by Sara Daniell
I watched as she bent over and pulled on a pair of sweats. She slipped on a t-shirt then a hoodie. She opened her window next and climbed out. She sat on the first story roof and looked at the stars, her knees pulled tightly to her chest. She put her head on her knees and cried.
I finished my cigarette. I'd be damned if I let her ruin another one for me. She quit crying and noticed me watching her.
"Don't mind me."
"Shit!" She yelled then almost fell off the roof.
I laughed as she got herself re-situated safely back in her spot.
"You know, if you wanted to give me a strip tease, you could've just invited me up to your room. I wouldn't have said no."
Her mouth opened like she was going to say something then she closed it. Her face turned even brighter. She locked eyes on me. "I...I..."
She shook her head then climbed back into the window. She closed it and the curtains, but not before looking at me one last time.
REESE
I laid awake for hours while everyone else slept. I had slipped into sleep a few times, but was awoken by the nightmares. I got up and put on a pair of blue jeans, socks, boots, a t-shirt, and hoodie. I walked outside and looked Havock's truck over. I found some tools and got to work. I worked for a few hours until I was satisfied that it was going to run better and got the passenger door to work.
I hurried inside, took a quick shower then started cleaning. If I couldn't sleep, I may as well help the people I'm staying with. I deep cleaned the house and started breakfast when Mrs. Johanna came down the stairs and into the kitchen.
She gasped as she looked around.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked as I became nervous.
She smiled as she walked over to start coffee. "No. I've just never had anyone do something so kind. House full of boys." She laughed to herself and started scooping coffee into the filter.
"I'm usually the one who cooked at home. Dad can't cook to save his life." I stopped talking and cleared my throat as tears filled my eyes. I turned away and went back to finishing up breakfast.
She impatiently stared at the coffee maker while it did its job. "I'd have an IV drip of this stuff 24/7 if I could." She came over and nudged me out of the way with her hip. "Has the counselor at school met with you?" she asked as she finished breakfast.
"Yes, Ma'am. I met her yesterday. I have to meet with her everyday between my first two classes. I have a thick file," I stated as I sat down and started to read one of the books I got out of the bookcase upstairs. "I like coffee as well, but I like it with all the stuff in it that I'm not supposed to have."
She sat down across from me, setting a plate filled with eggs, bacon, and toast in front of me. "I spoke with your doctor and he said it's all about moderation and eating well most of the time. He did say it was okay to cheat a little as long as you keep up with your readings and take the right amount of insulin." She handed me a fork.
I took the fork and started eating. I'm always hungry in the morning, but not most of the rest of the day.
Havock sleepily walked into the kitchen with nothing but his pajama pants on. A tattoo of words in a thick font wrapped his whole left shoulder. He opened the fridge and took a drink of the orange juice straight from the container.
I stood up and walked to the sink. I washed my dish as Havock sat down and started eating. I had to keep my mind occupied. I tried to keep it off of that sexy tattoo and his six pack. I also tried to keep it off of how messy his hair was and how I wanted to run my fingers through it.
What. The. Hell? My heart started beating faster just thinking about him.
Johanna cleared her throat.
He looked up. "What?" He asked with his mouth full of toast.
She looked at his bare chest. I looked at his six pack. He looked at me. "Does this bother you?" He asked after he swallowed his food.
I shrugged like I saw a body like that everyday, when in fact I felt like I was going to pass out. Dammit, he was hot. I looked out the window to get focused. I stood on my tiptoes as I saw a lab running around the yard with puppies in tow.
"You have dogs?" I asked with excitement. It was actually my first bit of excitement in a while.
"Against my will, yes. Havock found them wandering in the rain on his way home from school last week." She gave him an irritated look.
"It was my good deed for the week," he teased taking a bite of bacon.
About that time, Garrett walked in wearing nothing but his pajama pants. Damn, what did they feed these boys? Of course, as I looked at him my heart didn't speed up, and I didn't feel the urge to get closer to him. Weird. Personality wise you would think I'd go for Garrett not Havock. Huh? Strange.
Their mom sighed. "Okay. New rule. You must be fully clothed when you leave your room." She got up and started fixing herself a cup of coffee.
"May I go outside?" I asked as I looked back out the window.
"Of course, dear. You don't have to ask."
"Thank you," I said as I hurried out the door. I sat down on the ground and waited for the dog to come to me. A chocolate puppy ran over and jumped on my leg. I picked him up and played with him. I laughed as he licked my nose.
"Don't get attached. Mom called the dog catcher and he's picking them up today. She'll help anyone but she doesn't like animals."
Havock walked over to his truck. He crawled in through the driver side to get his cigarettes, I assumed.
I frowned as I looked down at the puppy. I pet his head until he curled up next to me and went to sleep.
Havock pulled the hood of his jacket over his head and lit a cigarette. "Want one?" He asked as he exhaled.
I shook my head and pet the puppy.
"Sorry about your dog."
"Dad got him for me when I was ten, and I asked for a friend," I said quietly.
"You've had a hell of a life so far, princess." He smiled when he noticed the irritation spread across my face.
“You don't know anything about me,” I said with a frown.
His eyes locked on mine as he let the smoke leave his mouth slowly. "So, your dad isn't really missing and your mom wasn't killed when you were a kid?"
I looked away from him and continued to pet the puppy.
Garrett walked out dressed for school. "You riding with me or him? I need to leave early today."
The idea of getting to school early made my stomach drop. "I'd prefer not to get there any earlier than I have too, but thank you." I'd also prefer not to ride with Havock. I didn't know if I liked how those eyes made me feel.
He nodded then slipped a ball cap on and got in his truck.
"I'm picking up a friend on the way," Havock said as he put the cigarette out on the bottom of his shoe.
"I can walk," I said still petting the puppy.
"My mom would kill me if I let you. Go get your stuff. We're leaving in ten minutes."
I scrunched my eyebrows and picked the puppy up. He opened his eyes and licked my nose. I smiled sadly at him then put him back down. I stood up, dusted my pants off then walked inside to grab my bag.
I wiped a tear that fell as I grabbed my bag and my medicine for later. I headed down stairs and looked at Mrs. Johanna. "Bye Mrs. Johanna."
She grabbed her purse. "Bye sweetie. Have a good day." She started to leave but stopped. "Oh shoot! I forgot to give this to you last night!" She dug in her purse and pulled out a cell phone. "Here. It has my number, Rick's, Garrett's and Havock's just in case you need to get in touch with us." She smiled as she handed it to me.
I looked down at it. "Thank you." I put it in my pocket and gave her a weak smile.
"Don't give anyone that number. The police are doing their best to keep you hidden until they find out who's responsible for your father's disappearance."
"I won't. I don't have anyone to give it to." I thanked her again then walked out. The puppy followed behind me, he grabbed my pant leg and wagged his tail at me
Havock honked the horn.
I pick
ed up the puppy and placed him a safe distance away then hurried to the passenger side. I opened the door and climbed in, buckled my belt and watched sadly as the puppy barked and whined. I had to go back to hell and he was going to the pound. Our lives both sucked.
Havock looked at me shocked. "How did you just open that door?"
"I pulled the handle." I watched the puppy. "Can we go before the baby gets to close and you hit him?" I asked quietly.
He started the truck on the first try. “What the-?"
I hid my smile and looked out the window. I bet he didn't get shocked often. And for some reason, shocking him was fun.
Havock turned down a road, and I saw a guy waiting by the curb. "That's Jude." He slowed down. "Scoot to the middle."
"Can I sit in the back of the truck?" My stomach dropped to my feet at the thought of being in such a closed in area.
He laughed as he stopped the truck. "That would be a no." He motioned for Jude to get in on the passenger side.
I sighed, unbuckled, and moved to the middle. I buckled back again then grabbed my bag and held it close to my chest.
Jude got in. "When did the door start working?" Havock shrugged and started driving.
Jude held his hand out to me. "Jude Byars."
I let go of my bag and shook his hand. "Reese Johnson." I gave him a slight smile then held my bag tight to me and watched Havock drive. I watched his eyes cut to my chest. I looked down, blushed then loosened my grip on my bag so it didn't press so tightly to my chest.
As he switched gears his hand slid off the gear shift and hit my upper thigh. He grinned showing off a dimple on his right cheek.
"Oops."
Jude laughed as he lit a cigarette and cracked his window.
"Who taught you how to drive?" I asked quietly as I ignored what he just did. I ignored how it made my heart jump a little as well.
"The princess doesn't like to be touched. Duly noted."
Jude leaned in close to me. "He doesn't play well with others. Ignore him."
That jump in the heart just crashed. No survivors. "Don't call me that, please," I asked politely. "And you didn't answer my question."
"My brother." He smiled a little. "Princess," he mumbled under his breath. Jude reached over me and shoved his shoulder.
"Do you think he'd teach me?" I asked as I frowned at him.
"He might if you ask him nicely. And I call you that because you fit the role."
I scrunched my eyebrows at him. "Do you see a crown on my head?" I asked quietly. "I'm not a princess," I mumbled.
"Your dad kept you locked away like you were too good to mingle with the common folk of Riverbend. You were driven around in shiny cars. You had a maid. You don't need a crown to fit the role, princess."
"One, I didn't have a driver. I didn't leave the house. Two, I didn't have a maid," I said in aggravation.
"Or you did have a driver and you killed him and the maid too? Therefore, leaving you with neither. Damn, your life sounds like the game Clue."
"Yes, that's exactly what I did. Maybe you should be concerned since I'm living in your house right now," I said as I tried not to cry. Dammit, he wasn't going to make me cry!
Jude laughed at my comment as he sent his cigarette butt flying out the window. After he rolled the window up, he put his hands up to the vents to warm them. Havock didn't say anything else.
We arrived at the school, and after he parked, Havock got out along with Jude. I just sat there.
I gripped my bag tightly to me and stared at the building, not moving.
Havock leaned into the truck. “If you don't get out, I will drag your ass into the school.”
For some reason, I believed him. I sighed and got out of the truck. He slammed the door and I flinched. I gripped my bag tighter then stopped. "Dammit!" I swore as I pulled out my blood sugar tester. I put my bag down and took my blood sugar. It was rather high. I placed my test back in my bag and grabbed my insulin shot. I lifted my shirt a little and gave myself the insulin shot. When I was finished, I put the safety cap on and put it in a pocket on the side of my bag. When I looked up, Havock and Jude were looking at me funny.
“What?” I asked as I grabbed my bag again.
"What the hell did you just give yourself?!" Jude asked while Havock gagged a little.
"Weak stomach. Hates needles. You should've seen him the day Red Cross came and he got talked into giving blood.” Jude laughed.
"It's insulin. And I'll remember not to do that in front of you again."
"What, lift your shirt? I'm completely okay with that." Havock laughed.
I rolled my eyes then headed off to class.
~~~
I stood in the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror. Some bitch poured soda all down my hoodie. I pulled it off and started trying to clean it up. I wiped at the tears as they fell. Once I got all the soda out, I dried it the best I could. I went out to my locker and opened it just as Garret came over.
I hung the hoodie in my locker. I was shivering. I was so cold. The building was freezing. I grabbed my books without looking at him. I didn't want him to see I had been crying.
He leaned against the neighboring locker. He touched the hoodie and frowned. "What happened?"
"Some girl poured soda on me," I shrugged as I tried to show it was no big deal.
He lightly held my arm and looked both ways before pulling me into the guys bathroom.
A few guys at the urinals covered their business with shocked looks.
Garrett laughed and pulled me into a stall.
He took off his long sleeved shirt and slipped it over my head. He opened his backpack and grabbed a t-shirt and slipped it over his head.
"Work out clothes." He smiled.
"Thank you," I said as I gave him a small smile. "But why did you bring me in here?"
"Dude! Get her out!" One of the guys yelled.
Garrett laughed and opened the stall. "I wasn't going to pull my shirt off in the middle of the hall."
"Sorry," I whispered to the guys as I hurried out of the bathroom. My face turned bright red as I got back to my locker. I grabbed my stuff then looked at Garrett.
"So, you gonna tell me who did this to you?"
"It's no big deal." I looked around. "I need to head to my last class." I had just started to walk off when I stopped and looked at Garrett. "Could you teach me how to drive?"
"Sure. Ride home with me after school?"
I nodded then walked to my last class.
HAVOCK
As the school day went on, the shittier I felt. Jude said he heard the flu was going around and even threw in an, I told ya’ so, about me not getting a flu shot. I never got sick. Feeling bad was new to me. I leaned against my truck and waited for Reese to come out of the school.
A half hour and four cigarettes later, I started getting worried. I looked around the parking lot and noticed Garrett's truck gone. I dialed his number.
