The Art of Life

by Carter, Sarah

  “Sweet, I am overwhelming,” Jeremy says with a grin.

  “Really, are you ever serious?” I ask.

  That seems to egg Jeremy on. He crawls over and lifts himself over me. I just raise an eyebrow. “I can be very serious when needed,” he murmurs.

  “Can you please stop doing that?” I snap.

  “Doing what?” Jeremy replies.

  Waving my hand, I say, “Being all alluring. I am immune to it.”

  He bends down and whispers, “Really,” against my lips. My whole body tenses and my nerves tingle. “I seem to cause some reaction in you.”

  “Well,” I stutter. “Yeah, of course you do, but just stop it.”

  “Why?” Jeremy asks. I can barely see him, but I definitely see him smiling.

  “Because I said so, we are supposed to be going to sleep. If you don’t plan on that, I will go sleep in your bed and you can stay in here.”

  With a groan, Jeremy falls down next to me. “Fine.”

  I roll and face him. “I may not want to jump you, but I wouldn’t mind having you touch me while I sleep.”

  Jeremy lifts his arm up. “Come here then, Miss I am immune to my studliness.”

  “You are ridiculous,” I mutter, as I scoot next to him.

  Pulling me tight against him, Jeremy says, “Most people like to sleep in a spooning position. Are you sure you want to face me?”

  “Then I don’t have to wake up to empty space. It scares me. Like he is going to pop out and get me.”

  “Well, he won’t get anywhere near you. Hey, and this way, you can smell me all night,” Jeremy quips.

  That makes me snort. “That is an added bonus.” I lay my head against his chest and close my eyes. Okay, he does smell good and this feels great. “Night Jeremy,” I whisper.

  “Night Isabelle,” he replies, kissing my head. It doesn’t take me long to fall asleep.

  The next morning, I awake still in Jeremy’s arms. His breathing is steady, telling me he is fast asleep. Part of me just wants to stay this way forever. It feels so good. Knowing very well I can’t, I start to pull away from him. I am almost free, when his arms tighten and pull me back. “Where are you going?” Jeremy mumbles, not even opening his eyes.

  “I am going to go make coffee and use the bathroom,” I whisper.

  He huffs, nestling up next to me. “Are you going to make coffee in the bathroom?”

  I laugh. “Yes, it gives it extra zest.”

  “Gross Isabelle. I don’t want you to go. I want to sleep more.”

  “Then sleep,” I reply. “Why do I need to be here?”

  Jeremy opens one eye and replies, “Because this feels good.”

  “It does, I know, but I am fully awake.”

  Shrugging, Jeremy says, “I don’t care. You can be my human teddy bear.”

  “This teddy bear will wet the bed pretty soon,” I state, pushing away from him.

  With a groan, Jeremy lets go of me. I get out of bed and stand up. He rolls over onto his stomach and goes back to sleep. With a smirk, I turn and walk out of the room.

  When the coffee is brewing, I go and use the bathroom. I check out my neck and grimace. Wish there was a way to make that heal faster. I brush my teeth while I am in there. I am living with a boy now. No need for morning breath. A little while later, I am sitting at the table with a cup of hot coffee. I went and got my sketchbook, because I realize I haven’t done anything but that jerk’s picture. Taking out a pencil, I start to draw.

  It turns into a willow tree. I zone out farther and farther the more I draw. Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder, but I don’t jump. “I wish I had that much patience this early in the morning,” Jeremy yawns.

  “It’s relaxing for me,” I sigh, putting down my pencil. “I didn’t want to wake you up.”

  “I would have slept longer if someone hadn’t left the bed,” he sarcastically growls.

  Standing up, I say, “It was time for me to get up. I do have to start going back to school soon. Wait, don’t you have to work? It’s been a few days now.”

  “I called my boss,” Jeremy responds. “Told him I had a family emergency. I said I would be gone until Thursday. If you aren’t going back to school tomorrow, Kent is going to come hang out with you.”

  “That’s nice of him,” I mumble. “I would say that I don’t want to be a burden, but I have a feeling you would get mad at me.”

  Jeremy nods his head. “Your assumption would be correct. He wants to teach you how to defend yourself anyway and there is no one better to do it.”

  “I thought about that when Howard was attacking me. How I laughed Kent off. I wish more girls learned how to fight back. It would have helped.”

  “Well, you will learn to kick butt and then if you see Howard again, I will have to stop you from killing him,” Jeremy quips with a smile.

  Shaking my head, I say, “Violence doesn’t solve anything.”

  “Yeah, well, sometimes I feel like it is warranted, but you are probably right,” Jeremy replies. “On that note, I need some coffee.”

  I make us breakfast and then we get ready. My guidance counselor is coming, we have to look nice. I take a shower first, since it will take me longer to get my hair done.

  While Jeremy is in the shower, I put on one of the dresses that Cassandra helped pick out. It is pretty but casual at the same time. I feel just a wee bit awkward wearing a dress, but I have to get used to it sooner or later. After a while, I realize Jeremy takes obscenely long showers. I am going to get a cup of juice, if I have to wait to put on my make-up.

  When I carry my drink back to my room, the bathroom door opens. Jeremy comes waltzing out….only with a towel wrapped around his waist. Uuuhhhh. I think my jaw is hitting the floor. Quickly, I cover my eyes. “Oh my gosh Jeremy! I didn’t realize you were coming out.”

  “Yeah, that’s what you do when you are done in the bathroom. Why in the world are you covering your eyes?” He asks.

  “You are naked!” I yell.

  Laughing, he retorts, “No, I am not! I am completely covered. You can’t see anything.”

  “Jeremy,” I squeak. “You being in a towel is naked enough for me.”

  “Are you afraid of the towel falling off or something?”

  I groan. “Jeremy, please, go put clothes on!”

  “What is the difference between me walking around in shorts or this?” He counters. “I mean, really Isabelle?”

  My mind is going all over a bunch of dirty thoughts and I shake my head. “Jeremy,” I plead. “Please, just go put some clothes on.”

  “I love making you blush,” he chuckles. “Alright, I will go put some clothes on. No more towels, but I promise you will have to get used to me being unclothed. I do walk around in shorts a lot. That I am not giving up.”

  “Fine,” I moan. “I don’t have to worry about those falling off.”

  He walks over and I feel him kiss my forehead. “You are too much fun.”

  Holding my hand tight over my eyes, I say, “Go put clothes on, please.”

  “I am going. By the way, you look very cute today. Nice dress. The scarf makes it very pretty.”

  “Thanks,” I mumble. When I hear his door shut, I finally pull my hand away. My heart is going a mile a minute. You are ridiculous Isabelle! Stop drooling all over him! Just because he is drop dead gorgeous, and makes you melt, does not mean it’s alright to gawk over him! I sigh, because it’s really hard to live by those guidelines.

  Grumbling to myself, I go into the bathroom to finish getting ready. When Jeremy’s door opens again, I don’t look. I don’t even want to know what he is wearing now. He walks into the bathroom. I can see him cross his arms out of the corner of my eye. “Is this better?” He asks.

  I turn and look at him. He is wearing a nice button up shirt and black pants. “Yes,” I answer. “That doesn’t make me all…..well, it’s just better.”

  “Well, I don’t want you uncomfortable, as much fun as it is. So, I promis
e, no more towels.” Jeremy puts his arms around me. “Forgive me?”

  “There is nothing to forgive,” I sigh. “I am still just really shy. I am not used to being around boys, and I know you are my best friend, but you are still a guy. It makes me have butterflies in my stomach.”

  Jeremy kisses the top of my head. “It’s good that you are still modest. It should be that way. I promise I won’t get out of hand.”

  “Okay,” I reply. “What do you want to do for right now? We have like three and a half hours before Miss Cunningham is going to be here.”

  “Let’s go buy you a dresser and desk,” Jeremy replies. “The furniture store isn’t that far away.”

  I nod my head. “Okay.”

  We leave and Jeremy drives us over there. When we get to the store, I climb out and then look at him. “Really Jeremy? Why can’t we just go to a cheap store?”

  “Why? So the furniture can fall apart in two years. No, I would rather buy something that will last,” he answers.

  “Whatever,” I groan. He comes around and takes my hand. I look up at him. “This is really unnecessary.”

  “Will you please stop?” He growls. “This is what I am doing. If you don’t want to put in your two cents then wait in the car.”

  That shuts me up, but I just glare at him. He sticks out his tongue and then pulls me to the store. We walk around for a while. Everything is really pricey and I keep saying that. The only response that I get is Jeremy glaring at me. So, I finally just close my mouth.

  As we are looking at two desks, a girl comes over. I look at her and realize she is really pretty. Oh boy, here we go. “Can I help you guys with anything?” She asks.

  “Yeah,” Jeremy replies seriously. I am taken a little off guard. He isn’t making his usually goofy, flirty moves. “We need to buy her a desk and tall dresser.”

  “Well, my name is Hillary. I can definitely help you. What were you looking for in your furniture?” She inquires.

  I reply, “Simple and cheap.”

  Jeremy shoots me a look. “Ignore her.”

  “Hey!” I exclaim.

  “We would like something that will last but will also meet all her needs,” Jeremy explains.

  Hillary nods. “Well, these two desks are our most popular. We have had some great feedback on them.” That sends Jeremy into a thousand questions. I just roll my eyes. It shouldn’t be this difficult.

  Towing me along, Jeremy and Hillary walk around the store, showing me a whole lot of stuff. Every time she quotes a price, I squeeze Jeremy’s hand really hard. He doesn’t respond at all. Finally, we pick out a desk. It is a lot fancier than anything I would normally need. Jeremy at least lets me choose what dresser I want. I give in and actually pick a very pretty one, with a mirror on top.

  As, we are being rung up, I turn to Jeremy. “Thank you.”

  He smiles in return. “No problem toots. I want you to feel comfortable and at home.”

  “So, how long have you two been together?” Hillary asks.

  “Oh,” I squeak. “We aren’t boyfriend and girlfriend. Jeremy is my best friend, nothing more.”

  Grabbing his chest, Jeremy gasps, “You said that awfully quickly. Ouch, bruise a man’s ego.”

  Hillary laughs. “It’s just the way you two are around each other. There is obviously a connection. It’s great to have true friends like that.”

  “Yeah, he is good to me,” I state, looking up at him. Jeremy gives me a very sweet smile.

  “Well, you are all set. Delivery will be on Friday around 4. If there are any problems, feel free to call me.” Hillary hands a card to Jeremy.

  He takes it and nods. “Thank you.” Turning to me, Jeremy asks, “Are you all set toots?”

  “Yeah,” I reply. He puts his hand on my back and I wave at Hillary. “Bye.”

  “Bye,” she says, smiling.

  Jeremy makes me drive back to the apartment. I do a perfectly fine job if I do say so myself. We make sandwiches for lunch, as we wait for Miss Cunningham. I am nervous. I won’t lie. I am really nervous.

  Finally, almost on the dot, there is a knock at one o’clock. Jeremy goes and answers the door. “Hello,” he chimes.

  “Hi, are you Jeremy? I am here to see Isabelle Nimon.”

  “Yeah,” I say, coming around the other side of the door. “Hey, Miss Cunningham. You can come in if you want.”

  Jeremy steps aside and Miss Cunningham walks in. She looks around the apartment. Thankfully, we picked up a little bit. The next thing she does is eye up Jeremy. He just gives that glowing smile of his. She smirks in return. Yeah, it’s a little hard to not do that with Jeremy. He waves his hand to the couch and chair. “Would you like to take a seat?” He asks.

  “Yes, thank you,” she replies. Miss Cunningham walks over and sits down in the chair. Jeremy and I take the couch. I try to sit far away from him, but he scoots over next to me, and takes my hand. Miss Cunningham sees that, and slowly says, “I didn’t think you guys were a couple.”

  “We aren’t,” Jeremy replies. “She has just been through a lot and is really scared right now. I would want someone to be holding my hand in the situation.”

  I gently squeeze Jeremy’s hand and he does the same in return. “He is my best friend, Miss Cunningham,” I finally state.

  “Well, that is very good,” she replies. Bringing forth a book bag, Miss Cunningham hands it to Jeremy. “These are your books and your assignments. Your art teacher said you can finish your project when you come back. He won’t make you do the ones you are missing.”

  “That’s nice of him,” I whisper awkwardly. What do I say? “So,” I mumble, twiddling with my scarf. “What did you want to talk about?”

  Miss Cunningham folds her hands and says. “I would like to go over what happened again, if that is alright with you?”

  My nails dig into Jeremy. He interjects, “She is a little timid talking about that.”

  “I understand,” Miss Cunningham says quietly, “but I need to know what is going on.”

  Reaching behind me, Jeremy rubs my back. “You can tell her babe.”

  With a deep breath, I pull off the scarf. “My mom’s boyfriend did this.” Miss Cunningham gasps a little. “Yeah, that’s why I am not in school. If someone saw this, it would make my world a mess.”

  “I completely understand Isabelle,” she states. “Did he actually succeed?”

  “No,” I reply. “Howard, that’s his name, he held me down.” I go over the story again, having to take deep breaths every once in a while. After what happened at my mom’s, I tell her about how I got to Jeremy’s, then that we went to the police station and the doctor, and then how we moved me out and what happened. “So, that’s about it,” I finally mumble.

  “So, Jeremy?” Miss Cunningham starts. “You believe that you can take care of Isabelle?”

  He nods. “Yes, very sure of that.”

  “You know she is a teenage girl. She needs food, clothes, stuff for school. Isabelle may have to go to the doctor. I can see about getting her on state insurance.”

  Jeremy scoffs and says, “No, I will get her insurance.” My eyes move over and look at him like he is stupid. He glances my way and then looks back at Miss Cunningham. “I know very well what it will take to support her. I am more than able to do that.”

  “May I ask what you do for work?” She asks.

  “I am a bike mechanic.”

  Nodding, Miss Cunningham retorts, “Full time, I presume?”

  “No, part time,” Jeremy answers.

  A slightly bewildered look passes over Miss Cunningham’s face. “How do you plan to support her? I mean, how do you support yourself? Do you make that much money? I mean no offense.”

  “I make enough to support myself, but I have the means otherwise to take care of her,” Jeremy sternly declares.

  That makes Miss Cunningham sit up a little more. “I do not mean to play the devil’s advocate, but I do not believe that you understand what you are taki
ng on.”

  Obviously, not very happy, Jeremy almost snaps, “I will have to show you then.” He gets up and walks back to his room. I spin to watch him. I do not want to look at Miss Cunningham right now. Jeremy comes back out carrying two pieces of paper. He walks over and hands them to Miss Cunningham. “I would appreciate you keeping this between the two of us. The first one is my checking account balance and the other is savings. You will read that I am more than alright.”

  Okay, now my interest is peaked. I really want to see those papers. When I try to read the backs, Jeremy steps in front of me. I get a slightly appalled look on my face. “Hey,” I draw out.

  “Isabelle,” Jeremy growls. “Leave it be.”

  I sit back and cross my arms. “Fine.”

  Not being able to see Miss Cunningham is slightly frustrating. Suddenly I hear, “Well then, I see that you are correct. I have a few questions but I think I will keep those to myself. Very well, I do suggest getting her some form of insurance. She is a teenage girl and needs to see doctors and so on.”

  “I will look into that as soon as I am able,” Jeremy replies, moving out of my way. He takes the pieces of paper from Miss Cunningham. Folding them back up, Jeremy holds them in the opposite hand. Obviously, so I can’t see. Well then, now my curiosity is sky rocketed. Jeremy sits back down and looks at me out of the corner of his eye.

  Completely mature, I stick my tongue out at him. The corner of his mouth twitches. Taking my hand, he kisses the back of it. “I didn’t want to see the stupid papers anyway,” I spit out playfully.

  He smirks. “Just realize you will be well taken care of.”

  “Thanks,” I whisper, putting my head on his shoulder.

  “I would like you to see a therapist,” Miss Cunningham says. “I can suggest a few.”

  Sitting up, I reply, “The doctor, who I saw, gave me the card to someone.”

  “Well, I think it would really benefit you,” she replies.

  Jeremy turns and looks at me. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “Because,” I grumble. “I don’t want to go see a shrink.”

  “Like it or not, you are going,” he states matter-of-factly.

  I arch my eyebrow. “I will see one if you will.”