True Colors (The Masks #1)(19)

The day continued in this fashion. Me spotting things I didn’t want to see. I even noticed Chase looking at me a couple of times. For some weird reason he still wanted me. I couldn’t help wondering if I had sort of become a conquest to him. It made me want to avoid him like the plague and I spent a good portion of my day walking the long route to every class in an attempt to not see him.

I couldn’t believe how quickly my feelings for him had faded. I’d gone from major crush mode and thinking I was going to sleep with him, to pure repulsion. Would I ever be able to like anyone again? Knowing everyone’s secrets just made me want to stay away from them and if they ever found out what I was capable of, they’d treat me like a flu virus. Who wants to hang out with someone they can never hide anything from? It’d be isolation city if I didn’t figure out how to handle this.

When it came to fight or flight, I had always erred on the side of running, but with nowhere to go, I had to settle for head in the sand syndrome, staying quiet and keeping my eyes down for almost every interaction I had.

By the end of the day, Stella was furious with me. I glimpsed the hurt she was feeling over my quiet behavior, but I couldn’t explain it to her. How could I tell her? She’d never look at me the same if she knew. And there’s no way she’d be able to keep it a secret.

I knew I was alone in this and was struggling to face that reality. I’d never been a blab my feelings to everybody type of person, but Stella and I usually talked about everything. It was good to have one person to offload to. The idea of calling one of my sisters nudged at me, but I immediately rejected it. Holly would have a hard time quelling her laughter...even if I was in tears. Layla would go into mother mode and that always irked me. No, this time, there was absolutely no one I could confide in.

Or was there?

I rejected the idea instantly. Was I insane? I’d only just figured out Eric thought I was cute, I wasn’t about to ruin it all by telling him I was a teenage mentalist.

No, my options were few...actually they were one.

Escape.

By the end of the next day I was done. Before Dad got home from work and Mom returned from babysitting Layla's kids, I stuffed my car full of everything I thought I'd need. My plan was to drive to the most isolated place I knew and finish high school online. I was sure there was a way I could do it. I hadn’t really researched it yet, but I had my phone and every town had some kind of internet access, didn’t it? My cash card was in my back pocket and I knew I had enough savings to get me through to June at least. I didn’t leave a note for my parents; I figured I’d just email them when I got there.

It was illogical thinking, but two days of intense high school stress was more than enough. I couldn’t seem to control what I saw. Everyone was an open book and I knew I couldn’t keep walking the halls with my eyes on my shoes. I either had to face this head-on or run for the hills. I was weak. I was pathetic...and I didn’t even care.

I knew L.A. pretty well, having lived there my entire life. I have no idea what my stupid brain was thinking, but I decided to skip town by driving past UCLA as if it were the only route I could take. My subconscious must have been working overtime and then, thanks to the traffic lights outside the college, my fool-proof, or epically foolish, plan was foiled. I never intended to turn into campus, but I’d gotten into the wrong lane. As I drove through the massive university I was consumed with the thought that Eric was there somewhere. Probably in class. Probably learning something about how to help psychos like me. A desperate need to see him surged through me and before I could stop myself, I pulled over and asked for directions to Hedrick Summit. That’s where Eric’s dorm room was. I had overheard his mom chatting with mine and stored the information away. I assumed I’d never need it, but it had to do with Eric, so of course I remembered it.

I parked my overloaded Mini and headed for the entrance. My nerves were going mental as I clutched the keys in my hand and walked into the lobby. I had to ask several different people until I found out that Eric lived on the fifth floor in room 503. I made sure to keep every conversation quick, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. I received a few curious frowns, but most people pointed me in the right direction without even looking at me.

The hallways weren’t that crowded. Most people were probably still dribbling in from classes. It was only four o’clock in the afternoon. I got bumped from behind as I came to a stop outside Eric’s room. I ignored the mumbled apology and just stared at the door, unsure whether to knock or walk away.

The decision was stolen from me when the door flew open.

“Oh! Hi.” The guy in front of me looked surprised to see a strange girl ready to knock on his door, but he also looked intrigued. His gaze was open, his eyes sparkling. I noticed a deep scar running down the right side of his face and wondered where he'd got it from. His head tipped to the side, his expression going from friendly to droll. He was obviously used to people staring at him.

I averted my gaze, my cheeks flaring with color.

“Sorry, um. I’m looking for Eric.” I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and glanced at him, making sure to look him straight in the eye.

He obviously appreciated my effort, because a smile grew on his lips and he extended his hand. “I’m Dale and you must be...”

“Caitlyn.”

“Right.” He nodded. I could tell he’d never heard of me before.