Jaded (Jaded 1)

As we sat, Bryce released my hand and I looked at him. He refused to meet my eyes so I slowly slid my hand down his arm and entwined our fingers.

Bryce held limp, glanced at me, saw the quiet yearning, and tightened his hold over mine.

"Whoa—how many candles do you think are on there?" Corrigan leaned over our chairs.

Bryce shrugged.

"It seems like a thousand," I remarked, not really giving it thought.

Corrigan nudged my shoulder and nodded behind me.

I turned and saw Officer Sheila in the doorway with her partner. She nodded in greeting, but didn't move our way. Instead, Sheila gestured downstairs and I turned to see my mother framed in a white chiffon coat with Luther cloaked in a textured black suit. They looked like they stepped from a magazine cover and I even saw some glitter in my mother's hair. They stood off to the side of the stage and I saw, horrified, that my mother was smiling graciously at Becky with a comforting hand to her shoulder.

"What the hell is my mother doing here?" I gasped through gritted teeth.

Corrigan and Bryce wisely kept quiet.

I stood up and started away, but Bryce hauled me back down with a firm tug.

"Stay," he said simply.

"My mother—"

"Is probably doing what my mother is doing." He nodded in an opposite corner and there stood AnnaBelle Scout with her hair primped and tied with a bow. Savannah glowed in a golden princess dress as she stood in the circle of her mother's arms. Luca was nowhere to be found.

Just then, as the thought occurred, Luca tapped his brother on the shoulder from behind. No one spoke, but everyone stood up and shifted down a seat so Luca could sit where Bryce had vacated.

Luca shook his head, grim, and muttered, "Mom's showing off again. I swear, every soccer mom or soccer-mom-wanna-be had to show up here tonight. It's turned into the 'thing' to be at."

Corrigan chuckled. "Man, my mom's so out of the loop."

I whipped around and said bluntly, "You have a good mom."

Corrigan raised an eyebrow and said, "I know."

Bryce lightly punched his brother's shoulder and Luca grinned, ducked his head, and murmured, "Mom's on the warpath for you so you better take off as soon as this thing is over."

I remembered Bryce's words from before and thought that Luca was a 'chill' fourteen year old.

"That's why my mom's here. She's entering the social circle again." I sighed as my fate resumed its old stance. I'd gotten a vacation with my parents gone, but now with the house hunting and the new boyfriend—mom was home to stay. I wondered if there'd be barbeques with the neighbors.

The vigil started as the lights dimmed and a hush settled over the crowd. I'd been right. The entire student population had shown up, complete with their parents and siblings and all their little friends.

And all for little Leisha, who a mere handful actually knew. And those who remembered her were even less than that.

A few touching words were shared by Becky and Mandy, the organizers of the event. They introduced Leisha's parents and her little brother who were seated in the front row, as if part of the show. They sniffled, hugged each other for support, and nodded their thanks to the two 'popular' girls who hadn't known Leisha existed until she was dead.

"Let's go," I said abruptly. "I don't want to be here. These people didn't even know her."

Luca shrugged and said, "Doesn't mean they can't pray for her or her family. It's just support."

Bryce stayed in his seat. So did Corrigan. And I shoved up and started down the aisle.

"Hey," Bryce whispered sharply.

"I'm just—," I turned back and gestured, helplessly, outside the doors. "I'm going to go out there. I won't be far."

I didn't wait for a nod of permission. I shoved my way through the crowd and stopped short at the surreal emptiness of the lounge that lay just beyond four opened doors. In the corner, tucked away behind the coat-racks, couches, chairs, and coffee tables was a girl with spiked hair. She looked like a peacock.

I remembered and approached her. Her head was downcast, studying her lap, and she seemed to shrink in size as I sat in a chair next to her.

She looked up after a moment and I saw the same injustice that raged inside of me. She had startling blue eyes, but she looked away again.

"You can just leave," she bit out.

"You were friends with Leisha. I remember seeing you at her table once."

She whipped up and snarled, "It was my table and Leisha is my friend…she's just gone right now."

"Don't tell me your name is Cassandra Bens." I remembered that Carlos had had a thing for her.

"God, no!" She blinked, startled, and in disgust. "I'm Bailey, Leisha's best friend."

"I'm—"

"I know who you are," she said quickly. "Leisha worshiped you."

"I know," I said faintly.

I caught movement at the doorway and looked up to see Bryce standing in the doorway. He met my gaze and turned to lean against the doorframe as he watched the vigil inside.

Bailey looked over too and shook her head, "He's really gorgeous, isn't he?"

"He's an ass." I smiled faintly.

"Yeah." Bailey laughed dryly. "Only you can say that because he's yours."

I frowned, but didn't correct her. "I liked Leisha," I said instead.

"I know. Me too," Bailey whispered hoarsely.

"I'm really sorry."

"Why? Leisha was the one who went to the party. She was the one who walked down the block."

I frowned and asked, sharply, "What?"

Bailey looked up. Blank.

"What do you mean—she walked down the block?"

"She was at my house that night. Carlos called her and she wanted to go. He said that you invited her. I live two blocks from Evans' house. He's a dipshit."

"I thought—I thought she was walking in the park because that was the straightest way from her house."

"Hell, no. Leisha's not stupid. She would never have walked in that park alone. Someone who's high might go there at night or if they want to get murdered and raped."

I was stunned. And speechless.

"I told her not to go. I thought it was stupid. She liked Carlos so much. I thought she was stupid for liking you too and I really thought she was stupid when she skipped with you and Mr. Gorgeous." Bailey shook her head as a haunted grin flitted over her features, "Leisha was so stupid sometimes, but…she said that you weren't what everyone said you were. I guess she was right after