“Look Mercy,” she said and I was quieted because she rarely called me by my given name. In fact I don’t remember when the last time was.
“Brent said that Luke and Flynn got into it after we left Dewey’s Saturday.” Why hadn’t she called me before now to tell me this? Before I accuse her, I closed my mouth and decided to hear her out. Maybe she hadn’t heard this until recently.
She hesitated, “It didn’t come to blows, but apparently it was all about you.” I felt my eyebrows raise as my eyes widened as far as they could.
“Yeah, you’re hearing me correctly. I haven’t had the chance to get the whole story yet, but I’m going over Brent’s house tonight after football practice.” Besides this news, alarm bells rang in my head. It wasn’t a good idea for those two to be together alone.
“Maggs, what are you doing? Do you think that’s a good idea?” I said nearly pleading with my words. We understood each other well after all these years. She knew the conversation had changed and what I was referring to.
She nearly smiled. “You think that I’m going to,” she stopped then said, “No, we barely been together. I like him a lot but I don’t love him yet.” We were talking about her virginity.
I sighed. “But still,” I said.
“Don’t worry, it’s a group gathering.”
Then my emotions changed yet again. I felt slighted. I hadn’t been invited.
Maggie picking up on it said, “I’m sure Luke will invite you,” I was sure if anyone else witness this conversation, they’d assume she could read my mind. But it was much more than that. It was years of friendship and sharing everything like sisters that made us this close. There’d been times especially when she was focused on any one boy our bond would loosen. But in the end we’d come together like a rubber band.
“I can’t,” I said. “I’ve got that English project, thing.” I was sure the gathering would include Nina and Flynn and I just really didn’t have time for either.
“Oh, yeah, I do too. Well it’s not until later anyway.”
When the first warning bell rang, we gathered our stuff and left the restroom. Maggie and I parted. We didn’t have the same class. As I continued down the hall Flynn fell in step with me.
“You could thank me,” he said.
Barely turning in his direction I scowled and rolled my eyes. “I could scream bloody murder too.” I said flippantly.
“You know you’re a tough one,” he said.
I turned to look at him, “I’m the one that doesn’t care.”
“Ouch, you hurt my feelings.”
“Will you leave me alone then?” I ask with a mocking smile on my face.
“Yes, please leave,” the voice said from my left said. Turning to my savior, I saw Luke had found me too. This was not good. Nina’s words had been heard by passersby and those seated in tables near to us. The rumors were surely swirling. Added to that, I now knew Flynn and Luke had argued over me which I fully hadn’t processed. This wasn’t exactly a good time for me to be sandwiched in between the two of them. Luke’s arm came around my waist as I looked up at Flynn.
Flynn looked disappointed but it faded quickly. “My bad,” he said and stopped.
Luke and I continued forward. Not sure what else to do, his hand came from around my waist and took my hand.
“What class do you have?” he asked.
My heart was beating like jungle drums in my chest as I caught the looks of people checking out the new development.
“Um, Pre-Cal.” I said.
“Ms. Whitten or Mr. Brewer?” he asked.
“Mr. Brewer.”
He must have known where his classroom was because he guided me there without directions. Reaching the door he pulled me to the side next to a bank of lockers out of the way of incoming students.
Looking down into my eyes he said, “I’m really sorry about Nina and Flynn.”
I looked up and into the depths of his beautiful eyes. I saw myself reflected in them. “Not your fault,” I said softly captured in his gaze.
He leaned down a whisper away from my lips while my heart stopped in anticipation. Apparently my brain was cut off from communication as the little angel inside my head shouted Don’t. No part of me responded to the warning.
Extremely close his lips brushed mine before they moved and kissed my cheek. During this I held still. He whispered, “I’ll find you after school,” right before his body moved from mine taking his warmth with him. He headed down the hall to his own class. Not breathing, I stood there for a few more moments as a few of my fellow classmates gaped at me when they entered the classroom. After I caught my breath, I made my way to my seat flushed with heat.
Let me just say, I didn’t learn anything in math class that day. I couldn’t even tell you what unit we were on. I was analyzing ever nuance of that brief encounter. When the bell rung, I leaped out of my seat and nearly glided to my next class. I shared AP French with my best friends. I waited outside the door for Maggie who had this and last period with me.
“He nearly kissed you in the hallway in front of the class,” she said after I’d given her the story that began after we parted from the bathroom through to the near kiss. I looked at her. “I said that too loud huh?” she said. I nodded.
We walked into class and sat at our seats next to each other. Paul strode in. It was the one class we shared. He’d taken one year of Spanish in middle school before changing to French which is why he shared this class with us. But there were several other seniors in here as well. I looked at Maggie to warn her we would need to keep are conversation at a minimum.
Paul sat in the seat behind me and leaned forward. “What the hell, Merce. It’s all over school that you and Nina had a fight over Luke,” he whispered.
I turned sharply to my right so that I could see both Paul and Maggie. “We didn’t,” I said sharply. That spurious rumor would easily mingle with the others about me. There was just nothing I could do to stop it.
Then Mrs. Mott walked in. “S’il vous plait activer vos livres a la page deux cent trente neuf.” Class had begun.
Chapter Ten
fortuitous (adj.) happening by chance, often lucky or fortunate
Huddled in with Paul, Maggie and I filled him in on the day’s events. Of course, first we’d question him deeply about his whereabouts at lunch. Maggie too had noticed his and Amber’s absence. He turned beet red and declined to answer.
Standing by Maggie’s car in the parking lot, first Amber then Brent sauntered up. Amber tangled herself in Paul’s arms and Brent hugged Maggie’s shoulder. Brent looked at all of us, “So you guys coming over tonight?”
Amber swiveled in Paul’s arms swinging her hair looking up at him to get his answer. For a fleeting moment I have to admit I was a bit jealous. Paul rested his arms on her shoulders leaning his forehead to hers. Love struck eyes past between them before he nodded and silently she nodded back in agreement. Lifting his head and turning to the rest of us, Paul said, “Yeah, we’re in. What about you Merce?” His eye met mine.
I looked at him hoping my face wouldn’t betray my feelings. I turned to a safer option. I met Maggie’s eyes before answering. She looked extremely happy. But I ,on the other hand, had clear memories of Friday night and I had no desire repeating it.
Before I could say anything, Flynn walked over hand in hand with Amanda. “What’s up guys?”
Brent said, “Just seeing who’s coming over tonight?”
I felt an arm come around me and pull me into a solid chest. “Hey,” Luke said in my ear from behind me. His voice was light but husky. I could feel the flush in my cheeks but I made no move to push away. It felt nice.
“Luke, you in tonight?” Flynn asked. My choice of saying no felt like it was about to be stolen away.
“Sure,” he said.
Paul said, “Well, see you tonight,” and walked off with Amber. Flynn followed with Amanda in toe. Maggie told me she’d be right back and I was left alone with Luke.
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br /> He spun me around so I was facing him. His blue eyes seemed to mesmerize me. “Are you coming tonight?” he asked.
I looked down and away because watching him made me think twice about my reply. My mom was working second shift. That meant she wouldn’t be home until after eleven. Even still I found myself saying, “Not tonight.”
“Can I possibly change your mind?” he asked with palpable hope. If anyone could, it would be him.
I hesitated. “Not tonight,” I said, repeating myself.
“Luke,” Flynn yelled back to us. “You’re gonna be late for practice.”
He waved him off. “Well, I guess I have to go. I’ll call you later,” he said, before again brushing his lips over mine leaving them tingling. If he kept that up, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.
At home after finishing my homework, I sat on the sofa in the family room with my seventh and eighth grade yearbooks. Instead of hanging out with everyone, I was looking into the past. I flipped through looking for Luke, Flynn, Brent and the rest. Pausing I’d found my picture. I’d looked so young and hopeful of life. Then, I hadn’t known what I was and the future was bright. The television had been just background noise until something the news anchor said caught my attention.
The bold red box on the television read ‘breaking news’. The news caster said that missing women were feared dead. Police suggest all women be vigilant, especially when alone. I looked up as if I could see the front door. Had I locked it? An on seen reporter began to talk and I grabbed the remote to turn up the volume.
In short, one missing girl had been found dead. Troubling for the police had been no apparent cause of death. They were looking for a person of interest for questioning. It turned out to be her missing boyfriend. They showed a sketch of the would be boyfriend. The pencil drawing bore no resemblance to anyone I knew. What troubled me about the story was that the both the current missing girl and the victim were from towns close to mine. The missing girl actually lived on campus at American University, but was home for the weekend. The town she lived in bordered mine.
Shivering, I got up from my perch on the sofa. Slowly aware of the silence of the house with the television now off, I headed to the front door. I could see that the door was locked but I had to make sure. In fact after unlocking and relocking it, I went and check the locks on all the windows in the house on the lower level before I headed to the kitchen.
Safely with the tools of my craft and a little music from my ipod positioned in my ihome, I shook feel of my passing fear with preparations for dinner. There was nothing like cooking to sooth whatever bothered me. My grandmother had enjoyed cooking. I’d been too young then to learn from her, but I was sure it was from her that I’d gotten the joy of cooking. Tonight I needed comfort food to wallow in. Everyone would be headed to or already at Brent’s hanging out while I was home alone. Only if I had enough courage to face my demons, including Flynn, could I be there as well joking around.
I was chopping spring onions when a fortuitous knock came at my door. Nervously, I jumped at the sound nearly dicing my finger. I hesitated for a moment. I wasn’t sure if I should carry the knife to the door. I groaned at the thought. But then it dawned on me that it might just be Flynn on the other side of it. But I remembered he was at Brent’s house. Maggie, Paul and Luke were there was well, so silly or not I carried the knife with me to the door. I moved forward down the hall slowly. The memory of the reported dead girl had me stopping and asking who it was before I opened it.
“It’s Luke,” the voice said. It sure sounded like him.
I opened the door surprised by his appearance. He stood tall in the doorway with lightly damp hair, a crisp white shirt and jeans. Not expecting him I got a view of his amazing face and could help but wonder how I’d landed him. “You’re here.” I said leaning on the door. “Are you here fortuitously or was this your plan all along?”
“Fate maybe. I’d hope to convince you to come with me. I don’t want to go alone.”
I smiled. He had me caught in his web, but I stayed strong. “I’m just not up to it tonight,” I said, watching his every movement on the porch.
“Can I come in then?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said stepping to the side to let him in.
He stood in the hallway waiting when I turned from closing the door. He hesitated before saying, “You hungry?”
“Yes, actually,” I began.
“I can go get us something to eat,” he said cutting in.
“No, that’s ok,” I said and watched a puzzled expression cross his face. I had been so surprised to see him I wasn’t thinking very well. “I mean, I was about to cook anyway. You’re welcome to join me.”
“You cook?” he asked, genuinely amazed.
“Nothing fancy tonight, I was about to make burgers and fries,” I said, turning to make my way back to the kitchen.
“You do fancy?” he asked.
“On occasion, but tonight comfort food is on the menu,” I said with a grin. But I would explore my culinary skills now that I had company and make sure my burger was a bit gourmet.
He sat on a bar stool while I pulled more ingredients out of the refrigerator. I set up my baby fry daddy to begin heating the oil. When I grabbed some potatoes his eyes grew large.
“You’re going to make French fries from scratch?”
“Yes,” I said on a laugh.
“Can I help?”
“Do you know how to peel potatoes?” I asked.
“How hard can it be?” he said with a shrug.
So I showed him and left him to do it while finished chopping spring onions to mixed my hamburger meat. He’d worked wonders, cutting my prep time in half. With the potatoes cut and ready for the fry daddy, I placed the patties on the grill insert for our gas stove. I dove into a question I’d been thinking about.
“So tell me about Nina,” I said casually, scooping up a handful of cut fries I’d seasoned lightly. Sizzling oil popped while I waited for Luke to answer.
Silence hung in the air before he finally said, “Are we really going to talk about ex-girlfriends?”
“Not normally, but this one has my name written in blood,” I said teasingly, still hopeful he might answer.
He paused again as if deciding his words carefully. “She’ll get over it.”
Flippantly, I retorted “Like Carrie did after the pig’s blood incident at the Prom?” I said referring to the classic horror movie titled Carrie.
“Who’s Carrie?” Luke asked.
“It’s like a classic horror film. Carrie get’s pig blood dumped on her as she’s named prom queen. With her unstable telekinetic ability she rages onto a bloodbath. Of course, I’m talking about the original film from 1976,” I babbled.
He looked at me with quizzical eyes and I begin to see the blunder I made. “I guess you don’t like horror films,” I said, sadly.
“I’ve seen some,” he said. “Just not one’s made in the seventies.”
“Never mind then.”
“Do you have the movie?”
I eyed him suspiciously not sure how to answer because well I did. I looked away pretending to check on the food even though I had my timing down. I mumbled, “Yes.”
He laughed, “Then let’s watch it.”
I turned smiling. I couldn’t help it. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, can we watch while we eat,” he said.
With toasted buns, burgers, all the trimmings and hot fries we sat in the family room on plush earth tone sofa and ate. We watched Carrie. Halfway through the movie we finished eating. He put his arm around me and I couldn’t help but to snuggle into his embrace. For the first time in two years, I felt normal. This at least for me was a million times better than hanging out at Brent’s where Flynn and maybe Nina would have been there. We didn’t talk about the bad hair do’s or fashion choices of the seventies but rather about how lonely it must have been for Carrie. Luke amazed me at his insight to the feelings of others. He didn’t
make comments about how hot any girl looked either. He was certainly a figment of my imagination.
Later when we got up so I could walk him to the door, he held my hand. “You’re an excellent cook. I may find myself at your door every evening. My mom isn’t much of a cook and we eat out a lot.”
“I’ll be here,” I said in open invitation. Paul and Maggie both showed up on my doorstep on occasion hungry.
He pulled me to him and I melted in his embrace. He smelled good and I tried to memorize his scent so I could recall it later. He pulled back without giving me his whisper soft kiss across my lips. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
“I should go,” he said, still holding my hand. Our arms were stretched across the threshold. I held on as my body betrayed everything my mind protested against. I should let him leave. But I didn’t want him to go. I didn’t speak a word unsure what part of me the words would come from.
Reading my thoughts he said, “If I stay, I won’t be able to stop myself from kissing you.”
I still didn’t let go. What was wrong with me? I knew better. Life was so freaking unfair.
A moment longer, I uncurled my fingers in resignation. He looked at me with my hand in his. It was his move and I didn’t exhale until he made it. He let go of my hand. “Make sure you lock up,” he said.
He must have heard the news about the missing women. After he stepped away, I closed the door and locked it. But I realized although there was some fear of the predator that could be nearby, what scared me was Luke. I knew I had to find a way to kiss him because it was killing me not to.
Chapter Eleven
alacrity (n.) eagerness, speed
I had a plan that I was prepared to execute by Thursday. In fact, my SAT word of the day was alacrity which meant exactly what I felt, eager, very much so. The days between Monday and Thursday passed by with great ease. Flynn had completely stopped bothering me. In a way, it was really weird after nearly a four day stretch without him in my face or making comments pestering me to hear him out. I know if I thought to long about it, I’d wonder what had been so important for him to speak to me about. But thankfully, I had another distraction.
Beg for Mercy - kindle edition v3 Page 7
