Crimson Love

Chapter Five

Ellie's POV

That night I made my way home. I was still pissed that Xander had left me alone in the middle of the forest. I mean, I thought he was going to walk me home. Apparently he had other plans.

How had he managed to disappear so suddenly, anyways? I mean if he had to go do something he could have mentioned it to me. Maybe he was a magician? No, no, that's stupid, what am I, a five year old?

Come on Elizabeth, just think. Think. Think. Thin–

My eyes widened, as I remembered someone else who had disappeared just as easily: my stalker. I scoffed at myself. There was no way. Now I really was being stupid. Of course he forgot something.

"Yeah!" I said to myself, sure that was what happened. "Oh who am I kidding!" I then said, doubting myself again. "He probably just wanted to get away from me." I mean sure I guess I sometimes thought I looked nice when I looked in the mirror and I guess I sometimes thought I was smart, but overall I'm also kind of weird.

I wish we could turn back time to the good old days of elementary school. It was great then. No one bullied me and I had straight A's.

"Oh," I grumbled, stomping my foot, "he probably thinks I'm just some insecure dweeb now, or worse. . ." Or worse, he had heard the rumors about me. Oh, god, please no.

About a year ago I came to school with a lot of bruises because I fell off my bike and down a hill, and of course Vanessa being he bitch that she is, started a rumor about me. She told everyone that my parents abused me. Of course, it wasn't true, but that didn't stop the rumor from spreading, and that didn't stop Vanessa from torturing me further.

But that's how I met Skyler. She always stood up for everyone, and she had the kindest of hearts. With Skyler and Caroline I was able to put up a better front towards Vanessa, but even so she never relented.

I finally made it home from my forest trek. Once I walked inside my dad asked how my day was, as he kissed me on the forehead.

"It was fine," I mumbled, heading to my room. My day was fine I guess. It had its ups and downs. I was only hoping I would hear from Xander again.

As I walked in my door, I noticed the window was open, and the eerie feeling returned. Goosebumps traveled up my arms as I tried to push down the open window. It was a lot harder to slam shut than I realized and required a lot of force.

"Hey, mom?" I called from my room.

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"Did you or dad open my window?" I asked, peaking my head out from my door. I heard my mom ask my father if he had opened it to satisfy my curiosity.

"No," she said, after receiving an answer from him. "Maybe you opened it before school? Though I certainly hope you didn't because that would be a waste of heating."

I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me, and returned to my room. I know I hadn't opened it and that's what worried me.

After speaking to my mother the eerie feeling seemed to lesson before disappearing completely. Feeling more comfortable, I began my homework and got lost in its pages.

"Ellie you have a visitor!" My mother yelled, drawing me from my homework trance. A visitor? Maybe one of the girls wanted to hang out? But at dinner time?

I skipped out of my room, eager to see who awaited me at the door. To my surprise I saw Xander standing at the doorway. The eerie felling had returned but I couldn't fathom why.

He looked at me with a small smile on his face and waved at me. He must have noticed my surprised look.

"Listen," he started, "I'm sorry I left you earlier in the woods. I had to get something I left back at school. I felt really bad about leaving, and I know I shouldn't have done it, but it was really important, me being a new student and all."