“Thanks.” I picked up the cup and lifted it to my mouth. The tea was too hot to drink so I cautiously took a small sip.
“Shall we start then?” Greg sat down next to me, spreading his books on the table. I reached out for my bag with my free hand and started searching inside for my history book.
The cup tilted in my hand and fell onto my knees, spilling most of its contents over my legs. I jumped up gasping. The tea was burning hot.
“Get out of you jeans,” Gregory instructed. Then he hurried out of the room. I opened the buttons and slid the jeans down. The pain lost intensity at once. My thighs were red where the hot water had burned them.
Gregory came back, some ice in one hand, a towel dangling from his other hand.
“Put this onto your thighs.” He handed me the ice and then knelt down on the floor, drying the leather sofa and the wood.
The cold felt good on my hurt skin.
Greg grabbed my jeans and sat on the floor right in front of me, looking at my thighs.
“Does it hurt very bad?” His free hand reached out to touch the worst part of the damage. I shook my head, trying to ignore the stinging in my legs. Gregory looked up at my face and I remembered that I was standing there half naked. I felt a horrified expression growing on my face. Gregory slowly removed his hand from my thigh, a slightly embarrassed expression in his eyes.
“Sorry.” he stood up and pointed at my jeans. “I’ll just put these in the dryer.” As he walked out of the room his expression had changed to dazed.
The moment he vanished through the door I looked down at my body. I wore black panties and purple socks, nothing bad about that. The panties were maybe the nicest pair of underwear I owned, silky with laces at the sides. I knew that even I looked kind of attractive in these. I smiled to myself, and sat down on the sofa. Greg must have realized where he had put his hand and felt embarrassed.
He reappeared in the doorway, a boyish smile across his face.
“It’ll take some time…want some of my jeans?”
I nodded, looking at my knees. They didn’t hurt bad, it looked worse than it felt. Gregory headed for his closet and pulled out a pair of jeans. He held them out for me, trying not to look at my thighs again. I took them and slid them over my legs and hips. They were far too wide for me, but comfortable. I grabbed my history book, sat down on the sofa again, making myself ready for the study session.
“Shall we start then?” I smiled at Greg. He still looked a bit too far away. “Greg?” He turned his head. “I’d like to start studying now.”
“I’m so sorry, Claire,” he shook his head apologetically. “I should have waited till the water was a little cooler.”
“No problem, it’s not your fault I’m clumsy. And now lets start. I really need to get that history stuff into my head before Monday.”
Greg sat down next to me and started reading out loud.
It took the whole afternoon and evening to get through a part of the subject. The Civil War wasn’t a topic I could keep in my head easily, and the fact that Greg liked to joke while studying didn’t help either.
* * *
It was dark outside when I opened the door to my room. Studying the whole day had been too much for me, I needed some rest. And Greg’s habit of staring at my legs after the strange situation in his room didn’t make me feel any more comfortable with the history of the Civil War.
Sophie wasn’t home yet. Her books were strewn on the kitchen table suggesting that she had been studying, too. Sometimes I wondered when it had happened that Sophie had changed from the wholly irresponsible one she had been into the thoughtful and responsible one she was now. Sometime in between our parents’ deaths and the present her seriousness had appeared and stayed.
I fetched some bread and opened the fridge to get some ham and cheese for a proper dinner. The fridge was nearly empty. I made a mental note to go shopping the next day after school. I sat down on the gray couch in the living room and switched on the TV. I listened to the news while flipping through a magazine and took a bite of the sandwich. There wasn’t a lot going on; politicians that argued and celebrity scandals, nothing special. I swallowed the last bite of bread and headed upstairs to get ready for bed. It was early for sleeping, but studying with Greg the whole day had made me more tired than I would have imagined.
As soon as I lay in bed, I opened the book with the green leather cover, the one I had started reading at the library a few weeks ago. Mr. Baker had lend it to me. He wanted me to read the whole set of old crimes and classics. I had taken his advice after I had started this book out of nervousness and boredom, and had taken it home for reading. I parted the yellowing pages without knowing how I had made it to the final chapter, which I intended to finish before sleeping.
My mind was on the Civil War again when I turned the last page, closed the book and laid it on the bedside table. Then my hand wandered over to switch off the light. I rolled onto my back and closed my eyes. It had been a good day, some funny stuff had happened, but good. I had studied, and it felt like I might remember some of it tomorrow. Greg had helped a lot. Greg…I wasn’t sure what to make of his behavior, it was getting more and more strange. The once so natural friendship had become a bit strained.
Too tired to think I fell asleep and didn’t wake until the alarm clock rang. It was too early to feel as rested as I needed to be for the upcoming day. I crawled out of bed, washed and dressed, only to make it in time for breakfast before Sophie started her usual morning hurry.
The day started with another history class. This time Ms. Weaver went through the most important topics for the exam. I felt pride rising in my chest when I recognized some names and dates and could associate them with certain events. Greg had done a good job. Lydia looked at me in surprise as I raised my hand in order to answer one of Ms. Weaver’s questions and actually had the correct answer. I turned to look at Greg. He gazed at me proudly.
The morning flew by. It was lunchtime before I realized the time had passed so quickly. Lunch was easy talking with Amber and Lydia. Lydia had a favorite topic of interest during the last few weeks—Ian’s brother Richard. She had been going on and on talking about Richard. I knew she wouldn’t shut up until she would be able to see him again and talk with him. I could understand her—It was the same for me about Adam. He had disappeared and was nowhere to be seen again. I wondered if he had left the town or moved somewhere. Most likely he had just forgotten that I existed and that he had wanted to visit me at the library three weeks ago. I pushed all that aside and shifted my focus back to the lasagna that was sitting on the table waiting for me to eat it.
The last few classes passed by as fast as the morning had. It was Thursday afternoon and time to head for the library. I collected my things, put them into my bag and hurried off to work. The way there seemed to stretch endlessly today. The grayish light that came through the clouds didn’t make the way any better, it made me feel down and my body heavy. All the energy I had felt during the school day had vanished from my limbs. I dragged myself up the stairs to the library entrance. As I stepped in, the room was empty. Nobody was to be seen, not even James who usually stood behind the counter or shuffled around the shelves.
I walked towards the counter slowly. When I was only a few feet away, Mr. Baker’s head appeared from under the counter’s rim.
“Claire, girl, about time you turned up. I really need a hand here,” he greeted me. “I’m getting clumsy in my old age. I dropped the pile on the floor…”
I took another step forward and peered over the counter. The whole floor was covered with books and papers, like somebody had strewn them there. I hurried to help Mr. Baker pick up papers and books and sort them. Mr. Baker sat down on a chair, resting his back. It took some time to uncover the floor, and I was still kneeling on the floor behind the counter, picking up the last few books when Mr. Baker turned towards the counter and spoke.
“Can I help you Sir?”
Footsteps were moving towa
rds us.
“Does a Claire Gabriel work here?” The voice struck me like lightning and burned in my head. It was his voice—Adam’s.
Mr. Baker looked down at me and I nodded.
“I think you’ve got a visitor, Claire.” he said, looking at the man on the other side of the counter. I tried to get a grip on myself, ran a shaky hand through my messy hair and straightened my shirt with my right hand. Then I slowly made my way upwards until I saw him standing there. His green eyes locked on mine instantly. I was fixed in his gaze with no chance of ever getting coherent again. My thoughts ran wild as his mouth curled into the sweetest smile. I pulled my lips upwards in a similar way, but I was positive it would never look as stunning as it did on his face. I leaned against the counter, I wasn’t sure if I could trust my balance in that moment. Ages passed by before I opened my mouth.
“Hello.” It sounded dull and out of place for the perfectness of the moment. Adam’s eyes tore away from mine looking down and up again.
“How are you?” It was a question I didn’t know how to answer. If I was honest, I would say that everything had become right for me the moment he had stepped through the door a few minutes ago.
“Fine, thanks. And you?” I held my breath.
“I’m alright.” His eyes wandered to the floor again. “When do you close here?”
“At six.”
“Will you go for a walk with me then?” His gaze was irresistible. I nodded briefly. It dawned on me that this afternoon would stretch endlessly because it seemed like ages just thinking of the few hours I had to wait.
“I’ll pick you up at six.” He looked down at the floor again, then up at me, smiling broadly.
“Let’s go, Antonio,” he said, turning on his heels and walking away. As he moved a few feet away I saw a chocolate brown dog trotting beside him. At the door Adam turned and smiled at me, then headed outside where he vanished from sight, the brown dog vanishing with him.
“Nice boy.” Mr Baker noted. I nodded, realizing I had been staring at the door several minutes after Adam had left. I instantly bent down to the floor and restarted collecting the papers from the ground. He had come here. After three weeks, he had come here. I couldn’t believe it. My heart raced at a rapid pace. Somehow I had to get through the afternoon without going crazy. It was nearly four and only two hours to go, but the minutes stretched like hours in the view of a walk with Adam.
Mr. Baker left me alone for the afternoon. I paced the room for half an hour pondering on my general appearance and the clothes I was wearing. Nothing that fit for such an occasion, neither my appearance nor my clothes. I shook my head. Jeans and a sweater that had once been black but seemed a lot like gray now. Why did I always have to wear the most shabby clothes when he suddenly appeared? Damn! I could have looked a lot better wearing something else.
Some people came to borrow a book or bring one back. I took back the books mechanically and carried them to their places on the shelves. When I looked at the clock it was still before five. How could time pass so slowly that whatever you did just made it seem to slow down even more? I sat down behind the counter, rested my head in my hands and closed my eyes. Maybe five minutes had passed when I heard Gregory’s voice.
“Hey dear, mind looking up for an old friend.”
I looked up and he smiled at me. I must have looked a complete mess, my thoughts were incoherent and my focus was slightly shifted.
“Hey Greg,” I greeted him, “how can I help you?” Greg looked at me sheepishly and held out a history book.
“Mind some test preparations?” Oh my gosh, that was the last thing I needed at the moment, I couldn’t think straight so how could I possibly get history dates into my head right now?
“That’s really nice of you Greg, but I don’t think I can study right now. Maybe tomorrow?” I suggested.
“So, do you mind if I stay here for a little while …help you to pass time,” he offered. That could help, definitely.
“I’d like that very much, thanks. The afternoon has been too long already.”
“Fine, something to drink? Only cold drinks for you, of course.” Greg winked at me. I smiled back trying to ignore the memory of me standing in his room in my hottest panties. Gregory was such a nice guy in so many ways. Someone I never wanted to miss again, such a good friend.
“No thanks, no drinks in here.”
Greg joked along about school. I tried to laugh at the right moments and peered at my watch again and again until it was about time to have a look in the mirror before Adam reappeared. Just in time for me to get rid of Gregory so I could hurry to the bathroom, Mr. Baker came back to close the library.
“Five to six Claire, we have to close soon.” He looked at Gregory. “I think your friend here has to leave now, so you can get the library ready for closing, as I think you might want to leave on time today.” He winked at me at the last sentence.
Greg stood up and waved goodbye before he wished Mr. Baker a nice evening and left. I hurried to the bathroom where I took a good look in the mirror. I looked like I felt—a complete mess. I ran my fingers through my hair and washed my face with cool water until I didn’t feel like a heater anymore. Then I returned to help Mr. Baker close.
As I entered the room Adam was already standing there. The brown dog at his side turned to me before Adam noticed my presence.
“There she is,” Mr. Baker beckoned in my direction. “I don’t need you for closing up here, Claire. Hurry along, dear.”
“Thank you, Mr. Baker.” I headed over to get my bag and then turned to Adam. “Shall we go then?”
He smiled and nodded. The brown dog scurried across the room to greet me. I knelt down on the floor and petted the animal’s head. The fur was short and chocolate brown, and it was fluffier than it looked. His eyes, a similar shade of brown as the fur and nose, watched my every movement with enthusiastic interest.
“Antonio, come here,” Adam called the dog back. Antonio didn’t show any intention of returning to his owner.
“Antonio, that’s your name?” I asked the dog and felt stupid for talking to an animal. “Shall we go back to Adam, Antonio?” I got back to my feet and started walking towards Adam, Antonio at my heels. The three of us left the library together.
“I think he likes you.” He pointed at Antonio and smiled. His smile was so perfect in the half light half darkness that played on his face. I turned my face so he wouldn’t see my thoughts mirrored in my expression.
“Well, I’m a nice person, so why shouldn’t he,” I answered quickly. “So where do you want to go?” I had been waiting for weeks to see him again and now he was walking there right beside me. It was like a miracle that he had turned up again.
“How about dinner?” he asked. I held my breath for a second, then inhaled deeply.
“Why not,” was all I could get myself to say. Why not, how stupid could one’s answer be.
“Where would you like to go?” I didn’t expect that question either.
“Somewhere they take me with the clothes I wear,” I joked, “or if you plan something special, I have to stop by my house and change quickly.”
Adam nodded. “Yes, lets do that. Let’s get you changed, and then I’ll take you some place of my choice, agreed?”
“Okay.” I wondered where this might possibly be—place of his choice. Where did he usually go?
We walked in silence for a few minutes. I listened to the sound of the evening around us. There was a light breeze blowing through the trees making the red and yellow leaves shiver with a sound that was similar to the turning pages in a dusty old book. There were the bustling movements of Antonio’s paws in the strip of grass that spread along the street. There were Adam’s slow footfalls next to me and his breath that sounded like he was holding back words he wanted to spill as soon as possible. Someone closed a window in a house close by, and a car hummed around a corner somewhere in the distance. Except for these few sounds it was quiet. Well, not completely quiet. My he
art was thudding in my chest as if it was desperate for a way out.
“Antonio, don’t run too far away,” Adam called. “He’s so fast,” he turned to talk to me, “I have to take care he doesn’t run into a car one day.”
I instantly felt the heat growing in my face and my mouth going dry.
“Are you alright?” He looked at me with concern.
Run into a car, that made it. I had thought that I was over it, that not every car accident, or even the perspective of one, could make my heart ache and my eyes burn. Even if it was a dog—my imagination brought the memory to my mind as if it was happening again right now.
Something shook my shoulders, and I realized I had stopped walking.
“Claire?”
I blinked several times to make the pictures leave my head, then looked at Adam. “Everything’s fine.” I forced a smile. “Let’s hurry, I’m starving already.”
He looked at me with doubt for a moment, then shook his head. “Okay.”
I was thankful that Adam didn’t press for information. It was hard enough to keep the facade without having to speak, and I didn’t want to spoil the evening by sobbing about my parents’ deaths and my tragic youth. People had survived worse.
It took us only a few more minutes to reach my place.
“You can come in if you like, I’ll be quick,” I offered.
“I think I should stay outside with Antonio, or he’ll start scratching your front door.” Adam looked at the dog.
“I’ll be as quick as I can,” I promised before dashing up the stairs and to my room. I decided on black pants and a purple turtleneck top, changed, brushed my hair. The turtleneck fit snugly, so my body looked more like that of a women than that of an overgrown child, like it had in the shabby gray rag I had worn before.
When I reached the front door again, Adam was sitting on the stairs, stroking Antonio’s back as he trembled. The chocolate colored animal lay curled up at his feet, shivering. As he heard me move behind him, he jumped to his feet, and Adam turned around to look at me. He inhaled audibly and stood up slowly.
White (The Wings Trilogy Book 1) Page 6
