Family History

I couldn't believe my eyes. I found messages of old Megan, before her change from cute nerd to voluptuous vixen. She was talking to her friend about me, about how nice I was. It was dumb girl gossip but she seemed so excited. I remembered some of these moments. One time we worked on a project together, it got really late and I offered to walk her home. I could have gone and grabbed my car but the weather was nice. To me it was just the nice thing to do, and a nice opportunity to enjoy the weather. I remember Lauri was annoyed I had come home so late, she had ordered food to surprise me.

It was a nice night that ended in guilt and stress. But to me at the time it was innocent. I just started dating someone new, I didn't have eyes for anyone else. According to these messages, Megan saw it as so much more. A potential for someone she could truly feel safe with. Who understood her, who made her feel noticed. Our talk at the pool echoed in my mind. Her surge of excitement and confidence every time she shocked or overwhelmed me. All of this reignited and old crush for her.

That's when I found it. The username was deleted, maybe banned or blocked?

Unknown: You are a descendent from actual witches, who can actually make magic potions and you don't use them to get your dream guy?

Megan: Why would I? He really likes that girl he is dating. He's....happy. I see him across the classroom and he has this cute dumb smirk lately. Yeah I wish that was for me but...I'm not that kind of girl.

Unknown: You're better than me. If it was me with those magic powers I'd have a girl like you wrapped around my fingers. If I felt the way you did, that is.

Megan: Uh...yeah I guess. I got to go.

There were a few conversations and my heart dropped. These were from months ago. But how did it start? Going to the first post I groaned.

Unknown: I can't help but enjoy your story. How did you come up with such a beautiful and tragic tale?

Megan: Being a woman. Being someone who notices someone but is never noticed.

Unknown: Well if it means anything I noticed you. I'd love to talk more, maybe we can talk about another story?

Megan: Oh that was just a one time thing.

Unknown: Talent like yours is never a one time thing.

Fuck. Scanning he noticed small details. Things you could say to a stranger and it not mean a thing. But if this user knew Megan, went to the same school...they would have the remaining context to learn more.

The ending was an argument. A pretty rough one. There were rumors of the book existing, it hadn't even been discovered or brought to the school. The unknown user began getting aggressive, telling her she needed to use her family's knowledge and take the book. That it was her right. To use it to win me over, anyone over. To make everyone notice her the way he did.

Megan was furious and scared. She was looking into tales of the book with her best friend. The tales they found hinted the more someone used the book the darker they would become, the more addicting it would be. She didn't want to become this. She even said she learned to be happy for me. To move on.

Insult after insult. It was hard to keep reading. There wasn't much else to gain from this besides the user was angry she didn't have the guts to take what she deserved. That she would be stuck forever just being whoever people wanted her to be.

I widened my eyes. This was the guy! If red flags were happening before this solidified any suspicions. I tried to unblock them but they had deleted their profile. It has only unlocked one final message:

Deleted User: I get you still probably don't want to talk to me but I'm going to make things right. That asshole ignored you like everyone else, he deserves what's coming to him. Have him feel what it is like to be ignored, forgotten for someone else.

Deleted User: I don't know what else I can do for you. I've listened, encouraged you, pretended that fucking loser was worth your time. AND YOU STILL IGNORE ME?! Why? Because I told you that you were worth something? That you were special? Well I too have been looking across the classroom at a person who never knew I existed. Who had an expression I envied. But I was stupid to think this. I can have so much better now. You think it is okay to go along with however people treat you? Secretly hoping you would be noticed by people? Here's a lesson for you. You both deserve each other. Have fun being irresistible but never being able to say no. I'm sure lover boy will never fall in love with a girl who can't keep her legs closed.

I sighed. I had asked her about people who could have known about all of this. Why did she protect him.

Megan's sad sigh behind me made me jump, "I thought I might have been a little into what happened...what's going on? I thought we were doing better. You looking at the footage?"

I shook my head and let her plop down beside me, hesitating when she instinctively went to nuzzle up. Her eyes cast down at the screen, "Oh fuck."

I sighed again, "Why did you lie? Why protect him?"

Megan's eyes teared up and looked at me in terror, "I didn't think-! He was some random on the internet! The odds they went to our school! And knew who I was? Can't you see how unbelievably impossible that seems? My username is lostblonde like how could he have known?"

I shrugged, "Somehow he found out. All along he was apparently watching you. Jealously waiting and manipulating, trying to be the rebound. The shoulder to cry on. Guy doesn't seem to understand women pretty well."

Megan snorted, "With the book he doesn't need to." She read the last two messages, "Oh fuck." I stayed silent. "So this was all personal. His first victim was the girl chosen over me to work with the professors on a side project this summer. He didn't realize it was my best friend, or didn't care."

I shook my head, "And now she's too baby crazy to want to do much of anything apparently. Which would free up the slot for you."

Megan began shaking, "And the thing with Max and...I can't believe what happened to you. The pain you felt...is because of me."

I put my hand on her shoulder, "It wasn't you. If anything you kept telling this guy you liked me happy. And you were okay with that."

"I was lying," she cried, "He was the only one that knew that. And now you know and everything is going to get fucked up!"

"I hate to say this right now, but we can figure out things between us later. This could be a huge lead. That list of thirty might of just dropped a ton. He is in our class. And has a sightline of your face."

The blonde sniffed and nodded, taking the laptop. Staring at the last message coldly, shaking.

I frowned, "Hey...we made a promise. No true romantic or exclusive stuff until we stop this guy. By that time you'll be free of his curse. You have nothing to worry about."

Megan's lip trembled, "And your girlfriend?"

I looked away, "I said this before. I don't think I can go back after...seeing what I saw."

"Thanks...for understanding. I always thought you were a good guy. I didn't really understand what that meant until now. And the Lindsay thing..." She paused, "I don't mind sharing. And she really needs it. I hope her and Riley can sort something out."

I didn't really expect Riley to be very understanding or supportive of Lindsay's condition. I also didn't expect to be so wrong.