Chapter One
The house had eyes, demon eyes. I-It's watching me, I can feel it. It's saying something, something to me. Those teeth were itching to eat me and taste my blood. I felt the wind pick up, and the house shivered. The trees around it instantly grew bigger and shielded the house from the bitter winter breeze. One of its eyes glanced around while the other stayed fixed on me. In a matter of seconds, I was surrounded by darkness and heard a voice calling to me, "Aiko, find a way out if you can. If not, you're my next victim."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I awoke up with a start. I glanced around realizing I was in my own room save and sound. I looked at my clock; 10:40 p.m. I've barely been asleep for an hour. I groaned in frustration, sitting up in my bed, and grabbed my phone. I scrolled through my contact list and found 'Annata!':
Me: Anna! I had the same dream again...But this time it said something to me...
Anna: Alright, alright. What'd it say?
Me: It said "Aiko, find a way out if you can. If not, you're my next victim." And then I woke up...I'm tired of this dream...It's so creepy...
Anna: Go to Maverick's house you've always slept better with him around.
Me: True. Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow.
Anna: No problem. See ya.
Maverick is my best friend, has been since like third grade. I decided I'd call before I left to make sure it's okay. He picked up on the third ring, "Aiko? Are you alright? What happened?"
I sighed, "I'm fine, but do you mind if I come over. I keep having this same dream and it happens every time I fall asleep. A-And you know how I sleep better with you around."
I heard him open a door and turn on a light switch, "Yeah that's fine; you can come over. I'm always here for you, hun."
I said a quick thanks and told him I'd be there in 20 minutes.
"You want me to sing you a song so you can go to sleep easier?" Maverick asked me, as soon as I entered his front door, his grey-blue eyes, and light blonde hair shimmering in the moonlight.
"No way, the only one singing around here is me. You know I'm way better than you anyways." We laughed together knowing we were the best singers in town. We always joked about who sang better, and we always ask people at our gigs, but they never really give a straight answer. Gigs, you ask? Well, you see me and Maverick here are in a band. It's just me, him and our guitarist, Jacob, (which he just so happens to be Annata's brother). I don't mean to come off cocky, but we are the best in town.
"HA! Yeah right, only in your dreams, Ms. Hot-shot!" He smirked at me.
"Whatever. Everyone knows I'm better than you are," I stuck my tongue out at him playfully.
"C'mon let's go to sleep, babe," he said, smiling at my glare for calling me babe.
~~~**~~~
I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, relaxed, and ready for the new day. I quickly got up and wrote a note for Maverick letting him know I left. I arrived home approximately 35 minutes later, took a little longer, but I decided to get fat and eat breakfast at Burger King. I took a quick shower, and got ready for our band practice this afternoon at 1:30, it's already noon. I turn on the radio in my house while getting ready, and of course Red Solo Cup is playing so I naturally start singing along. When it's over I'm a little sad because I'll be late now, but it was worth the wait. After making sure everything is in the cooler and I've got my guitar in case we need it, I'm ready to leave.
Once I arrive I head to Jacob's basement, saying hello to Annata on the way. Running down the stairs with cooler and guitar in hand, I of course trip and fall landing face first on shirtless Jacob. I look over to my guitar expecting the worst and my eyes find half still in my hand and the other half on one of the steps. "Oh my goodness! Aiko! Are you alright?! I heard something and I came right away!" She paused coming down the stairs to look at me properly, and considering she was a certified nurse I let her. "JACOB! Let go of her! I need to see if she's broken anything."
"The only thing I broke is my guitar," I mumbled, completely pissed that I let this happen. Jacob let me go so I could get up, but I didn't get too far when I realized I did hurt my ankle. I stumbled, but a pair of masculine arms wrapped around my waist, looking up I saw the face of Jacob. "Anna! Ohhh, I hurt my ankle."
"Shit. Alright, Jacob sit her down over there on the couch, and Maverick get me some ice." She sighed.
"No! I don't want your stupid brother, make him get the ice and have Mav stay here," I whined.
"Dammit, Aiko. I don't have time for this just shut up and do as I say. Oh! Mav! Get my bag that's under the sink!" She demanded. I huffed and let Jacob pick me up bridal style. Mav showed up not soon after with ice and Anna's bag, neither one were paying any attention to us.
For the first time I looked at Jacob and I mean really looked at him. His naturally curly brown hair that fell just below his ears was surprisingly straight for once. His emerald eyes had a stunning brilliance to them; tough and demanding, yet soft and loving. My eyes wandered to his lips, wondering what they would feel like pressed against mine. Again my eyes were wandering, but this time to a different destination...This time to his chest...Slowly, my hand involuntarily touched his chest ever so slightly and ran across his chest and subtle six-pack. He gave a low moan that only I could've heard, and my hand instantly retracted back towards my body. I looked into those stunning eyes of his, expecting to see him looking at me like an idiot, but instead his eyes were full of lust, love, and passion; the complete opposite of what I'd ever expect from his tough masculinity. Suddenly his lips were millimeters away from mine, with our breathes shallow as could be, I closed the distance between us pressing my lips to his. Until this day, there has never been anything between me and Jacob, but something about this kiss made my head spin in a million different directions at once.
