“You didn’t ask.” She winked at me and jogged to the side to sit down on a bench. I followed her example and let myself fall onto the bench beside her.
“What was it like?” I was really curious.
Lydia looked to the ground with slightly red cheeks and a girlish smile. “Richard is great. He’s interested in everything I have to say. He always wants to know my opinion on things.” She looked up at me, smiling even more widely. “I think he really likes me. And I think it’s more than a crush.”
It had been a long time since I had seen Lydia so happy. I had had so much to think about during the last few weeks that I had barely taken notice of anybody’s problems but my own. “Sorry I didn’t ask earlier. I saw you talking to him at Sophie’s party, I should have been interested in what happened the last few weeks.”
Lydia shook her head. “I could have told you. Anyway, I could have asked about Adam as well. I saw him looking at you when you danced with Greg and I saw the concern in his eyes.”
I looked at her, feeling slightly confused.
“It was obvious he didn’t like you dancing with Greg. I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but Adam seems to be totally into you. Be careful.”
Now I really was confused. Why should I be careful? I hadn’t done anything wrong dancing with Greg. Adam and I were basically strangers that evening. I hadn’t seen anything that might have given away that he was totally into me. I had just seen him laughing with Amber or in deep conversation with the transparent-shirt girl.
“Miss Gabriel, Miss Porters, this is not a coffee house, this is my gym, and as long you are in here you are not allowed to make yourselves comfortable and chat about teenage romance.”
Both of us jumped and headed back to the ropes to make our next attempt at climbing to the top.
When we left school for the day, Lydia and I were still complaining about our sore arms and legs. Greg and Amber waited for us in the parking lot.
“Time for another history session,” Greg announced enthusiastically.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Amber and Lydia. “You two wanna join in?”
“I’ve got to hurry home and change into something more fancy,” Lydia said grinning broadly. “Rich and I are going out tonight.”
“We can drop you at your place, Lyd, if you like,” I offered when Greg started to shoo me towards his car. Lydia nodded thankfully. “What about you, Amber? Join us for history?”
“Sorry, Claire, my parents are picking me up in a few minutes and we’re heading to Indianapolis to visit my Aunt Mary. I’d think I wouldn’t prefer studying.” She winked.
“Have fun! Bye,” I called over my shoulder as Gregory pulled me along behind him towards his car. It was a black Audi. I climbed in and admired the luxurious interior of the car. I wouldn’t be surprised if this car was more expensive then my entire house. Lydia climbed into the backseat and closed the door. “Ready,” she said and Greg sped off.
“What’s up, Sweetie?” Greg looked at me with raised eyebrows. I smiled to myself.
“I’m just a bit surprised.”
“Surprised?” Now he looked confused.
“In all the time I’ve known you I’ve never seen you driving this car.”
“I got it for my eighteenth birthday last week.”
Damn! I had forgotten Greg’s birthday. I had to get him a present before the end of the week.
“So sorry Greg—I forgot your birthday.” It was a lame attempt to apologise. There was no excuse for forgetting your best friend’s birthday. Greg just smiled at me.
“Never mind,” he said, “I never make a big deal out of it. It’s just a birthday, I’ll have another one next year—if I’m lucky.” He winked.
I turned round to Lydia. “We’re going to celebrate that Greg’s old now, what do you think?”
Lydia laughed and suggested next Friday at the club. I was fine with that.
“Oh, come on, girls. Just let it be. It’s only a birthday,” Greg tried to convince us. I shook my head. He would get a party.
I looked out of the window for a while and saw the houses rush past a little bit too fast for my taste. “Are we in a hurry?” I asked.
Greg laughed a lighthearted laugh. “No, we are not. You are.”
“And could you tell me why I am in a hurry and you are not?”
“Because I am well prepared for the test, but you need to go through the subject matter a few more times.”
I looked at him accusingly. “Don’t stress me! I need to be relaxed to learn history.”
We dropped Lydia at her place and then we stopped in front of my house. Before I got out of the car, I turned to face Greg. “You don’t have to waste your time trying to help me study, Greg.”
He shrugged. “What else am I gonna do on a sunny afternoon like this? The Claire’s-History-Exam-Rescue-Program is very important to me, you know.”
I nudged his arm and got out of the car.
When we entered the living room Sophie and Ian were lying on the sofa watching TV.
“Hey little sister, hey little sister’s friend,” Sophie greeted us unenthusiastically. Ian got to his feet and shook Greg’s hand and kissed my cheeks.
“Hey Ian,” I hugged him in return. I waved at Sophie and headed upstairs. Greg greeted the others and followed closely.
After the last party, Ian and Sophie had decided to give their relationship another chance. The night after the party had definitely played a big part in the overall decision process. I chuckled.
“Sorry we can’t stay in the living room, I don’t want to disturb Sophie and Ian’s afternoon activities.
Greg laughed and let himself fall onto my bed. “Honestly, I prefer this to the couch downstairs.”
“Hey! You’re supposed to teach me about the Civil War—which I believe is a hopeless cause.” I pulled the book out of my bag and dropped the bag on the floor. I sat on the bed next to Greg—he took the book, opened it to the chapter we had worked on the last time and started questioning me. I was surprised how much I remembered.
“I’m proud of you,” Greg said.
“It seems you’re a good teacher,” I returned the compliment.
“Two days until the exam—what would you like to do?”
“I’d like to repeat everything until my head is full,” I answered smiling.
“And then go to the movies with me tonight,” he added to the suggested program.
I had the impression that our study sessions had become more and more of an excuse for Greg to be able to see me alone. I wouldn’t have objected to his plans if I’d been sure he meant a movie night between friends. After all that had happened I couldn’t trust it was what he meant and so I tried to keep our time alone to harmless activities such as studying.
“Greg, I don’t know if that’s a good idea…,” I started.
“You’re right, you need to go to bed early and go on studying tomorrow,” he interrupted, turning his face away from me.
We spent the afternoon replaying possible test questions until Sophie called us for dinner.
Ian stayed with us for dinner as well. He sat next to Sophie, his fingers wound tightly around her hand. I tried not to stare, but I was surprised by the open demonstration of his feelings. Sophie seemed comfortable with it. I’d never asked why they had broken up a few years ago, but obviously something must have had happened. I just remember Sophie coming home one evening, crying and saying she had been stupid and that Ian would never forgive her. I suspected she had had one of her stupid affairs then, but I had never asked. Now it seemed Ian had forgiven her and they were happily together again. But with Sophie you could never be sure.
I couldn’t understand it completely. I had never really fallen in love before. I had fancied some guys, and dated one or two of them, but they had always turned out to be freaks. I had always confused good looks with good character. Adam was different in many ways—he was the first one to literally take my breath away. I couldn’t tell whether
that was what people called love. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I acted like a fool when ever he was near—I actually had problems talking in full sentences around him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, and I wanted to be close to him. Closer than I had thought possible. He had been kind and polite every time I met him. He couldn’t be like the others. I felt he was special—the thing between us was special. Special, but complicated, and I hadn’t figured out why he mystified me so much.
“I’ll be off. Thanks for dinner, Sophie.” Greg got to his feet and headed for the front door. I followed outside.
“Thank you again, Greg,” I looked at him seriously. “I have no idea how I could have made it this far without you.”
Greg stepped closer and hugged me tightly. Before letting me go he kissed the top of my head. “You’re welcome Claire. I’ll always be here for you.”
I pressed my hands against his chest to put some distance between us. “Good night Greg.”
He hurried to his car, and I saw the black Audi speed away into the darkness. I closed the door and went back to my room. Ian’s laughter echoed from the kitchen. I wondered how long the two of them would make it this time.
Back in my room I sat down on my bed and rested my head against the wall. Greg could become a real problem. Somehow he was making the line between friendship and more than friendship blur to some indefinite gray zone.
The ringing of my cell phone tore me from my thoughts. I stretched to fetch it from the bedside table not looking at the number.
“Hello.”
“Claire, it’s Adam.”
My heartbeat accelerated to a critical speed.
“Your sister gave me your number.”
Silence.
“Claire?”
I took a deep breath. “Hi.” It was all I could say at the moment. I had expected to see him sometime next week, maybe at the library again—but a phone call…
“Everything alright? You sound like you’re out of breath.” His voice was concerned.
“Yeah I was just doing some …exercises.” I flung my hand to my head and tried to calm down. What a stupid excuse.
“Oh, sorry for interrupting.”
“Never mind. I’m finished,” I reassured him.
“I wanted to ask if you’d like to go out with me next Friday.”
“Hold on a second, please.” I grabbed my calender from my bag and browsed through the pages. “What time,” I asked, hoping it wouldn’t collide with the plans I had made with Lydia, Amber and Greg.
“Nine p.m. I’d like to take you to the theatre. What do you think?”
Wow, theatre. Nobody had ever taken me to a theatre. “Sorry, but I’ve promised my friends to go to the club with them on Friday evening. We’re celebrating a friend’s birthday there.”
“Oh.” He sounded disappointed.
“You could join us at the club if you like. It’s nothing as cultivated as a theatre, but it’s going to be a nice evening—hopefully,” I tried to convince him to come.
It took him a few moments to answer. “Which club?”
I gave him the name and whereabouts.
“Maybe I’ll join you,” he said in a laughing voice. “If you promise me to go to the theatre with me some other time.”
I liked the condition. “Would be a pleasure,” I answered politely.
“See you on Friday, then.”
“Yeah, see you on Friday.” I threw the cell phone onto the bed and closed my eyes. Several deep breaths later, I started to believe I hadn’t been dreaming.
It was late, so I decided to relax by going to bed early and reading a few pages of Sophie’s World—the last book my mother had given to me. I’d already read it maybe a hundred times, but it was the last connection to my parents. After about fifty pages, I fell asleep.
* * *
The weekend passed slowly. It had started raining; and it was dark and gray outside. Sophie and Ian had gone shopping. I had found a note from Sophie on the kitchen table saying they would be back by dinner time. So I had started working on my history stuff again.
It felt like a week had passed when I got up on Monday morning. It was still raining, so I drove to school. I picked up Lydia.
“Hi,” she greeted as she jumped into the passenger seat. “Ready for the test?”
I grimaced and let my foot sink down onto the gas pedal slowly. “How was your date with Richard?” I was honestly curious.
“It was—more physical than the last times.” Her cheeks blushed and I gave her a questioning look. “He kissed me.” She spoke the words as if they were embarrassing.
I waited in silence. Lydia was not one you could press for details. She would tell if she thought you should know.
“What are we getting Greg for his eighteenth birthday?” Lydia changed the subject.
“I have no idea,” I admitted. “But it really seems he already has everything. Let’s ask Amber.”
Lydia nodded in agreement.
Amber was waiting for us at the front door of the school. While we made our way to the history class, we discussed what to get Greg’s. We decided to bake a huge cake and bring it to the club on Friday evening.
The bell rang and we sat down. Greg picked the place next to me so he could supervise me—as he called it—during the exam. Ms. Weaver handed out the tests.
“Don’t forget to write your names in the upper left corner. You have forty minutes starting now.” She looked at her watch and made a note.
I read through the questions and was surprised when I recognised most of the topics they covered. I started writing, checking the time every few minutes. I scribbled the last few words onto the paper just as Ms. Weaver announced that the time was up and started collecting the papers from our tables.
“Could you answer everything?” Greg asked curiously.
I nodded. “But I’m not sure if I answered everything correctly.”
“I’m proud of you,” he told me and pinched my cheek.
* * *
We hurried to the cafeteria together at lunchtime. I knew the following few days were going to drag. First, I couldn’t wait to know if I had failed again—Ms. Weaver had promised to correct the tests by Thursday—and second, I couldn’t wait to see Adam on Friday.
It didn’t help that on Wednesday the sky was dark with clouds, and that tons of water fell to the already soaked ground.
By Thursday afternoon, the rain had changed into a drizzle. The sky looked a bit more friendly now—not as dark as it had in the morning. I parked my car along the old withered wall and got out with my umbrella in my left hand. I walked towards the wrought iron gate and pressed my hand down on the wet handle. It swung open with the familiar squeak.
I strolled towards the stone angel slowly. My mind was far away—on the graveyard in Indianapolis, at my parents grave.
I stood in the shelter of the old willow and started talking to my parents.
“Hey Mom, hey Dad. How are you? I had a history test this week. And imagine—I got a B. I can’t believe it myself, but it seems working with Greg really helps. It’s a pity I can’t tell you in person anymore.” My heart felt heavy as a stone. “I miss you so much. There is so much I’d like to share …Sophie’s a good sister but she can’t replace you. Maybe I…”
A squeaking noise startled me. I looked up and saw a tall dark haired figure walking swiftly in my direction.
“Hi,” Adam said as he stood beside me under the willow. The drizzle didn’t penetrate the treetop.
“Hi.” I was surprised to meet him today.
“Bad weather, hm?” He looked up at the sky and back at me. A strand of wet hair was sticking to his forehead. I felt the urge to brush it away. “What are you doing here when it’s all cold and wet like this?” he asked curiously.
“Visiting my angel.” I couldn’t tell the truth—talking to people who had long been dead and buried in another town in another graveyard. He would think I was nuts—sometimes I wasn’t sure myself. “And you
?”
“I was out with Antonio and saw your car.” He looked at the stone angel and bit his lower lip.
“And Antonio—” I started the question.
“Is sitting at the gate.”
“How old is he?”
“I’m not completely sure, but he must be around four years. He was only a puppy when I rescued him.”
“You rescued him?” I interrupted.
“Yes. I found him locked up in a small box in a half dried riverbed. It was raining heavily and the water was rising very fast. The box was halfway under water when I pulled it out. Antonio was close to starving then, and he was freezing. I decided to take him home and keep him if he survived. He really was lucky—a few hours later and he would have drowned.”
Adam’s eyebrows pulled together at the thought of the possibility. He was silent for a moment and his eyes were dark with the memory.
“Shall we get back to the car? The rain is getting heavier again. I can drive you home if you like,” I offered.
“Thanks.” He nodded and we hurried back to the car. Antonio greeted me, wagging his tail enthusiastically. I opened the back of my car for him. Adam had to convince him for a few minutes, but finally Antonio stepped into the trunk carefully. I threw my bag from the passenger seat to the back seat to make space for Adam. He got in and closed the door.
He gave me directions to his house. It lay a bit off the main road in the center of a park.
“I’ll get out here.” Adam pointed at the gate to the park and I stopped the car.
I shook my head in amazement. From what I could see, the building had to be two stories high and enormously wide. Adam eyed me carefully and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Thanks again,” he said before getting out of the car and letting Antonio out of the trunk. “See you on Friday,” he called and hurried up the road driveway.
The rain pattered against my windshield. On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store to buy ingredients for Greg’s cake.
“Sophie!” I called as I opened the front door to our house. Her answer came from the kitchen. Ian was sitting in the living room, watching television. “Hi,” I called as I passed by and hurried to tell Sophie the good news. “I got a B on my history test,” I blurt out.
White (The Wings Trilogy Book 1) Page 8
