Darkest Powers Bonus Pack 2

FiveIt seemed simple enough. We were on the run. We’d met some guy who seemed way too interestedin Chloe and me, and then he’d followed us into the forest. Obviously it was time to hit the road. Or soI thought.We took Dad into the living room. Lauren came along. We hadn’t invited her, but she seemed tohave a sixth sense for whenever something important was happening. Simon and Tori figured if thefour of us were talking, it must be a family meeting, so they joined in.I let Chloe tell the story. When she finished, Dad looked at me, and I could tell he was thinking itover. I could also tell that what he was thinking over wasn’t whether we should leave—it was how totell us that we weren’t.“Chloe’s right, Dad,” I said. “There was definitely something weird about this guy.”“Because he hit on Chloe?” Lauren said. “I’m sure you didn’t like that, Derek, but—”“I’m the one who said it seemed strange,” Chloe said.Lauren sighed. “There’s nothing strange about a boy hitting on you, Chloe. You’re a very prettygirl. It’s your lack of self-confidence that makes you think it seems—”“My self-confidence is fine,” Chloe cut in. I swore I heard a soft growl in her voice. “I’m sayingguys don’t do that, especially college-age guys. I’m not a fifteen-year-old who can pass for eighteen.”“She’s right,” Tori said. “It’s got nothing to do with being pretty. It’s all about the vibe. The onlyolder guys who are going to hit on Chloe are pervs.”“But you said this boy was seventeen,” Lauren said. “That’s not really older.”Chloe sighed. “I’m not arguing about whether or not a seventeen-year-old would ever hit on me.I’m saying that it felt wrong. He walked up and asked me where I got my fries and I told him, quicklyand politely, discouraging conversation. Then he asked me another question. Same thing—I gave theshortest possible answer, but he just kept talking. There were girls all around us, checking him out, buthe insisted on bugging me.” She looked from my dad to her aunt. “He singled me out. I know he did.”“And he did the same with me,” I said. “He made a point of getting me to stay when Chloe andSimon left. He started by asking stupid questions. Then, out of nowhere, he starts baiting me, makingcracks about Chloe.”Lauren shook her head. “He’s new to town, talking about football with a young man who looks as ifhe’d play it. Those aren’t ‘stupid questions,’ Derek. As for baiting you, I suspect you brought it on bybeing rude to him. And I think this proves, as I’ve said before, that you and Chloe aren’t doing a verygood job of keeping your relationship a secret. You know that’s important—”“This is important,” I said. “Strangers, in our town. Singling us out. Stalking us.”“Don’t interrupt me, Derek.”“You both have a point,” Dad said. “I think Derek and Chloe unintentionally tipped this boy offabout their relationship. I’m not concerned about it, but I do believe it explains the situation. He hadhis eye on Chloe, and when Derek showed up, the boy challenged him. Derek isn’t accustomed to that,so he misinterpreted, as did Chloe.”“And following us into the woods?” I said.“He’s interested in Chloe and he wanted to see where she lived. When you two didn’t head back tothe house right away, he got tired of waiting and left.”I looked at him. Then I got up and turned to leave.Dad sighed. “Hold on, Derek. Could everyone please give us a moment alone?”I dropped back into my chair. When the others were gone, Dad sat across from me.“I know you don’t agree with me,” he said.