A Shot In The Dark

**Shiloh’s POV**

The guys looked at me confused, and Val looked at me apologetically. “Why would it matter that Zacky’s new girl was here?”

“Because she hates me,” I stated matter-of-factly.

“Why does she…” Brian stopped, “wait…you’re THAT Shiloh?”

“What Shiloh?” Johnny asked confused.

Matt’s eyes got huge, “Val you never told me she was the one…”

Val immediately stuck her hand over Matt’s mouth, “Shut up Matthew.”

Jimmy raised an eyebrow, “I’m confused as fuck and everyone’s getting tense.”

“It’s nothing Jimbo, let’s just call it a night,” I said softly and got up from the circle.

Zacky looked at me confused, “Okay?”

“No, seriously, what the fuck is going on. Why the fuck would you bring her around our friends, Val?” Brian asked getting upset and standing.

Val immediately stood up, walking in front of me, “Brian, time to back off. This isn’t the time or place to have this discussion. Not while everyone’s intoxicated. What happened is between her and Michelle. No one else needs to be involved.”

“Someone needs to explain something,” Zacky glared at Brian.

“Why don’t you explain who Gina is then?” Matt challenged Zacky.

“Guys, stop!” Jimmy pleaded, hating that everyone was fighting.

“I’m going home, let me know when she’s not here,” Brian shook his head and grabbed his keys.

“No, you stay…please,” I grabbed his arm and was shrugged off.

“Don’t touch me whore,” he glared before he was shoved by Zacky.

“Zacky, stop.” I insisted.

“But he called you—” Zacky started as he clenched his fists.

“I heard him, but he’s your best friend. Don’t fight with him when you don’t understand what’s happened. Just…I’ll be fine, Brian, stay with your friends. You’re drunk, you don’t need to be driving. I’ll leave,” I put my hands up surrendering.

“Fine, then leave.” He threw his keys back onto the counter.

“I will, Val can I have your keys please? Mine are at home,” I asked calmly and grabbed my coat.

“Yeah, let me get them,” Val got up and grabbed her stuff then met me at the door.

“What are you doing? You should stay,” I contended, looking at her apologetically.

“You’re my best friend, I brought you here, if you’re not welcomed then I’m not either,” she shot a look at Brian.

I nodded, knowing that once she’s made her mind up there’s nothing that can change it. “Okay, let’s go.”

“Matt, bring me my car tomorrow,” Val told him as we walked out the door.

Val and I walked silently down the street, we were a good 3 miles from the house, but atleast it was only mildly cold outside. I pulled my jacket around me tighter as we made our way through the deserted streets.

“I’m sorry,” Val spoke first.

“Me too,” I mumbled, swiping at the tears involuntarily making their way down my face.

She noticed and hugged me tightly, “Shi, Erick was a douche bag, you didn’t know he was with Michelle when you two hooked up. That was his fault. Michelle’s a bitch for holding it against you.”

“I think what she’s holding against me is the fact that I had his child and she never had the chance to,” I said softly.

“Erick’s death was NOT your fault, Shi,” Val stopped me in my tracks and looked in my eyes. “and you choosing to give Nick up for adoption, was a very brave thing to do. Especially at 17.”

I nodded and noticed we were by the beach, “Why don’t we just sleep out here tonight?”

“On the beach?” she asked incredulously.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s not freezing and it’s only for a couple hours. Then the sun will be up and we won’t be the only ones up.”

“Babe, if you’re tired, we can get a hotel for the night,” Val told me stroking my hair.

“I just, want to get away from my thoughts,” I looked out at the water, it looked like dark black glass, the waves creeping up on the sand.

“Let’s go home, we’ll have a video game night until we pass out…deal?” She asked and I sighed.

“Yeah, okay,” I agreed as we made our way through the last few blocks.

When we got home, I laid down on the couch, “Let’s just watch a movie instead. Your choice.”

She smiled and went to the TV putting on Friday the thirteenth. Before the opening scene was complete I had fallen into a fitful sleep.

I woke up in a panic, my nightmare having been strong enough to scare me awake. I looked around, seeing Val passed out on the loveseat and the TV off. The sun was out, the clock on the wall read 11 am. I laid back into my spot, pulling the cover back up. I saw the crash, I saw Erick’s blood all over the road, his helmet laying 20 yards from his body. His motorcycle crunched up next to a tree. The black SUV that hit him, pulled over with their flashers on. Their front end completely fucked up. The white sheet, laid over his not yet cold, dead body.

A knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts, and immediately I responded. Still dressed in last night’s clothes, I opened the door to reveal Zacky and Matt. “Hey,” I greeted them.

“Hey,” Zacky looked in my eyes, searching for something.

“Val’s still asleep, but you guys can come in if you want,” I invited them, side stepping out of the way.

Matt nodded, “Thanks…I brought her car, Zacky offered to come so I’d have a ride back.”

I nodded and walked back to the couch, pulling the blanket up over me, “Thank-you, I know she’ll appreciate it.”

Matt sat next to Val and stroked her hair as she slept, “Shi…can we talk?” Zacky asked me softly.

“Yeah…” I got up and walked him back to my room. “What do you want to know?” I asked him after closing my door.

“What happened last night…between you and Brian?” He asked me as I sat on my bed.

“Zacky, I…” I started as he stood in front of me.

“Just tell me the truth, I tried protecting you from his cruelty and you shrugged me off before defending him,” Zacky looked at me sternly.

“I knew Michelle and Val back in high school, I don’t know how I didn’t run into the rest of you. Michelle had a boyfriend named Erick when we were 17. I didn’t know they were a couple until after he and I had slept together a couple times. After it came out, he was involved in a motorcycle crash.” I got caught up in the visions of the nightmare again.

“Shi?” Zacky asked after I was quiet for a few seconds. His tone was gentler and he was crouched in front of me.

“He died, Zacky. Michelle blamed me, said he was never reckless before it came out he was cheating. To add insult to injury, I found out that I was pregnant a week after his funeral,” I looked down at my lap, tears threatening to spill over.

“You told me you didn’t have any children,” Zacky said, his tone revealing confusion and betrayal.

“I don’t, I gave Nick up for adoption when I was 17. Right after he was born. Michelle…as you can imagine didn’t take the news of my pregnancy well. She hated me, started rumors about me, etc. I never fought back because I should have realized the game he was playing. I just didn’t know they were together,” I wiped at my eyes, realizing this was going to be the end of our relationship before it even began.

Zacky was quiet for the longest time, I didn’t dare look at him, scared of what I’d find. “I think we should end this…before we get more attached. Obviously, you can’t be around Brian, and it’s not fair to make her stay away from our group.” I nodded, not knowing what to say. “You have no thoughts?” Zacky questioned me.

“Zacky,” Val stood in the doorway. “I need to talk to you.”

“Yeah, in a minute,” Zacky shot a glare towards her.

“No. NOW.” Val demanded and walked to her room. Zacky growled under his breath and followed her as Matt came in and sat with me.

He wrapped an arm around me and I broke down into tears. He leaned back against the wall and pulled me into his chest, holding me tightly. “Shhh, it’s okay Shi…it’ll be okay.”

Notes

One omission revealed, so many more to come.