Chapter 38
HAILEY
"Can I pick up tomorrow night?" he was insisting for a hundred times.
"We already talked about it. I'll see you on Monday morning, Percie."
He wasn't impressed with my decision, but I knew he'd respect it in the end. I already spent my whole Saturday with him. He rubbed the back of his neck before he knocked on my parents' door.
"You can go now. I'm sure the squirrel can't kidnap me to its lair," I cracked a joke before he left me with those sad eyes. "If you change your mind."
"I won't." I cut him off. "Now go before Mom would ask you what we did in the lake house."
"And what if they'd ask you?" His eyes glinted with mischief.
"We sat on the deck, ate our lunch, talked about school projects-"
"And we made out. That was a whole lot of" I covered his mouth with my hand when I heard footsteps from the house.
"Go," I warned him with a look. He was right, though. We made out on the deck, on the couch, in the kitchen, in the bed. Every time I tried to make a move, he stopped me, saying I was not ready. Sometimes, I thought he didn't want to make love with me, or I wasn't attractive enough that would interest him. But one thing I was sure that I had an effect on him was, I turned him on somehow-maybe because we were kissing-maybe it affected every man as well. "Got to go, Lee. Call me." He kissed me on my lips. "Gonna miss you." He kissed me again before he finally walked away.
I went to my room and did a quick shower. I started doubting myself. I dropped the towel and looked at my reflection in the mirror from head to toe. My wavy chestnut hair had enough volumes. My amber almond-shaped eyes staring back at me, I thought my best asset. My body, I had never been overweight. I had enough curves in the right places. My boobs were not big, but not small either. I had a flat stomach that most guys wanted in women. My friends told me that I had great legs could run a mile. But right now, I wasn't sure about it anymore.
I put some clothes on and went down to meet Mom.
"Going somewhere, honey?"
"Yeah. I just need a haircut."
Mom's brows quirked up. Then a proud smile spread across her lips. "Go ahead. I hope you're doing this for yourself, honey. Percie already liked your hair."
I smiled back. "Doing this for myself, Mom."
"You can drive my car. It just came from the shop. It works just fine." She gave me the key with her card.
"Mom, I still have cash."
"Go ahead, silly. Take it. Buy something for yourself."
***
Four hours later, my hair transformed into mussed layers of textured midi, and I asked the hairdresser to put bangs to add an edgy look. And I was pleased with my new look. I also bought a few things and lingeries to add to my small wardrobes. Like what I said to Mom, I was doing this for myself.
I got back home. Mom was already sleeping. I threw myself to bed. I was a little bit exhausted, but my phone buzzed for a new message.
Percie: Snoring?
Hailey: I don't snore
Percie: Why still up?
I sat down and dialed instead.
"How about you? Shouldn't you be at the party?"
I knew a friend of Remy was throwing out a party tonight. I was invited by one of my classmates, but it was not my crowd.
"I don't party anymore, Lee. Now, why are you still up? Miss me?" he whispered the last words.
"I went out to buy something."Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
"Seriously, Lee? Didn't I just tell you to call me?"
"Well, the last time I checked, you're my boyfriend and not my designated driver."
"Well let me make things clear, Hailey, this boyfriend of yours can be your DD, your slave, your maid, your lover-"
"My lover? Then why-" I stopped myself. Good god! What's wrong with me? I sounded so desperate right now.
"Lee?"
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I hung up the call, threw myself back to bed, and stared up at the ceiling. My face heated in embarrassment. I was startled by the ringing of my phone on the bed. I knew it was Percie. I ignored it and washed my face instead. I should do something and made myself busy than thinking that would make me crazy.
Starting tonight, I would forget about sex. Maybe Percie was not the right person for me. Maybe, someone out there was.
Percie: Lee, answer me, or I will knock on your door right now.
Hailey: Got to sleep. See you on Monday.
Percie: We need to talk
Hailey: No. Monday
Percie: Just answer my call, and we'll talk for a minute. Just 1 min.
I knew he wouldn't stop, and right now, I was not in the right mind to talk to him face to face.
I answered when he called.
"We agreed on no more secrets, Hailey. What's gotten into your mind? Are you doubting us? Is it about what happened earlier in the lake house?" "No. I'm fine."
"When women said fine, they certainly not telling the truth. You were saying about my lover-"
"Just drop it, Percie." I groaned in irritation. I was beyond embarrassed, and I wanted to end this conversation and forgot it even happened.
"I'm not gonna drop it until we talk about it."
"Well, I'm not interested."
"Hailey-"
"Beep. Beep. Your time is over. Bye." I hung up the call. I'm done. He couldn't control what I had to say or what I should do. Thank God he did not call me again.
I woke up to the banging of my door and that voice I couldn't be dreaming, but what the hell was she doing here?
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"I'm coming!" I yelled in irritation. I opened the door to Victoria and Megan. "What time is it? And what are you both doing here?"
"Get dressed, and your hair is amazing," Megan ordered. They entered before I could invite them in.
I rubbed my eyes. "Why?"
"Seriously, Hailey. What kind of world did you live in? Haven't you checked out our messages and calls?" Victoria asked. Her voice filled with sarcasm.
I propped my hands on my hips. "Well, it's already Sunday and at two in the morning."
"Lexie and Percie are in trouble."
I was already wide awake when they mentioned Percie and Lexie's names. "How? I was just talking to Percie a while ago."
"Just get dressed. We'll explain in the car."
"How did you get in?" I asked as I pulled something to wear.
"We're not vampires, you know." Megan picked up a shirt for me.
"Through the door like a decent person does. Wear this and hurry up." Victoria grabbed my new shorts.
In less than ten minutes, we were already in Megan's car. Mom had not said anything, but she wasn't happy about me going out at two in the morning.
I started reading their messages. My skin was full of goosebumps as I started playing the video taken by someone watching what they were doing to one of the freshmen students. I heard about these stupid games that they would snatch and kidnap students, place them on the spot and ask questions under a polygraph in front of everyone and those watching on a live website. They drugged them to avoid lying.
The worse part was, they have certain punishments if they didn't like the truth or if a victim refused to play their stupid games.
"When was Lexie taken?"
"Two hours ago."
"What about Percie?"
"I called him when you did not answer. He said he would take care of it." Of course, he would.