The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (21 page)

"Talk to me, please." Ollie begs, pulling me back to earth. I want to talk to him yet I can't help but remember that he refused to tell me things.
 

I am having a problem with the whole Ari versus Ollie thing. I mean I choose Ollie right. That's what's supposed to happen in the end. I can't help but want to go against that.
 

I sit up in my bed and lean closer to Ollie. As if realizing some amazing epiphany, I recognize the situation from my first dream I had on the bench. How is it possible that I saw the future?
 

"I wanted to die." I admit to Ollie, the most recent dream weighing down my thoughts.

"What are you talking about?" He asks me, his face fills with worry. He clasps my shoulders and shakes me a little, trying to get me to speak.
 

"I had a dream. I died and was in Hell. I wanted to die more than anything else. I practically begged some guy to kill me." I say, silently crying. Tears a constant trickle down both my rosy cheeks.
 

"Why would you do that?" Ollie asks me, holding me tighter.
 

"It was when you both found me. I was tired of doing this every lifetime." I admit to him.

"I'm so sorry, Ryder." He apologizes and I can tell he is genuine.
 

"That's not my name." Who really is Ryder? Eurydice is growing on me, it means something to me. I saw that girl in Hell. She was desperate but she lived. She is strong and brave and she has a huge heart.
 

"What do you mean?" He looks at me like I am insane.
 

"My name is Eurydice." I say not wanting to explain further. Why can't he understand that? He's my so-called soul mate. He should understand everything about me like it's his job.
 

"Okay." He replies, defeated. I am going to get answers and finish this. I'm done with fate and my destiny. It is time I deal my own hand.
 

"I need answers, now. Oll-Orpheus." It is going to take me a while to get the name change down.
 

"So you're calling me by my given name now?" He questions me, his face not showing me any emotion at all.
 

"Would you prefer it another way?" I ask back. I have to admit there's an edge to my voice.
 

"Not at all." He simply states. An awkward silence creeps up on us and I need to break it.
 

"When I was in Hell, I saw this guy, I think it was Hades. He was with some woman. Who is she?" I ask Ollie as I figure out that the dark man was probably Hades.

"That was probably Persephone, his wife. Why?" He asks, his eyebrows knitting together.
 

"She was so beautiful. She acted like she really cared for me. She consoled me after I died. They both did actually." I say, more for myself remembering their concern for me. Their faces flash behind my eyes.
 

"Eurydice, please listen to me. They do not care for you. This is all because of them. It's a game, don't you see? They like to see our pain. They think it's funny. Persephone is the worst of them all. She is spiteful. Do not mistake them for anything but your enemies. It is your mind playing tricks on you." He tries to convince me. Ollie has to be wrong.
 

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I change the subject catching him off guard and he pauses.
 

"I was afraid you'd leave me." He admits honestly. He actually looks at me and his eyes stay locked on mine. My heart melts a little seeing his sincere face.
 

"And how did that work out?" I bite out. He can't just charm his way back into my heart.
 

"Awful. Are you still upset with me?" There is hope but also fear quivering in his voice.
 

I realize that I am taking all my anger out on him. It's not his fault. It's Hades. I have to forgive Ollie and try to move forward to salvage our relationship.
 

"No. I'm sorry." I put my arms around him tight and I whisper I'm sorry in his ear. I excuse myself to go to the bathroom and freshen up.
 

I quickly glance in the mirror and am astonished by my appearance. I still have my workout gear on which is dirty and damp and probably smells too so I change into flannel pants and a t-shirt. I throw my hair into a pony tail without even brushing it. I take the time to brush my teeth and then shut the light off not caring about my swollen eyes and splotchy, red skin.

When I get back in my room, Ollie is gone. I look in my closet and down the hallway but he's missing. My heart drops a little, an empty ache in my chest left where he was. I need him right now. I crawl into bed and find a red rose with a note on my pillow.
 

Eurydice,

Dream about our kiss

It has always been us.

Love,

O

The message confuses me. Does he mean normal dream, like sweet dreams or like my vision dreams. Ari seems to know about my dreams. He believed me. He said there was hope for me to remember.
 

Maybe I am just dreaming regular stuff—it's just my mind playing tricks on me. But that can't be right. I was with Hades and his wife. I'm there watching, like a movie.

I don't want to dwell on it tonight. I'm sick of worrying about what's going to happen to me. On top of that I have to worry about when I'm going to die next.
 

I hear the familiar bing of my cell not knowing where it is so I follow the noise to my desk where Ollie must have left it. I have six messages plus some phone calls—all from Junior.
 

Where the hell are you?
 

Ryder answer me ASAP
 

I will call the police
 

Im comin over 2 check on u

wtf u weren't home Ryder.

im pissed. don't bother calling back
 

I'm in huge trouble with my best friend right now. All the messages are between six thirty and nine. That was like three hours ago. The whole jogging thing, getting hit by a car and then the vision must have taken a while. I decide to call him back.

The voicemail immediately picks up, since he's probably asleep so I leave him a message apologizing at least fifteen times after explaining what happened with Ari and then how Ollie hit me with his car. I added that in just so he would feel sorry for me. I apologize one more time and then throw in an 'I love you' at the end.
 

I don't dream at all. Instead I am disappointed by the blackness all night long. There's always tomorrow night to dream, or at least I think there is.
 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

surprise visitor

Sept 18

My life has officially gone to hell. I'm part of a messed up love triangle which explains my conflicted feelings towards two different guys.

My dreams and the fact that I break stuff without meaning to is still up in the air.
 

I think it's safe to say I have more questions now than before.

The good news—well, I feel strong like I can conquer the world.

I'm not a weak girl.

I'm not a nobody.

I hate showering in the morning but for once I am up early so I take advantage of that. Surprisingly the dreamless night gives me some clarity. I don't care anymore. I don't care what my mission in life is or what my destiny is. I'm going to take back my life and do whatever the hell I want.
 

First things first, I have to figure out a plan.
 

I say 'hi' to my dad in passing before he heads out after kissing my forehead. I make a quick fruit shake wanting to feed my moaning stomach when the door bell rings.
 

Nervous butterflies flutter up my stomach as I approach the door. I reach for the knob when the wooden door swings open, revealing a smirking, handsome man.
 

"Um, come in?" I remark before walking back to the kitchen. I continue making my breakfast acting as if his presence doesn't faze me. He waltzes over, sitting his large frame on stool, staring at me quietly. "Can I help you?" I ask wanting him to get to the point of the unannounced visit.
 

"I figured you may need to talk. Kind of laid a big one on you last night, little girl." I frown at him, questioning why he would be thoughtful.
 

"Oh, how kind of you to ask." I respond trying to keep up my front. I've come to like his company to be honest. I've known him for such a short period of time but strangely, he gets me.
 

"So are you all right?" He asks genuinely interested, making my heart flutter yet again.
 

"Yeah. I kinda have a weird question though." I say wanting to get it off my chest. I can't stop thinking about it and it's driving me crazy.
 

"Shoot it at me. I got all the answers." He gestures for me to come sit next to him but I shake my head, wanting to keep a safe distance between us. I may have a connection with Ari but the fact of the matter is, I'm with Ollie.
 

"These visions or dreams or whatever I have, is that normal?" I bow my head, embarrassed.

"Not at all." He answers, laughing under his breath. "Now that you mention it, do you do other weird things?"
 

"That's it." I answer shortly before punching his shoulder across the counter. I'm not weird! It's just a talent, or habit or something.

"I have a theory but I'm not quite sure. I'll ask around for you." He assures me.
 

"I take it you're bringing me to school?" I ask him. He grins my way before nodding.
 

"Let's go, Princess." He says as he pushes up from the table.

"Hold up. I'm not your 'Princess.'" I say air quoting the dumb name. Junior called me that for a week before we dropped it. Let's just say, it got awkward, fast.
 

"Okay, Eury, let's go." He rolls his eyes waiting for me to move.

"Is that what you call me, Eury?" I ask him, liking the way it sounds as it rolls off his tongue.
 

"Yes." He makes a face daring me to say something and I smile to myself liking it more and more.
 

As I make my way outside, I spy the crotch rocket sitting all pretty in my driveway. Throwing the leather jacket I scrounged out of my closet on, I inspect Ari, making sure we match. I need some confidence—an escape from my real life.
 

I feel like a badass jumping on the bike and securing my hands around his hard waist. Ari makes quick time, speeding to the school while I cling on for dear life.
 

When we pull in I revel in all the gaping mouths and surprised stares. I take my helmet off trying to re-enact how all of the hot girls do it in movies as my blow-dried hair flows out, nearly perfectly.

He gets off the bike first and I wait for him to help me off, not wanting to trip and make a fool out of myself. Flashing ass crack is not the best way to make an impression first thing in the morning.
 

Ari surprises me when he clutches my hand, causing a familiar hum to slide up my arms. Heat floods my face as I draw my hand back, questioning Ari. He shrugs and we start walking towards school together.
 

I sneak a peek up at him wondering what everyone is looking at and I see it. He practically glows with confidence. He's cocky, that's for sure but I know there is something under there that he doesn't let people to see.
 

After a quiet walk to my locker, we head towards first period. It's strange how fast things can change. Yesterday, I dreaded first period. Today, I look forward to it.
 

Knocking me out of my daydream during class, a note drops on my desk from the desk behind me. I peek in very hesitant.
 

Ari-How fun is this class?

I get excited seeing Ari's handwriting and the fact that he's passing me a note. I feel like I'm in middle school again. This class is boring since we're still stuck in the same chapter so I flirt with the idea of responding. My boredom takes over so I respond.
 

Me-You have no idea. Stop distracting me, I'm trying to learn here!

Ari- Please. This is a valid distraction.
 

As I read the last message a warm breeze of breath starts on my neck making its way towards my ear. A set of hot lips land on my neck and start peppering kisses along my shoulder blade. I shiver as goosebumps emerge along my body. I lean towards the kisses wanting them to make their way to my mouth when I realize this is Ari. I can't do this. I lean forward out of his touch and jot down my thoughts.
 

Me- Please don't do this to me. I am his girlfriend and I don't want to complicate things more than they need to me. Be my friend. I feel it what we have—don't doubt that but I can't. Please. I can't Ari.