Valentine's Night

Chapter 18

I sat at lunch with J.J. and Brandon. I wasn't really in the mood for eating and I just sat there quietly, picking at my food. I wasn't sure how much of my emotions were visible on my face until Brandon asked, "Candice? Are you okay?"

I looked up and put on my best smiled. "I'm fine. Sorry if I was acting strange. I'm just a little tired. I haven't been sleeping well."

That wasn't a lie. The past few nights had been restless. Jeff hadn't shown up in my room since the night we argued. Having grown accustomed to Jeff's visits, I hadn't been able to sleep well. Staying up late, waiting, and eventually falling into a worried sleep just hours before having to get up again.

J.J. frowned and Brandon looked concerned. "You can lay in my lap if you want."

I would have laughed but, he looked serious. So, instead, I just blushed. "No, I'm okay."

"No, really. You can. I don't want you to pass out or something from lack of sleep." He said, total sincerity in his eyes.

I still shook my head though. "I'm fine. Really. I just need to get some sleep when I get home."

He frowned but, didn't push me. Something I was thankful for since I wasn't in the mood for anything at the moment, my mind to full of worry and anxiety.

To my great relief, lunch ended soon after that and I headed for my next class. I was almost to the door when Brandon called me. "Hey, Candice! Wait!"

I stopped and turned to him, eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

He looked around anxiously before saying, "Can I talk to you alone after school?"

I frowned but, nodded. "Of course. But, may I ask why?"

He looked at the ground and muttered, "I'd rather just tell you after school. See you later." Then he hurried off. I couldn't help thinking something was upsetting him but, I wasn't sure.

I went though the rest of school worrying and trying to figure out what Brandon wanted to talk about. When my last class ended I grabbed my stuff and headed for my locker.

I barely noticed J.J. talking to me until she tapped my shoulder. "Girl, what's wrong with you? You've been spacing out all day."

I shook my head. "Sorry. What did you say?"

She sighed. "Go get some sleep, Candice. The more I see you like this, the more worried about you I get."

I glanced down the hall. "But, I'm supposed to meet Brandon."

"I'll tell him you weren't feeling well and that he should just go to your house, okay?" She smiled. "Now, go home before I drag you there."

I smiled, grateful for having such a friend and walked out the school doors. I walked slowly, taking my time so I might be able to clear my head.

When I got home I headed straight to my room and closed the door. I didn't want to deal with my family. My room was quiet and again I wondered where Jeff was. He used to drop in whenever I was alone, always while I changed into comfortable clothes.

I stared at my window for a long time before I grabbed some sweatpants and a t-shirt, going into the bathroom. I changed quickly, hoping Jeff would be sitting on my bed when I finished.

Unfortunately, when I entered my room again it was still empty and silent. I didn't know why but, I felt like crying. My head was full of confusion and nervousness and it was making me feel sick.

I fell onto my bed and stuffed my face in my pillow. If I could've, I would have fallen alseep and never woken up. But, sadly, that wasn't an option and I soon heard my mother calling me.

I came out of my room and peeked downstairs. I could see Brandon standing by the door, shifting from foot to foot. I came down and smiled. "Hi, Brandon."

He returned my smile but, it vanished again quickly. "Can we take a walk? I mean if you're too tired we don't have to-"

"That's fine. Judging by your face, you'd prefer a walk to sitting in my room anyways." I said.

He shrugged and I grabbed my jacket. After telling my mom we'd be back in a bit we headed out. For the first few minutes we were silent. I wondered if this is how a walk between a boyfriend and girlfriend was supposed to be.

Then Brandon shocked my by asking, "Are you seeing someone?"

I frowned and stopped in my tracks. "Uh, yeah. You."

He rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant. Are you seeing someone besides me?"

"Wouldn't that be called cheating on you?" I asked. "I wouldn't do that."

He frowned. "But-" He cut himself off and sighed. I raised an eyebrow. "What's up? You know I'd never do that so why are you asking me?"

He looked out at the street and I saw he was debating what to say. Then he turned to me. "The night I asked you out someone, I don't know who, threatened me. By theatened I mean 'Knife to the throat, angry threats'. Literally."

My eyes widened and I stared at him. "Are you serious? But, what does that have to do with me?"

"They told me to leave you alone. Said they'd kill me if I didn't." He turned to me with a stone look. "I want to know why."

I felt two inches tall under his scary gaze. "I... I don't know... How would I know? I don't know anyone besides you and J.J."

He tsked. "Candice, I don't want to say you're lying but, I don't know what else to say. I love you and I don't want to ruin what we have but, I can't take death threats."

I looked down. "I really don't know what to say. I'm not seeing anyone else and I don't know who would threaten you about me."

"There was something else too. Something... freaky." He said. I looked up with a frown. "What?"

He shook his head. "They had cuts or somthing on their face. It was weird but, it almost looked like a smile. I don't know. It was just something straight out of a nightmare." He stared right at me. "It was something you'd never want to see."

Then everything my mind had been obsessing over, everything I hadn't understood or had been confused about suddenly made so much sense. All the pieces that had been jumble around just clicked together. Creating the purest picture.

*******

Hey everyone! This was still a short chapter but, I really wanted to end it there. Sorry. This book has been taking slides I never wanted and now I'm kind of in a corner. I don't really know what to do so I'm winging it. Haha! Sorry, guys. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco