by A. R. Perry
Even after all these years, she’s never grown out of the monster under the bed phase. It was a big deal when we were kids. She used to make me check whenever I stayed the night. Over the years it faded away for the most part unless she was faced with something frightening. Like a horror movie. I still find it so adorable.
Burning up the side of my face has me tilting my head toward her. She’s glaring so hard I’m surprised my brain hasn’t combust.
“What?” I ask even though it’s giving permission to rip into me
“Pick something else.”
“Hell no. You gave me two movies which means I pick whatever I want. If that includes demon possession or someone’s insides being ripped out for the fun of it then you need to suck it up, my little gummy bear.”
“I’m not scared.” She tilts her chin up in defiance. “They’re just stupid.”
“Good to hear because there’s a sequel.” I hit Play before she can say anything more.
The sudden burst of eerie music makes her jump and scramble farther on the bed. She doesn’t even protest the fact that I have all of her pillows again. Her warm hands find my arm and she snuggles in so far almost every part of my side is touching some part of her body. Vanilla overwhelms my nose as she tucks her face into my neck, peeking at the screen through one eye even though nothing has happened yet.
She always was a wuss.
Her sudden flinch at a loud noise makes me laugh.
“I hate this,” she whines and tucks in farther to my side, kicking up my heart rate when her lips brush against my neck. “Do we have to watch this?”
“Yes,” I whisper and slide my arm around her body, my fingers resting on the bare skin on her shoulder. “It’s not real.”
“Tell that to my dolls over there staring at me.” Her eyes flick to the corner where two dolls she’s had since she was a kid sit on her dresser. Her Grams gave them to her, and she’s never wanted to throw them out even though they’ve been collecting dust since the day she got them.
“Better be careful. They can smell fear.”
“Spencer!” Her fist lands in the center of my chest making me cough. “I’m not sleeping in here alone tonight so you might as well tell your mom you ain’t coming home.”
“It’s a school night. Besides, your parents will make me sleep in Noah’s old room.”
“And you’ll sneak into mine like every other time.” Her fingers bunch up my shirt as another bang rattles the TV.
“Shh. We’re missing the movie.”
She falls silent, keeping one eye on the screen while the other is closed and pressed against my neck. Every time there is a loud noise or a jump scare she curls into me, tugging me close until we are almost one person. Not that I’m complaining. I can feel the swift beat of her heart against my shoulder. Whenever her hand moves, gliding over my chest or arm my own beat races to catch up with hers.
This is all I want. All I’ve wanted for years. Us together but without the pretense of a scary movie. I want her to open her stupid eyes and see that I’m the guy she’s been waiting for—wishing for. But I guess at this point it’s a lost cause. In a few months, it won’t matter much. Hell, if she gets her way all my dreams will be smashed in weeks if not days. I’ve seen the way Jax looks at her in the halls. He has his sights narrowed in and what Jax wants Jax gets.
I’m so focused on my thoughts, paying little attention to the movie that when Rylee screams in my ear, it makes me jump and slam the back of my head into the headboard.
My eyes frantically scan the screen, searching for whatever freaked her out, but it’s at a lull. The damn characters are standing around talking. That’s when I hear her shouting.
“What the hell, Ryan!” Rylee launches from the bed, leaving the side of my body cold.
Ryan stands in the doorway a smirk on his lips as he holds out a brown paper bag. “Am I interrupting something?” For a brief second his eyes flick to me and I don’t miss the twinkle. Everyone can see right through me to how I feel about her. Everyone except her.
“Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.” She snatches the bag from his hand and shoves his chest.
“Since when do you watch scary movies? Last time you had to sleep with a night-light for a week.”
“I did not.”
“Yeah, you did. I also remember you not being able to get up and pee in the middle of the night.”
My choked laughter draws her stink- eye. “Whose side are you on?”
I raise my hands in the air in surrender.
“Get out!” She shoves Ryan again, and he stumbles out into the hall laughing. “Don’t I get some of that food?”
“Not anymore.” She slams the door in his face but it doesn’t cut off his roaring laughter. With a huff, she turns the lock and spins to me. “I have half a mind to eat all this myself. You and your stupid scary movie. I won’t be able to sleep at all tonight.”
I pat the bed, trying my best to mask my face sympathetic. “I’ll be here to protect you from big scary dolls.”
“I hate you.”
“You love me.”
“It’s a fine line, Hendricks.”
My growing smile has one lighting her face. “This is the last time I let you pick a movie. It’s The Fast and the Furious every movie night from here until graduation.”
“Whatever you say, Everett.”
The bed dips as she sits on the edge, tucking her feet up as the bag of food lands between us. “I hope you choke on a pot sticker.”
“I would just come back and possess one of your dolls. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“You’re like an incurable disease. The itchy kind.”
I chuckle as I pass her a container of noodles. “Oh, admit you love having me around already. Itch and all.”
“If there was a Spencer vaccine, I would take two just in case.”
I palm my chest. “You wound.”
Rolling her eyes, she shoves a ton of noodles in her mouth. “We should take a trip to Oregon this summer. Check out the college and go camping at Cannon Beach on the way back. Mom hasn’t pestered me about getting a job so if we plan it soon, I can use it as an excuse.”
My heart falters at her words. I don’t know where I will be living come summer. Mom has been talking about moving home to Washington State. Deep down I know that’s where I’m headed.
“Um. Yeah maybe.”
Rylee cocks her head, catching the hesitation in my voice. “What’s up? You get weird every time I bring up Oregon lately.”
I bob a shoulder, reaching for the container of pot stickers. “Just think we shouldn’t set our hearts on it. We haven’t even been accepted.”
“Please. Will was accepted. That’s enough reassurance.”
“Let’s get through this year first.” I shove a pot sticker into my mouth and motion to the screen where the movie is starting to ramp up.
I’m using the movie as a distraction. No way in hell do I want to tell her what’s going on. Sure, I broke down and told her that my parents are getting a divorce, but that’s only because I didn’t want to tell her the real reason I had been in such a pissy mood.
We polish off most of the food by the time the movie ends. It’s only a bit past nine, but Rylee can’t seem to keep her eyes open. Her head lolls to the side, resting on my shoulder. Soon after, her breathing evens out and I sit there watching her chest rise and fall for a couple of minutes, not wanting to move for fear of waking her.
“You should tell her.”
I jump at the voice coming from the doorway. Ryan leans against the doorframe, his eyes—Rylee’s eyes—bore into me.
“Tell her what?” I shift, letting her head rest on the pillow.
“Come on, dude. The only person who doesn’t see it is Rylee, and that’s because she is oblivious.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay. Keep playing dumb. I’m just saying, she deserves the truth. And I’d rather beat the crap
out of you for ogling my sister than go after Jax. At least I would win.”
I flip him off, which causes him to laugh. The door clicks shut and I refocus my attention on Rylee, making sure she’s still asleep. Death would be a better option than having her overhear how I feel from Ryan instead of me.
After a few minutes where I’m certain she’s in a deep enough sleep that I won’t wake her, I slip out of my jeans, tugging the extra blanket from the end of the bed over me and lay down. If her parents don’t know I’m in here they won’t kick me out.
For a while I lay there, the warmth of Rylee’s body seeping into mine. Ryan’s words play on repeat in my head, refusing to let sleep take me. Telling her how I feel isn’t an option. I don’t want to ruin the last few months we have together. But standing on the sidelines as she runs around with that tool bag Jax isn’t how I’d like to spend my time either.
Rylee might have been right the other night. I do need a girlfriend. Maybe that’s what I need to break this crush. A distraction. Zoe comes to mind and how gorgeous she looked at the party. She’s wanted me for a while now, never subtle in her advances. The way she blows through boys, never settling down for long makes her the perfect person. I can only hope my actions at her party haven’t ruined my chances.
With a smile on my face, I drift off to sleep, my thoughts on someone other than Rylee for a change.
Best night of sleep I’ve had in a while.
Things have been back to normal between Spencer and me this week. Or at least I should say we were back to normal.
This morning on the ride to school I told him about my date with Jax tonight and ever since, radio silence. I saw him once in the hall, but he was preoccupied with Zoe, all his attention directed at her.
Much like right now.
I peek over my shoulder to where he sits with her, an arm wrapped around her as she munches on a carrot. They’ve been flirty all week. I swear he waits until I’m around to lay it on thick. The boy has mad flirt skills when he wants to.
I should be happy for him. After all, I wanted to help him find a girlfriend.
But…
This is one of the few times I’ve had to sit alone during lunch. The tool didn’t even clear it with me first. Had to figure it out on my own when he never showed.
“So what are your plans for this weekend?” Cora, my favorite gym buddy, asks. She saw me sitting by myself, glaring at an oblivious Spencer, and put me out of my misery.
“Um. Nothing crazy.” I choose not to tell her about my date with Jax even though the news would be a bombshell. I don’t want word to spread to the whole school. Not that he’s been shy with approaching me in the halls. Or his flirty comments. Pretty sure people are catching on.
“Sounds like a blast.” She takes a bite of her yogurt and follows my line of sight where I’m once again staring. “Are they dating?”
“Huh?” I whip around my eyes wide because that word and Zoe should never be combined with Spencer. “I don’t think so.”
“So just screwing around then?”
I glare at her and reach for my chocolate milk. “Did you come sit with me just to piss me off?”
“I came to sit with you because you looked like a lost puppy without Spencer. If stating the obvious pisses you off, you should be thinking hard about why.”
“I don’t like her.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” I toss a piece of lettuce to the other side of my lunch tray. “Her face bothers me.”
“You were fine with her last year.”
“That was before…” Cora raises an eyebrow. “What are you doing this weekend?” I change the subject because I’m not getting into this. I don’t like the girl. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t need a reason.
“It’s my dad’s weekend. So that means awkward conversations and him trying too hard.”
“I’ll trade you an overbearing mother.” Yeah. I slipped and told my mom about my date. She’s been walking on cloud nine with a side of smothering ever since.
“I have one of those already, thanks.”
“Aren’t they the best? It’s—” My mouth snaps shut as a shadow looms over me. Slowly I turn my head, suppressing a squeak when Jax grins down at me, one of his buddies hovering behind him.
“Hey,” he says, straddling the bench, his knee bumping into my outer thigh.
“Hey…” My gaze twitches from his friend to him to Cora whose mouth is hanging open in disbelief.
“So I was thinking we could ditch the whole movie thing.” His elbow lands on the table with a thud, fingers dancing across the worn wood. “Malcolm here is having a kickback in the field behind his house. His parents will be out of town so there won’t be any interruptions.”
No interruptions? I really want to read into that statement.
“Um.”
“Bonfire. Music. Come on, Riles.” I hold back a cringe at the stupid nickname. I hated it in second grade and I still hate it now.
Flicking my eyes to where Spencer sits, I see he’s focused on me even though Zoe’s hands are all over his neck and hair. His own hands are clenched tight on top of the tray in front of him.
“Dude, she can’t hang.”
My attention snaps to Malcolm who is looking more and more irritated by the minute. “No. Sounds fun. Can you pick me up?”
“Eight okay?”
Not the time to tell him my curfew is ten. Maybe I can convince Dad to extend it. “Sounds good.”
“You’re the best.” He winks as he stands and I can’t help but notice several eyes on me. One set belongs to Haylee and to say she looks mad would be an understatement.
“Uh, what…the hell…was that?” Cora’s eyes are glued to Jax’s retreating form.
“What?” I ask as I gather the remnants of my lunch. Yeah, I’m not hungry anymore.
“You’re going on a date with Jax? How does that fall into nothing crazy category?”
“Because it’s not that big of a deal. He asked me out earlier this week. To be honest, I kinda figured he would bail.”
“Instead he asked you to one of their bonfires. You’re so in. Only a select few get to kick back with them.”
“Yay me?” I stand and Cora follows.
“Why are you not more excited about this?”
For some unexplainable reason, my eyes slide to Spencer who is busy showering Zoe with all of his attention. “I don’t know. Because it’s just a party.”
“An exclusive party with Jax freaking Lever.” She plants a hand on her hip and glances at Spencer. “Does this have anything to do with your hottie of a bestie?”
I trip over the leg of a table, nearly dropping my tray. “Uh…excuse me?”
“Oh don’t pretend you haven’t noticed. That boy is a snack.”
I cringe and walk away, throwing my words over my shoulder, “Please, never say that again.”
Cora catches up with me at the trash cans. “Come on. If he even acknowledged my existence, I would be all over that in a second.”
I gesture to where Spencer is once again watching me. “Well, you got your wish. You might have to fight Zoe for him, but I know for a fact he’s single and down to date.”
Those words sour on my tongue. Why does the idea of Spencer dating anyone bother me so much lately? Out of everyone, Cora has never been on my bad side. She’s the closest thing to a friend, but right now, I want to choke her out when I picture her on a date with Spencer.
I swear lust flashes in Cora’s eyes but it only lasts a second before she refocuses on me. “Or you could fight her for him.”
“Yeah. Okay.” I shoulder my bag and turn toward the doors. “See ya in gym.” I race around a crowded table before she can reply.
Spencer and me together is so beyond ridiculous. In the past ten years, he’s seen me at my absolute worse multiple times. Puking in a bush after getting sick on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the state fair is enough to squash any romantic feelings for me. And him. After all, it was pi
nk from all the cotton candy we ate.
Students linger in the halls as I make my way to class. This is how far I’ve fallen. I’d rather show up to class early than watch my best friend grope another girl while he ignores me. And don’t even get me started on the discussion about us coupling up.
It’s too much for my brain.
“Ry.” A hand comes down on my shoulder before dragging me down a deserted hallway.
I spin around, hard eyes killing the attitude I was about to throw Spencer’s way. “What’s up?” My muscles tense as I scan the hall behind him, searching for Zoe. When I don’t see her I smile, but it dies halfway there.
Spencer scowls and takes a step back. “What did Jax want?”
I mirror him, fed up with his weird attitude. “What did Zoe want?”
His nostrils flare. “What does that matter?”
“Oh, I thought we were asking irrelevant questions.”
When he takes a step forward, I back up bumping into the cold wall. “Zoe mentioned lover-boy is having a party tonight. Is that where he invited you?”
“Well, for one, Malcolm is throwing it. And two, it’s none of your business.”
His hand hits the wall hard enough to make me jump. “Cut the shit. Did he invite you?”
With my heart beating wildly in my throat, I skirt around him. He makes no move to stop me but I catch a slight growl. “I think I’ll board home today.”
“Don’t go to that party. Zoe says—”
“Oh, Zoe says!” I throw my hands up in the air, aware that my voice is rising, but I don’t care. He has no right to boss me around. “If Zoe says something, it must be true.”
“Rylee, I’m serious. This is nothing on the parties you’ve been to. You have no idea what they get up to out there.”
“Neither do you.”
“Which is why I’m not going!”
“Is there a problem here?”
We both stop and shift toward the new voice. Principal Perez stands at the end of the hall, arms crossed over his chest.
