The Thief

7. Threats

Asher

"Wait!" I call after the girl as she makes to go after Evane.

She turns around. "Yes?"

"Does she blame me?" I ask.

"She did just storm out of here because of you."

"Right." I look at the ground. "Will you um... tell her I'm sorry and," I look up at her, "I'm going to try and stop the rumors." She nods. "Do you know who started them? I didn't say anything to anyone so unless someone overheard--"

"It was Tom." The girl walks a little closer to me. "I was asking Evane about you and he overheard us."

"Okay." I nod. "What was your name?"

"Ember."

"Thank you, Ember."

"Yeah." She runs in the direction Evane went.

I survey the lunchroom and spot Tom immediately. He's surrounded by a bunch of guys, probably as a defense system. I approach them.

"Hey Tom!" He glances up and the smirk that was on his face grows wider.

"Asher! How you doing, man?" He gets up and shakes my hand.

I give him a stiff smile. "To be honest I'm not doing that great, Tom."

"Really? What can I do to help?" He takes a seat once again, among all the other guys.

"You can start by admitting that you started that rumor about Evane." I keep my confidence as the crowd around us whispers.

"Is that what this is about? Listen Asher, we were just joking around. I'm sure she knows that."

"So you do admit to it? Great." I keep talking before he can get a word in. "Next you can tell everyone that it's a lie and apologize to her."

He stands again and gets real close to me. "Asher. Asher. Asher. I like you Asher, you're a cool guy so I know you understand how this school works. Once something's out there, there's no taking it back." He leans in closer. "It would be a shame if something were to spread about you."

"Tom. Tom. Tom." I smile. "We all know you control the talk of the school, so if you say it's a lie it is. And also, I think you should know that I've dealt with a lot bigger bullies than you. Your threats mean nothing. Mine on the other hand... I would consider them."

"You haven't made any threats."

"You don't want me to." I smile again and leave the lunchroom. I go to the parking lot and just barely see Evane and Ember leaving. I start driving, not really with a destination in mind.

What am I doing? Do I really want to get involved with this situation. As much as I don't want to admit it, Tom does have power. With a few words my friends would leave me and I'd be a loner again.

But don't I owe this to Evane? It was my fault this rumor started, I should have never called her that. But, I hadn't known her name, what was I supposed to call her?

I take a deep breath.

Should I even be worrying about this girl that I only met last week? I have my own problems A foster dad nightmare, an ex girlfriend who won't stop calling me, not to mention the fact that I need a job.

I end up driving up the mountain to my favorite hangout spot. Hidden Adventures. The amusement park closed down years ago and everyone's forgotten that it still exists.

I park my car and climb over the fence easily. I ignore the concessions stands and old souvenir shops and go straight to the old ferris wheel. The metal is overgrown with leaves and grass, but the climb to the top is still easy.

I settle into the old compartment and gaze out at the valley below. The streets are full of life and I wonder about each of the people. I wonder, like I have a million times, if my real parents are in this town.

Do they still live here? Do they ever wonder if I still live here? Are they alive? Are they even together? If I met them would they recognize me? Would they want me? Or have I screwed up too many times for that?

I close my mind and shut out any unwanted thought that tries to enter. It's not good to think about my parents. It's not good to dwell on what could be. I live in the present and that's the only thing I can change.

"Crap," I whisper to myself as the last thought enters my mind. I have to change Evane's present. I have to help her.

Hello thanks for reading! So what did you think of this chapter? Do you think it was a good decision for Asher to threaten Tom? Do you think his parents will ever show up? Let me know your predictions in the comments and thanks for reading!