The Hidden (sample)

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

EMILY

It was cooler outside but still humid as I walked through the student parking lot. Security lights flickered on and I looked up to the dusk sky. Shades of orange, pink, and red in the west blended seamlessly into the purples and blues of the east. The moon peeked out, its crescent shape barely visible, like a ghost in the sky.

I looked over my shoulder and quickened my pace. I knew the chances were slim, but I didn’t want to risk running into the fucktard from yesterday. Being arrested for assault didn’t really fit into my plans for this evening.

My car beeped as it unlocked and I found my sneakers–the whole reason for my trip out here–in the backseat. I also found several other things I’d forgotten to unpack, and before I knew it, I had a whole pile of crap I needed to carry back to my dorm. I searched for a bag to put everything in, but came up empty-handed.

Maybe I can carry it all.

Nope. “Son of a–” Things kept falling out of my arms the more I piled on. I’d have to make two trips. “Fuck.”

Someone cleared their throat behind me. I hit my head on the roof of my car and pulled myself out from the backseat. I’d been so absorbed with my task that I hadn’t realized anyone was around…or that my ass was bent over, with my pink and white pajama shorts riding up.

Fantastic.

I turned around, subtly trying to pull my shorts down where they belonged, which was not in my ass crack where they currently were. Gabriel stood behind me, smirking.

My face grew hot. Of all the times to run into him... Awesome. “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was there.”

He shrugged, the smirk still plastered on his face. “Don’t apologize. It was a great view.”

My face felt like it was about to burst into flames, and I looked away, hoping he couldn’t see. “So, um…how are your classes?”

“Fine. Yours?”

“They’re fine.” I picked up an armful of my stuff, dropping a few bits and pieces. “Crap.”

“Here, let me help.” He reached down and swooped up the rest of my things.

“Oh…thanks.” I shut my door with a swing of my hips and locked it with my key fob. “My dorm’s not too far away, if you don’t mind…”

He shook his head. “Not at all.”

We walked in silence as I tried to think of something to say. I couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t sound lame, so I kept my mouth shut. The seconds ticked by and the tension grew. It was moments away from becoming the most awkward situation ever, when he spoke.

“I, uh… I was gonna call you…”

Aaaand now it was the most awkward situation ever. He just had to mention the elephant in the room, didn’t he? Why couldn’t he be a gentleman and pretend it didn’t happen?

I winced at the reminder that no, he hadn’t called after I’d given him my number. He held my building’s door open for me, and I crossed over to the elevator, holding my elbow out to hit the “up” button.

I looked anywhere but at him. “It’s fine.”

The doors slid open and I brushed past him, sticking out my pinkie to press the button for the third floor. He walked in, the doors closing behind him.

“I really was gonna call. I just wanted to give you a chance to get settled first, that’s all.”

The elevator lurched as we ascended, and the beeping of passing floors filled the glaring silence. It dinged when we reached the third floor.

I took a deep breath as the doors opened. “It’s only been a week, so don’t worry. You didn’t break my heart or anything, I promise.” I glanced at him before walking out.

He jogged to catch up with me. “I wasn’t implying that I did, I just…know how girls can get. They read into things too much, and I didn’t want you to take it personally.”

I laughed. “Trust me, my list of shit that’s gone wrong this week doesn’t include missing a phone call from you, so consider your conscience clear.”

“I– That’s not what–” He fumbled over his words as I awkwardly gripped my doorknob and turned, pushing the door open.

I heard the shower running as I walked in and dropped my stuff on the sofa. Gabriel followed suit and dropped his load next to mine.

“That’s really not–” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “I think we got off on the wrong foot here,” he said as I walked him back to the hallway. “Maybe I can make it up to you over coffee?”

My head rested against the side of the door. “Can’t right now.”

“Some other time, then?”

I faked a smile. “You’ve got my number.”