The Accidental Kiss

by Nicole Simone

  I slammed my locker with more force than was necessary. I couldn’t believe Daemon had stood me up. The only saving grace of this morning was the cookie dough pancakes Laura had made for me. Ambling to the cafeteria, I bypassed the line and walked over to where Emily and Lucy sat. The twins, Logan and Jacob, were across from them, munching on sandwiches.

  I slipped in the empty space next to Lucy. “Hey.” I opened my backpack, pulled out a huge baggie of chocolate chip cookies, and donated them to the pile of food.

  “Dibs,” Jacob yelled as he ripped open the bag, shoving two cookies into his mouth without a single breath.

  “Slow your roll man. There’s enough for everybody,” Emily reminded him.

  “I’m deprived of chocolate.” Crumbs cascaded from his mouth. “And I am a growing boy who needs chocolate.”

  Logan looked at his brother with pity. “You have a problem.”

  “I think that title belongs to you,” Jacob shot back.

  Emily left the twins to bicker amongst themselves. She turned in her seat and looked at me. “Hey, I see your color has returned. How you feeling?”

  I hated lying to her. “Good. It was just a tiny stomach bug.”

  “Really?” Lucy said. “For a tiny stomach bug, you looked like death warmed over.”

  I grabbed a carrot stick to chew on in order to avoid answering. The complicated map of lies I’d woven was getting hard to follow. It was only a matter of time before I slipped up and told the truth, which would stick me in a psych ward faster than you could count to three. People lived in a comfortable world where zombies, voodoo priests, and clairvoyants didn’t exist. It was a world I wished I still belonged in.

  Emily slapped Lucy’s leg. “Have some sympathy.”

  Lucy apologized around a mouthful of food. “My bad. Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. I felt like death warmed over so I’m sure your description was pretty spot on.”

  Logan trained his inquisitive gaze on us three girls. “What’s Lucy apologizing for? She never apologizes.”

  Jacob sided with his brother. “She doesn’t. It’s like she’s allergic to the word sorry.”

  Lucy glared at the twins until they both withered in their seats. A self-satisfied smile spread across her face and she happily continued with her meal. Lucy should have been the chosen one. If a voodoo priest were after her, she would kick ass and take names. I could learn something from her. Once the carrot sticks were demolished, I moved on to a prosciutto and pesto sandwich. The crusty bread was the perfect ratio to meat.

  “I want to marry this sandwich,” I declared.

  “Dude, everybody wants to marry that sandwich. Lucy’s dad makes some of the best in town. He’s the sandwich king,” Jacob said.

  Emily lowered her voice as she looked at me from the corner of her eye. “He’s a little obsessed.”

  “A little? More like a lot,” Lucy grumbled.

  Jacob pointed a cookie at us, his fifth one. “Sandwich making is an art.”

  I bit my lip from laughing at his serious tone. In my peripheral vision, a flash of tousled sandy blonde hair caught my eye. Daemon. I quickly looked over my shoulder and was disappointed to find it wasn’t him. Worry sliced through my veins.

  “Hey guys, you wouldn’t have possibly seen Daemon today, have you?”

  They murmured a collective no. The worst possible scenario played in my head like a horror movie on repeat. What if he was chained in a basement right now, getting tortured for information? Or what if the voodoo priest got to him? My anxiety skyrocketed.

  Emily sensed my distress and placed her hand over mine. “Daemon isn’t a guy who plays by the rules. He’s probably at home sick or at work.”

  My chin jerked up. “Work?”

  “Yeah, he works at the graveyard as a maintenance worker.”

  How fitting for a zombie.

  Oddly enough, it never dawned on me Daemon had to support himself. In ninety-nine percent of the supernatural movies I had seen, the paranormal beings had inherent wealth. Just goes to show, the movies are nothing like real life.

  “Do you know which cemetery?”

  Emily’s mouth scrunched to the side and my heart sank. That is until Lucy chimed in to save the day. “It’s called Plymouth Cemetery on the south side of town. You can’t miss it.”

  Emily stared at Lucy, quizzically. “How do you know that?”

  “I just do.”

  I could have reached over and hugged Lucy, I was so happy but my hands stayed in my lap. She didn’t strike me as the kind of girl who was into public displays of affection. Twenty-four hours had to pass before I chased Daemon down at work. The crazy stalker card could only be used under dire circumstances.

  Emily shook her head as if her best friend had turned into a complete mystery before her eyes. “You are a puzzle.”

  “Thanks,” Lucy chirped brightly. “That’s the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me.”

  Emily gave her one last long look before she switched subjects. “There is a party at Brandon’s house on Friday. We should all go.”

  Logan extracted the chocolate chips from a cookie. “Brandon is a douche.”

  “He is only a douche according to you because he,” Lucy held both hands up and made air quotes, “stole a girl you’ve never talked to before but somehow had claim over.”

  “We shared a moment.”

  Lucy sighed. “Whatever. I’ll go with Emily if you’re going.”

  Emily’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she swung her attention over to me. “Sky? Are you in?”

  High school parties never interested me. They were always too loud, had too many drunken people, and made me feel like a ninety-year-old because I would rather be at home reading.

  “I don’t know…” I shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe is the equivalent of no and I don’t take no for an answer. Besides there will be a ton of guys there. Perfect to get your mind off Daemon.”

  Daemon was like a disease that infected every cell of your body until it completely consumed you. There was no forgetting him. Still, the idea of normal guys who weren’t a mysterious entity and or a zombie had its appeal.

  A grin broke out onto Emily’s face when she saw I was warming up to the idea. She shook my knee. “Come on. You can stay for an hour and if it’s complete living hell, you can leave.”

  I laughed. “Fine.”

  Emily fist pumped the air and danced in her seat as if that was the best news she had heard all year. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Maybe this party wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Lucy looked at me over the cookie she was eating. “I know we didn’t have any luck at the mall or the lost and found closet, but you can’t wear what you’re wearing.”

  I glanced down at my faded purple concert t-shirt and my tight dark jeans that made my ass appear smaller than it was. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “It’s fine for school but we’re going to a party. You have to show some skin.”

  My eyes slid over to Emily for support but she nodded her agreement with Lucy. It was two against one. Showing skin wasn’t a problem. What was a problem was my boobs weren’t big enough to qualify for cleavage material and my legs looked like two sticks of butter.

  I sighed. “You guys, there is no way anybody wants to see my pasty ass skin on display.”

  Lucy grabbed the bag of cookies off the table, halting Jacob mid-grab. His eyebrows cinched together in annoyance. “What the hell?”

  “You will get these back if you answer one question.”

  “What?”

  Lucy gestured her head over to me. “Would you want to see Sky in a kick ass mini skirt and a halter top?”

  My cheeks flamed bright red at the attention. “You don’t have to answer that.”

  Jacob’s lips lifted in a shit-eating grin that showed how different he was than his brother who was more quiet and reserved. “Fuck yes, I would. When is this happening? I’ll be there.”<
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  Lucy underhanded the cookies back to him. “Calm down and eat a cookie.”

  With it being three to one now, there was no choice. I had to wear a skin-revealing outfit. “Fine. Your point has been made but it’s not like I have anything in my closet like that.”

  “I do. You can borrow something of mine.”

  Lucy was six inches taller than me. Anything she owned would hang loose on my body and appear as if I was wearing a potato sack.

  Emily jumped in before I could say anything. “Why doesn’t she borrow something of mine instead? I’m more of her height.”

  Lucy paid no heed to the matter. “Whatever.”

  The rest of the lunch break, we discussed the logistics of the party. While I didn’t forget about Daemon completely, my worry had waned. Daemon was a big boy. He could take care of himself wherever he was.

  Four days passed without any sign of him. If I had Daemon’s number, I would have psycho called but since I didn’t, our communication remained at zero. Thanks to Lucy, I knew he worked at the graveyard but something was holding me back from checking to see if he was there. At the dinner table with my mom, Daemon had said we were friends. Nothing more. Girlfriends had the right to bust in on their boyfriends at work. Friends didn’t. Right? Isn’t that how it worked? I threw the dress I was holding across the room in frustration. Past friendship with boys weren’t so complicated. Granted, I never had a guy friend as hot as Daemon. This was uncharted territory to me and without a clue how to navigate it.

  Emily had loaned me a couple of outfits in preparation for the party. They had very little material but fit Lucy’s description on what I should wear. I tugged on a leather mini skirt and lace halter-top. Checking myself out in the mirror, I cringed. There was no way in hell my mom would let me out of the house wearing this. Problem was, none of the other outfits she loaned me were any better. I’d have to change at Emily’s before we left for Brandon’s party. Between the tiny outfit and Lucy doing my makeup, there was no doubt I would be transformed into Sky 2.0. Tugging my sweater over my head, I slipped on a pair of boots and shoved everything else into a backpack. After a quick glance around my room to ensure I didn’t leave anything behind, I turned off the lights and closed my bedroom door. My mom and Laura were in the entry hall when I came downstairs. Following the disastrous dinner, my mom walked on eggshells around me as if I was a highly overcharged emotional teenager.

  “Hey sweetie, where are you off to?” she asked

  I adjusted the backpack strap. “I’m going over to Emily’s house.”

  “Are you staying the night?” Laura inquired.

  My eyes rolled at the round of questions. Since Laura started staying at the house, I might as well have two mothers. “Yes, I am staying the night. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  My mom dangled her car keys off her finger. “Do you want a ride? Laura and I were about to leave to go see a movie. We can drop you off on the way there.”

  “I’m fine. Emily’s house is only a couple of blocks down the street.” I stepped around them. “I’ll see you guys in the morning. Have fun at the movie.”

  Their chorus of goodbyes was drowned out by the sound of the door slamming shut. Last time I had walked alone at night, it didn’t end well so I kept my hand firmly around a can of mace in my pocket. Who knows if the potent formula actually worked against zombies? I hit the sidewalk and stopped. Looking in the opposite direction of Emily’s house, a sudden need to visit the graveyard made my feet itch. Emily would be pissed if I didn’t show up at Lucy’s house but what if Daemon was in danger? I had to at least check to see if he was at the graveyard. And if he wasn’t… I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Emily’s number. She answered after the fifth ring. “Emily, I’m sorry but something came up.”

  The GPS on my phone directed me to a graveyard across town. I walked around the corner, out of view from my house, and called a cab to pick me up. Five minutes later, a yellow-checkered smart car slid along side the curb.

  The cabbie rolled down the passenger side window and leaned out. “Are you Sky?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  I heard the sound of the doors unlocking. “Get in.”

  Opening the passenger door, my butt slid into the seat next to his. An air freshener dangled off the rearview mirror. It made the cab smell like a meadow, which was oddly comforting.

  “Where to?” the cab driver barked.

  “Plymouth Cemetery.”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw his eyebrows shoot into his hairline. “You sure about that?”

  His doubt about my destination made me take pause. Was I sure I wanted to go to a cemetery at 9:00 at night when I had no idea if Daemon was there? No, but I knew I had to. Daemon had started off as an annoying thorn in my side but he had grown into something more than a friend. His wellbeing was important.

  I nodded with conviction. “Yes.”

  The cab driver started the car. “Ok, as long as you’re sure.”

  We drove into the desolate night and my stomach jumbled with nerves. I clutched the backpack tight against my chest as if it was a life raft. The cab driver and I shared a mutual silence, but based on the sideways looks he kept giving me, I knew he wanted to talk.

  Finally, his mouth opened. “Is there a reason you’re going to Plymouth Cemetery this late at night?”

  Hasn’t he heard it’s rude to pry into somebody else’s business?

  The truth came out before I could over think it. “My friend works there.”

  “No shit. What kids these days do for money, I tell ya.”

  Since Castor was the size of my pinky, it didn’t take long before the cab arrived at Plymouth Cemetery. A metal archway spelled out the name with an iron gate underneath. It looked exactly how a graveyard is supposed to look. Creepy and unwelcoming. Taking a deep breath, my heart stalled in my chest. I wished I’d brought more than mace to protect myself.

  I turned to the driver. “You wouldn’t have a bat or something that could crack a skull, would you?” He blinked at me, mouth open. “Never mind,” I mumbled as my feet hit the pavement.

  When I went to close the door, the driver’s meaty hand stopped it. His eyes hinted at worry. “I don’t know what you’re up to girly, but be careful.”

  The term girly grated on my nerves, however, his concern was touching. “Thank you. I will be.”

  “Do you want me to wait for you?”

  I stared out onto the rolling hills of graves as a dense fog swirled on the ground and I bit back a manic laugh. There was something seriously wrong with me. This whole situation spelled out a horror movie waiting to happen. Daemon better be around here somewhere.

  “No, I’m ok,” I answered. “Thank you.”

  The driver scrounged through the middle console and re-earthed a shiny object, which he handed to me. My fingers closed around the cool metal. “It’s a pocketknife,” he explained. “It won’t kill a man but it will do in a jiffy.”

  I slipped it in my pocket next to the mace. “You’re too kind.”

  The car roared to life as he waved and drove off. Now I was truly alone among the dead. I briskly walked toward the gate and unlocked the latch. A loud screech ruptured the silence. Wincing, my feet crossed the barrier into the cemetery. Foolishly, I hadn’t researched how large Plymouth was. From my naked eye, it looked to be about seven acres, which was a lot of ground to cover. Better get to it if I wanted to find Daemon before sunrise. I turned left onto the gravel walkway. Iciness seeped into my bones and I wrapped my jacket tighter around my body. The trees rustled overhead with a ghostly wind. Calling out Daemon’s name seemed rude so instead my eyes kept a constant lookout for any figures. Human or otherwise. Gravestones rose out of the ground, some more ornate than others. It made me realize how your net worth was on display even when you’re dead and gone. An owl hooted in the distance, providing an unsettling soundtrack.

  I
picked up my pace. “Where are you Daemon?”

  All I got in response was another hoot from the owl. The fog grew denser the further I walked until I could barely see three feet in front of me. Feeling blind and out of sorts, curses fell off my tongue. The gravel crunched behind me, sending my pulse to skyrocket. Spinning around, my hand clutched the pocketknife, ready to shank somebody if need be.

  “Who’s there?” I yelled.

  A tiny bunny rabbit pranced across the trail with its mother in tow. I let out a shaky breath as my upper torso pitched forward and placed my palms on my knees. Relief coursed through my veins. Straightening, my mind screamed for me to head home and return to the cemetery in the morning when it was light. Since I wasn’t one to give up, a deal was struck. If I didn’t find Daemon within the next twenty minutes, I would leave. Until then, all systems were a go. I steered off the beaten path. My shoes sunk into the wet soil, encasing them in thick clumps of mud.

  “Daemon,” I whispered loudly. Nothing. “Daemon,” I whispered louder.

  A faint groan was carried away in the wind. I froze and looked around to identify where the sound came from. I took a couple of steps forward. Squinting through the frog, a shadow of a figure was laid across a grave up ahead. Problem was, I couldn’t tell if it was Daemon. And if it was, why was he lying down?