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Chapter 17: What Am I Doing?
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Atticus Chapter 18: Mom - Forever 21
Fifteen minutes later, she flies down the stairs with a fresh coat of makeup and a heavy smell of Aqua Net. Her hair is teased, her lips are crimson, and her too short skirt is paired with a ridiculously skimpy crop top. Save for looking like a middle-aged hooker, she's not half bad. Yanking her car keys from the coffee table, she dashes to the door, not even looking back when she yells, "I'm meeting Tom for drinks. Don't wait up!" The front door slams and I'm alone again. I could get used to this.Before I jinx it, I feel like I should cross my fingers and kiss rosary beads, even though I'm not Catholic. Maybe she was too wasted last night to remember our fight. It's a huge relief, but I'm pretty sure I just used up the last chunk of luck I had left. I turn the lock behind her, knowing full well I'd better savor every drop of peace she just gave me tonight. Surprisingly, my heart beats with a little less hate for her.I flop onto the sofa, thinking about the house again, thou
Atticus Chapter 19: A New Need
Within a matter of minutes I can see the house. I have to stop for a second and catch my breath, flushed with exertion and relief, but I barely get more than a few seconds. The extreme wrench in my gut is back with a vengeance and the need to keep going consumes me all over again. It's beyond strange, even a little frightening, but I don't have time to think about it-I have to get inside. Glancing in both directions, I dart across the street, hoping no one sees me. Thank God it's pretty much a ghost town this early in the morning, the light from the sun barely peaking over the horizon. I have no doubt I look like a lunatic, that crazy girl on her way to a house, rumored to be haunted.I run as fast as I can to the window, the same window that completely changed my life. I nearly trip when I sprint through, almost landing on the disgusting mattress. I couldn't see it until now because it's so dark but there's just enough light for my eyes to adjust. I scan the room and my first thoug
Atticus Chapter 20: Lost Time
Where the hell am I?My eyes flash open and I'm about to scream when I realize it wasn't real. It was a full-on nightmare. I was standing on a banister with my neck in a noose. I was about to jump. I was dreaming. Dreaming. But it felt so real I think I might throw up.A beam of sunlight blinds me, making it impossible to see anything. No, no, no!My eyes dart around the room. I touch my watch, scooting over the second I see a dark spot, still groggy from sleep. I catch a glimpse of the time, but I must be reading it wrong. I probably need another second for my eyes to adjust. Checking it again, the air is sucked out of my body.Holy shit.There is no way it's 3:23 in the afternoon. A split second later, my stomach plunges in a downward spiral of nausea.What.Is.Going.On?I jump up, pulling my body off the floor, but have to catch my balance from the instant head rush. I can't give it a second thought as panic overrides everything. How can this have happened again?
Atticus Chapter 21: Drama Queen
"C'mon, Bradley. Don'tcha miss me?" She whispers in Brad's ear but I can hear every word and I'm pretty sure she's very aware of that fact.Holy shit, who does this?"I said stop it, Sarah," Brad snaps back, biting out his words, looking at me the whole time. "Why don't you take your little friend home and meet me back at my place so we can talk? You know, somewhere private." Sarah smiles and then narrows her eyes directly at me. She smirks like she's won Brad back.Her confidence is freaking amazing, I'll give her that. But I also want to slap her across the face."We broke up two months ago. There's nothing to talk about." Anger contorts Brad's face, turning it almost blood red as he holds her wrists away from him. "Who says we're gonna talk, sweetie?" Her syrupy voice drips with condescendence, like she's all of a sudden talking to a child.Ick.Brad doesn't answer and pushes back, letting go of her. Her face changes and I can tell she's shocked he choose crazy-dressed-zer
Atticus Chapter 22
** Brad **Candice couldn't get away from me fast enough. Jesus, what the hell was Sarah thinking? I haven't spoken to her in weeks and she pulls that shit? A normal person would have moved on but she isn't normal and she hasn't changed. She's still the same immature, entitled, over-privileged girl I was stupid enough to date. This is my fault. I should have known when she walked up to us nothing good would come from it. Why didn't I just ignore her and walk away? Either way I looked like an asshole. Glancing over at the passenger seat, I can still imagine Candice sitting there. Hell, I can still smell her and it's driving me nuts that I don't know what's going on inside her head. When she got out of my car, I realized something. I want to spend as much time with her as possible. But I have to be cool about it because she's almost like a scared animal and I don't want to spook her. It's entirely possible I'll scare her away. Instead of going home, I decide to drive around to cle
Atticus Chapter 23
** Candice **The second I shut the door, the flashing light on the answering machine catches my eye. I almost trip on my own feet, trying to get to it before it blinks again. I'm pretty sure I know who left a message before I push play. As soon as I hear a woman's voice, saying she's calling from the school attendance office, I hit erase. God must be smiling down on me at this moment because if Mom had gotten to that message before me, I'd have hell to pay. I probably won't be as lucky next time. I have to put an end to this insanity. But why is it happening? And why am I dreaming about Atticus? Who is he? Hell, what is he? All I know is, he seemed very real this morning and in my dreams. He even told me he has psychic abilities, so maybe there's a way I can talk to him in my sleep. Assuming he shows up at all. The front door slams, startling me out of my thoughts. My head automatically turns toward the sound and I see my mother carrying a grocery sack into the kitchen. I suc
Atticus Chapter 24: Date Night
After freshening up my makeup and curling the ends of my hair, I grab a pen and piece of notebook paper from my backpack. Out with friends to the movies, I write. Be back by midnight. No 'love, Candice' or silly little hearts because even I can't fake those. Still holding the note, I pull the strap of my purse across my chest, tossing in a few leftover coins, some lip gloss, and my I.D. I take one last look at myself in the mirror before closing my window and heading down stairs. I flip on the kitchen light, startled when I see a black roach scamper across the counter, immediately making me cringe. I can't stand bugs, especially disgusting roaches. We don't have enough food lying around to attract them so they must be coming from some other apartment. I'm so grossed out, I tiptoe into the kitchen like I'm walking through a minefield. I take Mom's note and fold it in half, leaving it upside down on the table like a little tent so it'll catch her eye in case she wakes up and doesn'
Atticus Chapter 25: Sitting Close
Brad cranes his neck, looking over at Nick, who's obliviously watching the previews, and then says to Beth, "Want some popcorn?" as if trying to divert her attention. It was sweet of him, I'll give him that. Unfortunately, it's pretty clear Beth's not the kind of girl who would notice. She's already too mad at everyone else to care.She turns her head slowly to look over at him and curtly crosses her arms. She even huffs, like she's a pouting five year old. That's all it takes and I laugh out loud. I couldn't stop myself if I tried. This is pure entertainment. Her eyes instantly shift to me but luckily, I'm able to pass it off like I'm laughing at a preview.Lord have mercy. This poor girl is a mess.Suddenly, I don't feel so crazy. The movie starts soon after and I can't help a little internal sigh as Brad takes my hand. I snuggle next to him and watch Wayne and Garth play air guitars and fantasize to Dream Weaver in Wayne's parents' basement. **As we exit the theater, Nick t
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