Chapter 4

• I admit I felt nice when Kayler said he was going to take care of me, under different circumstances I would have thanked him. This guy has a girlfriend and he's telling me he will always take care of me, I don't understand. Plus, I don't know him well, it's the first time we've talked, our eyes have only met but I can't maintain eye contact with him for long because his eyes are so deep, so... mesmerizing. One look from him and I feel like I've known him for years, I feel, as he said... protected.
• His car stopped in front of my house, we stayed silent for a while.
• "Well... Goodbye," I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door. Should I thank him for bringing me? In the end, he was the one who forced me into his car. But, hey, I'm not rude.
• I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.
• "A 'thank you for bringing me' would be nice," he said.
• "I was going to say it," I admitted.
• I gave him a closed-mouth smile and closed the door. As I walked towards the door of my house, I heard Kayler's car engine turn off. I turned to look at him. He got out of his car and walked towards me with his hands in his front pockets.
• "Where are you going?" I asked, frowning. I didn't invite him to my house.
• He stood in front of me with a mocking smile that I would like to wipe off with a slap.
• "I'll accompany you...," he crossed his arms, "If I were you, I'd be jumping with excitement. Do you know how many girls would kill for a look from me?" he said arrogantly. "Be thankful, Carolina, be thankful." He walked towards the door and opened it, entering as if he owned the place.
• "But I'm not like those girls, idiot!" I snapped, walking behind him.
• I found him inspecting every detail of my new house. I left my backpack on the couch and stood with my arms crossed, watching him. He stopped in front of the paintings that my mom hung up yesterday.
• He furrowed his brow as if remembering something.
• What is the annoying idiot thinking? I scanned him from head to toe, he looks much more handsome from the side. He is good-looking indeed. Too bad he's a jerk, a womanizer.
• "Who is he?" he suddenly asked.
• I shook my head and approached him. He was looking at a picture of me when I was little, I was smiling and the sparkle in my eyes only meant one thing, "total happiness." It was me, mom, and dad. And knowing that was the last picture we took before he died.
• Sadness engulfed me, a lump in my throat prevented me from speaking. But I took a deep breath and did it.
• "He was my dad."
• Kayler looked at me and, noticing that I was trying to be strong, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a warm hug. I didn't push him away. I just let myself go.
• I could smell his cologne, it was a comforting scent, it made me feel so good. His hand rubbed my back from top to bottom. Suddenly, I felt calm, I closed my eyes enjoying the moment.
• But, hey, what's happening. I'm letting my enemy's boyfriend hug me. I quickly pulled away from Kayler and cleared my throat. He looked puzzled but then returned to his normal composure.
• "I think I'll go," he said, walking towards the exit.
• "Of course...," I whispered under my breath.
• Something inside me didn't want him to leave. I heard the door close so I let myself fall onto the couch. I took a deep breath. Suddenly, the sound of a car driving away warned me that I was alone, maybe he's going back to school, there are still hours left before classes end, I don't even know what to tell mom, that I got suspended on the first day? That would give her a heart attack. My stomach growls, asking for food since I didn't have time to eat at school.
• I don't know what happened to me today, I had never fought with anyone before, in that moment I felt powerful, strong, but Paige was even more so, it's not normal for a plastic girl like her to be... Strong, I could almost say we had the same strength, I don't consider myself weak but God! There were times when I thought she would defeat me, but she didn't. Something inside me woke up and that's when I squeezed her neck very tightly." I think there will be marks." But it was strange. Since I came to this town strange things have been happening.
• I headed to the kitchen and made myself a sandwich, I opened the fridge and took out a glass of milk, I had left it in the morning, I didn't have a good breakfast because of nerves.
• Kayler.
• Why do I have to think about him? I have to stay away from him, guys like him only bring trouble and I don't want any. I don't know what will happen tomorrow with Paige, it's obvious that she will seek revenge, in fact, she must be planning it right now. But she won't come alone, no, something tells me I have to watch out for her and her group.
• ***
• Night fell and mom still hadn't come, nor will she. She sent a message saying she would be a little late and not to wait up for her. I turned on all the lights in the house, somehow I felt more protected, but not completely. Everything would be different if this house had a fence or something around it so that no animal could cross.
• I was in my room reading Pride and Prejudice, which had been recommended to me by a former classmate from my old high school, everything was silent, a silence that was scary. I couldn't concentrate, no matter how hard I tried. I felt something inside me, an anguish, a... Fear. Two knocks on the front door made me jump. Who could it be at this hour? It's past nine.
• I left the book on the bed and went downstairs very cautiously. Two more knocks were heard, I got scared again.
• "Who is it?" I asked a little loudly, feeling my voice fragile.
• No one answered.
• I approached the door and took the handle, turned it slowly and opened it. There was no one outside. I went out to the hallway to make sure, but there was no one. Suddenly I heard footsteps on the side of the house, as if someone had run past and made the leaves rustle. That really scared me. I carefully descended the two steps and walked slowly, feeling some sharp stones pricking my feet.
• Silly, I should have put on shoes.
• When I reached the left side of the house I realized there was no one there either. Are they playing a joke on me? If so, it's in very bad taste. I went back to the front of the house but before entering I was struck by the sight of the full moon. Its reflection shimmered in the lake. It was... Magical. I walked towards the small dock, forgetting that there might be a killer lurking around my house and simply stood there, watching.
• I looked across the lake at Kayler's house, I knew he lived there, some lights were on. There wasn't much movement. Suddenly I heard footsteps to my left and to my left there was only forest. It was dark. Then I saw someone pass by very quickly and hide behind a tree, presumably so I wouldn't see him.
• It's a person. And it seems like they're playing... I hope. I walked decisively towards where they seemed to be. Who would think of walking in the forest barefoot? Only me. I arrived at the spot where they were supposed to be but they weren't there.
• Am I going crazy?
• I was about to turn around to leave but a voice stopped me.
• "Help me!" exclaimed.
• I looked around for that voice. It seemed to be coming from deeper into the forest.
• "Hello?"
• I walked, venturing further and further into the forest until I reached a flat area. There's no one here... I must be imagining things. I sat on the ground to rest a bit. I was tired, after this I'll just go to sleep. I massaged my temple and closed my eyes for a few seconds. There was a bit of fog in the forest and it looked like it was going to rain.
• Suddenly a growl behind me made me freeze, my body didn't react. Another growl made me finally turn my head.
• I gasped as I saw the huge wolf in front of me, staring at me and licking its lips. I only knew one thing:
• That it was my end.