True Colors (The Masks #1)(6)

My insides twitched and buzzed as we made our way through the club. The music was pulsing out a steady beat that seemed like a hammer to my skull. Stella was going on about knowing half the gorgeous guys in the place. Whether that was true or not, I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t try to correct her in front of the others. I’d done that once before and nearly lost her friendship. Pressing my lips together, I tried to tune her out, instead focussing on getting my legs to move. My brain was being fully attacked by my mother. Her words kept spinning around in my head...the fact I was changing, my decision with Chase.

Suddenly his hand felt sweaty against mine and I wanted to yank it free, but I didn’t want to upset him, so I pressed my lips even tighter together.

It didn't work. With a smile, I eased my hand free and touched my lips to his ear. "I just have to duck out for a sec."

"You okay?"

"Oh yeah, I'm great, just um...give me a minute."

I left his confused side and yanked on Stella's wrist, pulling her towards the nearest exit sign on the edge of the room.

"What the hell is your problem?" She shook me off her once we made it out to the empty side street.

"Sorry." I rubbed my forehead. "I just needed a sec."

"Why?"

"Because..." I flicked my hands in the air. "Chase and I are going to...you know...after and I'm suddenly freaking out."

"Caity, weren't you going to this afternoon anyway?"

"Yeah, but that was spontaneous. This is all planned and pressure central! I don't know, what if I suddenly chicken out? Do you think he'll hate me?"

Stella's irritation eased, her look softening to one of pity. She squeezed my shoulder with her jewelled fingers. "He'd be a jerk to hate you...and Chase isn't a jerk. I never would have set you up with him if he were like that. It'll be fine. You don't have to freak out. Yes, the first time hurts a little, but he'll be gentle."

Why that sounded gross, I wasn't sure, but I grimaced anyway.

Stella rolled her eyes. "Don't be so pathetic. You can't stay a virgin forever, just—"

“Can you help me?” We barely heard the feeble voice that came from the alley behind the club. I glanced down and spotted an old man huddled against the edge of the building. His torn, dirty clothing looked more like rags than actual attire. They hung off his skinny muscles, making him look weak and pathetic. His matted beard was unkempt and infested with who knew what. I tried not to make a face as I caught a whiff of his unwashed body.

“Ewww, you smell.” Stella looked disgusted, covering her mouth with her hand. “Let’s go, Caity.”

“Please!” His feeble voice was desperate. “Just a little money for food. Please.”

My heart spasmed. The poor man looked tired and ready to give up. Without thinking, I reached into my back pocket, ready to pull out a twenty. Would that be enough?

“Don’t you dare.” Stella snatched my hand. “He’ll probably just use it to buy alcohol or drugs.”

“Come on, Stella,” I whispered. “He looks hungry.”

“He’s not our problem, Caitlyn. Now, let’s go back in.” She yanked on my arm, pulling me away from the old man’s pleas. He sounded so wretched, I couldn’t help looking back and watching him rise from the pavement. His legs wobbled as he shuffled after us, still begging for something to eat.

Stella let out a huff and spun around to face him. “Look old man, we’ve got nothing for you. Now just leave us the hell alone.” Stepping forward, she gave the man a shove. With no energy to spare, he tumbled backwards, landing with a soft cry.

My eyes rounded and I covered my mouth. "Stella."

“Come on.” She straightened her shoulders as if she'd been completely justified in her actions and grabbed my elbow. It took me a moment to respond. I couldn’t take my eyes off the man as he slowly rose from the pavement. A graze, red with fresh blood, ran from his elbow down to his wrist. He nursed his arm against his stomach, giving me one last look before shuffling back to his spot in the darkness.





Chapter 3




I couldn’t get the man, or his plight, out of my head. I wanted to have fun with my friends, but I knew I couldn’t, not after what I'd just witnessed and then done nothing to help.

Stella pulled me to the dance floor and we found the others shuffling in a circle.

Chase's arm wrapped around me the second I stood beside him.

"Where'd you go?" he yelled above the music.

"Caity just needed some air." Stella shot me a droll glare then rolled her eyes. "We bumped into this homeless jerk who tried to steal money off us."

"That wasn't—" I wished I was more assertive. I wanted to trample all over Stella's lame ass story, but she'd never forgive me, especially when Sean was dishing out sympathy cards.

"No way! Are you alright?" He ran his hand down Stella's back. Any opportunity.

I rolled my eyes and turned into Chase's shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay," he spoke into my ear.

"It wasn't—"

But Chase was already trailing kisses down my jawline and attacking my neck. He wasn't interested in the truth. None of these people were.