The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (7 page)

"Hey there, gay girl." She snickers over at me. A knot forms in my throat and I start choking on air, panicking. I feel as if I might faint. "What? Are you scared?" She taunts me, twisting her finger in my direction as she closes the space between us zeroing in on her prey.

"Please, I have to go." I mutter attempting to push past her. I don't care if I seem pathetic. My chances of running drop even lower when she has her friends step into the room, flanking her.

"Sure." She takes a step back, her arm swooping out as if clearing a path for me. I don't know if this is a trick or what but I start to move forward. I get right by her. "Whoops." She sarcastically sneers, dumping her full cup of beer over my head. I turn to her in shock. Her other hand is playfully over her mouth as she laughs at me, the room growing silent. All eyes are on me.
 

I try to run forward to get away but as I pass by each girl they dump their cups on me as well. By the time I make my way out of the kitchen, I am drenched in warm, nasty beer. My black dress sticks to every part of my body like a second skin.

I can't help the tears that start to run down my cheeks. I let them fall because I doubt anyone will notice whether the water is tears or beer.
 

I don't know where to go. I can't leave Junior but I need to get away. Two strong arms clasp around my waist and I jump thinking they're going to attack me.
 

"Get off me!" I scream at my captor flailing around as I kick and punch. I get spun around and am face to face with Ollie. I melt a little in his arms, realizing I'm safe.
 

"Shh. I've got you." He whispers trying to soothe me. "You're okay." I want to believe him but it's a little impossible when I am constantly being screwed over. He reaches for me but I brush him off.
 

"It's okay. I don't want to get you wet." I say because I'm disgusting. He shouldn't get drenched, too. He should be having the time of his life, not stuck here rescuing me.

"I don't care." He says lifting me into his arms effortlessly. I clasp my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. He carries me away like I weigh nothing at all.
 

He carries me up the stairs but stops abruptly jostling me. I peek out from his shoulder and glance at the green eyed guy down the hall. I suppress the urge to run to him. I don't know why but I have this feeling that he'll protect me. I offer up a small smile to green eyes but it's half hearted at best.
 

After a minute Ollie moves us into a quiet room. He lets me go and I stand up by myself on the floor. I peer around the room noticing that this is probably Ollie's room. By the way it's decorated it definitely seems like a guy's place.
 

"I'll be right back. Don't move." He commands and I nod my head. Where am I going to go?
 

I survey the room while I anxiously await his return. An xbox lays on the floor with a bunch of game discs on top. I can tell it's on by the vibrating hum the game station emits. He has a large bookcase filled with an extensive collection of movies.
 

The floor is carpeted, deep red. It's so plush my feet practically sink in. I try not to move since I'm leaving a puddle under myself as the beer slides down my body. A mini-fridge sits in the corner of the room—probably filled with guy stuff like beer and nasty spray cheese.
 

Controllers lay everywhere. The room is kind of messy. Beer bottles and chips cover the coffee table in the middle. A bag of M&Ms lay opened, spilling on the amazing couch.
 

It is leather, a deep brown shade. Leather couches are my favorite. I want to sit down so badly since my feet are killing me but I don't want to ruin it with my wet butt. I pull out my phone remembering Junior somewhere downstairs.
 

I'm upstairs. text when you wanna leave and ill come get you.
 

I hit send and off it goes into cyberspace to Junior. Hopefully he is coherent enough to read the text and know how to respond. I would hate him to leave with someone else who's been drinking.
 

The door opens and I gasp in horror. "It's just me." Ollie assures me and I'm relieved. He comes bearing gifts—a stack of clothes and towels. "I figured you might want to shower." He says, shrugging his shoulders. "The bathroom is right here." He explains pointing to the door. I can tell from the expression on his face that he's trying not to upset me.

"Thank you." I whispers, emotions coursing through me. I walk over to where he's standing and take the things he brought for me. I start to walk to the adjoining bathroom he pointed out but stop mid stride.
 

I walk back towards Ollie and peck his cheek. I don't want to say anything because I'll burst but I want him to know that I appreciate him, so much.
 

"I'll be downstairs if you need me." He says with a reserved smile on his face as he leaves the room.

I go into automatic mode starting the shower and turning it as hot as it goes. The only way I can shower is with steamy water. I look around the bathroom for shampoo and soap and find them on the floor of the shower stall, both axe scented.
 

I go through the pile that Ollie gave me and find everything I need. A towel at the bottom of the stack appears to be brand new and smells clean. He also left me some clothes—a pair of boxer shorts, basketball shorts, a grey tee shirt and tube socks.
 

I will look and smell like a boy now. At least I know these are Ollie's clothes. For some reason that comforts me. Anything is better than walking in that nasty beer soaked dress. Ollie completely saved me tonight.
 

I jump in the shower standing under the scalding hot water. Since I don't play any sports, weekends are my relaxing time. I like to read and watch TV.
 

At least one day a weekend, I go out with Junior. He has to force me though. I used to run a lot but have been slacking the past couple months. My favorite thing to do is wake up leisurely and sit in the shower, reflecting on my week.
 

I remember this one time I was literally sitting on the floor of the shower letting the water run over my body. I had the water extra hot so the heat would relax my muscles. I ended up falling asleep on the floor of the shower.
 

My dad came home for lunch and found me in the shower. The only reason I woke up was because of him pounding down the door. He said he was knocking for five minutes before I finally answered. My skin was so waterlogged that I couldn't wash my hands for a week. He now comes home for lunch every single Saturday claiming I may relapse.
 

This shower is hardly relaxing, though. My mind won't stop reeling with random thoughts filling it. I can't get those bright green eyes out of my mind. They are so familiar. It must be because of my dream.
 

How can I dream about someone I've never met?
 

I let out all of my frustration, letting myself cry like I am dying. The water washes all the tears away like a bad nightmare. How did I get pegged as the gay girl? Something has to be royally fucked up in Becca's life that she needs to make my life worse than hers. My tears start to feel like razorblades running down my cheeks. Strangely the pain feels good.
 

"Are you okay?" I hear the door to the bathroom creak open. Quickly, I wipe away any stray tears and put on my mask of indifference.
 

Is this curtain see-through? Crap, he's in the same room as me while I'm naked. I cover myself up with my hands even though I doubt it will help.
 

"I'm f-fine." I get out, my voice betraying me as I wonder what he's doing in here.
 

"Okay." He mutters as he shuts the door. I let out a breathe of relief that I'm alone again.
 

This is the second time Ollie has helped me from Becca. Well, he didn't really help me today. More like cleaned up after the fact but still. Maybe I can tell him about my dreams. He seems like he would understand me.
 

I finish up my shower and cry fest, shutting the water off before getting dressed in Ollie's clothes, loving how they smell exactly like him. It's like being wrapped up in his body.
 

When Ollie is near me a sense of security encompasses me like he will protect me from anything. He did say he promised to never let anyone hurt me.
 

I find some mens deodorant under the sink and roll it over me. At least I'll smell good. The combination of mens shampoo, body wash, and deodorant has me all male.
 

I walk out of the bathroom and spot Ollie sitting rigid on the couch. Something has him all tense and tortured. I don't want to ruin his night. This is his party, he should be having fun not babysitting me.
 

"Are you okay?" I ask as I touch his shoulder. He shudders a little and I pull my hand back worried. This is all my fault.
 

"Yeah, I'm good." He claims his posture instantly relaxing. "Junior was looking for you." He says, finally looking over at me.

"Oh no!" I exclaim, checking my phone for a response. Something has to be up, that phone is his extra appendage and he hasn't responded yet. "Where is he?" I ask Ollie in a panicked voice thinking he left.
 

"He's downstairs. I had to carry him to the bathroom. Kid was throwing up every where." Ollie expresses with a disgusted scowl on his face. I laugh a little but stop when Ollie glares at me. I pause thinking he's mad at me, but then he bursts out giggling. Who knew a guy giggling could be so hot?
 

"I'm so sorry!" I say to him feeling the need to apologize for Junior's behavior. The fact that Junior is even alive after all his drinking is a blessing. You would think he had a high tolerance but nope, lightweight all the way.
 

"Let's go find him." I say as I start walking towards the door.

"Wait." Ollie remarks and I stop, turning back to face him. "Are you okay, Ryder?" He seems genuinely concerned for me but I don't want to cry any more.
 

"I'm good." I respond but I'm not fooling him.
 

"Come here." He coaxes and I obey his command. He opens his arms for me and I sit on his lap resting my head on his chest as he holds me still, stroking my hair methodically.
 

His voice is so beautiful as he hums softly to me. I can't help the tears that form in my eyes but I am strong so I hold it all in. His hand grazes my cheek and butterflies flutter in my stomach loving the contact.

For once they aren't the anxious butterflies. After all the bad stuff that went down today, in this moment, I am happy. I lean into his strong frame and let him lull me into a happy place with his perfect voice. It's hard to grasp the fact that Ollie is even real, let alone the fact that he likes me—the school loser.
 

CHAPTER FOUR

cave dream

I open my eyes and find myself sore and freezing. Checking my surroundings, I can barely make out what is around me due to the dim lighting that only allows shadows to be seen. The air is damp and cold. The ground appears rocky and dust is fluttering around everywhere. I'm in something like a cave.

My back aches—shooting pain travels up my spine in waves. I stand up, trying to figure out how the hell I got here. I remember last night perfectly. I was at Ollie's party. I took a shower. Then Ollie and I were going to look for Junior. Then nothing—blank. Stretching my back and legs, I plan my next move.

Some light shines in the distance. The light isn't strong but anything is better than this dark hole. I start walking towards the glow not sure where it's coming from—the outside or a lamp or something else completely.
 

The only thing guiding me is small candles against the walls. Instead of being lit with light bulbs, they are real fire. The candles creep me out. It's like I stepped into a portal to the past. Everything about this place leaves me on edge.

A set of voices trickle to where I can hear them. The noises sound like two males since the voices are deep. I don't recognize one at all but immediately, I recognize the other one.—Ollie. I can tell by the familiar melodic tone in his voice. Thankful I found him, I move faster towards his voice.
 

I start jogging and then full out sprinting wanting to find him. I push myself to run faster than ever. It's like my first dream. I run as the walls pass by me in a blur.

I don't know how to stop myself either. Holy crap. Stop, stop, stop. And I do, the second my thought is finished. I don't understand anything anymore.
 

I get to the room and instead of an exit from the cave, I am deeper. The hall opens up into a large circular room without windows or doors. It is a dead end. My heart sinks.
 

A large fire pit takes up the center of the room. The booming fire illuminates the entire place as shadows dance along the walls. Stone fireplaces line the far wall and wooden tables are scattered throughout the large room.
 

Oddly enough the room is empty except for Ollie and the guy he's talking to. The place could easily fit a hundred people, maybe more. I'm not sure who would want to eat under ground though. Everything is muddy and cold—not to mention the lack of electricity.