Laser [Wattys 2016]

Chapter 6

"How did he get burned?" Mom snarled at me while a police officer with a blotch expression on his face and a thin slit where his mouth should have been stood next to the door, with a pen and diary in his hands, tapping his foot impatiently on the parquet while waiting for me to reply.

It was Sunday morning and I had just taken my breakfast of scrambled eggs reluctantly. I didn't have any plans for the day; my social life was already in ruins. I called Kirstin to check if she was up but she didn't pick up my calls, I had started to worry she might have heard about the Starbucks incident.

"I'm sorry ma'am but can I talk to her privately?" The policeman asked and Mom nodded, gesturing us into the living room. The couch was comfortable to seat on but I decided to stand.

"Look here kid," he cleared his throat, "This is a tough job, it's not really pleasant going around people's houses and dealing with every kind of nonsense, especially people like Brandon Carter's family." I felt myself giggle a little. "That kid's rents never go a day without getting high and drunk; I bet the son has gotten into something similar."

"Let me be frank here, kid. I know it could have been an accident or his friends just gave false statements, I don't know. We do not have any solid proof here, but here's an advice, you really don't want to waste your time and get yourself into trouble over them. I have worked with them before and honestly, they're out of my like list. I'm not taking this case because where's the beef? I know them, you know them, it is just rowdy teen behavior but I thought I should just warn you. I hope I'm clear, kid."

Even though he wasn't, I nodded since I figured out that I was out of trouble. "I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again, I promise," I said dryly, and he nodded, seemed pleased with the answer.

After he left telling something to Mom I wasn't allowed to hear, I felt her glare at me but thankfully no questions escaped her mouth. I was grateful to have been finally left alone to myself. Making use of the time, I decided to study for the exams coming up next week, and that is how part of my day was spent.

At 3pm, I received a call from Kirstin.

"Hey girl, sorry I slept up to noon," she sputtered, her voice sounded trashed out.

"Hey, it's okay. Were you with Kane last night?"

"Yeah, I was invited to his best friend's birthday party," she yawned, "Gosh girl, I had so many shots I don't even remember how I ended up on my bed."

"Make sure he's not on your bed," I giggled, but she replied in the negative.

"No, Kane is like a great believer in sex after marriage and all so he's humble. Sometimes I wonder how someone as sassy as me ended up with his modest butt."

I didn't know what to reply but then she kept blabbering on. "Would you like want to go shopping today? I think I'm running out of clothes to wear at school. And also prom is knocking at the door; I heard there's a sale at Balmain."

"Sure," I stuttered, "Could you pick me up at 4? Ye- okay 4:30 would be fine." I hung up.

I pulled on a cute peach top and Capri pants to go with my flats, and braided my wavy hair. Kirstin was there in time, punctual as usual. I smiled at her as she pulled down the window of her plush black Porsche Macan and waved at me, "Word up, cutie. I like the braids."

"Thanks," I mumbled as I got into the shotgun.

"So Victoria's Secret first? I need some underwear."

After she was done picking up pink lacy underwear for herself, we headed to Balmain where she looked through all the gowns but didn't buy one. They were so expensive that I had to sell myself off for buying one of their collections. After that, Kirstin pulled me into a store that read Asos, and we suited ourselves to two casual looking dresses. We were looking through some La Femme prom dresses when I felt someone's eyes on me. I swiveled around to find a typical throng of eager buyers roaming around about, but a knowing feeling in my gut told me I was being watched.

"Ohmigod this will look so cute on you!" Kirstin pulled out a strapless red dress with a lace up back and examined it by holding it in front of me.

"It says one forty dollars. I want to get something cheaper," I told her.

"Hey, it's prom, you need something expensive and flamboyant after all! At least that might draw Ethan Parker back to you."

"Kirstin, Ethan Parker and I are done," I huffed.

"You never know," she smirked, a lopsided grin, "Plus, haven't you heard? Red always attracts men."

"What are you buying?" I asked her to change the conversation.

"Kane likes green, so I'm going with this teal lace dress."

I twirled back again because I felt uneasy; trying to convince myself that it was unneeded suspicion due to my increased perceptiveness. There was cold gaze of someone on my back, but I didn't know who it was.

"Are you okay?" Kirstin asked me, noticing my sudden stillness.

Was it satirical that the store was playing One Way or Another by One Direction at the same time?

One way or another I'm gonna find ya

I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha

One way or another I'm gonna win ya

I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha

One way or another I'm gonna see ya

I'm gonna meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha

One day, maybe next week

I'm gonna meetcha, I'm gonna meetcha, I'll meetcha

"I think we're being followed," I whispered to Kirstin, while she glanced nervously around us.

"Are you kidding me? Who?"

"I don't know; it's just a feeling."

Kirstin rolled her eyes. "You know that's not funny. You scared me! I thought you were serious."

"I'm serious," I muttered.

"Anna, not now, let's try that navy blue dress on you," she said but I caught a dark figure with my corner eye, pressed against the glass window of the store, clad in black cloak and mask, gaping creepily entirely at ... us.

Author's Rant: Hey guys! So what do you think? I hope you guys leave more comments to encourage me into writing, it makes me feel like my writings are not sucking balls. I love you all for reading my works! Vote and share if you liked this chapter! <3