Demons From the Past novel Chapter 11

|Verena|

I felt someone bump into me harshly causing me to stumble forward, I turned around to give whoever it was a piece of my mind but when I saw who it was the words died down in my throat.

Ethan Grant.

I could practically feel the color drain from my face. Ethan gave me a sly smirk before sauntering off in the opposite direction.

My mind went back to the day before, when me and Nate had run into him.

"I killed Allison and there's no way in hell you'll ever be able to prove it." Ethan had said.

The memory made me shudder. I knew that Ethan was dangerous. He'd actually confessed to killing Allison, and much to my contempt there was nothing me or Nate could do to prove it.

However, I couldn't help but feel that I was missing out on something. The whole situation was a complete mess, I was back at square one.

"Are you okay Ver?" Skylar's concerned voice broke in, pulling me out of my thoughts. I had almost forgotten she was there. I gave my friend a reassuring smile.

From the corner of my eye I could just make out Aiden making his way towards us.

"Hey there neighbor!" Aiden greeted bumping my shoulder with his playfully as he joined me and Skylar in the crowded college hallway.

I had recently discovered that Aiden and Skylar were actually neighbors, he lived in the house just across the street. And now since I had moved in with Skylar he was my neighbor too.

I gave him a warm smile, "Hey yourself." I responded bumping his shoulder back.

"Hey Aiden!" Skylar chirped her greeting, "I was thinking of taking Verena to Kenny's today. Do you want to come along?"

"Yeah, cool. I'd love to." Aiden replied cheerfully.

"Who's Kenny?" I asked in confusion.

Skylar rolled her eyes at me, "It's a café idiot, the best one in town!"

I gave her a pointed look, "Exams are just around the corner, I have to study I'm already falling behind. I'm supposed to be at the library right now."

Skylar groaned in frustration, "You are such a nerd! Look, I'll get Aiden to drop you off at the library later, okay?"

I eyed Skylar's hopeful expression for a while before my shoulders sagged in defeat, "Fine." I muttered begrudgingly, "If I fail it's on you."

Aiden chuckled as he put his arm around Skylar's shoulders, "Good job Sky, you managed to persuade the most stubborn person on this planet."

I gave him a mock scowl, making him chuckle again. "Just hold on a minute, I need to change out of this stinking uniform first." He said motioning towards the basketball jersey he was currently wearing.

I had to admit. He did look good in it. Aiden was your typical golden boy; good-looking, straight-A student, star of the basketball team. He had everything going for him. I was glad that we'd become friends but I couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of jealousy whenever I looked at him. I'd give anything to have a perfect life like his, carefree, content and adored by everyone.

Aiden gave Skylar a playful peck on the cheek before jogging away in the direction of the boys' locker room. I observed how Skylar's cheeks tinted pink at Aiden's actions, her eyes became glazed over as she eyed his retreating figure.

I cleared my throat noisily so as to gain her attention. Skylar finally broke out of her trance, her face turning an even deeper shade of red for being caught staring.

"So, how long?" I demanded.

Skylar shuffled her feet awkwardly, "I don't know what you're talking about." She mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

I scoffed, "You don't have to lie to me Skylar. How long have you had feelings for him?" I asked giving her a pointed look.

Skylar gulped nervously before finally speaking, "Ever since he moved here, which was three years ago, I think."

My eyes widened in surprise, "Have you told him how you feel?"

Skylar shook her head sadly, "I'm just terrified that it would ruin our friendship." She admitted, "I get the feeling that he doesn't think of me as anything more than a friend." Her lower lip trembled as she spoke.

I wrapped her arms around her waist comfortingly, "That's not true! He's probably just afraid of making the first move like you are!"

"How can you be so sure?" Skylar asked sniffing.

"Because he's a guy!" I exclaimed, "I mean look at you, any guy would have to be blind to not be into you, you're stunning!"

Skylar's face broke into a small smile, "Well, you're not too bad yourself." She said as she enveloped me in a warm hug, "I'm so glad we became friends."

"Me too." I said sincerely as I hugged her back.'

*************

"So, what's so special about this place anyway?" I asked curiously as the three of us made our way towards the only empty table at the back of the Kenny's café, we had already placed our orders. I mumbled an apology as I accidentally bumped into some random stranger, the place was bubbling with college students, it was undoubtedly a famous hangout point.

We finally made our way to the table and settled down. My phone buzzed and I quickly fished it out of my bag to check, it was a text message. I felt my heart flutter when I saw who it was from. However my face soon broke into a frown when I read it;

"No training tomorrow. I'm busy. –N"

"Who's Nate?" Aiden's voice broke in as he eyed the name on my phone. I hadn't realized that I'd been scowling at the mobile screen.

"No one!" I said quickly as I shoved the phone back into my bag.

Skylar gave me a pointed look, "Come on Ver, spill the beans."

"Look, he's no body. Just some guy who's training me. Just basic self-defense stuff, I just thought it was a good idea after the attack and break in you know." I said trying to sound casual.

Skylar's eyes widened in surprise as she realized something, "This guy doesn't happen to be Nate Cohen by any chance, right? The guy you were drilling me about the other day?"

I pursed my lips before finally giving her a nod.

Skylar's mouth hung open in shock.

"Wait, you're training with Nate Cohen? The guy who murdered Allison?" Aiden practically yelled.

"He did not kill Allison!" I snapped defensively.

We were enveloped by an awkward silence. Skylar let out an exasperated sigh. "Our order should be here by now, I'll go check." She mumbled as she got up and walked in the direction of the counter. Leaving me alone with a furious Aiden.

"If you wanted someone to train with, you could have asked me! Why on earth would you go to him?" Aiden demanded angrily.

"Because he can help me find the real murderer!" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop herself.

Aiden's eyes widened in shock and the color seemed to drain from his face, "What?" He asked in disbelief, "Please tell me you're joking Verena!"

I sighed in exasperation, "It's really none of your business Aiden." I said defensively.

"You're my friend, of course it's my business! Do you know how dangerous it is? Don't get involved in this Ver, please." He begged.

I was touched by his concern, I reached across the table and clasped his hand in mine lightly.

"I'll be careful, you don't need to worry." I reassured but it didn't seem to ease the panic etched across his face.

"Hey, look it's Verena!" I suddenly heard a familiar voice call out. I turned around to find Marcus waving animatedly in our direction. My breath caught in my throat when my eyes caught sight of Nate standing right beside him. However, Nate's eyes seemed to be trained on something else, it took a moment for me to realize that his eyes were actually burning holes into mine and Aiden's still clasped hands. I felt my cheeks redden as I realized what it looked like, swiftly I retracted my hand from Aiden's and gave them an awkward wave.

I felt my heart skip a beat as my eyes finally met with Nate's smoldering ones. I once again found myself being mesmerized by the mysterious man. Something about him seemed to draw me in, like an invisible thread wound over my heart tugging me towards him.

"Mind if we join you?" Marcus asked as they both approached the table.

Nate's glare was now focused on Aiden.

"Sorry it took so long, the line was huge!" Skylar suddenly broke in, she was carrying a tray with three steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Her eyes widened as she noticed the two men standing there. "Um. Hi?" She said finally, her voice was pleasant but laced with curiosity.

"Um, hi?" I answered a little awkwardly.

"I just came back from Spain! It's beautiful Verena, you should visit someday."

"That's nice." I managed to say, I didn't even remember her going there in the first place. Then again, I'd long since lost count of my mother's exquisite travels.

"Verena, I wanted to tell you something." My mother's voice was serious all of a sudden, it sounded a little guilty.

"Yeah, mom?" I asked nervously, I turned to find Nate observing me. Our eyes met for a second before he turned his attention back on the road.

"I know that the holidays are coming up and you're supposed to visit but something came up. One of your father's friends is getting married, it's his third marriage if I remember correctly . . ." She trailed off "Anyway, we have to be there and unfortunately the dates coincide with the holidays I hate to do this but he's a really close friend and we have to go, the wedding is in Paris and we'll be staying there for a couple of weeks, I'm afraid we won't be able to see you." She finished apologetically.

From the corner of my eye I saw Nate reach down and pick something up but I chose to ignore it.

"Oh, that's okay mom. I was thinking of staying here and chilling with my friends anyway." I responded lightly, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"That's great! I'm glad you've made some friends there, can't wait to hear all about them. I'm kind of in a hurry right now but I'll call soon, love you baby, bye!" Before I had a chance to answer she had already hung up.

"Love you too mom." I muttered into the phone before shoving it back into my bag.

"That was interesting." I heard Nate's voice speak up.

I was about to respond when my eyes zeroed on the Polaroid photograph he was currently clutching in his hand. I felt the color drain from my face.

It was Trevor's picture.

"Where did you get that?" I demanded.

"It fell out of your bag when you were taking out your phone." He said with a shrug his eyes were still on the road.

I could feel my anger flare up, "You really need to stop touching things that aren't yours!" I hissed as I snatched the photograph from his hand and placing it carefully into my bag.

Nate turned to look at me, "Is that Trevor?" he asked quietly.

I just folded my arms over her chest stubbornly refusing to look at him.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Nate asked after a while, his voice sounding strained.

My eyes snapped in his direction. "That's none of you Goddamn business!" I spat out, "Stay out of my life! Stop prying, I clearly don't want to talk to you about it so just leave me the hell alone!" I snapped.

Nate's jaw clenched, his nostrils flared in anger. He stepped on the break hard, causing the truck to come to a sudden halt. "Get out!" He ordered, his face contorted into a sneer.

I chuckled icily, "Wow, you're such a gentleman Nate, kicking a girl out of your car just because she refuses answer you! If I remember correctly, you practically murdered my friend a while ago because you wanted to drop me off!" I trained my livid glare at him, "You're the biggest douchebag I've ever known Nate Cohen! You're selfish and rude, you think the whole world revolves around you!" The next words came tumbling out before I could stop them, "No wonder people stay away from you." My eyes widened as I realized what I'd said, I knew I'd stepped over the line, I could feel the guilt starting to build up inside me.

Did I actually say that to him?

My heart clenched painfully when I saw the hurt which flashed across his face, but it vanished as soon as it had appeared. His whole face went blank, a void of any kind of emotion.

I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.

"We're here." He said quietly, his voice was eerily calm.

It took a moment for me to understand his words, I looked outside the window to see that we were currently parked outside the library. He hadn't abandoned me in the middle of the road because I hadn't answered him, like I'd been quick to assume, he'd told me to get out because we'd reached the library.

"Nate I-" I started, but he cut me off.

"Get out of my truck." His words were like ice.

With shaky fingers I unlocked the door and stepped out of the truck into the cool air. Before I could utter another word he was already speeding away.

"I'm sorry Nate." I whispered sadly as silent tears made their way down my cheeks.