Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  We sat down and said hello to everyone at our table. Before anyone had a chance to make a comment about my appearance, I said I’d be back. I got up and walked towards Alex. Thankfully, I wasn’t near his table yet when “they” happened. Brittany, Nicole, and Janelle walked up to him with their lunch trays in hand, if you call carrot sticks and celery a lunch, before I’d even made it halfway to his table.

  Brittany bent down and said something to him. He looked up and, although he didn’t look too happy, he gave the busty blonde a grin that didn’t seem to reach his eyes. Then they all sat down surrounding Alex. It was just as I told Tori. Brittany was going to get her hooks in him before anyone else had a chance. She wasn’t with Raven anymore so she was going after the popular new guy. It was just as well, I thought. I was just thankful he hadn’t seen me.

  Alex was more Brittany’s type anyway. I don’t know who I was kidding, Alex was every girl’s type. He was perfect in every way. He was handsome, polite, smart, and was probably interesting when one got the chance to know him. I could tell he was rich by the car he drove, not that having money or a car was a prerequisite for me. Most girls thought it never hurt to have a decent vehicle and a little cash if you wanted to go somewhere besides McDonald’s on a date.

  Unfortunately, he was too perfect, he had that golden “surfer boy” flawlessness that Brittany obviously wanted as evidenced by the way she was already hanging on his every word. I’d seen enough, I thought, as I headed back to our table.

  I turned so quickly from Alex and the sisters that I almost bumped into Raven who was standing close behind me. Now there was the most handsome guy in school. He was striking in a dark sort of way. I couldn’t believe that he was giving me the once-over. His amazing lavender eyes were taking in every detail.

  Raven actually gave me one of those smiles that he reserved for a special girl. You know the kind of smile that makes your knees weak and your stomach quiver. He reached out to touch my arm and steady me as I nearly fell over him. I’d been startled by his presence so close to me. Looking into his unusual eyes up close was something I’d never experienced. My body reacted to his impersonal touch and those surreptitious purple eyes, sending a tingling sensation to my stomach and below. It wasn’t just a little tickly feeling either. It felt like there was a field of butterflies flitting around inside me. It was the same way I’d felt earlier with Alex, only stronger. I’d never had that kind of a reaction to any boy. Of course, I’d never been that close to any really handsome guy before, especially my crush, Raven.

  Like Alex, Raven was tall enough that he towered over my five-feet, seven-inch frame. As he looked down at me, he gave me another one of his dazzling smiles that lit up his entire face. He usually reserved that kind of smile for Brittany. He was going to speak to plain old me from that perfect mouth of his. As I looked at him, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his enchanting expression.

  He was almost like a perfect sculpture with his strong facial features. He was built of hard granite muscle from his broad shoulders to his long, muscular legs. His deep-set, seductive eyes looked down at me as if expecting me to say something. I spoke in a rather unsteady voice as I thanked him, “Thanks, Raven. I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “No problem. It’s Emma, right? I saw you in gym class earlier. I didn’t know you played kickball that well. You were even better than that girl who thinks she’s the best player in the school. Anyway, you were great.”

  “I just worked out a little over the summer, that’s all.” I didn’t mention anything about the fact that he’d referred to Brittany as that girl. Secretly, half of the school probably called her that girl or worse, but she was his former girlfriend. They’d been together for almost two years. Everyone figured them to be a permanent item. I still couldn’t believe he was talking to me.

  “Whatever you did works for you, Emma. You look great. Don’t look at me like that. It’s the truth. I liked your long hair when you wore it down, but I like the curls better. Half the guys in gym class were watching you today. I don’t know what you did this summer, but it should have been with me. You really do look incredible. Do you want to hang out sometime?”

  Wow, he didn’t waste any time. I guess he really did like what he saw. What amazed me the most was that he’d noticed me before my metamorphosis. He’d even said he’d liked my long hair. I had to make sure the gossip was true and that he was really finished with Brittany, so I uttered in an unsteady voice, “I guess the rumors are true, you aren’t with Brittany anymore.”

  “No, I’m not with her anymore. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even mentioned her earlier as that girl. I figured you’d know who I was talking about, because she’s so competitive. She seems to have replaced me, which is just fine with me.” His eyes looked behind me towards the table where Brittany was sitting with Alex. It was strange, but he looked puzzled by the two of them together.

  Quickly he flashed back to me and the look was gone. Perhaps I’d imagined it.

  “No need to apologize. I think Brittany is called worse by most of us. Sorry you aren’t with her anymore, Raven.”

  “Why are you sorry? I’m not. I’m right where I want to be. I’m talking to one of the prettiest girls in school. I think you’re much more interesting anyway, Emma. Let’s talk about you.” He started walking me back to my table as he continued, “I’m rather surprised at Alex. He seemed interested in some other girl today during gym class. I guess it’s his loss and I can’t say I’m sorry.” He looked at Alex again, almost as if to say Alex’s loss was his gain. “What about hanging out some time, Emma? Don’t your friends get together most weekends? Maybe I could join you…”

  “Yes, we do meet somewhere most weekends. I’m sure you could go with us sometime if you really want. I’m sure they won’t care.”

  “I’ve already mentioned it to Vince. He was cool with me joining you. He doesn’t think anyone will mind. I’d like to call you sometime, if you’re okay with it. Can I have your telephone number, Emma?”

  “Yeah, sure, I guess it’d be okay,” I said and rattled off my cell number to Raven. I noticed he wasn’t writing it down, which I found strange. My look must have reflected my thoughts.

  “I have a photographic memory or would you believe I already got it. I just wanted to make sure it was alright to use it. I talked to Tori this morning after I saw you two walk into the building. I didn’t want some other guy to call before I did. Emma, I really would like to go out with you sometime.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say so I just stood there like a broken marionette and smiled at him. I finally got my wits about me and nodded and replied in a soft voice that I’d like to go out and that would be great.

  I was wondering when Vince and he had become friends. I couldn’t imagine Vince being too happy about Raven wanting to join us to be near me. Maybe Raven hadn’t mentioned me at all and just said he’d like to join us.

  Before I could think about anything else, Raven reached over and squeezed my hand. “Great, I’ll call you soon. I look forward to getting to know you, Emma. I have to go. I have a meeting with the coach. I’d better not be late or I’ll be running laps. Talk to you soon, Emma.”

  My insides were shaking because before Raven left he’d reached up and touched one of my curls. Then he'd quickly stroked my cheek right there in front of the gods and everyone. It was an unexpected intimate touch for the middle of the crowded school cafeteria. When I sat back down at the table, I knew Tori hadn’t missed it. It would be the talk of the school gossips, well that and the obvious hand squeeze, before the day ended. I couldn’t believe my name would be linked with Raven’s by the end of the day.

  He’d sounded like he was truly interested and I was in shocked heaven before Vince’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “What did Raven want? I saw him touching your hair. What was that all about?”

  I guess he missed Raven holding my hand. I blushed furiously as I now had the attention of the entire table. I fel
t like half of the cafeteria was listening as well. I said in as nonchalant a voice as quietly as I could, “He just wanted to tell me that I played a good game today. He liked my hair, too, I guess.” After all, now was not the time to discuss my conversation with Raven.

  Judging by the look on Vince’s face, he’d seen the whole interaction between Raven and me. He didn’t look happy about it, but he wasn’t mad either. Raven and he must be better friends than I’d thought.

  A slight frown creased Vince’s forehead for a few minutes before he gave me a big smile. Had he been watching me at gym as Tori said? He wasn’t looking at me the way he normally did either. It was a more intense look, as if he wanted to memorize everything about me.

  “Raven looked pretty interested in you.” No one said anything, leaving his comment in the air between us as he continued, “You do look great, Emma. Sorry I was away this summer. We could’ve hung out as we always do. Maybe we can spend some time together this weekend if you’re not busy. Raven asked about us all watching a movie together. I was beginning to think he’s more interested in spending time with you than the rest of us, but I told him he was welcome.” Those comments came from the guy I said had never noticed me as a girl before. I’m talking about my sort of almost boyfriend, Vincent Wolfe, the one I was sure thought I’d be more interesting if I were a specimen under his microscope.

  Anne smiled at me. Sara was grinning at me too as she looked from Vince to me.

  Vince was looking at me like a lost puppy now, waiting for me to answer. He was cute in his nerdy kind of way. Actually, he really had filled out this year. He was no longer just a single-minded science enthusiast either, it seemed. You didn’t bulk up in all the right places by studying all the time. He’d definitely been working out.

  I was giving him a quick once over under my half-closed eyelids so as to not be obvious under his unwavering scrutiny. He was handsome and looked muscular now under his bulky sweater. His eyes even looked a brighter blue than usual. Was it my imagination or did the black plastic glasses frames make him look hot?

  Vincent had been a bestie for as long as I could remember and hot was never a word I would have associated with him. He’d always been caring, a great listener, trustworthy, a bit moody at times, and rather quiet, but definitely not hot. Even though I had never considered his looks actually nerdy, everyone else had. Well, he didn’t look bookish anymore. He was actually quite handsome. Had I missed something this summer? It seemed that while I was changing, so was he. I guess we just grew up that summer into the adults we were meant to be. After all, we were almost eighteen now, some of us already were. I’d be eighteen in a few months, too.

  One thing I noticed that hadn’t changed about Vince was that he was still cold. The guy’s skin was always like ice as evidenced by his cool touch when his hand grazed mine earlier when he’d reached for something. Yes, he was still wintry. No one knew why he was cold-skinned. No one asked, either, even if they’d shaken his hand or had some kind of accidental contact with his skin. They didn’t ask why he was cold. Vincent might have looked scrawny, but he was obviously strong, even then, as evidenced by the way he’d moved equipment in the science room.

  He wasn’t afraid of anyone, either, so most people kept their comments about him to themselves. His icy blue eyes seemed to mirror a cold, heartless soul when he got angry about something, which also put people off. His angry look was something I never wanted to see directed at me.

  He was still pale, too, as emphasized by his unusual pristine white hair and shallow complexion. I did like his new short, messy hairstyle I’d noticed earlier. He’d even streaked his hair with a royal blue that looked surprisingly good on him. Vincent had also added a set of sapphire studs in his right ear. His ice blue eyes remained hidden by his dark framed “nerdy” Wayfarer glasses, but he was actually quite handsome.

  His shoulders were much wider than I remembered, too. I knew he was a bit muscular because I’d been swimming with him a few times. I could tell he was brawny with big biceps and six-pack abs, which the sweater couldn’t hide. The guy was massive now.

  He was one of the nicest guys I knew. I hoped that hadn’t changed. We could talk about almost anything, because he was smart and kept up with the world around him instead of letting the world spin without him.

  No matter how good he looked, I’d never considered him an actual boyfriend. However, he’d never looked at me as if he was until now. His intense icy blue stare was a bit daunting until he smiled. Then his face lit up as I answered him.

  I smiled back at his slightly crooked grin and the relieved expression in his magnificent blue eyes as I answered, “Sure we can hang out Saturday. Is that okay with you, Tori? What about you Anne, Sara, Mark?”

  I missed the disappointed look that transitorily crossed Vince’s face when I asked the others about hanging out with us. It’s what we’d always done almost every weekend since we’d met.

  Tori was the first to reply, “My mother is having another one of her charity gatherings at the house. I’d be glad to get out of there if you’re okay with it. Those women can be a pain in the ass with all their constant chattering. Can we hang out at your house, Vince?”

  “Its fine Tori,” Vince replied a bit unenthusiastically, “My parents will be around, but they won’t mind. Is that okay with you, Emma? Maybe Mom will bake some of those cookies you like.”

  “That sounds great,” instantly spoken by Tori who was a cookie monster. I still don’t understand where she puts all the food she eats. She is so petit and yet she eats like a starving horse after a long winter.

  Sara said that she was going to Dayton to visit some relatives with her family. Mark wouldn’t be coming either. There was some kind of special exhibit at a museum in Columbus. Anne was free and said it sounded like fun. We’d make final arrangements later about what we were going to do.

  Then the girls started talking about Alex. The main topic besides his amazing looks was that he was sitting with Brittany and her minions. Not surprisingly, Vince and Mark didn’t look impressed.

  It gave me a chance to think over a few things, like Raven suddenly wanting to join us. I still couldn’t believe that he was even interested. He was the most popular jock in the school. He was quarterback of the football team, a member of the wrestling unit, and went skiing regularly with his father during the winter. Thankfully, he didn’t have the usual jock-attitude.

  He’d always been civil with most of the students and was well liked especially by the girls. While he’d never actually spoken to me personally before today, he’d nodded as we’d passed in the hall or somewhere. I’d always blushed and looked away due to the big crush I’d had on him. He’d spoken to Anne and Tori several times. It wasn’t that he was snobby. He was usually with Brittany and she’d have ahold of his arm. I found that odd. He never seemed to be holding her hand or touching her. She always seemed to be clinging to him or clutching his hand. At least, he’d always taken the time to speak or nod at all of us, much to Brittany’s displeasure.

  Raven could’ve had any girl he wanted, even on short notice. He’d said he wanted to get to know me better. I knew I looked better than I had, but there were hotter girls that were all “moony” eyed over him. I planned to discuss this with Tori as soon as possible. I didn’t like most of the snobby jocks she’d remind me, but Raven wasn’t a jerk.

  Raven was hot, there was no doubt. I’d crushed on him for as long as I could remember. He was one of those guys that had that kind of almost otherworldly strength, charm and a dark, fierce beauty that seemed to attract all the girls. Even the history teacher Mrs. Evans was known to glance at him a bit too often during class.

  Yes, he was definitely a looker. Alex had a golden magnificence about him and Raven was all dark, mysterious, male beauty. His hair was obsidian and his eyes were an unusual shade of lavender. They were deep set in a face that was sculpted-like granite perfection. His teeth were like polished white marble. Even his scent was mysterious with i
ts hint of crushed granite, mountain pine, and untold secrets. He was at least six-feet tall. I’d watched him practice football once or twice and he was all lean muscle, as well being one of the fastest runners on the field.

  Raven would have made the perfect vampire. Yes, I said vampire. No, he wasn’t one of the suspected town vampires I’d mentioned, but he would’ve made the perfect Dracula with his mysterious lavender eyes and otherworldly male beauty. His eyes were enthralling and seemed to darken when he became passionate or absorbed with something. I’d noticed that when he’d been talking to me and in class a couple of times during a debate.

  Of course, the illusion of mystery about Raven was the perfect fit at Graham High School and in St. Paris itself. The whole town seemed steeped in some kind of mystery. There was the tiny, old cemetery just north of the city where it was said that ethereal visitors made regular appearances. There was also the phantom train that was often heard passing through town. The train was said to be the ghostly image of the historic Lincoln Funeral Train that stopped in the village many years ago. Apparently, it was still stopping according to some folks.

  Other things about the town weren’t exactly normal either. We had one of the highest ghost populations in the country according to one of those ghost hunting television programs. There was even a mysterious apparition frequently seen at the local bowling lanes.

  St. Paris was an average small town in southwest Ohio, but that was all that was normal about it. It was like the Salem of Ohio with its abnormal residents and legends that surrounded the town itself. Everyone seemed to have secrets of some sort, including old Mrs. Newton who was often seen frequenting the nearby and almost hidden Rosewood Cemetery near Kiser Lake. The poor woman had died a few years ago. She’d been a grieving widow to her dying day and apparently still visited his grave. Raven’s father was considered one of the stranger residents of the town. He reportedly collected gargoyle statues and displayed them in his not so normal house. There were even stories of a ghoul residing in a corner of the public library after closing.