MikasBlackCougar

by Marisa Chenery

  He smiled. “I guess that would help. It will also save me from having to call every Taylor in the phonebook trying to find it.”

  I grimaced. “That would be a time-consuming job. There are like a ton of Taylors. I’ll give you my phone number as well just in case something comes up and you can’t come over.”

  I quickly tore a blank piece of lined paper out of one of my binders and wrote down my address and phone number. I then handed it to Trent. He folded it and stuck it into the front pocket of his jeans.

  “Thanks, Mika. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He leaned in and kissed my cheek before he walked away. I stared after him, sure my mouth hung open. I still felt where his lips had pressed against my skin. After Trent turned a corner and was no longer in my line of sight, I closed my mouth with a snap before I turned to go to my next class. I stiffened when I saw Silvia standing a few feet away. Now I knew why Trent had kissed me. I hadn’t known Silvia stood so close, but Trent had obviously been able to see her.

  I didn’t look at Silvia as I walked by. I had to stop reading so much into how Trent acted. He’d never outright said he liked me in that way. The hand-holding and kiss could have been just for Silvia’s benefit. I hoped not, because if I wasn’t careful I could be the one getting hurt in the end.

  Chapter Seven

  Saturday I woke up earlier than I usually did. The weekends I tend to sleep in late since the rest of the week I have to get up so early for school. Today I thought it wouldn’t be a good idea to laze about in bed. For starters, I expected Trent to come over and I wanted to make sure I at least didn’t look as if I’d just rolled out of bed. I didn’t really know what time to expect him, but I figured it would be some time after noon. So at ten o’clock I dragged myself out of bed and hopped into the shower. I even took the extra time to blow dry my hair instead of allowing it to air dry as I normally do.

  As I walked by my brother’s open bedroom door on my way downstairs, Jared appeared in the doorway and made kissy noises at me. He already knew about Trent coming over since I’d told my parents about our plans during dinner the night before.

  I scowled. “Would you grow up already?”

  “Are you going to kiss your boyfriend when he gets here, Mika?” Jared made more kissy noises.

  “Trent isn’t my boyfriend. And it isn’t any of your business if I kiss him or not.”

  “He may not be your boyfriend but you wish he was.”

  “Get lost, Jared.” I shifted to stand in front of him and stared down, thankful he hadn’t grown taller than me yet. “When Trent gets here I want you to disappear. Got it? If you hang around to bother us I’ll make you pay.”

  “I live here too. I can go wherever I want and you can’t stop me.”

  “You wanna bet? I’m giving you fair warning. If you do anything to embarrass me around Trent, don’t be surprised if you find I’ve taken a magnet to all your video games.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Just watch me.”

  I gave Jared a hard stare to let him know I meant every word I said. He backed up and slammed his bedroom door in my face. I smiled to myself as I headed down the stairs. That threat hopefully should keep Jared away. At least I hoped.

  Both Mom and Dad were sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee when I arrived downstairs. I grabbed a bowl and a box of cereal out of the cupboard before I sat at the table with them. Mom got up and took the milk out of the fridge for me and a spoon out of one of the drawers.

  When she sat again she said, “So today’s the big day, huh?”

  I poured some cereal and milk into my bowl. I nodded. “Yeah.” I put a spoonful of food into my mouth and chewed.

  “Well, if Trent’s the reason why you’re out of bed before noon on a weekend, he’s welcome to come over every Saturday,” Dad said with a chuckle.

  I swallowed my mouthful. “Ha ha, Dad. I don’t know when he’s going to show up so I decided I better get up earlier.”

  “It got you out of bed when it’s still morning.”

  Mom playfully jabbed Dad in the ribs. “Don’t listen to him. So where do you want to work with Trent?”

  “I thought we could use the dining room table. If that’s okay with you?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll make sure it’s cleared of your father’s junk.”

  “Hey,” Dad said. “It isn’t junk.”

  Mom shook her head and turned to look at Dad. “It may not be junk to you, but if it’s sitting on my dining room table collecting dust, it is to me.” She turned in my direction. “I’ll keep Jared away as long as Trent’s here.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I already threatened him with dire consequences if he bothered us.”

  “Hopefully between the two of us, Jared’ll keep to himself. I guess I’d better go upstairs and have a little talk with your brother now before Trent gets here.”

  After Mom left the kitchen, Dad stood and headed for the dining room. I soon heard him collecting his things from the table there as he muttered to himself about none of it being junk. I finished my cereal and put my bowl in the dishwasher before I headed back upstairs to collect my math books.

  Dad was nowhere in sight when I came back downstairs. I put my textbook and binder on the dining room table. I placed them so I’d have to sit at the end of the table, but then I thought that may not be such a good idea. If I sat at the end of the table, Trent would have to sit on one of the chairs at the side closest to where I was. He’d have to look at my work on an angle. I shifted my books to one of the places at the side of the table. That way Trent and I could sit on the two chairs there side by side to work.

  But what if Trent doesn’t want to sit that close? When we sat together in the cafeteria at school, he always sat across from me. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. I slid the books back to where I’d originally put them. But then I thought about his having to turn his head on an angle to better see my books. I didn’t want him to end up with a sore neck because of it. I quickly moved the books back to the side of the table before I changed my mind once again. I forced myself to back away from the dining room table. I was obviously over-thinking things. Before I walked out of the room, I decided I’d let Trent sit first. If he chose to sit at the end of the table, then I’d know he didn’t want to sit beside me. I headed back up to my bedroom to wait before I drove myself crazy over stupid little things.

  * * * *

  At one o’clock sharp the doorbell rang. I rushed to the front door to answer it before anybody else. I yanked it open and smiled at Trent. “You made it.”

  Trent returned my smile. “It wasn’t too hard to find your place.”

  “That’s good.” I let my gaze run up and down him. He wore his usual t-shirt and jeans with his hair loose around his shoulders. It made my fingers itch to run through it. I liked it better when it wasn’t pulled back in a ponytail.

  “Are you going to let me inside or are we going to work on your math outside here on the porch?” Trent asked with a laugh.

  I quickly stepped back and waved him inside. “Sorry. Come in. I figured we could work at the dining room table.” I closed the front door behind him once he stepped into the entranceway.

  “Sounds good.”

  I watched him wipe his running shoes on the mat. I then noticed he didn’t have any books with him. “Don’t you have any math to work on as well?”

  He shook his head. “I finished it all before the end of class yesterday.”

  “Oh. I thought you’d have some to finish up as well.”

  “I don’t mind helping you.”

  “Are you sure you won’t get bored?”

  Trent flashed his crooked grin. “How could I be bored when I’m around you?”

  I felt my face grow flush in response. Before I could say anything else, Jared came bounding down the stairs. He drew up short when he caught sight of Trent.

  “Whoa,” he said as he craned his neck to look up at Trent.

  “Jared, I told
you to get lost. Remember what I said would happen. Magnet. Video games.”

  “I’m leaving. Don’t you dare go near my games.”

  At that moment, Mom arrived. She gave Jared a stern look and pointed up in the direction of the stairs. “Leave your sister and her friend alone. Go back upstairs and make yourself scarce for a while.” Once Jared headed off, she turned to face Trent and me. She smiled at Trent. “I’m Mika’s Mom. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “Thanks for letting me come over, Mrs. Taylor.”

  Mom winked at me before she said, “You’re perfectly welcome to come over any time, especially if you’re willing to help Mika with her math. I’m afraid she gets that from me. I never did great at it when I went to school, either. I guess I’ll leave you two alone to get at it. I’ll make sure Jared doesn’t bother you.”

  Mom started up the stairs as I led Trent to the dining room. “I’m going to apologize ahead of time just in case my brother does anything stupid while you’re here.”

  Trent chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. How old is he?”

  “Twelve. I’m dreading the fact he’ll be going to Vernon next year. Thank goodness I’ll only have to put up with him for the one year.”

  “What? You’re not looking forward to having your little brother in the same school?”

  I gave Trent a look that said he must be crazy to even think it. “Ah, no. Jared can be a major pain in the butt.”

  “At least you have a younger brother. At times, I wish I had a younger brother or sister.”

  “Well, you are welcome to take mine any time you want. I’m sure he’ll cure you of wanting a younger sibling in no time.”

  When we reached the dining room table I motioned for Trent to sit. He sat in the chair at the side of the table closest to the end. He then pulled my books over to him before he tugged the chair next to his out for me. I smiled to myself and shifted to sit beside him. Trent placed the math textbook so it sat on the table between us and flipped it open to our assigned homework. I opened my binder to a blank piece of lined paper and listened as he explained how to do the work.

  Partway through, Dad came into the dining room and introduced himself to Trent. Dad gave him the once-over as he asked him a few questions about himself. Trent must have passed the test because after that Dad asked him if he owned a computer and what type he had. I knew if I didn’t stop him before he really got on the topic of computers, Dad would never leave.

  I interrupted Dad in midsentence as I loudly cleared my throat. “I’m sure you can discuss computers with Trent another time. Right now he’s supposed to be helping me with my math.”

  “Oh. Right. Sorry about that. I’m going. I almost forgot. Your mom wants me to run to the grocery store for a few things. Do you need anything while I’m out?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I’m fine.”

  “All right then. I’m off.”

  Once Dad walked away I sent Mom a silent “thank you.” I knew she’d sent Dad to the store as an excuse to get him out of the house for a while. Dad meant well, but I knew it would take him some time to adjust to the whole business of me having a boy over to the house for the first time.

  A half hour later, I closed the math textbook with a snap. I was now all caught up on my homework, and surprisingly now understood what the heck I was doing too. I closed my binder and turned in my chair to face Trent. “Thanks. I’ve learned more from you than I have from Mr. Morrison. Maybe you should consider becoming a teacher.”

  Trent chuckled and shook his head. “No thanks. I don’t mind working one-on-one with you, but having to stand up in front of a classroom full of kids every day holds no appeal.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, having to deal with a bunch of teenagers day after day may not be so much fun.” I pushed back my chair. “Are you hungry? I’m sure my mom has something in the kitchen to snack on.”

  “Sure. I could use a top up.”

  I took Trent out to the kitchen. Mom wasn’t around, but I knew she’d baked some muffins earlier. I took the large plastic container she had stored the muffins in to the kitchen table and took off the lid. “How does a blueberry muffin sound?” I pushed the container over to Trent, who stood next to me.

  “They smell delicious. I thought I smelled fresh-baked muffins when I came in.”

  I took one as well and motioned for Trent to sit as I sat on the chair next to his. “My mom made these a couple of hours before you arrived. You must have a good sense of smell.”

  Trent appeared to stiffen slightly at my comment. “Yeah, I guess I do.” He took a big bite of his muffin and gave me the thumbs-up sign.

  As we ate in silence, Mom came into the kitchen before we finished eating. With a smile, she took a second muffin out of the container and placed it in front of Trent. “Have another one. I made them mostly for you and Mika. I know teenage boys are bottomless pits. I’m just waiting for Jared to start eating me out of house and home.”

  Trent swallowed the last bite of his first muffin. “Thanks, Mrs. Taylor. These are really good.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you like them.” Mom turned to me. “Mika, why don’t you take Trent outside to the backyard for a bit? I don’t think I can keep Jared corralled in his bedroom for too much longer.”

  I nodded. “Okay. We’ll go out once Trent finishes eating.”

  Mom left the kitchen. I heard her head back upstairs, probably to tell Jared he could come downstairs soon. I watched Trent practically inhale his second muffin. Just as he popped the last piece into his mouth, he cocked his head as if he heard something. I didn’t hear anything.

  Trent stood and held his hand out. “I can hear your brother coming. Shall we escape to the backyard before he gets here?”

  I still hadn’t heard anything, but then the one squeaky stair we have let out a quiet squeak as if someone tried to sneak downstairs. If it hadn’t squeaked I would never have known Jared had been trying to sneak up on us. With a nod, I took hold of Trent’s hand and let him pull me out of my chair. We just barely managed to get outside before Jared arrived in the kitchen.

  Chapter Eight

  We have a fair sized backyard. When Jared and I were younger it had been our playground. Dad had gone all out and bought a big metal swing set with a slide for us to play on. He also built a fort in the large maple tree at the far end of the backyard. For a computer geek, Dad could be pretty handy at building things.

  Once we were outside, I led Trent over to the tree fort. Neither Jared nor I had been inside it for the last couple of years. I figured it would be one place Jared wouldn’t think I would go.

  Trent looked up at the fort. “Do you think we can both fit up there?”

  I looked Trent up and down and then bit my bottom lip. “Hmm, I think so. You are pretty big, though. It might be a tight squeeze with the two of us. To be honest, I haven’t been up in it for a long time. Now that I’m really looking at it, it does appear smaller than I remembered.”

  “Well, the only way to find out is to go up there and try. You go first.”

  I shifted and put my hands on one of the pieces of wood that had been nailed up the tree’s trunk for hand and foot holds. “All right. If I fall, promise you’ll catch me. Knowing my luck, I will and break an arm or something.”

  Trent came up behind me. “I’ll catch you. Broken bones aren’t allowed today.”

  I slowly climbed up to the fort. Trent followed close behind. A couple of pieces of wood creaked ominously when I put my weight on them but they held in place. Once I made it, I shifted to the farthest side to make room for Trent. He managed to squeeze his large frame inside.

  “I guess I’m a bit too big for this,” Trent said as he shifted around to sit in a more comfortable position.

  I sat with my legs crossed to give him more room for his much longer ones. “We don’t have to stay up here too long. I thought this would be a good place to get away from Jared for a while.”

  “It’s okay.”

/>   I peeked through the open space in the fort’s wall at the house. I saw Jared standing at the glass sliding door looking for us. I shook my head. “Speak of the devil. He’s trying to see where we are right now.”

  Trent shifted closer and looked out the opening. He laughed. “He doesn’t seem to give up easily.”

  “He just doesn’t know when to quit. He used to drive Cathy and me nuts. Whenever she’d come over Jared would be around like a dirty old sock, trying to hear what we said to each other. I hope he outgrows it.”

  “I’m sure he will. Just think, when he starts bringing girls home you can return the favor. You can tell them all about his nasty little habits.”

  I smiled. “That’s not a bad idea.”

  Sitting back, I leaned against the opposite wall. I sat forward again when what felt like a couple of nail heads dug into my back. I tried to lean back once again, but I couldn’t find a comfortable spot. Trent looked over, then wrapped his arm around my shoulders and shifted me so I leaned against his chest. As he held me to him, he silently played with the ends of my hair, wrapping them around his fingers.

  The silence stretched between us. It wasn’t uncomfortable, by any means. I would’ve been quite content to sit with Trent’s arm around me for the rest of the day if he’d let me. My head fall back to rest against his broad shoulder. With the heat coming off his body while he played with my hair, I started to relax. I probably would have fallen asleep at some point, but Trent gave me a small nudge with his shoulder.

  “Mika?

  “Yeah?”

  “You aren’t going to sleep on me, are you?”

  I turned my head to look at him and gave him a small smile. “Not right now I’m not. All I have to say is you throw enough body heat it wouldn’t be too hard to do.”

  “That’s me, your own personal furnace. So are we still on for tomorrow?”

  I nodded. “Sure. What time do you want me to come over? And you’ll have to give me your address before you go today.”

  “How about I pick you up around one in the afternoon? I’m sure I can borrow my mom’s car again.”