Page 58 of Kiss Collector
“Oh my God, Zae, what happened?” Monica asks. She andKenzie are both holding me, and Lin is in the third row leaning over the seat, her hand rubbing my back.
“Nothing,” I say automatically, because I feel stupid, but I have to tell them. “We were kissing, and then he tried to put his hands down my pants, and I stopped him, but he wouldn’t let me go. He kept holding me tighter and his voice... I don’t know. He was telling me to calm down and it was so creepy.”
Monica and Lin gasp in indignation.
“I heard you say ‘Get off,’” says Kenzie. “And it sounded like you were struggling, so we ran over. He was pushing you against the tree, and like, grabbing at you!” Her voice cracks and she wipes tears from her cheeks. “We should call the police!”
I shake my head. And tell them what? That I stupidly went into the woods with a boy I don’t know? That he made a move I wasn’t ready for, and got rough when I told him to stop? I know what they’ll say. That I wasn’t raped. That I wasn’t quite assaulted. That he’s a good kid from a good family in a good neighborhood. But what if Vincent and Kenzie hadn’t been there? I don’t know what that guy planned to do next. Could I have fought him off? I’d like to think so, but a shiver of apprehension zags down my back at the sense of powerlessness I felt.
“I can totally find out where he lives,” Lin says. “We should egg him.”
“No,” I say. “He’ll know it’s me.”
“Then we don’t do it tonight,” Vincent says quietly from the driver’s seat. Kenzie sends him a look of complete adoration, and for once I don’t begrudge her for it.
“Thank you, Vincent,” I say. He doesn’t respond, but hedoesn’t need to. And then I remember... “He called you a thug.”
We let that thought sink in, and then we’re laughing. It’s completely inappropriate laughter, brought on by our frenzy of adrenaline and horror, and when we’re finished laughing, we wipe tears from our eyes and cling to one another.
We’re quiet the rest of the way to Kenzie’s house, where we drop off her and Vin. I’m feeling well enough to drive now, but a darkness still surrounds me, and my mind won’t stop racing. I should have called him an asshole and been more vocal at the end when he tried to shush me. I’m haunted by the trepidation I felt when I walked into those woods—my gut instincts that I ignored. I think about the what ifs, and I silently send my love to all the souls in the world who weren’t as lucky as I was tonight.
Chapter Twenty
Friday
I’m having a hard time concentrating at work, partly because I hardly slept last night. I keep imagining that Bauer will come into the store and threaten me. I know it’s ridiculous. I’m safe. All I have to do is pick up the phone and press one button to have security there. Each time I peer down at the button I feel a little better. Still, I stare at the store’s opening into the mall.
My phone buzzes with a text from Kenzie:My house tonight. Wear all black.
All black, why? And then I remember and feel a jolt of excitement. I’ve never egged anyone’s house before. The possibility of getting caught makes me nervous, but it will be worth it. Revenge is mine.
I’m so excited when I get off work, get home, and gather every black garment I own. I can’t help but giggle in Kenzie’sbasement once we’re all dressed like a pack of cute burglars. Even Vincent is decked out, though he’s going to be the getaway driver. His only black pants were some fancy slacks from a suit and a black turtleneck that is too short at his waist and wrists. He lets us laugh at him for longer than necessary. And I have to admit, after last night, I welcome Vin’s presence like a friend.
“I did some research,” Lin says. “I stalked all of Bauer’s social media pages. He has tons of pictures of his shiny red Jeep and calls it his baby.”
I roll my eyes, and Monica gags.
“So,” Lin continues, “I think we should focus on his car instead of his house. And we should use something that won’t cause permanent damage.”
Kenzie giggles and brings out a grocery bag. When she opens it, we all lean in, and I have to blink several times at the tubes inside.
“Biscuits?” Monica and I declare together.
“Yes!” Kenz and Lin are cackling like evil geniuses. “It’s supposed to be the hottest, sunniest day of spring break tomorrow. We’ll squash biscuit dough all over his car, and then it will rise in the morning sun.”
Kenzie rolls onto her back, clutching her belly with glee, and Vincent smiles down at her like at a precious kitten.
Okay, biscuits are not exactly the big middle finger I wanted to give Bauer, but it’s better than nothing. “Do we know where he lives?”
“Yes,” Lin says. “Same street as my friend from gymnastics. And she can’t stand him—says he’s a cocky prick who gets away with murder all the time.”
My heart skips a beat. “Wait, you didn’t tell her we’re doing this, did you?”
“No. She called me last night to ask what happened, and she believes you one hundred percent. Nobody outside this room will know. Got it?”
We all put our pinkies in the middle and twine them together. When Vincent just sits there, we stare at him.
“Well?” I say. “Get in here.”
