Terror

The tension returned as I weighed my options and a sense of terror washed over me. I realized I was being paranoid and as I nodded I couldn't help glancing around hoping that at least one person sees me going into the woods with Melissa. I let out a gush of air, I was being childish and with a gulp, I buried my terror in my hollow stomach.
I needed to cut back on the horror movies, I'd been watching lately. They were unhealthy and messing with my head. As if I needed any of that with Roman around.
We walked into the crisp morning air. The clouds were playing hide and seek with the sun. A cold chill ran up my spine. The wind made my hair curl around my neck, I didn't bother to peal it back. What would be the use?
As we walked down the clear path, the wind was blowing almost hushly, the trees and bushes rustling ominously. I fell back a step so that Melissa would be in the lead. I followed cautiously behind her, wishing I was armed with at least pepper spray.
"Those clouds coming in..." I shook my head, worried. "How far is it?”
“Up the creek about a mile north," she informed me cheerfully.
I was absolutely terrified. I questioned what I was doing there, not a single soul knew where I was. I thought about my life, Jennie faraway, my stupidity.
There was only Melissa and me, the swaying grass and an eerie silence. The terror intensified.
"I actually brought you here for a reason." Melissa admitted once she'd made sure that we were buried deep into the trees. I glance over my shoulder and panic. I wouldn't be able to outrun her.
"Hopefully not to kill me," I joked rigidly.
Melissa laughed oblivious to my worry. "No."
"So, what's up?" I perked up shifting from foot to foot anxious to get out of there. My hands were trembling and I quickly shoved them deep under my armpits.
I waited, refusing to breath, as she hesitated.
"Please don't tell anymore this," Melissa muttered under her breath.
"Okay, I promise."
I stared at Melissa for a moment, and I couldn't read the expression in her dark eyes.
"Not even Zoe," she added.
I frowned. There was only one person who could get me to confess everything and he wasn't even speaking to me.
"I figured you didn't want to talk because you were afraid that someone might hear our conversation," Melissa said.
Naturally I wanted to tell Melissa to piss off but instead I skilled my face not to display the anger bubbling at the surface.
"The prostitution thing... again?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent.
"Well, yes."
My face was tight as I explained, "I'm a virgin, okay?"
Melissa couldn't hide her surprise. I saw the thoughtful look in her face, the suspicion growing rapidly in her eyes. "But Zoe said you slept with my father."
"Zoe?" I spat the name. My breathing abnormal. My eyes stung with tears of anger. "Does that girl know any boundaries?"
The wavering expression on her face created a mixed reason inside me. It threw me off.
"Melissa I've never slept with any man in my life," I confessed truthfully. "I don't even know your dad."
I felt bad for lying, maybe her dad was one of my clients. Drugged clients.
Melissa bit her lip. "My parents had a huge fight."
I tried to speak in a normal voice, willing the surprise out of my voice. "Why?"
Melissa stared. "Really, you're a virgin?"
I just nodded, my eyes widening momentarily in suspicion.
"Well I kinda told my mom dad was cheating."
My fingers twitched impatiently and I closed my eyes in a hopeless attempt to hide my fury. "Why would you choose to ruin your parents marriage over a lie?"
Melissa laughed. "Okay, I was kidding."
I glared at her. Not amused.
She flinched back from my anger. "Don't be angry, please, I just wanted to make sure it really was a lie."
"Okay," I said trying very hard to hold my calm. "So why call me here then?"
"I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor."
"Chad proposed?" I willed as much enthusiasm as I could in my voice, my anger swiftly vanishing.
"After weeks." Melissa was quiet for a few minutes. "I know you had something to do with that and I wanted to say thanks."
I sighed in relief . It really was paranoid how I had thought Melissa was plotting to kill me.
"I'm confused," I said, my lower lip pushing out slightly. "Why did you ask me? I mean you've known Zoe longer."
"And yet you're so natural at this friendship thing than any of us." She paused in thought. "You're less likely to betrayal me."
I nodded. "I'd love to be your maid of honor," I lied. It didn't sound very convincing at all. Even my smile felt tight. I was sure Melissa could see it was forced.
Melissa gestured toward a small trail. "This way."
I glanced up at the sudden rumbling in the sky. Storm air blew my hair into a mayhem. The breath whooshed out of me like someone had punched me. The blood drained from my head and left me dizzy. I was scarcely aware of the rolls of panic leaving my body. I hunched over and placed my hands on my wobbly feet to brace myself. "We need to get back!"
Melissa's eyes were wide, raking the trees in alarm. "Why?"
My hands were shaking so hard I wondered if I'd be able to walk.
"Nuru?" she looked down at me with horror-struck eyes and a ghostly face. "What did you see?"
"Can't explain." I whispered in a gush, turning back the way we'd come and running. I was suddenly clumsy due to the panic. The sky rumbled again and I almost fell into a tree.
Melissa ran to catch up with me.
"What's wrong?" she kept asking.
"Not yet," I chanted over and over. My voice was a tremor.