Haunted-2

Read Chapter 1 before reading this.

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A crumpled up piece of paper lands on my desk as I write down what the professor is saying. I take it and look around discreetly. Is the note for me? Is it for someone else but the person used too much or not enough power? I can’t say who’s it for since there isn’t a name on it at all. Then again, it’d be tough to write on the outside of a crumpled piece of paper. Not impossible, just hard. I shake my head, ignoring the note the best I can. But something about it is calling me to it, to read it. Getting through the rest of class takes most of my energy, trying to concentrate and not think about the note.

I pack my backpack quickly and rush out of the room when class does end. I make my way down the bunch of stairs and towards my dorm building. I let myself in and head to my room. As much as I love Selena, I hope she isn’t in the room so I can read the note. I test the doorknob and it opens easily, which means she’s here. Walking in, I try and act as normal as I can.

“The girls want to know when we’re free to host movie night,” Selena says when I enter. She doesn’t look up from her desk that she placed in front of the window.

“What did you say?”

“I told them that I’d talk to you to see about your schedule. You are busier than me.”

I head to my calendar to see when I’m free next. My gaze travels down and I look at it confused. Every day is filled in with a bunch of gibberish and runes. I squeeze my eyes shut and count to five before opening them again, hoping I was just imagining it. I open my eyes and it’s gone, only my handwriting is there.

“Taylor?”

“Huh?”

“A date you’re free for movie night. You looked, but then zoned out.”

“Oh, right. Does next Saturday work?” I ask.

“It should. I’ll let them know.” Selena sends the group chat a message before she looks at me concerned. “Is everything alright? You don’t seem like yourself.”

I nod, assuring her that I’m fine. I don’t need to go to another therapist and get called crazy. Granted, it did help the first time, but I also can’t think the person I saw thought I was crazy. Shadow monsters and all. I tell her that I’m just going to take a nap for my headache and take some Advil for it. I crawl under the blankets and bring them around me, closing my eyes.

~

I wake up with what seems like my head pounding before I realize someone’s at the door. I reach for my phone to check the time and see it’s only five-thirty. I slept for two and a half hours. Rubbing my eyes, I head to the door to see Tom standing there, flowers in hand.

He chuckles when he sees me still waking up. “Did I wake you?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry. I know I’m early, but I figured with travel time, it’ll make up for it.”

I look at him confused, not myself yet.

“Our date? Did you forget?”

“Right, our date. Um, just let me change out of school clothes into something nicer.” I give him an apologetic smile, accepting the flowers, and close the door.

Rummaging through my closet, I pull out an emerald green skate dress. I take a belt and put it around my waist, despite the fact that there aren’t any belt loops. I pair it the dress with black flats, figuring you can't go wrong with simple. I throw my hair up into a ponytail, but when I look at it in the mirror, I shake my head, not liking how it looks. I leave it down and run my fingers through it, trying to loosen the already loose curls. I add eyeliner and a coat of mascara as well as my MAC Powder Kiss lipstick. I grab my burgundy jacket and place the lipstick in my bag. As I open the door, Tom almost falls into me, but catches himself.

“You look… amazing,” he whispers. He leans in and places his lips against mine. When he pulls back, I feel my face heating up from what just happened. He takes my hand and leads me out of the dorm and to his car.

He opens up the enger side and I thank him. We talk about school and other things. Being with him puts my mind at ease. With him, I don’t think about whoever’s sending me messages, that creepy feeling I get of someone watching me is gone. All of my worries are gone because I’m with him.

~

“I had a great time tonight,” I say.

“Me too,” Tom replies. His eyes travel from mine to my lips. “Would you be my girlfriend?” His blue eyes peer into mine as I look at him shocked. To say that I’m surprised would be an understatement. Did part of me expect us to have that boyfriend/girlfriend label? Yeah, but I didn’t think it would happen now.

“I’d like that,” I smile as I continue, “boyfriend.” A smile tugs at his lips and he kisses me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe. Good night, Taylor.” I watch as he walks down the hall until he’s out of view. I fumble for the door handle and see my friends sitting in the middle of the floor.

Karlie looks up when I close the door, which causes a chain reaction from the rest of my friends. I put my bag on a hook and them. They all look at me expectantly, wanting me to talk about my date. I tell them and when I get to the part becoming official, they all squeal. Looking around the group, I don’t know how I would’ve survived freshman year without them. Some are older, but they guided us who were younger through it.

I met Cara in one of my introductory classes and she introduced me to Karlie and Lily. Selena was my neighbor and we instantly clicked. Selena then introduced me to her roommate, Gigi. We all clicked as friends and we’ve basically been inseparable since. None of us are really seen without someone else in the group. Our different personalities might definitely get in the way at times, but we all work out ways to get through arguments when we have them.

“This will be your first Valentine’s together! Are you excited?” Selena asks.

“It’s not for a couple of weeks. We still have a few days of January left,” Gigi states.

“But Tom’s probably already planning on ways to make this a memorable day for you. After all, the first Valentine’s Day can show what kind of romantic a person is.”

I raise a brow, doubting that Tom’s planning it. I’d be fine going to his room and ordering takeout while we watch movies. I don’t need anything big. Sometimes simplicity is the best way to go. It’s not like he’s going to propose or anything.

Everyone starts talking and as they do, I sit quietly. taking my shoes off. A sudden breeze happens and goosebumps form, the hair on the back of my neck rising. The windows are slightly open and something hits the window with a loud thud. We all jump and I get up to see what it is. Opening the window more, I stare at what I see on the windowsill.

“Taylor? What is it?” Lily asks.

“Oh. My. God. Is that a crow?” Cara questions as everyone gathers around.

While a dead crow shocks me as it will anyone, I’m focused on the piece of paper that’s wrapped around it’s ankle. I ignore the puddle of blood that is forming as I read it.

Your time has come

You’re wanted back

But beware

Death awaits

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Chapter 2 is finally up! I had it written, I needed to it (thanks, school).

What are your thoughts? The crow is definitely creepy. I don't know what I would do in that situation. Another note arrived. Who do you think it is? Or is it even for Taylor?

#curratorreview