He even stands up from his kingly perch just as Tempest launches herself at him. Squealing, she wraps her arms and legs around him and hugs him tight.
And right in front of my eyes, I see a new side of Reed.
A side that hugs his sister back just as tightly. A side that smiles — a true smile — and laughs when his sister moves away and doesn’t stop talking. A side that looks at her with a fondness that I’ve never seen before.
Or rather, that I’ve only seen onmybrothers’ faces when I surprise them with a new pair of knitted socks or some chocolate chip cookies.
Right in front of my eyes, I discover that Reed Roman Jackson, the gorgeous villain, my brother’s rival and enemy, loves his little sister.
Something moves in my chest at this.
Something achy and swollen.
And God, I have to leave now.
I have to.
The longer I stay here, the more restless I feel. The more likely it becomes that someone might recognize me and tell Ledger.
It bugs me to leave Tempest like this because I really like her. But I have to go.
So taking a deep breath and with a last look at Tempest talking to Reed, who’s chuckling, I turn around and start walking.
I hunch my shoulders and duck my head, trying to make myself as invisible as possible so no one pays me any attention. Although I’m not sure that I’m walking in the right direction or the direction that I came from.
But it’s okay.
I’ll find my way out.
So I keep walking, my feet crunching the leaves, until I leave the party behind and get deeper into the trees.
It should be kinda scary to be walking around the woods in the dark. But I grew up here, in this town. Even though I’ve never really ventured into these woods, I know I’ll be safe.
Well, I know that until I hear a noise.
A series of noises actually.
They’re not loud or anything. It’s just that the woods are quiet and so theyseemloud. They seem urgent and needy.
And oh my God I come to a halt.
My heart is banging inside my chest. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up because what the heck is going on?
What…
A twig snaps next. Then a moan comes, followed by heavy breathing.
A second later though when I hear a grunt — a manly grunt — everything becomes clear.
Oh my God.
Someone — aguy— is doing something to a girl.
Isn’t he?
This is what’s happening. A stupid drunk guy is doing something to an innocent girl and I need to go help her.
That’s why my brothers are always worried. Because this is what happens at high school parties. Guys drink and go crazy and think they can do whatever they want to a girl.
