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

the ground. Janice quickly dialed the number for paramedics while I put my jacket under Sarah's head. "Sarah, baby, it's me, Reese. Calm down. Please, please, please calm down!" We were drawing a crowd now.

"Is she allergic to any medications?" Janice asked.

"I don't know," I said desperately. It hit me then how much I still didn't know about her.

"Does she have any allergies at all?"

"Not that I know of. She's been dealing with a lot lately, though."

"What kinds of stresses?"

"She was raped back in November, and all her friends turned against her."

"Poor baby," Janice cooed. She was almost maternal in her actions with Sarah. "How old is she?"

"Sixteen."

"And her parents?"

"Only her mother is still around. Her father died last year."

"Do you have her mother's number?"

"I do not." I reached into Sarah's pocket and got out her cell phone. I unlocked her phone (I'd seen her do it before and remembered the numbers), and called Alicia.

EMTs arrived on the scene fairly quickly. Janice gave them all the information she knew while I talked to Alicia.

"Alicia, it's Reese," I said.

"Reese, what's wrong? Why didn't Sarah call?"

"She couldn't," I said. "It's okay, she's on her way to the hospital now, but she started having a seizure."

"A what? She's never had a seizure before! What hospital is she going to?" I gave her the name of the hospital, Saint Brigid's, and debated whether to take my van or Sarah's car. I eventually decided to go with Sarah's Honda, since it was faster than my old-as-dirt Astro.

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

I finally contacted Uncle Soren and told him what was going on. He told me that he would take my Astro home. I asked him if he needed my keys. He proudly told me that he knew how to hotwire a car. He also said that he was going to kill my father for blocking me. I begged him not to commit fratricide, and called Grandfather as soon we hung up.

Grandfather was also furious with my father. He said that he was going to have a talk with him. I got off the phone with Grandfather and looked at Sarah's phone. I was so tempted to look inside. Finally, I unlocked her phone, and what I saw shocked me.

Eric Martin: I love you.

Sarah: Eric, I told you to leave me alone. I'm not interested, and besides, I have a boyfriend.

Eric: Lose the loser, get with the bruiser.

That was just one conversation.

Scarlett: You're nothing but a bitch and a loser.

Sarah: What the....I blocked you for a reason. Do not contact me anymore, or I'll be forced to tell the cops everything.

Scarlett: Like how you used to always make fun of Reese, and now you're with him because you're a hypocrite and a slut?

Mia:Or how you almost cheated on him with Eric?

I felt tears sting my eyes. How could she do this to me? I thought she truly cared about me. Yes, I had heard rumors that she was only using me for protection. I debated whether to confront her as soon as she woke up or go home. I decided to go home. I would talk with her later. As soon as Alicia got to the hospital, I gave her Sarah's phone and said that I had to go.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"REESE!" I was being tackled to the ground by Father. "Love, I am so sorry! I'm such an idiot! Father said that you needed me and that you could have been hurt! Are you hurt? I wanted to track you down, but I got no visions or a scent trail so I couldn't follow you." He was speaking so fast that it was hard to determine what he was saying.

"I'm unhurt," I said. "But I'm hungry and heartbroken."

"So you are hurt. Did she break your heart? Did you break up with you?"

"No, I...I did something I wish I didn't do. We were at an apple orchard, and she started hallucinating and saying weird things. Then she passed out and started seizing. If Janice hadn't been there, I don't know what I would have done."

"Janice? Janice? Janice Nicolai?"

"She looked and smelled human," I said. "And said she was a nurse."

"That's the thing. She has the ability to mask her scent and appear human. And she is a nurse, at some big hospital in New York City. What did she look like?"

"Um, she had blond hair and brown eyes. She was not really impressive, she looked pretty average." I sent him a mental picture of Janice. Father cursed. He turned away.

"This is all my fault! I shouldn't have blocked you! I should have gone with you! She's related to Alexander. His...second cousin, I think. And if I'd been there, maybe Sarah would not have fainted."

"Father, she fainted because of an underlying issue. What that issue is, I don't know."

"I have an idea," he said, rubbing his chin. "But I need to talk to her. I don't want to leave you, though. I royally screwed up this time." He sat on the porch and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. "Alexander must have asked Janice to watch you or Sarah. He told her that she was carrying his child and she needed protection. We have to go back to the hospital, anyway."

~~~~~~~~~~

I stared out the window as he drove us back to Saint Brigid's. I couldn't help but wonder if Sarah really did make fun of me in the past and almost cheated on me with Eric. If she did, then we were not soulmates, and I had to break up with her. The thought broke my heart.

I would miss her terribly. I would always love her, but our relationship was moot if she was going to cheat on me. My stomach ached, and I soon passed out.

I woke up on a hospital bed. Father was beside me.

"What happened?" I asked.

"We thought you'd died," Uncle Soren said.

"I was driving you here, when you fainted. That was a few minutes ago," Father said. "It's all my fault. I should have made sure you'd eaten and rested. I'm a terrible parent. I don't deserve to have children." Uncle Soren rolled his eyes.

"It's basic common sense, Mordecai, which you clearly lack," Uncle Soren said.

"Shut up, Soren."

"Seriously. Never block your child; he may need you at any moment. And always make sure he gets enough nutrition and rest."

"Shut up, Soren, or I'll tear your lips off your face."

"Boys, be nice," Grandfather said. "Soren, leave your brother alone. And Mordecai, it's not your fault. Even the best parents make mistakes."

"Where's Sarah?" I asked.

"In a care unit," Uncle Soren said. "She's still passed out. What happened, Reese?" I sighed and told them everything except the moment I read her text messages. Father raised an eyebrow, and I swallowed nervously. He read my mind, and knew I'd screwed up. I was a terrible boyfriend. Never, ever, read your significant other's private messages.

"Reese, it'll be all right," Father said. He leaned forward and rubbed my head affectionately. His eyes glazed over and his hand fell. He woke up out of his vision a minute later. "Sarah's awake, and she's asking for you."

~~~~~~~~~~

She looked weak and fragile. I held her hand.

"Sarah," I said. She smiled at me.

"Thank you, Reese. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm so sorry," I said.

"For what?"

"For not taking you seriously. I was stupid."

"What are you talking about?"

"Sarah, I did something. After you were being taken care of, I...I looked at your text messages. The ones in your phone. I have to know, did you really almost cheat on me?" She looked hurt.

"No," she said. "I didn't. Eric wishes I would, though. He won't leave me alone. I think he talks to Mia or Rachel still. He constantly makes shit up, especially about our nonexistent relationship. More than that, why did you read my text messages?"

"I...I don't know."

"I think you do." Her green eyes pierced my heart.

"I wanted to know who you've talking to, and what about. I never expected to see what I did, and I didn't want to cause any more problems. I'm sorry, Sarah."

"It's fine, just don't do it again. You should know you can ask me about anything."

I felt guilty, and dirty, and depressed. I pressed my lips against her forehead.

"I know," I whispered. "I'm so sorry. I love you so much. I don't want to lose you. I'm afraid that you'll find someone better than me, and you'll break my heart for his."

"I could never do that," she said quietly. "I love you too much to dump you for another guy." That was exactly what I wanted to hear. I kissed her cheek. She smelled like tears and sweat. And blood. I felt my canines grow. Fuck! I covered my mouth.

"Reese, are you okay?" Sarah asked. I nodded and went to the bathroom. I got myself under control and went back out.

"I love you," I whispered, burying my nose in her hair. "I'm sorry." I kissed her. "I'm a terrible boyfriend. All our problems are my fault."

"You're being silly," she said. "You're a great boyfriend, you just made a mistake. I understand why you did it." She didn't know the half of it. "By the way, Ari said that you had something to tell me." Fuck.

"I do, but it can wait. I want to know for sure that you'll never leave me." She looked hurt.

"I feel like you don't care about me as much as you say you do," she said. "Have you ever seen the movie Keith?"

"I have not," I said. "And Sarah, I love you more than any guy has ever loved his girlfriend. I'd do anything for you."

"In the movie, an unpopular guy dates a popular girl and everything in her life falls apart because of him."

I was hurt. "I would never do that to you. I love you. Remember this morning, when we were at the apple orchard?"

"Yeah, the reason why I asked you to go with me is because I was hoping you'd tell me whatever your secret is." She turned red at her confession.

"It wasn't just because you wanted to hang out with me? I'm starting to think that you don't like me," I said.

"I do like you, I just want us to be more open with each other."

"That's ironic, considering that you kept something from me." I was getting angry with her for the first time ever. She paused.

"Maybe we should take a break," she said. A...break?

"No, Sarah, I'm sorry. I'll do anything for you. Please don't do this."

"I think it's a good idea, at least until I can get rid of Eric," she said. "Please leave, Reese."

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

When I stepped into the waiting room, Father knew that something was wrong.

"Reese, what happened?"

"She wants to take a break from our relationship," I said. Father hugged me.

"I'm so sorry, love. What were her reasons?"

"It's my fault. I should have left well enough alone. And told her my secret. I am the biggest loser I know!" I buried my face in Father's chest and fought tears.

When we got home, I went up to my bedroom and cried. Everything hurt. My head, my heart, my stomach. I laid in bed for the rest of the night. I couldn't sleep. I was no longer hungry. Father made me swallow a few drops of blood anyway. I promptly threw up.

The next day, I left Sarah several voicemails and text messages.

"Sarah, it's Reese. Please call me. I'm so sorry. I'll do anything to get you back. I can change, I won't be jealous anymore. I love you. Please call me back so we can talk." No response.

Reese: Sarah, it's me again. Please call me so we can talk. I truly love you, and I'm sorry that you've been having doubts. I was right yesterday when I said that our problems were my fault. Please contact me so I can fix this.

Again, no response.

"Sarah, it's me again. I want to tell you my secret, but I can't for your safety. Please trust me. Ask Alexander. I