He sighs. “I won’t hurt you Isabelle, but if you want to wait until Jeremy is here, we can do that. I don’t mind staying.”
“I just…..I can still feel him on top of me and I don’t want to feel that fear again.”
“I understand that. I want to teach you to not have that fear all the time. You shouldn’t be scared if someone is on top of you, because that will make you shy away from being affectionate with someone. We don’t want that. I mean, Jeremy will shoot a guy if he is naked on top of you, but you shouldn’t be so scared. So, we can wait for Jeremy if you want.”
Taking a deep breath, I say, “No, let’s do this.” I lie down on the floor. “Now what?”
Kent gets down on the floor and straddles me. “Alright, the same rules apply. You want to push the attacker off of you. Strike him in the face or under the chin with an open hand, with your fingers relaxed. Then roll your hips, hopefully, this will make your attacker fall over. So, do you want to try it?”
“Are you going to put your hands on me?” I ask.
With a kind look, Kent says, “That would be the best, but I understand if it is too soon. Like I said, we can wait for Jeremy if you want.”
Shaking my head, I sigh, “No, we should do this.”
“Okay,” he whispers. Kent reaches down and puts his hands on my throat. “Now, try it.”
I quickly bring my hand up under his chin, pushing his head back, and then I shift my hips. Kent falters and then I roll him all the way over. That makes me squeal. “I did it!”
“Yup, now I want you to try it full force.”
I get a shocked look. “I can’t do that!”
“Yes, you can. I can handle it. I want you to be safe Isabelle.”
“Alright,” I mumble. We do it again, and again, and again. Each time, I feel better, more in control.
When Jeremy finally comes home, I am straddling Kent on the floor. He just raises his eyebrows. “You know both Cassandra and I may have a problem with you two hanging out.”
Before I can reply, Kent snags me and rolls me over, “Never lose focus young lady.”
“Get off of her,” Jeremy says. “Or I will kick your ass.”
“Yeah, I would like to see you try,” Kent retorts, getting off of me. He extends his hand and I take it.
Jeremy just rolls his eyes. “I don’t have years of experience behind me.”
“Been learning since the age of 10, there is a reason why I can take you,” Kent counters.
“Whatever, keep fluffing your ego,” Jeremy groans. “Did you have a good day Isabelle?”
I nod. “It’s been awesome. I learned how to take on someone and maybe, possibly beat them, and Kent made the best pancakes in the world!”
“Well, I am glad you had fun. What do you guys want to do for dinner?” Jeremy asks.
“I really want to get out of the house,” I exclaim, actually in a good mood. “Can we go out to eat?”
Jeremy nods. “Definitely, anything in particular?”
“That little Mexican restaurant you took me to. The food was fantastic!”
He looks at Kent. “Do you and Cassandra want to go with?”
“Sure,” Kent replies. “I will text her.”
“Oh fun, a double date,” Jeremy laughs.
That makes me smile. “Awww, you are going to be my date?”
“But of course milady. I would be most honored.”
Going up on my tip toes, I kiss him on the cheek. “I am going to go get ready.”
“I have to take a shower, too, so don’t use all the hot water,” Jeremy retorts. “I smell, but of course, that may not be a problem for you.” He gives me an evil smile. I get a shocked look on my face and punch him the arm. Jeremy actually grabs it and yells, “Ouch.”
“Follow through with a punch,” I declare. “Hit like you are going to go all the way through. It packs more force.”
Kent just bursts out laughing. “Isabelle demanded that I at least teach her how to throw a punch. She picks things up quickly.”
“Remind me to not make you mad,” Jeremy moans. “But I am still stronger than you and could probably get you pinned.”
I smile. “Want to try?”
“If I win, I am going to tickle you until you pee in your pants,” Jeremy retorts.
“Okay, then no, because you probably would win, because I wouldn’t actually hurt you,” I grumble.
Jeremy bends down and kisses me on the head. “I will gladly spar with you anytime. It will be good for you to keep learning moves.”
“Well, I am going to get ready,” I state, turning to go to the bathroom. I suddenly feel a hard slap on my butt. I spin around. “Jeremy!”
He just smiles. “What? Pay back isn’t nice.”
Sticking my tongue out at him, I turn to go get ready. When I get dressed and open the bathroom door, Jeremy is standing there. “Are you done?”
“I have to do my hair,” I say. “Otherwise, you know it’s all crazy.”
“Well, I really want to get into the shower. So, come out of the bathroom, I will get in and then you can do your hair,” he instructs.
My jaw drops. “You want me to do what!?”
“Oh come on, you won’t see anything! Kent and I are starving, and Cassandra is on her way here!” Jeremy practically whines.
I open my mouth and then shut it. Finally, I spit out, “Fine! I can’t believe I am doing this.”
“You need to learn to RELAX,” Jeremy says. “Now, come out of there and I will yell for you when can you come in and I PROMISE you won’t see anything.”
“Alright,” I mumble, walking out into the hallway.
Jeremy shuts the door and I just hang my head. “What am I doing?” I whisper, ever so quietly.
A little time goes by and then I hear him yell. Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk into the bathroom. I take out my blow dryer and start to dry my hair. “So,” Jeremy teases. “How nervous are you right now?”
“Shut up,” I snap. “I am trying to get ready.”
“Mmhmm,” he hums in reply. “Your shampoo smells good. What is it?”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Eucalyptus and mint.”
“I am going to use it.”
“Whatever,” I groan. “Just shower.”
He softly sings to himself while he showers. “I am rubbing soapy water all over my studly body,” Jeremy exclaims.
“Jeremy!” I scream. “Shut up!”
There is laughter from the other side of the curtain. “What, you don’t like thinking about that, my hotness?”
“Why do you push me?” I ask.
“It’s in my job description,” he replies. “Washing, washing, washing.”
I put down the blow dryer. “I swear if you tease me anymore, I will get back at you!”
“What? Like how I was going to ask you to help me wash?” He chuckles.
Walking over, I say, “I warned you.” With that, I flush the toilet. That makes him scream in about two seconds. He throws open the curtain. Now, I squeal and turn around. “Thank God that I didn’t see anything!”
I sense him standing there. I have no idea what he is going to do. “You….missy…..are in SO much trouble!”
“I am sorry, but you were teasing me! Please, shut the curtain!”
“N-O-P-E! We are having a standoff. Are you going to stumble your way across the whole bathroom in time, before I get to you?”
What!? “Jeremy, don’t you dare! I swear, I will hurt you.”
“Apologize then,” he sternly says.
“I am sorry, really, really sorry! Please, shut the curtain!”
Scoffing, Jeremy retorts, “Well, I have to wait for the water to turn down from 1000 degrees. So, we will just stand here and wait.” So, we do. Why is it taking the toilet so long to fill!? Finally, Jeremy says, “There, the water is back to normal,” and draws the curtain.
A few seconds go by before I take my hand away from my eyes. Thankfully, he is back in the s
hower. “I LOATHE you sometimes!” I shout.
“You love me, don’t lie! Anyway, you started it! Don’t start things you can’t finish, and I will always win because I know how to make you blush.”
That makes me mad. I can finish my hair later. I sneak back to the toilet, flush it and then run for the door. Jeremy just screams again, and I slam the door behind me. Kent looks at me from the dining room table. “What in the world are you two doing in there?”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing,” I giggle, waltzing to my room.
Only a few minutes later, the bathroom door opens. I quickly slam my bedroom door. There is a light knock and I hear, “Isabelle….darling…we need to have a talk.”
“No!” I laugh.
“Open the door, or I am coming in there myself,” he demands.
I go over and brace myself against the door. “Go away!”
He tries to open it and I hold my own. Jeremy sighs, “Isabelle, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Trying hard to keep the door shut, I growl, “Then stop pushing.”
“I warned you.” Jeremy shoves the door, and I skid across the floor. He is standing there in a towel. “Now, you have been a naughty girl.”
“Hey!” I yell. “You said no more towels!”
Jeremy crosses his arms, “That was before your little stunt. Now it’s time for paybacks.” He comes walking over and bends down. Suddenly, I am thrown over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” I scream.
“Nope,” Jeremy replies. He turns and walks us to the bathroom.
I hit him on the back, “Put me down Jeremy!” There is no response other than his laughter. “What are you doing?” I snap.
“I am giving you a whole new experience,” he answers. I try to get out of his grip and fail. I also really don’t want to fall. Jeremy shuts the bathroom door.
“What in the world are you doing!?” I ask hotly.
The only response I get is laughter. Jeremy steps us into the shower. “Payback is a bitch.” He drops me to the floor. I instantly try to climb out of the shower, but he grabs me and holds me around the waist with his arm. “Nope, you aren’t going anywhere.”
“What are you doing!?” I yell. “Let go!”
“Nope, now you can say you took a shower with a guy.”
Squirming, I say, “I am NOT taking a shower with you!”
“Yes you are,” Jeremy assures. “My studliness got you all hot and bothered, now you need a nice…..COLD….shower.” With that he flicks the water on, and it is ice cold!
The shock of it takes my breath away. Jeremy just pushes me under the water farther. It’s then that I scream. “JEREMY!”
He wraps his arms around me and whispers, “Yes, Isabelle.”
“Turn it off! Turn it off! It’s freezing! Turn it off!”
Jeremy bends over and turns the knob farther. The water starts to get warm. “Now,” he murmurs into my ear. “Who wins?”
“You are such a jerk!” I gasp. Jeremy grabs me and turns me around. “You know my clothes are all wet now. Thank you very much!”
“Who is king of paybacks?” He asks, smiling his awesome smile.
Sticking my tongue out, I sneer, “You are, but you wait, I will think of something.”
Leaning down, he says, “I can’t wait.” We kind of just stand there for a while, staring at each other. You would think us standing in the shower, with clothes on, would make us think, but for some reason, we just stay where we are. Jeremy looks like he is going to say something, when there is a loud bang on the bathroom door. “Yeah,” he calls out.
“Can you two please stop doing WHATEVER it is you are doing, and get ready? Cassandra is here and we are hungry,” Kent yells through the door.
“Yeah,” Jeremy says. He looks back down at me. “Are you mad?”
My mouth opens and then closes. The tension in the air is really thick. It’s like I can’t find my voice. Finally, I whisper, “No.”
“Good,” he whispers. Jeremy pushes past me and turns off the water. Turning he grabs my towel off the wall. I take it from him and our hands brush each other. It sends shivers through me.
I wipe my face, and say, “Thanks.”
“Here,” Jeremy says, stepping out of the tub. “Let’s get you out of there.” I take his hand and I climb out. Suddenly, I slip. My hands reach out and I grab him. We go down, slamming onto the floor at full force. I land on top of Jeremy. We lay there for a second, not moving, not saying anything. Suddenly, we burst into hysterics. “OW!” Jeremy exclaims.
Suddenly, the door to the bathroom opens. Kent and Cassandra are standing there, staring at us. Jeremy and I look at them. Cassandra starts to laugh, while Kent raises his eyebrows. “Are you guys okay?” He asks.
“I don’t know,” I giggle. I look down at Jeremy. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“No, I am fine. Are you okay?”
Nodding, I reply, “Yeah, you broke my fall.”
“Okay, you guys are so weird,” Kent emphasizes. “You were in the bathroom together and I heard Jeremy scream like a girl twice. You, young lady, came out practically skipping to your room. Then this bonehead comes out and kidnaps you. You guys go back into the bathroom. Where I hear a lot of shouting, and then Isabelle screaming, so I come to the door and tell you to hurry up, and then Cassandra and I hear the loudest BANG in the world. We come in here to find you guys lying together on the floor. Jeremy is only in a towel, but Isabelle is fully clothed, yet, soaking wet. Can you possibly explain this?”
“Weird mating ritual,” Jeremy snorts.
I put my face into his chest and laugh until I cry. “I need to put dry clothes on,” I finally gasp. “You need to put on some clothes, period.”
“Aww,” Jeremy whines. “You don’t like being on top of me, while I am almost naked?”
“Jeremy,” I chastise. “Not in front of people, geesh.” With that I stand up. Walking into the hall, I pass Cassandra, and OH BOY, do I get a look.
Jeremy and I get ready pretty quickly. I just leave my hair in curls. I don’t care anymore. When we leave, Jeremy takes my hand and we go down the steps. The restaurant isn’t very busy. We are all talking and laughing as we sit down in a booth. In the end, pretty much picking on Jeremy. After the waitress takes our drink orders, I lean over onto the table and put my head on my hand. My eyes drift across the restaurant.
To my horror, Sonya is sitting there. She is just staring at me. My hand instantly goes to Jeremy’s under the table. I grip it tightly. He turns and looks at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Satan’s daughter is sitting across the room,” I hiss.
Everyone at the table turns and looks at Sonya. She just crosses her arms. “That chick is a ballsy little thing, isn’t she?” Jeremy states.
“Who is that?” Cassandra asks,
“The girl who has made my life a living hell for five years,” I sigh. “She is my tormentor.”
Cassandra raises her eyebrow. “That girl picks on you?”
Grumbling, I say, “Yeah.”
“Wow,” Cassandra starts, “Well, we should piss her off as much as possible.”
“And how are we going to do that?” I inquire.
She gets up and leans across the table. I meet her and she whispers, “We will just drive her nuts.”
I sit back, a little bewildered. Turning my gaze to Jeremy, I just give him a look. He puts his arm around and pulls me against him. “Let’s make her jealous,” he breathes against my lips, and with that he kisses me. This is the first time he is kissing me in public, and we are in front of his friends. At first I falter, but then I give in. It just feels so good. Finally, Jeremy pulls away. “There, that is something she doesn’t have.”
My mind is a little muddled to think straight. I kind of turn in my seat and stare at the table. “Well then,” Kent murmurs. “That seemed to irk her.”
“Now,” Cassandra giggles. “We need to all huddle together, then look at her and laugh. She will think
we are all talking about her.”
“That’s a little devious,” I say.
Cassandra winks at me. “That’s the fun part. Come here.” We all lean and Cassandra whispers, “Okay, we all turn now and look at her, and then look back at each other and laugh. It will make her so mad.”
So, on cue, we do as she says. Once we look back at each other, we all laugh hysterically, probably because of what we were doing. I giggle even harder out of nervousness. “She is going to KILL me!” I hiss.
“Hey, now you know some defensive moves,” Kent reminds me. “You can kick her butt.”
“Violence doesn’t solve anything,” Cassandra counters.
I add on, “Amen to that.”
Jeremy reaches down and takes my hand. He brings it up to kiss it. “Don’t let her get to you.”
“She is fuming mad right now, from the look on her face,” Kent whispers.
Looking at Jeremy, I reply, “I don’t care.”
“That’s my girl,” Jeremy emphasizes. He puts his arm around me, and pulls me close. I lay my head on his shoulder, and that is how we sit. Cassandra and Kent seem to think nothing of it. Cassandra is pretty sassy, though. She doesn’t talk about Sonya, but every once in a while, she looks at her and laughs.
“You are evil,” I giggle, as we eat.
Cassandra smirks. “I hate girls like her. They serve no purpose. It is just giving her a taste of her own medicine.”
“Are you done?” Jeremy asks me.
“With what?”
Smiling, he replies, “With your food.”
“What? Why?” I question, curious.
He frowns, “I ate all of mine and I am still hungry.”
A snort comes out of me, and I push my plate between us. “Here, we can share.”
“Awesome!” Jeremy exclaims, stabbing part of my burrito.
From that point on, we fight over the food. There is a lot of pushing and shoving, and making a general mess of things. By the time we leave, we are all laughing pretty hard. As, we walk out the door, Sonya comes up behind us. “Nice scarf,” she says.
“What are you doing?” Jeremy snaps.
“I am going to my car,” Sonya slithers, giving him a seductive smile. Jeremy just looks at her like she is nuts. “Anyway,” she says, “I was just going to compliment Isabelle on her scarf.”
The Art of Life Page 27
