Beauty and the Beast

Ashley had a friend come over. She was covered in bright colored cloth, beads hung from the ends of her hair, and her arms were filled to the elbow with gold and silver bracelets. Each finger had two or more rings. When I walked past her she stopped me, her rings slightly pinching my skin.

“You have a story I would love to read.” She had a soft voice, calm and collected. Her eyes were a bright purple. Andy had told me that she was a psychic and would read Ashley’s future from time to time. “Do you mind?” She let go of my arm and clasped her hands together.

“Do I mind what?” I asked, unsure of this woman.

“Can I read you?” She smiled at me, her yellowing teeth barley showing through her puffed lips.

I looked to Ashley, who nodded. “Why not?” I smiled.

She seemed to jump for joy. In two minutes she had an orange sheet on the floor, along with two pillows to sit on, and a small wood block in between them. She sat cross legged and offered for me to do the same. When my weight had rested on the pillow she took my hand in both of hers. She closed her eyes and smiled. Our hands hovered over the wooden block. I just watched as her hands grazed over mine. Examining every line. Her face grew sad, then angry, she gripped my hand tighter and mumbled words that sounded like ‘murder, rape, horror, and betrayal.’

When she started breathing harder I got worried, I tried to pull my hand away from her but she gripped tighter. She rocked back and forth, mumbling words I could not understand. Ashley pulled at her shoulders but she did not move.

“Stop!” I finally screamed.

She flung my hand away from her, and threw her head back. I held my hands close to my chest, she held her head back for some time, while she took in one long deep breath. She brought her head level and began packing up quickly. She shoved me off.

“Hey, hey.” Ashley said trying to stop her.

“That girl is trouble.” She stared at me, horror in her eyes. She shot her head back to Ashley, her eye level at his chest. She looked up to him with watery eyes. “Kill her.” She whispered.

“What?!” I screamed. I pulled at her shirt, making everything in her arms fall out.

She slapped my face hard, sending me to all fours. She knelt down beside me. She stared hard into my eyes. With a swift motion she gripped my chin hard with one hand, holding my face to hers.

“What is your mother’s name child?” Her voice had grown harsh, old.

“Gw…Gwen.” I stuttered.

Her face sneered, like she had bit into a lemon. Her eyes darted from side to side, then she looked back to me. Her purple eyes now a dark red. She came close to my ear, her hot breath running down my neck.

“She is lonely. She will kill Andy.”

I backed away from her quickly. Her eyes were wide. “What the fuck is going on?” Andy’s deep voice came to my rescue, I found security in his grip, I buried my face in his chest and let his arms hold me tight to him.

“Stay away from that child!” She witch screamed at Andy.

Ashley grabbed her and pulled her outside. Andy brushed at my hair and pulled me away to look at my face. “What the fuck was that? Are you alright?” He rubbed my cheeks with his thumbs and kissed my forehead hard.

I wiped a small tear from my eye and confessed to him about my dream the other night. He brought me to his room and pulled me onto his lap and he rocked back and forth. I just got him, I can’t lose him because of someone who is dead. If it even was true. It didn’t matter, I was scared to death.

“Nothing is going to hurt you okay?” He kissed me hard.

I pulled away and laid a hand on his chest, “I’m more worried about you.” I dared to not look in his eyes.

He put a finger under my chin and brought my gaze to his. “Nothing is going to take me away from you. Got it? I love you too much to let that happen.” He hugged me tight.

“What if she’s right?” I whimpered.

He sighed, and set me down next to him. He put his head in his hands and sighed again. “Ashley has some weird friends.” He looked to me. “Don’t take her seriously unless something terrible happens to you, but I will never let that happen.”

I gave him a weak smile and rested my head against his shoulder. I looked into his eyes and smiled. “I love you.” I said before placing my lips on his.

Notes

I'm soooo sorry for the lack of updates!!!!! And give it up for 45 chapters! Woot woot!