Murders Of The Past

TWENTY-SIX

I CAN FEEL his eyes on me but I act oblivious to it as I stare at the TV. He's been pretty silent ever since we came inside. I don't know if it's because I didn't kiss him back, because we're still here, because he doesn't know these people, because I told my friends Carlos was just a good old friend of mine when they asked, or if it's something else. Whatever it is, I'm not sure if I like his silence or not. It's kind of annoying.

"Remember that show?" I look over at Carlos who just so happens to be staring right at me. What did I tell you? "With the couple who met in high school and had three kids? The one where the wife was obsessed with grape juice and ran off to another city?" I blink at him. What is he... oh.

"Yeah," I nod, my eyes shifting to the wall behind him and back uncomfortably.

"You know he just wants her to talk to him. If she would just talk to him about what's going on he wouldn't bother her so much." I narrow my eyes.

"She just wants to feel alive again," I growl.

"What show are you guys talking about?" We both look at Dylan, then Wesley and Vivian who are watching us from the kitchen.

"This new show on Netlfix, you've probably never heard of it." Carlos waves his hand.

"It sounds interesting, what's it called?" Vivian asks.

"It's not." Carlos's stare on her seems to silence her and she turns to the boys. I roll my eyes, standing from the couch and walking down the hall, into the bathroom.

I flip the light on and look at my reflection, my eyes instantly going to the scar on my cheek. How is that the most damage Owen did to me?

"How did that happen?" I close my eyes, letting out a frustrated breath.

"I got in a fight with a turtle."

"How did that happen?" He repeats, louder.

"I'm going to the bathroom." I start to close the door when his words stop me.

"If I go ask your friends, will they know?" I open the door and look at him, watching a triumphant smile spread on his face.

"Why do you have to be so annoying?" I whine. He drops the smile, rolling his eyes and stepping into the bathroom, closing the door and looking down at me.

"So who are those people?" He asks, nodding to the door.

"Vivian, Dylan, and Wesley."

"Wesley." He nods. "Who is Wesley?"

"Well, he's a cop."

"What is he to you?" I give him a look.

"A friend."

"Well you said I was just your friend too." I huff.

"Carlos," I groan.

"Sadie," he groans, mocking me. "What's going on with us?" He sighs and I shake my head.

"What do you mean?" He takes my left hand, holding it up.

"Does this mean anything to you anymore?" I stare down at the red crystal on my finger.

"Of course it does-- "

"Did it ever mean anything to you?" I swallow, staring down at the jewel, feeling my eyes burn. "Sadie." I pull away and step into the shower, pulling the curtain shut to hide me. I am not crying. I am not going to be vulnerable.

"What are you doing?"

"Go away, I'm taking a shower."

"The water isn't even on."

"Yes it is. You're just deaf." I hear the metal hooks of the curtain scrape across the metal rod and I turn around, leaning against the wall and hiding my face in the corner.

"Sadie."

"Can't you take a hint? I want to be alone," I hiss.

When I don't hear him I'm about to turn around, but stop, realizing he's probably still there. I'm glad I didn't turn around because I heard the door open and close, confirming he was still there, but now he's gone. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and turn around, gasping when I see a body standing behind me.

"Carlos!"

"What?"

"I thought you left," I grumble.

"I told you, I'm not leaving here without you."

"Why?" I turn around to face him. "Why are you still here? I ran away, I've been avoiding you, I've been mean to you- why are you still here?" He shrugs.

"Because I love you." I shake my head in disbelief. "Yeah, I do." He steps forward, holding his hands out. "I don't care how crazy you are, how mean you are; I'm always going to love you."

"Stop it," I grumble, crossing my arms and looking down. He laughs and I glare up at him. Why is he laughing?

"What could possibly be funny at this moment?"

"Sadie, I don't care what you do or what you say, nothing is going to change the way I feel about you."

"Not even if I pushed you off a plane?"

"I'd be dead, but no."

"Shaved off your eyebrows?"

"No."

"Chopped off your hand?"

"That's cruel. Still no."

"File a restraining order?"

"Nothing is going to change it." I look down, blushing.

"You're obsessed with me."

"You bet I am." I look at him through my eyelashes, and for some reason I step out of the tub. He snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, closing the gap, and this time I don't pull away, I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning closer to his lips.

It's too late now to turn back, our lips are so close I can feel his breath fanning mine. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't let myself, neither would he. Finally, our lips press against each other, sending a rush of energy through my body as I hold onto him tightly, not caring anymore that I'm going to have to go back now.