Charity Moon Read Online Free PDF Page B

night even happened? Was Levi Drake really in the forest with me? How could that be possible? And how could he have gotten me home, and into my bed?
     
    I got up, but then fell back dizzily onto the bed. Trying again, steadying myself first, I got up and walked over to my chair, picked up my shoes, and turned them over. They were caked in mud.I looked around on the floor for traces of prints or water or mud—nothing. Then I noticed the chair wasn’t secured against my door. What if Frank came in my room while I was sleeping? I was out of it so I wouldn’t have known. I became horrified at the thought, feeling panicked as I sat on the edge of my bed and pondered the events of the previous evening. It all had such a dream-like quality, and yet I could still smell Levi’s scent as strongly as if he were sitting right beside me.
     
    I felt totally confused and unsure as I called Ashley and enlightened her on everything. She said she tended to believe that after I hit my head I must’ve passed out and dreamed the part about Levi. She also said she thought I probably woke up and walked home, getting into bed on my own. I explained how I woke on top of my bed with the afghan over me, which we keep in the hall closet. Why would I have done that instead of just getting undressed and into my bed? Also, if I had gotten home on my own, I would’ve known to put the chair against my door. I’ve been doing that every night, without fail, for three years. Ashley seemed puzzled by that one too, and as much as she tried to reassure me, it didn’t do much to calm my nerves.
     
    I laid around the house for the rest of the day, trying to clear my mind of all the questions running through it. I actually picked up my journal and started writing in it again, something I haven’t done in two years. Somehow it helped me sort out my feelings. As a result, I was more convinced than ever that my memories were correct about Levi. He had been in the forest with me, but how? And more importantly, why?
     
    What I really wanted, to help ease my anxiety, was my favorite butter pecan ice cream from Happy’s Ice Cream Parlor, located just outside of town. Dreading the twenty-minute drive, I decided a bubble bath would have to suffice and headed for the tub with my raspberry scented bubbles in hand.
     
    When I arrived at school Monday morning, rumors were already circulating about my date with Jeffrey, no doubt started by him.
     
    “Charity,” Toby called to me as I exited my car. “I just heard about what happened on your date Saturday night. Are you all right?”
     
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little banged up.”
     
    “Banged up?”
     
    “I fell in the forest when I thought a wild animal was chasing me.”
     
    “Oh wow, that’s scary. I meant about Jeffrey getting a good feel of you.”
     
    “What? He did no such thing!”
     
    “I didn’t think so. I guess he’s trying to look like a big shot ‘cause he’s telling his buddies that he felt you up before you slapped him and jumped out of his truck.”
     
    “Is that right?” I stormed through the parking lot until I found him. His friends wisely moved out of my way as I approached.
     
    “How dare you say that about me!” I hissed. “Besides kissing me, against my will I might add, you never touched me! And I could’ve been killed! I was almost attacked by a wild animal, it was raining, and I couldn’t find my way home! Boy, you are quite the gentleman! If any rumor should spread it’s that Jeffrey Davis is the lousiest date anyone could ever have! Not to mention, you kiss like a piranha!” Everyone around began laughing, but it angered Jeffrey and he came at me in a rush. At the same time, a hand went up against his chest and pushed him backwards as Levi stepped between us.
     
    “Don’t even think about it,” he growled.
     
    Jeffrey backed away in surrender and quickly headed in the opposite direction.
     
    “I don’t need your help! I can take care of