6

-I'll be around," Darren said goodbye, walking out the door that Colton had just left. It was obvious that this boy was dangerous and troublesome but.... What did I have to do with it? I pulled out my cell phone as I felt it vibrate.

It was Dad.

-Hello? -I answered, adjusting my glasses.

-Monique, there's been a problem," he said on the other end of the line.

-Did something happen? -I asked immediately, a little worried.

-Don't worry," he calmed me down, "it's work. I have to travel.

I frowned, as that had never happened before.

-Travel? Why, when are you coming back? -I was a bit paranoid, as staying home alone with Angelique was not something I liked, especially after....

-I don't want to go, Monique, but it's necessary otherwise... it would cost me my job and we can't afford to lose it," he sounded worried. The trip will take four days. I would be back Monday morning. At the moment I'm at home doing the annoyances.

-Dad, I don't want you to go away for so long," I whispered a little sadly.

-I know, that's why I'll do my best to come back early," I soothe myself. I will leave them recommended with Margaret, she will be taking care of them while I'm gone," he explained. I immediately tensed up. I am sure you will take care of your sister.

-You know I will," I mumbled. I guess I can only wish you safe travels.

-See you," she said goodbye. I'll call your sister.

-Okay.

I hung up. Now I would be left alone with Angelique, it was obvious that she wouldn't listen to me, in fact, she must be telling her friends to come home, and to be honest, I didn't want to put up with teasing and stuff like that from them. I couldn't stand it if my own sister didn't stand up for me. I mean, we were in the same belly at the same time, how could she possibly have pushed me aside just like that? Twin sisters are supposed to be closer than ever.

Minutes later my sister appeared with Loren through the front door.

-Listen up, everyone! -she exclaimed loud enough for everyone in the room to turn around and look at them, "There's a party at my house today!

What?

The shouts, whistles and applauses were not long in coming, I couldn't believe that Angelique was taking advantage of my father's absence to have a party in the middle of the week. It was only Tuesday. I wanted to get up and tell her why she was doing that, but I didn't because I would only make a fool of myself.

I could not allow my house to be invaded by everyone from school.

Hours later I was walking home, I hadn't been able to talk to Angelique all day because she wouldn't leave her friends. Before I got home I noticed that Colton was coming in the opposite direction, probably from the same neighborhood as yesterday, but the closer he got the more I could see that his face had some recent bruises, I could tell because he had a small cut on his lower lip.

His face was super serious and angry, so I was afraid to run to him and ask him what happened to him, his gaze rose, meeting mine. As we were in front of my house I decided to ignore him and go inside. He was probably back with Angelique, and I would most likely see him tonight.

I knew only one thing: I would not leave my room for anything in the world.

***

The night had arrived, since the party had started, the music was loud even though I had my door closed. Our house was big enough for almost everyone from school to reach here. From what I had heard, they had a lot of beer, cigarettes, other stuff and, as this house had four more rooms, not counting my sister's, Dad's and mine; so Angelique left them free for the couples to do what they wanted.

I was in short shorts since my pajamas were dirty from yesterday, along with a small tank top. It was a little warm today. My hair was tied up in a high ponytail. I was sitting at my small desk studying for my Spanish test. The book was too thick, I wrote down the important things and went on with my reading.

It was after eight o'clock at night, I admit that the noises, screams and so on did not let me concentrate well, however, I was using all my willpower.

A very loud and insistent knocking on my door put me on alert immediately, was it Angelique? I stood up carefully and then went to open the door, there was a man. Actually it was a boy. But he looked drunk and a little dizzy.

-Are you looking for something? -I asked.

-He was looking for the... -he didn't finish the sentence as his gaze shamelessly ran over me from head to toe, forming a cynical smile on his face-... I'm looking for you, Angelique... you don't know how I like you -yes, I was very drunk and now he thought I was my sister.

-You are wrong... I am not... -I stopped in my tracks when I saw that the boy entered my room abruptly and closed the door behind him. I took steps backwards as a self-reflection, "What are you doing? Get out of here," I demanded.

The boy ignored my command and took off his shirt, leaving it lying on the floor.

-Now you will give me what you promised me," he whispered. I stepped back further, my body began to fill with fear and my heart raced.

-I'm not Angelique," I said firmly, "Get out of my room.

But the man didn't listen, he rather threw himself at me, grabbing me by the waist, with his lips he began to kiss my neck in a disgusting way.

-Let go of me! -I screamed, tears threatening to come out, "Let me go, please!

I felt his tongue run down my neck, no one in this house was going to listen to me, no one was going to save me and that terrified me. I screamed for him to let me go, at that, the boy dragged me, throwing me to the bed. I fell backwards, the boy did not hesitate to climb on top of me to touch my legs and leave kisses everywhere.

-Please help me! -I screamed, tears flowing uncontrollably from my eyes. -Help me!

I struggled with the boy, until the door to my room burst open, revealing Colton Dashner standing there. As soon as he looked at the scene he clenched his fists, walked over to the bed, grabbed the boy by the shoulders, causing him to fall to the floor.

-What the hell?! -the boy sputtered.

-You son of a bitch! -Colton spat and then knelt down and punched him in the face. I was in a state of shock, in the same position the man had me. My tears were coming down like that. My skin was shaking and I wouldn't stop sobbing. I could only hear Colton's fists smashing into that guy's face, I could hear the moans from the aforementioned guy and a couple of curses towards him from Dashner.

-Get out of here! -Colton yanked him up, pushing the boy out. He opened the door and, the boy being outside, closed it. Now he turned to me, "Are you all right? -He came over, sitting on the edge of the bed, examining me. I could even swear I saw concern in his eyes.

But Colton Dashner couldn't feel that. Not for me.

There, close to me, I rejoined him and, without a second thought, hugged him.