Perfect Places

Creepy But Calming

   It wasn't that bad, actually. I was getting in my head a little too much before I actually started removing pieces of glass from Jessica.

In fact, she talked to me the whole time. She told me all about school, and drama, and boys, and fashion, and parties ... and other stuff.

"You're totally going to Vic's party on Friday, right?" She asked me, sitting up on the bed.

"Oh uh ... probably." I told her.

I held a jar full of pieces of glass that I had removed. I yawned, it was almost 2:00 in the morning. Thankfully it was a Saturday night.

After using practically the whole bottle of hydrogen peroxide on her arms and legs, I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Ok good. You have to look amazing. Like, everyone from school is gonna be there." She giggled, "Well, ya know ... all of the cool people."

I nodded my head in agreement, "Yeah, mhm."

She looked at me. She looked super annoyed.

"Ok whatever. Goodnight I guess." She rolled her eyes.

Before I could respond, she grabbed my arm and shoved me out of Zane's room. She slammed the door in my face. I heard a little click.

She had seriously just locked me out.

"Jess, lemme explain." I sighed, slightly knocking on the door.

"GO AWAY!" I heard her yell from inside the room.

I turned around with my eyes closed. I leaned against the door and slid down to the floor. For a second, I literally thought I was about to fall asleep on the ground.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"How did it go?" His voice asked me in the dark.

"Okay ... I guess." I replied, sounding insanely worn out.

"Are you tired?" Zane sounded almost as exhausted as I was.

"Oh my lord, yes." I responded almost immediately.

   "Nick and Kyle took both couches in the living room, and I guess Jessica claimed my room." He laughed.

"I'll just sleep in the floor." I trialed off, struggling to stay awake.

   "Are you sure?" He asked me.

   "Yeah totally." I replied.

   "I guess I will too." He smiled.

   He walked away. I wondered what he was doing.

   A few minutes later, he came back his hands full of pillows and blankets.

   "Take what you want," He chuckled.

   "Ooh, why thank you." I grinned at him.

I selected a pillow and a blanket and laid down on the floor. Zane did the same.

   "Are you comfortable?" He wondered.

   "More than I thought I would be." I laughed.

   "Ok good." He said to me.

   The house was silent and pitch black. It was kinda creepy but calming at the same time.

   I knew I wasn't go to sleep. I also knew that sounded stupid. My thoughts would definitely keep me awake.

   "Rae." Zane said my name in the dark.

   "Yeah?" I asked, breaking the tension.

   "Has Connor reached out to you ...?" He sounded nervous.