16

I knew it, this can't go right, it never goes right. I looked for my books in my locker and took two of Spanish, I have to catch up with this class because here they are more advanced than in my old school. When I closed the locker I ran into the person I least wanted to see at the end of the day.

"What do you want, Kessler?" I rolled my eyes, I don't want to talk to him right now or ever. He is serious, he looks like a scolded child.

“What's happening?” He wanted to know.

"Nothing, what is supposed to happen?"

“You're not going to that party with Jon,” he tells me. I laughed at his comment.

“Sorry?” I continued laughing “who do you think you are to give me those kinds of orders?” Now I got serious.

"We already talked about this, Eva." He came over and took my arm. I wanted to get away because I didn't want him to touch me. “Last night... about us... didn't you think it was important? You said you were mine” his mouth came closer to mine “And you also said that you would do what I wanted when I wanted and where I wanted.”

"That was before I realized you're a jerk." I wriggled out of his grip and slapped him hard. He looked at me smiling, as if it hadn't even hurt. "Acting like you don't know me and like nothing important happened between us." I crossed my arms.

"You have no idea how important that was," he murmured seriously, it even seemed like he really meant it, "If you mean Riley...”

"I don't want to know anything about your girlfriend. I saw you very happy, as if you had not cheated on her with me. What would happen if I found out?”

Shrugged.

“Nothing. Someday I'll explain why I have to be with her, Eva. But never doubt that the one I love is you” he whispered, taking me off guard and giving me a kiss on the lips. Feeling his lips on mine made me want to be with him but I kept that desire and pushed it away.

"Don't ever touch me again," said that, I passed him aside and advanced to the exit. I hope Lucas hasn't left yet so I can go with him, I don't want Kessler to come near me. I will never forget what he made me feel all day: stupid. When I came out I noticed that Lucas was going with Lottie towards the path that leads to his house.

Brilliant.

It seems that I will have to go alone from now on.

“I carry you?” Kessler asked behind me.

"No thanks, I prefer to be alone."

"Eve, please. Don't ruin everything.”

“I don't ruin anything, you and I don't know each other. Go your way, Walton.”

He took my arm and made me stop.

"Eva, you drive me crazy," he said, "but still I can't stop thinking about you. Let's forget about Riley, shall we? I don't want you with” Jon, he's not to be trusted.

I raised my eyebrows.

"That's funny, Jon told me the same thing about you," I answered, "and you know what? I believe Jon, I trust him more than you.”

His gaze darkened, he became angry, he even scared me because I thought he would hurt me.

"Don't say that, Eva." His touch on my arm grew stronger. "You don't know what Jon is, you don't know anything about this town.”

“Why ? With what I have seen I can already decide several things. You, Riley, the wolves, manipulating the whole town as he pleases. I am not stupid.”

"Listen to yourself, you don't know what you're saying.”

"Then explain to me."

“Don't go to that party, today is...”

“What is it? The day of the people's independence, right? Jon told me.”

"Yes, but it's not a good day to go out either." His face became relaxed. “Please listen to me, it's dangerous to walk around at night.”

"I figured why you say that."

“Leave that idea of wolves alone, they are everywhere. They are common here.”

I don't think so about that size. I let him know, remembering the wolf from last night, "they're so big, so strong, so intimidating...they look at you in a way like they know you."

"Are you afraid of them?" He wanted to know very interested.

"Curiosity," I replied, looking at him. “But nothing.”

Kessler didn't say anything, he just looked thoughtful, as if assimilating something. Seeing him this close to me makes me think how attractive he is, makes me want to throw myself into his arms and kiss him, makes me feel... many things. His touch on my arm burned, his skin was always on fire.

"I'll go, Kessler," I snapped.

“I'll take you, I don't want you to walk around alone. Please, even if it's just this once.” He proposed. He said it to me in such a calm and peaceful tone that I couldn't resist saying no.

"Okay." We got into his jeep. Kessler drove off, on the way no one said anything but it was not an uncomfortable silence but a necessary one. We both had things to think about and assimilate. Kessler and all his secrets hidden from him that I'm sure if I find out one day I'll want to run away from here. Of the. We arrived in front of his house and he stopped the car. Deep down I didn't want to leave, I hate this feeling that settled in me since last night: not wanting to be separated from him for even a second. He makes me feel weak. “Thank you.” I opened my door but before leaving he took me by the hand.

I looked at him.

"Trust me please," he smirked.

I nodded and left. As I walked home I felt Kessler's gaze on my back, when I entered I could breathe easy. I heard the noise of an engine moving away, I looked through the window and his car was gone.

•

When it got dark Lucas appeared. I had prepared dinner an hour ago and decided to eat alone because I wouldn't be waiting for them to arrive. I started watching TV, waiting for dad, I had to ask permission to go to the party with Jon. I just hope he says yes because I want to go out, I haven't done it in a long time.

“What are you doing?” Lucas asks me.

"Watching TV," I answered without looking at him.

“Dad will be here a little late today, he has a lot of work to do with that independence thing. The town is celebrating. You'll go out today?”

“Maybe.”

"I'll go out with Lottie in a bit... if you want you can join us."

I looked at him.

“No thanks, I don't want to do a bad third. Besides, I'm going out with someone.”

“With who? As long as it's not with that idiot next door.”

"His name is Jon.”

“Hmm okay, I'll give you permission.”

"I didn't ask you, Lucas," I snapped.

"You're in a horrible mood, I'll go change." Lucas went upstairs. The truth is I'm in a bad mood, since Kessler left in his car he hasn't come, I'm near the window to find out what time he arrives or with whom. The thought that I was with Riley washed over me and makes me feel bad, frustrated, angry with myself.

I do not owe.

I went up to my room to get ready a bit, I need to show Kessler that he is not the owner of my life and even less of my body and that I can do whatever I want. He will regret ignoring me today. I looked for a short white sequined dress, it has an opening on the back and a very pronounced neckline. I put it on, I also put on some thin-heeled sandals of the same color. I loosened my hair, made waves and left it a bit fluffy. I put on makeup, something simple and natural, my advantage is that I don't need makeup. I was proud of my creation. I took a small bag where I put my cell phone and some money.

I heard the noise of a car, I quickly went downstairs and looked out the window. It was Jon. I opened the door and went out. Jon froze when he saw me.

"Eva, you look beautiful," he whispers.

“Thank you.” I laughed nervously.

“Evangeline,” he says my full name.

"How do you know my full name?" I wanted to know. Nobody knew. All my life they have called me Eva.

"Nothing is secret in this town," he answers, taking my arm. "Shall we go?"

"Sure," I agreed, "I think it will be a very nice night," I murmured.

So it will be.

I was surprised to see the moon, it was very red, as if it were blood.