“Goodbye for now, Alexis Carmichael.” He stepped onto the elevator.
“Bye,” she said miserably, shedding a few more tears for another friend lost.
~~~
“Hurry, we have a flight to catch,” Carson said urgently when Allie stepped back into the apartment. She cringed at the sight of the guns spread across the table, they never strayed far from her father’s side when they traveled.
“Pack quickly,” Lily said, adjusting the Beretta at her hip.
“Sorry, only what will fit in the car,” Carson added.
Without a word, Allie marched to her bedroom and slammed the door. They hadn’t left in a scramble like this in a long time, but she was no stranger to these sudden clandestine moves.
She worked in haste, stuffing her small suitcase with the things she couldn’t bear to part with. Shoving her headphones and ancient, pre-wifi iPod into her shoulder bag, she surveyed the room and absently checked for the antique pendant at her throat before she turned to go.
“So what’s the story this time?” she asked when she joined her mother in the living room. But Allie knew she wouldn’t get a direct answer. They were never exactly forthcoming with the details on nights like this.
“Save your questions for later. We have to go now.”
Allie tossed her cheap flip-phone onto the coffee table as she passed. She didn’t even need to check to know the service was already disconnected. The few friends she had in Sydney would never be able to reach her.
“I know this isn’t fair,” her mother apologized again.
Allie didn’t spare a final glance around the apartment that had been home for only a few short months. With a last pang of resentment and a heavy heart, she followed her parents into the night.
Squaring her shoulders and drying her eyes, she knew she had to put it all behind her. Gavin, Navid, Sydney, everything. She had to look to the future now. If she didn’t, this would tear her apart.
I refuse to go back to the way things were. Gavin’s right; I have to put myself out there. It’s time to accept who I am and own it.
“This time will be different,” Carson promised, tossing her belongings into the trunk. “This time we’re going home.”
“Home? Right.” Allie flopped into the backseat.
“Carson, I don’t know about this. It’s too soon!”
“Lil, it’s time. I’m tired of running.” He sighed as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m tired of doing this to our daughter.”
CHAPTER TWO
Allie’s feet pounded against the hard packed dirt as she ran along the secluded trail, the sound of Saint Saeën’s Aquarium loud in her ears. It was still the middle of the night for most people, but she didn’t sleep much these days. She liked her new home on Kelleys Island, but the whole move to Cleveland, Ohio reeked of unanswered questions. Questions she knew not to ask.
Today was her first day at the prestigious Cliffton Academy, and she wasn’t looking forward to it. She’d changed schools often enough to know what to expect, and she hadn’t suffered from new school nerves in years. She just didn’t know if she had it in her to start over again.
Gavin would want me to try. She’d picked up the phone a dozen times over the weekend, but never finished dialing before she chickened out. She didn’t know what to say to him. In her mind, that door was closed. He was in the past, and as much as she missed him, she knew they both needed to move on. Calling him would only prolong their misery.
As the song changed to Pavane, Allie heard heavy footsteps echoing behind her. She had company. Another runner following at a discrete distance. He was curious and incredibly annoyed with her—if her instincts were right—which they almost always were.
She continued along the path, increasing her pace, but the footsteps grew louder as he left the trail to crash through the woods.
So much for my nice quiet morning.
She felt dizzy. Her head swam and her ears filled with a rush of white noise.
Should’ve had breakfast before I left.
Allie ran faster, hoping to push through the nausea. She looked over her shoulder expecting to catch a glimpse of him, but she crashed into something hard instead. She toppled to the ground in a tangle of tattooed limbs.
“Dammit! Watch where you’re going!” a gruff voice sounded in her ear.
“Sorry!”
“Your knee is crushing my spine, sweetheart.”
“Crap! Sorry!” She scrambled to her feet and reached to help him up.
His hand was warm and his grip, firm and confident. Allie waited for him to pull away with the flustered reaction she’d come to expect, but it never happened. She was completely thrown by his lack of response to her touch.
She met his steely gaze and her breath hitched in her throat. He towered over her—but almost everyone did. He was angry, but only one thought came to her mind.
Friend.
“Didn’t mean to scare you.” His cold demeanor faded along with his gruff tone. He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from hers. “I tried to call out before I got too close, but either your hearing sucks or your music was freakishly loud.”
“Probably both.” She laughed nervously.
Don’t be a dork, Allie! She tended to fall apart in awkward social situations.
“Aidan McBrien.” He offered his hand like he was eager for the excuse to touch her again. “I live just up the beach. New to the city, right?”
“Um, yeah.” She nodded, distracted by the way his hand closed around hers so easily. He seemed relaxed and had an easygoing, friendly tone, but his body language said otherwise. He stared at their joined hands, fascinated by the contact. Their eyes met again, and they both smiled. The tension between them evaporated in that instant.
Something in Aidan’s eyes set her at ease. She couldn’t stop staring, mesmerized by the tattoos crossing his bare chest and arms. They reminded her of hieroglyphs and cuneiform markings, like a work in progress—a story only half told. The artist in her wanted to examine them more thoroughly, but the girl in her wanted to trace them with her fingertips.
“And you are?” he prodded. His mischievous smile was enough to send her into more nervous stuttering.
“Oh! Um, Alexis Carmichael.” She was mortified when she felt her face flush scarlet. “But I prefer Allie.”
“Nice to meet you. Sorry I scared you. Bad habit of mine.”
“No damage done.”
Aidan was clearly distracted as they walked along the path together in a comfortable silence. There was a faint light in the sky now, and she was able to study his features more closely. He was frowning as if perplexed. His longish, dark brown hair tumbled into his face and his warm brown eyes were alight with confusion and curiosity, and something else—something like hope.
“What brings you to Kelleys Island, Lex?” he asked. She didn’t correct his use of the hated nickname. He could call her whatever he liked.
“Parents’ new jobs. The usual.”
“You know it’s not generally considered very polite to show up unannounced,” he said. “But I won’t hold it against you, although your parents should check in with mine. My father is Greggory McBrien and my mother is Naeemah El Sadawii.” He announced it like they were celebrities.
“So your parents aren’t married?” was the only thing Allie could think to say.
“Of course they are.”
“Oh, your mom didn’t change her last name? That’s seriously cool.”
“Yeah … she’d like to think so.” He seemed bewildered, staring at her like she had three heads.
“Will you be going to Cliffton Academy?” He rushed to change the subject.
“Yes, today’s my first day.”
“That’s why you’re out here running at the crack of dawn? Nerves getting to you?”
“Not really, I’ve done this a hundred times,” she said. “I guess I’m just trying to psych myself up for it again. Sometimes it’s just easier to crawl back into my nic
e comfortable shell and keep to myself, you know?”
“I believe I do.” His arrogant smirk sent her heart racing. “But at least there will be one friendly face in the crowd. I’ll introduce you to my sister and our friends.”
This is actually going well! It was kind of amazing how at ease they were together. They were almost back to her house now, and she didn’t want to leave. She was eager to spend time with him, eager to touch him, to see if he really was as unaffected by her as he seemed.
“Sorry about before.” He motioned back to the path behind them, running his fingers through his hair anxiously. He obviously wanted to linger as well.
“Sorry for crushing your spine.”
“You’re little, it’s okay.” His face lit up with an impish grin.
Allie stumbled over the uneven cobblestones and Aidan reached out to steady her. She felt the heat of his touch first, and then a swell of rage quickly followed.
“You want to keep that hand?” she snarled, surprising herself with her response as she whirled around to face him.
“Whoa! Sorry about that, I was just—” he threw his hands up and took an uncertain step back.
“Aidan, I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” Her breath came in short startled gasps.
Now he thinks I’m totally neurotic. Good job, Allie!
“No damage done.” He winked, giving her words back to her. “You’re certainly different, aren’t you, Lex?”
“I don’t know. Is that good-different, or I-should-come-with-a-warning-label-different?” She laughed, marveling at how easy it was to be herself with him.
Aidan took a step closer. His nearness made her heart skip as she caught his earthy male scent of cologne and sweat mixed with a hint of mint.
He leaned in, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, his fingertips lingering along her jaw. For one insane moment, she thought he might kiss her and she almost swallowed her tongue.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say both.” His hand fell to her shoulder. “See you at school.” His fingers ran down the length of her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.
He left her gaping as he jogged off toward the cliffs in the distance.
I’m in so much trouble with that one. She rubbed her arm where her skin was still warm and tingly from his touch. Aidan seemed strong and confident, and not the least bit intimidated by her. They were wary of each other, but underneath the shock, there was something amazing between them. She was eager to find out just exactly what that was.
~~~
Allie sat in a corner booth, enjoying her last few moments of solitude. She took the early ferryboat into the city, but when she arrived at the impressive Art Deco gates of Cliffton Academy, she wimped out and ducked into a coffee shop on the next block. She had a meeting with the headmistress soon but was determined to put it off as long as possible.
From her vantage point, she watched the students among the businessmen and women shuffling down Saint Claire Avenue. Everyone in a Cliffton uniform appeared to be the silver spoon type.
This place is so not me.
“Aidan!” She heard an insipid giggle drift in from the noisy street. “When are you going to take me for a ride in your BMW?”
“Sorry, sweetheart, I wrapped it around a tree a few weeks ago.”
Allie watched the exchange. Aidan was very different. He even sounded different, arrogant and full of himself.
“Hasn’t your dad bought you a new one yet?”
“I’m afraid I am grounded and at the mercy of my sister for transportation for the foreseeable future.”
“Well, maybe I can take you for a ride in my little Mercedes sometime?”
“Sure, maybe.” He walked into the shop with the girl on his arm. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Allie, like he expected her to be exactly where he found her. He beamed his incredible smile at her and took a step toward her table.
“Aidan!” Another polished and coiffed brunette practically lit up for him.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He gave her a forced smile; completely unlike the one he’d just given Allie.
That is not the guy I met this morning.
She watched him approach the counter with an arm around each girl. His laughter was strained and he looked uncomfortable.
He has absolutely no idea who he is. She frowned. Friends, Allie. Nothing more.
“Brianna. I’m sorry, I just don’t date Cliffton girls.” She heard a pleasant voice behind her.
“Vincent, why not?” The stunning blond pouted her perfectly painted lips.
“I’m not the Cliffton type.”
He was kind but firm in his rejection. He was also the first person Allie had seen in a school uniform that didn’t have “trust fund brat” stamped across his forehead. He moved confidently and was totally at ease with himself.
And that is a guy who knows exactly who he is. He was so much more approachable. Not as intense.
Safe.
“Vince! Coffee’s getting cold!”
Allie turned to see a petite girl with beautiful, waist-length blond hair waiting for him.
“Thanks, Kayla!” He jogged to catch up with his friend.
“Hey, Lex.” Aidan left his collection of girls at the counter to slip into the booth beside her. There was something strange about his behavior, like he was hiding behind a mask that hadn’t been there this morning.
“You know, I really hate that name.” This was fake Aidan, and she wasn’t sure she liked him.
“It suits you.”
“I prefer Allie.”
“Aidan? Come on! Stop flirting with everything in a skirt and let’s go!” Allie heard the subtle Haitian-French accent over the din of the barista. Her head whirled with all the noise. It was like everyone was speaking at top volume.
“This screaming harpy is my big sister, Sasha.”
She looked up into the kind blue eyes of a tall, caramel-skinned girl who belonged on a runway somewhere exotic.
“You were serious?” Sasha rolled her eyes, her outrageously curly hair bouncing.
“Adopted sister,” he amended, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
“I thought he made you up to screw with me.” Sasha beamed a bright smile as she slipped into the booth—taking the seat furthest from Allie.
“Who’re your parents? Did they check in—?”
“Sasha, don’t you have coffees to order?” Aidan cut her off with a warning glare.
Yeah, I don’t like this Aidan. He’s an ass.
“Fine, hog the new girl,” she huffed in her subtle accent. “You’re a junior, right? I’ll see you in class later? We’ll talk?”
“Sure.” Allie liked the sister. She kept her distance the way most people did, but she also seemed willing and eager to overlook the awkward chasm between them. It reminded her of the way Gavin tried so hard to befriend her when they first met.
“She talks too much.” Aidan watched his sister move to the counter with her friends. “But she’s awesome. Just don’t tell her I said that.” He winked.
The mask was gone and the real Aidan was back. Allie couldn’t keep up.
“The tall, dark, quiet one over there is my best friend, Quinn. He’s a senior. He’s been around Sasha too long, so he doesn’t talk much. The short, pale, hungry looking one, ordering half the bakery, is his little brother, Graham. He’s the most genuinely kind person I know. You’ll love him.”
“I take it at least one of them is adopted?” She noted the ethnic differences between the brothers.
“They both are.”
“So am I!” She didn’t often meet other adopted kids her age, so to meet four in one day was strange.
“Interesting coincidence,” he said dryly.
“The cute Asian girl with Graham is our friend, Chloe. She’s the only one of us not adopted.” His smile was sincere and full of love for his friends, but there was some sadness there too, as if he saw himself as an outsider.
Allie
observed them from a distance. They were a close group, sharing the kind of deep friendship that came from growing up together. It was the one thing she’d always wanted but never had. She felt like she was staring at her future. A future she wanted very badly but was afraid it would disappear the moment she felt like she belonged.
CHAPTER THREE
“Alexis Ann Mareé Carmichael! Get back in this house right now!” Lily shouted from the terrace balcony of Allie’s bedroom.
“Crap! Four-named. That can’t be good.” Allie wandered through the mass of rooms and stairs of the rambling old church until she finally found her room. She hadn’t come the same way twice since they arrived. The church-house was great, especially the bell tower that was now her bedroom suite, but the guesthouse across the gardens was a bit much considering they didn’t know anyone. Her parents were so wonderfully weird. No cul-de-sac with granite countertops and white picket fences for The Carmichael’s. They were far too unique for such normalcies.
“We need those ‘you are here’ maps.” Allie scowled as she drifted into her bedroom, but Lily glowered right back at her.
“Jeez, what’d I do this time?” She flopped onto her bed.
“We haven’t been in this house two weeks and you’ve already painted your walls?”
“I paint when I’m stressed, Ma. It helps me think.”
“Is it school?” Lily instantly made the switch to mom-mode. “I thought your first week went well?”
“No, Ma, school’s fine. I’m still just really confused about this move. It’s different.”
Emerge: The Volunteer: An Emerge Short Story Page 4
