Sally
I scrutinized Colby, noticing he seemed uncomfortable and stunned. He appeared too stunned to speak, his hand gripping the cross-body bag tightly.
“Is something wrong?” I signed, but instead of replying, he shifted back and shook his head.
“Well, aren’t you coming? Should we go together?” I signed, pointing at the short distance we needed to cover to reach the field.
“Where were you last night?” he asked instead, his eyes cold, almost devilish, as he bit the soft flesh of his lip.
“Why? I was in my room, asleep,” I signed, becoming worried when he just stared without a word. “Is everything okay?”
Still, no words. Just silence, staring, and more staring, growing increasingly suspicious.
I moved to tap his shoulder, thinking he’d gotten lost in thought, but instead, he stepped back. It was as if I wasn’t the Sally he knew, as if I were the devil when, in reality, he was the true devil.
“What’s wrong with you?” I signed. “Do you think I’m crazy now because I accepted the masked man thing? Are you trying to test me? Well, fine, let’s end it.”
“Who are you?” he suddenly asked, his unusual question causing a stir in my mind. My confusion and worry replaced the anger I felt towards him.
Was my stepbrother losing his mind? Was that why he was acting so strangely? I swallowed hard and took a step forward, but as usual, he stepped back.
Hell no, something is truly wrong with him.
“Don’t you know me anymore?” I signed quickly, my heart racing and my mouth drying up. I couldn’t even gulp down any saliva to ease my anxiety.
“It’s me, Sally,” I signed, tapping my chest several times, forcing a warm smile that only made me appear more scared. Yes, I was scared. Scared that something was happening to Colby.
“Speak,” he suddenly commanded, his chest heaving.
Speak? Did he want me to mouth words so he could lip-read? Fine, that wouldn’t be too difficult. Besides, he was good at reading my lips.
“Colby, are you okay?” I mouthed, more slowly than I usually did.
Colby’s jaw clenched hard, and he balled his fists tightly at his sides. After what felt like forever, he took a few steps toward me.
“Don’t fuck with me, Sally. I know that you can talk.”
My eyes blinked once, enough to take in air and push him away from me. What was he talking about? What the hell did those words mean? Me? Speak? Did he wish for that? Did he want me to talk?
“Speak, Sally,” he growled, panting. The hot air swept the little hairs off my face.
I hated him now… so fucking much. Maybe I should stop crushing on this bastard. Maybe I should tell him not to be my masked man anymore. Maybe I should tell him that I regret giving him my virginity. Maybe I should tell my mom to get a divorce. Maybe… Maybe I should go back to the Bells’ house.
“I said speak, Sally!” he yelled, drawing the attention of some passersby. “Use that damn voice of yours.”
That was it! It was over. Everything! Without thinking, I raised my hand and struck the side of his face, forcing him to face the other way. At once, his cheek turned red-red like my own cheeks burning with anger, sorrow, and embarrassment he had caused. I was a fool to worry about him, and an even bigger fool to develop feelings for this guy.
The moment his face turned back to me, I flipped him off with both hands and stormed away in the opposite direction. We were supposed to have a brief meeting with our coach after seeing Malcolm Jr., but I didn’t want to go anymore. Not with these mixed feelings and inner turmoil threatening to tear me apart.
I just wanted to go to my dorm, lie on the bed, and cry my eyes out while trying to erase my memories of Colby. I hoped Mia wouldn’t be home so I could break down as I wished, perhaps even have an episode or something.
When I reached the door, I found it locked, which meant Mia wasn’t home. Thank goodness. I pulled out my key, unlocked the door, and went inside.
As soon as I was in, I latched the door, turned around, and slid down to the floor, my back against the door. Once my bottom touched the neat, tiled floor, I raised my knees, placed my hands against them, and cried into my palms. I cried so hard that I began making audible sounds-sounds that I wanted to keep sealed, sounds I had trained myself to keep inside forever. Screw it! I cried and cried until my body shook, and my face was covered in tears, sweat, and snot.
I collected myself once I grew tired of crying. Then, I stood up, took a shower, and afterward, dressed casually and lay down on the bed. My puffy face rested on the pillow, my eyes were red, and I kept sniffling, attempting to control my runny nose.
I opened my bag, took out my phone, and saw several messages from the coach asking where I was and warning me to show up for the meeting or I would regret it.
“I’m sorry,” I simply replied, and then switched off my phone and prepared to take a nap. But just as I was about to doze off, I heard a loud knock on the door, and I groaned. I got up, opened the door, and for a moment, I felt like I was opening an entirely different door.
I shook my head, trying to clear the strange sensation, and found Mia staring at me, confused. “What’s up?” she asked as she walked in.
What was that memory? It was Colby’s room, but why was it in my head?
I swallowed hard and slowly shut the door before turning to see Mia drinking water from a fancy bottle.
“Hey?” she said, and I locked eyes with her again.
“Where were you early this morning?” she asked, tilting her head. “I woke up around 3 am, and you weren’t in bed. In fact, I found the door wide open.”
My heart skipped a beat!