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

"Can't anybody take a bath in privacy?" I snapped.

"Sorry, sorry," he said, closing the door.

~~~~~~~~

The next morning, I untangled myself from Sarah. I'd been sleeping with her all night. I woke up naturally around four in the morning and decided it was time for me to leave. I drove home happily, even though it was dark and we had freezing rain as promised.

I took a hot shower and took extra care to groom myself. As I ran a comb through my hair, I considered what I should do about Scarlett. I couldn't kill her- that would upset Sarah and draw too much attention to us. But I could blow the whistle on who she really was. Knowing Ariella, a little rumor about a couple of teenage witches in New Jersey would fly faster than a military jet.

And fly it did. After I called Ari and told her what Jordan and Scarlett really were, the whole school knew by lunchtime. Okay, that was a slight exaggeration. As I sat by myself once again, I heard conversation around the Hartlett sisters.

"There you are!" I looked up. Scarlett was walking toward me, flanked by her clique. "What the hell did you think you would accomplish?"

"I have no idea what you're bitching about," I replied, turning back to my book.

"Oh, you know what I'm bitching about! PAY ATTENTION TO ME, LOSER!" I looked up. Her face was red, and she was fuming. "You're only with Cresley because you're both losers! You're only with her to get your boyfriend back. And look, he killed himself because of you! It's your fault he's dead!" A rumor had been swirling around that Evan had killed himself after too many rejections from me.

Scarlett flipped her black hair in my face and stalked away.

"I don't know why you care," I muttered, turning back to my book again. Before I could get too absorbed in the plot, though, I saw familiar boots out of my peripheral vision. Mason sat beside me. I looked over at him.

"It's my fault that she's like this," he said.

"You didn't do anything," I said. "She was born like this."

"You're actually right. Reese, do you know what histrionic personality disorder is?"

"People with histrionic personality disorder are all about drama. They attach too much significance to relationships, act sexually promiscuous, and enjoy being the center of attention, even if it hurts somebody else."

"Exactly. Scarlett has that. I overheard her mother telling my mother about it."

"I wish I could say I'm surprised."

"And Jordan has borderline personality disorder."

"Twin teenage witches with mental illness? Wow," I replied sarcastically.

"Actually, their parents are starting to be against witchcraft. They converted to Christianity after the girls were born." I looked at him, confused. "They decided to convert after too many spells gone bad. And besides, they always believed in Jesus."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked him.

"So you can protect your girl better." I looked at him in surprise. He smiled weakly. "I lost my girl, but you can still keep yours."

"Whatever. Your pals are looking at us," I said. Indeed, they were. He looked up.

"Yeah. They miss you. They know something happened between us, and want us to make up."

"Seriously? They don't blame me?"

"No, I told them that what happened between us was my fault."

"Whatever. Is there anything else you needed to tell me?"

"Reese, don't do this. I know I screwed up. I think I know how to stop the Hartlett sisters. And it's not outing them as witches." He grinned cheekily at me. I mentally flipped him off. "Sarah's sitting with us." I looked up. She was indeed sitting with them, glancing over at me. I stood up and walked over to her. Amara scooted over and made room.

"You know you always have a place here," Amara said. I looked up at Mason. He played with his potatoes. I said nothing. Sarah peeled the skin off of her orange.

"Are you sure you want to be eating that?" Jody said. Sarah gave her a death glare. So did Amara and Rachel. Sarah threw the orange down, grabbed her bag, and walked off.

"Why do you have to be so insensitive?" Amara said to Jody. I got up, grabbed my things, and followed Sarah. She walked into the girls' bathroom. No way I was going in there. I heard her crying. A few minutes later, she stopped and came out two minutes after that, freshly madeup.

"Ignore Jody," I said.

"God, she's such a bitch. She always says stuff like that. If I eat a pickle, she makes a comment. If I eat an onion, she says something about dragon breath."

"Amara called her insensitive if it makes you feel better," I said.

"It does. I am so done with those people. First Mason, then Jody. Now someone has leaked the fact that Scarlett is a witch. She's going to blame me, and when I get my hands on the person who did it...." She trailed off.

"She thinks I did it," I said. She looked suspicious.

"Did you?"

"I...yes, I did."

"Reese, how could you betray me like that? Did you ever stop to think that people will think I'm a witch too?"

"I won't let that happen," I declared. "And with Ariella's fat mouth, and Mason's desire for redemption, you'll be safe from the rumors." She burst into tears again. She wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm so sorry, Reese!" she cried. "I have become a raging hormonal basketcase!" I held her as she sobbed.

"Want me to call your mother?" I asked when she finished.

"No...I'll c-call h-her," she blubbered.

For the rest of the day, I didn't see her. I assumed she went home. I gave Jody dirty looks whenever I saw her. She flinched at the sight of my anger. During my free period, I finished today's homework and thought about Sarah. So much that I almost forgot to return a book.

When I got home, Father was waiting for me on the porch, smoking a cigarette.

"Father, have you been chainsmoking?" I asked, noting the nearly empty pack.

"Maybe," he said, stepping on the stick. "We need to talk. Alicia called and said that Sarah went home early. She was upset about something. Can you tell me what?"

I told him about Sarah's fears and what she had recently said to me about death. I also told him about the unwanted advice she was getting from Jody. He asked what Jody was like, and I told him.

"I'll have Alexander talk to her," he said. "He seems to be a steadying influence on her." I didn't like that thought. I still didn't trust my father's old rival. "Also, you have to take into account the pressure for her to recover and atone for her past mistakes. The last thing she needs is unwanted advice from someone who has never been pregnant."

"Her stress levels are high," I said. "How can I lower them?"

"Simply by being there for her when she needs you. Right now, she needs you."

"Enough sap, Father."

"I'm serious, Reese. Call her." I shook my head in irritation. I went upstairs to finish my work and send a private text.

Reese: Are you all right? Can I get you anything?

Sarah: I'm fine now. Alexander's here.

Reese: I hope you'll recover from today. If Alexander lacks in any way, call me.

Sarah: I've been independent for a while now, Reese. I can take care of myself.

Reese: Just because you have had success in the past does not mean that you should be required to care for yourself now. Call me if you need me.

I finished homework quickly. In Mythology and Folklore, we were watching all three "Lord of The Rings" movies, and had recently gotten to the last half of the first film. After that, we would watch "Beowulf". Today's assignment asked questions about Frodo's quest and what his uncle's actions led to. I finished it quickly and accurately, then moved on to Trig. I hated Trig these days. My brain was so full that I could barely think anymore.

But again, I finished it quickly and as accurately as possible, then took a break. I was hungry. I drank until I was satisfied, then finished my homework. I was waiting for another text, a call, anything from her. She was becoming my world. I put my things away, then opened my laptop.

I checked her social media. On her Facebook, her most recent post said that the cousin of a classmate agreed to take care of the baby when it was born. I scrolled through her past posts.

"As some of you already know, I was sexually assaulted a few weeks ago. I recently found out I'm pregnant, and it's his. As I cannot possibly care for a baby, the cousin of one of my friends agreed to take it in, as he's been searching for a baby to adopt."

Is that what he told her? He's been searching for a baby to adopt anyway? I gazed at her profile picture, which was a simple selfie taken a few months before. I ached with longing. Not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent as well, and kind.

She had dozens of likes on her post. I looked through them. Ariella, Damon, even Jody and Clarissa. I scrolled through her music likes. Ed Sheeran, Melanie Martinez, Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Elle Goulding. Book likes: Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares, Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott, and several classic romances including Wuthering Heights. She was a big fan of chick lit and romance. She liked some fantasy, mainly Twilight and Harry Potter.

Heart clenching, I continued to scroll through. She had blocked her old clique, I noticed. I searched for Mason. Surprisingly, she was friends with him. I wondered if she knew what he'd done. I decided to ask him about it.

Reese: I noticed that you're friends with Sarah on Facebook. Does she know what you did?

Mason: She knows. I've apologized to her countless times. Why do you care?

I didn't reply to his text, only deciding to call her.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Sarah."

"Hey, Reese. What's up?"

"I..." I couldn't bring myself to say it. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine. I was actually napping when you called."

"I'm so sorry. I'll let you get back to sleep. I love you."

"You, too. Goodbye." She hung up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a little while later when I heard a car drive off. I assumed Father was going to work on his music and video store. Then I heard someone enter my room and felt him embrace me.

"Hello, Father."

"I'm not your father."

"Alexander?" I turned around, stomach tightening. "What are you doing here?"

"Sarah was eager to get rid of me," he said. He grinned at me. "I took her clothes shopping and bought her a bunch of new clothes. Her closet is stuffed to the brim."

"Is that why she was eager to get rid of me earlier? Was she even really napping?"

"She did nap for a while after I took her home. She's starting to show."

"I bet you're happy about that."

"I am eager for my new son or daughter to enter this world. I am happy she decided to give me the baby."

"What if she changes her mind?"

"She made a promise, and she must keep that, or she will not be allowed to live." Before I knew it, my hand was around his throat.

"If you hurt her-"

"You'll what?" he asked teasingly, smirking. "You can't protect her. You can't even protect your father." My grip loosened.

"Don't hurt my father," I said.

"Like I said, you cannot protect him. He can't even protect you. And since he's gone, he cannot stop me from hurting you." He grabbed my throat and held me up against the wall. "You make sure she keeps her promise, or she dies. If you fail to keep yours, you'll die."

"I made no promises," I said. "Not to you, at least." He started squeezing my throat.

"Make it, or die."

"What will happen when my father sees my dead body on the