“Hey hun you ok? xxx”
I re-read it over and over again trying to think of what to say. I keep going to type and then delete it all. A few moments later Cassey texts again.
“On my way xxx.”
I look out my bedroom window and see her walking over. I reach the front door at the same time she does. As I open it sunshine beams in from outside warm and shining off the melting snow. It takes me a few moments for my eyes to adjust.
Cassey brushes past me as she enters. “I can't believe this weather just lately! Storm then Snow and now it’s practically Summer! It must be like 18 degrees out! Quite frankly it's giving me whiplash, and so are you. So, come on, talk to me. You were like a robot after we met back up with you and Robbie.”
“I know I was but-” I stop and look around for my mum. She's in the garden. We go into the kitchen and I make drinks. “Cassey it was awful!” I tell her everything trying to remember every detail. I watch as her face goes from shock to anger to determination. “And now I don't know if I'm a bad person. It was terrifying when Robbie was collapsed on the floor.” I try to hold back tears.
Cassey sits me down at the table and rubs my shoulder reassuringly. “There's no way you’re a bad person. You’re the most selfless person I've ever met. You were defending yourself. Robbie could have killed you.” Her voice catches and she has to compose herself. “But I don't think he wanted to do it. I've seen enough sci-fi and fantasy shit to know that Alistair is behind this. He made Nick and Robbie forget what they did which tells me he probably told them to do it in the first place. Don't ask me how. After what I've seen you do, I'm starting to think that anything is possible.”
Hearing Cassey talk, I feel better and better. I should have spoken to her about this yesterday instead of getting myself in a paranoid mess. She has a remarkable way of understanding and seeing through things without letting her emotions cloud her logic. I can always depend on her for good advice. She's handlingall this way better than I am. Besides she's adamant that I'm not some sort of evil super villain so I'm beyond relieved.
“Alistair does seem to be in the middle of all this and I can't ignore the horrible feeling of death that oozes from him like a bad smell. Honestly, it's suffocating. I've never felt anything so horrid in all my life.” I shiver just thinking about it.
“That guy is bad news, I'll tell you that for free. I think you should stay well clear of him. I know you think he may have answers, but frankly I don't wanna hear anything he has to say. What if he can get inside your head too! Fuck or mine!” Cassey stares into space with a worried look on her face. At that moment, my mum walks in and catches us both looking like we've just seen Dobby die again.
“You two are acting just as strange as the weather these last couple of days. Sometimes forgetting about it for a day and coming back to it with fresh eyes can make things a whole lot clearer. Trust me, take today to relax and enjoy your last day of being 17 Krista. I'm sure tomorrow will bring all the answers you need.” She kisses the top of my head and goes through to the living room.
I watch her go with the distinct impression that my mum knows a whole lot more than she's letting on. Cassey lets out a small giggle.
“Now that is a lady in the know! Right we'll do what your wise mummy tells us and worry about it tomorrow.”
“Seems like I don't have a choice in the matter.” I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. They're right all these problems will still be there tomorrow. I'm just gonna enjoy the weekend. Mum has got some sort of surprise for me tomorrow so maybe that has got something to do with all of this. I let out a deep breath. “Right, so, what shall we do?”
“Well it's midday so how about I treat you to some birthday eve lunch?”
I beam. “Sounds perfect!”
An hour later we're sat in our favourite coffee shop in town with a couple of Mochas. It's so warm without a cloud in the sky. Such a stark contrast to the weather yesterday. I'm debating what to have for lunch as my stomach is growling after skipping breakfast. My appetite is back with a vengeance now that I feel better about everything. I decide to go with a tuna cheddar melt panini with chips. Cassey orders hers and mine, and a few moments later Cassey and I are digging in.
“So how are you and Christian?” I know she's dying to tell me everything.
“Oh my god Krista where to start! He's amazing! He's sweet, kind and actually listens to me. He loves to play rugby but also says no-one can beat him at chess-” She's cut off by a familiar voice that makes me jump in my seat.
“I'm sure I’ll have him in 2 moves.” Alistair's husky, arrogant voice permeates the air along with that awful aura. He leans on the side of my chair dressed in dark fitted chinos and a burgundy t-shirt that frames his insanely toned torso. His biceps are stretching the short sleeves to their limit. Every inch of him is immaculate which only pisses me off more.
Anger boils up inside me and I shove his hand off the back of my chair. “Fuck off Alistair or I'm calling the police.”
His eyebrows raise and he laughs. “I've done nothing but help you these last couple of days and I doubt they'd believe a single word you say anyway.” His intense gaze holds my own daring me to say otherwise. “If anything, you owe me a Thank-you and a favour.” His leans into my personal space and lowers his voice to a seductive purr. “How about dinner with me tonight? Birthday treat.”
I can't believe the audacity of this guy. He actually thinks I would want to go anywhere with him? Well he's in for a rude awakening.
I stand up but he doesn't move away so our bodies are almost touching. “You must be thick if you think that I would want to spend a second more in your presence.” My voice holds steady and calm. The complete opposite of all the emotions churning around inside my chest. “You make me feel sick with your blatant disrespect of other people. You're arrogant, rude and cringe-worthy so I'm gonna say this one more time. Fuck off.” I keep my voice quiet and firm but maintain eye contact. Our faces are inches apart.
That annoying smirk is back and he inhales slowly through his nose and closes his eyes as he breathes out. When he opens them, I catch a dark haze flash across his eyes. It's there for only a second but I know I saw it. His voice is a whisper.
“Fine, but when you want answers, I'll be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know and more.” He winks and leaves the cafe catching the eye of nearly every woman in the vicinity.
I fall back down into my seat with a harrumph and look at Cassey. “I'm surprised you were so quiet.”
She shrugs with a wide smile. “You had that handled. I like this new take-no-shit Krista she's fucking feisty!” We both crack up.
“I can't help it he rubs me the complete wrong way. He's so infuriating.” I tuck back into my panini. Thankfully it's still warm.
“By the looks of it he wants to rub you the right way.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “You didn't tell me he was so gorgeous. If only he wasn't some creepy, mind controlling sociopath.”
