Page 21 of Make Me Yours

“So,Prophet,” I mutter, trying to keep this interaction going, though I fear he’s analyzing me too deeply. Something about him feels familiar, comforting almost. Even with that symbol stitched onto his jacket, and the obvious fear in Fang's eyes as he spoke to him, this charming stranger doesn’t intimidate me.

“You know they say curiosity killed the cat, Little Dove, yet here you are in no hurry to walk away from me.”

“Call me foolish, but you don’t scare me,Prophet. Not like the rest of the guys around here wearing that same patch.” He looks down at his chest, a wide smile appearing over his face.

“You don’t know what this is, do you?” he asks, and although I’m pretty sure it’s nothing good, he’s right. I don’t know what it means.

I shake my head, feeling foolish at my stupidity. Here I am, acting like a total rebel, partying it up in a sketchy club in Pleasant Hills, only I have no idea what this place really is.

“It’s better that way. You seem like a capable girl, but you don’t want to get involved with The Cobras. We’re not good people, love.”

“You seem alright to me,” I say, unsure of why I’ve said it. He smiles down at his drink and I realize he thinks I’m flirting with him. I mean, maybe I am.

After all, there is nothing or no one holding me back.

“Careful there, Little Dove, someone might get the wrong idea with you smiling at me like that.”

“It’s Stella,” I say, introducing myself. “Not that I mind the nickname, but my name is Stella.”

He reaches from my hand, “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you Stella,” he says, bringing it to his lips. “A genuine pleasure.” However, he doesn’t share the same pleasantries I have. I know for a factProphetisn’t his real name.

But he doesn’t indulge me. No name, no introduction, though I don’t press him on it. I kind of like the anonymity. Maybe this is exactly what I need. A new friendship with a complete stranger. A stranger who knows nothing of the girl I used to be, and only of the person I want to become.

Stella Silver is a poor unfortunate soul, too weak, too pathetic to stand up for herself. Not against her uncle, not against the mean girls at her school, and definitely not against the boy who has continuously trampled over her heart.

Tonight I turn over a new leaf, andProphetwill help me do just that

???

We talk for what feels like hours, having moved to sit in a semi-quiet lounge area toward the corner of the club, away from the loud noise of the dance floor.

So far, we’ve learned nothing of each other except the inconsequential details of a shitty childhood. I made it a point to skip out on the details of myupbringing, deciding it’s better suited if Prophet doesn’t know where I’ve come from. Not that it isn’t obvious.

Even in this outfit I’ve borrowed from Ruby, my hair a completely sweaty mess, and my eyes red and glossy from my intoxicated state, it’s clear I’m not from around here.

“God, what time is it? I feel like we’ve been here for days.”

“It’s just after one am,” he answers, looking down at his watch.

“Oh, shit!” I shriek, standing up abruptly and panicking as I search the room for Ruby and Bex.

“What, you're gonna turn into a pumpkin, Cinderella?” he mocks, standing up to join me, one arm slinking around my waist to keep me steady.

The room is spinning and my vision turning fuzzy as I look for my friends, who seem to have disappeared into thin air.

“Cinderella isn’t the one who turns into the pumpkin,” I answer, though the smirk on his face tells me he was just mocking me. “But yes, it’s a fucking school night and I’m going to be a walking zombie tomorrow. Ugh, I told Ruby this was a bad idea.”

“School night aye, you go to PH?” I stare confused, then realize he’s referring to Pleasant Hills High.

I shake my head but don’t offer a response. The last thing I need is for my newfriendto look at me differently the moment he finds out I go to Servite.

“I’m sorry, I need to go. I have to find my friends.”

“You can’t leave like that, darling. You’re in no state to be leaving this place alone.”

“We have a ride back. My friend's brother is going to pick us up. We’re good,” I mumble, tripping on my feet as I walk.

“Not what I meant. I’ll help you find your friends and then I’ll walk you guys out and wait till this brother of hers picks you girls up. It isn’t safe out there, not in this town, and I get a feeling you’re not from around here, Stella.”

---