Masquerade - The Complete First Novel

- 16 -

(Dakota)

"Yes..."

"Speak up." Her voice shook my body as I raised my chin, trying to follow her order. I felt myself being treated as a soldier, being barked orders and forced to obey.

"Yes, I found it in your room," she sat on my bar top ignoring my request for her not to. She snatched the notes that peacefully lay beside her and read them again. She seemed to be looking through them over and over, confused. I walked closer to her, keeping a fair distance between me and the active volcano. I pointed to a part of the note, suggesting that Ana slept in Clem's room. "See, that means that your room used to be Clem's,"

"Wow! No wonder!" I could sense the sting of sarcasm in her voice, hissing at me. I let myself shrink even more to her cruel words, questioning the morals I have put into place. I decide to retreat back to the corner of my kitchen. I realized by watching her that she didn't understand it at all, but I couldn't change that, she would just push me away. Like she always does.

I turned my attention to the flower that was sitting on my mantle, watching it slowly start to light up with life. The petals seemed to be more sturdy and lifted than it was before. Good. That means it lived.

"Dakota, why did you have to trash my room just for some stupid pills? What, are you a druggy now?" I shook my head violently, protesting.

"No! Of course not! That has to be Clem's or something!" She narrowed her eyes.

"Why would Clementine keep pills in her room?" I took some steps towards her.

"I don't know!" She rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips.

"You're worthless, I hope you know that," she grabbed my laptop, typing in the code. I slowly walked behind her to see the screen. She opened the Google icon, clicking on the white bar to show the black line flash. Her fingers were placed on the keys, but not putting in the effort to push them underneath her fingertips. I moved my hand, about to touch her shoulder when the sound of a phone rang. It was Anastasia's phone; she picked up her device, placing it to her ear and walking away from me into the living room. "Hey," 'Hey'? She barely answers a phone call with 'Hey'. It was only me. Who was she talking too? Have I been replaced that quickly? "I'm okay, sorry," she chuckled, "I didn't mean to scare you," was she talking to her mom? "Dakota's," she looked at me with judgmental eyes, "No, it wasn't." She looked away, "Sure! Please do. Alright, see ya soon!" She hung up her phone, falling onto my couch.

"Was that your mom?"

"No," what? Who was that? I couldn't think of anyone who she would say 'Hey' too.

After a while of silence, Anastasia's phone buzzed as she texted back whoever had texted her. After a while, I heard a car door close outside my house. My anxiety started to take over, as I retreated back to my place in the corner.

A small knock announced itself as Ana yelled a, "Come on in."

"Okay," the voice was deep and was definitely male. That was certainly not her mother. The door opened to a man with a hoodie over him, raindrops covering his clothes. He took off his hoodie to reveal himself. His skin was a milk chocolate with a coarse black buzz cut. His eyes were a midnight black, but showed the concern he had for something. They seemed to glow with kindness. He was absolutely gorgeous.

My gaze was broken when he stepped towards Ana, taking off his jacket and giving her a hug. Did she just meet this guy, or did she keep him a secret from me? He turned to me and my heart skipped a beat. I tensed up as he started to talk. I'm not as good as Anastasia when it comes to hiding my emotions.

"Dakota, right?" His voice was deep and it was not muffled by the door any longer.

"Yes," his eyes sparkled. He stuck out his hand, gesturing for me to shake.

"Sean Gold," Gold. That's such a pretty last name. I took his hand, letting him guide the handshake. His handshake was firm yet, soft. He unlocked the handshake and took a step back, Anastasia standing next to him.

"Tell him," I was knocked out of my trance with confusion.

"What?"

"You heard me," Sean placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling something. She calmed down from his touch. I was never able to do that.

"Okay, what do I tell him?"

"Everything," Sean's voice kick me into action, spilling everything I found out about Clementine. The photos, the files, the notes, the pills, everything. He nods with every word I say, and I can feel myself breaking down.

Anastasia stares off as I speak, not recognizing me as a human being. I feel like a beat dog, scared of their owner but still loyal. I know I shouldn't say that when others are going through worse things than I am. I know it. I'm so selfish.

I finish my story expecting him to call me crazy or insane. He starts to walk to the living room, and I expect him to leave and take Anastasia with him. He changed my mind, pacing a hand on his chin. Thinking. Anastasia looks at him and smiles lovingly. It's obvious she likes this guy, but it's different. I've never seen her so admired by someone's presence. He must be special. To her at least. Sean turns back to me, picking up his pace so he puts his hands on my shoulders. "I know what to do."