Page 8 of Summoned

It’s quiet here this morning, and it’s clear that people are either still drunk or massively hungover because there’s probably only ten of us. I’ve been sitting with my untouched oatmeal and scrambled eggs for about fifteen minutes, when Candace and Maria finally make an appearance, Ian and Noah not far behind.

“Bro—your lip!” Noah gasps as he sits next to me, and I grimace. “Did you get into a fight on the way home?”

“Yeah.” I lie. “Some guy punched me on the way into the dorms.”

“Gnarly.” Candace’s eyes are wide. “Should’ve stayed with me, baby. Maria and I had fun.” Her and Maria exchange sultry looks and then direct their gazes back to me.

“I bet,” I deadpan, remembering how they were making out on Maria’s bed, practically humping each other. “But is anyone going to talk about what happened last night?”

“Which part?” Ian asks, his blue eyes narrowing. “The part where we didn’t want to be there anymore?”

“No.” I shake my head. “How about the part where we didn’t fucking saygoodbye?”

Ian and Noah look back at Maria and Candace, who are visibly shaken now. “What the fuck do you mean?” Noah asks.

“One very important rule to playing with Ouija boards—alwayssay goodbye,” I say through gritted teeth. “So, Candi—did you find it?”

“Find what?” Noah interrupts again, further pissing me off. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, trying not to freak the fuck out. “Candace,” he snaps, and she whimpers.

“No.” Candace’s voice shakes on the word. “I didn’t find the board. Maybe someone took it. Maybe?—”

“What do you mean, you can’t find it?” Noah raises his voice even more until people are staring at us, and I give him a look that pretty much tells him to shut up. Except he doesn't get the hint. “Wait—you lost the fucking board?”

“Y-y-yes,” Candace whispers. “It’s gone.”

“Whatever—” Ian snaps. “What’s the worst that could happen? It’s just some stupid board. Probably another cheerleader is pissed at y’all and took it to get back at you.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it,” Maria says, rubbing Candi’s shoulder in a soothing motion. “Don’t worry, babe. We’ll find it.”

“Even if you do,” I say slowly, “it might be too late to say goodbye to the same spirit. What if he’s not even in the house anymore?”

“And where the fuck would he be?” Noah asks.

“What if—” Ian whispers, looking between all of us. “What if he’s inside someone?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see something black. What looks to be a shadow, but when I turn, it’s no longer there. My hands begin to shake, and I swallow hard. “Why the fuck would you say that?” I snap, running a hand down my face, just to wince at the pain in my lip. “Are youtryingto freak them out?”

“No,” Ian replies with wide eyes. “Just thinking of all the possibilities.”

“That’s slim to none,” I sigh. “That thing is probably still in your room, Maria. Probably jacking off to you fucking around with Candace.”

“Ew, pervert,” Maria gasps. “That’sdisgusting.”

“Okay, that’s weird, even for you.” Candace rolls her eyes. “Although I can’t deny it was pretty damn hot.”

“So what, y’all are together now?” Ian asks them.

“Hell no.” Candi looks right at me. “Jer and I are still together.”

I laugh at that, because the fucking nerve of this bitch. She cheats on me right in front of my face and thinks we’re still together. Not that I didn’t cheat on her last night—but still. “I don’t think that’s how it works, Candi babe.”

“Oh, hell no,” Candace growls, and Maria gasps. “Are you breaking up with me?” The screech coming out of her is inhuman. “You can’t fucking do that, Jeremiah. We’re meant to be. I’m a cheerleader and you’re?—”

“A quarterback.” I roll my eyes this time. “Yeah, yeah. Not the first time you sang this tune. I know it by heart, babe. But you’re missing one simple little detail.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“I slept with someone else last night too.” I grin, feeling my lip split all over again.Goddamnit. I lick over it, tasting the blood, and Maria makes a face that lets me know she thinks it’s gross.

---