The Curse by Skylar Pitera (books to get back into reading txt) 📖

you downstairs just grab your bathing suit and some clothes k?” I nodded and she left.
I grabbed my shorts and bathing suit top then changed into jeans and a t-shirt.
I brushed my teeth and hair then ran downstairs. Sam was on the phone when I came in. I went back into the hall and listened to what she was saying.
“Ian are you sure you don’t know what’s wrong with her?” I stalled not wanting to listen but unable to move.
“What did you do?” I hadn’t heard his reply but he probably sounded guilty.
“Why would you do that?”
I sighed and sat down on the floor still listening.
“That’s ridiculous!” Sam was getting angry.
“Fine be a coward but were coming to the house to swim so leave us alone.”
I walked into the room then and she turned around and smiled.
“Well she just walked in and we're coming over now.” She hung up and looped our arms then led me to the door.
“Is your brother at your house?” she frowned.
“Yes but he’s going to be in his room.” I nodded and we started to walk down the street.
“Can you believe that school is going to be over in a month?” I shook my head and laughed.
“We're going to be seniors how weird is that?” Her eyes widened.
“Oh my god I haven’t thought about it.”
We got to her house and walked around to the backyard where the pool was.
She walked over right away and stripped down to her bathing suit then dived in.
I held my breath when the cold water splashed me then followed Sam into the pool.
For a while I forgot about all my issues with Ian and allowed myself to enjoy the sun.
Sam and I got out of the pool and layed down on the lawn chairs I looked up at Ian’s window and sighed wishing he would come out and want to be with me.
I got my hopes up to early, and now I wish I could make him see how much we need to be together.
I know now he’s never going to love me no matter how hard I try to show him.
“Come on ray-ray let’s lay out and tan.” Sam was trying really hard to distract me from thoughts of Ian.
“ok.” I got out then turned towards the house. “I’m really thirsty do you want me to grab you a soda?”
She nodded and I ran inside. When i got to the kitchen I opened the fridge then stopped when I heard a noise behind me.
I closed my eyes and prayed that it would be ray.
I turned slowly and came face to face with Ian, my mouth dried up and tears came to my eyes quickly.
“Ray...” I cut him off. “Don’t.” then I turned and walked away from him like he did to me.


Ch.9 Ian:
I thought about her all night then all day Sunday. What had possessed me to kiss her?
She needed her true love to save her and all I would do is be in the way. After her and Sam swam for a couple hours, Ray left and Sam came up to my room.
When I walked into the kitchen and seen her I froze for a minute just watching her.
Then she turned around and I numbed myself to the pain all over again.
“What’s up with you?” She was upset and it was obvious.
I just looked up at her from the floor where I was laying down.
“How could you just kiss her and then leave her?” She sat down next to me and crossed her arms.
“I didn’t mean to kiss her.” Then I watched as Sam's eyes got huge.
“How could you not mean to?” She just stared down at me.
“Sam just go, I do not want to discuss this with you. Ever.” She rolled her eyes and scooted closer to me.
“She needs you Ian. “ Sam’s whisper made my heart squeeze painfully in my chest.
“She needs her true love Sam and I doubt that’s me.” I watched her face and smiled grimly.
“We both know it Sam there’s nothing I can do.”
We were silent for a minute then Sam started to shake her head.
“Listen I promised Ray I wouldn’t tell you but I think you need to know.” I stared at her curious. “Ray told me something after the mall. I’ve always known she was in love with you but she told me that –“she broke off and looked away.
“She told me that somehow she knows that you are her true love.” I just stared at her for a second not knowing whether to laugh or hit something.
“That’s not cool Sam messing with me like that I know that I was stupid but this is wrong.” She started laughing before I finished.
“Oh my god you guys are both so stupid! Her life is on the line here and you guys can’t even communicate.” She shook her head and I stood up.
“What the hell are you talking about Sam?” She stood up and walked to my window then turned back to me.
“You guys are soul mates, you and Ray, Ian.” I just stared at her in shock. What?
“I-" My hands shook and she started laughing at me again.
“Now you know so what are you going to do about it?” Sam put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
“I’m not sure yet.” It was the only thing I could say.
*
Monday started out badly. First I was late to my first class which wasn’t too bad but then I saw ray.
She looked beautiful but sad and I mentally kicked myself in the ass for the 20th time that day.
Then when I tried to talk to her she would find some way to get away.
It was starting to get on my nerves because I really needed to talk to her. I shouldn’t have treated her the way I did. I should’ve paid more attention to her.
I couldn’t dwell on what I should’ve done just what I’m going to do. This was cornering her and demanding her to listen. Or tie her to a chair and tell her but I was hoping for the first option.
It was lunch now and she was going to be all mine. At least I hoped because it was really starting to eat at my insides. Literally.
“Hey.” Ben and Sam were already sitting at the table. I glanced around looking for ray.
“Where is she?” Sam pointed to a spot behind my back so I turned around.
Ray was sitting with a guy in her grade. She was also laughing. Instant jealousy inflamed my head.
“Who is he?” I stared at ray and the guy then looked back at Sam and ben who were trying to ignore me.
“Who is he Sam?”
She looked up and frowned. “He’s in our Spanish class, he’s been interested in ray since last year but she’s always told him no when he asked her out.” She paused. “Today she said yes.”
I shook with jealousy as I stood up.
“Ian, do not do something stupid.” I ignored her and walked towards the table ray was at.
“Ray we need to talk.” I told her glaring at the guy next to her.
She didn’t look up. “I’m busy.” I laughed darkly and sat down.
“Now were both busy.” She snorted and turned to the guy after glancing at me.
“Where were we?” the guy laughed and ignored me as well.
“We should go see a movie tonight.” The guy told her. I shook my head.
“She’s busy tonight.” Ray giggled ignoring me still.
“Ok.” The guy grinned as if he’d won a million dollars and in my eyes he had.
“Call me.” She told him then stood up and walked away. I watched her for a minute then turned to ...it.
I stared him down then when he looked away I leaned closer to him threateningly.
“Ray is mine do you understand?” He shook his head.
“She doesn’t belong to anybody.” I laughed again.
“Ray is with me she’s just upset at the moment, got it?” He nodded then and I smiled satisfied.
“Don’t talk to her again k?” he nodded again and I got up then walked over to Sam and Ben.
“What’s Ray’s next class?” Sam shook her head and I glared at her.
“I’m not telling you Ian you’re just going to have to wait.” She picked up her lunch and ben did the same. “You’ve hurt her enough.”
She walked away from me and ben stood at the table for a minute a shrugged and he sighed running after Sam.
I left the cafeteria with my shoulders hunched and thinking about all that I needed to do to win the love of my life back.


Ch.10 Rayna:
I couldn’t believe Ian had done that to me. He didn’t want to be with me and yet he just had to ruin my lunch.
I don’t understand what his problem is! If he ‘knows’ he’s not my soul mate what if Matt is?
I didn’t wait for Sam to get a ride with Ian; instead I walked over to my bus and sat in the very back ignoring everyone who got on.
After a half hour the bus turned onto my street and came to a stop.
I got off and walked on the other side of the street until I passed Ian and Sam's house.
Jacks car wasn’t in the driveway when I walked up the sidewalk and I sighed with relief.
I’d be alone for the next couple of hours and I really needed it.
I unlocked the door and walked inside the house right as I saw Ian pull up to his house.
I sighed and grabbed an orange from the fruit basket in my kitchen then went up to my room to blast angry music and paint a picture of Ian getting his head bashed in.
I pulled out a fresh canvas and prepared my paints.
Sam texted me and I ignored it not wanting to put up with anybody else today.
My brushstrokes were short and sharp, the colors dark and sad.
My tears ran down my face blurring my vision slightly. Jack knocked on my door and I ignored him to, concentrating only on the art piece I was creating.
Pain filled my heart and made my painting beautiful yet heartbreaking all at the same time.
Hours later I stood back from my painting and really saw what I had done.
I had painted myself with tears streaming down my face and my hands holding my chest, crying out to Ian who was off in the distance with his back turned.
I knelt on the floor in front of it and cried for the fifth time in just the last couple days.