Page 42 of Boots & Scars

Everly

Istared at my phone in shock. How did Cooper even get my number?

I chewed on my bottom lip, glancing at myself in the mirror. The dress I had chosen for the party tonight was relatively modern, and I thought I looked quite nice. The silky fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, and the deep burgundy color complemented my pale skin and light hair.

But even as I admired my reflection, my mind kept drifting back to Cooper's call. He hadn't sounded good at all. His words were slurred and his voice was rough, like he'd been drinking heavily or hadn't slept in days. Maybe both.

I hesitated, my finger hovering over the button to call an Uber to take me to the party. I knew Cooper wouldn't want me to go to him. He was fiercely independent and hated showing any kind of weakness. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

"Frick," I muttered under my breath. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, my heels clicking on the hardwood floor. I would just stop by Cooper's place for a few minutes, just tomake sure he was okay. Then I could go to the party with a clear conscience.

My heart raced as I made my way towards the teacher housing complex. The night air was cool against my skin, and I shivered slightly, wishing I had brought a jacket.

The teacher housing homes came into view as I hurried down the sidewalk, my heels clicking rhythmically against the concrete. Even in the darkness, I could see how pristine and well-maintained they were. The lawns were meticulously manicured, not a blade of grass out of place. The houses themselves looked freshly painted, their colors vibrant and inviting.

As I walked, I could feel the straps of my heels digging into my feet. My mom had never let me wear anything higher than an inch, insisting that it was bad for my posture and would give me bunions. I had always rolled my eyes at her warnings, but now, as I felt the first twinges of blisters forming on my heels, I wondered if she might have had a point.

I gritted my teeth and kept walking, scanning the buildings for any sign of Professor Bradley's girlfriend's clover decorations. Finally, I spotted them—four-leaf clover stickers decorating the living room windows of one of the houses.

I stood outside, my eyes shifting to the house next to Professor Bradley's. It looked almost identical, with a neatly trimmed lawn and a white picket fence. The porch light was off, casting long shadows across the front yard. A few flower pots, filled with vibrant blooms, sat on the steps leading up to the door. It was quiet, too quiet, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the front door. My heart pounded in my chest as I raised my hand and knocked softly. The sound echoed in the stillness of the night.

I waited.

Nothing.

I knocked again, this time harder. The wood rattled under my knuckles, and I held my breath, straining to hear any movement inside.

Still nothing.

Maybe he wasn't home. But that didn't make sense; Cooper's car was parked out front. At least, I assumed it was Cooper's car. I chewed on my lip, uncertainty gnawing at me. Should I try again? My knuckles were beginning to sting from the force of my knocks, but I couldn't just leave without knowing if he was okay.

I glanced around, half-expecting someone to come out and question what I was doing there. But the street remained deserted, the only sound the distant hum of traffic.

I sighed and leaned against the doorframe, feeling frustration build up inside me. If Cooper was home, why wasn't he answering? Had something happened?

I stared at the doorknob, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Mom's voice echoed in my head, reminding me how rude it was to show up unannounced. She'd always been adamant about respecting other people's privacy and space. But this felt different. Cooper had sounded terrible on the phone, and it was like he'd passed out mid-conversation.

Was it really wrong to make sure he was okay? What if something had happened to him? I couldn't just walk away and pretend I hadn't heard anything.

Taking a deep breath, I reached out and grasped the doorknob. It felt cold under my fingers. I hesitated, my mind still warring over the right thing to do.

"Come on, Everly," I whispered to myself. "Just see if it's unlocked."

With a final glance around the deserted street, I turned the knob slowly, half-expecting it to be locked. To my surprise, it gave way easily, and the door creaked open a few inches.

I peeked inside, heart pounding in my chest. The living room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp in the corner. Everything looked normal, tidy even. But there was no sign of Cooper.

"Cooper?" I called softly into the house, my voice trembling slightly.

No response.

I pushed the door open a bit wider and stepped inside, closing it quietly behind me. My heels sank into the plush carpet as I made my way deeper into the room.

"Cooper?" I called again, a little louder this time.

Silence.

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