Her Beast

Chapter five: Street lamp

It had been three days since Zoey's family had come over. She chose to lay low by mainly staying in her room and going to work. It wasn't hard to avoid her parents as she mainly saw them when people were coming over.

Zoey hadn't had the feeling someone was watching her for a few days now, and it brought her so much relief. She wondered why it had suddenly disappeared, not that she was complaining.

Amber had finally come, and she told Zoey to meet her at the park in the middle of town to introduce her to the people she had brought with her.

Zoey parked underneath one of the many sycamore trees surrounding the fountain in the middle of the park. The fountain was made around 100 years ago when the town was founded. It's cracked and doesn't work, but it's a part of the town's history, so it's been left alone.

Zoey got out of her car and admired the yellow and orange leaves. They crunched under her feet as she made her wag to the old gazebo on the other side of where she parked.

The small gazebo came into view, and she noticed four people standing in front of it. Amber's face lit up the moment she saw Zoey. They pulled each other into a hug, squealing about how long it had been. She pulled away and began introducing her to everyone.

"Zoey, this is Zac, Brady, and Jennifer, but she goes by Jen. Guys, this is Zoey!"

Zoey smiled shyly at them as she looked at each of their features.

"Hey Zoey, Amber had told us so much about you it feels as if we already know you."

Zac grinned while looking her up and down. She shifted from one foot to another, uncomfortable under his heavy gaze. The rest of the group nodded, agreeing with him.

"Well, let's sit! We have so much to talk about." They all went inside and sat down on the two benches.

The group began to talk about old memories involving Amber.

"Remember that time all our friends from high school went to Cupid's Cafe to get a milkshake, and Garret made you laugh so hard that milkshake shot right out of your nose?" Amber asked. Zoey was holding her stomach from giggling so hard.

"Yes! That was so embarrassing! It hurt so bad, and I couldn't look him in the eyes for a week!"

They laughed so hard from all the memories they shared, and Zoey felt as if she had gotten closer to her friends. They were surprisingly easy to talk to. Soon as most of her conversation lately, the Beast entered them again.

"So you guys excited to go find the Beast on Friday?"

They all hollered and yelled yes! While Zoey said nothing.

"What about you, Zoey? Are you excited to go look for it?"

Ambers's eyes held a mischievous glint, but Zoey just shrugged her shoulders. Amber knew Zoey was not excited. She was there when it happened.

"Come on, Zoey, forget about what happened last year."

"Why does she feel like there's a story we haven't been told."

Brady inquired, looking back and forth between us. Zoey hated bringing up this story. Not only did it make others think she was crazy, but it also brought back memories. Her eyes pleaded with Amber to not say anything, but she should have known better.

"Well, Zoey is apparently the only person who the Beast has actually touched."

Zoey shifted her eyes to the ground. The group perked up, waiting to hear more of the story.

"Amber, don't."

She pleaded with her. Zoey didn't want them to think down on her like everyone else did. But Amber ignored her.