When Art Rises: Living in Cin: (A Twisted Interracial High School Love Triangle)

by Lorrain Allen

  “You still love him?”

  When she’s doesn’t answer, I grab her ponytail and jerk her head back. I don’t care if I hurt her. She needs to feel the same pain she’s causing me.

  “My pain is your pain.”

  “It has to be this way,” she sobs. “We’re going different places in life.”

  “I’ll follow wherever you go.”

  “You have to find yourself first.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  “You’re just starting to overcome your demons.”

  “I need you.”

  “You’re not ready for a serious relationship.”

  “Do you think I’m going to stand by and let you live happily ever after? Fuck that. You aren’t Cinderella, and I’m no Prince Charming.” I slide my hand into her panties, grabbing her feminine softness.

  Moans escape her parted lips as I kiss along her exposed neck.

  “No! Fucking no! You broke up with Trevor for him?”

  A pissed-off Josh stands in the doorway. I turn to face him, sure to block Cin’s scantily dressed figure from his sight.

  “Josh.” Cin moves around me.

  I shove her towards the closet. “Put some fucking clothes on.”

  “How could you do this to Trevor? He points at me. “And with him of all people?”

  “I’m not good for Trevor, that’s why I had to break up with him.”

  “I said put on some fucking clothes!”

  She hurriedly moves to obey.

  “Trevor will be heartbroken,” Josh says.

  “I know,” she replies.

  “Don’t look at her, look at me,” I say.

  “I’ll dislocate your fucking jaw.”

  “If you’re ready to get paralyzed, bring it.”

  We move towards each other, but Cin positions herself between us, preventing contact. She still doesn’t have on bottoms, but at least she put on a shirt.

  “Your righteous anger on your friend’s behalf is fake as shit,” I say.

  “You wouldn’t know how to be someone’s friend.”

  “Do you kiss all your friends’ girlfriends?”

  He turns white as a newborn’s ass.“You told him,” he accuses.

  “I didn’t.”

  “Someone’s cranky because they never had the pleasure of sampling Cin’s sweet pussy.”

  “Josh, go back to your room. What Art and I had is over.”

  “No, it’s not,” I say at the same time Josh says, “That’s not what it looks like.”

  “Josh, go.”

  “I will when he does.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, but you are.”

  “Like hell.”

  “I wonder how Trevor will react if he finds out his best friend has a thing for his ex-girl.”

  Josh and I engage in a short staring contest before he averts his eyes and walks out.

  “Get on the bed and spread your legs.”

  “Art…”

  I toss her on the bed. “Enough talking.”

  “I have a track meet.”

  “It’s been a week. I can’t wait a second longer. I’ll be quick, I promise.” I flip her over. “Head down, ass up.”

  I never thought I’d be so happy to enter the gates of hell. Her scorching hot pussy has me under a spell—damn witch. I fuck us both into a stupor. One way or another, Cin will be mine.

  Not only was I almost an hour late to the track meet, I didn’t bring my A game. Art’s version of a quickie was nearly a half hour. I let my coach and team down, completely bombing. Anneli was very vocal about her disappointment, using every profanity in the dictionary—some I’ve never heard. I’ve been staying with her all week, only going home this morning to get more clothes. I walk into Anneli’s bedroom, prepared to have my head bitten off. She lies across her bed, watching television.

  “Why were you late?” She doesn’t take her eyes from the screen.

  “I told you—”

  “You’re fashion retarded. You grab any article of clothing you get your hands on first. It takes you less than sixty seconds to pack a bag, so don’t tell me that’s the reason again.”

  I remove the chair stationed at her small work table, bringing it beside her bed before dropping into it.

  “I told myself it’s only fair to let them both go.”

  “But you can’t let Art go.”

  “No.”

  “You love him.”

  “He has my heart.”

  “Talk about complicated.”

  “I was late because of him. It was only a matter of time before he confronted me.”

  “What happened?”

  “I tried to be strong, but with him, my defenses disappear. He called me out on my bullshit, and we argued. That’s not even the half of it.”

  Anneli scoots to the edge of her bed. “I’m all ears.”

  “Josh caught us kissing.”

  “Do you think he’ll tell Trevor?”

  “No, not with the threat Art left hanging over his head,” I say.

  “What threat?”

  “Remember I told you about Lilah and her big mouth.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”

  “Art threatened to tell Trevor.”

  “Your life is becoming a reality TV show.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Can I be honest with you?”

  “Always.”

  “What you’re doing to Trevor is really shitty.”

  “I know. I’m a horrible person.”

  The gossip mill couldn’t wait to spread rumors about our breakup, making going to school awkward for the last few weeks. The classes Trevor and I share are thick with tension. He doesn’t speak to me at all. If our eyes happen to connect, he quickly looks away. Most days, I steer clear of the cafeteria, preferring to eat lunch away from prying eyes. Plus, I don’t want to make everyone at the table uncomfortable. I’ve seen Trevor around the house, hanging out with Josh on the occasion I’m home to spend time with my mom or pack more clothes.

  “Love is the deadliest poison known to humankind. It makes people do crazy shit, and once the emotion sinks its claws in, it travels through the bloodstream, refusing to offer freedom. There’s good and bad love, Cin. Art can only offer you the latter. I’m not telling you this to scare you, but as a friend.”

  “I see a future with him.”

  “What?”

  “You asked me before if I saw a future with Trevor or Art, but I didn’t have an answer then because I was so confused.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I know it won’t be easy, but he’s worth it.”

  “If you and Art go public, shit is going to hit the fan.”

  “By the time Trevor finds out, it won’t matter anymore.”

  “Will Art keep his mouth shut?”

  “Yeah. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

  “For everyone’s sake, I hope you’re right.”

  “Me too.”

  I clutch my head as a wave of dizziness overcomes me.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I feel sick again.”

  Anneli circles her arm around my shoulder. “You’ve been sick off and on since Tuesday.”

  “I’m going to throw up.” I race to the bathroom with Anneli on my heels.

  She holds my hair back while I retch into the toilet. When I’m done, I sit on my bottom, barely able to hold my head up. Anneli wets a washcloth, wiping my sweaty face.

  “Thank you.”

  “Jesus. Your breath smells rancid.” Anneli pinches her nostrils closed.

  “Kiss my ass.”

  “You should go to the doctor.”

  “No, it’s just a virus. It’ll pass.”

  “I don’t think you have a virus. You’re fine one moment then the next, you’re sick as a dog.”

  “If it doesn’t pass by next week I’ll schedule an appointment.”

  “I’ll help you brush your teeth, then off t
o bed you go.”

  “You’re the best.”

  “I know.”

  I feel horrible. Some sleep will do me good.

  When I wake, the hour is late and Anneli is fast asleep next to me. My growling stomach forces me to venture to the kitchen for a snack of saltine crackers and water since I’m still a little lightheaded and surprisingly tired, even after several hours of rest. I walk to the sofa and lie down, too weak to attempt walking upstairs. There, I fall back to sleep.

  “Cin.”

  I blink my eyes open to Anneli hovering over my prone form.

  “Morning,” I say.

  “What are you doing sleeping on the sofa?”

  “I came down for a snack but was too tired to go back to your bedroom.”

  “I didn’t wake you for dinner because my mom said to let you sleep after I told her how sick you were.”

  “That’s okay. I probably wouldn’t have been able to eat a heavy meal, anyway.”

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  I slowly move to a sitting position afraid of another dizzy spell. “The dizziness and queasiness are gone.”

  “Good.”

  “Why are you dressed?”

  “I’m going to the mall.”

  “This early?”

  “It’s nearly noon, sleepyhead.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are you up to going?”

  “Yeah, I feel a lot better.”

  “Get dressed. I’ll wait for you down here.”

  “I’ll be ready in twenty.”

  “Honestly, Anneli, was buying eight pairs of booty shorts really necessary?” I ask as we leave the clothing store.

  I’m becoming more fatigued by the second.

  “Umm, yeah. You’ve seen my ass. It’s made for them.”

  I roll my eyes. “Summer isn’t for another two and a half months.”

  “It’ll be here before you know it. You should’ve bought some for yourself.”

  “Trust me. No one wants to see my boney ass in booty shorts.”

  “True, you have a flat one.”

  “Oh, fuck you.” I hit her arm.

  “Hey, I’m only agreeing with you.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “I want to check out a few more stores then we can eat dinner at the food court.”

  “The thought of eating anything makes me sick. I need to rest.”

  We sit on a nearby bench.

  “Are you ready to leave?”

  “I don’t want to ruin your shopping spree.”

  “I can finish shopping anytime. My best friend comes first.”

  “It is better if I don’t puke in front of all these people.”

  “I’m going to ask you something, but I don’t want you to freak out.”

  “Well it’s too late, because that comment has me freaking out.”

  “I’ll ask you when we get back to my house.”

  “No, ask me now.”

  “Okay. Here it goes. When was your last period?”

  “Like a week ago, but it wasn’t a normal period, only two days of spotting. It’s because of the stress with everything going on.”

  “When was your last normal period?”

  “I think a week before Valentine’s Day. Why?”

  “Your symptoms are consistent with pregnancy.”

  “Being sick doesn’t mean I’m pregnant.”

  “That’s true, but you should buy a couple pregnancy tests to rule out the possibility.”

  “I’m beyond freaked out now.”

  “Have you been taking your birth control pills?”

  “Yes. I mean no, not on time. Sometimes I forget, so I double or triple up. My doctor said it’s okay to do that.”

  “Doing that probably decreases effectiveness.”

  “If I’m pregnant, the father could be either Trevor or Art.”

  “Let’s take this one step at a time.”

  “Okay.”

  God, I hope I’m not pregnant.

  I drive home in disbelief. On our way out of the mall, I ran to the nearest garbage can and puked my guts out. A very embarrassing moment I never want to relive. By the time the third pregnancy test showed a positive result, I was hysterical. I’m going to have a baby, and that’s a big fucking deal. How can I start college in the fall? I’ll have to tell Trevor about Art. I can’t let him think this baby is his when there’s a fifty percent chance it isn’t. I made a complete mess of my life. Anneli tried to calm me down and persuade me to stay the night to consider my options before making a hasty decision, but it’s already been made. I couldn’t live with myself if I got an abortion, and adoption is out of the question. I would always wonder about the baby I gave away. Anneli didn’t want me driving in this state, but I needed to get home and talk to my mom. She’ll be so disappointed in me, but no matter what, I know she’ll stick by my side.

  I notice Trevor’s truck alongside Josh’s as I park my car. Shit. Having to see Trevor after learning of my impending motherhood less than a half hour ago is unnerving. Art’s motorcycle is nowhere in sight, so at least I have a reprieve from him for the time being. I enter the house, heading to the kitchen to get a drink before having this very difficult conversation with my mom. The bathroom door opens, bringing me face-to-face with Art. He takes hold of my wrist, dragging me into the bathroom. He pushes me forward, pressing my thighs into the sink. My eyes connect with his in the mirror.

  “Where’s your motorcycle?”

  “In the backyard.”

  “Why?”

  “I wanted to catch you off guard. You should’ve come home last night.” He licks my neck then delivers a stinging bite. “I warned you yesterday. No more staying away.”

  His magical fingers slide into my bottoms to circle my clit, while his lips create a tingling path from my shoulder to my ear. I moan, dropping my head back onto his chest. The sight of him working his hand between my legs in the mirror is so fucking erotic.

  “Do you want me to fuck you?” he asks in a guttural voice.

  I bite my bottom lip, nodding.

  “I need to hear you say it.”

  “I want you to fuck me.”

  “How bad do you want me to fuck you?”

  “I want you so bad I’m willing to risk losing everything to have you.”

  I whimper as he increases the pressure on my sensitive clit.

  He steps back just enough to pull down my bottoms and panties. I bite my fist to prevent myself from screaming as his thick erection penetrates my body until he can go no farther. He wraps his strong hand around my throat.

  “I’m going to savor your pussy this time.”

  He’s the storm and I’m the rain—without one, the other can’t exist. Art slowly withdraws from my body then thrusts forward at the same speed. It’s the sweetest torture. My eyes are glued to his beautiful green eyes.

  “Do you love me?” he asks.

  “Now and forever.”

  I clutch the sink as his strokes become faster and more ferocious.

  “How can you make me lose control like this?”

  My climax consumes me, expanding from my core and reducing me a state of sensuality I’ve never felt before.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he groans, filling me with his cum.

  He steps back and sits on the edge of the bathtub, watching me clean myself with tissue.

  “Aren’t you going to clean up a bit?” I ask.

  “Nah, I like having the smell of you on me.”

  His piercing gaze makes me feel self-conscious. “A little privacy?”

  “Not a chance.”

  “Fine.” I turn sideways to block his view.

  “No, you don’t.” He grasps my hips, guiding me to face him. “I’m enjoying the show.”

  “Asshole,” I laugh, throwing the tissue in the toilet. “I’m done.”

  “After graduation, it’s me and you. I’m coming with you to California.”

  If o
nly California were still a possibility for me.

  “Say something,” he demands.

  I’m not ready to tell him I’m pregnant yet.

  “Look at me.” He grasps my chin, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “You don’t want me to go?”

  “I have to tell you something.”

  “Okay, tell me.”

  “I will, just not now.”

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “Give me some time, okay? I promise I’ll tell you soon.”

  “I’ll give you one week, Cin, and then I expect answers.”

  “Okay, one week,” I agree.

  I can’t keep still, so I do sets of pushups. She looked guilty. Maybe she wants to get back with Trevor. Well, too fucking bad. That’ll only happen over my cold dead body. There’s no going back. I refuse to share her again. She’s mine. I had no idea being shipped to North Carolina would change my outlook on life, and I have Cin to thank for that. She already has my heart, but I’d give that girl much more.

  “Hey,” Ricky greets me.

  “Just because I left the door open a little doesn’t mean you have an invitation to come inside.”

  “I need to speak to you in my office.”

  Oh fuck, this can’t be good. I follow him into his office, surprised to find the old man there. Ricky closes the door then perches on the corner of his desk.

  “What the fuck is going on here?”

  “It’s better if you have a seat.” Ricky motions to an empty chair.

  I remain where I am.

  “Suit yourself,” Ricky says.

  “Arthur, are you using cocaine again?” the old man asks.

  The motherfucker has never been good at subtlety.

  “I thought we were going to ease into the conversation.” Ricky sighs.

  “No, I’m not,” I reply.

  “Show him.”

  Ricky pulls a small clear baggie from his pocket. “This was under the dining room table. Is it yours?”

  “Yes.” There’s no point in lying. Damn, I never thought about looking for the baggie.

  “So, you’re on drugs again!” The old man springs to his feet.

  “Sit back down, before you have a heart attack and find yourself alongside your son in a nursing home.”

  “How can you be so calm about this?” Ricky asks.

  “I was going to get high, but I didn’t.”

  “And we’re supposed to believe you?” my grandfather asks.