Because of You (22 page)

Kyle steps back. “We need to get you cleaned up, and then we’re having a shot.”

“Me? What about you?” I say, wiping at something red next to his mouth. It’s thick, still a little warm, and kind of sticky.

It hits me like a wrecking ball. It’s blood.

Blood.

Blood.

Blood.

My mind says it over and over. And I see all the blood pooling under my parents. The way they were lying there like they were sleeping. Except for all the blood underneath them. And I’m shaking. Trembling so much my teeth are chattering.

“Looks like Maddie’s in shock. What’s wrong, darlin’? Afraid of a little blood?”

The words ring in my ears, but I can’t focus. Blood is all over my fingers, my hands. I touch my face and feel it there.

“Shut up, Evan,” I hear Kyle snap.

“You and your family are nothing but trouble.”

Gina’s voice. I think she’s talking to Kyle. I silently pray she doesn’t say more, but she goes on.

“Maybe you should leave her alone. Haven’t you done enough already?”

I lean into Gina.

“Hey, Roomie,” she whispers. “Wanna get out of here?”

“Y-Yes,” I respond.

“Come on.” She grabs my hand and starts to walk, but I can’t move.

I’ve forgotten how to put one foot in front of the other.

“Maddie?”

Someone—Kyle—lifts me into his arms. I want to scream. Beat my hands against his chest. My thinking is no longer rational. I know he’s only protecting me. He got in a fight with Stuart. But all I can focus on is the blood.

His father killed my parents, and it can’t be taken back.

“What are you doing?” Gina’s voice again.

“I’ll take her to her room.”

Maddie

sit up with a start. The sun is beating through the windows. Birds are chirping, their nests built on the tiny ledge along the side of our building. For a split second I think I’m late for class. Then I remember it’s Saturday. The clock on the nightstand says nine sixteen.

Gina is asleep in her bed, her hands tucked under her face.

She’s at peace
, I think, noticing how soft her features are without all the stress and worry etched in them.

I pick up my shower bag and quietly go into the bathroom. Leaning against the sink, I stare at my reflection. I expect to see blood everywhere, but my face is clean. I glance down and realize I’m in my sweatpants and a tee.

There are two other girls in the bathroom, standing at other sinks, so I don’t freak out. I can’t help wondering how I got out of my blood stained clothes. Then I notice something dried in my hair. Something red.

I go to an empty shower stall and turn on the water. I wash my hair twice, then once more for good measure, to make sure I get out all the blood.

“Maddie! Maddie!” Gina screams.

I poke my head out. “What’s wrong?”

She heaves a sigh of relief. “You scared the shit out of me. I woke and you were gone. Why aren’t you still asleep?”

The other two girls getting ready suddenly decide they’re finished and bolt. One glances at Gina.

“What are you looking at? Bitch.”

The other girl lets out an offended huff.

I stifle a giggle. “I’m almost done. Be out in a sec.” I let the water cascade over my body.

“Fine, but hurry. I’m hungry.”

“For cafeteria food? Or Perky’s?” I can’t help sticking my head outside the shower curtain.

Gina rarely eats—ever. Especially not breakfast. When she does eat, it’s usually pastries from the coffee shop, Perky’s, in The Mall. I don’t think she’s ever eaten in the cafeteria.

She seems to understand my curiosity. “It’s not like I have anything against cafeteria food.”

“So, cafeteria then?”

“Why not?” She shrugs. “It could be fun.”

There’s something going on. I can’t believe she’s suddenly okay with eating in there, unless…

“This is about a boy,” I say, turning off the water and throwing on my bathrobe.

She gasps and her eyes get wide. “No it isn’t.”

But I’ve caught her. And I know I’m right. “What’s his name?”

She heads into a bathroom stall to pee. I walk over to a sink. Apply some face lotion, take a towel and rub it through my hair. Wipe the mascara residue out from under my eyes. Apply some lip balm. Gina comes out of the bathroom and washes her hands. I walk over and catch her eyes in the mirror’s reflection.

“Fine. His name is Collin. I met him last night. We were dancing.”

“Oh, yeah. I saw him.” I run my fingers over my eyebrows. They are everywhere. “So, you gonna meet him in the cafeteria?”

She flicks me in the face with water. “Not if you don’t get your ass dressed.” She pushes open the bathroom door. I follow.

The cafeteria is packed. I get a bagel, some cream cheese, and orange juice. Gina gets water and a chocolate muffin. We sit at the little table in the corner. The same one I sat at the first day of class. Gina is nervous. Antsy.

“See him yet?” I can’t help but be amused.

She’s usually so laid back, uncaring. This boy has her flustered. It’s awesome.

Gina shakes her head.

“I’m going to go get some bacon. Want anything?”

“No.”

I cover my mouth, hiding my laugh.

The bacon is in the same area as the eggs, waffles, pancakes, and hash browns. The line is long, but I don’t mind waiting. It gives me the opportunity to think about what happened last night. The way I freaked out.

Kyle seems to care. He seems like a good person. And I know he didn’t kill my parents. My brain comprehends that, but I can’t seem to convince my heart.

“It’s Maddie, right?” Someone taps me on the shoulder.

I turn and am face to face with the two girls who came into the cafeteria with Kyle that first day. They are wearing matching outfits again—cheerleader uniforms. I think that explains a lot.

“Yep.” The line is moving.

Twin One whispers, “Did he take you into his special room?”

“Chain you naked and spread eagle to the bed?” asks Twin Two.

My face scorches with mortification, and I’m not even sure why. “No,” I whisper, keeping my eyes down.

They both giggle.

“I think he did.” Twin One laughs. It sounds more like a cackle.

“And she liked it.”

I look up, ignoring the rapid beating of my heart. It isn’t that I’m afraid of these girls. Hardly. It’s only that they are confirming Kyle does things, likes things—sexually—that I don’t understand. “It’s none of your business,” I say, swallowing down some of my irritation.

“Okay,” Twin One says with a shrug.

“But if you ever feel like talking, I’m Beth and this is Baby.” She smacks Twin One on the ass.

“Got it.” Beth and Baby. I won’t forget their names even if I want to.

I finally reach the bacon, but it’s gone. Not wanting to leave empty-handed, I put a waffle on my plate. Pour syrup over it and head back to the table.

Collin, the boy Gina is gaga about, is sitting with her. They seem to be deep in conversation. He’s holding her hand, stroking it with his thumb.

Aww
, I think, knowing I can’t interrupt them. My bagel is still sitting on the table, but I’m abandoning it. Gina and Collin need their privacy. I search the crowded cafeteria looking for someplace else to sit, but everything is full and I don’t know anyone. The cheerleaders are sitting at the long table with a bunch of people. They keep glancing my way and whispering.

“Come on. You can sit with me.” It’s Kyle.

I’ve got mixed feelings about seeing him. He heads over to another small table. Two guys are already sitting there. When they see Kyle, they grab their trays and bolt. Kyle sits and then waves me over.

As I’m sitting, he says, “Glad to see you all cleaned up.”

“Was it you? Did you wash my face?”

He nods. “Yeah, Gina helped though.”

“And my clothes?”

“Gina’s idea too.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “I swear I didn’t look. Not even a peek.” His lips are curved up and I know he’s trying not to smile. I shouldn’t be paranoid. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.

He touches my hand. “So what happened last night?”

I knew he would ask me this, so I’m prepared. “I think it was seeing all the blood. It freaked me out.”

He nods, takes a bite of toast. Then his face gets serious. “I get the feeling there’s more going on. There’s something you aren’t telling me.”

It’s true. But I can’t tell him about his dad. What I saw. Even if I wanted to, I can’t make myself say the words. But I need to tell him something. “I-I saw my parents. When they died. I saw all the blood. They were laying in it.” Saying the words aloud makes me sick. But I’ve told him the truth. As much as I can.

He squeezes my hand. “That makes sense. I’m so sorry. About your parents and last night. I lost my temper. Stuart Morris knows exactly how to push my buttons and I let him. Usually I’m more prepared. But when I saw him mauling you, I lost it.”

I squeeze back. “He’s awful. Him and his six hundred dollar shirts can suck it for all I care.”

Kyle laughs. “Agreed.”

We eat in silence a few minutes. I haven’t had a waffle in a long time. It’s good. When I’m finished I look up. Kyle is watching me, and I wonder how long he’s been doing it.