Valentine's Night

Chapter 22

"So, since you're the one in need of a distraction, where should we go first?" J.J. asked.

"Hm... Let's go to Hot Topic. I've been wanting to see their sale since Tuesday." I said.

J.J. grinned. "Me too. They're supposed to have some really good deals."

We walked through the mall until we got to the store. I looked around for the sale sign and spotted it by a big area near the back. We looked through the clothes and other things but, didn't find anything we wanted.

"That was a little disappointing. I thought there'd be more." J.J. mutter with a pout on her face as we exited the store.

I chuckled. "Yeah but, we still have plenty of other stores we can check out. I'm sure you'll find something you'll like."

She shrugged. "Where to next then? We haven't been to Lulu Lemon in a while."

"Okay." I smiled brightly. "I wonder if they have anything new."

We hurried over and went inside. It was a pretty store and it had alot of fancy jewelry and accessories. The small store was easy to finish looking though in about ten minutes and we both picked out some new earings.

"I like those. They're really pretty and go well with your skin." J.J. said looking over my choice of simple red gems that dangled down. "But, they would only look good on you. I can't wear red." She added.

I giggled. "You look kind of washed out when you wear red. But, the blue looks great with your dark hair." I said looking at her bright blue and silver dangles.

She grinned. "I know. I plan to wear them to your mom's girl meeting. All the old ladies love it when I dress up."

I nodded. "I know, right? They're constantly asking me to go put on a fancy dress and heels." I held up my earings. "But, maybe this'll satisfy them."

We checked out and I held the small back containing my new jewelry by my side. "Want to go look through Rue 21?"

J.J. gave me a look. "You want to go to Rue 21? I thought you hated it there?"

I frowned. "No, that's Forever 21. Not Rue. I don't care for the stuff at Forever 21 'cause it never fits properly."

"Ooooh! Yeah, that's right. They both have twenty-one's on the end so it's hard to keep track." She said with a chuckle.

We headed over, hurrying to beat the evening traffic. I got a couple of shirts and J.J. got some pants. I was having a pretty good time and I was relieved to not see any Jeff flashes.

The sun was setting as we walked through the rest of the mall, stopping in a couple of places to take a peek. I didn't see anything else that I liked enough to buy though so we decided it was time to head home.

"Hey, want to spend the night?" I asked as we walked through the slowly darkening streets.

J.J. shrugged. "Sure. I'd have to run by my house first to get some clothes but, I'd love to."

"Okay. Should I go with you or..." My eyes landed on a person leaning on the wall of an alley in front of us, his hood pulled over his face.

Fury boiled inside me as I stood frozen to my spot. J.J. frowned. "Candice are-"

"Leave me alone!" I shouted. The guy turned his head but, wasn't ready for when I pushed him and shoved him to the ground. "Why won't you stop! Just go away!" I screamed.

"What the h-!" He started to say something but, my hands wrapping around his throat cut him off. "Just stop! I hate you!"

His hands pulled at my wrists but, I was too far gone in my anger and fright to let him push me away. I squeezed tighter and he twisted his head around to try and get air.

Distantly, I could hear J.J. shouting my name and trying to pull me away. I ignored it and used one hand to shove her away. I knew he was losing oxygen but, I hardly notice. Just like I hardly noticed the tears that had begun dripping down my face.

I probably would have killed him if J.J. and a police officer who had seen everything, finally, dragged me away from the guy. He choked and coughed to get air and I finally saw that it wasn't Jeff.

The police held me while I stared in shock at whoever the person was that I had attacked. "I... I'm sorry... I thought that-" I didn't finish my sentence as I realized that I had almost killed someone.

At some point I was put inside the police car and I heard the officer asking J.J. what happened and the guy if he knew me. Of course J.J. didn't know what happened and the guy was clueless as to who I was and why I decided to suddenly assault him. "I've never met her." I heard him say.

I put my hands over my face and felt the guilt of what I had done sink in. "What's wrong with me...?"

J.J. was told to go home and I was taken to th station for questioning. I sat in the cold room with the metal table quietly.

"Did you know that man?" The officer asked.

I shook my head without speaking. He frowned. "Then why did you attack him?"

I shook my head again and muttered, "I don't know..."

"The man you assaulted said you told him to leave you alone. You must have had some reason, right?" He asked.

I shook my head. He sighed. "I want to help you but, I can't if you won't tell me anything." He tried to get me to look at him. "Can you please tell me?"

I closed my eyes before opening them and looking up. "I don't know why I did it." I let my eyes fall to the metal table. "I don't know."

He sat back and studied me. "Do you want to see your parents? They're waiting in the hall."

I shrugged and he stood up, poking his head out and saying something to whoever was outside. A few minutes later my parents rushed in, my mom pulling me into a hug immediately. "Oh, honey. It's okay. Everything's going to be fine."

I felt the tears fall and soak my mother's shoulder but, I didn't feel like I was really crying. I felt numb and emotionless. Like any happiness was gone from my head forever.

The door behind my parents opened and a man in a nurse uniform walked in. I frowned and pulled away as the man walked closer. "Mom, what's going on?"

She looked sad. "Honey, I think it's best if you go with the docter. He's going to take care of you."

I stood up, knocking the metal chair over with a loud clatter. "No! I don't understand! I didn't mean to do anything!"

The man saw my reaction and pulled out a syringe. "Now, calm down." He said softly.

I stepped back. "No!"

H moved closer and I was stuck in a corner. My dad held my mom's shoulders comfortingly. "Candice, please just-"

"No! Please!" I shouted. The guy got closer and I tried to bolt past him. Unfortunately, he grabbed my arm and I yanked on his grasp.

He pinned me to the wall and I shouted for my parents. "Please, mom! Please don't let them do this! Ple-" I was cut of as the docter used whatever was in the syringe.

I felt myself getting weaker and my legs started to feel wobbly. I could see my mom crying and my dad hugging her. I couldn't hear them though. Just a low droning noise as my vision blurred.

I'm sorry...

I heard myself say but, I don't think I actually formed the sound. I think it was just an unfinished thought that I couldn't get out.

*******

Hey everyone! This is not the end nor is it close and yes I will have a happy ending. I don't think I could do something sad. For those of you who didn't understand, she is being taken to a mental hospital because her parents are worried she'll hurt herself or someone else. They didn't do this because they didn't love her. So, don't get the wrong idea. Phew! That was alot to explain. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco