and Bryan. They all stared back at me with their mouths, arms and legs bound with duct tape.

It’
s my fault they’re here.

Tiffany
had tears running down her face as her eyes tried to say something to me. I don’t know what it is though.

My e
yes scanned over everyone else and they weren’t hurt. Then my eyes landed on Alex. Who would have thought I’d get my new boyfriend kidnapped. My heart broke when I saw the way Bryan was looking at me a few seconds later. It wasn’t the the-love-of-your-life-is-going-to-die kind of way but the way Declan looked at me when he found out I was raped. It’s the way a brother looks at his sister when they know they’re in trouble.

I turned my gaze back on
Giovanni. He held his side and stared at me hard. He better be in pain. After everything he did to me…

He’
s not going to see me weak.

“They
have nothing to do with this, just let them go.” I said.

He stepped
closer to me, careful to keep his distance.

“They have everything to do wi
th this.” He said staring at my chest again. Yes, I’m a bit larger then the normal senior girls at Wilks Academy but he didn’t have to stare at me. It’s disgusting.