24. Seeing Double

Seeing Double

PARKER

Gabriella’s been acting weird. She keeps running off and every time I shout at her about it, she goes all meek and girly. She even apologized. It’s not like her at all. I can’t put my finger on why, but I feel like I’m being played. She kissed me last night before going into Jamie’s room. Then she kissed me this morning and told me she doesn’t want him. She only wants me.

I just don’t understand how she can sleep with him but want me. It just doesn’t make any sense. The more I thought on it, the more it seemed as though she wasn’t herself. Something was definitely wrong and I have no idea what it could possibly be.

My thoughts are so confused that as I wander through the halls after classes, I almost run over someone. I turn my head to mumble an apology only to stop dead in my tracks. “Melody?” Her face looks like Melody’s but there’s something off, almost like there’s two faces one over the other. For a split second as I blink, I see both Melody’s face and Gabriella’s. My breath gets caught in my throat as I shake my head, trying to clear the confusion.

“I guess that answers that question then.” The voice that comes out of the girl’s mouth isn’t quite right either. I frown, paying closer attention and right before my eyes the images of both Gabriella and Melody flicker. Gabriella’s face emerges and holds steady.

“What the fuck?” I snap just as a second Gabriella emerges from the girl’s bathroom across the hall. On impulse I grab the “real” Gabriella by the wrist and tug her into the classroom beside us, keeping my back to the window on the door so no one can see inside.

“How… What the fuck?” I ask again, trying not to shout.

“Long story short, I’m Gabriella, that bitch Melody has been pretending to be me.”

I nod. “Actually, that explains a lot.” I cock my head and study her carefully. “Come here.” I don’t give her the chance to refuse. I tug her into my arms and breathe deeply into her hair. My entire body calms instantly. This is just what I needed. To hold her close, know that she’s okay. “You’re not leaving my sight ever again. How long?” I growl realising that things have been off for a few days now.

“Almost three days. I wasn’t sure what was going on at first, then when I figured it out, I tried to speak to someone only they kept calling me Melody. It wasn’t until Jamie told me that the power had to be contained in something that I wouldn’t normally take off, that’s when I realised exactly what was going on.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I can’t excuse my behaviour, or the things I’ve said or done. I’ll make it up to you. No matter how long it takes. I will make this up to you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. It’s her. She’s the one causing all this. Jamie and I have an idea, but we’re going to need your help to pull it off. We’ll need to get Drew on board too. Think you can help?”

“Tell me what you need. I’m yours to command.” The words slip from my tongue but the moment they do, I know I mean them.

I’m hers. Anything she needs, wants or desires and I’d give it to her without question.

As she ran through her plan, my mind reeled. Not only is Gabriella smart, thoughtful, kind and gentle, but she has one hell of a wicked sense of right and wrong. I can’t wait to see this all play out.