Flicker by Melanie Hooyenga

Author:Melanie Hooyenga [Hooyenga, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Mystery, Young Adult
ISBN: 9781301992270
Publisher: Smashwords
Published: 2013-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

*****

Headlights from an oncoming car fill Old Berta's interior as we turn into my neighborhood, but the sense of dread that follows me at dusk lifts. I allow myself to relax. I won't be flickering today.

Cameron touches the side of my face and I turn to look at him. "I wish I could hang out, but I need to get home."

"Will you let me know what your parents say about tomorrow?"

He parks at the end of my driveway and kills the engine. "I'll text you tonight. Now come here." His seatbelt clicks and he leans across the space between us, enveloping me in his arms.

I breathe in the musky scent that seems to seep from his pores, a mixture of vanilla soap and outdoors, and tuck my forehead against his warm neck. We stay that way for a few minutes, our heartbeats synchronized. Too soon I feel him stir against me and I pull back.

His eyes are bloodshot and his mouth is set in a hard line. Apparently he wasn't thinking the same lovey-dovey things I was.

I lean against my seat and he rests an arm on the steering wheel. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I should go." He sighs. "Besides, there isn't anything to talk about."

I lean towards him once again and rest my hand on the side of his face. His jaw clenches beneath my touch. I pull him closer and press a light kiss on his lips. "Good night." I'm hoping he'll pull me back and tell me to stay a little longer, but his hand doesn't leave the dashboard.

"Good night."

I climb out of the car and grab my bag from the backseat before running to the house. The dread lifts even further when I realize all the downstairs lights are on. My parents are home. No one went to the ER. I turn to wave at Cameron, then open the front door as he drives down the street.

"Hello?" I drop my bag at the foot of the stairs.

My parents are in the living room watching television. Mom mutes the sound when I come in. "How was the game?"

"Fine." I look between her and Dad, then back to the television. She muted Jeopardy. This must be important. "What's up?"

Their concern is palpable. Mom won't stop pulling on the hem of her sleeve and Dad's crossed and uncrossed his legs three times since I walked into the room. And the television is still silent. I run through the list of reasons why they could be upset with me, but nothing major stands out. Curiosity urges me to press them, but I wait. I'm learning.

After what feels like an hour, Dad sits forward. "Another girl disappeared."

"Oh, that." I sigh audibly and they both raise an eyebrow.

"Oh that?" Mom echoes.

I sit on the edge of the couch. "Cam's mom called to tell him right after we left school. I thought this was about something else."

"Like what?"

"Nothing, I just—were you just going to tell me about her, or is there something else?"

Dad looks at Mom and she clears her throat.

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