Unlocked by Margo Kelly

Author:Margo Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2016-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Thursday

August 29

I sat on the front steps and waited for Plug to pick me up for school. The brilliant sunshine and fresh morning air reinforced my sensation that things were about to improve. Plug parked at the curb and hopped out to open my door for me.

He wore a V-neck T-shirt as blue as the sky. And I smiled. I brushed past him to take my seat. He smelled like fabric softener, clean and crisp.

“Better today?” he asked.

“Much,” I said. “Last night’s smudging must have worked, because I feel better than ever.” He ran around to the driver’s side and slid into his seat.

“You cold?” He motioned toward my outfit.

“No.” I plucked at the sweatshirt. “Do I look stupid?”

“If that’s what you want to wear, don’t worry—”

“I care what you think,” I said.

“I’m used to seeing you in fewer clothes.”

Images of last night popped into my head, and my chest lit on fire.

He held up his hands. “Wait! I meant you normally wear flip-flops, shorts, and a shirt. Today, you’re wearing boots, big jeans, and a sweatshirt.” He fidgeted with his lip ring.

What he didn’t know: Beneath my jeans, I still had my yoga pants tucked into my athletic socks, and under the bulky sweatshirt, I still wore my bra on the outside of my pink shirt.

I was lying to myself about being better than ever.

He leaned forward and rested his forehead on the steering wheel. “I’m sorry.”

“We had some success last night,” I said, “and that makes me think things can return to normal, but I’m not there yet. I still need a barrier. I don’t want anyone to touch me, and more layers equal more protection.”

“What about me?” Plug peeked in my direction. “Should I keep my hands off you?”

“Probably,” I said, but even now, as Plug sat back and licked his lips, desire for him churned in my stomach. I longed for his lips to press against mine. A tinge of guilt pricked my heart, and I recalled the tenderness in Manny’s eyes, his fingers at the back of my neck, and the shivers along my spine when he first kissed me on the Ferris wheel. I had feelings for them both.

“Hannah?” Plug said.

I halfheartedly smiled. “Just keep your hands where I can see them.”

“Promise.” He waggled his fingers in the air and then slipped them beneath mine. “Are you ready to talk about what happened in the bathroom last night?”

If I told him, maybe it would minimize the fear lurking in the back of my mind. I squeezed his hand. “My eyes changed color in the mirror. Then something like a demon appeared behind me, but it disappeared when I turned to face it.”

“You tried to face it,” Plug said. “That’s huge.” His reassurance comforted me.

“But I lost time. I don’t remember undressing. Then when you knocked, I opened my eyes, and there was a guy behind me.” My breathing sped up, and my armpits grew wet with sweat. “He groped me with his big, hairy hands.

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