“We wanted to see if you wanted to go for a ride today. We didn’t know you had company,” Kent retorts.
Turning to me, Jeremy asks, “Would you like to go on a ride today? I mean, we usually go for a few hours.”
“Sure,” I reply, with a smile. “I would like to shower though, if that is alright.”
“Do you need help?” Josh quips with a grin.
Suddenly, Jeremy slugs him in the arm. “Don’t talk to her that way. Hands off Josh.”
“Grrr,” Josh teases. “Relax, I will behave.”
I roll my eyes. “I will be back in a few.”
“Yeah, hours,” Jeremy says with a smile. I smack him across the head. He grabs my arm and pulls me onto his lap. “Don’t start a fight you can’t win.”
“I could take you,” I snidely retort.
Josh and Kent laugh. Kent agrees, “Probably.”
Jeremy gets an appalled look on his face. “Maybe I can’t kick your ass, but I sure can take Josh.”
“Oh, geez,” I moan.
“Hey, I should teach you a few things Isabelle,” Kent says to me.
My eyes get wide. “I don’t think I could defend myself if I tried.”
“That’s not a good thing,” Jeremy replies. “We will have to teach you the basics.”
Shaking my head, I just sigh. “Alright, I will probably just hurt myself.”
“You need to be able to hurt someone else, not yourself,” Kent chuckles.
“Yeah, well I will try, that’s all I can give you.” I try and get off of Jeremy’s lap, but he just holds me in place. Looking at him, I say, “Can I go take a shower now?”
Smiling, he says, “Sure. Have fun.”
“Hopefully you don’t die from something inside that bathroom,” Josh yells, as I walk away. “There is probably a monster hiding somewhere in the mess.”
I hear the smack of Jeremy punching him again. Grabbing my bag, I head into the bathroom. It is kind of a mess. Not necessarily dirty, but he has stuff everywhere. I shove all his dirty clothes into the corner, and then put all my toiletries in the shower. Stripping off my pajamas, I put them nicely on the counter. The shower doesn’t take long to get hot, which is nice.
After I shampoo my hair, I put conditioner in it and grab my body wash. Suddenly, there is banging on the door. “Uh, yes?” I yell.
“I have to pee really badly,” Jeremy shouts back.
“You didn’t think about this BEFORE I got into the shower!?”
There is a groan on the other side of the door. “I didn’t have to urinate then.”
“What do you want me to do?” I snap.
“Just stay in the shower!” He replies.
I hear the door open and I scream, “JEREMY!”
“I have to go,” he mumbles. “Just stay in the shower.”
Covering my face, I am mortified. “I cannot believe you are doing this.”
“RELAX, I can’t see you,” Jeremy sighs, as he goes to the bathroom.
“I am going to kill you when you get out of here!” I growl. There is the drop of the toilet seating being lowered back down, but I don’t hear anything else. So, I stand there for a minute. Suddenly, the curtain is slapped. I scream and jump.
Jeremy just laughs on the other side. “How uncomfortable are you right now?”
“What do you think!? I have barely been around guys. Now, there is one on the other side of the curtain, while I am in the shower. On a discomfort level, I am at a ten!”
“I could just stay in here and we could talk,” he says, obviously leaning against the counter.
Pleading, I say, “Jeremy, PLEASE, leave the bathroom.”
“Fffiinnnneee,” he draws out. “Hurry up.” I hear him open and shut the door.
My heart is going about a million miles an hour. I just stand there for a while in shock. Finally, I just shake my head and rinse out my conditioner.
A while later, I am dressed and putting the curling product into my hair. There is a light knock on the door. Walking over I rip it open. Jeremy is leaning against the door frame with a huge grin on his face. “I wanted to come check on you.”
I bring my foot back and kick him square in the shin. He grabs his leg and starts hopping around. “Don’t you dare come into the bathroom while I am in the shower ever again!”
There is a burst of laughter from the living room. “Awesome shot!” Kent yells.
“Don’t encourage her!” Jeremy retorts.
Crossing my arms, I say, “Really? Would you want some girl to walk into the bathroom while you were in the shower?” Jeremy just looks at me. I put my hand up and snap, “Don’t even answer that!”
“Are you ready yet?” Josh shouts.
“Yes,” I reply. “Sorry if I took a while.”
Kent stands up as I walk back into the living room. “Don’t worry. Cassandra takes about ten times longer.”
“Here,” Jeremy growls, “Take your phone.”
“Oh,” I sigh sarcastically, “Are you mad at me?”
He comes up really close to me and whispers, “Pay back will come, oh you wait, it will come.”
With a disgusted look, I say, “You can’t kick me. I am a girl!”
“I would never hurt you, geesh,” he retorts. “But payback comes in many forms.”
“What’s worse than what you did?” I ask.
Arching his eyebrow, Jeremy murmurs, “I could have pulled the curtain back.”
“I would have stabbed you.”
“You shower with knives!?” Kent yells. “Sweet!”
That makes me bust out laughing. Jeremy nudges me and says, “I put music on your phone. So here.” He hands me some ear buds. “You can have some theme music while we ride.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. Thanks,” I say, with a smile.
“Makes you wish you didn’t kick me in the shin, huh? Feel bad now?” He asks.
Scoffing, I say, “No! You still were an ass for coming in.”
“Ah, you love me, don’t deny it,” Jeremy says, as he smacks me on the butt. My jaw drops and he just laughs.
We go outside and I see two other bikes. One is red and the other is a sports bike. “Who has the blue bike?” I ask.
“That would be mine,” Josh replies.
“He feels like he needs to make up what he lacks with a crotch rocket,” Kent laughs.
Jeremy exclaims, “Ouch! There is an actual girl here. Don’t bruise his ego too much.”
“Hey, Isabelle, do you want to go on a real ride?” Josh inquires with a seductive tone.
“Umm,” I say, looking at Jeremy.
Getting a shocked look on his face, Jeremy sneers, “You are ditching me to go on a ride with Josh. Izzy, I am hurt.”
“Well, you know, you want me to have more experiences with boys, and he is a guy, no wait, a man, but saying that makes it sound dirty.”
Kent laughs and Jeremy actually looks hurt. “I thought riding was our thing.”
“It is,” I sigh, feeling like a shmuck. “I will ride with you.”
Jeremy bursts out laughing. “I was only kidding, but there is no other girl that I would want to take on my bike other than you.”
“Yeah, until some hot chick comes along that has you drooling. Then you will want to show off your bike a lot more to her than me,” I retort with a smile.
“Izzy, I can say this now. You are above the girls I have dated. I mean I may get a girlfriend and that changes things, but you are my friend and that means more than a casual date here or there.”
“Oh my gosh,” I gasp. “That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard.”
Josh retorts, “Gag me with your cuteness. Are you coming on a real bike, Isabelle?”
“I think I will,” I retort, sticking my tongue out at Jeremy.
Josh starts his bike and puts the back peddles down for me. I hop up and this one feels a little more awkward. Josh turns around and says, “You will need to actually hold onto me. I don’t want to chance you fee
ling uncomfortable. This is different than riding Jeremy’s bike.”
“Okay,” I reply. “I don’t think I will object to hanging onto a cute boy for an hour.” Did I just say that?
“Uh oh Jeremy, Isabelle just called me cute. I may have to flirt with her.”
Jeremy gives Josh a dirty look. “You treat her gently. I don’t want to have to punch you in the face.”
Josh just smirks. “Come on babe, put your helmet on.”
“Hold on,” I say, as I put my ear buds in and start the music. I then slide the helmet on and give the thumbs up. With that, Josh takes off down the road. This motorcycle has a lot more pull to it. I hold on for dear life, because it is a bit scarier.
We cruise around old back highways and through parks. It is a lot of fun. I am also enjoying the music selection that Jeremy has put on my phone. I still can’t believe that this is happening. Things like this don’t really happen. I have always felt so awkward and out of place. It tore at my insides because I longed for companionship for so long. I felt empty all the time.
Art was my only escape. I could go into different worlds and escape my own. Now, I have a gorgeous guy who seems to really be my friend. It doesn’t seem real. I feel like any second he is going to turn on me and laugh, but when I really look at Jeremy, especially in his eyes, I feel safe. He makes me feel wanted, secure and happy. I never thought that would be possible. And now, now I feel comfortable enough to have fun with other people. I would never have been able to laugh and joke around with guys before, but Kent and Josh are so much fun. This is incredible and I am so happy. I can’t help but smile.
An hour and a half later, we pull back up to Jeremy’s apartment. Josh parks his bike and I hop off. “What did you think?” He asks.
“It was awesome, but I am a little sore. It is more of an awkward sitting position,” I reply, trying to stretch.
“See, why you should have stuck with me,” Jeremy says, walking over to me. “You should always stay with my hotness.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh geez Jeremy. Will you not relent on your sexual appeal?”
“I mentioned nothing of sex appeal. So I am sexually appealing to you?” He inquires, with a devilish smirk.
“No!” I snap and laugh at the same time. “I am walking away from you now.”
Kent chuckles. “You think you are so attractive and yet, there is a girl right there that can resist your charm.”
“She is just burying a fiery passion for my good looks,” Jeremy retorts.
“Can I have the keys to get into the apartment?” I ask, with my hand out.
Jeremy pulls them out of his pocket and drops them in my hand. “There you go girl.”
Smiling, I say, “I have had fun, but I should get home. I have laundry to do and all those clothes to deal with.”
“Well, go get your backpack, I will take you home.”
“We can take her,” Kent interjects. “I have to go to Cassandra’s anyway.”
There is a pause as Jeremy’s almost stutters. “Oh, I am usually the only one who takes her to her house.”
I put my hand on him and say, “It’s alright. She probably isn’t back yet.”
“Who isn’t back yet?” Josh asks.
Looking at me out of the corner of his eye, Jeremy just replies slowly, “Her mother.”
My eyes scan both Josh’s and Kent’s faces. Taking a deep breath, I tell them everything. “My mom is an alcoholic. I have never really had any friends and no one knows about it. Jeremy has been the only one who has seen it. I don’t share this information with people normally, but you both seem trustworthy.”
“You are not alone,” Josh says. “My dad was an alcoholic most of my childhood. I was just lucky that my mom left him when we were little. It destroyed his life and ours in ways. I didn’t have a father when I was supposed to. My mom was great, but sometimes a boy needs a father and I didn’t have that.”
I snort. “I have no father and my mom has been drunk most of my life. I have no siblings, cousins…..nothing, no family. Because my mom was such an embarrassment and I was so socially awkward, I kept to myself and had no friends. My mom can work and function, but when she is at home, it’s another story.”
“Well, I understand,” Josh retorts. “So, why don’t I take you home? None of that will faze me.”
“Sounds good,” I reply. I turn and walk right into Jeremy.
He looks down and says, “Are you sure about this?”
Shrugging, I answer, “I think so. Someone, other than you, has to see my world someday right? Your friends don’t go to my school, and I don’t think they are the type to say anything.”
“No, I will kick them somewhere more painful than their shin, if they ever do anything to hurt you.”
That makes me smile. “So protective of me, and we barely know each other.”
“I think we know each other now,” Jeremy replies, as he just stares at me. I look back for the briefest of seconds. He has such pretty eyes and they hold such warmth.
“Not to break you two up,” Kent shouts, “But we have to get going.”
Turning, I shake Jeremy’s keys. “I will go grab my bag and stuff.” So, I sprint upstairs and throw everything into my backpack. When I turn around, I find Jeremy waiting for me in the living room.
“Do you have everything?” He asks.
“Yup, thanks for the great weekend. You have no idea what it has meant to me; especially you letting me stay over. I am glad that I didn’t have to be home by myself.”
Jeremy takes a strand of my hair and puts it behind my ear. “I am always here if you need me.”
“Aren’t you sick of me yet?” I ask. “I am kind of a drag if you want other girls around.”
“I can still go on dates if I want to,” Jeremy replies. “I just haven’t found anyone to go on one with.”
I put my hand on his. “You will, I promise. You are a great guy with so much to offer, and I don’t mean your car and bike. I mean, you personally, have so much to offer a girl.”
“You are so damn sweet,” he chuckles back. “A guy will be very lucky to have YOU. I also mean that.” Bending over he kisses me on the forehead. “You better get going before Kent has a coronary.”
“Okay,” I say, “Bye Jeremy.”
“Bye toots,” he replies. With that I walk out the door and go home.
Luckily my mom isn’t there when I get back. I spend the evening washing all my new clothes. I hang everything up to dry because I don’t want to ruin it right away. Should I wear something tomorrow? I think I will.
Finally, I am making myself a cup of tea in my pajamas, and I hear the front door open. “Mom?” I call out.
“Yeah, who else would it be?” She giggles.
Grabbing my cup of tea, I walk into the living room. That’s when I come face to face with a guy. He is a lot younger than my mom that’s for sure. “Uh, hi,” I mumble.
“Hey,” he drawls out. “My name is Howard.”
“I’m Isabelle,” I say slowly. Howard gives me the willies big time. “It’s nice meeting you, but I am going to bed.”
My stomach turns as I walk past him and go up the stairs. When I get to my room, I lock it. Creepy guy in my living room, creepy guy in my living room. I set my tea down on my night stand and grab a book. Crawling into bed, I open my book and read. Suddenly, I hear a rock song playing. It actually makes me shoot up in bed. I sit there for a moment before going, “OH!” I dash across my room and grab my cell phone.
It says I have a text. It takes me a minute, but I finally open it. The text says: I’m bored.
Really Jeremy? I text him back: I am drinking tea, reading and going to bed.
He responds: That’s right. Someone has SCHOOL in the morning. Ha ha!
Biting my lip, I write: So, there is a creepy guy in my house. His name is Howard. Who names their kid that?
Are you okay!? I get as a reply.
I say: Yeah, locked my door. I am going to drink the rest
of my tea and go to sleep.
Jeremy replies: Fine, talk to you tomorrow. Night babe.
I text: Night stud.
My tea has cooled and I just drink the rest. Turning off my light, I go to sleep. Of course, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Chapter 10
I get ready for school the next morning. I put on a pair of jeans that actually fit me and a fashionable t-shirt. My mom is in the kitchen when I come down for breakfast. She looks at me and says, “Cute outfit.”
“Thanks,” I reply happily. Not much could bring me down right now. “How was your weekend mom?”
“It was fine,” my mom mumbles. She is obviously still feeling the effects of the weekend.
Grabbing an apple, I say, “Well, I am off to school. See you later.”
My mom just waves her hand. Rolling my eyes, I grab my backpack and leave. I plug my ear buds into my phone to listen to music. The weather is nice, but I know it’s going to start to cool down soon. Good thing I picked up some fall clothes. I will have to deal with winter when it gets here. I will probably get a new winter jacket, too. Mine is still in good shape, but isn’t very attractive, but I will donate it to the coat drive in November. I know that makes me sound a little shallow. I don’t like my coat, so I am going to give it to someone else, but someone else will appreciate it more than me. I wish I could just buy a whole bunch of coats and donate them. That would be nice.
The halls aren’t as loud on Mondays, as they are on other days. No one wants to be here after the weekend. For the first time, I am one of those people. I grab my sociology book and shut my locker door. Turning I run into Eric. “Oh hey,” I softly exclaim.
“Did you have a good weekend?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I am sorry I didn’t get to call you. Though I did get a cell phone and you are in it.”
Eric smiles. “That’s good.”
Suddenly, I feel an arm go around my shoulders. I look to see Jack standing there. “Dude, Eric, her boy Jeremy has a 1967 GTO. This thing is awesome! Miss Isabelle here is going to pick me up for school if he lets her take it.”
“That’s cool,” Eric says.
I look at Jack. “I think he should probably replace his tires after Saturday’s stunt.”
The Art of Life Page 16
