Don't Talk to Strangers

Chapter 4

I put on the light blue dress that Mia let me borrow, it hung mid thigh and had two thin straps. It was a fitted dress that looked nice with my curves. I slipped on the heels she gave me and finished putting on my eyeliner and mascara.

I looked at my phone and noticed a text from Mia.

Have fun tonight, lover girl ;)

I grinned at her text and sent her a reply.

Just friends, going to a family party

Almost instantly my phone buzzed with her reply.

Don't talk to strangers, Kara.

I read it a couple times, confused. Then my phone vibrated again.

LOL ok :) have fun

Why would she reply twice?

I heard a knock at the door below, interrupting my thoughts. Almost instantly I got worried if I was over dressed. I looked out of my window towards the front door to see Josh in a suit and a black tie. I smiled at how well he cleaned up, but his hair was still a curly mess.

I went downstairs and took a deep breath before opening the door, Why am I so nervous?

Josh stared at me for a few seconds and said nothing, as his gentle brown eyes looked me head to toe.

"Wow, you look really nice, I thought for sure you were going to wear converse or something," He said smirking.

"Oh please, this is all Mia's stuff. She practically threw the heels at me," He laughed and I smiled at the sound of it, something about his laugh made me so relaxed.

I locked the door and followed him to his car. He opened the door for me and I got in. I smiled to myself, what a gentleman.

He got in the drivers side but before turning the engine on he looked at me again with the same unfimiliar look as last night.

"You look beautiful, Kara McConnell," He looked away and started the car, I blushed but turned towards the window so he wouldn't see.

"Josh, why do you use my first and last name sometimes?"

"Well I haven't seen you in a few years. It's a new you from before, so you get a new name,".

****

An hour later we arrived to his aunts house for the party. She lived in a cute beach house with the ocean in her back yard. We walked up to the front door and Josh rang the doorbell. A few moments later a red haired lady opened the door and smiled at us.

"Oh Josh! Look how old you're getting! You're practically an adult!"

"Just a few more weeks until I'm 18," He replied

"Oh and look at your girlfriend! Well isn't she just gorgeous!" My face went red and I looked down at the stone walkway.

"No, no, Aunt Riley this is just my friend. This is Kara McConnell," I looked up and saw a worried expression on her face when Josh said "McConnell".

"Well, it's very nice to finally meet you Kara," Finally?

She let us inside and I saw a crowd of people in suits and dresses. Josh offered me something to drink but I said no. After what seemed like a century of talking to his family I was surprised to see the moon was out.

"We can go walk around on the beach if you want," Josh offered and I could tell he was tired of socializing with family too. We walked outside and there were only a couple people on the lawn.

When we stepped onto the sand my heel slipped out from under me and I grabbed onto to Josh for support.

"Whoa, are you ok?" Josh asked me, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied, taking off the heels. The sand was cool on my bare feet and reminded me of beach vacations when I was younger.

"Oh, Clumsy Kara," I stopped walking and stood in shock. The way he said it ,Clumsy Kara. Memories from my freshman year flooded back into my mind and I did everything to keep from crying.

He walked over to me realizing what he had just said. I remembered him now.

"What did you just call me?" I questioned him, my voice shaking.

"Kara, I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"You bullied me my entire freshman year! The first two years of my high school life were ruined because of you!" I couldn't help it, I started sobbing. He constantly made fun of me in ninth grade and I spent two years struggling and hating myself.

He didn't say anything else. He wrapped his arms around me, infuriating me.

"Don't touch me, I wan't you to take me home." He nodded and we started walking back to the car.

"Josh! Aren't you going to say goodbye before leaving?"

"Oh, um, sure Uncle Dave!" He looked at me as if for permission before going over to his uncle. I rolled my eyes and he walked over to him. Josh seemed hesitant to get too close to him though.

"Ah, and who is this pretty young lady?" He said looking at me up and down, he seemed kind of... off.

"She's just a girl from school, Uncle Dave-"

"Hm, she's lovely Josh, you better keep an eye on her." He said with a sly grin. He put his hand into his jean pockets and I saw him slip something behind his back.

"You wouldn't want anyone taking her away," Something wasn't right about this guy, what did he mean? Josh pushed my behind him and handed me the keys to his car.

"Kara get in the car, I'll be there in a minute." My hands started shaking but I told myself I was just over reacting. I mean it was just his uncle, it's not like it was a complete stranger.

I watched them argue from the car window and saw his uncle pull what looked like a knife out from behind him. What was he doing?! I quickly slid the keys into the ignition and turned back to see Josh holding his arm, hunched over.

"Josh!" I screamed, opening the car door.

"Kara, stay in the car!" I did as he said and shut the door.

He walked to the car quickly, still holding onto his arm. I looked for his uncle but he was gone. Josh got in the and put it in reverse. I saw another cars headlights go on in front of us.

"Josh! What the hell?!" I said my hands were trembling and my voice was shaky.

"Kara, I know you kind of hate me right now but you have to stay with me tonight," He looked at me and I nodded, I felt like I trusted him enough. I noticed the other car started following us and I looked at Josh worried.

"He won't follow us all the way back to Ridgeway," He put his hand over mine to keep it from shaking and I was comforted by it.

"Josh, whats happening?" I said, tears forming in my eyes.

"I'll explain when we get back to my house,".