Whisper

Copyright ©2020 by Kristen Middleton –––––––– ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The author acknowledges the trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. –––––––– WARNING: THE UNAUTHORIZED reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. PROLOGUE EMINEM’S LATEST SONG blasted through the speakers at Gil Fisher’s graduation party. It was the largest kegger she’d ever attended and everyone was having a blast. She been enjoying herself too... until stepping into the garage and finding Bailey Carter and Lacy Vanderhoven, making out by the keg. Seeing them together felt like someone had hit her in the stomach with a sledgehammer. Asshole. Bailey had been the main reason she’d even gone to the party. He’d personally invited her and she’d been crushing on him since the tenth grade. With his messy, sun-bleached hair, light green eyes, and gorgeous smile, he was the epitome of hotness. Now, Tina felt stupid for even thinking she had a chance with someone like him. Especially seeing Prom Queen Lacy in his arms. Screw them. College was only three months away and she’d be free of Shore Lake and all the i***t guys she’d gone to high school with. Trying not to cry, Tina turned around and went in search of Amy, her best friend. She found her outside, by the bonfire. “Did you find Bailey?” Amy asked. Tina told her what she’d seen. “What a dickhead.” “Yeah, well, it’s no big deal. They can have each other.” “Exactly.” Tina remembered the joint in her purse. Now was as good of a time as any. Especially after what had just happened. “You wanna get high?” Amy slapped at a mosquito. “No. I’m already feeling pretty buzzed as it is.” “Not even one hit?” “The last time I tried smoking pot, I threw up.” She looked around. “Anyway, I feel like this party is going to be busted soon. It’s getting too crazy.” As if to prove her point, someone lit off a bottle rocket. It exploded high above them and people started cheering. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Amy sighed. “Maybe we should leave?” Tina didn’t want to, however. She’d told her parents that she was sleeping over at Amy’s, which was a lie. So she had the entire night to do whatever she wanted. “In a little while. I wanna spark up the joint first.” Tina dug into her purse and pulled it out. “You sure you don’t want a couple hits?” “No. Seriously, I’m good.” “Okay.” Not wanting to share with anyone else, she told Amy she was going down by the lake. “You want to at least keep me company?” Before Amy could reply, Bryce Freeman walked over and put his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, beautiful. I brought that strawberry schnapps you were asking about. You want some?” Amy’s eyes lit up and she smiled. “Yeah.” Tina gave her a dirty look. “Though you were worried about driving?” Bryce snorted. “Chill out, Mom. She doesn’t have to drink the entire bottle. One shot won’t hurt her.” “I’ll just have a little,” Amy added. Tina hated Bryce. He was bossy, manipulative, and conceited. His parents had money and he was always bragging about it. Amy thought he was hot, however, and would do almost anything for the guy. He had a girlfriend, however. That never stopped him from flirting with everyone in sight. “You want any?” Bryce asked Tina. Normally she would, but being around him annoyed her. “No.” “Suit yourself. We’ll be up in the kitchen. That’s where the hard stuff is.” He started maneuvering Amy toward the house. Amy looked back at her over her shoulder. “I’ll come find you when we’re done. Okay?” Tina sighed. “Fine.” She mouthed the word “Sorry.” Tina shrugged. They disappeared inside and Tina headed toward the woods. A few minutes later, she was leaning against a tree and staring at the calm lake, still trying to forget about Bailey and Lacy. She took a puff of the joint and held it in for a few seconds before releasing the sweet, pungent smoke. Already feeling calmer, she sighed in contentment and closed her eyes. “Hey.” Startled, Tina turned around and saw a familiar face. One that also made her nervous. “You scared the s**t out of me. You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.” He smiled. “Sorry. What are you doing?” Tina held up the joint. “Just chillin’ out. Relaxing.” He stared at her curiously. “And that helps?” “For me it does. Haven’t you ever gotten high?” “No.” “You want to try a hit?” He stopped next to her. “Sure, why not?” She handed him the joint and told him what to do. He inhaled and held it in. Unlike most newbies, he exhaled but didn’t cough. “Wow, you’re a natural,” she replied before taking another hit herself. “Thanks.” “You feel anything yet? This is some strong shit.” Looking amused, he shook his head. “Nope.” “Want any more?” “Nah.” Feeling anxious about being alone with him, she put the joint out. “So, what are you doing here?” “I came to see you.” “Me? Why?” His eyes began to glow an eerie red. “I think you already know.” Her heart leaped into her throat. In the back of her mind, she had an idea of what he was talking about. There’d been rumors. Crazy, wild ones about him and his friends. She’d laughed them off, but seeing his eyes glow was some freaky s**t. Trying not to panic, she forced a smile to her face. “It’s getting late. I have to go back to the party.” His lip twitched. “It doesn’t have to be like this.” Her pulse drummed in her ears. I have to get out of here. “I can make it good for you,” he added. Terrified, Tina dropped the joint and started running up the hill, back to the safety of the party. Right before she reached the top, his hand landed firmly on her shoulder. He twisted her around and pinned her gaze with his. Tears flooded her eyes. “Please don’t hurt me,” she squeaked. He trailed his finger down her cheek and smiled. “Soon, you’ll be begging me to.” Tina didn’t understand what he meant. Not until later...