Fear Me (17 page)

I found it hard to speak so I shook my head. “We need you to come down to make a statement. Do you have someone you can call?”

“My aunt is out of town but I can call my best friend. Can it wait till morning, Officer? I can't do this now.”

He hesitated before asking, “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.” He nodded before leaving. I sat back on the floor once they were gone and cried until I had nothing left.

* * *

Pepé
was curled comfortably in my lap as I sat in Willow’s bedroom staring out the window. He must have sensed something was wrong because he hasn't left my lap since I got here. He was usually finding places to conquer and items to steal. I was pretty sure he already ran off with my keys as usual, before he came back to cuddle with me. He was probably ensuring I wouldn't search for them, which was the reason for his unusual cuddling.

“Are you going to tell me what is wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost or something.”

I took a deep breath before answering. “Keiran broke into my house and –”

“Oh my gosh! What? Where you there? Are you okay? Say something!” Willow had jumped off her bed and ran over to me shaking my shoulder.

“Willow, I'm okay for now but I won’t be if you keep shaking me. You'll give me whiplash.” She looked apologetic before releasing me.

“Sorry. I knew something was up between you two. It wasn’t adding up and by the way I didn’t buy that, ‘I don’t want to be friends with you bullshit’ for a second, but tell Keiran I said “nice try”.

“Willow, about that, I’m sorry I –”

“Don’t worry about it. I figured the only way I could help you now was to play along until you talked to me. So, what happened?” I ran down the story ending with the police arresting Keiran. “Wait…you said you were on the stairs when you heard the phone ring?” She was frowning now and I figured she was just upset.

“Yeah, what –”

“And you already saw the light cut off and footsteps downstairs
before
your phone rang?”

Yes. Willow –”
She interrupted again holding up her hand to silence me.

“When you reached your room and grabbed the phone, I was the missed call?”

“Yes,” I stated simply knowing she didn't expect more than that.

“The only missed call?” I nodded this time, not bothering to say anything.

“It couldn't have been him.” I gave her a puzzled look and she explained. “Lake, I passed Keiran coming home from work. I stayed late to help with inventory.”

“Yeah, I told you, he dropped me off late after the party.”

She shook her head before stating, “I saw him turning down your street and
that's
when I called you. I figured he was coming to your house due to your recent “relationship”. I wanted to know what he was doing coming by so late.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively but I only gaped at her as dread gut punched me and caused my head to swim. I leaned over placing my head between my knees, pissing
Pepé
off. He jumped off my lap and scurried out the room.

“Oh God. Oh no,” I chanted, rocking back and forth.

“Lake, no worries. We just go to the police and clear him.”

“No, you don't understand.” I sat upright and looked at Willow with tears in my eyes. “He'll kill her.”

* * *

Morning came and I had little sleep. I tossed and turned all night keeping Willow awake as well since we shared her bed. I didn't rush off to the station knowing the damage was already done but I didn't delay it too long either. I went home to shower and dress. Since I didn't know who the intruder was, I gratefully accepted Willow and Buddy’s offer to come with me.

Thirty minutes later I made my way to the station with Willow. She was still spooked over my confession last night. I regretted saying anything immediately but I knew the damage was already done when she freaked. I blew off her questions and went to bed. She has been giving me the silent treatment since then.

We arrived and entered the station hearing loud voices. The scene that greeted me immediately made me want to turn and run.

“You pigs just haven't had enough. Where is he? You don't have shit –” He stopped when he saw me, his eyes narrowed as they pinned me to the spot. Willow and I instinctively took a step back.

Dash shook his head before running a hand down his face. “You didn't have to do this, Lake. He never would have –”

“We don't have to explain shit!” Keenan roared, interrupting Dash.

“Young man, I need you to contain yourself before I throw your ass in jail along with your cousin.”

Sheldon burst through the door as the officer was reprimanding Keenan. “Keenan, stop being a douche. We don't know what happened,” she scolded.

“She's right, son. Settle down,” an older man stated.

“She won't get away with this Mr. Chambers. Not again.”

“Guy, you seriously need to chill. She's not after your precious cousin so settle down so we can do what we came to do.”

Willow had just laid down the law and if this were any other situation I would have found it amusing. Just then an officer came through with Keiran who looked tired in his rumpled clothing. He walked up to the desk to sign papers and collect his belongings. We immediately made eye contact and everything from last night came rushing back. I was so sure it was him that broke into my house to scare me.

“You are free to go, Mr. Masters.”

I frowned not understanding how he was already free to go. It was my understanding that they could hold someone for forty-eight hours without charges. Keiran was only here for eight. Don't get me wrong. I wanted him released but I hadn't even cleared him yet.

“Yes. We apologize for the misunderstanding Mr. Chambers.”

“Can you believe this? As far as they know, Keiran broke into your house and they just released him because Dash’s old man pulled some strings? Unbelievable,” Willow whispered.

Mr. Chambers turned to me, sizing me up. “Think carefully about what you are about to do Ms. Monroe. You won’t succeed a second time.” With that they left the station and I began to breathe easier.

“Officer, I would like to make a statement to clear Keiran Masters. He was not the one to break into my house. I brought a witness to testify to that.”

The officer gave me a stern look before directing us to fill out the necessary paperwork. After heavy questioning we were able to leave the precinct. Willow kept glancing at me during the ride to school and I knew she was concerned.

“Lake, are you going to be okay?”

This turn of events definitely didn't look good for me. If I thought Keenan’s reaction was bad then, I knew Keiran’s would be ten times worse. “I don't know.”

* * *

We made it to school in time for Volleyball so we headed straight there. I didn't see any sign of Keiran when I arrived so I assumed he’d already went to class. I still had to face him at lunch so I wasn’t out of the water yet. I used the physical demand of Volleyball to distract me from the mental stress.

The class ended too quickly though and before I knew it I was dressed and biting my fingernails. I was expecting Keiran to pop up at any moment to terrorize me and hurl threats but he never came. Lunch was halfway over when I gave up on waiting. I headed to the cafeteria in search of him and found him seated at his normal table…with Anya in his lap.

The jealousy I felt was misplaced and I reminded myself that I wasn't his girlfriend and made my way over to his table. “Hey. I uh…waited for you back at Volleyball.”

Anya looked up at me and giggled, then whispered something behind her hand to Keiran. He smiled at her then kissed on her neck to which she began to moan. He ignored me completely so I looked around the table. Keenan was glaring at me while Sheldon looked at me apologetically.

“Look, about last night and this morning, I –”

“Monroe you seem to think we have something to discuss. We don’t. You seem to think we are in a relationship. We aren't.”

“It was a misunderstanding, but you won’t get into trouble. I cleared things up.”

He looked at me with his signature blank mask before stating, "You're free to go."

“Bye, Lacy,”
Anya stated snidely. Everyone at the table erupted into laughter at her purposely mistaking my name. I ignored her cattiness and left the cafeteria.

I knew what he really meant with his last statement. He no longer wished to deal with me, but what did that mean for my aunt? I know I should be happy but I wasn't. I felt empty, like I just lost something. It was the same feeling I had when my parents disappeared. I shook my head at my stupidity.

I can't lose something I never had.

* * *

“Lake, wait up!” I heard Sheldon call out to me but I kept walking. I didn't want to interact with anyone associated with Keiran right now. “Lake, stop. I swear I'll body slam you if you don't stop running from me!”

I stopped and turned around once I was on the other side of the school, far away from Keiran. “Sheldon, I can't do this. Not now.”

“Why are you always running? You don't have to let him win, you know.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I yelled. I was frustrated beyond my limit.

“Fight back,” she quipped.

“Why are you telling me this? He’s your friend.” I narrowed my eyes at her when she nodded.

“Yes, he is. They’re all my best friends. And we could be friends too if you’d let me. I'm not your enemy.”

“No, but you are in bed with my enemy. Besides, you have Anya and the other cheerleaders. Looks to me as if you have plenty of friends.”

She snorted, “I could always use better and I have a feeling you want more friends too.”

I shrugged. “Doesn't matter. Keiran would never let us be friends.”

“Keiran doesn't run me. I decide who I am friends with.”

“Keenan hates me, too.”

“No, Keenan loves his cousin.”

“How is that different?”

“His bond with his cousin makes him fight alongside Keiran and protect him, if need be.”

I looked at her suspiciously. This could be a trap Keiran set out to hurt me or get back at me. “Why are you so nice to me?”

“I don't know, Lake. Maybe because I like you and you've never done anything to me?”

“Still, wouldn't your friendship with them turn you against me? That's what friends do right? Protect each other and fight their battles?”

“And I would if I thought you were a threat.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No offense, babe. So what do you say? Friends?” She held out her fist for a pound.

I studied her fist, thinking it over before finally giving her a pound. “Friends.”
We’ll see.

I got through fourth period mostly unscathed thanks to Willow and Sheldon. I sat two rows ahead of Keiran, which was still too close, but it was the only row left that allowed Willow and I to sit together.

Not even ten minutes had passed after class started when I'd felt something light hit my shoulder. I thought nothing of it until it happened again, this time on my back. I looked down to see two paper balls on the floor and then another hit my head.

I heard, “Real mature, guys,” before a chair scraped and Sheldon came to sit with us. I'd looked back to see Keiran wearing a smug grin. Keenan had looked pissed and was glaring at Sheldon. He'd mumbled, “Traitor,” under his breath then rolled his eyes at me.

After school Sheldon and Willow rode with me to my house. Keenan threw a temper tantrum in the parking lot. I was annoyed but she just laughed when he yelled obscenities and kicked his car. We opted to watch a movie here instead of going out to the movies. We were sitting in the living room doing homework and having girl talk. It felt good. I had this with Willow but it felt nice to have it with someone else too. My friend count was now two.

Gee, Lake that has got to be a record.
I laughed out loud at my private joke.

“What's so funny?” Willow asked. I just shook my head and closed my textbook.

“I'm done,” Sheldon announced. “So – the purple highlights? Did you do it yourself?” They've been discussing hair for the past ten minutes or so. Sheldon was in awe of Willow’s freedom to express herself. I wondered what or who was making her hold back who she really was.

“Yeah, I dd. I'm actually going to add in dark blue highlights too.”

“Way cool. I wish I could try that. My mom would have a heart attack.”

“I've been trying to get Lake over to the dark side but she won’t budge.”

“I don't know Willow, Lake’s got the innocent, big, blue-eyed look going for her. The guys dig her…in secret of course.”

"Yeah, I call her the Barbie Ballerina."

“Guys I'm sitting right here.”

“Yeah but you've been quiet. Thinking about a certain bad boy with a dark disposition?” Sheldon was still convinced that Keiran and I were more than enemies.

“That's a ship that will never sail, Sheldon.” Willow stated. “Lake is too accustomed to denying what she wants – out of fear…duty…protection.”

“You actually think Keiran and I should date?” I asked incredulously. “Since when?”

“I don’t, but you don’t date at all is what I’m saying.”

“I assure you it isn’t by choice.”

"So what is the deal between you and Keiran?” Sheldon asked. “All these years I knew he liked you but he also carried a grudge against you even before he went Juvie."

It's been something I've wondered about for ten years. Why did he hate me so much? What did I do? How could I fix it? My mind drew a blank every time and the tension between us became too thick to sever.

“I wish I knew,” I finally answered.

Sheldon shrugged, “Too bad. I'm sure it would have made a great bedtime story.” She rolled her eyes, making me laugh. “Did you hear about the random guy that crashed Keiran and Keenan’s party the other night?”

“The guys Keenan and your brother fought?”

“No, some guy that was dealing at the party. Keiran must have caught him because Dash said he had to keep him from killing the guy.”

“No way, what did he do?” Willow asked with a little too much excitement.