Page 54 of Only Forever

It was a Thursday and we were both finishing up with our work. Jason had suggested getting Thai food for dinner, one of our go-to’s, and we had a cozy dinner in the living room while watching a movie.

“I feel too lazy to clean up,” I complained, snuggling into the crook of Jason’s arm as we sat on the couch. My limbs felt heavy and I wondered if the one glass of wine I had with dinner was affecting me.

Jason rested his head on top of mine. “No need to clean up,” he said. “We can always leave it till morning.”

His voice sounded funny, like his words were slurred, but I was too tired to comment. My eyes drifted closed, my body feeling heavy, as if it were being weighted down.

I don’t know how long had passed, but I was suddenly conscious and was desperately trying to open my eyes. It felt like they were glued shut, and I struggled to lift my lids. I started to become aware of the hard floor underneath me, which confused me, because last I remember, I had fallen asleep on the couch with Jason.

I was relieved when I was finally able to open my eyes, but not much changed because darkness surrounded me. It was pitch black and I couldn’t make out a thing. My arms were aching, and I tried to reach up one hand to massage the pain away when I realized I couldn’t move them. It suddenly dawned on me that my hands were tied behind my back, and my feet by my ankles. I was lying on the floor, bound and helpless. Panic set in, and I squinted my eyes, trying to figure out where I was. My eyes started to adjust to the darkness, and I saw that I was on the floor of my living room. All the lights were off and the drapes were drawn.

My heart beat fast, fear running through me. Who had tied me up? The letter writer? How could I have not woken up while it was happening? Most importantly, where was Jason?

I tried to sit up, but I had a tough time with my hands and feet bound. I grunted as I pushed myself against the couch, using it to brace myself up into a sitting position. That’s when I saw Jason sprawled on the couch. His feet and hands were also bound with rope, and he was unconscious.

“Jason!” I whispered as loudly as I dared. No one else seemed to be in the room, but I was sure the person who had tied usup was nearby. I was afraid to alert them to the fact that I had woken up.

Jason didn’t stir, and I was afraid to say his name any louder. I pushed against the couch, bracing my feet on the floor to lift myself until I was sitting on the couch. I put my back to him, and used my hands behind me to shake him awake.

“I’m surprised he’s still out and you’re awake. He must have eaten more than you.”

My head shot up at the sound of the voice coming from across the room. It was a voice I hadn’t heard for a long time, but I recognized it instantly. Shock wasn’t a strong enough of a word to describe my reaction.

Shelby walked over to the lamp beside the couch, switching it on. She turned to me with a menacing smile that made my stomach turn. What the hell was happening? Could I be dreaming?

Her smiled widened at my confused expression. “I bet you didn’t guess it was me. You probably thought I was weak to do anything.”

“Shelby,” I croaked, feeling like I was in a stupor. “What are you doing?”

Shelby laughed, the sound ugly and harsh. “What do you think? I hate to be clichéd, but I’m getting revenge.”

I heard Jason moan, and he shifted on the couch. My heart hammered in my chest. I desperately wanted Jason to wake up, for him to help me figure out what the hell was going on.

“Looks like Prince Charming is waking up,” Shelby snarled. “Can’t wait for him to join the party.”

Jason’s eyes opened, squinting against the light of the lamp next to him. He tried to sit up, and then made a sound of confusion when he couldn’t.

“Jason,” I said urgently, trying to get him to understand the situation as quickly as possible. “We’re both tied up. I think we’ve been drugged.”

Jason managed to sit up despite his bound hands and feet. His eyes scanned the room, quickly accessing what was happening. When he laid his eyes on Shelby, his eyes narrowed.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he said, his voice sharp. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but untie us.”

Shelby smiled, but I could see the rage in her eyes. “Whatever game we’re playing, we’re playing it to the end,” she spat out. “And I guarantee both of you are going to lose.”

“Shelby,” I said, trying to make my voice calm and gentle. Getting her upset wasn’t going to help our situation. “I don’t know what’s going on, but please, let’s just talk about it.”

Shelby shook her head, her expression icy. “It’s too late to talk about it. Years too late. You always treated me like I was second-best. Chloe always came first, even though she was in Florida. I was with you almost every day, we ate lunch together, studied together. Slept over each other’s houses. But the second Chloe showed up, it was like I didn’t exist.”

I was confused. What the hell was Shelby talking about? Shelby and I had gotten close during college, and I had considered her one of my best friends. It was no secret that Chloe was also my best friend, and had been since middle school. I couldn’t recall ever treating Shelby badly or ditching her for Chloe. It was impossible that all this was over jealousy of a friendship.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “I never treated you like you didn’t exist. And what does this have to do with us being tied up now?”

Shelby sneered. “Every time Chloe came into town, you would spend all your time with her, and I was forgotten about.”

I didn’t know how to argue with Shelby. She made no sense. Of course, when Chloe would come up to visit from Florida, I would spend time with her. But I often invited Shelby as well, and she usually joined us. I had always thought the three of us got along well.

“Are you the one that’s been writing the letters?” I asked, deciding it was a waste of time arguing about who was better friends with who. It was too juvenile, and I couldn’t believe that was what led to us being drugged and tied up.

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