Devious (3 page)

“Shut up, you old hag,” I muttered and continued to kick rocks as she checked her mail.

Tyler pulled up to my curb and he waved for me to get in his car. “Why didn't you call me?”

“Maybe I’m not sober,” I said as I walked to his truck.

“Leanna, you have to think about your future. You won't be pretty all your life. Maybe if you're lucky your looks will last until your forty, but until then you need to take things seriously.”

“Are you going to feed me bullshit all the way to school?” I snapped as I sat in the passenger seat with my arms folded.

“Nope, but I worry about you all the time.”

I rolled my eyes and pointed at the gas station, as I noticed his tank was low. Pissed off at the gas prices, he pulled into the only gas station in our town. For once, the station was not packed with cars waiting and he got a spot instantly.

I got out the car, so I could get some chips since I did not eat breakfast. I did not cook—so I did not eat that morning. I was expecting Derek there early to cook me some food, but he was probably hungover too. As I walked inside, I turned to see who called my name.

“Leanna,” said the familiar voice again. “Yo, hippie girl.”

I went down the snack aisle and it was Christian waving at me. “Um, hi.”

“Do you remember me?” he asked.

“Of course I do,” I teased. “You're Alejandro, right?”

“You're funny.”

“How do you know I’m joking?”

“Because when you are joking, you smirk. I told you this before.”

I paused as Tyler came inside the gas station. “Yo, Leanna get me some chips too.”

I nodded and grabbed the closest bags of chips while still holding eye contact with Christian. “What are you doing today?” I said as I stared into his green eyes.

“Um...I'm going to see where I can fix my window. I might have to go into the city to get it fixed,” he said as he picked up some gum. “What about you?” he asked with his eyes on Tyler.

“Um...I have school.”

“So, is that the love of your life you where telling me about? He looks like Ken.”

“Who is Ken?”

“Barbie's boyfriend.”

I laughed and walked away. “You're going to make me late,” I said. “I'll see you around.”

“Bye, Leanna.”

I walked back to Tyler's car, and sat in the passenger seat with Christian on my mind. As I opened my chips to eat, Tyler hopped into the driver's seat, instantly driving off.

“So, you know that man?” he said, with his eyes narrowed.

I stayed silent, stuffing my mouth with chips. I did not want to reply to such an obvious question because it would just cause problems. Tyler knew I wanted nothing more but him. He liked to use that against me. Because of him, I did not even have best friends. He was all I wanted—and that was scary.

“Leanna! I’m talking to you!” he shouted as he snatched the bag of chips out of my hand and threw them out the window.

I leaned my head out the window as I watched the chips fly through the empty fields. “Why'd you do that?”

“I thought you wanted me?”

“I do.”

“Then prove it. I always see you talking to other men but not me.”

“We have nothing to talk about.”

And that was quite the truth. Besides being attracted to Tyler, I had nothing in common with him. I sometimes wondered why I liked such a preppy twenty-one year old who looked as if he belonged in New York. I just loved the way his handsome eyes stared at me and his half-smile made me bubbly inside.

I banged on the car door for him to let me out.

With an attitude, Tyler slammed his breaks and unlocked his truck. “If you're going to act like a brat don't call me no more!”

“Fuck you.” I jumped out the car and slammed the door shut. Before I looked at him, he drove off, leaving me in the middle of just dirt and tumbleweeds.

I began walking back toward the gas station, because it was closer rather than the school. Ten minutes went by of me walking through the desert and I felt relieved to see Christian leaning over his car, sweating and drinking a beer.

I flipped my hair and skipped over to him. “Boo!” I screamed, attempting to scare him.

He jumped, nearly hitting his head on the car hood. “Leanna?”

“Yes, it's me,” I beamed.

“What happened? Didn't you leave?” He searched the gas station for Tyler.

“Um...nope,” I said. “What are you doing?”

He stuck his head back under the car hood. “This car is shit. Now, it won't even start,” he laughed as he sipped a beer. “I'm so over it.”

“There is a food place a block away,” I said. “Do you want to walk with me?”

“Don't you have school?”

“I'm an A student. Missing one day won't hurt.”

“You're an A student?” he said shocked.

“Why does that shock you?” I snapped. “Do I not look smart?”

“Honestly, yeah. You look pretty dumb.”

Not only did my intelligence shock Christian, but my mom and teachers were stunned. I barely attended school but when I took all my test I would get such high scores. Maybe that was a reason people did not like me much. I spent most of my time doing my makeup and buying new clothes. Probably once a month I actually studied and somehow everything I studied stuck in my head like glue.

“Yeah, I’m starving,” he said. “I'll go with you.”

“My treat,” I smiled.

Christian walked with me, continuously looking over his shoulders. It was just typical me, going away with another boy. He was just another man on my list. It was sad for a girl like me, so young to have lists.

That said something about certain people.

Chapter 3

Kinda Outta Luck

Bright red lights awoke me as they flashed through my windows. I put on my robe that was at the edge of my bed, and ran to my window. I opened my red satin curtains and witnessed the commotion of nearly the entire block screaming in agony.

I hurried to my front door to join the crowd as more ambulances arrived. Christian waved at me while smoking a cigarette and I ran over to him.

“What is going on?” I asked.

“Another murder.”

“Oh my gosh!” I screamed, afraid that someone was murdered so close to my home and even closer to my window. “Mrs. Carol was murdered?”

“Yup, the poor old woman,” he said. “I hate to say it, but she didn't have many years left. And she wasn't the nicest lady on the block either. She always used to call my dad about me walking through her grass. It was like 'what the hell?' We have no sidewalks!”

“Yeah, I hated her too. She used to call my mother saying I was sneaking boys into my window,” I added. “It's just scary because it seems so random.”

The police came and pushed everyone back from the crime scene. They tried as hard as they could to get everyone back into their homes. As everyone began to huddle up and swap story ideas on what could have happened to poor old Mrs. Carol, I listened in.

The biggest rumor was that it had to be someone from the bar, that was just a few homes down. But all the men from the bar insisted the same crew was there and no one was a suspicion. Also, the murder happened in the daytime and her grandson found her the next morning.

My biggest concern was making sure all my doors and windows were locked. Maybe now everyone would learn the benefit of using the lock on the door. We did not live in Beverly Hills and even people were murdered there.

“They both died the same way,” Christian said as he walked me home, which was just across the street.

“Who?”

“Mrs. Carol and that old pervert dude. Well, police think they did, considering the gun shot to the head and how their bodies were left at the scene with very minimum blood. Also, they have the same bruises on their arms and lips!”

“Maybe it was some weird game?”

“That old pervert dude deserved it though.”

“You knew him too?” I said as I unlocked my front door. “I hated that man.”

“Yeah. This lady used to work at the Clarke Car Shop and he would always bring his car in to take her photo. He was disgusting.”

I held the door open for Christian to come inside. “Don't worry, I don't bite,” I smirked and my eye twitched from excitement.

Christian walked inside with hesitation. “Um...”

“What?” I snapped.

“Nothing...”

I sighed and went to my kitchen to mix some tea. “I cannot believe I was sleeping through all the commotion,” I yawned. “I have no idea why I’ve been so sleepy.”

Christian walked around the living room and picked up photos that sat around the room. He occasionally laughed at some photos. “You're a redhead?”

“And?” I snapped. “Put those embarrassing photos away.”

Christian handed me a photo of me and Lola. “Who is this?”

“My baby sister. My mother did not know she could still have babies after she hooked up with some hockey player three years ago. She was so embarrassed that she wanted me to claim Lola was mine.”

“So, did you?”

“No way. That was just bad on both ends.” I sat next to Christian and drank some green tea. “I'm really freaked out about these murders. I’m not sure if I should tell my mother. She'll probably hear about it in the morning.”

“So, where is she?”

“She's in NYC about to be on some TV show.”

“Well, New York would not talk about this small town unless various people were killed.”

“Well, let's not doubt it.” I opened my laptop and searched for Mama's email. When I found it, I read it again. “Read this email.”

Leanna, Lola misses you. I somewhat miss you too LOL. Isn't that weird when mother's use LOL. Anyway, we made it to New York and I met the art director. You know Benny, your uncle? Well, he lives here and his husband...or boyfriend...or something...he's gay...they will help me watch Lola. The show will premiere in three weeks. Recording starts in three days. I’m so nervous and excited. So, now I have major diarrhea.

I hope Derek is being good to you. And I hope all the doors stay locked. No boys over! I swear if I turn on the news and see your beautiful face, I will kill you. Wait, you'll be on the news because you're already dead. Oh, I’m blabbering. I love you, doll. And I miss you. Love mommy.

Christian began to laugh. “Wow, she's insane.”

“Yup, that's my crazy Mama.”

I walked to my window and all the ambulances were gone. I thought of why so many came in the first place. Well, obviously to pick up her body. That was a weird thought. My eyes went back to Christian, who was drinking his tea with little sips.

“Maybe I should go home. I know you have school later in the morning,” he sighed. “It's still really early.”

“Sadly, I know,” I looked at the clock and it was four in the morning.

With an odd smile, Christian walked toward the door. He handed me back my glass and attempted to unlock the three locks I had. “No one will ever kill you.”

I chuckled and waved goodbye. I hated saying goodbye.

Because I was lonely again.

***

I was waiting on the porch for Derek once again. The sky was covered with a gray cloud, making our town seem even more morbid. Every time I heard a loud truck drive by I thought it was Derek. Then, I remembered every man in this town had a truck and they were just headed to the bar.

I never realized how close Christian lived to my house, as I could see him sitting on his porch. It was strange how I had never seen him before until that one night. I knew his father very well, Johnny Clarke, the owner of Clarke's Car Shop. That was probably the only car shop in town. However, Johnny never mentioned his son before.

I would remember a handsome model looking dude like Christian. Especially, a man covered in tattoos that never kept his shirt on.

I put my purse on my shoulder and walked toward Christian. He did not realize I was coming in his direction until a dog began to bark from next door. He jumped from his porch and greeted me.

“What is wrong?” he said.

“I need a ride to school.”

He nodded for me to get into his dad's truck. “I'll use my dad's truck since mine is still not working. I love my car and I won't sell it.”

I beamed and got into the truck. This time I was able to get inside with my flat shoes on. “I can't wait until I get my car.”

“How old are you?”

“I'm seventeen with a license. It should be a crime for me not to have a car.”

He laughed. “Yeah, you'll hate it once you get it; too much responsibility,” he paused, “so, why isn't Ken driving you to school?”

I rolled my eyes. “I haven't talked to that asshole since he left me in the middle of the road.”

“What? When did this happen?”

“Yesterday.”