Wrapping her hands together around her best friend waist slightly bending her knees because of the high difference as they stood for the post celebration pictures as her jaw began to hurt as she bitterly smiled. Her father and mother taking a multiple a photos, never wanting to forget this moment. The moment their daughter finally graduated high school, the end of her childhood and the beginning of something new.
" Oh my god, Char. We did it!" Brianna squealed more happily than ever, flashing her diploma in her hand, the long natural brunette that carried blonde streaks throughout, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling.
" I know. I can't believe, it's seems like just yesterday we met." Charlotte added breaking free from the constant facade as her parents groaned, wanting to have at least an album or two of this moment. " Mom, Dad I'm tired give me a break."
Her parents clicked they're teeth as they gave in, Charlotte was stubborn if she didn't want to do something she wouldn't and her parents knew that as well. " Fine, but we will continue this later." Her mother Blair said with firmness not giving up on her wish as Char rolled her eyes.
" Don't worry, Mrs. Evans I'll make sure Charlotte will take those pictures." Bri boosted as she bumped her hip into her as her mother's gave a soft smile.
" Thanks Bri, I wish you were my daughter sometimes." Blair expressed, as Brianna waved off throwing her hair over her shoulder.
" Excuse me, I'm right here." Charlotte pointed out crossing her arms as her father came over patting her back like a little girl. A little growl emerging from her lips as she realized she sounded like a dog as Bri eyed her. Quickly covering it up as a fake prolonged cough. Charlotte never knew why but she always had this moments where she would just be too animalistic, than human.
Her father Ryder a man in his early forties, no where near his age in his appearance as he held no wrinkles, he still carried abs for his middle age, the person she had developed her tall genetics from, " Hey you know we love you kiddo. It's just that Bri's parents aren't even here to celebrate this. Be a little considerate." His voice tender and mild.
" Are you sure they're not coming?" Charlotte questioned turning to her sadden friend as she sighed, giving her the answer. " You should call them again." she suggested as Brianna shook her head. Charlotte clenching her fist at this injustice. Ever since she knew her best friend back in their freshman year, anytime parents needed to be involved or present. They always stood her up, saying that they were working out of country, leaving Bri all alone in a empty house. Never did they once show up or introduced themselves. That's when she started to invited her over for sleepovers, and spending time at her house and basically Bri just lived there more in her own house. Hoping it would make her forget the missing piece in her heart.
Walking over to her sadden friend through her arm over her using her more as a shoulder rest as Brianna's coffee brown eyes gazed up at her tall self looking for reassurance, " Well don't worry. We will party all night until the sun rises. Not being able to thing about anything tomorrow." Charlotte proclaimed as a smile found It's way on her lips as they headed indoors.
Glancing over to notice the empty need of restock pile of beer. She took the opportunity to get to fresh air and drive away from the attention and pressure, " Hey the beers out. I'm going to head to the store for some." Charlotte made known as she looked at her parents and Bri who threw up their hands holding the last remaining beer. Taking the key cars and heading for the door.
" Good luck." Bri surprisingly- more like out of place stated as she slightly turned her head back perking her brow.
" I'm just getting some beer, Bri." She repeated as Bri face became still, acknowledging that fact but still holding her statement.
Her friend just stared at the TV, swaying her lips side to side before speaking added, " Yeah, just remember you're instincts." Bri added as Char blinked not knowing at all where that come from, her best friend was always like that giving where proverbs from nowhere, but just giving an huh and opening the door. The fresh crisp night air overflowing her senses. Her lungs feeling renewed, unlike a moment ago. Charlotte wasn't faking being happy or hated being around her family. That wasn't it at all she dislike being inside for too long, she felt like a pent up animal in a cage. She loved going out, out anyone, surrounded by Mother Nature and her creatures were she felt more at ease. Most herself. Entering her brand new car her parents just gifted her for graduation as the motor silky started up.
Without a thought lowering the windows as she reversed out of the driveway, hitting the gas at a sixty even though the nearby store was only five minutes away. Charlotte allowed herself for once to break the rules as the wind hitting her face made her want to run free. Hearing a loud howl erupt through the night as she cocked her brow. " I thought they weren't supposed to be any wolves in Avendale. " She meticulous noted as she pulled up to the store and taking her keys out of the engine, stuffing her hands in her jeans making sure she had enough money. As she opened the black metallic door, revealing a dim litted, one part of the grocery store light flickering on and off as she reminded herself it looked like one of those scenes from a thriller movie.Ones where the main character is about to get kidnapped, or attacked. Thankfully, those stupid little movies didn't scare Charlotte.
Trailing towards the back of the store as she looked for the same brand of beer they enjoyed. Opening the cold case as the freezing temperatures actually seemed refreshing as she grabbed two packs and left for the cash register. There the store owner Jim, a lumberjack- a man in his mid forties, who carried a full trimmed bear, dark olive skin, that was complemented with his coffee brown eyes, and stood not much tall than her about an inch or two but was buff as hell for no reason. With his arms crossed, muscles easily outlined even with his red plaid flannel and his face emotionless, she placed the beer on the corner.
Taking a look at her as she cocked her brow as he scanned the items. Jim wasn't a creepy nor arrogant man, on the contrary everyone loved him because he was this big lovable bear. Loved among st adults, and cool with the teens for allowing them to buy all the drinks they wanted without any problems. So what was his problem? " Anything else?" He spoke abruptly his tone of voice colder than Charlotte had ever heard before.
" Nope, that's it. Thanks, Jim." Charlotte replied. Maybe he needed some appreciation? People sometimes need a hug.
A tight smile finding it's way on his thin lips, the old Jim back, " You're really always grateful." He began as she silently nodded, " I hope you're ready. I hope you win." He weirdly spoke as he was beginning to act all creepy again. She knew she did this because she wanted to get outside, but now she wished she stayed inside. What was he talking about being ready? That he hopes she wins? Wins what? Now that she remember Brianna said something about good luck. What does that all mean?
Shaking her head, maybe it was just graduation nonsense, cutting to the chase, " How much is it?" Charlotte abruptly asked.
" 10:30" He replied blantly as she pulled out the ten dollar bill, fishing for the extra loose cents in her pocket as she found two quarters. Holding his hand out as she dropped the money on to it, not wanting to make any contact but his hand found her wrist pulling her forward roughly over half the counter as suddenly something pointy pierced her neck skin, earning a gasp from her. Her veins felt like something burs ted, and multiplied. Something being awakened within. Aware that she was being drugged she pushed back, with all her force to get her hand back, to get Jim the hell off. A brute strength entered her as he flew back into the back shelves as she dropped the money and dashed towards the door.
Jumping inside her car, her hands shaking to put the keys in as she somehow was successful and the car started, as she drove off the parking lot. Exiting whatever hell that had just begun.