Dark Dreams (COMPLETED)

Contradictory feelings

My heart was beating like crazy when I reached the caddy. Still confused by that strange feeling of fear and discomfort which had overcome my body, I headed to the Lake House.

Once there, I knocked hard on the door, looking behind me as if Sean might pop up at any moment. I didn't realize that the door had just opened and that I was knocking on something else: my hand was touching Dick's bare chest while I stared at him open-mouthed. I knew I had to move it but it was as if my body was no longer receiving orders from my brain. All I could think about was how perfect Dick's pecs were. They seemed even more toned and defined than on the evening of the party.

"What do you want?" he asked, breaking the spell.

I shook my head like I'd just been woken up.

Suddenly, I remembered why I was there.

"You drugged me and took advantage of me!" I shouted.

His blue eyes stared into mine, squinting slightly. He grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me toward him forcefully. His hair, as dark as the night, moved with the movement of our bodies, which were now almost touching. He took my chin with his free hand and abruptly raised it toward him.

"Be careful about making accusations, or you might make people angry that you'd do better to leave alone."

I tried to shake myself free but he tightened his grip, hurting my wrist.

"Stop lying to me!" I yelled. "You took me to that room!"

He pulled me closer. Now our stomachs were pressed against each other and our chests were touching.

"I made you drink, that's all, and I kept an eye on you while I was with you. During the evening, I got a call from security, who warned me that a shady guy was hanging around near the gate," he said icily. "When I came back you'd lost control and were flirting with everyone, especially Jay, your boyfriend."

In a flash, a memory resurfaced in my mind that caused me to blink repeatedly.

Dick... was telling the truth.

I remembered the call and him leaving me with other people at the party but after that everything was dark.

A feeling of relief was accompanied by guilt.

"Jay isn't my boyfriend," I said, trying not to look at his lips, which were too close to mine.

"Then why did you kiss him at the Country Club?" he asked, tightening his hand around my wrist. I was sure he could kill me with his look if he wanted to. When I was close to him I felt like a helpless lamb before a lion that hasn't eaten in weeks. My throat became dry and I couldn't answer his question. In response, he inched closer just a tiny bit, although to me it felt like a lot.

But life had taught me that when everything seems to be headed in one direction, it's just because you're about to change course.

"Do you know where I put my bra?"

I would have recognized that voice among all the voices in the whole world. We saw Katrina behind us. She was in her panties and wearing only Dick's shirt.

He let go of my wrist.

My hands began to shake.

"What are you doing here?" asked Katrina, scowling.

Her cheeks turned the same color as her hair, while instead of blood now it was gasoline that flowed through my veins. Dick knew about all the evil things that Katrina had done to me.

So why had they... no, I couldn't even think of the word. They couldn't have. Not the two of them together.

"You didn't bring your beautiful devil's costume this time?" she asked me, approaching Dick sexily.

I started panting like a rabid dog. I turned toward Dick, who looked at me indifferently as if to say it was all my fault.

I don't know what came over me or why I did it.

I only know that in under a second my hand flew to his cheek and gave him one of those slaps that leave an indelible mark. Katrina raised her hand to her mouth in astonishment, while Dick turned just enough to shoot me an enraged look.

I ran for the hills, frightened by my action and Dick's reaction.

I threw myself into Kiki's arms as soon as I was out of the gate.

"I'm a disaster!" I sobbed.

"What happened?" she asked, hugging me tightly.

"You were right. It wasn't your brother. I'm such an idiot! I can't do anything right and I almost lost you too."

She took me by the shoulders and gave me a shake: "Don't talk nonsense; once you're Kiki's friend you're her friend forever."

I dried my tears and smiled.

"I slapped Dick," I said, "He spent the night with Katrina".

"And that's a good reason for slapping someone?" she asked, smiling.

"No, it's not about that," I fought back, spreading my hands. "He knows all the horrible things she did to me. He shouldn't have. It's a question of respect."

"It seems like pure and simple jealousy to me," she said, wagging her finger as if to reproach me.

"Jealousy!" I exclaimed, waving my hands. "I should have known it was a bad idea to go to that party. Now I've slapped Dick and Jay stole my first kiss! Everyone hurts me."

She frowned then said, "Sarah, how can you expect not to get hurt if you never express your feelings?"