This Is Where I Want To Be

23. Like Nothing Happened

Juliet

At home, the pain had settled in, the adrenalin had worked out, and I looked like I was hacked by a chainsaw. My mom dosed my cuts with disinfectant. I cussed as the sting rippled through me. I couldn’t believe what happened. “I have to stitch you up,” she whispered.

“What? That will take forever. I’m going to be one big horror show.”

“You already are, Julie… Lie still and take these,” she handed me a handful of pills and water.

I was lying on the cold, hard kitchen counter, having a difficult time keeping myself together. I was sniffling, thinking about Chris, trying not to start sobbing. My father’s car didn’t want to pull into the garage. Something must have happened, “Where are they?” I asked worriedly.

My mom took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze, “Who were you with tonight?”

“Chris… What’s going to happen to him?”

“Nothing! They are going to take him home and put him in bed.”

“They are taking him back to Sita?” The realization that Sita would be there for him made the tears spill over. My mom pushed the tissue box over towards me.

“He is quite the legend… Didn’t you see he was a mixture of both vampire and werewolf?” I nodded. “He is a hybrid.”

“Hybrid?” My brows knit together. I really didn’t know anything if there were other creatures out there.

“Yeah, seems like the werewolves had known for some time. Have been tracking him all his life. That is why Sita married him… to try and save the werewolves.”

“Why?”

“The werewolves are going extinct. They thought that if one of them and “the hybrid” could have a baby… their problems would be solved.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Sita ruined his life to have a baby and then didn’t sleep with him. She’s so useless. “The werewolf that was there tonight was Sita?” My mom nodded, “I’m sorry Julie… That we didn’t tell you everything going on around you… But we had no idea you and Chris….”

“Louis didn’t blab?”

“Why would he? Louis loves you….”

“Is that why he’s here? For Chris… the hybrid?”

“Yes, and if Louis knew what Chris meant to you. It’s probably why he didn’t tell you or talk to you... I think all he wants to do is protect you.”

I drew in a deep breath. The painkillers were kicking in, “I can’t keep my eyes open, Mom.”

“Sleep, Julie... I’ve got you. This is going to take a while.”

“Don’t let Louis come and sit with me again. I need some time to process.”

My mom swept the hair from my brow and ran her knuckles over my cheek, “I won’t… send him right home… Juliet… what happened between you and Chris that he manifested like that?”

“Can I tell you everything tomorrow with Louis and Dad together…”

“Okay… let’s talk tomorrow. Juliet… Chris probably won’t remember what happened tonight. You know how werewolves forget their first manifestation…”

I passed out thinking about how stupid I was… Sleeping with him, knowing we will probably never have a day where we could just be together. Now, I had to tell my mom that I lost my virginity… and I had to tell Louis. And the man of the hour wouldn’t even remember. Stupid Juliet!

***

Louis

Seeing Chris like that. Juliet, out of the corner of my eye, ripped open. It was the worst thing that had happened to me since my father died. The fear of losing her was too much for me. Her dying at the hands of some boy I would’ve killed in a second was unacceptable. Where had I been? Why had I not protected her like I should’ve? I was so on top of everything until I needed to give her space. It was not what I thought was going to happen that night. I had hoped she would go to a party to enjoy herself. That Wednesday, we would leave for France. We would be together. She would have nothing to worry about anymore. I would’ve told her everything there. Regret filled me about keeping her in the dark… about using her. I should’ve warned her… I should’ve made things official between us before I left her alone. I should’ve stayed close like I always had.

Nevertheless, Chris didn’t rip her open. It was Jerry. The werewolf kid I had been keeping an eye on. I never thought he would go nuts seeing Juliet and Chris together. He was dead… His body was being carried off by the werewolves. Another one of them was gone. Another child who didn’t make it.

Chris was darted and loaded into a van and taken home to his bed. He wouldn’t remember anything about what happened that night… Regardless, he had manifested. It was true… there was a hybrid. He was under the werewolf’s protection… And there was nothing I could do about it. Or any of us. We had to get out of there. Liam called me to get in the car. I had been talking to two werewolves, Francis and Jack. They were Sita’s cousins. Police sirens were blaring. Blue and red lights were coming towards us in the distance.

The drive back was torture, wondering how Juliet was doing… dreading finding out what happened between them. I was a minute too late to get her away from Chris. I didn’t want to follow her that night… Not after she kissed me. She was in love with me, and I let her down… I wanted to start sharing everything with her… I was terrified, and it made me weak. I was a coward. Scared that if I opened up to her before I got her to France, she would never go with me. I had lied about so much. She hated that.

When I arrived at the party, I talked briefly to Charlene and Carl, and they tried to explain what had happened. I was angry that I had taken my time. Charlene had asked me to come. I just thought Juliet had too much to drink. They went to gather their things, and I waited outside for them. We were all on our way to the car when Sita ran out of the house, screaming at me to get into hers. I threw my car keys to Carl, jumping in next to Sita.

“Straight home. Stay with Charlene tonight,” I yelled at him.

“You can’t be serious….”

“I’m scared for Juliet… We will tell you everything. Be patient and keep Charlene safe.” He agreed. It must have been the look on my face. They left at the same time as us, in the opposite direction. Sita drove like hell.

“Why do you know where they are?” I asked.

“We have been tracking Chris... He manifested.” As we came around a bend, we glanced at each other. The sound that Chris had made resonated through the car. “I have been watching the whole night.”

I didn’t want her to tell me… Juliet was with him. I feared the worst. He was pretty impressive and lethal, seeing him from afar, tossing a werewolf body into a tree. He was massive and was looking at Juliet on the ground. I knew he manifested to protect her… It was his line… She was his trigger… it was only a matter of time.

***

Juliet

When I woke up, it was early in the morning. I thought I would sleep for days. Regardless, my mind couldn’t get over Chris and what had happened. My first thought was about me ranting and going off at him. My face was in his hands a moment later. He pulled me close and kissed me… We kissed again and again... It felt so good that all of it seemed worth it. I stretched out, feeling satisfied and a little more hopeful about our future —he was a creature just like me. I made a stupid decision and got dressed, climbing through my window, invisible. Something caught my eye when my feet hit the ground. It was Louis sitting against the wall, in the dirt. He didn’t even wake up when I pulled back the curtain. “I should’ve let you come in,” I whispered. I reappeared. I couldn’t leave him there. I ran my fingers through that thick bush of hair. He opened his eyes and pulled me down into his lap.

Louis took in all my cuts and bruises. His face contorted in pain for my sake, “I’m sorry, baby… This is all my fault.” He stroked my hair and pressed his forehead into my cheek.

“I can safely say that you had nothing to do with what happened last night… If anyone is to blame… it’s me and my big mouth. Why am I like this? Always stirring and prodding?”

“Why, what happened…?”

“Jerry happened… And I didn’t know he was a werewolf.”

“How do you know it was Jerry?”

“That stupid necklace,” Louis smiled a weak, quick smile.

I lifted away from him to take in his features, “The question is… did you know?” Guilt was written all over his face, “You’ve been tracking everyone. My uncle sent you,” he nodded. I drew in another deep breath.

“You’re not angry at me?” He asked nervously.

“No!” I pulled him to his feet and pushed him through the window into my room. “Get off the ground and take a nap.” He obliged and got in. “But first I’m going to say something… and we can talk about it… but you have to keep your cool.”

“I’ll try,” a frown played on his brow.

“I slept with Chris.” He drew in a breath and raised his head to the roof. There was such a mixture of emotions playing over his features that I didn’t know what would happen. He laid back on my carpet, covering his eyes with his arm. Louis’s breathing was ragged, moving his head from side to side, “It feels like I cheated on you.”

He shook his head, “No… we haven’t made it official… and he was first.”

I was dumbfounded. Taken aback, “I have to say you’re taking this really well.”

“I can read minds, Juliet. You’ve slept with Chris so many times, and I have been sitting outside this window so many nights.” Suddenly… And I didn’t know why, but I wanted to cry all over again, just like the previous night. “What I didn’t get from you, I got from your journal… or your dreams…. I know every part of you.” My hands were shaking. I reached into my shirt for the chain that hung permanently around my neck. He heard it and sat up, “Don’t, baby! Please.”

I hesitated, my breathing shallow. I was so angry… I wanted to rip it off and toss it at him. I couldn’t do it, “So much for ‘this is where I want to be. You—”

“Baby, no! I wanted you to choose me.”

I raised my voice, “I would have, you idiot! If you weren’t so slow. Where were you tonight? I begged for you. I prayed for you to come… If you always followed me, why were you not there? You could have helped me with Jerry.”

He reached out to me, “This is my fault. I’m sorry, please come to me.” Tears ran down my cheeks. I went invisible, staring at Louis sitting on my carpet, staring out the window, “Juliet, don’t leave like this, please.”

But I did. I turned and ran. Well… walked off. If I had appeared before him, I would have said things I shouldn’t have. Didn’t I promise myself I wouldn’t fall in love with Louis? That we weren’t on the same page. Why was I so hurt?

I was going to go and see Chris… I just wanted to see him… No, I needed to see him. I promised myself I wouldn’t confuse him more than necessary. If at all possible, I wouldn’t even appear before him. It took me so long to walk to his house. The pain got worse, and I was still a little groggy. When I got there, the only thing open was the garden gate. I figured this must be where Chris came from when he heard Jerry and me.

I walked around their house. A door was open to a room, the curtains blowing out into the cool air with the breeze. I looked around and saw a chair next to the wall, which seemed strange… so I went over to stand on it. I could see our blanket still on the grass. A smile crossed my lips. My butterflies were back, “Stupid Chris.” Watching me the whole night and then fighting your urges. I shook my head at how much effort it took him to cave. He was so strong-willed that it must be the reason his body refused to transform without proper provocation. Or I didn’t know… How could he go thirty years without manifesting? If he was some hybrid, how would it work at all? No wonder Sita didn’t get pregnant.

When the curtains blew open again. I took it as an invitation and went inside. It was a study, Chris’s study, by the looks of it. Sita must not have known what Chris had been doing the whole night watching me. I smiled at the thought of him stalking me for a change. Louis came to mind when I thought about stalking. He had listened to my thoughts… My conversations… Read my journal. I paused, figuring out the most embarrassing thing he might have heard or read. An uneasy hole formed in my stomach. The car… The asking me if he could kiss me over and over. He knew I wanted him. Every thought? I groaned.

It didn’t really matter; what was done was done. It was him lying to me that was the bigger issue. I made my way down the hall… there was an empty room and one last room at the end with an open door. Slowly, I walked toward it.

***

Chris

I woke up dizzy, my eyes blurry. I had a splitting headache. Confused about where I was or how I got there. The room came into focus… I let out a groan. The sun was shining in through the curtains and making my headache worse. I walked to the window and yanked on the fabric to escape the heat pouring in. Why did I suddenly hate the sun? What time was it? My eyes darted to the bedside table. Saturday morning? Sitting on the edge of the bed, I tried to remember what had happened the previous night.

“Juliet…” Was she okay? Why would I wonder if she was okay? Oh, yes, she and Jerry in the garden. I got angry again, thinking about their conversation. His hands on her. A piercing pain cut through me. It took me a moment until it passed. “What the hell was that?” I couldn’t remember anything else, “What happened?”

Rummaging through the medicine cabinet, I took a handful of painkillers. After swallowing, brown caught the corner of my eye. There were dirt and mud tracks from our bedroom to the front door. I swore loudly at the mess. I was out of breath just walking the short distance. Struggling back, I made it to the tub, letting the shower water run over me.

I must have passed out again because when I woke up, someone was shaking me, “Chris, wake up,” Juliet said in the water with me, trying to get me to move. She was propping me up on the side of the bath, trying to keep my body upright. Her arms were shaking.

“I got it….” My voice was croaky. I felt a little better, though. It must have been the water and some more sleep. I closed the tap and lifted the plug to let the water drain, sitting until it was all gone.

“Juliet…?” I waited… wondering if she would show herself.

Her voice came from outside the bathroom. It startled me. I thought I had just imagined her there. “I’m here… but I don’t want you to freak out or anything. I got wet just now. My clothes are soaked, so I had to take them off… but I have on shorts and a tank top.” I was naked… Juliet saw me naked. I jumped up, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around me. The mess on the floor was way worse. The water had spilled over the bath… The carpet in the bedroom was soaked. What happened in this house, and what was wrong with me?

I walked out of the bathroom to a scene out of a horror movie. I got such a fright seeing her with so many bruises and stitched-up cuts—I fell back on the door. It gave way, and I staggered. She caught my arm and pulled me forward, “I told you not to freak out.” My hand covered my mouth, haunted by the scene… trying to figure out how she could be so okay while looking like that.

“Don’t worry. The pain is okay. I can walk a little at a time. I’ve only been here for, like, five minutes… I wanted to see you and when I came in the door was open. I was scared you were going to drown.”

“What happened to you?” I asked softly.

“How much do you remember of last night?”

I tried to remember… What happened after I chased Jerry away? I saw him driving off… “You and Jerry talking about… you know… And me interrupting, and then him leaving.”

“That’s it?” She braced on the wall next to her. I grabbed her, keeping her up. I didn’t think her color could get worse. The little red she had drained away. She paled and had a difficult time adjusting.

“Yeah, why? Come sit down. You don’t look so good…” I helped her to a sofa in the living room. “Don’t tell me Jerry did that to you?” She nodded. “Juliet, did he…?”

She waved her hands in front of her, “Before that happens, I would rather have let him kill me.”

“Don’t say stuff like that… This is not okay!” I gestured towards all of her.

“It really looks worse than it is. My pain doesn’t last as long as—”

“Humans do?” She looked uncomfortable and nervous.

“Juliet, why did you come here?” Her shoulders slumped, and her head fell forward. My words hurt, and her chin quivered as she held back tears.

“I don’t know… I’m sorry… Can I use the excuse… That I’m only a teenager,” She got up to leave.

“Wait… you have to have a reason… You can talk to me.”

She scoffed like she didn’t believe me. A tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped it away with flat fingers. Something flashed in my memory. That mannerism… I had seen it before.

“I know… we are friends… I don’t want to make this harder on you,” she was comforting me… placating me. I walked over to her. She wasn’t uncomfortable, nor was she angry, not like when I saw her with Jerry. Juliet was snarky the previous night, now the complete opposite. Slowly, she reached out to take my hand… scared that I would pull away. It seemed like the wrong thing to do. She placed it on her cheek, closing her eyes. She sighed when I stroked away another tear.

I was tired of hurting her, “Juliet… you saying we are friends is more than I had hoped for. After my letter, I thought… you would never speak to me again.”

She shook her head, “No! You were right. If it wasn’t for me, you would have never been pushed like that… This isn’t easy for me. I have really… liked you… for so long and being able to sneak in here… I couldn’t resist seeing if you were okay after you and Jerry fought.”

“Is that what happened?”

“Mmhm…” she nestled into my hand, “You got knocked out, and I felt so bad.”

My hand reached for my head out of reaction… nothing hurt. Accept that headache I had, “I’m sorry he got to do this to you at all… How did it even happen?”

“You know how I’m not human… Well... Jerry w…isn’t either.” It was the first time she had said that out loud… That she wasn’t human, and it didn’t sink in. She took my hand away from her face and let it go. It didn’t feel right. Nothing felt right. All I wanted to do was put it back where it belonged. I wasn’t so desperate to make love to her. It was more than that. I wanted to hold her, comfort her, and make her stay. To tell her everything would be okay. She stepped past me to leave and turned at the entrance of the room, “Chris… I … l love you. And no matter what happens, everything is going to be okay….”

She kept beating me to it… “Juliet! Wait, you can’t go after saying that.”

“I have to… I just wanted five minutes. It’s been ten… Louis is waiting for me in the car.”

“No! Juliet, wait…! Don’t leave.”

She stopped, “Seems like you were right. The stars are more in control than we thought… Maybe our love isn’t written on them.”

Why would she say that? I felt my eyes narrow. Juliet regarded me and quickly closed the distance between us. She put her hand on my neck and pulled my lips onto hers. Juliet kissed me so hard that it felt like I would never see her again. She wasn’t going to ask for forgiveness. Her eyes rested dreamily on my lips, thinking about something. She disappeared. My fingers jumped to my lips. I didn’t pull away… or react like I always had. She kissed me… Juliet kissed me… And I let her kiss me… I replayed her words in my mind… She loved me... “What the hell? She was in my house.” I ran to the hall to make sure it wasn’t a fantasy. The front door closed slowly while she looked back at me. By the time I opened it, she was gone. Louis wasn’t there to pick her up. She had lied, “Juliet…! Juliet, please come back. You can’t leave like that.” The pain stabbed through me again. The sun was too bright. I stumbled back inside the house. I couldn’t try to make her come out just then… I had to lie down, “Will you stay?”