Hide and Seek

Chapter 5: The Dance

"From lovers to friends to absolutely nothing and then to completely strangers" -unknown

*Kelsey

I woke up thinking I was in my parents house, but it was a fantasy and shattered in an instant. Waking up in my new house felt like it wasn't my home at all. It was a small college dorm room that would fit two people but I was alone so it just made me that much more lonely.

I showered, the water stinging the cut in my forehead, making me take in a sharp breath. Looking in the mirror the person in the mirror looked like a stranger. A few months ago it seems like my parents wouldn't even recognize me. I looked down at the sink to look away but having to look back up to finish getting ready for school.

My eyes had dark bags under them from the lack of sleep and seemed sunken in.

I straightened my hair and then put it into a messy ish bun, a few pieces falling and framing my face. I breathed out a shaky sigh and then hard sigh, I was determined to be strong, for my parents. I apply makeup, got dressed, put on my shoes on and left my dorm room.

Having forgotten my keys to my car I hurried back in my house grab them and start to walk off. Only then realizing I needed to lock up my new house, my thoughts were off today and I couldn't concentrate on anything.

In my head I cursed the boy I had seen in the shadows, he had been haunting my dreams ever since my crash a while ago. When I got to school the bell was just ringing, I was in such a daze I didn't notice it. Just like a zombie, heading off to my first class deep in thought, not noticing the people trying to get my attention.

In my mind, I replayed the crash over and over and over, but my thoughts were postponed when as soon as I sat down in class, the bell rang and the the teacher began the lesson. I grabbed my notebook and turned to a blank page to take notes in, but, despite my efforts, couldn't focus on the lecture enough to take notes, and just ended up staring into empty space, pencil in hand.

Sooner than expected, the teacher ended the class, and I was left staring out the window with a page empty of notes. Thinking how I could have sworn that the man they rescued me was the same from the shadows. Though my thoughts were cut short by someone coming up to my desk.

"Kelsey? Are you okay?" a male voice said shocking me out of my daze.

"I'm fine" I said shaking my head and looking up.

I jumped a little when I saw who it was "Mr. Morrison!"

It was the teacher, looking down at my notes and realizing they were blank my eyes widened. That caused his eyes followed mine to my paper which made me quickly turn the page crinkling it. I gave him a sheepish grin. He gave me a look and then sat on my desk.

"Kelsey. I heard about your crash, and I understand that these past few months have been hard."

He continued "I care about what happens to you, you're my brightest student so for your health I want you go to the dance tonight. Okay?"

"I would love to continue our chat" I started to say as I gathered my things "but don't you have another class?"

I hurried out of the class since some of his students were waiting to talk to him and I needed to get to my next class. My mind went back to my stranger, I was now convinced he was some sort of guardian angel that was sent to watch over me. His touched soothed me when I was in distress. He helped me I know it and he would be there whenever I need him to be, and even if I couldn't see him. I know what his gaze feels like, so I would know he was there.

After thinking that I realized I had surprised myself. That sounded a little creepy, a little? Kind of a lot. Lost in thought and oblivious to my surroundings had left me vulnerable, and suddenly there was hands wrapping around my waist. Jumping, screaming, and then elbowing them in the gut, I grabbed the fingers and yanked them around to their back, the attack from a few days ago still fresh in my mind.

"Kelsey! Its me! Ow! You're hurting my fingers, and arm!" my attacker said in alarm.

It wasn't any attacker it was my boyfriend. I felt a little guilty for thinking about my stranger instead of him but I quickly dismissed that thought to help him up.

"Sorry Van I was thinking." I said guiltily and a little nervous.

"It's okay, you've been through alot this week" he said with a hint of anger in his voice.

I was thinking why would he be angry, and then realization dawned. I had forgotten to tell him about my crash and where Clea's wedding was.

"Oh Van I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you. My crash was so sudden and and had happened right before Clea's wedding and I forgot to text you." I gave him a guilty, sheepish grin.

He sighed "It's okay, but we need to talk."

I bit my lip and gave him a soft nod and he left, Van was attractive, he was a little taller than me and had plain blue eyes. His hair looked like a perfectly toasted marshmallow, not black or white, brown and was short on the sides and longer on top. The longer part was all parted to the left, and also had a couple freckles on his nose and cheeks.

I went through the day in a similar manner as my first class. Where I was in a daze thinking of him. His cool touch that lifted me up and carefully set me in the back seat. I remember him smelling like pine. I dwelled on him all day, even at lunch I just stared at my food.

Van texted me after school about meeting him at the dance and how I had to go. I thought about what my Psychology teacher had said, I think he only I said that because I'm dating his son. Despite what I was told a dance would be good for me.

Getting ready I curled my hair in ringlets,cherry lipgloss, and soft pink eyeshadow to go with a dress my mother had got me the day she died. It was a knee length, light pink dress with cap sleeves, flower embroidery, and a charcoal gray belt. The belt had an elaborate decorative clasp in the center on the front of the dress. Looking at it reminded me of my mother.

Getting a text last minute from Van saying "Sorry I'll have to meet you there." made my decision that much easier. While I had been thinking today I realized that even though Van was the one who had helped me through my parents death we were growing apart. I would be eternally grateful for his help I didn't love him anymore.

Arriving at the dance I looked around for Van I became nervous and instead on Van I felt a familiar gaze on me. Breathing shakily I became more nervous but calmed when I smelled pine. There were none of those trees indoors so I knew he was here. I tried my hardest not to smile and not to go off and find him.