Wandering Fireflies

Chapter 3: Fright Night

Song: Sail by AWOLNATION

"Lucy! Henry! It's so great to see you both again!" My dad said in an overly cheery voice. This couldn't be happening. I felt my heart pounding like a jackhammer inside my chest. Aunt Lucy looked over at me and smirked. She could smell my fear, I just knew it.

"What? No hug for your favorite aunt?" I looked over at my tall, pretty good looking 43 year old bleached blonde aunt.

"Go give her a hug, Vance." I gulped. I couldn't stand the thought of that disgusting woman anywhere near me. I could taste bile rising into my mouth as I made my way over to her and gave her a hug.

"Wow, somebody's getting stronger - I can just feel those muscles! Say, have you been working out sweetie?"

"That's my nephew alright - hardworking as always! Just like his big brother!" my uncle beamed.

Dinner went by pretty quickly and soon enough, it was time to go to bed. I thought that maybe she just went through some phase and is completely over it by now, but I knew better. So it came as no surprise to me when aunt Lucy grabbed my shoulder with her ice cold hands before I could escape to my room.

"Well, well, well. Did you miss me?" she said with a smug look on her face. "I'm thrilled to see that you took my advice and started working out," she continued while her eyes scanned me from head to toe.

"Look, I'll pay you everything I've got - just please don't do this." She snickered at my feeble attempt at negotiating.

"You know what I want. It hasn't changed. Now, I'll call you once everyone goes to sleep and if you try anything, I'll make sure that you regret it for the rest of your pathetic life. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good."

I didn't have to wait for long. By 11:00 pm, everyone was asleep in bed and sure enough, at around 11:30 pm, I heard a soft knock at my door.

"It's time. You know what to do." My heart was pounding in my chest and my palms started sweating as I followed her down the stairs and into her car. I couldn't go through this again, but what choice did I have? I took a deep breath. This way how I was going to spend my nights for the rest of her stay.

***

Disgusting. Absolutely disgusted was how I felt. By 1:00 am we were done and aunt Lucy left me, forcing me to make the 10 minute walk home. It was something about avoiding suspicion. With my heart pounding in my chest and knees wobbling, I started to make my way home. I was only walking for a minute when I couldn't take it anymore. My stomach was twisting and churning and I found myself puking my guts out for the next couple of minutes. I didn't want to go home anyways, so I wobbled my way over to the nearest Tim Hortons.

The place was, as always bustling with life. Even though this was a small town, we were lucky enough to have a Tim's which was open 24/7. Now that I was there though, I realized I didn't really want anything. I still felt sick to the stomach as my head reeled over the night's events. It was nothing new. Yet, for some reason, the more I did it, the worse it felt.

I shook my head and just sat there, watching the world go by, when a familiar face caught my eye. I internally groaned. You've got to be kidding me! Of course, there stood my rival, Zaavan, wearing a grey hoodie and a navy baseball cap which covered most of his face. It almost as if he was hiding from someone. Except today, he wasn't wearing the same, bored look on his face that he always did. God, do my eyes deceive me? He almost looks...nervous.

I knew he hated me, but I really didn't care. Why would I care what a no good show off thinks about me? He always acted like such a jerk that pissing him off was one of the most satisfying things in the world. But not today. After everything that happened tonight, I was in no mood to verbally attack him. Though what was he doing here at two in the morning?

I watched as a tall, dirty blond haired guy started making his way towards the door. It looked as if he was just about to leave after finishing his shift. Suddenly aware of the dirty blond boy's presence, a wave of panic washed over Zaavan's face. He gasped and quickly ducked into the nearest booth, turning his head towards the window.

"Hiding from someone?" Okay, I know I shouldn't have said anything. I should've just gotten up and left, but hey - I just couldn't pass up the perfect opportunity to tease him, now could I?

He immediately lifted his ocean blue eyes and glared into my green ones. He rolled his eyes.

I cocked my head to the side and flashed him my finest smirk. "Hasn't anyone told you that if you roll your eyes so much, they'll fall out of your head?"

He snorted. "Well at least I haven't spent the night rolling around in a dump truck. In case you didn't know, the dump is a three minute walk away so I suggest you go back to where you came from." Well, he wasn't entirely wrong - I probably reeked as if I've been wallowing in trash all night.

"You know what, you just may be right. Why don't we ask your friend and see what he thinks?" Zaavan followed my gaze until his eyes landed on the guy from earlier. Turn out he must've forgotten something because he was back inside. "Yo! Dude with the red sweat-" Zaavan immediately clamped his hand over my mouth, eyes going wide with panic.

"Shut up!" he hissed leaning forwards. We stayed like that for a minute, his rough hand pressing hard over my lips. I noticed how he had dark circles underneath his eyes and how smelled like a mixture of sweat and cologne. It was then that I regained my senses.

"Dude! What the hell?!" I exclaimed, pushing him back. He went pale for a bit, but quickly regained himself. Boy, was he angry.

"Don't you ever touch me again!" he growled.

"Well then I suggest you keep your hands to yourself next time. In case you forgot, I'm pretty sure that's one of the first things you learn back in kindergarten."

His eyes hardened into a glare which my eyes mirrored back. It was a battle for dominance, which neither of us dared to back out of.

"What are you guys doing?" questioned a confused voice. We both looked up to see Katja and Dashiell looking down at us.

"Nothing." With that having been said, Zaavan simply got up and left. They both turned their attention towards me.

"Ah, I couldn't sleep so I just came down for some coffee," I lied.

"Do you want a ride back?" asked Dashiell. He was a pretty great guy. I didn't get why Zaavan hated him so much. Then again, was there anyone who he didn't hate?

"No thanks. I'm just going to hang around here for a bit. What are you guys doing here so late?"

"I felt like having an Iced Capp, so I thought why not."

"She made me come by threatening me, saying that she'll walk here alone in minus weather." Who drinks Iced Cappuccino in March? I mean, there's still snow on the ground - this is more like French Vanilla weather. I didn't stick around for any answers though.

"Well then, see you guys at school tomorrow." I quickly got up and left before they could say anything else. I should've gone home, but I just couldn't go back. Aunt Lucy would probably still be up waiting for me to get back. Waiting to see the humiliation laced all over my face. I felt inside my pocket for the lighter I made sure to bring before I left. I know I promised myself I wouldn't do this anymore, but I needed to escape, even if it was just for a little while. So I turned around and started to make my way to the park.

A/N: Awww, poor Vance :( I know this chapter left a lot of loose ends, but doesn't that make things interesting? What do you guys think that aunt Lucy is making Vance do? What does he mean by needing to escape? And what's up with Zaavan? Let me know what you guys think in the comments below!