7, Queen Of The Night

"What's going on?", I nervously ask

"Yesterday I went to church right, and my mom couldn't come pick me up but Sophia and her dad were there so they offered to give me a lift", Ryder talked, "While we were driving there, Sophia’s dad gets a phone call and... I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to hear this but, he said something about Kylie's autopsy being fake"

"What?", I gasp

"Well from what I could understand, he carried out the autopsy but whoever he was on the phone with paid him off to draft a fake one. I don't know why and I don't know what the real autopsy said or who was on the phone but...”, a pause. “Now I think you might be right about what you said the other night”

"We need to find out the truth Ryder”, I say, “soon”

The school bell rang just as Ryder and I were about to carry on the conversation, forcing us to head to our first classes of the so beginning dreaded day. At first I was happy to be leaving Echo Creek but after what I've just heard, I kind of would rather go back.

The classroom is so warm after the wintry chill outside when I walk in with my textbooks in my hand. I pause, suddenly feeling lighter. A smile spreads over my face like it belongs there as I spot the beautiful human being that is my boyfriend, Trip Tucker. I take my jacket off and place it on my chair,my cheeks fluffy and pink.

"Well look who's finally here", Trip smiles and pulls me into a tight bear hug, planting a kiss on my forehead. 

My love for him never fades or withers, it only grows and becomes warmer. The taste of his lips never leaves me, it never disappears. His scent is my home and his arms are my heaven.

"Alright, alright. Get seated you two, unfortunately this is not a love making shack", our literature teacher says as she walks in

The class laughs at her comment, so does Trip and I, pulling away from each other and taking our seats.

I usually love Literature class but, there was too much going on in my mind at this point. Between trying to figure out why my dead sisters autopsy was forged and still resetting after being in Echo Creek, there was just no room left for me to focus on the parables of Shakespeare.

Trip sits down next to me and hands me a small folded piece of paper as our teacher writes on the big white board. I open up the paper and see the words, I missed you written down

I smile to myself and look at him before putting down my response, I missed you too my love, and sending the paper back to him. I watch him open it and write something down.

Once again he hands it to me, this time it wrote, I've missed you. go on a date with me tonight? Throw away the paper for no and burp for yes

An unexpectedly loud laugh escapes my lips and everyone's eyes shoot towards me.

"Miss Burklin! Is there something you would like to say to the class?", my teacher exclaims

"No. Sorry"

She rolls her eyes and continues writing, so does the rest of the class. I forcefully take in a gulp of air and burp quietly. Making Trip start to laugh under his breath, so do I.

***

School ends pretty quickly and I barely get the chance to see Ryder. We’ve always had all separate classes so we only ever saw each other after school. It worked for our relationship. We both need space from each other from time to time.

"How was class?", Ryder asks. She’s standing at the front steps of the school with her backpack hanging on her shoulders

"To be honest, I have no idea", I laugh

So does she.

"Hey, Sophia was listening right?", I ask

"What?"

"Was Sophia listening to Dr. Leon's call when you guys were in the car?" 

"Yeah, I think so", she scratches her head softly, “why?”

"I'm gonna go talk to her and see what I can find out, maybe she knows something or she heard something that you didn’t understand but she does”

"Do you want me to come with?"

"It's okay, I'll call you if I find anything out"

"Kay", she hugs me, “are you coming over later?”

“No.. I have a date tonight”, I smile

“Ooh. Well Have fun and don’t forget any dirty details”, she runs her hands through her hair and moans playfully. I shove her gently and laugh

“Get out of here”, I tell her. She laughs, walking to the nearest bus stop and I carry on with my mission.

I walk over to the bright cherry red drop top parked in the front of the school where Sophia and the rest of her soccer team minions were situated. I never cared for Sophia, she was Kylie's best friend  and all but truth be told, I've only ever had two conversations with her, three at the most.

"Hey Sophia", I whisper timidly. Saying that Sophia Leon scares me is an absolute understatement. Within seconds, Sophia and all of her minions eyes were on me.

"Kelsie Burklin", she stands up, pulling down her hot pink leather skirt which by the way, I’m surprised she didn’t get dress-coded for. “To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I was hoping I could talk to you about something", I tell her

Sophia couldn't force a smile if her life depended on it. Instead she she just nodded  uncomfortably and hoped that I'd leave. I could tell. 

“Of course”

"It's...it’s kind of private", I say. She looks at the other girls, they all watched closely to see her response.

"Okay", Sophia groans and led the way to another part of the car park.

“So, Kelsie Burklin”, she stands, “what is this about?”

"I was just wondering if you know anything about your dad's autopsy stuff"

"Not particularly. Why?"

"Well, I...uh, I’m doing a career management program and one of the careers I would like to try and pursue is pathology”, I lie, “so I thought since your dad is in that field of work, maybe you could tell me abit more about what he does and stuff”

"Oh", she rolls her eyes, "I don't know about that stuff so, sorry but I simply cannot be of assistance. Tootles Kelsie Burklin”

She turns around and starts to strut back to the rest of the girls. I have to to think quickly before letting this opportunity slip.

"Wait!", I scream

“What is it?", she turns around. Clearly irritated.

"There's another thing", I say, "I've been trying to get closure. I’m sure you have to after...well, you know. And, one of the ways I can do that is by doing things Kylie used to do. I was hoping I could come over and you can share some of your memories of her with me”

Sophia's face goes  pale all of a sudden. "Well, as a matter of fact, the girls and I are having a soccer meeting at my house tomorrow after school. Kylie always attended. You should stop by"

"Great, yeah. I will be there"

She struts off, her heels clicking the pavement. Oh boy, a night at Sophia Leon’s house. This should be fun.

**** 

My mom was sat on the couch, when I got home, feet up and working on her computer with a fat glass of red wine in her hand.

"Hey honey, how was school", she asks when she notices that I’m home

"I don't know, the whole day was kinda blurry", I respond and pour myself a glass of milk in the kitchen, "how was work?"

"Admirable", I hear her say

I take a sip.

"There's something for you upstairs", she tells me

"What is it?"

"I don't know either, I guess you'll have to go check"

"How cryptic of you”, I joke 

My mom grabs  her car key and stands up, "I'll be back by midnight. Have fun"

“Where’re you going?”, I ask

“Just have fun Kelsie!”

I watch as she walks out of the house. I put down the now empty glass of milk I had in my hand and make my way upstairs, where I find a trail of rose pedals leading their way towards my bedroom door.

It was clear to see that Trip was up to this.

I open the door and I’m immediately blown away by the sight. "Oh my Gosh"

"Happy belated anniversary. We weren't able to celebrate at the time", he walks towards me and pulls me by the waist, "And I figured since homecoming was postponed until the end of the month,  why not just have our own little celebration”

I smile, "can I ask you a question?"

"Anything”

"Why are you the sweetest person in the world?"

"I think it's because you're the best person I've ever known. I do my best to give you what you deserve"

  *WARNING: SMUT AHEAD. Also, I suggest you listen to 'Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding' while you read the rest of this chapter*

"Second question”, I whisper

“What’s that?”

“Do you still wanna...you know”, I ask

“Oh”, he kisses my cheek, “hell yeah”

The room is dark and candles are lit, rose petals spread on both the bed and floor, giving the room a devilish touch. Trip presses his lips against mine and sits me on the edge of the bed then lays me down gently and begins to take off his shirt. He catches me staring at him and giggles. I do too

Now he's on top of me, his hands supporting my weight as he places each beside my body. Our tongues meet and dance to the music the atmosphere births. The sequence and moves get intricate as we go on, it's like art. 

At this point, I'm simply aching for him as he slowly takes my dress off from my hips and the black boy shorts I'm wearing are now on full display as he slides it off my body. I watch him take his pants down and boxers too and get on the bed. We kiss passionately, our souls at peace with each other.

Finally, I feel him in me and flinch upwards but he follows my movements and I begin to feel tears swell up in my eyes, not because I am sad. Just because, I am currently feeling an unusual pain. I bite into my lower lip and shut my eyes. I feel a surge of blood streaming down onto the sheets as he pulls out.

I feel our souls merge and become one

Not long after the sequence continues, I feel weak and I notice Trip does too. Our energy is lost to our merged souls. I placed my head onto his chest and feel his heartbeat then whisper, "I love you" before we both sink into a sleep of peace.