Chapter 13

When I woke up my body felt heavy from the day before with everything that happened. I looked at my phone for the time.

9:46 a.m.

Too long until I would meet up with Drew. But I couldn't go back to sleep, even with how tired I was before.

I decided to get up and get ready. I could probably study or something until then. Maybe go early and go ahead and buy something. Anything to get out of this place before something happens.

Before I could make a decision someone knocked on my door. I went to it and opened the door.

It was Jake.

Of course.

I already knew something was going to happen.

"Hey about-"

"Last night? What do you want to know?"

I wasn't even going to try.

"What do you mean? I was just going to say sorry about how I acted at the beginning. I wanted to restart."

I was shocked.

He didn't know? But weren't they all connected? That is what he said. But I was mostly surprised that he said something related to Jonathan and my talk.

"Oh, I uh didn't... Just ignore what I last said."

"Oh no. It's too late. I'm interested." He walked into my room and closed the door behind him. "What happened last night?"

I dug myself in this whole. How could I get out?

I looked over at my phone on the desk and quickly walked over to get it.

"Sorry but we'll have to continue this conversation some other time. I've got somewhere to be."

I headed to my door but before I could open it Jake grabbed my hand and pulled me back. He pushed me down to the floor and held me down.

"Don't hurt me like this. Or am I nothing to you?"

His face showed pain; sadness. It hurt me along with his words. There was a feeling in me. Did he really mean something to me?

Luckily my phone chimed telling me I received a message. We both looked over to the hand that was holding it.

"That would be my friend," I said looking straight at Jake.

He showed even more pain. He started loosing his grip and got up. My heart felt like someone stabbed it multiple times.

"Sorry. You're right. You have somewhere to be."

He started getting up. I had to do something.

"Wait, Jake, I-" He turned to me a little hope in his eyes. "-We can talk later. When I get back, okay?"

He smiled. That's what he wanted. For me to trust him and tell him the things between me and the others. But I had lost to him again. He was good at getting me to do what he wants me to do.

"Thank you. Now hurry up and get to your friend."

He turned back to the door and opened it. I got up and followed him out. He smiled at me again before heading back to his room.

I watched hi go before heading downstairs. I grabbed some shoes and put them on. I heard my phone chime again having completely forgot it rang earlier.

I pulled it out and looked at the texts.

It was Drew.

'Hey you still coming?'

'Samantha?'

I quickly responded hoping he wouldn't start to panic and call me.

'Sorry I was doing something'

'How could I be less important than whatever you were doing?'

I rolled my eyes to his text.

'Ha ha really funny'

'So it was more important. What was it?'

'I'll tell you later when we meet up.'

'Then lets meet up now.'

'Fine by me.'

'The see you in a bit.'

I smiled to myself before putting my phone up. Before heading to the door I heard someone call out to me.

"Hey you heading out"

It was Christopher. He looked like he was heading somewhere himself.

"Uh yeah. A friend of mine asked if we could hang out so-"

"I see. Let me take you there."

"No you don't have to do that. I mean you look like you have to go somewhere yourself."

"I'm heading out early and I'm pretty sure it's on the way. Where is it?"

"Uh the coffee shop at, um, the square."

"Perfect. Ill take you."

"Oh, um, thank you."

"It's no problem. Besides we haven't really talked. I'd like to get to know you."

For some reason that made me blush.

He wanted to know me. Did the others want that too?

He opened the door and ushered me out. He then started heading to the only car left in the driveway. It wasn't my moms car, she was st work. And then it hit me.

It was Justin's car.

His car.

"Is that your car?"

Christopher looked up at me.

"Oh, yeah. Your mom said I could use it. It's very useful when getting to places."

"Oh that's nice."

I felt pain in my chest and my stomach felt heavy.

"Are you coming?"

I looked at him and shook my head. "Yeah sorry."

I walked to him and sat in the passenger's seat. He got in and started the car. The air conditioning came on and the old familiar smell of Justin came to me. I had to hold in the tears forming in my eyes.

He's gone. But this car makes him seem he's still alive and here.

My cheek felt a streak of something warm. I quickly wiped it off feeling the tears continue.

"Crap."

"Samantha?"

I turned to look at Christopher. In that moment, for a split second, I saw Justin. I quickly looked away.

"I'It's nothing. I'm fine. Sorry."

"No it's not nothing. You're crying."

The car hadn't even moved. he looked at me with meaningful eyes. He really wanted to help.

"This car used to belong to someone I knew. Someone close."

"It reminds you of that person?"

It took me a second to respond.

"Yes."

"Then why does it bring you to tears?"

"That person is away... at college. It's just been a while since I've seen that person. And with college being nothing but work we can't really talk."

I lied. Why? Can I really not trust him? But... he seems so caring.

It was right to lie. he doesn't need to know. They won't be here long forever.

They don't need to know.

"I understand," Christopher responded.

Then it hit me. I remembered his parents are dead. He would understand.

Then why can't I tell him?

"Actually... uh," I looked at him hoping to pour my heart out. But he was still a stranger to me. I couldn't. "Never mind."