Page 32 of A Dash of You

I rip my gaze away, stretching both arms out like a bird. I feel like I’m flying as the cart goes in circles, with the wind rushing through me. In this very moment, Iama bird.

Free. Happy. And alive.

Eleven

After the festival, I went to the town library. Books fascinate me—mostly romance. Jason thought it was silly and juvenile. He gave me literature. Poetry. And while those are beautiful writings, my desire always lingered with romance. The love the characters have for each other. The emotion is so intense and passionate. My heart aches with envy while reading about what makes them tic with lust because what a love to experience—one I never had. Flipping through, not being able to stop because this stuff is toogoodand addicting, I wish I could submerge myself in the pages.

It’s after nine, just getting dark, and Lana said she’d be home later. Disappointment slams into me when the driveway is empty. I keep telling myself I don’t have a crush on my new neighbor, but the more I try to convince myself, the less I believe it.

There’s a chill in the air, the cold running down my spine. I spin around on the steps to Lana’s and peer out into the darkness. Is it Fred? This time, I’m hoping it’s that furry little guy.

My heart thumps as I imagine Jason stepping out of the shadows, waiting to make his move. But relief washes over me when nothing is there. Only my mind playing tricks on me.

While trying to unlock the door, I hear a sound from behind, making me spin back around. Someone tall is there, threatening me with their menacing stance. As the figure moves closer, my eyes want to do a double take.

Mark?

A small part of me is relieved it’s not Jason, but my body goes rigid from the intense glare he’s strangling me with. His eyes are cold, dark, and empty. This isn’t the fake friendly, playful Mark I met—this Mark is different.

“Hello,Sora,”he slurs my name with disgust rolling off his tongue.

He’s drunk. It’s then I notice the liquor bottle gripped at his side.

“What are you doing here?”

Even if Lana is home and he came to see her, I wouldn’t let that happen. He is obviously out of his damn mind.

He snarls, approaching closer, just below the first step. “It’syourfault.” He accusingly points at me, then takes a swig of alcohol, the liquid swishing inside the glass.

“What’s my fault?” My voice trembles.

What is he getting at? As we exchange words, I try to get the key inside the lock behind my back, but it feels like an impossible task right now.

“It’s your fault Lana dumped me. We were fine until her slutty little friend showed up,” he spits my way.

My head jerks back. That’s the impression I give off. Is it inked on me like a bad tattoo? I shake off my moment of self-pity. “You can’t blame me for your actions.”

“I was being nice!” He lashes out, grabbing the side of his hair with his free hand. “How was I supposed to know you’d go running and crying to Lana!” The glass bottle he holds goes flying to the ground, shattering.

Okay. Time to switch tactics because this isn’t working. My eyes dart around for any signs of other life, but it’s just me and him. I’m not surprised, considering we don’t have neighbors for at least a mile.

I lower my voice to an understanding tone. “Look. I know you must be hurting. I get it. Break ups suck, but this isn’t how you’re going to get her back, Mark.”

He snorts. “Get her back? Please. That prude bitch has her head so far up her ass.”

I grind my teeth to hold back from lashing out at him. Talking about Lana that way makes my blood boil but adding fuel to the fire wouldn’t be smart. “Let’s call it a night. Go home and sleep it off and then we can talk about things tomorrow,” I lie.

“I don’tneedto sleep it off.” He steps forward; teeth bared. “What I need is to blow off some steam and you know what? You’re perfect for it.”

My stomach sinks to the floor as I try desperately to get this fucking door unlocked, but defeat rolls through me as the keys drop.

Shit.

I’m trapped with nowhere to go except the path he’s blocking. “Don’t come near me,” I demand under a shaky breath.

He reaches out, wrapping an icy hand around my wrist.

“Let me go!” I jerk my arm away and throw a foot at his shin.

---