The week had flown by very fast. Usually, time scraped by agonizingly slow, like a dull razor blade dragged across your skin. Now, the week was over, tomorrow was Friday and I would have to face Peter Benette.

Just to punish myself, even more, I googled images of Dr. E Benette. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. With a golden river for hair, piercing green eyes and smile that lit up a room. Her eyes held humor and mischief but also a whole lot of intelligence.

I couldn't find any photos, Peter, he had a blog with his sister's story but that was about it. No photos, no numbers to call and no address. At least, Leah seemed to be warming to the idea of speaking to me. We've had a few casual chats and even wave and smile at each other now. It felt good but would it last?

Shawna was a whole different matter, she would give me the 'I'm going to kill you' look but then she'd just walk away and ignore me. I preferred it that way. The monster inside me wanted to rip her apart and I only went out to feed once after I left Noah in the woods.

I was busy brushing my teeth when my phone pinged in my room. Grabbing the phone off the dresser, I saw a text from Noah.

'Ready for tmrw?'

Quickly texting back my reply which was a resounding 'no', I flopped down on my bed and pulled the pillow over my head. I don't think I will ever be ready to meet Peter or be able to tell him about his sister. I know we decided to tell him as little as possible about his sister's death, but that didn't take away the guilt. Instead, it festered and had grown twice in size.

Sighing, I ran downstairs to find my mom sitting with a book and a cup of coffee on the kitchen island.

She looked up at me and smiled, "Want a cup of coffee honey, I couldn't sleep either?"

I nodded my head and smiled at mom. After she was done, I took a seat next to her. For a few minutes, neither of us said anything.

Taking a sip of coffee, I scrunched up my nose, mom looked up and saw my face.

"What's wrong?"

"Not strong enough," I said and my mom laughed.

"That's what happens if you cram an entire semesters work into one week, you get burned out and coffee loses its magic," mom tipped the coffee cup into a silent salute.

I laughed, despite that not being the actual reason I wanted my coffee strong. I was happy that mom and I were talking again.

We spent a few more minutes talking about school work but every now and then the conversation would drift towards Noah. I kept deflecting, I was not about to talk to my mother about Noah. I didn't even have a clue what was going on between us.

After finishing my coffee, I gave mom a side hug and said goodnight. My mood was slightly lighter, mom and I haven't talked like that in a while and I never realized how much I missed it.

The next morning, I was already waiting on the curb for Noah, the weather had changed drastically and an Icy layer of frost started to cover the grass. It would start snowing soon and even though I couldn't feel the cold I still hated winter. My birthday was only a few weeks away and I didn't understand the point of celebrating it in the winter.

I hopped into the front seat to see a smiling Noah and a blasting stereo. He was singing along to 'Highway to hell' but it resembled a cat being strangled. Every time he belted a high note it felt like someone was busy sticking needles into my ears.

I turned the volume down, "I see you got the radio to work."

He was grinning ear to ear, "I know right, isn't it great?"

I stuck my pinky finger into my ear and wriggled it just for good measure, "For you maybe, but not for the eardrums of everyone in town."

He placed his hand over his chest, "You wound me, Syd. I have a golden voice."

I smiled cheekily, "No your silence is golden, so why don't you shut up so we both can get rich."

Noah guffawed and I burst out laughing, he mumbled something under his breath while his face flushed bright pink. He took off with me still laughing, the radio was turned to a comfortable volume. Every now and then I would sneak a peek at Noah and his face would turn pink all over again.

Being like this with him was like balm to my wounded soul. It made me feel like a silly teenager and it did weird things to my insides. Over the past few months, I have learned to control hunger. But it was still there, reminding me that I'm a monster. 

I swallowed my laughter and we pulled into the school parking lot, we made our way into the building, kids were laughing and talking to their friends. I saw Leah standing by her locker with Shawna and Mia. She looked up and smiled at me.

I gave her a light wave and started putting my things in my locker. I had biology in the first period and I could give in my last assignment which means, I could finally start helping Noah with this Biotech mess.

Sitting down, I was surprised to see Leah next to me.

She gave me a cheeky smile, "Saw you and Noah this morning, I think I finally get it," she said.

I frowned, "Finally get what?"

She pointed her finger at me, "You Sydney Walsh, like Noah Miller."

I felt my cheeks ignite in an intense heat that I even felt it in my ears.

"What?" I stuttered out.

"Oh you heard me Syd, and I saw it this morning. You guys were practically gushing."

I used my hands to cover my face, first mom and now Leah. What is wrong with the people in my life?

"Noah and I are just friends," I spat out.

"Suuuuuure," she said dragging out the word, "I believe you, Syd."

She grinned still looking at me and I pursed my lips together. I do not like Noah, at least not like that.

Leah tapped my shoulder and I peeked at her, my face still felt hot.

"We're having a sleepover Saturday, I was hoping you would come?"

"We as in...?"

"Me, you, Mia, and Shawna."

I huffed, "Really? Shawna and I aren't really best friends right now."

"Oh come on, please do it for me?" Leah pleaded.

I furrowed my brows, it was odd for Leah to suddenly ask and I wondered if this was her extending an olive branch. So, I pushed down my doubt, because this was Leah, and nodded my head. 

"Great!" Leah exclaimed.

"Ms. Freeman and Ms. Walsh, would you two mind paying attention to the actual classwork?" Mr. Johnson asked, his voice cutting out my conversation with Leah.

The whole class turned their attention to us and a few even snickered. I skunk into my chair and Leah just smiled sweetly, "Of course Mr. Johnson." she said.

After class Leah grabbed my arm, "So I'll pick you up Saturday morning?"

"Yeah, at whose house are we staying?" I asked.

It would probably be Shawna's house and that was enough to make me regret saying yes. Shawna and I already didn't like each other and spending a whole night together seemed like a precursor for world war three.

Leah bit her lip and looked away, "We're going to stay at my house."

I had to pick up my jaw from the floor, in all our years of friendship, I had never slept over at Leah's house.

After finding out about her mom and Biotech and now being invited for a sleepover, I couldn't help but feel paranoid. It didn't matter whether Leah knew or not, because her mom did and what if she was there?

Wait this is Leah I'm talking about, she wouldn't hurt me purposefully. I shook my head to clear my sudden train of thought.

"Great, I'll see you on Saturday."

Noah and I met up at his truck after school and when I told him about Leah he nearly lost it.

"Syd you can't go, it's crazy!"

"Says the boy who followed me into the woods to find a crazed zombie," I replied, my tone deadpan.

I had promised to fix my friendship with Leah and for us to get some answers meant that I needed her to trust me enough.

"You can't be serious, you said it yourself Leah has never invited you over and now all of a sudden she hosts a sleepover?"

Noah's grip on the steering wheel was so tight that his knuckles had turned white. We were on our way to Wendy's diner to meet with Peter, which I was still apprehensive about. We needed answers.

"Okay, say you're right and Leah is apart of this, she wouldn't have invited Shawna and Mia along," I explained.

I honestly didn't think Leah was apart of this. I would have known if my friend was a psychopath.

Noah sighed, "I'm not going to talk you out of this, am I?"

I shook my head, I had to go not only for Leah but for some answers too. We pulled into the parking lot of Wendy's and Noah killed the engine.

When he looked at me I could see the concern in his eyes. It was starting to weaken my resolve but I had to hold out.

"I promise the moment things don't seem right, I will text you," I said, taking Noah's hand in mine and giving him a reassuring squeeze.

He laced his fingers through mine and I felt goosebumps trail up my arms underneath my shirt. My cheeks started to burn and I cleared my throat, "We should get going."

Noah's hand left mine and the sudden stab of disappointment confused the heck out of me. Wendy's was an old-style diner, with black and white tiles. Over the years the white had faded to yellow. Skuff marks littered the tiles as most people came here for Sunday lunch. I remembered the times I would come here with my parents.

The smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee wafted in the air. Noah and I made our way to the corner booth. The fake red leather had started to chip away but at least it was somewhat private.

"Did Peter say what time he'll be here?" I asked Noah who slid into the booth first.

I took my seat beside him my stomach was full of knots and was twisting uncomfortably. Plucking at the hem of my jacket I bit my lip.

Noah shifted in his seat and looked at me, "Yes, he should be here any minute, now stop fidgeting you're making me nervous."

Abruptly, I let go of my shirt, "Sorry. I can't help it what if he --"

The doorbell chimed stopping our bickering dead in its tracks. I sucked in a breath and stared at the newcomer.

He was dressed in black ripped jeans, a white shirt, and a leather jacket. A pair of sunglasses hung loosely on his shirt. His blonde hair was slightly curly and fell into messy waves around his face.

When I looked up my eyes connected with his piercing green ones and I couldn't help but stare. I gulped, if this was Peter Benette I wasn't going to be able to speak.

With his jaw set, he marched over to our table his gaze shifting between Noah and me.

He looked at Noah and completely ignored me, "Are you Noah?" he asked his voice smooth and deep.

Crap.

Noah cleared his throat, "Yeah I am, you must be Peter." he said his voice calm.

I had no idea how Noah managed to sound so calm, I didn't even have the ability to form coherent sentences at this point.

Peter sneered, "Is this a joke, you're teenagers?"

His voice had taken a sharp edge to it and I felt the urge to start fidgeting again. Noah placed his hand on my bouncing knee and I stilled the movement immediately.

"This isn't a joke, but I think you might want to sit down."

Noah didn't even flinch and I was awed by his ability to stay calm while I was having a mental breakdown next to him.

Peter rolled his eyes and sat down across from us, "You said you have information about my sister, that's the only reason I'm here."

I shot a nervous glance in Noah's direction, words escaped me and I wasn't able to even say hello.

Peter's eyes narrowed but he took a seat anyway.

"Well kids, this better be good."