Page 18 of Autumn Secrets
Chapter 7
Mum dropped me off outside school the next morning, delivering me the same speech from the day before.
“Remember, it’s getting darker earlier, so please take an earlier bus home. I don’t want you walking around in the dark on your own.”
I had already gone to bed by the time Mum got home last night, so I didn’t have a chance to talk to her. But I didn’t really want to tell her about the incident in the industrial area anyway, because it would only make her freak out. Besides, Adrian had been convinced it was a homeless person or something. I wasn’t planning on telling her about Adrian either right now. I wasn’t even sure how I was supposed to explain him.
I nodded and looked at Mum. “I promise.”
Mum gave me a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll go and look for a car this weekend, okay? It’s just a couple of weeks until you’re eighteen; it could be an early birthday present.” She winked.
I chuckled. “Thanks, Mum. I’ll see you tonight.”
As I climbed out of the car, I couldn’t help but look for a certain black BMW, but it was nowhere to be seen. Mum had dropped me off pretty early and there weren’t many cars parked here at all. I decided to head inside to see if Mrs Day had opened her classroom early.
I was lucky. The classroom door wasn’t locked and, better yet, no one was there. I headed straight towards the computers. I thought of yesterday and my interaction with the beautiful and mysterious Evangeline. I still found it quite strange that no one seemed to know who this girl was. It was like she didn’t exist. Which was impossible, because I’d talked to her. I hadseenher kiss Adrian.
A wave of jealousy hit me again, and I tried to brush it off. I’d already decided to let this whole thing with Adrian Hunter go; he was too much trouble. I didn’t want to be involved in some stupid triangle drama. I was done, with or without his phone number. I sat down and turned one of the computers on as I looked for my USB in my bag.
“I thought it was you…” A familiar voice made me jump in my seat, and I looked up to find Julian standing by the door. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s okay,” I said nervously. He stepped in and closed the door behind him. His dark gaze swept across the room before it landed on me, and I squirmed in my seat.
“I’m working on something.” I gestured towards the computer. Julian walked around the desk and sat down on the chair next to me.
“Looking good.”
I gave him a smile. “Thanks, but it’s not finished yet.”
“I wasn’t talking about your work,” he replied and flashed a grin.
I felt myself turning red, and I looked down at my hands. What was it with the boys in Angel Falls? They sure knew how to make a girl blush.
“My parents are away this weekend,” he continued. “I’m having a party on Saturday night. Would you like to come?”
I looked up into his dark eyes. “I don’t know. Who else will be there?” There was no way I was going to a party alone. I didn’t even like parties.
“Everyone is invited, don’t worry. I do this every year when they go to their yearly conference. You will definitely know people, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“And who’s everyone, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“That would be our whole year.”
“Oh, okay…”
“Come on, Aurora. It’ll be fun…”
“I don’t know. I’m not really into the whole party scene.”
“Well, you haven’t seenthisscene before. I can guarantee you’ll have a great time. I’m a great party host.” He grinned.
I laughed. Well, why not? “Okay, I’ll come.”
“It’s a date then?” He winked.
“Uh, okay…”
He stood up and pushed the chair back. “Looking forward to it. I’ll see you in class later.”