Without care (9 page)

“NO!” I yelled
in disgust, before his throaty laugh rang through my ear. “I just
wanted to make sure you were okay. You seemed a little out of sorts
with me.”

“I know” he
sighed. “I don't know why I acted like that. I'm sorry, Jen. So, is
that the only reason you called me.”

“I have also
been thinking about breaking up with Chase.” The second it left my
lips, I hit my forehead with my hand and cringed. Why did I tell
him that?

“And why would
that be?” He sounded amused.

I bite down
hard on my lip as I tried to think up a believable answer. I
couldn’t just blurt out what I had discovered. I couldn't tell him
that, unless I wanted him to leave my life for good. When I touched
his hand, he looked like I had burnt him and avoided me for the
rest of the evening. I couldn't let him block me out again.

“I'm just not
ready for a serious relationship” I lied.

“I see, you
want to sow your wild oats.”

I laughed,
“Isn't that expression for men?”

“I guess. When
you going to tell him?”

“After the
dance.”

“I see,” he
paused for a minute and I listened to his even breathing. It was
soothing and slightly comforting. I wished he was with me, I wished
I could see his expression and look into those dark eyes. My
stomach flipped.

“Jen,” he
breathed my name. “You okay? You've gone quiet and your breathing
heavily again.”

“I'm fine” I
quickly replied. “I should go and let you get on. I'll speak to you
tomorrow.”

“Yeah, okay.
Night.”

“Night” I
sighed while ending the call. I stared at my phone and slowly
closed my eyes. Hearing his voice had now made me more restless.
There was no way I was going to be able to sleep tonight. It felt
like forever till I would see him again. That night I did sleep and
all my dreams were about Ayden, not surprised!

CHAPTER
SEVEN

I look at my
reflection in the mirror. The excitement I felt when I brought this
dress has now gone far away. Even the idea of my first dance didn't
bring me much joy. I would have to spend the whole evening watching
Ayden dance with Becks. While a man, who I felt nothing for, held
me. I blinked back my tears. My mother had spent time and effort
getting my make-up perfect.

Everything was
perfect; my purple off the shoulder prom dress looked amazing. My
blonde hair in soft waves, cascading down to my shoulders. The
diamond pendant my mother insisted I wore, a present and the only
thing here from my father.

My stomach
swirled with nausea as the doorbell rang, Chase was here. It was
time, tonight after the dance I was breaking up with him. I had
rehearsed the speech in my head for days.

I grabbed my
purple clutch bag and headed downstairs. Chase was standing in the
hallway chatting to Ted. The guilt him me hard, he looked amazing
in his black suit, white shirt and a tie that matched the colour of
my dress.

His blue eyes
turned in my direction and he gave me his heart stopping smile.
Although, now it didn't affect me. Not one tiny bit. “You look
beautiful, Jen.” I stepped off the last step and walked towards
him.

“You too” I
smiled, trying to keep myself together. “We should be going.”

Chase took hold
of my hand, and I instantly took my hand away. He looked confused,
almost hurt. I couldn't bare him looking like that, so I reached
out for his hand. I muttered sorry and he seemed to accept it.

The school hall
was decorated in the school colours, with balloons, banners and
everyone had made a big effort in dressing up. A DJ was playing all
the latest chart music, while students got their groove on. I
couldn't enjoy myself. I found my eyes looking around searching for
Ayden.

I could tell
Chase was beginning to get annoyed with me. Every now and again he
would tut or let out a loud sigh. I actually didn't care when I
finally saw Ayden.

He looked
different dressed in a suit, he looked older and his dark hair was
gelled back enhancing his angular face. My head went light and I
couldn't bring my eyes away from him. Chase looked at me and then
followed my gaze.

“I see” he spat
and walked away from me. Even that didn't stop me from looking at
Ayden. I know I should have followed Chase, but I didn't care where
he went. In fact, I was almost relieved to be away from him.

My feet began
moving before I realize and it wasn't long before I had made my way
over to Ayden. The second he saw me, he gave a smile which I
returned.

“Hey, Jen” he
said, his attention turning away from Becks, who looked like she
wanted to kill me. “Wow, you look” he shook his head. “Wow!”

“And you clean
up well” I joked, brushing a finger along the sleeve of his
jacket.

“Oh please,” I
hear Becks groan, both our heads turn in her direction. Her face is
all screwed up and her eyes are sending daggers my way. I have to
admit she looks rather stunning in her black, classy gown. She
suddenly begins to smile, not a nice smile, but that bitchy smug
smile. “I see your date is dancing with Chrissy” she laughs and
points a black painted nail in Chase's direction.

“I don't think
it actually bothers her” Ayden laughs, giving a little nudge.

“Come” Becks
orders, grabbing Ayden by the arm. “I didn't ask you here in order
to stand around talking with the enemy.”

I watched as
she leads him away to the dance floor. My eyes look back at
Chrissy, grinding herself against my date. Ayden was right, I don't
care. In fact, I think she is doing me a favour. I wander over to
an empty table and sit down.

I laugh at the
sight of Ayden dancing. He has no sense of rhythm and is keeping
Becks at arms length. I wonder what it would have been like if I
had asked him to the dance. I take in a deep breath as let I my
mind drift off; the feeling of his body pressed up to mine. His
strong arms gripping hold of me and his nose nuzzled in my hair. I
get goose bumps just imagining.

“Jen” I wake up
from my day dreaming to see Ali and Travis now sat the table. Their
hands locked together. “Why are you not dancing?”

“I'm not in the
mood” I lie, what I want to do is steal Becks date. However, I am
not going to admit that information. “Are you having a good
time?”

“Yes,” Ali's
eyes go dreamy and she looks over at Travis. Who also looks just as
loved up as Ali? I am happy for her. Ali is such a nice person and
she deserves someone who treats her right. “If you need anyone to
dance with Travis is your man.”

“I'm okay,
really. You keep hold of him.”

“I intend too”
with that the pair up and leave.

For the next
half an hour I watch everyone else enjoying themselves. I'm got
even that bummed that I have spent my first dance alone. I have
enjoyed watching, although some of the dancing should have been
classed as x-rated. The music comes to a halt and everyone is told
to make their way to in front of the stage.

As I walk over
I pass Chase, he doesn't speak and turns his back on me. Another
friend lost that’s two so far. I go and stand next to Ayden who is
pleased to see me. Our headmaster gets up on stage and starts
addressing everyone.

“Now it's the
time to crown our king and queen of the Summerton High Senior's
backwards dance.” Everyone cheers, whistles and claps. “Our Queen
is...”

The lights cut
out and everyone goes silent for a while. Then whispering begins as
people start to feel uneasy in the dark. Without warning the lights
go back on and suddenly a few people start screaming and pointing.
I look in the direction, on the far side of the room are two men
holding guns. My heart starts to race and the fear floods through
me.

“Listen!” Yells
one of the gunmen. “No one is going to get hurt. We are looking for
someone...”

A hand grips
hold of my wrist, I jump in shock to find Ayden standing right
beside. “Follow me” he whispers. “Don't ask any questions and do as
I say.” I nod, as we slowly back away from the crowd and to the
nearest fire exit. The second we get outside, Ayden yells run and
we do till we reach the truck.

Once in the
cabin, panic hits me. We have left everyone inside with those men,
who have guns. I reach for the door handle. I need to go back, I
need to make sure everyone is okay and to find out whom they were
looking for.

“No!” Ayden
yells, pulling me back.

“I need to go
back, Ayden. My friends are in there.”

“They will
okay, those men won't hurt them” his voice has a cold edge to it.
“They won't find what they’re looking for and will leave.”

He drives out
of the parking lot, not once looking in my direction. He takes one
hand off the stirring wheel and reaches for his phone on the
dashboard. With one hand, he dials a number and brings it up to his
ear.

“Yes… She’s
safe with me. I'll call you.” He hangs up and throws the phone
down.

What was all
that about? Seeing those men with guns didn't even bother him. He
still looks calm and in control. My heart is still racing and the
fear won't leave me. My hands shake and I can't do anything but
burst into tears. Ali and Travis, are they okay?

“Jen,” Ayden'
hand rests on my leg. “It's okay.”

“No, it’s not
okay” I yell through my tears. “Those men have guns!”

“I know. But
you're safe and that is all that matters.”

“What about Ali
and Travis?”

“Nothing will
happen to them.”

“How do you
know that?” Then it clicks. “Do you know who those men were looking
for?” He quickly glances at me and nods his head. “Who?”

“You! They were
looking for you.”

I swear my
heart just stop beating, I fall back into the seat as my mouth
drops open. Me? Men with guns were looking for me? Why? I am now
shaky uncontrollably, my mouth is dry and my head feels as if it is
going to explode.

The truck stops
and I don't even attempt to move. I can't, my whole body is in
shock. Ayden opens the passenger door and picks me up. I don't even
notice where we are, nothing will register apart from people with
guns want me. My head rests on his shoulder and I begin to shiver.
The crying is everlasting and I am scared beyond recognition.

I feel Ayden
lower me down on to something and a blanket is wrapped round me. I
look up at his face. There isn't any sign of emotion. Why would he
know who they were looking for? I want to ask, but I can't find the
words.

He sits down
next to me and wraps an arm round my shoulders, pulling me closer
towards him. I close my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder. “I
know you must be in shock, Jennifer. You are safe with me.”
Everything goes black, as my body finally gives up and shuts
down.

***

My eyelids feel
heavy and it takes a while before they will open. When I do the
light hurts my eyes and I have no idea where I am. I try to take in
my surroundings. Then it sinks in, I'm at Ayden's because two men
with guns were looking for me. I scream and sit up bolt right, I
can't breath and my head is starting to spin.

“Jen!” Ayden
rushes to my side and sits down next to me. “Its okay” he softly
says, his fingers grazing my arm in some aid to calm me down. Its
okay! Why does he keep saying that? Last night I never asked him
anything.

I turn to look
at him. “Why were they looking for me?” He sits back a little and
rubs his brow. “Why would men with
guns
be looking for
me
?”

He lets out a
deep sigh. “Because of your father” he takes hold of my hand and
looks directly into my eyes. “There is so much you don't know about
him or me.” He pauses, tilts his head and closes his eyes. “I'm not
a student, Jen. I am an undercover SWAT officer. I'm on an
undercover assignment to keep you protected.”

I open my mouth
and then quickly close it again. Swat officer to protect me? It
feels as if I have walked into some weird twilight zone. I squeeze
my eyes shut. This has to be a dream. Any minute now I will wake up
in my room listening to my mother singing along to the radio. My
mom? Lacey? I quickly open my eyes and Ayden is still there.

“I know none of
this makes sense to you.”

“Really,” I
shrug, pulling my hand out of his grip. “Why would my father send
men with guns to find me? And what about Lacey?”

The idea of her
getting hurt sends me cold. I brush away the tears with the back of
my hand, my eyes are sore and I winch in pain. Why would my father
want to hurt me, it makes no sense. He was always a loving and kind
man. My heart splits in half as I think about all those special
moments I spent with him; he taught me to ride my bike, the way he
kissed my knee when I fell off, the stories he would make up about
me being a princess.

He loved me and
I have no doubt about that. I remember the tears in his eyes when
he came home from the hospital to announce Lacey had been born. He
gave me everything I ever wanted. There was no way he would want to
hurt me. Unless...