The Devil is Marvelous

Chapter 55

I was such an awkward mess at school on Thursday. All I could think about was my night with Jaxon. Just seeing him at school was making me want him again. Badly.

The ecsasy from the night before was too much to handle, and I could tell he felt the same. The way he gazed at me, the way he ran his hand up my thigh at lunch, his hand getting dangerously close to that area. The way he planted a kiss on my neck in the hallway after 5th period. I knew my face had turned a million different shades of red. I'd never admit to it, but it was oddly satisfying to see Payton so infuriated by his affection towards me.

I had to work after school, and I had no idea how I was going to deal with that. Being in the house with Jaxon made me nervous, because I knew if he said even one provactive thing to me i'd lose all self control.

Jaxon drove me home from school so I could change and drop off my backpack. The entire car ride he kept his hand on my thigh, and every couple minutes I would catch him looking at me. If i'm being honest, it was quite flattering.

When we pulled up in my driveway I was surpised to see someone standing at on the porch, banging on the front door.

"Who the hell is that?"

"I don't know" I answered Jaxon, slowly stepping out of the car.

"Hello?" I called out cautiously.

The person spun around, and I relief washed over me. It was just Steve.

"Hey! Is everything okay?" I asked, jogging up to him.

"Hi Ava" he greeted, his voice trailing off. He stared past me, and went silent.

I glanced behind me at Jaxon, who appoached us with my backpack in hand. He looked tense, his eyes growing cold.

I cleared my thoat. "Um, Steve?"

"Uh- yeah" he mumbled, "Is your sister home?"

I furrowed my brows. "She's not at work?"

"No, and she's not answering her phone"

"Huh." That's weird. I unlocked the door, motioning for him to follow.

"MEL!" I called out, kicking off my Vans. Luffy came running down the hall, barking and wagging his tail. Jaxon set my backpack down, leaning over to pet him.

"Melissa?" I called.

No answer.

"MELISSA!" I knocked on her bedroom door. I slowly pushed it open, peaking my head in.

She wasn't in her room.

"She's not out back!" Steve shouted. "Do you guys have a basement?"

"Yes, but it's not finished" I said, returning to the living room. "She wouldn't be down there." I tried to remember if I saw her this morning before I left for school. I don't think so... I thought she had left for work early.

"She didn't come in at all today" Steve muttered. "Something seems off."

Jaxon and I exchanged glances, and he stood up, asking "Could she be at Nancy's?"

"Nancy was at work today. She couldn't get ahold of Melissa either."

I took out my phone and called, but she didn't pick up.

Facetime? ... Still nothing.

I sent her a text, then tucked my phone into my pocket, taking another lap around the house as if she could have randomly appeared.

Jaxon followed me into her room, and I turned to face him, anxiety starting to bubble up inside of me.

"Where could she be?" I asked, as if he might know the answer.