Forever

Chapter Thirteen *Edited*

   About a week later I was at Victoria's house doing homework. Bella was at home because she came down with a case of the flu. Nothing serious though. I drummed my fingers on the long table as I attempted to figure out the answer to the question on my math homework.

   "Vik, what's 27 times 34 divided by 6?" I asked.

   "Why should I know?"

   "Because we're in the same math class," I say flatly.

   "Oh yeah..." she says. "Use a caculator."

   "We have to show our work, stupid."

   "Whatever!" Vicki exclaims, slightly irritated that I'm right. I snicker and she shoots me a glare. If looks could kill, I'd be dead. She can look scary when she wants. 

*

*

   As I was walking up the front steps to Kariana's house, I dropped my keys. I bent down to pick them up when something peeking out from under the welcome mat caught my eye. 

   It was a piece of paper. A note. But from who?

   I took the paper and unfolded it, careful not to rip it.  When I read it, it took my brain a few minutes to process it. I sucked in a breath when I finally realized what it said.

   Watch your back, danger lurks in every corner.

          ~Unknown

   I blinked a few times and re-read the short message, barely believing it was real. Thinking it would disintegrate in my hands. I put the note down for a second to open the door, fumbling with the keys. When I bent back down to snatch the note, it was suddenly carried away by the wind. I watched as it floated away so gracefully, before I turned on my heel and went inside. 

*

*

   A few hours later I shot straight up in bed, waking with a thin sheet of sweat on my forehead, panic and fear probably blazing in my eyes. I checked the clock, and sighed. 5:14. There was no getting back to sleep when I had to wake up in 45 minutes. I was in the middle of nightmare, with my father and Ashley cornering me. I thought back to when I screamed in terror of what I knew they could, and probably would do to me, in the dream. I can see the saliva dripping from my father's mouth in greed, as he licked his lips. I could see Ashley smiling wickedly at me as she handed my father a knife, aimed straight at my chest. 

   I didn't know what happened after that, as I screamed myself awake. I don't know how Ashley and my father are even two remotely related subjects, either. I'm actually suprised that Kariana hasn't woken up and come to check on me in my room. I lay back down cautiously, trying to make sure the bed doesn't creak. As I attempt at drifting back to sleep, even though it's pointless, I can't shake the feeling that something, or someone, was watching me. I also couldn't seem to push away the question nagging me in the back of my mind, who was that note from? and more importantly, why did they tell me to 'watch my back'? 

   I mean, were they warning me about something? Or were they telling me to fear them? I just don't know. And I hated, really hated, not knowing. Which meant one thing, I had to figure this out. But first, I needed to tell Gavin. 

   Or did I? I thought. I wasn't sure if I should tell aynone, for that matter. What if I was in danger? I couldn't possibly get my friends and family involved in that. 

   Tell someone, Winter, my voice said to me. You know how every once in a while you get that voice in our head, guiding you? Yeah, thats what I was talking to now.

   No, I thought back to my voice. This is so akward, having a conversation with my voice. Oh well. Never said I was normal. 

   I spent the hour constantly going to the bathroom and staring at myself in the mirror, unsure of myself. My mind alwas kept wandering back to the note, no matter how hard I tried to avoid the subject. 

*

*

   At school, I was at my locker with Vicki and Bella, who had their lockers next to me. The only trace of sickness on Bella was a slight cough, so she came back to school. Gavin saw us, and came over, giving me an affectionate kiss on the cheek.  Bella almost died. "Why can't Ryan be like that? Geez." Vicki laughs but stops arubtly when a shoot her a playful glare.

   "You were the one pretending to faint when Gavin kissed me. Stupid," I call her out. Gavin and I chuckle at her fake-hurt expression. 

   "Well excuse me, but I'm allowed to be interested. Bella can't, she's taken." I had to agree on that.

   The bell rang and we rushed to the class taught by Mr.-stupid ass-Brown. 

   "Hello children, good morning. Did you all finish your homework?" Vicki shoots me an 'are you serious?' look and I shrug. I told her we had math homework so...no way to help her there. I guess she's getting detention. 

*

*

   After school, we drop Vik off at detention in Mr.Brown's class and she gives us a grim wave as we exit the building. Ryan and Gavin are waiting outside for us to walk home. I've never really gotten to know Ryan now that I think about it. I've known Bella for about 3 weeks now, and I knew she had a boyfriend, but I never really thought about it. He's nice enough, I guess. But I was always suspicious. "Bel, I  have to go meet a friend, " Ryan says after checking his phone. His friend probably texted him. After he left, I went over to Bella. 

   "Bella, sorry to break your heart, but that seemed kinda suspicious. And you know what I'm hinting at." I whisper to her. She bursts out laughing. 

   "Are you for real? I doubt he's cheating."

   "Whatever you say," I say apologetically. 

   We get home and skype each other. Vicki joins the video chat and tells us that a guy asked her out. "OMG. What. Did. You, Say?" Bella flips out. I give her a look through the camera. Oh well. After I end the call on them and eat dinner, me and Kariana watch some T.V. Since I made my new friends, Kariana and I haven't spent much time together. I miss her, in all candor. We had quite a bond, but I think it's fading. I think I'll go shopping with her Sunday. Definitely not tomorrow, Bel, Vik, and I have to go to the mall to find Vicki an outfit for her to wear on her date.

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Heyyyyyy loves <3

No cliffy this time. Although I did drop a bit of mystery with that note. Hmm...

Again, please vote! 

Love you all, my fans!

*Katey*