by C. A. Rene
Adri shows up looking like someone killed her puppy and the dark circles under her eyes betrays the fact that she’s not sleeping. I usher her out to sit in the backyard, and rush to the kitchen to pour her a glass of wine.
“Here, have some medicine.” I hand her the wine.
“Thank God we have less than a month left of school,” she sighs, tipping her head back, “and the sun is finally coming out.”
“So, talk to me.”
“He drove me home last night. We made out a bit in the car and when it started to get heavy I told him I wanted a relationship.” She gulps down the wine and hands me the empty glass. “He nodded! Then didn’t say a fucking thing!”
“Give me a sec.” I run back inside and grab the bottle; it’s going to be one of those days.
I drop Adri back home on my way to school for one more dress rehearsal before the performance. She promised to nap for a bit and get here in time to do my hair and makeup. She did polish off the wine and asked if there was more.
I text Vin to see if he’s on his way.
Vin: B there soon
Yeah he better be there soon, I haven’t heard from his sexy ass all day. Usually he’ll text me here and there, but today was quiet. Maybe that’s what he does to get into his zone, cut his girlfriend off all day. Asshole.
After Adri filled me in on her situation with Travis, I’m left with the feeling I’m missing something. That guy is private and quiet but there’s something else going on with Adri and him that I just can’t figure out. I see that he cares, he watches her, his eyes always find her in a room and he looks like he’s in physical pain whenever another guy is near. I know the key lies with the night he ditched her after making out in grade nine. I’ll figure it out, right after I dodge a gang, find my father and get a hold of Tommy. Easy shit.
I pull up to the school and grab my bag of cosmetics and hair products. We are supposed to be getting our hair and makeup professionally done but I refused it and instead asked Adri to do it. It’s a step in the direction she wants to go and the more practice for her, the better.
The school parking lot is filled with drama students as they all make their way inside, I am not far behind when I hear a horn honk. I turn to see a familiar Hummer and a grin automatically curves along my mouth. I can’t see his face through the windshield because of the sun’s glare but I can feel his answering grin. He pulls into the parking spot beside Shelby and slowly gets out of the car. My breath catches in my throat, he has a black New York baseball cap on his head and it’s pulled down over his eyes. This may sound like nothing but my man could never fit a cap over his luscious dreads. He turns his back on me to reach in and grab his bag and I can see the fade on the back of his head.
He cut all his hair off.
He turns back to face me lifting the hat off his head with a smirk on his face. His hair is so fucking short, the fade leads up to short curls on top of his head. He’s still so unbelievably gorgeous but I loved those dreads.
“Baby, what you think?” He calls out to me.
I shrug in response and for some odd reason I can feel my eyes welling up. I take a deep breath and start counting in my head as he walks closer. By the time he is standing in front of me I have schooled my emotions.
“Why?” I ask, running my hand along the short hair on the back of his head.
“I have been growing my hair since the eighth grade. I needed a change and I really just needed a fresh start, I dunno.” He looks downwards and I can sense the insecurity pouring out of him. I feel like such a fucking asshole.
“Hey,” I say, as I grip his chin. “I love it, I loved your dreads also but this is nice.”
He nods but looks unconvinced. I lift myself to my tippy toes and wrap my arms around his neck. My reaction was something I should have controlled. Of course, he would feel insecure with a new hairstyle after three years and I was so fucking insensitive. I run both hands along his fade and watch as his body wracks with a shiver.
“I love that you wanted a change and I find you so fucking sexy.” I lean in beside his ear, “I can’t wait to sit on your face, grip my fingers into these curls and ride it hard.”
He groans and smothers his face into my neck, his hands slide down over my ass and he pulls me in tight to him. I feel his tongue glide up the column of my throat and dip into my ear. His mouth is so perfect and knows exactly where I want to be touched at all times. Our hands are roaming and when he slides one between my legs I suddenly remember where we are.
“This is public indecency. Let’s get inside and I promise to continue this later. Hummy needs to be christened.”
“Hummy?” He asked with his eyebrow lifted high.
“Yeah, your Hummer.”
“Oh, fuck no.” he says, shaking his head emphatically.
I laugh and drag him along behind me towards the theatre. We have a two-hour rehearsal and then the performance. I am so excited for my parents to see me and what I love to do. I want to make them so damn proud of me and I know with Vin as my co-star, we will light up the place. Now I just need to convince him that sex in that bed, in front of a packed house of parents, is a bad idea.
Adri is pulling my hair into a sweet Betty Cooper style ponytail. She decided-with Lance’s input of course-to make Claire look very innocent for most of act one. Minimal makeup, large doe like eyes and the sweet swinging ponytail. My costumes for most of act one entails cardigans and below the knee skirts.
I watch Vin across the room looking through his costumes, his are more fitting for a rougher guy, one that runs with gangs. The clothing is all dark to my light, sinful to my innocence and he looks downright delicious in them. The contrast between us will be distinctive.
In real life, Vin and I have the same darkness running through us, the same violent edge that cuts along our souls and slices through our fists. Looking into his eyes I see the hills and valleys of my pain reflected. I know we were made for each other and it just feels right.
He turns his head at that moment and catches my eye, his smirk is instant. With his shorter hair, the green of his eyes shine unobscured, and his face is free of any distraction. My boyfriend is by far the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. His eyebrow quirks as we maintain eye contact, questioning my scrutiny. I mouth to him ‘I love you’ and turn my face back to Adri.
“He’s so different.” She whispers.
“Yeah, he cut off his hair.” I shake my head.
“I don’t mean that.” She flicks my ear, “I mean his attitude.”
“He’s still an asshole.”
“Yeah, but he’s opening up, he’s not just sticking by Danny and that crew of delinquents.”
“Good, means he’s growing up.”
“It means he’s happier.” She kisses the top of my head, “so am I. I was drowning in depression for the past few years. I hated just about everyone and I want to thank you for helping me out of that pit.”
“I love you Adrianna.” I turn to face her, “I’ll always be here to pull you out.”
“Who’s going to pull you out?” She whispers quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re sad, and I know you love us-me, Travis and Vin-but you’re still in that pit.”
“I have to pull me out. I need answers and then I can have closure.” I want to tell her about the search for my dad but for some reason I can’t.
“When you’re ready, I promise I will help you out, too.” She kisses my head again and starts packing up. “Now go break a leg!”
The curtains close on intermission and I roll out of the bed with Vin, feeling hot and horny. He grabs my hand and we go to our dressing room. It’s not really ours but we’ve shared and spilled bodily fluids in here, so we’ve claimed it. He closes the door and pulls me into his arms, I sigh with contentment and wrap my arms around his waist.
“Ember,” Vin says, tipping my chin up with his finger, “did you hear from Tommy?”
“No, I’m honestly getting a little p
issed off. He’s never left me hanging this long before.”
“Maybe we should take a trip there next weekend?”
I nod and lean into him. His body feels so good against mine, all his hard ridges mould into mine. Our hearts beat out similar rhythms as if they are playing a duet. Fuck, I really should write this shit down for that poetry compilation.
“All the sunshine and rainbows are done, ready for the storm of part two?” He smiles at me.
“Yep! It’s my favourite part.” I tell him with a wink.
He gets called to the stage and blows me a kiss on his way out.
As I am changing into my outfit for the final scene, my phone starts vibrating in my bag. I pull it out and see Tommy’s name. Finally!
“You’re alive, you dick.” I growl into the phone.
“Blur… wat… you… whe… you?!”
“Tommy your piece of shit phone keeps cutting out. Move somewhere else and hurry I need to get on stage.”
“Emb… ple… go… ome!”
“What?!” I roll my eyes. “You need to invest in a new phone. Text me, I have to go.”
A knock sounds on the door, “Ember! You’re up!”
“Coming!” I hear my phone going off again but Tommy will just have to wait to talk to me like I waited for him.
We do our final bows and the audience is going crazy. I finally spot my parents in the audience and I can see Ma screaming with tears running down her cheek. Dad waves and screams my name. It’s amazing, then I spot Travis with a man I recognize. He’s with his and Vin’s father, who looks frail but in awe of the son he refused to acknowledge for so long. Vin looks tense and his jaw is clenched as he bows again and abruptly leaves the stage. I get it, he feels ganged up on and it was wrong of Travis to bring that man without letting Vin know, even if the fucker is dying, because even though he is dying he’s still a fucker. I follow after him as the curtains close for the final time tonight.
I find him in the dressing room throwing shit everywhere. His breathing is erratic and his body is as tight as a bow string.
“Let’s just go.” I say, peeling off my costume, “change and let’s get the fuck out of here. You don’t have to face that shit and I will break Travis’ jaw tomorrow.”
I’m whipping my costume everywhere and digging through the mess Vin made, looking for my clothes. I’m fuming too, and I just want to punch holes in shit or people. Yes, I very much want to punch a few people in the face. Tavis is such a little bitch for doing this, he has no idea what it feels like to be ignored by his father for seventeen years of his life. But he should have had some fucking decency.
I realize Vin isn’t moving anymore and I turn around to find him watching me with wide eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re not pissed at me for reacting like this?”
“Fuck no!” I shake my head. “You should’ve been asked if you wanted to see the deadbeat first.”
He inhales deeply and releases it, resting his hands on his waist. I finish dressing and go to stand in front of him. I can see his inner turmoil and I can try to put myself in his position but it’s hard to imagine. I mean, if I somehow knew my father was out there in that theatre, I’d be pissed as shit wondering why he’d want to see me now, but I would also want to finally talk to him and figure it all out. Plus, knowing the fact that there could be a time limit on doing so would make it even more confusing.
“Tell me what you want us to do baby.”
“Us?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I nod, “us. For always, whenever you need me.”
“I think I should at least look at him.” He says quietly.
“Okay.” I nod.
“Will you come with me?” My phone starts vibrating on the vanity table.
“Yes, of course I will.” I pick up my phone and slide it in my pocket. I know it’s Tommy but he can wait, this is big for Vin and I want to be there for him.
We finish getting dressed and tidy up the room a little. I’m nervous, not for me but for Vin. I can feel the uncertainty clouding the room and it’s funny how in tuned I’ve become to him. I can sense all his moods and feelings before he even voices them. His hands reach out for me and I immediately sink into him, I would gladly give all my strength if that’s what he needed.
His phone vibrates in his pocket.
“It’s your parents,” he says reading the text, “they’ve been trying to get a hold of you. They are apparently standing with my parents and wanted to give us a heads up.”
“They are gems.” I nod. Must be who was blowing up my phone.
“Let’s get it over with.” He mutters, grabbing my hand.
He leads us out to the foyer and in front of the theatre doors, the school has set up a juice bar and the area is filled with mingling parents and teachers. I spot my parents and head directly to them. They are standing with Sharla who keeps looking around the room nervously. When she spots Vin and I, she rushes over.
“I had no idea he would come, he told me he wanted to see you but didn’t mention this.” She’s rambling and looking extremely nervous.
“It’s okay Ma,” Vin pulls her in for a quick hug, “I don’t blame you.”
“Okay.” She says visibly relaxing.
“Guys!” My dad booms, “that was real talent up there. I’ve never been so proud in my life!”
I rush over to him and Ma and hug them both. Their eyes are filled with tears and they wear the same look of pride on their faces that my mother had at every show. I feel the tears trickle down my face and before I know it they both have me encased in their arms.
“Your mother is here, too.” Ma says, “she would’ve been so proud.”
“Thank you, guys.” I sniff, “sorry I just realized it was my first show without her.”
The guilt is eating at me, I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t given thought to my mother. The grief I’m supposed to be feeling daily was pushed down so far and that’s what allowed me to function these last few months. I tamper it back down, I can’t let the grief consume me right now, I still have shit to do. I hear a throat clear near us and lift my head from Dad’s chest.
“Son.” I watch Vin tense and his jaw is clenched.
A sure sign of violence.
I move from my parents and stand directly at his side, curling my hand around his. He relaxes slightly and gives my hand a squeeze. I look into his father’s eyes and see a sad man. I don’t feel any pity, I don’t feel anything. I’m a firm believer in choices and he certainly made his.
“This must be your leading lady,” he holds out his hand, “my name is Robert, I’m Vincent’s…”
“I know who you are.” I say cutting him off and ignoring his hand.
We have a little stare down and I see a slight glimmer of anger run across his eyes and I smirk. Robert is not just the remorseful father he’s portraying, and I think I might be putting a wrench in whatever plan he has.
“Right.” He turns to Sharla, “hello Shar, you look stunning.”
“Hello Robert.” She replies coolly.
“Scott and Deb.” He nods to my parents, “this young lady must be your sister’s daughter I’ve been hearing so much about.”
“Yes.” My dad replies, offering no more information.
“Dad.” I hear Travis say from behind his father, “we should get you home before you get too tired.”
“Yes. Well, that’s the plight of the terminally ill.” He exhales, “Vincent please come to dinner this week. We have much to discuss.”
I want to roll my eyes and it takes everything in me to remain still. There is something slimy about Robert Greene and he can’t hide it from me. When Vin doesn’t answer, Travis grabs his dad’s arm and leads him back to a beautiful older blonde. That must be Travis’ mother, I see her give a brief nod to Sharla who returns one back. Huh, that’s interesting. It was so slight no one else noticed.
My phone buzzes again in my pocket and I pull it out to see the screen
. It’s Tommy and I know I can’t ignore him further.
“Hey guys, it’s Tommy. I’m just going to take this outside.” Everyone nods while Vin and his mother are in a heated whisper off. I don’t interrupt and head outside.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Ember!” Tommy yells.
“Yeah, sorry I had a performance..”
“I don’t care!” He cuts me off, rude. “Where are you?!”
“At my school.”
“You need to leave, go home.” He sounds frantic, “I’m on my way. Fuck!”
“Tommy chill out…”
“No!” He yells, “he’s coming!”
“Who!”
“Raphael!”
“Let him.”
“No listen!!” He screams.
“I am!”
“That picture you sent me,” he’s panting heavy, “that’s Raphael.”
