Inseparable

by Missy Johnson

  Asshole. He was right.

  “Ha! So you were checking out my ass,” He exclaimed triumphantly, fisting the air. My blush deepened, which only fuelled his amusement, “Come on. You were checking me out. Then you wrongfully placed all the blame on me. You kind of have to go out with me now,” He decided, his expression turning solemn, “It’s the right thing to do, Lily.”

  My heart melted into a pool of goo. How could I say no? There was no way, not when he flashed that look at me, and looked at me with those amazing eyes. How could anyone expect me to stay away from this guy?

  “Your friends, I’m guessing, would have warned you away from me by now, right?” He asked. I nodded suspiciously, wondering where he was going with this, “Well, then you’d have also probably heard I’m not in the habit of asking women out?”

  Okay. He had me there.

  He reached forward and took my hand, “This, right here, is a big deal for me, Lily.”

  I crumbled. What could I say to that? My hand, still in his, tingled all the way up my arm. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was my right arm, I’d be convinced I was having a heart attack.

  “Okay,” I whispered. I didn’t want to say no. I didn’t care what anyone said. All I saw was someone I needed to get to know further.

  “Okay?” He repeated, shocked. A huge grin erupted on his face, “Okay! Awesome! Saturday night? At eight?” He asked.

  I nodded, “Okay, Dane. You win.”

  “See you then, Lily.”

  I bit my lip as he walked back to his car, sighing at the sight of his backside. I was pretty sure I was the winner here, not him.

  Chapter Five

  I was lying on the couch reading when I heard Kella come in. She threw her bag down on the floor and flopped into an armchair.

  “What are you looking so happy about?” She muttered sullenly. I raised my eyebrows; someone was in a good mood.

  “I have a date,” I announced, not letting her mood get to me. She eyed me skeptically. The only guy I’d mentioned to her since I got here was Dane.

  “You better not be about to tell me it’s with-“

  “Dane,” I cut her off, “I have a date with Dane, and you are going to be happy about it,” I said in my best no nonsense voice.

  “Dane? As in Dane Hansen? As in the guy I warned you is bad news?” She sighed, clearly annoyed, “Whatever Lil. Just be careful.” I watched her get up and go into the kitchen.

  I wasn’t about to let her bad mood ruin this for me. Gem was more excited when I called her to let her know.

  “Really??” She squealed. I laughed, finding it funny that she was almost more excited than me. ”He’s so hot, Lily,” She gushed, “But be careful,” She added.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I giggled. I’d talked her into going shopping with me to find something to wear, and I was going to try and talk Kella into the trip by tempting her with shoes.

  I sat down at the kitchen table and watched Kella cook. She was making Pad Thai. Like pretty much everything else she did, Kella was an amazing cook. Which suited me perfectly because I was quite possibly the worst cook in the world. We had a system, and it worked.

  She’d cook, and I’d clean. It was a win for everyone.

  “Why do you roll your eyes whenever I’m speaking to Gem?” I asked her. Kella stopped chopping and looked at me.

  “Are you serious?” Her mouth dropped open in shock, “I do not,” She argued.

  “You do. Right then, even,” I said, referring to the phone call.

  “I was rolling my eyes because of how you’re being with Dane,” She snapped. She rolled her eyes again, “Not Gem. I’ve nothing against Gem.”

  Even as she said it, I could see it in her eyes. I knew she wasn’t thrilled that I was going out with Dane, but there was something else there.

  Jealousy.

  “Kel. You know you’re my best friend, right?” I got up, walked over to her and put my arms around her shoulders. Kissing her cheek, I hugged her tightly. She giggled, he body relaxing, as she tried to push me away.

  “I know you are. It’s just…” Her voice trailed off, “I don’t know, you’ve known Gem like two weeks and you’re already like best friends,” She grumbled.

  My heart melted. My poor little Kellabear was jealous.

  “Aww, Kellabear, come here,” I pulled her into a proper hug.

  “Don’t call me that,” She growled, hugging me tightly.

  “You are forever my best friend, okay?” I kissed her forehead, “You’re my bestest friend in the whole wide world,” I added, giggling.

  “Now I feel like a psychotic jealous girlfriend,” She moaned, turning back to her chopping, “I don’t even know what’s wrong with me,” She set the knife down and turned to face me again. “I think I have a crush, Lil. A bad one,” Her hands covered her face as she moaned.

  “Who is it? Do I know him…or her?” I asked curiously.

  “No. Yes. Fraser,” She muttered. I smiled. The hottie from the cafeteria. “He’s in my business class. We’ve been out a few times, but I think I’m falling. Hard.”

  “Why am I just hearing about this now?” I yelled, smacking her backside with a wooden spoon. She yelped and jumped away from me.

  “Hey, watch it!” She waved the knife at me. Oops. “I didn’t want to say until there was something to say. You know me Lily, I’m not the whiny, gah gah over a boy type of girl.”

  I giggled. Kella was the least girly girl I knew, with the exception of the shoe obsession. In all the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her this way over anyone. Not even Mel.

  “You are now,” I said laughing, ignoring the look she shot me, “So what’s the problem? He seemed nice,” I added.

  “He’s a Gennerson,” She mumbled, collapsing in a heap onto the countertop.

  I howled with laughter, “A Gennerson?? Seriously, Kella??” She glared at me.

  Kella was the most laid back party kind of girl I’d ever met. She rarely wore a bra, took pole dancing classes as her exercise, she thought a beer was an adequate breakfast on the weekends, and had won numerous drinking competitions. The Gennerson’s were a name that everyone knew. Even me, and I’d only been here a few weeks.

  Very high up in the business world, they were proper, uber rich and very, very reserved. When I thought Gennerson, I did not think Kella. I’d pay to be there when Fraser introduced Kella to his parents. I’d seriously pay money to see that shit.

  “Lily,” Whined Kella, “You’re not being a very good friend,” She pouted. She was right. I swallowed my laughter and looked at her.

  “I’m sorry, Kel. Okay, so you like this guy. Does he like you?” Kella nodded.

  “Then what’s the problem? Who cares what everyone thinks if he doesn’t care?” She shrugged, reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair back in her ponytail.

  “The problem is everyone else’s reaction is going to be the same as yours,” She said frustrated. She had a point. Kella’s break-up with Melissa had been pretty high profile. To go from a lesbian relationship to a Gennerson was pretty damn ballsy, and it would be news.

  “Since when have you cared about other people’s reactions, Kel?” I asked, smiling at her, “To hell with them.” Kella grinned back at me.

  “You’re right, as usual,” She quickly hugged me again, before returning to her cooking.

  “So are you going out with him again?” I asked.

  “Yep,” Kella grinned, “We’re going out tomorrow night

  Chapter Six

  By mid-afternoon on Saturday, my stomach was dong somersaults, and doubts were slowly flittering through my mind. Why had I agreed to go out with him? I could’ve quite happily spent the remainder of the semester admiring him from afar, like some kind of weird stalker. My biggest worry was that we’d have nothing in common, and the evening would be filled with awkward silences and forced conversation.

  I was finally beginning to master the art of walking with this damn cast. I had to se
e the doctor again next week, and there was a small chance it would come off then, and I was hoping like hell it would. The thing itched like hell, and it was hard to look alluring when your foot resembled a blob of marshmallow.

  Kella was out again with Fraser for the third time that week. Things between them seemed to be developing quickly, and Kella was happier than I’d ever seen her.

  The eight o’clock alarm on my cell sounded just as the doorbell rang. Yes, I’d set an alarm for eight. Why, I didn’t know exactly, but I figured it was a test, and he’d passed.

  Passing the hallway mirror, I eyed my reflection. After hours debating what to wear, I’d gone simple, but pretty. My fitted jeans covered most of the cast, and the low cut peach sweater showed enough to be sexy, without falling into slutty. My hair fell loosely around my face, thanks to half an hour in front of the mirror with a curling iron.

  “Hey,” I said, smiling, a sound somewhere between a gasp and a groan escaping my lips. Dane looked completely gorgeous in his trademark jeans and black shirt. He’d forgone his usual leather jacket for a black corduroy one, which looked just as hot.

  “You look stunning,” He smiled, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that left me feeling like I’d answered the door in my underwear. It was just a pair of jeans and a sweater. It wasn’t like I had dressed up for the occasion. I mean, it was a movie, and he probably just felt sorry for me.

  Who was I kidding, I was so freaking excited I wanted to scream it from the rooftops. This was just me, trying to act cool.

  “Thanks,” I smiled, “So what are we seeing?” I followed him out to his car. He opened the passenger door like a gentleman which left me smiling like a total fruit loop. My heart thumped as his hand brushed past mine as he shut the door.

  It was official. I was a goner. I was swooning big time.

  “Are you in the mood for comedy? Or a horror? Or maybe a little romance?” He winked at me, with his wonderful lopsided grin that I just wanted to pepper with kisses. Sweet little kisses that would make him want to throw me down onto the back seat of this car and do inappropriate things with me.

  “Am I in the mood for romance? Are you serious, Dane, that’s your best move?” I burst out laughing, as he dropped his eyes and frowned, pretending he was wounded. Truthfully, a little bit of romance sounded wonderful, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. It was so much more fun to tease him about his corny moves, than to admit aloud how much I liked him.

  “Hey, I’m out of practice. Give a guy a break,” He said. His smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but return it.

  “From what I’ve heard, you certainly had lots of practice up until last year,” I teased, keeping my voice light. This was as close as I’d get to an organic opportunity to quiz him on last year. The lightness dulled from his eyes, and was replaced with apprehension.

  Okay, so bringing up last year was a moment killer. Go Lily.

  “As true as that may be, Lily, things change,” He shrugged, glancing my way, “I’m not the person I was a year ago. Are you?” He shrugged. The lightness came back into his eyes, and he grinned.

  His words brought me down a few pegs. Things change. Boy did I know that. Suddenly I was thinking of Abby, and how I should be talking with her about my first date with a college boy. There were so many things we going to miss out on doing together.

  “Hey,” Dane said softly, his hand brushing over my leg as he reached to change the gears, “I’m sorry if I came across as rude. There are just some things that are hard for me to talk about.”

  “I get it Dane, I do,” I smiled, assuming he meant his sister. “And you’re right. Things do change,” I said softly. Why did I suddenly feel on the verge of tears? Part of me wanted to crawl into bed and just lay there for days, but I was past that time I my life where I’d let my emotions get the better of me. I was strong Lily now.

  “Do you wanna skip the movie? I know a great little restaurant a bit out of town.” He asked me gently. He'd sensed my sadness, probably because I wasn’t very good at hiding it. It meant a lot that he cared enough to change plans at the last minute, as though his goal was to make me happy. Dinner sounded perfect, because what I needed most right now was to talk.

  The restaurant turned out to be a small Italian place in the middle of nowhere, which suited me perfectly because I loved Italian, and it was romantic. From the soft music, to the candles in the middle of each tastefully decorated table, to the decadent smell of pasta wafting through the air, he could not have picked a more perfect place if he wanted to impress me. I was officially wooed.

  Once we were seated, and our orders placed I sat awkwardly waiting for him to start the conversation. Argh. I hated first dates. Things would be so much easier if we could fast forward to date three or four. It was then you really started to get to know someone. I stifled a laugh, which resulted in a loud snort. Since when was I an expert on relationships?

  “What’s so funny?” Dane said, his lips curving into a smile, as if he’d found my snort cute.

  “Nothing,” I mumbled, blushing.

  “You were laughing at nothing?” He is eyebrow shot upwards, and his grin formed more of a smirk. Great, now he thought I was nuts.

  “Yes. I laugh at nothing all the time,” I laughed again to prove my point, preferring he think I was a nut than admit to him what had amused me, and I was pretty sure I was nailing the ‘nutter girl’ persona.

  “You’re an odd girl, Lily,” Dane grinned, repositioning himself in his chair, his leg now up against mine. I jumped, not expecting the contact, or the chills that went surging down my back. His leg was touching mine. I craved the feel of his hand on mine, as I eyed it sitting casually on the edge of the table. “What now?” He asked, chuckling.

  “Nothing,” I mumbled, cursing myself. Yep, this was going awesomely. How could I not be expecting a second date? I sighed, “Okay yes, I’m slightly odd. Your leg touched me and I jumped, and then I saw your hand and wanted to hold it,” I was rambling.

  Oh. My. God. What the hell was I doing?

  “Like this?” He reached, his fingers softly combing over my own, until his whole hand covered mine. I would’ve gasped, but I was forcing myself not to react. On the inside, my body was going mental. I was having hot and cold flushes, tingles and numbness all at the same time, and all were fighting each other.

  “You’ve got soft hands,” He chuckled, “I believe you that you’re a nut, but maybe I like nuts.”

  He likes nuts? I giggled as his face went red.

  “Not what I meant, Lily,” He muttered amused, running a hand through his hair, “I like you. I want to get to know you.”

  “Awesome,” I replied, a giddy smile on my face. I pulled my hand out from under his, resting mine on top, gently running my nails over his soft skin. Our fingers twirled together, when the sudden urge to beat him at a thumb war came over me. I slammed my thumb down over his.

  “Yes!” I cheered.

  “What the hell, Lil?” He chuckled, confused, “Did you just cheer because you beat me in a thumb war that I didn’t even know we were having?” I reddened. Well, when he put it like that, it didn’t sound nearly as impressive.

  “If we’re going to do this, Lil, we’ll do it right,” He said seriously, taking my hand and putting it into position. “One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war.” He slowly said, the last word was barely out of his mouth and our thumbs were up, on high alert, circling each other like they were in a shoot off. I swooped below him, he reacted quickly. Too slow. This time I pretended to go, anticipating his reaction, my thumb slamming down on top of his.

  “Yeah!” I cried, throwing my arms up in the air. Dane laughed, his head in his hands, as several of the nearby tables glanced over to see what all the noise was about. I put my arms down, making a face at Dane, who was still chuckling.

  “God, you’re insane,” He muttered, pulling me in once again with his little lopsided smile. At least he found me amusing.

  “So
rry,” I murmured. “I can get kind of competitive…”

  “I noticed,” He said dryly, “So tell me about you, Lily.” Dane offered me the plate of garlic bread the waitress had just put in front of us. My mouth watered as I took a slice.

  “I’m nineteen. I have a sister, who’s fourteen. I had another sister. A twin. She died last year,” My voice broke a little, like it always did when I spoke about Abby.

  “God Lily, I’m so sorry. That must have been incredibly hard,” His voice was raw with emotion.

  Knowing what I knew about his sister, I knew he understood my pain. The one thing I hated more than anything was pity from people who had never lost a sibling. The number of times I’d had people say they could imagine how I feel, or they know how I felt because their pet bird died was crazy. Well, maybe not pet bird, but you don’t understand what it feels like until you’ve been in the same situation, and no amount of imagining comes even close.

  Dane understood. Maybe that was part of why I was so drawn to him. He wasn’t just another person with no idea of how it felt. When I looked into his eyes and saw his own pain and emotion.

  “It was hard. It still is,” I admitted, “How about you? Tell me about Dane,” I smiled, breaking off a piece of my bread. It tasted even better than it looked, the soft fluffy bread combined with the salty, garlicky butter dulling some of my hunger.

  Dane’s eyes turned downward, “I don’t want to turn our first date into a poor us pity party, but I want to be honest with you…I had a sister too. She was kidnapped and murdered when she was six.” I gasped, not sure why, but not wanting to let on that I knew that already.

  “I’m so sorry…” My voice trailed off, unsure of what to say next. So this is how people felt when I told them about Abby. There was nothing that could be said to adequately respond to his words.