Scarlet's Mate

Part Eight

'Hi Scarlet, it's Elliot.  Are you doing okay?  You seemed off after the phone rang in study hall.  I'm worried about you.'

Something about Elliot being worried about me made my heart flutter.  I debated telling him the real reason why I wasn't okay in study hall, but decided against it, 'Hey, yeah I'm okay now.  Thanks for the concern, it's appreciated.'

I stare at my phone, waiting for a response.  I see the three little dots pop up, but they disappear.  Sighing, I put his number in my contacts and turned my ringer on.  I plug in my phone and set it on the nightstand next to my bed.  I grab my fuzzy blanket and wrap myself up in a cocoon.  Derek was right, I really am tired.  I close my eyes and not long after I'm drifting asleep.

~Dream~

I'm sitting in class doing my work when the phone rings.  I look up and then continue doing my work.  I hear the teacher answering whoever it is that called then he hangs up the phone. 

"Scarlet John, you're needed in the main office," the teacher announces.

I gather my stuff and head out to the hall.  Of course I get called out of my only study hall.  Couldn't they have waited until history?  No, why would they.  I mentally scowl as I walk down the stairs to the main floor.  The first thing I see is a police officer outside the main office.  That's weird.

As I approach him, he turns and looks at me, "who are you?"  His voice was full of authority.

"I'm Scarlet John, I was just called down," I said in a matter-of-fact kinda way.

I saw his face change, going from hard features to soft.  He didn't say anything else, just opened the door and gestured for me to enter.  This is really starting to get weird.

In the office there's another police officer, the guidance counselor, and a couple other administrative people.  No one says anything, they all look afraid to talk.  I'm starting to get freaked out, "what's going on?  Am I in trouble?"

The guidance counselor took a step forward, "have a seat, you aren't in trouble."

I sat down in the closest chair I could find and look around at everybody again. 

The officer was the next to speak, "Scarlet, we have some news, it's about your parents.."

RING RING

I shoot up, gasping for breath and look around my room frantically.  A dream, it was just a dream.  My phone was still ringing, I reached over and saw Derek's name on the screen.  I slide my finger to answer the call and put it on speaker.

"Hello," I said out of breath.

"Hey Scarlet, were you running or something?  You sound a bit winded."

"No," I take a second to catch my breath, "I just had a bad dream, thanks for waking me by the way."

"That's my specialty, getting you out of bad situations," he laughed.

I don't know why but him saying that reminded me of the party, "actually I have something I want to ask you, but before I do, I need you to promise you'll keep an open mind."

Derek gasped, "oh no, this isn't a weird sex thing is it."

I laughed, "no no, nothing like that."

"Well then, I promise to try to keep an open mind."

Here goes nothing, "I was invited to a party tomorrow night, and I would feel a lot better about going if you went with me."

"Hm," Derek was silent for a moment, "who invited you?"