Page 30 of Those That Don't Exist
I don’t do this. I treasure my friendship with Claire. The thing with David might’ve been a mistake, for reasons I’m still not willing to unpack, but I think she would have been supportive had I kissed him. At least that’s what she yelled at me when she got home the day after the party.
After telling myself I’d walk back in and give some sort of explanation, I’d chickened out. I’d fled the party instead. I didn’t even bother collecting my stuff. I simply grabbed my phone and keys I’d stashed in the kitchen, and left for our house.
My mind had been reeling the entire walk. It was Bree who called me an hour later to find out where I was, if I was ok. I’d started lying my ass off.
Of course David had told them what happened on the porch, what he remembered anyway. His version being that we’d been flirting the entire day, then he’d tried to kiss me. He couldn’t remember the actual shove but it was an easy conclusion to jump to as he came too on the ground, and I was nowhere to be found.
I’d apologised again and again as Claire had yelled at me. She told me David was hurt and confused as to why I’d run instead of saying “no” like a normal person. I did feel bad about that part. Although it was nothing compared to the guilt filling me over wanting to slice his neck open.
I couldn’t blame Claire, she was being a protective little sister. She was also stubborn. After chewing me out a new one she has flat out ignored me for the last two days.
I’d called David yesterday to apologise. We’d talked and he was fine. We left it on good terms, agreeing that dating just wasn’t on the cards for us right now. We were still friends.
Now all I needed was for Claire to come round, this was the biggest fight we’d ever had. I was giving her space for a few days to cool off, spending even more time at the library.
So here I sit at my usual desk, books and laptop strewn across the surface. I’m reading a chapter not directly linked to my work but it caught my attention. It’s exploring how Fae families joined the cleansing wars on the side of the Vampires. About how they played a key role in infiltrating the enemy lines, and on a few occasions appeared to be turning the war in the Vampires favour, until they had been ratted out and killed alongside those they were trying to save from extinction.
I’m about to return to my writing when my attention is drawn away by my name being said from somewhere behind me.
“Look it’s her, that bitch, Rory, who played Claire’s brother,” a girl whispers, but not quiet enough for my demi-Fae hearing.Shit.
“The one who hurt him?” asks a guy's voice. I don’t recognise either of them but as Bree and Claire are on different courses to me there were several people at the party I didn’t know.
“Yes, it's definitely her, I clocked her face as we walked past.”
“Isn’t she the one who had that accident over the summer too?” a second female asks.Double shit.
“Oh, yeah, you’re right. I heard she’s not been the same since. Like in the head. I mean how do you go through that, losing your only parent, and returning to classes only a few months later.”
“I can’t believe she nearly gave David a concussion.”
“I know! She didn’t even stick around to check he was ok, who does that? She’s not mentally sound, I’m telling you.”
I’ve heard enough. I grab my bag, scoop my stuff into it and make a break for it. I try desperately to act like I’ve not heard them. I act as if I’ve finished my work, and am leaving because I’m ready to.
Instead of heading to the exit, however, I head into the stacks. I don’t want them to know I’m running away and heading into the shelves of books seems like I’m going to grab my next one to read.
But as I head down the aisle and away from the open section where all the tables and chairs are I hear footsteps behind me. Are they following me? My breath quickens at the thought of a confrontation.
I don't even look, I just make turn after turn. I know this library well. I find my way to the back staircase and race down to the basement levels. I turn right, then left and a couple more rights until I’m in a back corner amongst books which barely get read. These are old reference tomes. Only history and classics students come here, it's always quiet.
In my haste I hadn’t noticed the adrenaline pumping through my system. My fingers are shaking, my mind growling at havingto resort to this - not that I would’ve had the nerve to confront them.
I was lying. I was covering for someone. I’m not that person. My breathing becomes rapid as my eyes water, tears threatening to fall.
More footsteps sound from nearby, making my heart jump in my chest. I quickly wipe my cheeks and turn to scan the books beside me, tracing a finger over their spines. I’m not reading the titles though. I’m listening hard. The footsteps are soft but getting closer. I brace myself for them to turn the corner. If it's those assholes from upstairs I may have to confront them this time in order to escape.
Everything goes quiet for several seconds. I release a slow breath in relief, thinking that whoever it was has walked by.
“Red, why are you upset?” a deep voice rumbles to my left. I already recognise it. Ty. My whole body freezes.
I keep my face staring at the books, one finger still tracing the spines.
“Who upset you?” he asks a second question. It’s gentler this time but it’s a lethal sounding calm.
I sense him step closer to my shoulder, feel as he brushes my hair back out of my face with gentle slowness, hooking the strands over my ear. The touch sends a shiver down my spine.
For a second, a voice in my head tells me to let my glamour drop. Which is ridiculous, I haven’t let it down in months around my best friends, why would I want to in front of this stranger. But something in me doesn't like that he’s touching the fake colour.
