Deadly Secrets

Chapter 4

My hair was a deep red and with my eyes I kind of looked like, well, exotic. I applied some black eyeliner and onyx eye shadow. If I had fur I could pass for a panther, except for the fact they have green eyes and I have blue. With some custom tattered short shorts and a black tube top, I looked at myself in the mirror. Why don't you have a boyfriend? Oh yeah, that's because the guys here think I'm a freak. I slung my shoulder bag over my shoulder and grabbed my car keys. I opened the window and shimmied down the drain pipe. Cheesy, but classic and it works. I climbed into my car, started the engine and was off before the house lights turned on. I sped down our sleepy street until I began to hear the bass pounding. The glow from the fire and lights seemed so out of place against the calm waters. I now see why these pier parties were legendary. Half the people were drunk and the other half was almost drunk. People were blasting the music and jumping off the pier into the ocean. Sadly now that I was here, I had no idea what to do. I wonder if Bryn decided to come, maybe I should look for her. Find the alcohol, you'll blend in better. That wasn't hard, there was beer everywhere. I grabbed a plastic cup and leaned against a tree taking in my surroundings. Seeing all these people crowded together made me anxious. I didn't even notice someone coming up behind me, 

"Hey!" I spun around with a start. My eyes focused in on a boy with brown cropped hair, blue eyes, great bone structure- 

"Hello?" Oh god, he must've noticed me staring. Okay, just act casual Eleanor, 

"Uh, hi." Stupid, stupid, stupid! 

"Could you move a little to the left? You're blocking the beer." I twisted around and saw that he was right. I casually moved out of the way as he reached to grab another beer. His arm brushed mine and I felt a sudden heat creep into my flesh. 

"Do you live around here? I've never seen you here before," asked the stranger. 

"Do you take note of every girl at these things?" 

"Only the interesting ones." I think he's flirting with me. Which is weird because no one ever flirts with me. 

"Uh, thanks, I think. Do you live around here?" 

"No, I live on the other side of the island, near Drop off Point." He said rather hesitantly. Near Drop off-wait what! He wasn't kidding when he said the other end of the island. Kangaroo Island may be quaint, but it wasn't small. The pier was the pivotal point of the island as well as neutral ground. When people first settled here that was where they began to make their living. Of course that doesn't mean they were the first inhabitants. Kangaroo Island was quickly divided into two sections. The mainland, where I currently lived and a place people liked to call the Hills. While the rural school, the first inhabitant descendants and the sharp cliffs known as Drop off Point, were located in the Hills. Each was at least a half hour drive from the other and divided by a lush and dense forest of trees. 

"That's a long ways away just for a beer. This must be one awesome party." Relief flushed his face in response. He did this smirk of a smile that would make you want to hit him and crumble in his arms... 

"My friends dragged me out. It was more of a kidnapping than anything. The whole scene is sort of boring. Well, at least it was." That has got to be the cheesiest line that ever existed. Wait, he's hitting on me, what do I say? Calm down, calm down first. 

"You know it isn't proper decency to say these things to a person you don't even know." He gives a hearty laugh and peers up at me giving me this boyish look that melts my insides, 

"I know, I have terrible manners. My name is Tristan Path." Path? That's a weird last name. 

"I'm Eleanor Bast, it's nice to meet you Tristan." He shoved his hands into his pockets. 

"Bast, huh? That's a...unique last name." 

"It's as about as unique as Path is." He gave a sharp, tight laugh then. He shifted his weight as if deciding what he should do next.  

"So why did your friends come all the way here just for a beer?" A look passed over his face that I couldn't quite read. 

"You saying it's not okay for us to be here?"  

"Hey I'm just making conversation. No need to bite my head off." He let out a sigh and took a sip of his beer. 

"Sorry I didn't mean-" 

"Yeah you did, but its okay." I grinned and he smirked in response, 

"I guess habits are hard to break." I shrugged and fiddled with my cup. 

"My dad was born in the Hills, my mom was from around here so I don't really carry the prejudices others might." He raised his eyebrows and let out a small laugh. 

"Well that explains it then." 

"Explains what?"  

He leaned in closer. His after shave smelled like pine mixed in with sweet grass. 

"Hey Eleanor?" 

"Hmmm." Breathe, breathe, just calm down. 

"Do you have a cell phone?" A cell- oh...oh! He wanted my number. Oh, shit! I forgot it at home! What do I do? I grabbed a pen from my shorts. Thank god for pockets. 

"Do you mind if I borrow your arm?" He gave me another one of those heart breaking smiles and he extended his arm out toward me. I grabbed his forearm, which was toned and tanned, and scribbled down my number. I started to retract my pen when he reached out and took my hand that was holding his arm. He slipped the pen from my fingers with exact precision and scribbled down something. He handed back the pen and smiled. 

"There is an expiry date on that so I would use that as soon as possible." I laughed; well I guess every guy has his ego. His fingers gave mine an electric shock as he pulled away from me. My face flushed with intense heat that you could probably cook a marshmallow with. 

"I look forward to seeing you again, Eleanor." 

He smiled and waved as he began walking toward a group of guys that were probably his friends. I looked down quickly realizing I was staring. I glanced at my arm and blushed, he gave me his number! Wow, I keep freaking out today. Under his number was a message written in perfect script. It said, "Run far and fast little kitty." I jerked my head up and looked for him, but he was long gone. What is with people today? It's like someone dropped a bucket full weirdness in everyone's water supply.