Page 16 of Shamed
“Oh, look who it is!” Marni’s high-pitched voice pulls my attention, drawing it to the windshield to see what she’s looking at.
Jim, who I haven’t seen since shortly afterthat night, stands on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette while talking to two other guys dressed as Marvel characters.
I always liked Jim, but just like most of my other friendships, it kind of fizzled out when I stopped hanging out with everyone and didn’t reach out through texts.
I’m not sure if the girls have seen much of him either since he didn’t end up going to UIC with us. But they’ve still been very sociable, so it’s possible.
As soon as the Uber comes to a stop, Marni and Jersey scoot out of the back seat and onto the sidewalk after thanking him. I quickly give him a cash tip since I know Marni will be stingy before joining them.
Before I’ve even stood up straight, Marni is running up to Jim with a squeal, wrapping her entire body around him, causing him to laugh and drop his cigarette on the ground. “I haven’t seen you insolong,” she gushes. I guess that answers my earlier thought.
Jersey and I come to a stop beside them, the two guys he was with shifting so that we make a circle on the sidewalk.
“Hey, Jen, Jers,” he says with a grin once Marni has detangled herself from him. “Long time no see.”
“It’s been a while.”
Jersey leans in for a hug while I stay put.
Jim eyes me for an extra beat, like he wants to say something else—maybe bring up what happened or tell me he’s sorry. Or maybe he’s waiting for me to hug him as well.
Ultimately, he keeps his mouth closed, which I’m grateful for.
I glance at the two unfamiliar guys with him, both with blond hair, blue eyes, and similar features. Perhaps brothers. One of them gives me an appreciative look that I might have enjoyed once upon a time, but now it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
“These are two of my buddies,” Jim says, noticing where my attention is. “Kyle and Wills. We were just about to head back upstairs.”
“I’m the more handsome brother, obviously,” the one who eyed me says with a smile, to which the other ignores. “Nice to meet you.” They speak at the same time, both giving a small wave to not only me, but to the girls as well.
My eyes immediately swing back to my friends because they said they knew everyone who’d be here tonight. Marni shrugs at me with a tilt of her head as if to say, “Oh well, what can you do?” and starts following Jim through the building’s entrance.
Blowing out a breath, I try to shake off the feelings of betrayal. I’m sure they didn’t intentionally deceive me. People invite other friends at the last minute all the time. It’s not always in our control.
I also know that, just because you know someone, it doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t do bad things.
But the girls had assured me that they not only knew buttrustedeveryone going. We’re not even inside yet, and it’s already been proven false. How many more people will be inside that they don’t know?
Everyone starts walking toward the building, and despite wanting nothing more than to turn around and go back home, I decide to follow them.
Right before I take a step, a heavy arm drapes across my shoulders, and I freeze, my limbs turning to ice as I stare ahead and watch my friends walk away from me.
“You coming, sweetheart?”
The person squeezes my shoulder, their arm holding me captive, and memories come rushing at me, bringing me back to that night.
They try to urge me along, but I can’t seem to move. If I do, I’ll be back in that field. If I look up, I’ll see that red hood.
He’s come back to get me.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
I’m vaguely aware of my trembling body, of Jersey turning around and rushing back after seeing my face. What must it look like?
“Shit.” She shoves the guy’s arm off my shoulder. “Hey. I got you. I’m here.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
Finally, I blink several times, angling my head to look up at the guy, who is one of Jim’s friends. Kyle? The one whose gaze had lingered on me. No red hood, just messy blond hair above creased brows and worried lips.
