Crimson Moon - Leah Crowe (best mystery novels of all time .TXT) 📗

she paid for her lunch and sat down. "It seems like it's going to rain." Beth said when Phillip sat down. He had a far off look in his eyes. "Oh…yeah"
"You ok?" she said looking at him. "Yeah, I'm fine."
But something told her it wasn't he wasn't alright. After lunch, Beth walked out of the cafeteria, smiling. Not looking where she was going, she bumped into Tiffany. "Watch it.....hey! Beth! What a coincidence! I was meaning to talk to you! So how is your friend?" She smiled, "You should introduce me or something." Beth kept walking. "What's up with the attitude? I'm surprised he's even friends with a freakshow like you?" Tiffany sneered.
"Oh I'm sorry. I thought you were talking to yourself!" Beth said,
"Just back off, Tiffany, he's not yours and he will never be yours. Why don’t you go and hang with your boyfriend!" Tiffany stomped down the hall as Beth walked away, a smug look on her face.

The rest of the day went by with a blur; Science class, History, and Drama class. Finally, the day ended and she walked over to her locker. When she arrived she saw Phillip leaning against her locker looking devious. He was looking at her as she came towards him, a sweet and malicious smile on his lips. “Hey, Beth, ready to go?”
“Y-yeah,” she stuttered.
“Great, your chariot awaits you, my lady.” He said leading her through the back door where a lot of seniors park their cars. They didn’t walk far when they came upon Phillips ride. It was a black and silver motorcycle, and he passed her a helmet with skeletons on it. Then he zipped up his black leather jacket and hopped on then patting the seat behind him. She put the helmet on her head then jumped on the back scooting as close to him as possible, then wrapping her arms around his waist as he started the motorcycle up. They zoomed through the town, past markets, houses, and her mother’s gravesite. “Turn right up here!” she shouted over the roar of the wind in her hair. She felt as if she was flying! When they arrived at her Victorian style home, she hopped off and handed Phillip the helmet. Lightning flashed in the distance, making her house looked eery. “So I’m guessing it's going to rain. Thanks for the ride!”
Beth said as she tried to comb her fingers through her messy golden brown hair. She shook her head up and down and then motioned towards the front door. Beth knew her father wouldn’t be home until much later so she unlocked her front door and stepped inside. Phillip followed close behind.

~Chapter 2~

Slowly, Beth gave a mini tour of her home and led him to her room. She flipped on the light and flopped on her bed. Slowly, she pulled out her Algebra book, turning to the right page. As she began to work, she felt eyes on her back. Looking up, she saw Phillip staring at her. "What?!" she said. "I was just thinking." he replied. "Well, I don't feel like doing Algebra!" Beth exclaimed putting her book down. For a while, both sat in silence. "You're thinking of your mother." Phillip said, starling her. "How did you know?" She questioned. "I can see it in your eyes." True enough, he was staring into her eyes as if searching for something. "Your mother would want you to be happy. I know her passing on is hard but life is full of hard times. It helps to build strength within us." Phillip looked away. Beth fought to control her emotions. Try as she might, a single tear slid down her cheek. Phillip wiped it away with his thumb. "It's hard. I try but I can't let her go. Why would she leave me with Dad? He doesn't care."
She whispered. "He will learn to love. He is grieving in his own way. Show him love and he will change in time." he looked at her. Slowly, he put his arms around her in a hug. It felt so right and calmed her soul. Soon she dozed off after all her tears.
When she woke up, it was dark outside. The lights in her room were off and Phillip had left. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks thinking of her conking out in front of him. Strange, he had let her sleep. As she stretched her sore back, she twisted around to see a note. Peace will come to those who let go. See you tomorrow at school. ~ Phillip

Slowly, she slid off the bed and crept down the stairs. Looking up, the clock struck nine. Sitting at the dining room table was her father, who was looking at bills. He looked tired. She'd never noticed that. "You missed dinner, hon." he said without looking up. "It's ok. I'm not hungry." she lied. Looking longingly at the kitchen, she eyed the leftover burger she picked up at lunch, she inched her way towards the door. Just as she got into the kitchen, "Have you finished your homework?" Her dad called. She moaned. "Uh...yeah." Quickly she grabbed her burger, slapped it in the microwave and slid out of the kitchen with her feast. Slowly, retreating to the porch, she gazed up at the stars. She seemed closer to her mother when she looked up at the night sky. The breeze ruffled her hair and she pulled her coat closer to herself. Looking up, she seemed to feel her mother's presence. Let me go....

She seemed to say. I try mother! But I don't know how!

Beth thought to herself. You will...you will....

After a good night’s rest, Beth felt a little better, almost happy, but not quite. She even woke up on time! Putting on something other than black, she decided to spend some time with her dad this afternoon, maybe let him help her with homework. After dressing and brushing her teeth, she raced downstairs for something to eat then hopped in the car, eager to talk to Phillip. Being around him made her forget about her mom, even if for a little while. Pulling out her keys, she tried to start the car. She pushed and pushed on the key but the car wouldn’t start! “Crap!” she exclaimed. Slamming the door, she walked back into the house. “Hey dad!” She yelled, “My car won’t start! Can you give me a ride to school?” “Sure hon! Wait till I get my keys and we’ll go before you are late for first period.” He said, rummaging for his wallet and keys. She walked outside and sat inside his quiet car. "Ok, when he comes in, talk to him. Try to bond, like Phillip said." She said to herself. Just then the door opened and her father started the car. For a while they drove in silence. Finally, Beth got the courage to speak. “So dad…Uh…How are you these days?” she whispered. He looked over at her in shock. “I’m fine honey. Just tired. Running a house by yourself is harder than I thought.” He chuckled. “Well how’s work? You’ve been pretty busy for a while.” Beth asked. “Work’s going good. I’m sorry but yes I have been busy. It’s…complicated to explain.” He stared at the road. UGH! It’s so hard to talk to him!

Beth kept quiet the rest of the ride. Once at the school, she jumped out and thanked her dad for the ride then ran up the steps two at a time. Quickly, she brushed through the mobs of kids and opened her locker, where Phillip was close by. He had a weird expression on his face. It passed when he saw her. “Hey! You all rested?” He asked. “Yeah. Hehe. Sorry about that. Those were one of my really down days. I’m feeling a lot better than I have in a while, actually.” Beth blushed. “It’s ok. I go through that about ten thousand times a day.” He said then he covered up, “I mean it feels that way! Ten thousand! Phsaw!” It was his turn to blush. “Ok? Anyways, I’m still on time right? I didn’t miss first period or anything, right?” Beth said while cramming stuff into her crowded locker. “Yeah you’re good though we do have that test after study hall. We could sneak out and head somewhere to study for it. I doubt you did much last night.” He said looking at her. “Oh shoot! I totally forgot about that! Yeah that would rock. Especially since my car froze and isn’t starting.” Beth turned around. “Oh then on that case I’ll take you home after school. Maybe we can make a few stops along the way.” He said winking. Beth blushed, “That would be amazing! Thanks so much!” she said hugging him. She felt so safe in his arms. They just stood there till the bell rang. “Oops! The one day I’m here one time and I’m still late!” She quickly grabbed her bag, letting go of Phillip. He looked really dazed. And then he smiled. “Wow. I haven’t done that in over a hundred years!” he said smiling and looking really far off. “Um ok? See you later!” Beth said waving. She ran for her first class, and then remembered Phillip was in it as well. Quickly, she ran back and grabbed Phillip by the hand, pulling him with her to class.

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day. Phillip, no longer dazed, quickly covered Beth’s eyes and led her out to the parking lot. When he took his hands away, she saw a sleek black sports car! “Whoa! Where did your motorcycle go?” she looked at him. “Oh I have a couple more where that came from.” He said, an impish grin spread on his face. The light highlighted his jet black hair and it donned on her that he was looking amazing in his leather jacket. Stunning in fact! “Ready to go?” he said to her. “Yeah totally! So where are we going?” Beth asked. “Oh well I've seen your house, but you haven't seen mine yet, have you?” he turned around to look at her. “Yeah I am SO a stalker!” she said and they both laughed as they hopped into the car. This was one of the first times she was truly happy...

~Chapter 3~

They passed many brightly lit streets into the heart of the city. After a while, they turned down a road lined with penthouses. They stopped at the one at the end of the road and Beth got out gaping. The house was HUGE! “Welcome to my place.” Philip replied nonchalantly. She just stared. The house was two stories and mainly deep brown with white trim. At the end of the house was a completely glass room and she could see a spiral staircase leading up to the next story. “C'mon! Let's go in!” Phillip said taking her hand and pulling her up the long, polished driveway. The interior of the house was even more breathtaking than the outside. Crimson walls with mahogany wood paneling graced the chandelier in the center of the room. In the corner was a vase filled with roses. Beth spun around to take it all in. “Wow! It's all so beautiful! I mean...” she trailed off when she saw that he was staring at her. She walked over to him. “So where do you want to study?” Phillip asked, breaking the intimate silence. Beth shook her head. “There are so many rooms! You choose!” “Deal. Follow me this way.” Phillip replied as he walked up the spiral staircase down a long hall filled with paintings. They came to a dimly lit room. “Did the lights