Unraveling Sarah Cresley by Marisa Maichel (best summer books .txt) 📕

"I...like her." This was the topic I had been hoping would not come up.

"So you went looking for her, and then you found her in the bathroom?" Detective Greene said, almost accusatory.

"My son did nothing wrong," Father said.

"We're not disputing that. So you have a crush on her. Have you ever spoken with Sarah before?"

"Briefly." The detectives looked at each other again. I had intended to omit my feelings about her, and I failed miserably. I wondered if I was a suspect now, even though Sarah most likely told them who did it. I finished the tale about how I discovered her in the bathroom and helped her, and was told I could go. They asked Ariella how she was involved, and she told them about her part.

I told Ariella I would text her later, and we said goodbye to each other.

My love for Sarah had not diminished. It never would. I was not even sure if she knew I was alive before tonight. My own fault. As I climbed into bed, she continued to invade my thoughts. I'm so sorry, Sarah. I'm sorry I could not protect you.

CHAPTER 2- ROSES AND THORNS

I awoke Saturday in a haze. Memories of the night before had plagued my dreams. I thought, if I couldn't protect Sarah, what use was I to her? I chided myself for such thoughts. We barely even knew each other, yet I claimed I loved her. I was fucked up.

I laid back down and fought the self-hate bubbling in my mind. My father came in and offered me a vial of blood. I managed to choke down a few drops. I showered quickly and redressed in my usual outfit: black jeans, black shirt that referenced several bands, and heavy black boots. My father made me drink a mixture of blood and water. It did little to calm the battle in my stomach. I decided to call Ariella.

"How's Sarah?"

"She's still shaken up. Those whores really did a number on her."

"Who?"

"Scarlett and Jordan and their gang. Even Mia Alexander got into it." That surprised me. Mia Alexander was Sarah's best friend, and everyone believed them to be as tight-knit as sisters. Ariella continued. "Someone even took a cell phone video of the whole thing. It was brutal. She didn't even have a chance. Then, according to my sources, Mike Nales found her unconscious and went down on her."

"Why Sarah?"

"You know that Scarlett and Mike had a relationship before, right?" I was suddenly angry. Scarlett and Mike would pay for what they did to Sarah. And one way or the other, Sarah would be mine.

~~~~~~~~~

I found her house without problems. I held a single red rose. I rang the doorbell and heard two dogs barking. A woman who looked like she had stayed up all night crying answered. She was tall and thin, with dark blond hair and brown eyes. Sarah's mother, Alicia.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"My name is Reese Emerson. I helped Sarah last night. May I see her, Ms. Cresley?" She gave me a suspicious look.

"I'm sorry, but she isn't taking any visitors right now."

"I promise I won't hurt her."

"I don't think that's a good idea..."

"Well, can you give this to her?" I handed her the rose. "Tell her it's from Reese." She nodded and slowly shut the door after taking the flower. I sighed, depleted of energy. I went back to my van. "I love you, Sarah," I said aloud. I glanced back to see Sarah looking out of an upstairs window. She looked surprised to see me. I waved at her.

I collapsed on my bed when I got home. Oh yes, I was unequivocally in love with Sarah Harper Cresley. Maybe I had moved a little too fast, but it would be worth it in the end. She's the air I breathe, the reason for my existence. I knew I was being a little foolish, but I didn't know what else to think. I'd never been in love with anyone else.

My cell phone rang, blaring a tune that I used for numbers I did not know. I pressed the green button, put it against my ear, and answered.

"Hello, is this Reese?" Sarah!

"I am. Is this Sarah?" Stupid question.

"Yes. I wanted to thank you for helping me last night and checking on me today." Sarah, I would literally do anything for you.

"Of course." Silence. "So, what happened after I left?" I finally asked.

"I was questioned some more by the two lady cops. They did some more stuff, then I left."

"What exactly did they do to you?"

"Took some DNA, took some more pictures, stuff like that. Why do you care?" Because you're my universe.

"Because I simply care."

"You'll probably tell everybody..."

"Who have I got to tell? Ariella is my only friend. I won't tell her unless you want me to. Beside, she already knows everything, and she won't tell. Truth be told...I like you." Shit. I hadn't meant to confess yet. She was silent for a long time. Crap. It was too soon. "Sarah, I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"But you brought me a rose."

"I was acting on instinct. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really do like you." More silence. Then:

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I can ask for, Sarah."

"I have to go now. Bye." She hung up after that. I could not believe it. She was going to think about dating me. Me. Sarah Harper Cresley would quite possibly be my girlfriend. She was so beautiful, sweet, intelligent, funny...and out of my league. I stretched out, taking in a deep breath.

I popped in The Lost Boys, and started reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, required reading. I didn't much care for it at first, but as the novel went on, I slowly started to like it more. As soon as I finished reading the first three chapters, I began my science homework. We were studying animal cells. I'd had to study a real animal cell, identify all the parts, and try to determine what animal it came from. It was a blood cell of a frog.

As soon as I finished the final questions, I called Ariella. She of course asked about Sarah. I told her what I'd said and what Sarah had said in response, but would tell her nothing more. I needed Sarah to trust me. I would protect her, no matter the cost. Ariella didn't understand any of it. I tried to explain things as best as I could to no avail. She still didn't understand, so I stopped trying.

I ended the conversation with her and hopped into the shower. I couldn't stop thinking about Sarah. She had invaded my heart and my mind. She seemed to invade every part of me.

~~~~~~~~

On Monday, things started out semi-normal. I noticed that the girls who had attacked Sarah were gone, and so was Nales. I hoped I wouldn't see them again. I didn't see Sarah either. I resisted the urge to call or text her. If I did that, I might scare her. I needed to be smart about this. No, I needed to be myself. Screw the niceties.

I waited anxiously for her call. Part of me wondered why she'd choose me, the other half was simply ecstatic at the possibility. If I played my cards right, she would soon be mine. The instant the last bell rang, ending European History, my cell phone rang. I had programmed it to play "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" by The Ramones whenever she called.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Reese? I've thought about what you said. And I think I want to get to know you better." Her words sent chills through my chest, causing my stomach to twist into knots.

"Sarah, you have no idea how happy that makes me feel! I just can't believe you chose me. I-I promise I'll protect you! I swear you'll be happy and safe. I will never hurt you." Yes, I was rambling. I told myself to calm down. She said she wanted to get to know me, not that she wanted to be my girlfriend. I was excited and nervous.

"Can we talk in person?" she asked.

"Of course. Where do you want to meet?"

"Moore Park in...ten minutes?"

"All right, I'll see you then." With that, we said our goodbyes and hung up. I could reach Moore Park in three minutes if I hurried.

"Hey, Reese." Odin have mercy on me. It was my ex-boyfriend, Evan Byrd. I turned around slowly. Evan was studying me anxiously. He never really got over me, and was still a thorn in my side from time to time.

"What is it?" I asked cautiously.

"I...where's Ariella?" They were still friends.

"Band practice." Ariella plays in a punk band called Everlasting Strife. She's the lead guitarist and a vocalist. "Was there something else you wanted?"

"There is. I...I wanted you to know that...I'll always be there for you." For Thor's sake. I just looked at him. He's about average, with brown hair and green eyes. He usually wears a leather jacket and dark wash jeans everyday. He gave me a sincere look and shifted his bookbag slightly. I knew he still liked me, a lot, but I simply did not reciprocate his feelings. After our fight, and after the apologies, I had been willing to remain friends with him, but that proved to be impossible.

I turned my back to him and walked to my van. It's an older Chevrolet Astro in turqoise, and I love it. It could be a little faster, but it gets me places.

~~~~~~~

I saw her when I arrived, approximately three minutes later. She was wrapped in a dark grey trench coat, a dark pink blouse, and black jeans. She looked beautiful. I gave her a weak smile as I hopped out of my van. Her green eyes focused on me.

"Sarah," I said.

"Reese," she replied."I don't know where to start."

"Start from the beginning," I pressed. A tear fell out of her perfect eye. More tears followed, sliding down her still-bruised cheeks. And then she started sobbing. I wrapped my arm around her and held her. "Sarah, I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I swear to you that I will do anything I can to help you. Anything to make you feel better."

She sniffed and rubbed her bruised nose. "That bitch Mia Alexander has always been jealous of me." Remember, Mia Alexander was her so-called best friend, and one of Scarlett's most loyal followers. "She always said I was the one with prettier hair and eyes." Sarah's hair is light brown, slightly curly, and shiny, while Mia's hair is blond, yet slightly dull. Sarah's eyes were a beautiful shade of green, and Mia's eyes were an odd shade of blue that was more weird than pretty.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I know how close you two were."

"'Like sisters, '" she quoted. "Scarlett preyed on all our weaknesses. She knew all our secrets, and we didn't know any of hers. We knew some of her sister Jordan's, but not hers. Scarlett uses our secrets against us." I knew there was more to this, but I didn't push her. Simply to have her talking to me was enough. Things still didn't make sense, though. Why me? I was so strange-looking, with one good friend. I was not special or beautiful or particularly...well, my father's a rich vampire prince, but money doesn't matter to me.

I'd been too chicken to talk to her other than a handful of times. And as far as I knew, she didn't reciprocate my feelings. I hoped I was wrong about that.

"Do you want to take this to my house?" I inquired. She nodded.

"I'll follow you." She got into her Volkswagon.

Chapter 3 - Tales and Herbs

My father was chopping herbs when I came inside, Sarah following me. This was not unusual; he's training to be an alchemist. He sighed and turned around. To my embarassment, his shirt was open.

"Oh, hello, Sarah," he said, fumbling with the buttons.

"Hello, Mr. Emerson," Sarah said, studying the