Page 12 of Shadows Within

Guys like Callum Mercer don’t notice girls like me. I look away so our eyes don’t meet. Sophia and I walk outside. It’s one of those confusing days where it looks like fall but feels like summer.

“Want to go for a drive down by the river?” Sophia asks. She can always tell when I’m fighting with my thoughts.

“You’re not too busy?” Sometimes I feel like a burden to her.

“I’m never too busy for you Scar-Scar.” She throws her arm around my waist and pulls me in as we walk toward our cars.

I rest my head on her shoulder. We stay like this for a minute, her presence is soothing. She pulls the keys out of her purse and unlocks her car.

“We can take mine?” She motions toward her car.

“Sure.” I go around to the passenger side and slide in.

As Sophia puts the windows down, my gaze locks onto her. She has a natural kind of beauty to her that stops you in your tracks. We’ve known each other since we were kids. She has so much love in her soul and golden strawberry hair that matches her fiery personality. I know that she fights her own demons, but she stays positive and has always put our friendship first. I’m so thankful for that.

We’re halfway to Black Lake.

“Thank you,” I whisper. I don’t need to say why, she just knows.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or should I start prying?” Sophia takes her eyes off the road to look at me, only for a moment.

“I just feel like I’m not myself lately. My mom has been calling me to come over, and I have no desire to. I also don’t really know if I want to do my master’s next year or if I should try and get a placement. Most people have this figured out by nowand I feel like a fraud for being in the same boat I was in when I started the program.” Sophia listens. “And then there’s Chase. What the hell was that today?”

I let out a big sigh.

“Okay. First things first. Scarlett Voss, you are one of the smartest people I know. Not just in the classroom... you understand people. You read their emotions like they’re a book you’re trying to learn, you have a gift.” I smile faintly as she continues. “Secondly, your mom is never going to see herself in the wrong. If you don’t want to see her, don’t see her. Jake will support you on that too.” She raised her eyebrows. “And don’t even get me started on Chase. I know you can handle him yourself, but I swear to God if he doesn’t leave you alone, I’ll drop kick him.” I chuckle.

“But I swear he’s already kind of afraid of your kick ass boxing moves.” She adds, removing her right hand from the wheel, making a fist at me.

“Oh god. Stop whatever this is.” I ball my hands up into fists and face her. We both burst out laughing.

“I love you,” I say, as I reach across the gear shift and grab her hand, squeezing it tight.

“And you know I love you.” She squeezes mine back.

“So, what’s new with you?” I ask her, bringing my leg up onto the leather seat.

“God, nothing. I wish something was new. You still good to come to the party with me tomorrow or do you need a night off?”

I completely forgot that I told her I would go. “Yeah, I’ll go.” I try not to hesitate.

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. But I’ll still go!”

“You bet your ass you’re still going.”

“Hey! Didn’t you just say I didn’t have to?”

“There’s a difference between not feeling mentally well enough to go and you not wanting to go Scarlett.” She faces me with her best scowl. She’s right.

We take the long way around Black Lake. As the sun sets, the trees are full of crisp orange and yellow leaves that match the horizon. After we loop around the lake, Sophia drops me back off at school to grab my car.

My drive home is short. A sense of relief washes over me as I pull into the driveway. I walk in the front door and throw my keys on the entryway table.

“Dad?” I yell.

No answer.