Page 198 of Ominous: Part 1

I peel the skin from my orange, the scent of citrus bright in the kitchen, unlike the sun hidden by clouds beyond all the glass in this house. “He just found out last Friday his sister is dead.” I don’t look up at Dad as I speak. “Besides, if he wants to come over, he’ll show up.”

I see Dad’s fingers tapping against the island, across from me.

I wonder what he’d think if he knew I almost fucked Eden right there, where his hand is.

My gaze catches on the pale strip of skin on his ring finger.

I go back to peeling my orange, juice dripping down my hands onto the plate beneath them.

“Why do you say that?” Dad asks, keeping his tone even. “Are you having a party? Tomorrow is another teacher workday, isn’t it?”

I think about the rumors rushing through the halls of Trafalgar. Eden asking me if I’m okay. If Winslet’s death bothers me. I’ve felt her lingering looks when I told her I’m fine, no, it doesn’t bother me. It’s been a year. I think we all expected it. Even if we didn’t… it still wouldn’t bother me.

I haven’t seen her outside of school since last Friday night, when the news broke about Winslet’s remains. It’s Wednesday now, and she’s had work, while I’ve had wrestling. We’ve spoken on the phone a few nights. She seems to stay up later than I do. I wake up to a thousand texts from her. I fucking love it.

Every time I close my fucking eyes, she’s got her thighs spread in my seat, her skirt hiked up around her waist. Her cunt over my gearshift.

Juice shoots out from one of my orange slices, spraying droplets across the white marble, stopping at the tip of Dad’s trimmed nails.

My heart drums strong and fast in my chest and I try to swallow back the fantasy of Edenfuckingmy shifter.

I pop the orange into my mouth as I meet Dad’s gaze. He’s waiting patiently for me to answer his question. The marks on his throat have faded away, like the ones on my chest.

I smile at him, and watch his fingers tighten almost imperceptibly around his cup. “Yes and yes.” I grab another slice of fruit. “If that’s okay.” It’s not really a party, exactly. But Janelle wanted to come over, and I want Eden over, and I’m sure Luna will show up, and I kind of hope Eden punches her in the face. A few guys from the team might stop by, according to the group chat Janelle roped me into that I didn’t say a word in. I hate group chats.

It seems everyone at Trafalgar is a little spooked about Winslet. Luna hates being alone, and they all feel the need to huddle together, I guess, so they don’t die next.

I’m not spooked, but I can admit I don’t particularly want to be alone. Last night I dreamed about Winslet. In my dream, I shoved on my white Chucks—identical to the ones I’m wearing now, but I have three pairs—and followed her out the back door. She was running, and laughing, and telling me to keep a secret.

My phone lights up beside my plate, and I glance at the screen. The message preview is hidden, but it’s a step up from the fact I usually keep all of my notifications from popping up at all.

I grab the phone after I lick the orange juice from my fingers.

Eden: I just thought you should know…

I smile, holding my breath.

Dad is saying something about keeping things in check tonight, no cops, but I’m barely listening, thinking Eden is going to tease me or something.

My heart almost leaps to my throat when I see a photo has come through.

I tighten my fingers around my phone, tilting the screen down so there’s no chance Dad can see whatever it is.

But it’s not at all what I was expecting.

A white towel, carelessly dropped onto a carpeted floor.

Dark crimson drops against the white, contrasting boldly. It takes about a second for me to register what it is, even though I’ve seen a lot of it in my life.

Blood.

My stomach tightens, and I feel at once turned onandconcerned. It’s nota lotof blood, but I think of Eden’s brother, and her stupid fucking stepdad and—

Her: I started my period this morning.

I blink at her message.

Then I almost laugh out loud.