A Fragment of Light - Chapter 23

I told you I'd update right? Even if it would take some time...hehe. So here's an extra long chapter for you 'cause you're all so awesome!! I'm so glad that people are still reading and all of your comments make me so happy so thank youu :-). Now..let's see what Pete is up to...?

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23.

Sitting in Pete's car was probably, no, scratch that, it definitely was the last place on the whole earth that I wanted to be in right now. As soon as I shut the door, a sinking feeling came to me that doing this was completely idiotic, considering previous events and the fact that Pete could not be trusted. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to not wonder what he meant before. He wouldn’t just say something like that for the sake of it.

The radio blasted some pop-song hit and it brought me back to the club, making me nauseated. I pushed the off button and made no grimace to Pete’s reaction as he stopped moving his head and looked at me.

“Listen, I didn’t get in the car to nod my head to some stupid song, so start talking.” I said, looking forward as we were coming against a red light.

Pete slowed and hit the brakes, breathing out.

“Well, first of all, I’m not the one who should start talking. Really, I had no clue you two were together. Jeez though, you could’ve picked someone better.. I mean, him out of all?”

Annoyed at his already defensive tone, I needed to get to the bottom of this.

“Who are you talking about?!”

 “Your boyfriend.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend!” I yelled, getting more and more irritated at Pete’s dumb answers. Would he just cut to the chase? As if he already didn’t know I was clueless as to who he was talking about.

He looked at me for a second, in a curious manner.

“Is that so? Hm…either you’re lying or something is just really messed up.”

Aggravated by his behavior, I glanced out the window. Everything was messed up and being in Pete’s car didn’t exactly make all of it better. Maybe this was just a bad idea.

“You know what, you can either drop me off or you can actually tell me why you said something about keeping ‘my boyfriend away from you’?” I said and glanced at him a bit sourly before staring straight ahead. He finally gave me a solid answer.

“Well, isn’t that obvious? That Farro dude.”

My head made a quick turn towards Pete. That name…why did it sound so familiar? I’ve heard it before and…come to think of it, I’ve heard if from Pete. Farro…. Farro. Wait, he meant.. Josh? Josh Farro. His last name was Farro. Oh my God, I remembered now when I sat on that bench outside Valley Mall with Pete and asked about him and Pete had said his last name was Farro.

“Wait, what about him?” I asked, after a while.

“Well, to start with, he punched me. At the beach you know.”

My panic suddenly turned into laughing. Was that what this was all about?

“Pete, seriously? You’re pissed about that punch and so now you think he’s my boyfriend because he went after you? This is just silly, just drop me off here."

I realized now what a stupid move it was for me to get in the car with Pete just because he mentioned the word ‘boyfriend’. Honestly, what was I thinking? Pete was someone you needed to stay away from and I needed to start now. Not be so easily lured like that.

“Please, he barely gave me a bruise.” Pete said nonchalantly.

I looked at him in disbelief and after a while, he looked back with a defeated look.

“Okay, so he did. But that’s not the point. Him bothering me was fine once, but not twice and definitely not a third.” He said.

“What are you talking about? He only punched you once.” I said, letting go of the grip on the car door.

“Oh no no. You’re telling me that you’re oblivious to the fact that he’s been contacting me this morning? He’s been contacting me ever since that day actually. Telling me to come over to his place and then asking me questions on what kind of drug I drugged you with. He’s like, a friggin’ police investigator with all his questions. Today was the first time I actually agreed to go see him. I’m telling you-“

“He did what?” I thought out loud.

Why would he contact Pete? I thought they were barely friends; he was just a friend of Mike really. And invite him to his place? What was he thinking, inviting someone like Pete? I didn’t get it. I thought I made it pretty clear that I didn’t want him to get involved with the whole Pete-issue, even though Laura had called him and gotten him involved. But that wasn’t my intention, gosh.. why was he always being so difficult? And so secretive?

“So how did he even get your number? I thought you said he was a friend of Mike’s.”

“Yeah.. I lied.”

I looked at him, not in disbelief, because let’s face it, I knew Pete was a liar by now. Which made no sense to why I was even talking to him.

He grunted and took a left turn.

“Josh and I.. We’ve known each other for quite some time.” He started.

So there was more to the story.. I knew it had to be. Otherwise, why would Josh just go after a stranger like that and invite him to his place? Pete looked at the rearview mirror before speaking. His right hand made a quick movement through his black hair. I noticed he wasn’t wearing any cap, like he always used to.

“His mom used to date my dad a while back so, technically, we were step-brothers. We never got along, and so when my dad ended it with his mom, it wasn’t a surprise that we didn’t get along then either.”

“Maybe because you’re an ass.”

“Ouch.”

I glared at him. Like he didn’t see that one coming.

Step-brothers huh. Didn’t see that one coming. But when I thought about it, Josh had only mentioned that he was living with his dad. As if his mother was out of the picture. I never saw her at the apartment anyways. But then I thought of the fishing trip… Didn’t he mention something about his mother changing? For the worse. It was all a vague memory in my mind right now, but I knew if I’d try to remember it, I would. Nevertheless, their acknowledge with each other explained everything with the party, the punch.. Perhaps that was why Josh didn’t want me to drink..? Because he didn't like Pete?

“But..at that party. When you saw him you were greeting each other like friends.” I said, thinking back.

“Yeah well, keeping up the appearance you know. Besides, no matter how much of a jerk you think I am, I didn’t want to start a fight right there. And he did come to the show, as Mike’s friend that is. I hadn't seen him in quite some time actually.”

“So why didn’t you just tell me you used to be step-brothers when I asked you about him at the Valley Mall?”

Pete looked down, looking like he actually felt a bit ashamed or embarrassed. But the look faded as soon as it came. He pulled up on a driveway, and I realized he had driven to my house. How did he even know where I lived? And then I remembered, since we used to be friends, he’d picked me up a couple times along with friends wherever we were headed to yet another party. He looked at me.

“Because I thought you liked him. And, well, I didn’t want to minimize my chances with you.” He gave a little smile at the end.

Surprised by his answer and his overall mood, I wasn’t dropping my guard down. Did he think that drugging me was going to fade away easily? There wasn’t anything Pete could say or do right now, after what he’d already done.

“Well, you managed quite successfully anyways.” I stated.

“And I’m sorry.” He said.

“No you’re not. I don’t even think you realized what you did. And sorry doesn’t cut it, Pete. You just.. you’re not the friend I thought you were. I don’t trust you anymore.”

“Friends..that’s all we ever were huh.” He said, looking out the window.

“If even that.” I looked down. It was quiet for some time. I felt like leaving, there was no point in staying and I wasn’t even sure on what my purpose was for getting in the car anymore. Did he really just want to apologize? Somehow, I couldn’t believe that. And I was right.

“Fine. At least now I have nothing to lose.” He said, in a more serious manner, looking at me.

“What?”

“Josh and I just try to stay out of each other’s way now. But it isn’t exactly easy when he keeps contacting me. I’m almost convinced he’s collaborating with the police or something. He just has that sense around him. Always had. Or he’s just protecting you for some reason, which leads me to think you two are-”

“We’re not.” I interrupted. I didn’t need another Laura-thought.

“So you don’t like him?” Pete asked, seeming more pleased.

“Look, I don’t care whatever you’re doing or what he’s doing to you. You’re going to get caught eventually and quite frankly, I don’t see why you’re telling me all this. It’s not like I’m going to forgive you for drugging me and then try and help you get away with it. I’m leaving now.” I said, before opening the door, ready to step out. I didn't even know what time it was.

“Hold on, what if this does concern you? I mean, after all this time Farro’s been helping you, you do care about his fate if not mine do you?” Pete said and I froze before completely stepping out, letting his words sink in. I turned around.

“Are you threatening me?” I asked, eying him suspiciously. He smirked and then looked down.

“Let’s just call it a compromise. You get him to stay away from me and I’ll stay away from you. In other words, no one will get hurt.”

I squinted my eyes towards him. Was he being serious? No one will get hurt? He forgot that he wasn’t the most intimidating person and I wasn’t going to let myself get the creeps from him.

“You’re pathetic, Pete. I’m not scared of you. You know, I might just call the police right now.” I said evenly.

“Go ahead. I’m sure your father would love to read about his daughter using a fake ID to the club and accidently getting drugs in her drink in tomorrow’s newspaper. Every father’s wish really.”

I shifted in my seat, feeling a sudden sting as I realized Pete had thought of things that hadn’t even crossed my mind. He was right. That was the reason to why I didn’t call the police in the first place - because of John and all the trouble it would bring. There was just such coldness to the way he said those words, like he’d turned into someone more capable of doing things I didn’t even want to think of and in that moment, I knew for sure that he wasn’t sorry at all. He really was a jerk and I regretted my stupid impatience for getting in the car in the first place.

“You’re sick, you know that?”

“I’m not the one asking questions about drugs like a lunatic. You get him to back off.” He demanded.

“What makes you think I can do that? I haven’t known him for that long so why would he listen to me? Like I said before, he’s not my boyfriend or my anything for that matter, so I’m afraid I can’t help you. And even if I could, I would never do anything to your favor.”

I wanted nothing more than to leave this car and never speak to him again, but when he brought Josh up, it was like I was glued to the seat. Still, I held the car door open.

“You think I would believe that you have no influence on him? He's in our circle of friends now.” He smiled and I looked at him with despise.

“You and I are not friends.” I stated through clenched teeth.

“Even so, you two are. Otherwise he wouldn’t keep looking out for you. You know you can convince him. After all, friends protect friends right? I guess the real question is, will you?”

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wooops.. what has hayley gotten herself into now? What do you think will happen?? I'd love to hear your thoughts and read your comments!! Thanks so much for reading!! <3 Christmas holiday is coming up, but I'll try and update soon! ;)