Silverlake

Chapter 3

"You're home earlier than I thought..." My mother started as soon as I opened our front door.
"I made two new friends today," I yelled as I took the stairs two at a time. 
"That's wonderful, honey!" She beamed.

I took at all of my Notes out, spreading them around the floor as soon as I got into my room.

One entire day. Four whole classes, and no notes to show for it. Instead, I had pages dripping in black and blue ink without a spot covered in triangles.

I laughed. There was nothing else for me to do, and really, it was all very funny. The practical side of me tried to call me down by telling me they were just doodles, and Tanner's tattoo was just a tattoo. Sighing, I picked up the notebooks and carefully set them back into my backpack. 

Today was September First, and I had dressed in preparation for the rain today, although today had turned out to be one of the only sunny days of the year. I pulled off my scarf first, carefully hanging it up in the closet, and then tugged at my purple long sleeved shirt. As I undressed, my mind turned over all of the events of the day. Eventually, I chalked it all up to nerves of the first day. After all, a cute boy stared at me and I made new friends. 

I turned to face the mirror before pulling on my faded Aero t-shirt. 

"What the..." I stepped closer to the mirror. My perfect skin had a black mark right on the collar bone. I stared at my reflection and felt this new blemish. It wasn't bumpy, it didn't stick up, and it was only three lines. It was ink. 

I screamed. I heard my mother racing up the stairs to my room. I quickly threw my t-shirt over my head to cover my new triangle tattoo, and then I sank to the floor.

~

"Reese! Are you okay? What's going on?" She sat down next to me, frantically looking me up and down.

"I just... I fell." There was no point in telling her the truth. I didn't even know what the truth was. 

"Oh, honey," she laughed, "I thought you were being kidnapped." 

"Mom, no need to overreact." I meant it as a joke, but my words came out harsh and bitter.

"Well fine then. Dinner will be ready when your dad gets home." With that, she stood up, smoothed out her skirt, and shut the door behind her.

I knew the bed was against my back, and I knew that the hardwood floor was cool underneath me, but I couldn't feel anything. I pulled at my shirt with numb fingers, pulling it just off my shoulder. It looked darker than it did at first and bigger. I had to remind myself to keep breathing.

It wasn't too bad. It would be hard to cover up in the summer, and I'd have to be choosy when it came to tank tops, but other than that no one would notice it. Whatever this was, I didn't need any one else wrapped up in this. 

On shaky legs, I stood up. I tried to push it out of my mind. The tattoos, both mine and Tanner's. Tanner. 

The more and more I thought about it, the more and more it seemed less like a coincidence. His triangle tattoo, the way it felt when our hands touched, the jealousy. I had to find him. 

I glanced at the clock, 5:00. My dad would be home in an hour, meaning, there was plenty of time to go out before I had to answer to both parent's questions. 

I texted Sky. 

Hey, so where does Tanner live? We had math together and I'm pretty sure he accidentally took my notebook.

The little I KNew about her, I did know that her phone was basically glued to her hand. She responded almost immediately.

Feeling better? He lives on the end of Elm. All the way down, his house backs the forest. You literally can't miss it.  He's probably still at school lol Football boys ;)

The school was perfect. I had to go back to get my car anyway.

I grabbed my keys from my bag, shouted I was heading to get my car, and headed back to school. Lucky for me,  the school was only a mile up the main road. Mrs. Harelston, our neighbor across the street, eyed me as I walked briskly past her house. I tried to smile, but I'm sure it came out closer to a grimace. 

The closer I got to the school, the calmer I felt. Something about this seemed right. 

I came up to the fields first. The boys had just gotten done with practice. They were all headed back to the locker rooms, pushing each other and yelling, except for one. Tanner's face was twisted into a scowl. He held his football helmet in one hand and his other was balled into a fist. His glare was directed straight at me.

*Authors note: Hope you guys are liking it! I'll try to post another update tomorrow. *