Short Stories

The Opportunity

London, England
6:45 a.m.

Eden Tatum sat with her back to the wall outside of school. On normal days, she would sit with Danielle and her boyfriend, but today, Eden needed the space. The last few days are smothering her. Memories echoed her mind of Freshman year, the year Hayden was still here. Eden shook her head as tears spilled down her cheeks. Eden wasn't there the day he disappeared, that night was all a blur to her. Eden remembered the next day, Enzo and Danielle looking like hell, but saying with enthusiasm, he was dead. Jonathon was a different story. He didn't sleep for weeks, remorse haunted his every move. Eden watched him closely now as he laughed with other guys. His eyes were cold, but his smile was warm. In between emotions. Eden shook her head in disappointment and went to stand, but a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Warm radiated from the hand to her shoulder. The misty morning hung in the air. Eden took a deep breath before turning to her left. Hayden Foster stood behind her, his eyes a bright blue that made her heart flutter. Before that night, they were close, dating. She knew his deepest, darkest secrets, even though she was part of his darkness. She might not have been there that night when things went down, but she had a big part of it, and Hayden knew that. Eden was the only one who knew where he was going that night.

"Eden." Her name came like a purr from his lips. Eden shuddered, remembering on his body felt next to hers. "What are you doing by yourself?"

Eden shrugged his warm hand off her shoulder. "Thinking." Was her reply. She didn't dare meet his eyes again.

"Don't you know how dangerous it is to be on your own?" He asked, his voice deepening. His blue eyed sparked a dangerous glint.

"I'm safe at school." Eden mumbled, her heart pounding.

He laughed, a deep chilling laugh. "No one is safe at this school, Eden. You should know that."

Eden took a step back, bumping into the brick wall behind her. Cornered, she looked up at him. He gave her a smirk, something that looked so handsome on him, that looked dangerous.

"Watch yourself, Eden." He whispered close to her ear. "In the end, we are all alone." He turned around and walked away, toward the school doors.

From across the yard, sat Jonathon and the others. Danielle and Enzo had worry on their faces. Logan sat facing away from her, but his back was tense. Jonathon stared at her with cruel delight, his lips quirked up in a sneer. She knew there was no way she could sit over there after that. She peeled herself off the wall and ran to the school, her feet pumping underneath her.

Eden was a coward, but that's okay. If anyone else knew what Jonathon was capable of, they'd run too.

School went by like a blur. It was already sixth period, the free time. She stood by the entrance to the cafeteria, glancing around for Hayden. She saw Addison with a group of girls and internally cringed. She hated, but pitied Addison. Eden shrunk into the shadows, trying to stay out of her eye sight.

Addison looked around her, her lips in a pout. Eden shook her head slowly in disgust. Trying to get attention because your boyfriend was suspended. Eden almost gave a snort of disbelief. A tall figure made their way toward Addison, they hands in their pockets casually. Eden held her breath, watching Jonathon stop in front of Addison. He gave her a small, tiny smile full of pity. Eden rolled her eyes and walked away, feeling stares stab into her back. She slowly looked around, acting casual, but then met his gaze. Black hair looked ruffled, blue eyes turned steely as they held her blue-green ones. Eden blushed, her cheeks warming to the shame in her heart. Hayden watched her as she watched him.

Eden lost her breath, memories attacking her mind, clouding her vision. She stumbled and a bemused look crossed Hayden's face. Hurt flashed in her heart, but she knew it was stupid. He had every right to laugh at her for something simple as stumbling.

She shook her head and broke eye contact. She left the cafeteria before she lost her cool. She walked into the library, her eyes down. Suddenly, she ran into a warm wall. Eden fell, barely catching herself. She heard a small scoff and dared herself to look up. Tyler Addams looked down at her, disgust weighing his features. Eden frowned. Something was off by this situation. Usually Tyler was hanging around Hayden, from rumors.

Footsteps echoed behind her and pain etched onto his face. Eden turned her head to meet the eyes of Hayden Foster once again. He barely gave a smile as he looked at Tyler, but his lips thinned and his eyes darkened with emotion. Tyler shook his head and backed away slowly. Hayden directed his attention to Eden, who now looked confused.

"You'll be the first out of that group, Eden." He stated, his blue eyes blazing in anger of past memories. "Just think of your dirty little secrets coming out to play. The ones of that night."

Eden huffed out a startled breath, her eyes going wide. No one knew, but them. He made sure. He kept quiet. It was a victory night, so he wanted it to be her. "No." She muttered, her heart pounding. "No. Nothing happened that night. "

Hayden raised an eyebrow. "Really? Nothing happened? Not even with Enzo?"

Her demons were out, but she felt the heaviness of Tyler's gaze, and stood up, her stomach in her throat. She stared straight at Hayden, hatred in her gaze. "Nothing."

You're playing a dangerous game, Hayden Foster.

Hayden smirked as if he heard her thoughts. "Let's go find out."

Eden let out a small noise as he turned and walked away. Tyler hissed out a breath.

"What the hell happened?"

This is a snippet from my other book called The Opportunity. Please check it out! Leave comments and votes!