The Prophecy (10 page)

Chapter Ten

The day flew by in a flurry of activity. I was getting agitated while trying to keep up with Rose. She was supposed to be training me but the only thing she offered was a constant supply of snarky comments. The only reason I was learning anything was by watching Rose and Brandon in action. 

They were a perfect team, each taking over where the other left off or helping each other out without having any need to ask. I felt like I was in the twilight zone by how much they smiled and joked with each other. I'd never seen Rose so
nice
. I shook my head and went back to sorting through the books.

I said goodbye to Brandon and headed out the door. My relief of being off shift was short lived as I drove the small distance to the therapist office. I sent a small wave to the receptionist as I walked in. She smiled in return and gestured for me to go on back. I didn't hesitate to enter the office.
 

I flopped down into the overstuffed leather chair and threw my legs over the arm, sinking lower and getting comfortable. I knew this would be a long session and I wasn't looking forward to it. I glanced over at James and noticed that he hadn't even looked up at my entrance. I sighed and cast a quick smile his way.
“Is this going to be a repeat of our first session?”

He looked up, a small smile on his face, then returned to whatever he was typing on his laptop.
“No, I'm just forever buried in paperwork.” With a last click, he closed it and leaned back. “So, where were we last time?”

I started to fidget and bore holes into the ceiling.
“What, you don't want to go over what happened yesterday? Or where the bruises came from? I know my mom called you about it.”

He steepled his fingers and started swiveling.
“Yes, she called, and we'll get to that eventually, but nothing can be solved until we get to the root of everything. And that starts with the past.” I could feel his stare and could almost picture the pointed look he would be giving me. “So, where were we last time?”

“
We were at where mine and Becca's friendship started to fall apart.” I nearly whispered, sinking further into the chair. It wouldn't save me from this even if I buried myself in it.

“
Well, I can't tell it for you, so go on and talk.” He leaned back and put his hands behind his head, still swiveling back and forth in his chair.

I blew out a breath and let my mind drift back to the past.
“Well, you already know that it all started freshman year. Becca wanted more than what our small friendship could garner her.”

“
What do you mean by more?”

“
More friends, more notoriety, popularity. You know, what every teen dreams about.”

“
Hmm. And you didn't want any of that? Like you said, most kids your age want to be accepted into the most esteemed group.”

“
I never wanted it for the price it cost. Plus I had Becca. For me that was enough.” I refused to look at him and distracted myself by picking at my nails.

“
What was the price?”

“
Look, this is L.A. we're talking about, not a small town like this. Things work differently there. If you want to be on top, you have to be cut throat. Nothing is earned by kind gestures and a sweet smile. Becca was okay with that, but I wasn't.”

“
So what happened?”

“
She started sleeping around, getting into drugs and drinking a lot at parties. I went with her because I didn't want her to be alone there. I felt like I had to protect her and that maybe this was a phase she was going through. Turns out that I didn't really know her after all.”

“
What was the final break?”

I closed my eyes as my mind played out that night.

The party was on the outskirts of the city, near one of the many parks. Houses there were sold in the millions. Anything would be paid for the thought of privacy and nature, especially when thrown up against cities shining with concrete and mortar.

I could hear drunken laughter from the next room. I shook my head and went in search of Becca. I'd lost her earlier in the night and was getting worried. I just wanted to grab her and go home. Room after room showed no sign of her, but other party goers imbibing in the multitude of drugs and alcohol. I didn't drink or do drugs. I never saw the point in getting so trashed that you threw up for three days afterward. Nothing good ever came from it. I looked out the window and thought I saw Becca's long blond hair weaving into the tree line. I rushed out of the house and went to follow her.

As I entered the woods, hands reached out and grabbed me. I freaked out and tried to scream through the hand that slammed over my mouth, my arms and legs flailing. The arms that banded around my ribcage was painful to the point of excruciating. Tears formed in my eyes as I was squeezed tighter.

“Shh... No need for the fuss baby.” The cold whisper brushed against my neck. I felt nauseated from the beer fumes that wafted off his breath. I tried not to breathe. The pressure on my ribs helped me succeed in that. “Well, well. If it isn't the little Star. Always too good for us, aren't you? Well me and your friend Becca were going to have a little fun, but I've seemed to have found you instead of her—” his low chuckle sent shivers of dread down my spine. I bit back the taste of bile as he nuzzled my neck.

“
I think we're going to have a really good time, baby.” A whimper escaped me as he dragged me farther into the woods. He threw me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I gasped as pain shot through my lungs only to have my breathing inhibited again as he settled his massive weight against me, pinning me to the ground. I looked up through the tears streaming down my face. Shock coursed through my body as his face came into focus. I knew him.

“
Jason! What the hell do you think you're doing? Get the fuck off of me!” I sobbed, shoving uselessly against his chest.

He grinned as he smoothed the hair away from my face.
“Don't be like that, baby. You know I've wanted you for years now.”

“
You're with Becca!” This was beyond disgusting.

“
Like that really matters,” he laughed at me. “Come on, you know you want me.” I finally worked my arm free and slapped him with all the strength I could muster. His head snapped back, a look of surprise crossed his face. Spitting a small amount of blood from his mouth, he turned back toward me and got so close to my face that his nose touched mine. “That was a fucking mistake, bitch.”

He slammed his mouth down onto mine, swallowing my screams. Taking both of my hands in his, he stretched them above my head and held them with one hand while his other hand reached down and fumbled with the clasp of my jeans. I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. Freeing my mouth from his, I started pleading with him to let me go, to stop.

“What the fuck is this shit!” Came an outraged voice. I sobbed in relief as he stumbled off of me. I curled in on myself, and looked up into the eyes of my savior.

“
You fucking slut! I knew you always wanted him!” Becca shrieked, rage shining through her glazed eyes.

“
Wha
—
Becca! He attacked me!” I reached out to her, sobbing. I didn't understand.

She looked from me to Jason.
“Yeah right. You've always been jealous of me! You think I don't know that you want what I have?” Scoffing, she went to move away.

“
Becca! Are you serious? I don't want anything of yours and I sure as hell don't want to be anything like you!”

She spun around and my head whipped back at the force of her slap.
“You're fucking dead, do you understand me? I will destroy you.” With that icy threat, Becca left with Jason, leaving me to sob alone in the woods.

I shook myself from the memory as I came back to the present.
“Star, what was the final break?” James asked again. I glanced over at him and tried to hold the tears at bay. I blinked rapidly and returned my gaze back to the ceiling.

“
She thought I wanted what she had. We had a fight, and she vowed to destroy me.”

“
You mean destroy you physically?”

A bitter laugh escaped as I looked at James.
“No, not physically. Socially. It's the only thing that mattered to her.”

He stared down at his desk, tapping out a rhythm with his fingers as he contemplated my words.
“Did it work?”

“
What? Her destroying me?” I gestured around, bitterness coating my words. “I'm here, aren't I? What do you think the answer to that question is?”

He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. I felt a surge of guilt roll through me like a wave as he remained silent.

I sat up and shifted in my seat, feeling uncomfortable within my own skin.

“
I’m sorry.” I fluttered my hands, as if the action would clear my thoughts. It was useless. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”

“
Yes, you did. I understand that, to you, this,” He gestured around him, encompassing the whole town, “would be considered social suicide. Just like your perceived thoughts about our sessions. You’ve judged this town and its inhabitants based on preconceived notions, so you won’t give it a chance.”

My pride rose up, demanding that I defend myself, deny his accusations. He just waved my words off and continued.

“Star, I understand” That silenced me. “Believe it or not, I have traveled. I’ve been to big cities and I know how vastly different it is compared to a small town like this. The change would be difficult for anyone to adjust to. Add why you had to move here into the mix, and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do.”

“
You don’t?” A surprised frown crossed my face. I expected him to droll on and on about how great it was here, about the need for me to start fresh. Basically a repeat of what my parents have lectured to me about. I wasn’t expecting his acceptance.

“
No, I don’t blame you. It’s perfectly understandable. But,”
Here it is
. “Regardless of how or why you came to be here, the truth of the matter is that you
are
here. Whether you enjoy it or not depends on you. The situation may suck, but no one has the ability to make your life here miserable except for yourself.”

I let his words sink in, thinking back on how I reacted to the people that live here. How negative I've been about everything and everyone. Wrapping my hair around my hand, I jumped when I felt a hand touch my shoulder, causing me to pull my hair. I grimaced at the stinging sensation in my scalp and looked up at James.

“Just think it over, okay?”

I nodded and rose to my feet.
“I will.” I surprised myself by the honesty behind my words. I smiled slightly and waved to him as he moved to sit behind his desk. “See you next time.”

“
I’ll be here.”

Chapter Eleven

The week flew by faster than I expected. I looked forward to having the weekend off and finally be able to relax, but I still had a full work day ahead of me along with the last therapy session of the week. I wasn't looking forward to either of them. Work, because of having to deal with Rose. Therapy because of having to deal with myself.

James had shed light on parts of me that I never knew existed, or rather, that I refused to see. I quickly came to realize that I didn’t like who I was becoming, but didn’t know how to stop it.

Brandon greeted me with a cup of coffee as I walked into The Nook. I sent a grin his way as I breathed in the caffeine laden aroma. “What's the terror up to today?”

“
Oh, the usual. Breathing fire and eating babies.”

I rolled my eyes at him and lightly slapped him on the arm.
“I'm serious. What type of torture can I expect out of her today?”

“
Honestly, I don't know. She's been pretty quiet today, so I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he turned back to me. Damn he was built.

“
So I guess we'll just have to play it by ear today, eh?”

“
I swear, if you push your tits farther across that counter they're just going to pop out and blind all of us.”

“
Speak of the devil.” I said happily. Brandon gave me a thumbs up and turned back to his work. I turned to face Rose and was stunned to see the circles under her eyes. I looked closely and noticed that they were slightly red and puffy too, which was weird. I thought evil never cried.

I sauntered over to her, my sweetest smile in place.
“I didn't know you were into checking women out. If I would have known that I would have found you a girlfriend by now.”

“
It's not my fault I can get people into bed, unlike you, Ms. Virgin.”

“
And it's not my fault I actually respect myself.” I spouted back, becoming flushed with anger.

“
Now, now, girls, there's plenty of me to go around.” Brandon gestured to himself while wiggling his eyebrows. “You both can bask in my awesome sauce.”

We both doubled over with laughter, clutching our stomachs.

“Did he seriously just use the term 'awesome sauce'?” I asked Rose between laughs.

She wiped her eyes and tried to contain her laughter.
“Yeah, that was epic. Brandon, I never want to hear about your 'awesome sauce' again.”

He gestured between me and Rose, grin fully in place.
“See girls? I knew you guys could get along.”

We stared at each other, animosity cutting through the air making it tense.
“And there it went.” He muttered to himself. He sighed and stepped between us. “Look guys, I'm getting really tired of this bitch fest. Rose, you're awesome when you let people in, and I know your dad—”

“
Don't talk about him.” She snapped, cutting him off with an icy glare.

“
Ooookay, don't use the 'D' word, got it. Anyways, obviously you have some issues about 'he who must not be named', but I think you'll realize that Star isn't going to hurt your family, me included. So can't you just try to get along with her?” he continued without waiting for Rose's reply and turned his big, blue eyed puppy dog look onto me. “And Star, you're completely new here and school is starting in two weeks. Don't you think you could hold down the animosity long enough to get some friends? It's going to be hard enough starting a new school, let alone starting one where you already have an enemy.” He looked at me pointedly. I sighed and looked over at Rose. She was looking anywhere except for at me.

“
Yeah, you're right. Believe it or not, I'm getting tired of this too. It would be nice if I could actually like coming into work instead of contemplating jumping off a bridge instead.” I sat down on top of the counter and looked at Rose. “Cease fire?” 

She looked up at my offered hand. For a moment I thought she would bite it.
“Fine. But I swear if she stabs us in the back it will all fall on you, Brandon.” She spat out while quickly shaking my hand.

He gathered up both of us for a big group hug.
“See? I told you guys, we're all going to be besties!”

“
I swear that is the gayest thing I've ever heard.” I said with a laugh, trying in vain to remove myself from his embrace.

“
Well, what do you expect from the big oaf?” Rose said laughingly, nudging Brandon in the ribs with her elbow. “Now let go doofus, we've got to open the store.”

He released us and stepped back, his smile still firmly in place.
“You know you love me.” He said with a wink, then sauntered to behind the counter, leaving us alone. We looked uneasily at each other. Having become so used to all the animosity I wasn't used to playing nice anymore, at least on a real level.

“
So. You want to unlock the doors, or do you want me to?” I asked, looking toward the item in question. I could see the shadow of people outside the doors already.

She gestured toward them.
“You go ahead. I've got some shipments in the back that I need to start working on. I swear my mom orders enough books for half the nation.”

I grabbed the keys from my pocket and sorted through them as I walked to the door. I found the right one and went to unlock it.
“Shit.” I muttered while fighting with the lock. I wiggled the key back and forth, trying to get the lock to unlatch so I could open the store. “Hey Brandon!” I called over my shoulder. “The stupid door won't unlock!”

He looked up from behind the counter.
“You've got to pull on the door while you're trying to unlock it, otherwise it will keep catching.” He shrugged and went back to stacking coffee cups.

I tried pulling and pushing on the door to unlock it. It was pissing me off. Nothing makes you feel more incompetent than your inability to open a door.
“Stupid freaking door! I swear I will rip you off your hinges if— you— don't— open!” I yanked hard and flew back with the momentum of the pull as the door finally unlocked. “Damn it!” I looked up with a glare on my face as I heard a laugh from the doorway.

“
This isn't funny!” I was getting ready to lay into whomever had the audacity to laugh until I saw who it was. I felt like laying back in utter embarrassment but instead I felt my face flush as I quickly rose to my feet. Figured the pizza guy would show up here eventually.

“
Why do I always find you either about to fall, or falling for me?” he asked.

“
Ha ha, aren't you funny? Well, at least I don't have pizza on my face this time.” I snapped back, blushing furiously.

“
Yeah, that is an improvement.” His small smile reached all the way up to his amber eyes, causing the gold flecks to sparkle. He ran his fingers through his thick hair as he looked me over. “So, I see we've got a new employee here.”

“
You don't work here too, do you?”

He laughed outright at the look of horror on my face.
“God no. I just come here a lot.”

“
Well, I haven't seen you in here yet.”

He leaned toward me and lowered his voice,
“I'm not in
here
yet because you're blocking the door.”

I felt a blush spread across my entire body as I moved back and waved him in.
“Then by all means, do come it.” He laughed as he passed me by, heading toward the coffee counter.

“
Gabe! What's up man?” Brandon called out to him.

“
Not much, just coming in for some coffee.”

“
Ah, the usual?”

“
Yeah, if you don't mind. So how’s the new girl doing?” he gestured over his shoulder to me.

“
The 'new girl' is right here, you know.”

Brandon raised his eyebrow at him.
“She's a feisty one, that's for sure.”

“
Really? I haven't noticed.” Gabe sent a grin my way. I thought my face would catch on fire with how much I blushed around him. Real attractive.

Brandon looked between me and Gabe.
“So, how's Jenni doing?”

His smile faltered a little bit.
“From what I hear, she's doing well. Coming back from vacation in a couple of days.”

Brandon finished up Gabe's order and handed it to him.
“I bet you're happy she'll be home soon.”

Distracted, Gabe took his drink.
“Yeah, it'll be fun.” He sent a soft smile my way then straightened and started heading out. “See ya around guys.”

I was momentarily distracted as I watched him leave. When Gabe was fully out of sight I turned to Brandon.
“What was that about?”

He scratched his head, looking uncomfortable.
“Well, that's Gabe.”

“
Yeah, I gathered as much.”

He looked behind me and bellowed out.
“Rose! I need ya here for a minute!” He waited for Rose to arrive, refusing to say anything more on the subject.

“
Geesh, it’s going to take me forever to organize all those books.” Rose said while wiping her hands on a towel. “What are you hollering about?”

“
Gabe was here.” He stated simply.

She raised her eyebrow and waited for him to continue. She let out a huff when he remained silent.
“What about it?” he looked pointedly at me. I looked at Rose in confusion and she looked between the two of us, trying to get the point. I felt like we were in a tennis match as our eyes darted around each other. This was ridiculous. Her eyes widened as she finally caught on to what he was silently communicating. “Oh, I see.”

I stared them down. Brandon fidgeted, obviously uncomfortable, while Rose looked delighted.
“Will you two please tell me what the hell this is all about?”

“
It's quite simple really. That was Gabe Morrison, Prince Charming extraordinaire and current play thing of her royal bitchiness—”

“
Total hag.” Brandon added.

“
Jenni Miller.”

“
What does that have to do with anything?”

“
Well, you noticed how he's completely built and drop dead gorgeous, right?” Brandon asked.

“
Yeah, would be kind of hard to miss.”

“
Well, he's off limits.” Rose stated, calmly picking at her nails and looking for all the world like this was a normal conversation.

“
And I would be interested in whether or not he's off limits because?” I was beyond irritated. Why couldn't they just get to the point?

Brandon's eyebrows shot up.
“So you wouldn't be interested in him?”

“
Like, seriously. You don't want to
know
Mr. Hottie?” Rose's voice starting to rise at the end in shock.

I looking at them like they were growing arms out of their foreheads.
“No, I'm not. Look, he's hot, I'll give him that. But I just moved here and I'm not looking for someone to
know
.” I emphasized, looking pointedly at Rose.

“
Huh, I may just decide not to kill you after all.” She muttered to herself.

“
I heard that, you know.”

She waved me off.
“It doesn't matter. I'm just shocked you're not slobbering all over him like all the other slut bags around here.”

I rolled my eyes and started to organize some of the products on the counter.
“Wasn't it you who used my virgin status as an insult earlier?”

“
Oh yeah, forgot about that.”

“
How can you forget? That was like, twenty minutes ago!”

She shrugged and started to head back to the storage room.
“What can I say? If I'm not battling someone all the good bits of info just fly right out of my mind. My bad!”