Golden Blood

by Melissa Pearl

  “The big deal, Courtney, is the fact that cold little cow has caught the attention of the best asset this school has had in a long time. I don’t get it! He’s gorgeous, charming, funny, sweet and she’s…ugh…such a freak! He could do so much better!”

  “Meaning you.”

  Gemma picked up the third voice in the room as Chelsea’s. Her miffed tone was not to be missed.

  “Or you. I mean whatever! Anything has got to be better than Hart! She could have any guy in the school, but no, she treats them all like clumps of dog poo, then Harrison turns up, completely available, and she pounces on him before any of us get a chance!”

  “She’s hardly pounced. They haven’t even spoken to each other. Don’t you think you’re over-reacting?”

  “Stop standing up for her, Courtney. Dana’s trying to make a point here!”

  “What point?”

  “The point that Little Miss Perfect doesn’t deserve him,” Dana snapped.

  “I think you’re being way too harsh.” Courtney’s voice was so sweet in comparison. “She’s not as horrible as everyone thinks.”

  “Are you serious?” Chelsea sounded incredulous.

  Gemma felt her chest squeeze with gratitude then deflate with guilt. Wasn’t Courtney the one who always smiled at her? Gemma cringed as she thought of all the times she’d looked the other way. Dana was right.

  I am a cold cow!

  “Besides, Dana, don’t you already have a boyfriend?”

  “If you’re talking about Paul Hobbs, I’m going to wring your little neck, Courtney Taylor. Ugh. I could kill that guy for thinking we were an item. One drunken kiss six weeks ago and I’m still paying for it.”

  One of them stifled a giggle.

  “Shut up, Chelsea!”

  “Sorry, Dana.”

  Gemma heard the rustle of a bag being opened then the twist of a lip-gloss tube. Dana’s next words were muffled due to the makeup application and Gemma only just caught the end of it.

  “…like she’s cast a spell on him.”

  “You know, when she first came here, I thought she was a witch.” Chelsea giggled.

  “She probably is.”

  “You guys…”

  “Don’t try and deny it, Courtney. The only guy in school that’s not afraid of her is Jordan.”

  “And he totally should be.” Chelsea voice always went high and fast when she was gossiping. “You know she actually broke his nose that time he tried to kiss her.”

  “And a couple of ribs.”

  “Dana,” Courtney huffed. “You made that part up to make the story sound better. You told me that yourself.”

  “Courtney, you make me sick! If you like her so much, you go be her friend.”

  “Let’s just hope for Harrison’s sake, that if they do hook up, they don’t have a lover’s tiff.” Chelsea giggled.

  Gemma’s insides twisted as she listened to Dana join her on their way out of the bathroom. They were right. Harrison did deserve better. He deserved normal, sweet, easy to be with—someone who could “stay put,” so to speak. Her lips pulled into a pout as her brilliant plans from the morning turned to ash.

  Squeaking the door open, she checked the room was empty and stepped out. Staring at her perfect features, she suddenly despised them. Almost every guy at the school had made a pass at her and she’d been horrible to them all. Even Harrison.

  The door flew open, making her jump.

  “Oh, sorry. I just forgot my…” Courtney’s voice trailed off as she pointed to the bag at Gemma’s feet.

  “Oh.” Gemma stepped back and let her reach for it.

  Standing tall, Courtney gave her a timid smile as she hitched the bag onto her shoulder. “Were…were you just in here a second ago?”

  Gemma thought about lying, but decided not to waste her breath. She nodded and looked to the floor.

  “Sorry you had to hear all that. Don’t worry about Dana. She’s just jealous. I think she’s liked Harrison for as long as you have.”

  Gemma looked up. “I don’t like…”

  Courtney’s smile was filled with amusement. Gemma gave up the lie and shook her head.

  “You know, I don’t buy everything people say about you…and I know Harrison doesn’t either.”

  “Dana has a point though. I can be a cold cow.”

  “Yeah.” Courtney grinned. “But you don’t have to stay that way.” She flicked one of her signature curls off her face. “I’ll see you around, Gemma.”

  “See ya.” Gemma raised her hand in time to wave at the bathroom door. Turning to gaze back at the mirror, she grimaced at her image and hated that she was so afraid of normal human beings.

  They think I’m a witch?

  The bell rang. Gemma collected her bag with a sigh. The light feeling from the morning had fled. She trudged to class deciding that a casual bump into Harrison could be postponed for another day, or maybe even forever.

  *****

  Gemma gripped the strap of her bag as she headed for the back corner of the library. Lunch had finally arrived. Only two more periods to go and then she was free to go home and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the day.

  Her muscles slowly unwound as the quiet safety of the library engulfed her. No one ever bothered with double takes in here. She had found the perfect spot and spent most lunchtimes reading on a pile of huge cushions the librarian had provided after catching her sitting repeatedly in the same cold corner. It didn’t matter what she was reading, when that bell rang she made a beeline for her spot while everyone else headed for the cafeteria.

  As usual, the library was sparsely populated. Gemma smiled as the librarian gave her a wink. Weaving past the chess players, she took a left down the graphic novel aisle then a right past the wall of encyclopedias that, thanks to Google, no one bothered using anymore. She took another left into the history aisle and stopped.

  “Hi.”

  Harrison glanced up from the book he was skimming. He didn’t look surprised to see her, which she found disconcerting.

  “You never come to the library,” she said.

  “I’m here now.”

  “Yes, but why?”

  “Because I have absolutely no self-control.”

  Gemma frowned. Harrison grinned and slapped his book closed, sliding it back into place. Folding his arms, he leaned against the shelves and looked at her. She couldn’t decipher his expression. Was he happy or annoyed? Was it possible to be both at the same time? He was definitely making it look possible.

  Gemma cleared her throat and gazed down at the lime green carpet, stained and fading. “I wanted to talk to you, actually. So it’s good that you’re here…”

  He tipped his head.

  Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. She clamped her jaw shut and closed her eyes, trying to remember one of the many scenarios she’d rehearsed. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t tell anyone about Saturday.”

  “What? About the fact you ditched me with no explanation?”

  “No.” Gemma felt her cheeks catch fire. “About the fighting stuff I showed you. I don’t really want anyone to know. It’s embarrassing.”

  “I think it’s cool.” He shrugged.

  She shook her head. “Please, don’t. It adds to my weird factor and I don’t need—”

  “I won’t say anything.” He stood straight and buried his hands in his pockets. His stance was casual and relaxed.

  Gemma wished she had even a quarter of his cool. She wanted to say goodbye and flee, but her feet were grounded, stuck in some invisible cement made from sheer craving.

  “I’m sorry I bailed on you. It was rude.”

  His expression softened. “I saw you leave the bathroom.”

  Her stomach somersaulted. Did he want an explanation?

  “If you weren’t feeling well, you could have just told me.”

  A chuckle burst from her mouth. It was breathy and filled with relief. She cut it short and dipped her head so he
couldn’t see her grimace.

  “Do you…do you want to try again sometime?”

  Her head shot up at his question. “Again?”

  “Yeah, maybe on Saturday.”

  “Are you insane?” She hadn’t meant to say it.

  Thankfully he responded with a wry chuckle. “Yeah, I think I am.” He shook his head. “I just can’t shake the feeling that you wanted to come to the beach with me.”

  Her breath caught. She wanted to scream a loud, “Yes, let’s do that every night!” but fear dictated her response.

  “I…I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  All she could do was shake her head, but that didn't deter him.

  “We don’t have to go to the beach. We could go to another movie, one we don’t have to read.”

  A smile jumped over her lips, but quickly fell away. “I’m not allowed to date.”

  “Really?” He clicked his tongue and ran a finger along the edge of the shelf. “Well, maybe I could call your parents and ask their permission.”

  “What? No! Please, don’t. Just, you…you don’t understand. I need…” She winced and shook her head, hating what she was about to say. “I need you to leave me alone.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged and spread his hands as if helpless to know.

  “Harrison.” She sighed and licked her lips, fighting for control of her hurricane emotions. “People don’t like me for a reason. I don’t make a good friend. You could have any girl at this school. I could name—”

  “I want you.”

  Her mouth went dry. Hearing those three little words, said with such pained honesty, brought the hope of life and the fear of death all in the same heartbeat. He wanted her? He actually wanted her? No one ever felt that way.

  Her chest fluttered. With a happy chirp, hope found a perch in her soul. Gemma bit back the smile playing on her lips as Harrison continued his sales pitch.

  “We don’t have to call it a date. We could just bump into each other again.”

  Gemma looked him straight in the eye. Dana and Chelsea’s prattle from the bathroom slipped away.

  He wants me.

  “It doesn’t have to be a big deal. I just had fun the other night.” He shrugged. “I want to do it again.”

  She smiled. Fun. Nice, casual fun.

  I can do that.

  After a little lip nibbling, she grinned. “I was thinking of going to the movies on Saturday.”

  “Really?” Harrison grinned. “Me too. I thought I’d have dinner at Antonio’s first, around six.”

  She wasn’t sure what power was controlling her, but her head bobbed up and down.

  “I guess I’ll see you around then.”

  Gemma’s head kept bobbing. His grin broadened as he edged past her.

  “Enjoy your book, Gemma.”

  She turned and watched him saunter out of sight. The light feeling from the morning returned, but she knew it would be fleeting. Before long her brain would kick in with all the reasons why she shouldn’t be doing this. She just hoped, come Saturday, her brain would be in the right mode to get her to Antonio’s.

  Chapter Six

  Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida - 2011 AD

  Gemma ruffled her long hair and huffed. Snatching her brush from the bathroom counter, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail for the fourth time, checked her reflection for the eighteenth time, and nodded. That would have to do.

  Or maybe I should just…

  Pulling out her hair tie, she ran her fingers through her freed locks. Ruffling and adjusting, she fidgeted for another few moments until it sat straight and long over her shoulders. That would have to do.

  Or…

  “Stop this, Gemma!” Leaning toward the mirror, she ran her pinky finger over her glossy lips and frowned. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  Of course you can, you big chicken!

  Pulling back from her reflection, she closed her eyes and willed whatever nerves she had left to fall in line. She was going to meet Harrison tonight whether she wanted to or not!

  Drawing in a deep breath, she ran her hands over her cotton shirt and tugged the hem to make sure it sat right. She ignored the urge to chew her lip as she inspected her final choice of attire. Ruby had wanted to “help” her get ready tonight, but Gemma had refused after being offered a variety of garments she wouldn’t be caught dead in. Much to Ruby’s chagrin, Gemma had settled on a pair of dark jeans, her white button-down shirt with the large collar, and her thick black belt. As a way of shutting her sister up, she had consented to some light makeup. The end result was satisfying, but did nothing to calm the butterflies feasting on her stomach.

  She’d be surprised if she had a stomach left after the evening. What to wear was the least of her problems. Getting out of the house without setting off alarm bells was the next hurdle and she had no idea how she was going to do it. Glancing at her reflection one last time, she hastily tied back her hair in its standard ponytail and left before making any more changes.

  Gemma kept her steps light and innocent as she entered the kitchen. She was sure her mother would see straight through her pathetic attempt at casualness.

  “What’s up with you?” Her mother’s eyebrow rose.

  “Nothing.” Gemma drummed her fingers on the counter.

  “You look as if you’re dressed to go out.”

  “Well…I am.” Gemma’s teeth jumped for the inside of her cheek.

  Penelope’s eyes narrowed. A small smile danced across her lips. “Where?”

  “To dinner.”

  “By yourself?”

  “No.” Gemma swallowed. “I’m…well, I… I’m going to…with a friend.”

  “You have a friend?!?”

  A loud noise exploded from the corner of the room. Both women turned to look at Dominic who was quickly hunting for a cloth, having sprayed his mouthful of drink over most of the floor. His shoulders shook with mirth. Gemma shot him a dagger stare. He countered with a charming wink.

  Ignoring her son’s vulgar display, Penelope turned back to her youngest with narrowed eyes. “Gemma, what’s going on?”

  “Well… I took your advice and I…I’ve made a friend.”

  “Really?” Penelope’s surprised smile made Gemma blush.

  “Yeah, I mean, it’s just recent, but…”

  “Sweetheart, I’m proud of you.”

  Gemma returned her mother’s smile before feeling her insides turn to Jell-O.

  “Well, tell me about her. What’s her name?”

  Gemma licked her lips slowly and looked at the floor.

  How am I supposed to tell her it’s a him?

  She saw the scene play out in slow motion. Her mother’s smile would slide from her face, her brows would crease, then by some form of magic she’d suddenly be wearing a Gestapo uniform and pacing the kitchen with a horse whip in her hand, slapping it against her palm as she interrogated her daughter.

  Gulping down her fear, she tried to think of what Ruby always said.

  “It’s not a date, Mom. I don’t even like him that way. It’s just a bunch of us going to the movies.”

  That excuse worked for Ruby because she defined popularity. She was pretty, teasingly evasive, and could turn any situation into a party. Everyone at school liked her.

  Gemma cringed. Her mother would never buy an excuse like Ruby’s from her. It was a miracle in itself that even one person was insane enough to invite her out for an evening!

  “Um…” Gemma inspected her boots.

  “Are you talking about Courtney?” Ruby bounced through the archway.

  Gemma’s head shot up with a grateful smile.

  “Courtney?”

  “Yeah, Mom, Courtney Taylor. She’s a sweetheart.” Ruby frowned at Dom’s cleanup attempts before stepping over him and heading for the fridge.

  Gemma’s insides stopped dancing as she watched her mother beam.

  “
Yeah, she is really nice.”

  “Good girl, Gem. So what are you two up to tonight?”

  “Um…”

  “You guys should go check out that new movie I was telling you about. Courtney seemed pretty keen.” Ruby unscrewed the lid of her bottled water.

  “Yeah,” Gemma pasted on a quick smile. “We’ll probably do that and maybe grab some dinner?” She spotted Ruby’s thumbs up from behind her mother’s back.

  “That sounds nice.” Penelope squeezed Gemma’s shoulder and smiled. “I’m proud of you for being brave, sweetie.”

  “Thanks.” She couldn’t quite keep her smile in place. Thankfully her mother didn’t notice. Instead she placed a quick peck on her cheek.

  “Now remember, keep conversation light and shallow. As soon as you feel it heading in the wrong direction, ask her a question about herself. Keep her talking as much as you can.”

  “I will, Mom.”

  Gemma waved her family goodbye and headed for the garage. The dancing butterflies started up again at the idea of meeting Harrison. Underneath their playful fluttering, a thick stew began to bubble. She had just lied to her mother. Sure, it wasn’t her fault that her mother had assumed her friend was a girl and it wasn’t her fault that Ruby had jumped in with the world’s best excuse. Either way, she had given her mother the wrong impression and her mother had believed her. It felt so wrong, yet she knew if she’d told the truth she wouldn’t be heading out for the evening. If her mother knew the truth she would probably be buying a dead bolt for her daughter’s bedroom door.

  *****

  Harrison hitched up his jeans and pulled his jacket straight as he walked toward the small Italian restaurant. He was surprised by how nervous he felt. Gemma had been skirting him in the hallways all week. Some days she’d give him a timid smile, other days her back would stiffen and she’d walk past him like a robot. Yesterday had been one of those days and he was doubtful she’d show tonight. He had wanted to text and confirm, but he didn’t have her number.

  Ignoring the brewing disappointment, he paused at the door to prepare himself and was surprised to find it pulled away from him.

  “Oh.” Gemma stood bug-eyed in the doorway. “I… You are here.”

  She looked ready to go into cardiac arrest. The nerves were pulsating from her like a tidal wave.

  An easy smile stretched across his lips. “You look pretty.”

  Her blush was fierce as she ran a hand down her ponytail. It wasn’t that she’d done anything extra special, he just couldn’t help saying it. It was the truth, after all.