by Milda Harris
“I mean, you don’t want to give him the impression that you actually like him, do you?” Ethan volunteered, not able to tear his eyes away from me.
“Isn’t that the point of a date? To make your date think you like him?” I asked, and then as an afterthought added, “Maybe that’s why you don’t have a Homecoming date. You’re clueless.”
I knew it was a petty thing to say, but I was hoping for a reaction and I got one, but not quite the one I was expecting.
Ethan raised his eyebrows, “Ariel already asked me, in front of you if I remember right. And, I could have my pick of any girl. I just haven’t asked her yet.”
“Wow,” I responded with sarcasm.
He could be so arrogant! Well, maybe Troy would take me to Homecoming, once I cleared him of all murder suspicion and admitted to him that I was still in high school. I mean, it’s not like nineteen and sixteen (almost 17!) weren’t close in age and all.
“I’m wearing this dress. It’s perfect,” I demanded and to prove my point, walked out of my house, shutting the door behind me, and walked to his car.
If he had been about to open it for me, like a real gentleman would, I didn’t wait. I got into the passenger side and sat down, feeling huffy. Who knew Ethan was a prude in disguise? I didn’t care if he didn’t like my dress. I knew that Troy would.
Ethan got into the driver’s seat and looked at me one more time and said softly, “You know, you do look pretty.”
And, then he started the car and blared the music, so I spent the rest of the drive trying to figure out if he meant that as just an apology or if he really thought I actually looked pretty. Guys were so confusing.
The Burger was packed when we arrived, even though it was a Wednesday night. People loved this place. Maybe it was the weird burger combinations you could make – hamburger with pineapple and goat cheese, anyone? If you wanted, you could have that. I was a little more traditional – hamburger with swiss cheese and avocado. Mmmm, avocado. Sometimes, I even added mushrooms.
Ethan and I were early, so we got a booth and sat down, waiting for Ariel and Troy to arrive. There was still a sort of weird tension between Ethan and me, so I spent the time staring at my menu like I wasn’t sure what I was going to order. I did get absorbed by looking at the different milkshakes, though, so I didn’t see Troy walk in the door until he was almost at our table.
“Hey, Kait,” Troy said, sliding into the booth next to me. He looked at me, appraisingly. “You look awesome!”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling back at Troy, but not before I saw Ethan scowl. “Oh, and this is Ethan.”
Ethan’s scowl had disappeared and he had on a smile instead as Troy turned to look at him, “Hey, man.”
They shook hands. Ethan was a good actor. You’d never know that he was really thinking that Troy might be a serial murderer. Poor Ariel. Now that I thought of it, she really didn’t know what she was walking into. I almost felt sorry for her.
“Ethan!” I heard her squeal a moment later, as she walked toward our table.
Troy was studying the menu, but looked up to study Ariel as she walked up. He was totally checking her out, even though he was on a date with me. Strike one against him, but even I had to admit that Ariel looked amazing. I was a wilted flower compared to her tonight, and I had thought I looked pretty good. Ariel had curled her hair, but she had the I-always-look-this-good-effortlessly thing going on. I wish I could look good effortlessly. I had spent over two hours getting ready for this date.
I didn’t see Ethan’s immediate reaction to Ariel, but he seemed preoccupied as she slid into the booth next to him, and I mean right next to him, since he only said, “Oh, hey, Ariel.”
We did the introductions all over again and then it was an awkward silence as we looked at the menus. At this point, I felt like I had the thing memorized. I had decided on trying their peanut butter banana milkshake, in addition to the burger. I wanted to see how it would compare to Wired’s. It couldn’t be as good, but hey, I wanted to experiment. Let Ariel order a Diet Coke and a salad with nothing on it. I was a real girl.
The waiter came by and we all ordered, Ariel shooting a smirk at me when she heard my totally unhealthy order. Whatever. Ethan and Troy ordered burgers and shakes too, so Ariel was the weirdo with her salad, dressing on the side.
“So, Steampunk art is what exactly?” Ethan was asking Troy, while Ariel was busy trying to seem interested.
“I was trying to explain it to Kait. Its background is really science fiction and fantasy. It’s got a Victorian feel to it, but with modern objects. Has anyone here seen Hayao Miyazaki’s movie, Castle in the Sky or the anime Steamboy?” Troy asked.
“I’ve seen both,” I said, trying to remember more than just the stories from those movies. Working in a video store had its perks sometimes.
“Me too,” Ethan added.
Ariel just nodded.
Ethan continued, playing up his interest to keep Troy talking, “So, you actually make things look like they do in those movies? That’s pretty cool. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi.”
Ariel was unusually silent. She obviously knew nothing about anime or science fiction. Actually, it looked like Ethan had more in common with Troy than either me or Ariel. Too bad there was no way that they were actually going to be friends.
The burgers and shakes came (with a salad and diet Coke for Ariel) and Ethan and Troy had monopolized the conversation moving on from Steampunk art to talking about Cyberpunk novels like Snowcrash by Neal Stephenson. They both wished that someone would make it into a movie.
Although it was great that Ethan was getting a chance to get to know Troy and see how he couldn’t possibly be a psychopathic killer (unless he was really, really good at hiding it, being that he didn’t give off a creepy vibe at all), I hadn’t had any sort of chance to try and talk to Troy about the dead girls. Not that I knew how I was going to bring the subject up or anything. I mean, I couldn’t just interrupt Troy and Ethan’s conversation and go, “Excuse me, but Troy, what do you know about four girls overdosing on heroin?” That would just be a party killer.
I think Ariel and I were getting equally bored. It wasn’t like we were going to talk to each other, so we were stuck listening to the science fiction chat that the guys were having. Ariel had spent a little of this time trying to get a little closer to Ethan than I liked. She put her hand on his arm and a moment later, he casually brushed it off, while making a point to Troy. She put her hand on his leg, at least I hoped it was his leg, but he moved over. The girl was trying. I’ll give her that. Thank goodness, Ethan wasn’t having any of it. I mean, I know I was on the date with Troy and all, but I didn’t want or need to see Ariel hanging all over Ethan. What Ethan did on his own time was fine, but I didn’t want to know.
I needed a break from the cyber/sci-fi talk, so I interrupted a discussion of the movie Bladerunner, “Hey, Troy, can I get out?”
Troy looked at me like he was just remembering I was there - so much for the lasting effects of my dress. I heard the conversation resume as I walked to the restroom.
A few minutes later, I was washing my hands and debating how to get Troy to myself. I needed him alone if I was going to interrogate him. I knew Ethan wasn’t going to go for it, but I had an idea. There was a small arcade at the back of The Burger, just past the restrooms. Normally, I ignored it. I went there for the food and I hadn’t played video games since grade school. I will admit to having been pretty great at them back then. Right now, though, I just needed a few minutes alone with Troy and the arcade might be a great distraction, away from everyone.
And, then Ariel walked into the restroom and broke off my planning, “Are you as bored as I am? Those guys should be on a date together.”
Ariel headed straight for the sink next to me and started re-applying her make-up. First powder was applied, then eyeshadow, and eyeliner. I guess it wasn’t as effortless as she made it look.
I was going to regret what I was going to say next
later, but it had to be done, “Hey, Ariel, how would you like to help me get a few moments alone with Troy?”
It took Ariel a second to figure out that also meant that she would get a few moments alone with Ethan. She turned to me with the most real smile I had seen on her face since we had been friends. I almost felt a pang of sadness at not being friends anymore. Almost.
“What do you have in mind?” She asked, halfway done with applying cherry lip-gloss.
I caught myself hoping that Ethan wouldn’t be tasting that lip-gloss when Ariel had him to herself. I pushed that thought away. I was doing this in the name of the investigation. It was for Liz and all of the dead girls. I was trying to let the world know what really happened to them. That was more important than any jealous feelings I was having. Still, could I help it if I wished that I could be the one distracting Ethan by making out with him with cherry lip-gloss?
Chapter 16: Kissing
Ariel and I walked back out into the restaurant together, closer than we had been in a long time. We had a shared purpose – to get each of our guys alone. And, okay, her purpose was probably more fun, wanting to make out with Ethan, while mine was just to investigate a murder. Still, it had to be done.
Ariel made it to the booth first, like we had planned. She pushed herself right up on Ethan, surprising him midway through a sentence about Star Wars.
I tried not to gag at Ariel’s overt coming onto Ethan, as I grabbed Troy’s hand and pulled him out of the booth and said as seductively as I could manage, “Come with me.”
I definitely got his attention. Troy was up and next to me, as quickly as I was able to pull him away from our table and Ethan and Ariel. As I led Troy away, I could see Ariel make her move. Her mouth was heading straight for his. I couldn’t watch. Still, on the upside, Ethan was too busy dealing with that, to notice that Troy and I were gone. Things were all going according to plan.
The arcade was an old school video arcade with only 1980s video games like Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Galaga, and Joust. There was usually nobody in it, just because they were so old school. Besides, it was getting to be well after eight o’clock on a school night and all the little kids were at home in bed.
So, Troy and I had the small arcade to ourselves for the moment. I hoped Ariel would be able to keep Ethan busy enough (gag), so that I could have a moment with Troy before Ethan raced to find me. That is, unless Ethan was enjoying whatever Ariel was doing. I didn’t want to think about that. I had to focus.
“What game do you want to play?” Troy was oblivious and actually looking around at the video games.
“I actually just wanted to get you alone,” I said, in a voice that I hoped sounded sort of seductive. I’ve never really done the whole seducing thing, but I had seen enough movies to know what it sounded like.
Troy definitely got it because he grinned and moved a step toward me. It surprised me that it actually worked. I unwittingly took a step back and my butt hit the back of Ms. Pac Man. Hey, in the back of my mind, I was still a little worried he was a serial killer. He wasn’t in the clear yet.
Well, if Troy was going to make a move on me, I guess I was going to have to go with it. He was no Ethan, but he was pretty cute. And, it was all in the name of the investigation!
“You wanted to get me alone, huh?” Troy said and moved a step closer, getting into the game, his hands resting on the game console on either side of my body.
I had to hurry up and say something or I was going to get kissed. Not that I would mind. I mean, he was even sexier up close and he had this great cologne on, actually I think it was the same one Ethan wore. It actually made Troy more attractive. My stomach started doing nervous flips.
“How did you know Olivia Reynolds?” I blurted it out.
Troy stopped mid-lean, “Huh?”
“How did you know Olivia Reynolds?” I asked again.
“What does Olivia… What?” Troy was confused.
I had to think fast, “I noticed you were friends with her and some of the girls who ODed on Facebook and…
Troy frowned, “It freaked you out? Well, yeah, me too. But didn’t everybody know them?”
He dismissed it. What should I do?
I nodded, thinking, and Troy took that as an invitation to lean closer, saying, “Let’s not talk about it, then. Let’s…”
And, Troy was suddenly an inch from my lips. I moved my head slightly, “But, I’d feel better knowing how you knew them.”
“Fine,” I could tell Troy was getting exasperated. He leaned back and crossed his arms and stood in front of me. “Olivia and I took Art 101 together. She was really creative and we’d have lunch after class, and talk about art. I hadn’t seen her since that class ended, though. Melissa Kent was my math tutor. I suck at math. I don’t know how I’m going to pass now. She was an awesome tutor and okay, we did go out a few times, but nothing ever happened. And, yes, I did date Liz O’Reilly for a second, but we had barely been a couple when she broke up with me. She thought I was dating someone else. I wasn’t. She stopped calling me back. Then a couple days later she ended up dead from a drug overdose. I mean, we had texted and it looked like maybe we’d get back together, but we weren’t even officially back together when she died. And, how was I supposed to know they were all doing heroin? It doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“What about Vanessa Martin?” I asked.
“Who?” Troy’s brows were furrowed together.
“Vanessa Martin,” I repeated.
Troy shook his head, “I don’t know a Vanessa Martin.”
Okay, that was weird. Jenna said her sister had dated him and even though she hadn’t remembered his last name, but come on, it had to be the same Troy! How many could there be in this small circle of girls? It was too much of a coincidence unless Troy was just lying to me to cover his tracks or he really was a major player and couldn’t remember the names of all the girls he had dated.
Troy seemed puzzled for a second longer, “Wait, I did date a girl named Jenna Martin the summer after high school, but that was a long time ago. Wait, maybe she did have a sister named Vanessa. I kind of remember that, maybe. It ended really badly. Why are you bringing her up?”
Hold on one second, I thought Jenna said that Vanessa had dated Troy. Was I confused? I was sure I wasn’t. That’s why I wasn’t sure how to proceed. Was Troy the one I should be questioning? Had Jenna lied about Troy? Why? Did she date him? Or was Troy lying after all? Somehow, I doubted that. Why admit to knowing either sister at that point? That pointed me right back at Jenna. Okay, now I was really confused.
Troy took my silence as an invitation to get back to what he thought we were starting. His arms took back their positions on either side of the game console. I should ask him more about Jenna or was it Vanessa, I thought, but it was quickly wiped away by realizing that Troy was going to kiss me.
I was going to get my first kiss ever. I closed my eyes and…nothing. I opened them and saw Ethan pulling Troy away from me.
“What are you doing, dude?” Troy was saying, totally caught off guard, since he thought he was going to be kissing me, not being attacked by some other guy.
“Stay away from her,” Ethan said, trying to pull Troy even further away from me.
And, then to my astonishment, Ethan punched Troy in the face. Troy was surprised by it too because he didn’t even try to protect himself from the hit. Besides, Troy was way more muscular than Ethan and I was pretty sure he could hold his own in a fight. Troy staggered backwards, but almost immediately bounced back, his gaze on Ethan. They eyed each other.
“What is going on?” Ariel was standing in the doorway, hands on her hips, super annoyed.
I was just standing there with my mouth open, shocked. Troy’s eye was swelling up, but he didn’t seem to notice as he glared at Ethan.
“What’s going on man?” Troy backed further away from Ethan. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Stay away from her
,” Ethan said quietly.
They stared at each other for a moment. The tension was building. Ariel and I watched.
Troy turned to look at me, where I was still leaning against the Ms. Pac Man console, in shock. “Your friend obviously has some kind of issue. Why don’t you call me when you get it sorted out?”
I nodded. With that, Troy walked past Ariel and out of the restaurant. Ethan watched him, still shielding me. Ariel seemed at a loss for what to do. I stood frozen by the game console.
“I’m leaving too,” Ariel decided and then she threw a final jab at Ethan, “Ethan Ripley, you’re a fucking lousy date.”
And, Ariel turned and walked away. Ethan and I were left alone in the arcade.
“I guess we’re stuck with the check,” I volunteered, giggling nervously. I think I was in shock.
Ethan didn’t laugh. “We’re leaving.”
I suddenly felt like some older brother I didn’t even have had caught me making out with some guy, except that I hadn’t even made out with Troy. Ethan took my hand as if he was afraid that I was going to leave him too. It wasn’t as romantic this time since I could tell Ethan was pretty mad at me. He was probably afraid I’d go after Troy and I actually might have if I thought I could get away from Ethan.
Ethan dragged us both back to our booth, flagged down the waitress and paid the check, while I watched him in dumbfounded silence. Ethan Ripley, most popular guy in school, had punched another guy trying to protect my honor…kind of. We walked back to the car in silence.
The silence didn’t last too long, though, because as soon as Ethan slammed his car door shut, Ethan turned to me, “I thought we talked about going off alone with Troy! What did you think you were doing?”
“Ethan, we were in the middle of The Burger. It’s not like he was going to do anything to me,” I started.
