James licked his lips, then smirked at me.
“Fuck it, let’s go. Snow White’s freaking out too much.”
He jumped off the table and passed by me with his nose in the air, as Tiffany shot me a conspiratorial look.
“You don’t think he’s good enough for you, do you? We all thought the same thing.”
I was confused by what Tiffany said; then again, I was confused by everything. I turned around and went back to the living room. William was on the phone with his mom, and James was standing next to him.
“Let’s go, Will,” he said.
“Give me five minutes with her.”
“Then you can walk home.”
William grumbled then gave me a quick hug.
“See you at school, June.”
It had already been half an hour, and there was still no sign of my mom. I tried to call her, but I didn’t get any answer. Normally I wouldn’t worry, but after Austin had threatened me like that, I felt uneasy. It was nighttime, and I was oddly scared of being in my own home.
I decided to distract myself with something that made me think about something else. I texted James to ask him how he knew my mom wasn’t home. I was stunned when he answered me a few minutes later.
Hunter:You really don’t know anything about having fun, do you?
I clenched my fist. I hated him. But what did that have to do with anything right now?
I looked at my phone until I got another notification.
Hunter:Your mom’s here
Of course. My mom was at Jordan’s. And I, like a moron, was at home alone and terrified as she had fun. I couldn’t believe it.
My phone vibrated again.
Hunter:You’re still awake, White?
June:So are you, Hunter
Hunter:I didn’t feel like going home because your mommy’s in my living room. I’m taking a walk. You’re literally pissing your pants, aren’t you?
June:You’re such an asshole. But if there was ever a time to be scared, it would be right now, don’t you think?
James left me on Read.
I went down to the kitchen for a bottle of water and a packet of cookies. I inhaled his scent with every breath.
All of a sudden, I heard something outside my front door. I jumped. What if Austin was serious?
No, that was impossible; those kinds of things only happened in the movies.
The thought didn’t reassure me. Too many weird things had happened since I moved to Laguna Beach. They were so unthinkable that if someone had told me a few months ago that they would happen, I would’ve never believed them. But most of all, I couldn’t ignore the rustling outside the window.
I inched slowly to the windowsill and spotted a shadow through the curtain. I bolted to the kitchen and grabbed the biggest knife in the house, the bread knife. I wondered if it was the most appropriate weapon to face someone like Austin, who was used to guns and who knew what else.
I waited, but nothing happened.
With a burst of courage, I opened the front door, lifted the knife in the air, and narrowed my eyes. My rashness turned into pure fear. Right then a heart-stopping force threw me against the wall. I felt the bones in my back burn from the impact, and my hands were trapped over my head. Finally I heard the metallic sound of the blade falling to the ground. I was terrified.
