Touch - Chapters 1-3

Chapter 1

Copyright: Melissa Haag 
Published: January 6, 2013 
ISBN: 978-0-9888523-0-3 
Cover Design: Jessica Allain Art 

Chapter 1 

Light from the hallway spilled onto the bed where I lay curled on my side. My blonde hair spread on my pillow like a halo. Brian, silhouetted by the light, stood unsteadily in the doorway. Sweeping a hand through his light brown hair, he sighed, turned off the light, and made a noisy attempt at creeping into the room. I could smell the alcohol and perfume on him. We both knew I wasn't asleep, but neither of us spoke. Down the hall, our daughter slept oblivious to her father's infidelity and, later, his alcohol induced death. 

Standing in the senior hallway of Middlelyn High School, I dipped my shoulder, shrugging off Brian's warm hand and the remnants of the vision. 

"Tessa?" he said. He stood close to me, waiting for my answer. 

Revulsion filled me as the bitter tang of stale alcohol lingered in my nose. Turning my deep brown gaze on him, I fit a stiff smile on my lips and answered his question with a lie. 

"A movie and dinner would be great, but I'm not allowed to date. Sorry, Brian." 

He didn't seem to hear me. He shifted his stance and tucked his rejected hand into the front pocket of his fashionably worn jeans. 

"I could come over and maybe help with homework or something." 

He spoke quietly so the animated conversations pouring from the kids flowing around us muted his suggestion. The school secretary's voice blared over the intercom system, droning through the end of the day announcements, and joining the symphony of noise. None of it registered as I studied Brian's expectant face. 

"Brian, I have to be honest. I don't trust you or your sudden interest. What's up? Really." 

When I first moved to Middlelyn a few weeks ago, the boys asked me out based on genuine interest. Blonde hair, deep brown eyes, a trim figure, and oval face with straight teeth, I passed as attractive. Add to that the fact I didn't grow up with any of them and witness their awkward stages of puberty, or they mine, and I stood out even more. Fresh meat. 

However, after rejecting most of the boys in my grade, the requests had tapered off and I'd been labeled a prude. Just one of many labels I now carried. The sudden interest of Brian, one of the most sought-after boys of the senior class because of his messy light brown hair, chiseled classic features, bold blue eyes, and a buff body, didn't fit. 

He flashed his cocky I'm-hot-and-you're-not grin. "Fifty bucks for the first one to get you on a date. Say yes and I'll split it with you." 

Hurt, I turned away and stacked the textbooks into my locker. He didn't leave, confident the money would tempt me. 

In a school this size, everyone knew where I lived and that my family didn't have much money. He probably didn't even realize how cruel his words sounded. Just a game to them. It annoyed me how callous boys could be. Then again, I'd witnessed girls acting just as bad. In fact, I'd been one of those girls a time or two. I didn't like being that girl, but sometimes, I didn't have a better choice. 

"Wow. So tempting," I said still facing the locker. "But if I take half, it won't leave much for the booze you're thinking about buying." 

Glancing his way, I caught his startled look before he schooled his features. I immediately regretted my temper. Annoyed or not, I should have kept my thoughts to myself. 

"You're a freak," he said as if just now understanding the rumors circulating about me. 

I hated the rumors, but couldn't claim them untrue. My mouth often got me into trouble. Might as well finish with flare.