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Inspiration for this chapter:

1. The Symphony No. 5 in C minor of Ludwig van Beethoven, Op. 67

2. Pink Floyd - Comfortably numb

I recommend listening to these songs while reading since they helped me to write this chapter 😁❤

I put a link of the symphony no.5 by Beethoven up ⬆️

You can google the other song if you want.

Okay, enough of me blabbing.

Enjoy ❤

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I spent my first weekend in Hollybrooke reading Jane Eyre. I completly lost myself in beautiful fantasy created by Charlotte Brontë. I usually imagined souls while reading books, not faces, but this time Mr Rochester had a face, the most handsome face in the history of human kind - William's face. It was easy for me to forget about everything and imagine myself as heroine of the novel.

Jane helped Mr Rochester out of his miserable life, and she guided him to take the correct path from which he was rambling. She changed his ways with her kindness. For some reason, William reminds me of him. By the way he talked about the wolf in the symphony we listened to in his car, I know that his life is dark and he can't see the bright side. Something must has happened to him to make him think like that. Maybe some girl broke his heart and for some reason, I have this insane need to fix it. I want to be his Jane Eyre. I am ready to go against my grandmother to get to know him better. There is just something about him.

My dreams of becoming his Jane Eyre are shattered on Monday morning when he doesn't show up for school. His brother and Jane are in school, but he isn't there. I spend the whole day in school searching for him in the most subtle way I know. I don't see him. After school I notice Jane and Harry near William's car, I think about approaching them and asking them about William's whereabouts, but my grandma's car stops in front of me and prevents me from making some stupid decision. I would sound like a lunatic if I approached them. I am not sure why my grandma decided to pick me up, but I am glad she did. He doesn't show up for school on Tuesday and Wendsday either. And by Thursday I feel like some psychotic stalker when I start looking through phonebooks to find his number. It is impossible to find him on Facebook or any other social media, I don't dare to ask John or Lana for his phone number, so I have to go old-fashion. I don't even know what I want to ask him. He is probably sick so that is why he is not coming to school. I can ask him how is he and does he needs me to send him homework. On my disappointment I don't find phone number of the Turners in the phonebook except from the number of the sanatorium. I am still not crazy enough to call that number. I go to bed miserable. Will he show up to school ever again? Did he change school? Did he travel somewhere?

My grandma drops me off  at the school on Friday morning. I think that she is suspecting that I am not entirely honest when it comes to William so she is making sure that I don't take any rides from him. She probably knows that he gave me a ride last week. After grandma stops the car, I leave it and I check the part of the parking where car of the Turners is usually parked. I am pleased to see William talking with Jane and Harry at the parking lot. My stomach flutters as his gaze meets mine. He seems irritated to see me. He turns away and continues talking to his brother and Jane. Is he irritated because he thinks I like him? He didn't seem too pleased about that when we talked in the car. Probably because he doesn't like me. What in the world was I thinking? I wanted to be his Jane Eyre and the guy can't even stand me. I am a complete idiot.

I spend Friday in school walking from class to class, occasionally talking to John and Lana during the breaks. I spend most of my time in school with them because they talk a lot and they don't expect me to get involved in conversations if I don't want to. The time passes quicker when I am with them. I don't see William for the rest of the day. John and I finish our math class earlier and we walk together to the parking lot. I notice that my grandma hasn't arrived yet.

"Are you going to the funeral tomorrow?" - John asks while we walk to his car.

"Funeral?" - I answer with question.

"Tracy's funeral." - He seems annoyed that I forgot.

"Oh, I don't know." - I shrug.

I completly forgot about Tracy's death to be honest because I was obsessing with William lately. I still had nightmares, but I found a way to calm myself - by humming that lovely symphony from William's car. I couldn't find the symphony on Google, so my memory had to do.

"The whole town will be there." - John continues blabbing about the funeral I don't want to think about. I really hope that my family won't be attending it. I can't deal with the questions of the whole town about how I found Tracy. - "You are probably coming too." - John stops in front of his old, yellow car and turns his gaze to me. - "Your grandma isn't here yet?"

"She will be here soon. We did finish earlier." - I mutter.

"I can give you a ride." - He grins at me.

I spent way more time with John than with William, but just the thought of John giving me a ride made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't feel that when William asked me to give me a ride.

"She doesn't need a ride from you!" - A furious voice coming from behind me answers before I have time to do so.

William stops in front of me. I try not to get distracted by his amazing masculine back and focus on his motives for getting between me and John but it is hard.

"What do you want, William?" - John asks in a cold voice I haven't heard him use before.

"Stay away from her." - William answers in a voice that sends chills down my spine. - "Or I will be the death of you and your pals, Jonathan."

John scowls, but he doesn't argue any longer. He enters his car and drives off. Well, at least I am not the only person William has problems with. What the hell was this even about?

He turns around to face me as soon as John's car is out of the sight. His blazing eyes are staring straight back at me. He is angry.

"Choose your company better." - He mumbles. - "I don't want to see you around him anymore."

He doesn't want to see me around him? What is he thinking? He can't tell me what to do! Why would he want to tell me what to do? It's not like he cares about what happens to me... or he does? Was he jealous because John offered me a ride? That is the only reasonable explanation for his behavior. It sounds completly unrealistic that this handsome guy likes someone like me, but maybe he does. He never said that he doesn't.

"Are you jealous?" - I raise my eyebrows.

"Don't be ridiculous." - He frowns. - "I don't get jealous. I am trying to warn you because you are obviously have a talent for getting yourself into dangerous situations and I don't want another dead body in this town."

"John is not dangerous." - I roll my eyes. How stupid could I be? I actually asked him if he was jealous. The guy can't stand me.

"You don't know what kind of thoughts he has." - He fumes.

"And you do?"

"I do." - He assures me.

"So you can read minds now?" - I am annoyed. Who the hell he think he is?

"It is called telepathic perception." - His frown turns into a short, hard laugh. Is he telling me that he can read minds? Great! He is delusional psychopath. He notices my confused face and he continues. - "No, Anessa, I don't posses such a gift, but I know him very well and you will stay away from him and I am not asking." - No, he isn't. He is demanding. - "I have to go now because your grandma will be here in exactly two minutes and I don't want to deal with her. Goodbye!"

He walks away before I have time to say anything. My grandma arrives at the parking lot exactly two minutes later. How could he know? It must have been coincidence. Right?

"How was your day?" - My grandma asks as soon as I enter the car.

"Good." - I mumble.

"I am glad." - She smiles at me warmly. - "Anessa, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"I don't."

"Good, because we need to attend Tracy's funeral." - She informs me.

"Grandma, I don't want to go." - Just the thought of going there is making me sick to my stomach.

"I know how unpleasant it must be for you, but this is a small town, Anessa, people will talk." - She explains slowly. - "If you don't show up, you will give Kate Jepsen the reason to investigate you more. She is just waiting for one wrong move from you so she can investigate you further. You obviously didn't have anything to do with Tracy's murder, but you don't need that woman hovering over you, watching your every move."

Ah! That woman! What have I ever done to her so she hates me that much? Even if she puts me in the jail, my father won't care so that is very poor tactic to get revenge on him.

"I will go." - I agree. It is for the best. I will rather spend few unpleasant hours at the funeral then lifetime in jail.

Grandma nods and starts blabbing about the plot for her new book. It helps to distract me. She drops me off at home and I spend the rest of the day rereading Wuthering Heights.

I don't think about the funeral much until I am forced out of the bed on the next morning. I put on black pants and black shirt, and I don't tie my curly hair. Maybe I can hide in it so nobody asks me too many questions.

Grandma and I drive to an old Catholic church at the very end of Hollybrooke. As soon as we leave the car I notice that there are too many people there. Probably, the whole town. I can feel some of their gazes on me so I start huming the symphony from William's car to calm down. It helps until we enter the church and people start approaching and introducing themselves to me. By the next hour I have met half of the town, I didn't remember any names, I have been asked how do I like Hollybrooke more than hundred times and I have been told have brave I was to run out of the forest after finding Tracy's body, twice as much. I need a break.

I walk away while my grandma is talking to one of her friends. I find the most peacful place in the church - small room near the altar. There is only one gorgeous picture of Tracy inside. My stomach flips when I meet her eyes on the picture. I didn't know her much, but that girl was special. I can't believe how her life ended before it even started because some sick person decided to play God.

"Hello!" - I hear musical voice behind me.

Oh no. Here we go again with the questions.

"Um, hey." - I turn around to see a middle-aged lady behind me.

I am taken aback by her beauty. I have never seen such a good-looking lady in my life. She is taller than me and has elegant figure. Her wavy, silver-black hair falls halfway down to the middle of her back. She has upturned blue eyes. Suddenly, I want her to ask me questions and I want to answer them.

"You must be Anessa Montgomery." - She smiles at me, making me smile back. - "My son, William Turner, had only beautiful things to say about you."

"He did?" - I squeal like too excited schoolgirl. She chuckles at my reaction and I flush. I am talking with his mom, I have to be calmer. - "Um, I mean, he did?" - I ask in softer tone and she nods.

"My name is Victoria Turner." - She raises her right hand and I put mine hand in her soft, small hand.

She is so pleasent. I can't believe that this sweet woman is the mother of William.

"Nice to meet you." - I pull my hand away.

"I can say the same." - She says sincerely. She really looks like she is excited to see me. What has William told her? - "So how do you like Hollybrooke so far?"

For the first time I want to come up with a better answer than It's fine. I want her to like me for some reason.

Before I answer, my attention is focused on William who suddenly appears behind her out of nowhere. I was too focused on thinking of an interesting answer on her question to notice him approaching. His lips are pulled into a smug smile as he says, - "I told you that she hates that question, mother."

"Oh, I am sorry.." - She looks at me apologetically.

Oh God! I don't want her to apologise to me. How does William know that I hate that question? Am I that obvious or he can really read minds?

"No, it is fine. Don't apologize, please!" - I shake my head, subtly giving William I-hate-you-for-this glare. - "I, um, well it has been interesting so far."

"Have you done much sightseeing?" - She asks enthusiastically.

"No, not really."

"William could show you ar.." - She starts talking but it looks like she is interrupted by something. I can see on her face that she wants to finish the sentence, but there is something that is holding her back. Finally, she releases a deep breath and frowns at William. - "That is rude, William. I told you not to use your little gift on me." - She scolds. William grumbles silently. What gift? What is going on? - "I am your mother. I have the only right."

I stare at them confused. They are looking at each other's eyes and it looks like they are talking without using their voices. Victoria keeps frowning at him and he looks equally annoyed with her. Have I done something wrong? Should I walk away? This is so awkward.

"ANESSA JESSICA MONTGOMERY!!" - I hear a loud scream coming somewhere behind William. His height is blocking my view but I know that my grandma is coming towards us. Suddenly, this small lady stops right next to William and Victoria. Both Victoria and William shift their attention to my furious grandma. Her bloodshot eyes are focused on me. - "HAVEN'T I TOLD YOU SOMETHING?"

"Shit." - I mutter under my breath.

"HAVEN'T I?" - She repeats. I think she hasn't heard me otherwise she would scold me for my language.

"I.." - I stutter, not sure what to say.

"I will deal with you later." - My grandma cuts me off and she turns her gaze to William. - "William, I am warning you, stay away from my granddaughter." - Her tone makes my body shiver. She is so intimidating. Why she hates William so much? I mean, yes, he is rude, but he doesn't seem like a bad person.

"It is entirely my fault, Jessica." - Victoria apologies. Her voice is so sweet and relaxing. I hope that she will manage to calm my grandmother down, otherwise she will put me on the first plane to California. - "I wanted to speak to Anessa, he didn't..."

"I don't think I was talking to you, Victoria." - My grandma cuts her off, without turning her gaze from William.

"Grandma!" - I yell. That was so rude of her.

William seems provoked by my grandma's behavior.

"I am keeping my distance, it is not my problem that your granddaughter doesn't listen to you." - He says darkly.

"My granddaughter knows better than that." - My grandma answers. - "I saw you lurking around house last week, you are trying to get to her."

"I was around because I gave a ride to your granddaughter. She didn't allow me to stop in front of your house because she wanted to hide that she was with me from you. She is the one who doesn't keep her distance." - Oh, I can't believe him! He just told on me. If my grandma didn't plan to send me to California before this, she is going to send me there now, definetly. William steps towards my grandma and adds through clenched teeth. - "Keep her away from me Jessica, or she is done. I will destroy her."

He walks away from us, angry. He said that he is going to destroy me. What did I get myself into?

"I am sorry for his behaviour." - Victoria mumbles. She is, obviously, upset too. - "Sometimes he has problems with his temper. He didn't mean it."

"Yes, he did." - My grandma hisses.

"Jessica, you are trying to stop the destiny from happening." - Victoria's voice is faint. What destiny? I feel like I missed a part of the conversation because I can't catch up.

"I am trying to keep my granddaughter alive." - My grandma barks at her. Is William a serial killer or something?

"He wouldn't hurt her." - Victoria growls. This is the first time she lost temper since we started talking.

"Can you guarantee me that?" - My grandma asks. Victoria ducks her head. She doesn't answer. Is William planning to hurt me? What is going on? When Victoria doesn't answer my grandma continues. - "Thought so. Stay away from her. You know what I am capable of very well. Don't bring out that side of me again."

My grandma grabs my arm and she drags me out of that room. I look at Victoria with apology in my eyes. She just nods and smiles at me warmly. My grandma keeps dragging me until we are out of the church. She is digging her nails into my skin and it is hurting me. I know that she won't hit me so I guess this is one way to punish me. She takes me to the graveyard behind the church. Once she is sure that we are alone, she lets go of me.

"I warned you, Anessa. I warned you to stay away from him and you were seeing him behind my back." - She fumes. - "I am done with your rebellious behaviour, Anessa. You are going to California."

"No. Please, you can't do it." - I beg. - "I promise, I will stay away from him. I won't lie to you ever again. Just let me stay."

"How can I trust a liar?" - She is overreacting a bit.

"I am not a liar. Please, don't be angry with me. I promise that I won't see him again."

She inspects my face. She can't doubt my honesty. I won't talk to that jerk ever again. Not only that he snitched on me, he also threatened to destroy me. I will stay away from that guy as far as possible. He is bad news.

"This is the last warning, Anessa. I don't want to see you anywhere near him ever again." - I sigh with relief. Thank God that I don't have to go to California. - "I am doing that for your own good. You will thank me for it one day."

"I trust you, grandma." - I really do. She wouldn't be acting like this if she didn't have a good reason.

"Good."

She turns on her heel and she walks back to the church. I don't follow. I need to isolate myself some more. Especially after what has happened few minutes ago.

I notice a stone bench under an apple tree on the safe distance from the graves. I sit on in it and stare in the distance. I stare nowhere in particular until curly blonde hair catches my eye. Slim, tall girl in yellow dress is standing over one of graves. I can't see her face, but something about her body seems familiar. Suddenly she turns her face towards my direction and I stay frozen at the spot.

She looks exactly like Tracy! It can't be Tracy. She is dead. Am I going crazy? Her eyes don't stare nowhere in particular for some time, until her gaze meets mine. At this point my body is shaking, my body is cold, my heart is beating rapidly. She looks as shocked as I am. Is this real? Am I really seeing Tracy? I saw her body, I know that she is dead. This could be only her ghost, but such things don't exist, do they? I have to be imagining things. I close my eyes and I start huming the melody from William's car. My whole body relaxes in the matter of seconds. I open them again and there is no girl in yellow dress in the distance anymore. Am I going crazy?

"I hate funerals." - Soft voice interrupts me from over-thinking the situation.

Tiny, short girl sits next to me. Her