Crushing (11 page)

I felt relieved that he hadn’t come with her because he liked her, but now I also felt guilty. What was I supposed to do? Dominic was my friend. I was attracted to him, and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I didn’t know Gage anymore, and I wasn’t sure that he even liked me that way or if I was just a prize in the competition with Dom. I decided to ignore his comment for now.

The band started another slow song, and Gage grabbed my hand and pulled me out onto the dance floor. He pulled me close to him, and I fit right into the contours of his chest. I wanted to snuggle in and stay there. He smelled really good. I couldn’t really decide exactly what it was. Not cologne. I had noticed it when he helped me when we were golfing. I just wanted to breathe him in. I wanted to ask him to give me one of his shirts to sleep in so I could fall asleep with that smell.

“You going to take a nap there or . . .?”

“Mmmm…”

“It’s like having two puppies.”

“Again with comparing me to a dog,” I said.

I felt a chuckle rumble through his chest. “In the nicest possible way though.”

I didn’t open my eyes, but I was smiling. “I don’t really think there is a nice way to compare someone to a dog.”

“I disagree. Loyal, faithful, trustworthy—those are all admirable traits.”

“Smelly, drooling, shedding,” I shot back.

“Now you’re just being mean. Bailee can’t help that. I’m sure you can’t either.”

I pulled my head back and glared. “Really?”

He just grinned down at me.

My heart did a little jump in my chest. His smile was amazing. He was rubbing his hand up and down my back. I was starting to get goose bumps all over. I put my head back down, and we just sort of swayed in place for a while. I needed to ask him about that time in the woodshed and what he remembered, but this wasn’t the time or the place. Soon.

When the song ended, Dominic walked up to us, fully ignoring Gage.

“Here.” He shoved a water bottle at me.

“Thanks.” I looked down. Here we were back in the land of awkward.

“We’re all good here, Rossi. You can move on,” Gage said.

“I don’t take orders from you, so get lost.” Dominic still didn’t even glance in Gage’s direction. Instead he was looking at me like I just killed his best friend. I felt like a terrible person. This whole thing was getting out of hand.

“She was dancing with me, so why don’t you just go about your business?” Gage said.

“Didn’t you come here with Sophie? Why don’t you go back to your date?” Dominic finally looked at him, and his eyes were blazing. I don’t remember seeing him that mad. Ever.

“Why don’t you mind your own business, Rossi? Rory didn’t come here with you. She can dance with whoever she wants,” Gage said.

Enough. I wasn’t going to put up with being a push-me-pull-you between these cavemen. I wasn’t anybody’s girlfriend, property, or toy to fight over.

“Why don’t the two of you go out onto the roof and have a spitting contest? Maybe that will decide things for you.” I stomped off. Who did they think they were?

As I walked away, one of the freshman girls who was working the popcorn machine came rushing up to me.

“Rory, we need more popcorn boxes. We’re almost out. I wasn’t sure where they were.”

“It’s okay. I know where they are. I’ll go get them.” I marched over to the snack table and fished for the keys to the SL room from inside the centerpiece where I’d hidden them.

This was perfect. I needed to get out of there and clear my head for a minute. Stupid boys.

#

I hurried out of the gym and down the hallway to the Student Leadership room. When I got about halfway down the hall, the lights went out. Crap. This happened on a fairly regular basis here. We lived on an island. There was a thunderstorm, so it was to be expected.

I normally was not caught without my phone for light, however. Tonight there hadn’t been a pocket in my dress, so I had left my purse with my phone in it in the SL room. I was just going to have to do the best I could. There were windows at the top of the hallway, and even though it was dark out, I could still see enough to make my way slowly. I knew the popcorn boxes were on the couch right next to the door. I would just scoot in and grab them and feel my way back to the gym.

I could hear everyone in the gym squealing and laughing at the power being out. The parents and teachers who were chaperoning were shouting and trying to calm everyone down. I was pretty sure the guys were doing everything they could to freak the girls out. Sigh. In some ways it was better to be out here.

It took me a while, but I found the door to the SL room. I went to put my key in the lock, but it opened right up. The door should have been locked. That was odd. When I stepped inside, I thought I heard something—a rustling over by the cubbies that held our stuff. My heart started to pound. Was something in here? Was it a rat? I hated anything that scurried. Should I jump on the couch? Ewwww.

I had decided to just grab the boxes and get out, when I felt a rush of air by my face. Then I was shoved down onto the couch hard. A hand held me down by my neck. I could hear breathing heavy by my ear. I opened my mouth to scream, when I was pushed down harder.

“Be quiet. Stay there and count to one hundred. If you get up, I’ll know, and you’ll be sorry.” His voice was deep, harsh, and whispery, like he was trying to disguise it. He let go, and I heard him go out the door.

I was shaking all over and felt like I was going to throw up. I didn’t count. I was so scattered, I couldn’t even think. I heard people coming down the hall, but I was afraid to call out. The door flew open and crashed against the wall. I shrieked.

“Rory! Are you in here?” Gage.

“I’m here!” I sat up fast and saw two people in the doorway. I burst into tears.

“What happened?” I realized it was both Gage and Dominic. They rushed over. I tried to explain, but I couldn’t get the words out.

“Th-th-there was someone…I came in, and he was in here.” I was trying to stop crying and wipe my face.

“What do you mean someone was in here? Who?” Dominic demanded.

“I don’t know. He pushed me down on the couch. It happened so fast. He told me to count to one hundred or I would be sorry.” Gage sat down next to me and lifted me up onto his lap.

“Maddox, I’m going to check it out. Call 911.” Dominic sprinted from the room.

“He might still be out there. He might hurt Dom. You should go with him.” I didn’t want him out there by himself.

“Rossi can take care of himself,” he said through gritted teeth. His whole body was tense, like he was going to explode out of his skin. I could feel him digging in his jacket pocket. His phone lit up, and he dialed 911.

“Yes, this is Gage Maddox. We are at Wynter High School. There’s been a break-in, and one of the girls has been attacked. Please send police and an ambulance right now. The attacker may still be on campus. The power is out here at the school. Yes ma’am, I’ll stay on the line.”

“I don’t need an ambulance,” I told him. “I’m fi-fine,” I hiccupped. My breathing was a little fast, but I wasn’t having an attack. The meds were working, thankfully.

He pulled the phone away from his mouth. “Shut up, Rory.”

He pushed my head down on his shoulder. He started rubbing my back like he had been doing on the dance floor, but he was watching the door like he thought the guy might come back.

“Yes, ma’am. We are in the Student Leadership room in hall two hundred,” he said into the phone.

Dominic finally came back with Principal Harris in tow. They were using their phones as flashlights.

“Miss Atherton, are you all right?” Principal Harris sounded worried.

“Yes, sir. I’m okay.” I was trying to straighten up. I felt weird sitting on Gage’s lap with the principal in the room—especially because it was so dark. But Gage just pulled me back down onto his shoulder.

Dominic sat down next to Gage and grabbed my hand.

“Sir, I’m on the line with 911. They are sending police and an ambulance to look Rory over. I told them the attacker might still be here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Maddox. I’m going to meet them in the front and lead them here. Are you two good to take care of Miss Atherton?” They both assured him it would be fine, and he hurried out of the room.

We sat there in an uncomfortable silence for a minute. I could hear the sirens in the distance. I could breathe a little easier. What was that guy doing in the Student Leadership room? What would he want in here?

The lights came back on, and I had to blink a few times. There was a ruckus out in the hallway, and a bunch of people came rushing into the room, Laken and Veronica leading the pack.

“Rory, are you okay?” Laken looked worried.

I got up off Gage’s lap, still a little shaken. “I’m okay. There was someone in here when I came in to get something, and he pushed me down on the couch.”

“He held her down and threatened her,” Dom said.

I didn’t want to think about it. My stomach went squirmy every time I remembered. I was trying to stay calm and figure out what that guy had wanted in here. I pushed through the crowd.

“The cash box.” I made my way over to check the top of Mrs. Rainier’s desk, where I thought the cash box had been. “It’s gone.” Damn. That was all the money we had earned from the dance. The proceeds were supposed to go to help pay for some new computers in the computer lab. This sucked. It was scary to know someone was so desperate for money they would break into a school. I knew times were hard, but it seemed like there were easier ways to steal money. We all looked around to see if it was somewhere else, but I was pretty sure it was long gone with whoever that guy was.

All the girls checked the purses they had left, and everyone’s cash was gone. It was almost a relief to know the person was just after cash and that it wasn’t something more sinister. My mind flashed to Lindsay, but I pushed that thought away. Obviously I had just interrupted someone from stealing, not from kidnapping.

The police and paramedics arrived and shooed most of the kids out of the room once they figured out which ones knew something and which ones didn’t. Gage and Dom explained what they had seen when they came in, which wasn’t much since it had been dark. They hadn’t seen anyone in the hallway.

One of the paramedics came over.

“I’m fine. Really,” I insisted.

“Well, we’re just going to give you the once-over.” He seemed like a nice, older gentleman. He started taking my vital signs.

“Are you on any medications?”

“Asthma inhalers. Two. One maintenance. One rescue.” I sighed.

“Shortness of breath?”

“No.”

“You feeling cold or sleepy?”

“No.”

“Nausea or lightheadedness?”

“No, my dad is a doctor. I’m not going into shock. Trust me.” I hated this. “Can I go home now?”

He laughed. “I’m pretty sure that gentleman there will be wantin’ to speak to you about what happened as soon as I am done here.” He pointed in the direction of one of the police officers who was questioning students.

“Can you just tell him I died and you sent me to the morgue?” I pleaded.

“I could put you in one of our cozy black body bags. It does get a bit cold in the little refrigerated storage they’ll have to put you in. Are you claustrophobic?”

“A little.” I shrugged.

“Well then, I think you better talk to the nice policeman.” He smiled.

“You really are no help at all.” I gave him a glare.

“Sorry, miss. Just doin’ my job.” He didn’t look sorry at all.

I told the officer exactly what happened. He had a few questions, but it was pretty painless. I wondered about the change in my life. I had spoken to more policeman in the last few weeks than I had in my entire life.

I stayed to help with all the cleanup even though Mrs. Rainier tried to get me to go home. I wanted to stay busy and not think about it. Why go home and dwell on it? The principal had called and left a message for my parents assuring them I was all right. Fortunately for me, they were at a wedding out on the water, and by the time they got it I would be home already. I would have to deal with it later, but, whatever.

I hadn’t really planned on who my ride home would be. Gage had had to take Sophie home. I just figured I would catch a ride with Laken or Veronica, but by the time I was done, Laken had gone with Walker and Veronica hadn’t brought her car either, so she caught a ride with Ruby, who lived closer to her side of town.

I shouldn’t have been concerned. Dom was waiting right outside the SL room for me.

“Need a ride?” he asked.

“Sure, Dom. Thanks.” We made our way to the car. He helped me load all my stuff into the back of his truck. I was thankful that the storm was over. The rain had stopped.

We got into his car, but Dom turned in his seat instead of turning the key.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It was scary, but I think whoever that was, he just wanted cash.”

“Yeah, probably. I’m glad you’re okay.” He took a deep breath. “So, you like him.”

Wow. Okay. I looked down at my hands. “I don’t know, Dom. Maybe.” I felt terrible. I didn’t want it to be like this.

“So what about me? Do you even
like
me?”

“Dom, you know I like you. I like you a lot. You’re my best friend. I love hanging out with you. I’m confused. I’m sorry.”

“I want you to give me a chance. I know you used to have this big crush on him and whatever, but I know you, Rory. I know you better than almost anybody.” He huffed and looked frustrated. “I was going to give you time. I was going to wait until we were in college to start this. I wanted you to be sure. Now I can’t do that.”

“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” I asked.

“I don’t want you to think about me like you think about Jeremiah and Jackson. I’m not your brother. I care about you. A lot.” He grabbed my hand and pulled a little. I looked up, and he had a fierce look in his eyes. “Don’t decide now. Give me a chance to prove to you I’m the better choice.”

Oh. My. Gosh. How did we get here? I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.

He pulled me in for a hug and crushed me to him. His mouth was right by my ear and he whispered, “Let me show you, Rory.”