Hoax Read online

  That was when she saw another side of her ‘Best friend’. One which answered the question; why one of the most popular girls in high school had to take her – the foster kid – as a friend.

  Because she had no-one. Not because she was too popular, no. Because she was kind of…scary. When someone didn't do what she wanted and the way she wanted it, she would blossom from the ever bubbly blonde to the ice queen in matter of seconds. Jaws clenched, thin lips and eyes that glared the sharpest daggers one could find. She looked like a small blonde monster. Not the cute ones but the scary ones. Even the teachers weren’t immune to ‘the look’.

  Erina hated it. She hated ‘the look’.

  And that’s what Sara was doing at this moment. It was a cheap trick and the blonde knew it. But it got the job done.

  Erina gulped. She wasn’t scared. No! “Bu-but I don’t…” the redhead couldn’t finish.

  “You. Are. Coming. Right?” Sara’s voice was low and calm.

  Erina just stared at her. For the life of her, she could not say no. So she obligatory nods her head and then sighed in relief when Sara smiled. She hated that ‘the look’!

  Sara cheered, clapping her hands together. The whole intimidating look from earlier was gone. “It's gonna be so much fun!” She sang.

  Bipolar – Erina thought, her hands went through her hair.

  “What will be fun?” Parker asked as he joins them. He was quite large with his over 6 height and Rock muscles. He was one of heartthrobs of DHS. Though to Erina he was more as a big teddy bear with brown hair and green eyes, who loved to watch chick-flicks with her and Sara. Especially ‘The Notebook’

  Riley and Mary were right behind him. Riley was in the football team with Parker. While Mary was the second-in-command in the cheerleading squad. Erina to this day still had no idea how she ended up with the popular people.

  Parker kissed Sara on the forehead and then turned to face Erina, “You Okay, Rina?” Erina shook her head but was interrupted by the blonde.

  “She’s fine” Sara smiled at him. Erina just rolled her eyes. “We’re just talking about how fun it will be at the bar.”

  Parker grinned at Sara, throwing his bag in the table he sat down next to the redhead, he again turned to her, “Lynette said yes?”

  “She hasn’t told Lynette yet” Sara said sourly, glaring over at her. Parker looked at Erina again, a smile tugging at his lips. The redhead simply shrugged. He bust out laughing. For some reason, Parker always enjoyed it whenever Sara was mad at her. Maybe because she wasn't getting mad at him and he wasn't the one receiving ‘the look’.

  Probably.

  Riley took Erina’s bag from the table. Erina arched an eyebrow at him. But the blonde boy kept doing his thing. He brought out her phone from the bag, putting in back on the table walking a few steps away Erina, he dialed Lynette’s number.

  “What are you doing Ri?” Erina asked getting up. Sara gave him a thumb’s up while Parker tried to stifle his laugh.

  “Ri!” the redhead yelled, trying to get her phone back but the jock just moved away, holding up his finger. Mary just shook her head unwrapping her sandwich, this happened every time.

  The phone ringed two times before Lynette picked up.

  “Hello?”

  Erina looked at Riley and he looked back at her. Then the jock winked and threw the phone in the air. Erina barely managed to catch it, before it hit the ground. She turned around glaring at him, he shrugged.

  “Hello” Lynette’s voice came from the receiver once more.

  Erina was still glaring at Riley. “Hey. It’s me, Erina” she mumbled.

  “Honey, is everything OK?” she asked, immediately worried that Erina might be in trouble. Erina rolled my eyes. Why does everyone assume I'll be in trouble – she thought.

  “Erina? Are you there?” Lynette asked.

  The redhead nodded, than remembered that Lynette can’t see her. “Yeah, I am. Sorry to call you at work.” she glared at Riley but the blond boy just grinned back at her.

  “So?”

  “Um, yeah. Uh… today it’s Parker’s birthday and they were going out and” Erina started but the older blonde cut her off.

  “You want to go too?” No, I wanna stay home and watch TV – Erina thought. But she couldn’t say that, could she? Not with Sara around.

  “Yeah”

  “Well where are you planning to go?”

  She looked at Sara, who was intensely listening to the conversation. “Where are we planning to go? Well... a movie?” she asked. Sara nodded.

  “What movie?” Lyenatte questioned, Erina could hear the smirk in her voice.

  “The movie we are gonna be seeing is…” Erina motioned at the phone. Parker turned at Sara then back at Erina, sitting at the edge of the bench. ‘Footloose’ Sara mouthed.

  “Footloose” Erina answered.

  Riley spat out his drink looking at them, eyes wide. Mary was biting her lips hard so that she didn’t had to laugh out loud. On the other hand, Sara was face-palming herself and Parker simply looked between the two girls, eyes wide open, jaw on the floor in horror. No-one was supposed to know that he liked girly movies! No one!

  Erina just hit herself with the phone. “Footloose and Chinese” she tried to recover quickly. But the ship had already sailed. Lynette was definitely on to them. But the older blonde said nothing, just laughed. Erina sighed in relief. Laughing was good.

  “Footloose and Chinese then?” she teased. The redhead hummed in agreement, anxiously rubbing the back of her neck. There was nothing she could say to fix this. “OK” Lynette said starling Erina.

  “Yeah?” she asked, her eyes flickering at the group sitting in the lunch table.

  “Yeah” the blonde answered. “Wish Parker a Happy Birthday for me”

  “OK” she looked up at her friends, turning her back at them. “I will, sorry for disturbing you at work” she said apologetically.

  “It's fine” Lyenatte spoke quickly, trying to assure her “Well you enjoy yourself. But you have to be back by 11”

  Erina chuckled at Lyenatte’s parental voice, “Okay. Bye, Lynette”

  “Bye, honey. Have fun!”

  She put the phone in to her pocket, just looking at Sara who looked at her questioningly. “So?” Sara prompted.

  “Footloose?” Erina asked.

  She put her hand on her chest dramatically, “I didn’t knew what else to say. I was thinking that I should watch that movie again when you asked. So…it just came out.” She huffed, blowing away the small strand of yellow hair that was in front of her eyes. But the strand fell on her eyes again. And she tried once more but it didn’t work, again. It never does. Erina shook her head. Parker choked down his laughter.

  Smart guy.

  “But what did Lynette said? She said yes right?” Erina pouted her lips and swung her head side to side as she watched them sitting eagerly to hear her answer. She looked at them with a smile, biting down on her lower lip, she gently nodded her head up and down.

  The next second, Sara screamed, jumping of Parker's lap and pulling her into a squeeze. A few students around them turned to look but quickly turned away. Sara was always squealing.

  “Tonight is gonna be so awesome, I can’t wait.” Parker laughed.

  “We’ll never forget it” Riley chipped in. Mary nods. But for some reason, Erina couldn’t agree with them. There was a feeling in the pit of her stomach. A bad felling. I’m so gonna regret this – she thought.

  * * *

  The gang barged into the club, all the way to the bar at the back. Parker showed his fake ID to the bartender quite proudly before grinning back to the others. The bartender didn’t buy it though. He had a mental discussion about if he should serve them drinks or not. In the meantime, the group of teenager eagerly looked at him, trying to figure out which side was winning. Finally the bartender came to a decision and started bustling behind the bar.

  The glasses were placed in front of them, full of a light go
lden color liquid, lemon slices wedged onto them.

  “Go on” the bartender smirked.

  Parker eyed up the glass before picking it up, the others followed. He cocked an eyebrow at bartender then in one gulp finished the whole thing. His face screwed up for a second but he quickly shook his head before smiling back at the older man. The guy laughed before going over to his next customer. “Kids” he muttered.

  “C’mon guys, do it” Parker prompted, waving at the glasses.

  Sara looked at Erina once before downing hers too. “Woo!” she yelled, fishing for the lemon wage. The other three followed. Erina’s face scrunched up, eyes closed as she felt the drink burn its way down her throat. Yup, never drinking that again – she shook her head.

  Parker laughed, giving her a piece of lemon. “You’ll get used to it, Rina” he said. But she didn’t believe him at all. He then turned around and ordered another round which Erina quickly swapped out for a coke.

  Soon they got comfortable with the drinks taste. Erina still didn’t had any. I have be home sober, she told them every time they asked her to join.

  Sara and Parker had just finished their 4th drink. They looked at each other and smiled before turning at Erina; suspiciously goofy smiles fixed on their faces. Erina raised her eyebrows at them. They just smiled some more before suddenly each grabbing one of her arms and started to drag her to the dance floor.

  The dance floor was buzzing with people even though it was only a Wednesday. She looked around, her green eyes scanning the whole place. Everyone was dancing in no particular way. A man next to them just seemed to jump and wave his hand, whilst another was doing some type of weird disco moves.

  She laughed as Parker spun her and Sara. The yellow, blue, pink lights flickered at them, the music loud. She just let herself enjoyed the feeling and let it wash over her. It was the music. She kept listening as Parker gave them another spin and then both of the girls give him one.

  He laughed, throwing his head back as he did.

  “I know this song!” Erina yelled over the noise.

  Parker stopped, brow furrowed together as he listen to the music over the noise. He nods. “It’s Intro, but with a lot more drum and bass, I think” Parker yelled back. Erina shook her head in agreement. They danced more after that. If one could call jumping around and spinning until you hit the person next to you or fall.

  And then they would just laugh. Riley and Mary joined them for a few minutes before disappearing off again somewhere else. Suddenly Erina stopped in mid spin, she turned back, her eyes scanning the left side corner of the club.

  “What happened?” Sara asked, her hips moving.

  Erina looked at her then back at the corner, “I swear I saw someone looking at us.” She yelled.

  “No one’s looking” Sara waved her hand at the crowd “Everyone is too busy getting drunk, no one has time to stare at us.”

  Parker shook his head, taking the girls by their hand. “C’mon Rina let’s boogie!” he howled, shaking his hips in a very not so charming dance move, a giggling Sara in his arm. Erina laughed, throwing an invisible rope at them. Parker grabbed it, of course. And pulled her in.

  Then they danced disco, while the DJ made them fall in love again.

  After a very long time of disco dancing, they all went back to the bar and sat down on the stools. Sara ordered another round for them all. This was all going in Parker’s tab, after all. He still owes her for that dress he ruined last summer. Sara smiled to herself, turning around to look at Parker, before she cracked up laughing.

  Erina and Parker looked at each other, eyebrows raised in confusion. Sara shook her head, her blonde hair a mess. She pointed behind them at the dance floor. Both Erina and Parker turned their chair around to look. Almost immediately they started laughing too as they watched Mary and Riley doing waltz.

  “That’s kind of cute” Sara mustered. Erina nodded, still laughing, until her eyes fell on her watch, “Shit!” she stood up, almost knocking over the bar stool.

  “What?” Sara and Parker asked in unison.

  “Its 10.45” Erina answered.

  “So?” Sara asked another glass in her hand.

  “I’m late” she threw her satchel over her shoulder – Flynn Rider style.

  “No! Come on stay!” Sara whined. “There's no fun without you” she sang handing Erina a glass. Erina shook her head, drinking whatever happened to be in it. When it reached her throat and the burn started, she remembered exactly what it was and how much she hated it.

  “Thanks for that” she growled. Sara smiled at her whilst Erina continued on taking a lemon wage between her teeth, “But I have to go”

  “OK, we’ll drop you off” Parker said, suddenly all sobered up and walking towards the door.

  She held him back. “No, you guys stay. I’ll walk”

  Sara and Parker looked at each other, silently debating if they should let her go alone. Erina rolled her eyes. “Guys, I messed up once. I’m not doing it again.” She held up her pinky in the air, “I pinky promise.” They were at the door, now.

  Sara rolled her eyes but gave in. “Fine” she huffed, her hands crossed over her chest, “but call me when you reach home” But Parker was all ready to object. “Parker” Erina looked at the big guy, “I’m not gonna run away again. I promise.”

  Parker narrowed his eyes at her but Erina didn’t look away. They stared at each other for a few moments until Parker sighed. “Fine. But” he waited for dramatic effect, “If you don’t call us the moment you reach home. You are never walking home alone for the rest of your life”

  Erina smiled - pleased that she won this, and then saluted. “Yes boss” Parker shook his head at her childishness, but smiled too. “So do you. And drive slowly please.” she said looking at the blonde then at Parker, “I don’t wanna find out in the morning that you guys died from drunk driving. Everyone will blame me.”

  Sara’s face fall but she laughed quickly. Parker shook his head. Erina hugged him wishing him happy birthday once more. “Say bye to the love birds for me” she pointed at Riley and Mary, Parker grin then nod.

  Sara hugged her. Parker also chipped in again since he already had his arm wrapped around Sara plus hugging is good for health.

  Erina walked out of the door pulling her grey coat closer into her, walking towards home. She turned her head back and the couple was still standing there.

  “Go!” she shouted.

  “Call me okay, don’t forget!” Sara shouted back.

  The redhead gave her a thumb up; they nodded their heads before heading back inside. Erina turned around and placed her hands in her pockets as she started to walk a little bit quicker than before. It'll only take her about 15 to 20 minutes tops to get home at this speed.

  Still she couldn’t walk fast enough. She had been living here for almost four years now, but she'd never had to walk alone before – not after her running away stunt. She always had somebody with her after that – Lynette was the one who came up with that idea. It was stupid but it worked.

  She shuddered as the wind blew pass her. Even though she knew the road, walking alone was kind of scary. Every horror movie she had ever seen and every book she had read flashed before her eyes. She shivered, tightening the coat around her.

  This was going to be one long walk.

  * * *

  She opened her bag, getting out her MP3 player. Having it playing at full volume relaxed her slightly. She took out a lemon drop next; a poor attempt to get rid of the bitter taste of tequila that still lingered in her mouth. But it didn’t work as she hoped it would. So she brought out a can of fruit soda next, taking a long sip of it.

  She sighed. Being a diabetic sucks – she thought taking another sip – always so damn thirsty. She took another long sip and then turned right before she came to a complete stop.

  In front of her was a man, sitting in the middle of the sidewalk with a woman cradled in his arms. Erina took out her earplugs. She could hear the silent groans
that were coming from there.

  She took one more step toward them.

  It was then she noticed, illuminated by the street light that hung over, that the woman’s hand was lying at a very odd angle. That’s definitely gonna hurt – she thought. She took a step forward, eyes fixed on the couple. Then she noticed the woman’s finger moved. Erina wasn’t sure at first. So kept on looking. It moved barely, just slightly up from the ground as if telling her to stop? Her eyes narrowed as she looked over at the woman’s eyes, wide and watery. The life seeming to be swallowed by the blackness in there.

  Erina frowned, her lips pursed as she took the whole situation in. There was something going on. She could feel it in her bones. But what was it? She shook her head. You are over thinking this – she said to herself –The drink is messing with you. Otherwise why would a woman in trouble not want someone’s help. Help, which might just save her.

  She took a deep breath. A slightly metallic smell hit her nostril. Her confusion rose as she looked at the couple. Erina slowly steps toward them.

  The woman’s eyes widened and tears stated to pour out faster. A small whimper left her mouth. Erina gulped as she looked around. There was no one in sight. It was almost 11 and in small towns like this, no one stays out this late. And like expected the roads were completely deserted.

  She took another step toward them. Putting on her best brave face, she cleared her throat. “Is-is she alright?” she asked the man cradling her. The way he had his arm wrapped around her, his face burrowed into the crook of her neck, the way he was slowly moving – it was wrong. It just seemed wrong. It was weird and scary somehow.