7

I was so nervous that I didn't think things through, I didn't think about what I was going to do, I just did it, I wrapped my arms around Colton's waist, taking him by surprise, since at first he didn't return my embrace, but I imagine I gave him some kind of pity because little by little he wrapped his arms around my back, feeling at that moment his warmth.

I felt good, I admit it, little by little I was calming down, until my sobs were no longer audible. Colton's hand rubbed my back but he didn't say anything.

-Are you calmer? -he asked with some concern.

-I think so," I replied, pulling away from him. Thank you, Colton... -I looked at him- If it hadn't been for you...

-Shhh," he shushed me, "don't even say it.  

Colton lifted his hand, wiping away a small tear that fell down my cheek. I felt his touch, warm and warm, my skin tingled at that moment. I could also tell that my glasses had fallen off in the path of the struggle because I didn't have them on me. My eyes were on Colton who was acting super different than before, he wasn't acting distant or doing anything to give me a hint that he wasn't doing me any good.

-Your skin is so soft," he whispered, caressing my cheek.

What is he doing? His caresses make me feel a strange tingling in my stomach, make me forget that until recently I was going to be abused by someone. Colton Dashner was calming me down, I could tell that at this moment.

Colton seemed to react, as he withdrew his hand quickly, standing up.

-Is something wrong? -I asked, confused.

He looked at me.

-I have to go... -He headed for the door, but first turned to me.... I'll tell your sister to come. You have to stay with someone. I won't let you stay alone.

He gave me a quick glance before walking away, leaving me alone and confused. I unconsciously brought a hand to my cheek, where until recently Colton's touch was there. I don't know how long it took but the music stopped playing, some time later the door to the room opened.

Angelique turned to me.

-Colton told me what happened," she said and then sat down next to me. Are you all right? Monique, I'm so sorry.

It was the first time I had ever seen Angelique really care about me, and it was nice.

-I'm fine," I whispered.

-Monique, I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to have a house party. I'm sorry," she confessed, and for the first time I noticed she was serious.

And having a party couldn't have just been her idea, I knew Loren had influenced her with his stuff, I hate that Angelique lets herself be guided by what that girl tells her, sometimes I think Angelique got away from me because of Loren.

-You don't have to apologize," I smiled. It's all good.

She smiled relieved.

-If it hadn't been for Colton, maybe that man would've...

-Don't say it," I interrupted her.

-It's okay. I'm sorry.

-Is the party over? -I asked since the music was not playing.

-I canceled it, nothing is more important than my little sister. -He came up to me to give me a short hug, taking me by surprise.

-Who are you and what did you do with Angelique? -I questioned to annoy her.

She shrugged, I really didn't want to ruin the moment.

-Forget it this time," she stood up, "Come with me," she held out her hand for me to take.

I took it, standing up. Angelique directed me to the mirror.

-Look at us," she said, our figure reflected in the mirror. My hair was in a high ponytail, disheveled, I wasn't wearing my glasses so that made it more noticeable that we were twins.

Angelique took her hands to my hair, pulling my hair out of the high ponytail, leaving my hair to fall over my shoulders. Hers went the same way.

-We're the same, Monique," she murmured, "I don't know when we changed so much.

I frowned as she seemed to have said that to herself.

-I'm still the same," I said.

She denied.

-I changed you, Monique, you're my younger sister and I didn't know how to take care of you very well. -I regret everything I did and everything I will do.

I looked at her strangely.

-Why do you say that?

-Forget it. We'll sleep together today, okay? -she smiled at me.

And I couldn't help but smile as it was the best idea he could have, the hope of having my sister with me again took hold of me. It was what I had always wanted.

-It's okay.

***

The next morning Angelique and I got up and cooked together. It felt good since it was like it used to be, but something inside me said it wouldn't last.

-Loren arrived. I have to go," she put on her bag and walked to the exit. I'll see you later.

I sat in my seat, sipping some of my juice.

Yeah, it was too good to be true, I thought.

I left the juice and dishes in the sink, grabbed my bag and went outside, but not before locking the door. I put the key in my purse and started walking toward the school. I was surprised not to see Colton coming after me, it was strange and I admit I was a little disappointed.

As I arrived at the high school I looked at a car parked in front of it, but there was someone leaning on the hood of the car looking at their cell phone.

Darren.

Without thinking I walked over to him.

-Darren? -I got his attention.

He looked up, smiled at the sight of me and put his cell phone in one of his back pockets.

-Monique, how are you?

-Fine, how are you? -I put on my glasses.

-Well, listen, I wanted to invite you," he muttered.

I frowned.

-Invitation? -I wanted to know. Darren looked from me to behind me, I could tell he tensed a little but then acted like nothing and turned back to me. I wanted to turn to look but Darren stopped me by talking:

-There's a party today at a friend's house, do you want to come? -he proposed.

I hesitated, yes, since I didn't feel like going to a party, I didn't like parties, but I also didn't want to be rude to him or disappoint him, he had taken the trouble to come all the way here to invite me. I wanted to refuse, I wanted to do it.

-To me?

-Yes, you," he smiled sideways.

-He can't," someone else spoke. I tensed at that moment as I heard Colton's voice behind me, and then he stood next to me looking menacingly at Darren, who changed his countenance to a serious one.

-I'm not talking to you, Dashner," he spat.

-Go away, Darren, and don't invite Monique to parties, she doesn't belong there. -Colton replied. I looked at him a little furious, what do you mean she didn't belong there? Did he decide for me?

-Colton, what's wrong with you? -And I'm going to that party, whether you like it or not.

Colton gave me a serious look.

-That's not going to happen," he said, overconfident and very determined, then walked past Darren towards the school.

-See? I told you.

I looked at Darren, wondering what he was talking about, but then I remembered our conversation yesterday, what he told me about Colton.

-Never mind," I downplayed it, "What time are you picking me up? -I put my backpack on.

-Seven o'clock.

-Okay, I'll go to class now.

I said goodbye to him, leaving him there. I walked toward the huge high school wondering why I wanted to go to a party where Colton Dashner would probably be, where there would probably be more drunks like him from yesterday. My stomach juiced at the memory of that.

I only knew one thing: Colton Dashner was making me do things I would never do on my own, without knowing why.