If I’d Known (Cursed 1)

"Nothing with you," I respond. Then I turn and walk away.

But he's persistently annoying. I don't look at him as I strut purposely down the hall, hoping he'll take the not-so-subtle hint.

"There's a party--"

"Not going," I finish before he can tell me where.

"C'mon, Lana. Don't be like that," he pleads, catching up to me.

I continue walking. I think he disappears into the cafeteria as I pass it. But I'd have to be paying attention to him to know. I enter the darkened chemistry lab and pull a key out of my purse. With a quick glance around the empty room, I unlock the closet door and slip inside.

The small space is filled with rows of bottles neatly alphabetized on shelves. This is the period Mr. Tilman "eats lunch" with Miss Hall in the librarian's office, so I know I won't get caught. They're not eating lunch, trust me. I'd pour one of these chemicals into my eyes before sneaking in on that again. But it was worth the lifetime of psychological trauma so I could copy his key to the supply closet.

I didn't steal Mr. Tilman's key for the chemicals, although I could probably make some serious money selling certain ingredients to the right people. I swiped it so I'd have a place to get away from the bullshit that is high school. It's like my own private office ... that smells like sulfur. There are trade-offs for everything in life.

Sitting at the small desk in the corner, I dig for my phone in my bag. I dial my mother twice before she picks up.

"How are you feeling?" I ask her.

"I'm, uh ... okay."

"You're not," I counter. Her hesitation makes the lie obvious. "Any more nosebleeds?"

"No."

"Did you eat anything?"

"Not yet. I've been sleeping," she replies, a sob escaping. "Lana, I'll be fine. I'm just ... upset. It's nothing you have to worry about."

"Go back to sleep. I'll see you when I get home."

I rest my head in my hand, rubbing my forehead. I am worried. I could sit here and curse Nick for convincing my mother he was in love with her. And I do. But there's something going on other than hurt feelings.

I close my eyes against the roiling heat in my gut. I look down at the ring and pull it off, rolling it between my fingers. There's a date etched on the inside--October 7, 2000. He's been married for more than sixteen years. My stomach turns at the betrayal.

I slide the ring onto my thumb where it fits perfectly. Good luck explaining this to your wife, asshole.

I find Tori outside the cafeteria, sitting on the stone wall with some girl. I sit next to Tori, opening the yogurt I picked up on my way.

"Hey, Lana," the girl says. "I was just talking about you. I can't believe you turned Coby down. I don't think he's ever heard the word no."

"Or maybe he chooses not to," Tori adds sharply.

"Who's Coby?" I ask, completely lost. I insert a spoonful of yogurt into my mouth.

The girls look at each other and then at me.

"Coby Walker. The captain of ... everything," the girl explains in disbelief. "He asked you to a party tonight, and you totally shut him down."

I shake my head, not following, and continue to eat my yogurt.

Tori laughs. "You're unbelievable," she says with a shake of her head.

"Whatever," I reply dismissively. "Is Nina meeting up with us tonight?"

"She has to work the early shift, so she'll be out by eleven thirty," Tori replies.

"What are we doing? The Basement?"