Forbidden

~Chapter Fifteen~

~Chapter Fifteen~

Meaghan’s hands curled into fists as she laid eyes on the intruder. River’s own feelings of dread vibrated against her veins. She ground her teeth together, nearly shaking in the refusal of her need to destroy. She felt Jenna’s eyes on her back, the poking sensation sending her thoughts into violent cartwheels. She peered at Hayley out of the corner of her eye. In their typical form of silent communication, Hayley convinced her of the validity of their plan.

            Meaghan’s near tremors slowed to a stop. Instead, taking on the role of jealous girlfriend, she glared at “Erin,” clasping River’s hand tightly. His uneasy expression seared her temple. She cringed as she turned to talk to him. Be romantic, Jenna barked fiercely. Right now, you are a beautiful, seductive human. And he’s your boyfriend, no matter how much this disgusts you.

            I’m going to hurt you later, Meaghan growled in reply.

            “Riv, how about we go this way?” she suggested, gesturing to a gravel path winding in the opposite direction. “We can say hi to…Erin…tomorrow.” Meaghan mentally congratulated herself. She had perfected this role easily. The slight pause before her name was spot-on to what a girlfriend would actually do! She heard Jenna sigh in irritation at her congratulatory thoughts behind her. Hayley snickered at her elder’s annoyance.

            “Yeah…sure,” River agreed, his gaze flickering anxiously between Meaghan and Erin. “That sounds like a great idea.”

            Meaghan grinned triumphantly, tugging at his hand. She motioned for Hayley and Jenna to join them as she gently pulled River to the path.

            “No,” Jenna said suddenly. Meaghan froze, frustration and anger immediately coloring her thoughts.

            “What?” she spat, barely containing her fury, at the exact moment that River asked, “Huh?”

            “She looks lonely,” Jenna explained slowly, raising one finely plucked eyebrow. “I think we should go over and say hi.” Hayley nodded fervently in agreement. River stared at them both, a combination of shock and horror crossing his handsome features. Meaghan gulped, her anger quickly morphing into infuriation.

            “Can’t you see that Erin’s just shy?” Hayley continued, looking to Jenna for approval. “I mean, look at her! Reading a book in a park at midnight…how lonesome can you get?” Meaghan could plainly see that her friends were struggling to say kind words about their newfound enemy.

            What are you doing? Meaghan hissed, her eyes shooting livid daggers at them both.

            “What’s so bad about reading?” River asked, his tone defensive and uncertain. Easily slipping into her role, Meaghan dropped his hand. Instantaneously, she interrogated her friends: I never approved of this! Is Ari behind this? Did he approve of this? What in the name of He Who Rules in going on?

            “Sorry, Megs,” River apologized quickly. “I just meant that I like reading, and I…well, I’m sorry.” His anxious eyes searched her face for forgiveness even as he yearned to go to Erin. He looked so pathetic that Meaghan wanted to laugh in his face, but suppressed the want quickly. Stupid humans…

            “’S fine,” she mumbled, knowing that it would drive him crazy if she didn’t officially forgive him.

            “Well?” Jenna questioned impatiently. “Let’s go!”