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Chapter 2

  • Jared
  • “I'm what?!” Jared repeated, and the walls closed in around him in shock and incredulity.
  • The few days after that damn party had been hectic. Jared had been busy preparing his luggage, talking to Parker about their new apartment, and just being excited about their new life. So, when they were called to the police station, well, it was easy to say it was a shock.
  • The police officer barely managed not to roll his eyes, his scrawny beard still full of crumbs and remains of his lunch. It made Jared want to grimace even more.
  • “You're one of the last people that was seen talking with Maria Herrera, so we need to question you. She's missing.” The officer sat on the chair in front of Jared and put a cup of coffee in front of him.
  • They had met often during Jared's high school years. He had been a troubled teen but to go as far as hurting someone... That was a whole other level of accusations under his name.
  • “Look, Jared, you're not a suspect right now. We just want to ask you some questions. I know you're a good boy, and this isn't something you'd do, but we received contradictory photos of you and miss Herrera. She was crying into your arms and was half-naked. Is there a reason for all that?” His beady, baggy eyes scrutinized him and waited for any kind of reaction.
  • This observation made a vein tick on Jared's forehead. “Yeah, she was crying because I caught her cheating on my best friend in the middle of the act!” He squinted, this question annoying the heck out of him. The night of the party was definitely one to remember.
  • “And?” the officer pushed, his brows lifting up a notch.
  • “What and? After I let her talk to Parker and try to come up with some lie, she left the party and went who knows where!” Jared huffed, his irritation rising to unbearable levels. This was ridiculous.
  • His eyes rolled to the empty white walls. It had surprised him they told Parker to come to the station a few hours ago, but he had become speechless after the police called him too. Jared was quite sure his friend was still in some adjacent room, answering questions like him.
  • “And why am I here again?! Just because of some photos?!” His fingers started drumming on the table. He had a plane to catch, and here he was, in the most ridiculous of ridiculous places. “There were so many witnesses, go and ask them if I did something to her!”
  • “I'm not saying you did, I just need to know what you did after you left Ms. Herrera.” The officer smiled pointedly, still waiting for some kind of reaction. He didn't trust him.
  • “I haven't done anything to Maria! Heck, we were friends before she cheated on Parker! I would never hurt a friend!” Jared exclaimed and waved his hand next to his head, his palm up. Then he almost slammed it on the table.
  • The officer pursed his lips and leaned forward. “I trust you, Jared. I do. But it's my job to make sure everything you're saying is true.” He leaned back on his chair and grabbed the folder he had placed on the table. He put his glasses on and started looking at something in it. “Especially if the mayor's daughter was the witness to all of this. You won't believe the power they have around here,” he mumbled, talking to himself.
  • Jared's heart dropped and splattered on the pointed blades of knives. The world stopped moving for a second. Instead, it started spinning, making him want to throw up. What did he say?! The mayor's daughter?!
  • WHAT. THE. FUCK?!
  • ...
  • “Are you alright, man?” Parker asked when Jared exited the police station. He had waited for him.
  • Jared didn’t pay him attention. There was a storm in his chest, roaring and thundering in fury. All these thoughts and revelations… His nostrils flared, and his hands clutched into fists. The misery and unbearable heartache were barely letting him stand in one place.
  • “You know, I was also questioned and held for a whole day here! Just because of my ex and her crazy disappearance! Here it turns out she was out of town on a drunk voyage!” Parker exclaimed, hoping to somehow calm him down.
  • Jared half-turned, and an angry expression took over his face.
  • “Yeah, but was she the one that sent the photos to the police and claimed you might've hurt her?!”
  • Parker stepped back with a gasp. His expression twisted into shock and sympathy.
  • “No...” he trailed off and thinned his lips.
  • “I heard him!” Jared yelled, his head pounding, and started walking down the steps. When he reached the end, he turned around. “I fucking heard him! Amely was the one to report us and send the police those photos! That's why they were putting so much effort into searching for a drunk girl on her sexcapade! They held us here for a whole day with no proof at all! Those damn pictures proved nothing!” He grunted and clenched his jaw. “Amely... I don't know what she was aiming for when she did this but... She's not going to get away with it,” Jared growled, and his eyes narrowed to slits, fury booming through them. He was ready to explode.
  • “I'm sorry...” Parker trailed off and scratched his chin awkwardly. His shoulders slumped, and he looked almost as heartbroken as Jared. “Look... Why don't you go home, and in the meantime, I'll get us both new tickets? We can leave with the next available flight. We'd get rid of all of this, just as you wanted.” He shrugged and pleadingly exposed his palms to his friend.
  • “Fine.” Jared tried to unsuccessfully smile. “But... I can't leave this place until I talk to her! I can't leave things like this!” He whirled around and quickly headed towards the parking. This was going to be the last time Amely mocked him, and this time, he was going to do something about it.
  • Seven years ago
  • Jared's fast pace slowed when he neared the school. His new high school. This was his second transfer, and this, time he intended to stay. He wanted to put all his mischief behind and concentrate on his studies. Getting top grades and making it to a good university was the only way he could improve his life. And he really needed that. Living in the orphanage was hell, and it wasn't going to continue for long.
  • When he turned eighteen, they were going to throw him out, and there was a big chance he was going to turn up on the streets if he didn't do something about it.
  • Jared took a deep breath. He was going to be alright. Living with so many kids had helped him socialize and not be scared of voicing his thoughts out. But still, he hated change. He hated meeting new people. They always looked at him like he was just the troublesome orphan boy, and there was nothing more to him.
  • No. He was going to handle it.
  • He turned his head to a parked car and examined his appearance in its windows—his light brown hair was... fine. It was cut short just for the first day of high school. He had shaved his face, and the small traces of stubble he had were gone. It was still a fairly new feeling to him, so he touched his chin just to make sure he hadn't missed a spot again.
  • Jared started walking once more, and a convertible car with its roof down roared, passing by him. The teenagers inside were laughing, the chaos music was loud, and the wind was blowing in their faces.
  • Long blond hair caught his attention, and Jared stared at, even just for a second, the laughing face of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. But she was gone just as quickly as she had appeared.
  • The second time he saw her this day was when she climbed up on the podium and stood in front of the microphone to give a speech. So, she was an exemplary student. When Jared heard her voice, and she presented herself, his stomach flipped. Her voice was so beautiful and melodic. She sounded confident and strong, like a person who knew what she wanted.
  • Amely Davidson...
  • Jared clamped his mouth shut, realizing he was staring too much, and looked to the side. He noticed that most of the people were carefully listening to her speech, their whole attention fixed on her. That was totally unexpected to him. Usually, most of the students minded their own business at such events or just whispered to each other.
  • ...
  • This beautiful memory had quickly turned into a fun game of chase, which on its behalf shifted into a nightmare. Jared clenched his jaw and turned his car around, parking at the house he hated and loved.
  • He got out of his old hatchback and slammed its door. He knew he was going to regret that later. Maybe it wasn't going to open anymore because of a weak, full of anger moment.
  • Jared swallowed and headed to the entrance, ready for a final face-off with someone that used to mean the world to him. Someone that repeatedly broke and crushed his heart.