The Monster Under My Bed

Growing up became easier after my dad was out of the picture... Not to mention having a guardian watching over me was easier.

But Mr. Salvatore didn't protect me from menial things like schoolyard bullies; no, he protected me from walking in front of a bus or being picked up by a sick and twisted serial killer.

One time, I actually almost walked in front of a bus. At the last moment, Mr. Salvatore smashed into me, slamming me to the pavement. He whisked away immediately, so as not to attract attention...

He was always there, but rarely in the day, and never in plain sight.

Mr. Salvatore told me that he had an ability, to stay invisible in daylight. It meant that he could become obsolete in a matter of seconds.

I had always found it so absolutely intriguing. But when I asked Mr. Salvatore how it worked, he would never tell me. He said it was a conversation for adults. Of course that was something I didn't want to hear...

~~~~~~~~

The bell rings loud, shrill through the halls and immediately the school fills with the sounds of excitement and chatter.

I rise from my seat and stuff my books into my bag. My best friend Amanda grins at me from her chair in front of mine. "I can't believe today is our last day of senior year! Next year I'll be taking my gap year in London!" She wails in excitement.

I chuckle softly at her excitement. Unfortunately for me, since my dad died that night, my mother and I left that town and she worked in a diner ever since, I had to get a scholarship into college. Having a scholarship meant that I was due at Yale the next year, no gap at all.

With a sigh, she frowns at me. "Are you sure you don't want to come? My dad could pay and we could go early so you could at least have four weeks there?" Amanda's offer is hard not to take but I shake my head, turning her down.

"No, that's okay, thank you. I have work at the coffee shop." I explain, tucking my long brown hair behind my ear. "I've gotta rush, okay? I'll see you later, though. At the grill?"

Amanda nods and waves. She flies out early in the morning, so I'll see her before she leaves tonight.

I head out of the classroom that I won't ever visit again and out through the front doors.

My eyes cast over the gloomy sky above the town of Sweeping Ridges. We're in for a storm tonight; wet weather, cold temperatures and loud thunder. Just the way he likes it...

I stomp across the freshly mowed lawn of Sweeping Ridges Senior School and to my deceased fathers late 80's BMW.

I'm midway through throwing my things into the backseat when Adam Briers speaks behind me. "Last day of school... Guess this is where we say our goodbyes, right?" He says, his voice wavering.

I turn to look at the tall, stocky brunette. My ex boyfriend. We had history. A lot of it...

I shrug, "I'm planning on going to the grill tonight, will you be there?" I say quietly.

Adam shakes his head. "Dads taking off in his jet tonight, says I gotta go with him." He explains, his bag thrown effortlessly over his shoulder and his hair tousled in the breeze.

I sigh, "oh. That's lame..." I can't manage any other words.

I guess I'd kind of hoped we wouldn't bump into each other and I could pretend he was still just across the street from me.

Adam was always like the boy next door, right up to the point where he kissed me at a friends party and from then on, everything changed. We were only teenagers... Babies, really.