“Thank you, Aunt Carissa. This is great.”

“Oh honey, Willow was supposed to be here, but she’s running late. Something about Peepee hiding her keys.”

“Pepé,” I laughed, correcting her. “He is still mad at her for leaving for the entire summer.” He was a sneaky little guy but cute as a button…for a rat.

“Shame. He’ll come around. No one can stay mad at Willow for too long.” That was true. Willow had a gift for winning people over except for the ones who thought she was a freak. It was more about the way she dressed than it was about her.

“I’m making your favorite mixed-berry pancakes so I hope you’re hungry.” I was hungry though I never ate much in the mornings. My appetite usually developed later in the morning but today was different considering I skipped dinner after Keiran left. I went straight to bed, too emotionally wrung out to hang.

“Starving.”

“You should be.” She turned from pouring the batter into the skillet and gave me a hard look. “You didn’t eat the dinner I prepared last night.” I knew my aunt enough to know when she was questioning me without actually asking a question.

“Uh, yeah. I was too tired after my shower and decided I wasn’t all that hungry so I just crashed.” She nodded her head but continued staring me down until she finally turned to flip the pancakes. “I thought you were leaving early?” I asked, taking the attention off me.

“No, I said I had an early start. I had to at least be here this morning to make you pancakes, so I chose a later flight. Tara will be driving me to the airport on her lunch break.”

The doorbell stopped me from answering and I hopped off the stool to open the door. Willow usually just walked in so I wondered who it could be this early. I opened the door and immediately slammed it back. Oh God. Oh no. Oh God. Oh no.

“Lake, who was that?”

“Aunt Carissa won’t the pancakes burn?”

“The pancakes are done. Who was that?” she asked more sternly.

“Paperboy?” I lifted a shoulder but knew guilt was written all over my face. She rolled her eyes and nudged me aside to open the door.

Her eyes widened in surprise before she whispered, “Oh my.” She turned to me with accusation in her eyes and a huge grin. “And who are you?” she asked when I refused to explain why Keiran was on our doorstep.

“Keiran Masters.” His deep voice rushed over me causing goose bumps to cover my skin. “I go to school with your niece.”

My aunt hid her surprise well but I knew she recalled his name. “Well, you aren’t a friend. I would have seen you before, “she bluntly stated and I suddenly had the urge to hide her from Keiran. She didn’t know the danger she was in just by being this close.

“No ma’am, I’m not her friend,” he answered truthfully. I could feel his eyes boring into me even as I avoided eye contact.

“Too bad. You’re cute…enough.” I almost snorted. He was gorgeous and she knew it. My aunt was baiting him.

“I’m glad you approve,” he smoothly replied.

“Not quite, so come in so I can see more.” She walked away, heading into the kitchen and leaving us standing in the foyer alone.

“Why are you here?” I whispered, vehemently. I wouldn’t let him anywhere near my aunt. He merely smirked at me before shouldering his way past me.

“Didn’t you hear? Your aunt wants to see more,” he threw over his shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.

I pulled at my hair before pushing the door shut and following them into the kitchen. Keiran was already settled into a seat as if he belonged here. I made a sound of frustration when I saw my aunt pushing my pancakes into a plate for Keiran. She looked at me in surprise while Keiran wore a smug look on his face.

“Lake, did you just growl at Keiran?” No, actually I was growling at you. “Sit down and stop being rude. It’s your birthday. Keiran did you know that today is her birthday?”

“Sure,” he mumbled around a mouth full of my pancakes.

“Well maybe, you two can celebrate later. I feel so bad that I have to leave today. Keep her company for me, won’t you?” She winked at Keiran and I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” he agreed. My aunt smiled, completely oblivious to the deception in his words. He made eye contact with me, holding my gaze until I looked away.

“Ooh, I have to finish packing and leave for my flight. It was nice to meet you Keiran. Don’t let me down.” With that she disappeared up the stairs, leaving me alone with Keiran again.

“Let’s go,” he commanded. I grabbed my backpack to follow him out the door and sent Willow a quick text to let her know I was leaving and would explain later. Willow knew when not to push. Sometimes.

“Why did you come here? You could have called to let me know you were coming.” He ignored me until we were seated in his car and then shrugged.

“I wanted to meet the woman whose life you held in your hands.”

“Do you really believe your plan will work?” I asked, mockingly.  If he didn't think I was afraid of him maybe he would leave me alone. It was a long shot but worth a try.

His jaw clenched before he hauled me over the gearshift and into his lap, wrapping his hand around my ponytail. “I will do everything in my power to make it work, you see, I have nothing to lose…but you do.”

“Maybe you do, but you just don't care,” I argued.

“Then that makes me a very dangerous man.”

* * *

It wasn’t easy trying to ignore Keiran when he was a part of most of my day—by force and by circumstance. I was still fuming over the stunt he pulled this morning.

Most of the day was gone. Lunch and French had come and gone and I’d just arrived to art class. I was setting up my station when Keenan walked in with Trevor Reynolds.  I felt a cold chill run down my spine when Trevor and I made eye contact. I flipped him off when he continued to watch me with a smug expression. When his face fell, I turned away satisfied. What a jarhead.

I didn't recall him being in my class yesterday so he must have changed courses though I didn't take him or Keenan for an art person. When Keenan disappeared inside the supply closet, Trevor chose that moment to saunter over to me.

“How’s it going Lake?” he asked cheerfully.

“Fuck off.” I didn't bother to spare him a glance.

“You may want to be a little careful with how you speak to me.” He leaned down to whisper into my ear. “Unlike Keiran, I don't hold a secret torch for you. I will end you.”

I finally looked up to meet his glare with one of my own. “I don't know what you mean. Keiran wouldn’t hold a torch for me unless it was to burn me alive with it.”

“You might be right...” A cheshire grin spread his lips as he walked away to sit in his seat.

Keenan came out the supply closet with a giggling brunette following. I had one guess at what they had been doing, and shook my head. He really had no shame. I snorted and turned back to the poster in front of me and thought about Trevor’s unnecessary threat. Keiran would never listen to me anyway. I looked too guilty. The day Keiran went away and left my life for the first time was a day I would never forget…

* * *

One year ago

“Are you sure you’re okay? We can totally bail if you want.” I smiled at Willow because she really was a good friend. The day before Keiran had humiliated me in front of the entire cafeteria when I asked to speak to him.

“Thanks Willow, but you are not using me to get out of your Biology exam.”

“Ugh, don't remind me. Ms. Thompson is such a beyotch. I swear she fails me on purpose.”

“Willow, you made an “A-” on an assignment one time because you skipped a question.”

“Whatever, she’s still a witch. Hey, did you ever find your cell-phone?”

“No, but I’m sure it will turn up.” My cellphone disappeared yesterday after the scene in the cafeteria.