by Nicole Adams
“You’re cute when your angry. It’s nothing, just that he can date my ex that’s all.”
“Your ex?” I say trying not to look to embarrassed.
“Yeah, we only went out for a little while a couple of months back. But he liked her from when I introduced her. She was… not the right fit for me. For Henry either really, but it’s not my place to say when he lets me have you,” he says, laughing. “We have this deal that we don’t date each other’s ex’s in case it causes arguments. You would have thought we would have put sisters into that,” he says, laughing even more.
I shove him playfully. “That’s awful! Henry would be so mad if he heard you saying that!” I’m imagining the scenario in my head.
“It’s a good job he’s not here then isn’t it,” he whispers, leaning in to share our little secret.
“Do you mind him asking your ex out?” I ask, moving to sit beside him.
“Why would I? I’ve got someone else on my mind,” he says, nudging me with his elbow then putting his arm around me. “Was that a test?” he asks, with a ponderous look on his face.
“No, I just understand, feelings linger so you might not have been totally okay with it and I wanted to make sure.” I feel awkward, and start playing with my hair to look casual.
“Do you have lingering feelings for someone?” he asks, toying with me.
“Not that I can think of.” I look up at the sky, pretending I’m not really listening.
“Come on, you must have had a crush?” he asks, poking me in the ribs.
“Does Channing Tatum count?”
“Oh god. Your one of those,” he says, rolling his eyes at me.
“No, I just appreciate him,” I giggle.
“Don’t you have a crush on anyone real?”
“I did but I suppose that doesn’t matter now,” I reply, trying to evade the question.
“You can tell me. It was me wasn’t it?” he says proudly gesturing to himself.
“Not if you're going to be smug about it.” I feel a little embarrassed. He leans in, placing a small kiss to my temple.
“Well, If I knew about it, maybe I would have made my move sooner.” he giggles. He pulls away slightly, stares at me deeply and gently moves a stray hair from my face. He leans in slowly, I meet him halfway and he gently kisses me with his perfect, soft lips.
He pulls away, slowly. I hover not wanting it to be over. “We had best head back. I can’t steal you away for too long, people will come looking for us.” He jumps to his feet and offers me his hands to help me up.
We head back to the yard to see Henry standing in front of the stables.
“Can you just not? It’s been one date; you don’t need to spend every minute together.” He looks annoyed.
“Come on, let’s go sort out your truck before it rains, looks like it’s coming in quick,” Charlie says, running straight past Henry.
I head back into the stable to make sure all the horses are in out of the field. They should be as we didn’t turn them out this morning because of the impending rain. I’m greeted by the familiar sound of kicking against the wooden door. “Really Ranger, you just been out and it’s going to rain! Can it will you!” I say moving along to his stall. I go around the stalls and top up the water and feed. My favourite ranch smell fills the air. Barley. I give Ranger a little scratch and head straight for the house.
Chapter 8
As I sit in my English class on that warm summer’s day, I find myself unable to focus. It’s the last Monday before summer and my teacher, Mrs Drake, is not letting the class get away with anything. Didn’t she get the memo about movies and free time on the last week? I try to refocus back on the discussion, but my mind wanders.
“Faye. Would you like to answer the question?” she’s says, tapping on my desk making me jump out of my skin. When did she get there?
“What was the question?” I ask. The class starts to erupt in giggles.
“Who are considered the Mockingbird figures in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?” she asked.
“Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.” I reply quite smugly. This was probably the only book I’ve read this year that I enjoyed. She looks almost annoyed that I know the answer.
“Right. And why is that?” she replies.
“Even though they are kind men, people still see them badly.” I reply.
“Go on,” she says trying to catch me out.
“Boo rescues Scout and Jem, and Tom helps Mayella chop up a wardrobe, but they still are met with prejudice and racism,” I say flicking through my book to avoid her harrowing glare. She turns back to the class and grins, at least I learned something this year.
“Good, Faye. Just spend less time looking out the window and more on what is going on inside the classroom,” she says smugly as she heads back to the front of the class.
Finally, the long-awaited sound of the of the rusty worn out chimer rings and I quickly pack up my things. As I slide the last unnecessarily heavy book into my bag, a shadow is cast over me.
“You didn’t tell me you were seeing Charlie Lawrence. Didn’t expect you to go for that kind of boy,” Sam says judgingly, circling my desk.
“What do you mean by that?” I say trying to move around her. She blocks my path, her hands on either side of the walkway.
“Oh, you know, trouble follows that boy around like a bad smell. I heard Cole is out for blood after what Charlie told Coach about the other night. He can’t play the first five games of next season!” she says almost shocked.
“I think he’ll survive. Maybe it will give him time to change into a decent human being!” I reply trying once again to move past her.
“All I know is you both better watch out,” she says, delicately prodding me in the chest.
“Is that threat coming from you or him?” I push her hand off me, following her confrontation like a tentative game of chess.
“Oh, I don’t know, but you both should watch your backs. You don’t know what Cole is capable of,” she says turning to leave.
“I thought you had better taste in boys. Did he have to drug you to say this or are you stupid enough to come here willingly?” I reply. Checkmate.
“Just watch out. If he loses his scholarship. Who knows what might happen?” Sam says, as she flicks her long blonde hair and leaves the room.
As I wander towards the door, I can’t help but giggle to myself. Not even two years ago I would have quaked in my boots. I’ve come so far. I think to myself. I must thank Gilly, that girl is a miracle worker.
I leave the classroom and head down the crowded corridor towards my old rusted locker. I creak open the door and pull out the rest of my books. Seriously in this day and age we should have kindle versions instead of carrying around encyclopaedia sized textbooks that are only invented to test a student’s will power.
I catch a glimpse of something that doesn’t feel quite right. I slowly turn to see Cole at the other end of the corridor. A look on his face that could kill and he’s practically drooling at the mouth and steam coming from his ears. His eyes burn into me like a laser. I try to evade his glower by burying my head in my locker, but this only seems to make him angrier. A smile forms on his face at the realisation that his assault has had the desired effect. He starts to advance towards me. I run for the door snaking through the crowd. As I reach the top of the stairs descending to the car park the crowd scatters. I turn to see Cole not too far behind enjoying the chase like a prowling lion, toying with his prey. Meaning I am the prey. I run down the steps looking for Gilly’s car, but she is nowhere to be seen. A familiar truck comes into view. I run for it.
“Hey, what’s the hurry?” Charlie laughs.
“Nothing. Let’s just go!” I jump into the truck, slam the door and try not to look out of the window. Charlie stares at me.
“Please, just drive!” I take a forbidden glance out the window, but Cole was nowhere to be seen.
“Okay! Okay,” he says starting the engine and pulling away.
“Why are you picking me up?” I ask, getting back to reality.
“We discussed this remember?” I nod, recalling the texts. “What was all that about?” he asks concerned.
“Cole was freaking me out. I thought he was following me.”
“What?! Why?” he asks, checking his mirrors frantically.
“It’s okay. I think I was overreacting.” I place my hand on top of his trying to reassure him. He lets out a held breath.
“Seriously if he touches you again, I’ll kill him,” he says almost simmering in his seat.
“Oh, will you now? For Little old me?” I reply, in the damsel in distress voice.
“I’d do anything for you, my Lady,” he says taking my hand and kissing it softly.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask giggling, trying to change the subject.
“My house first. Then the lake,” he replies excitedly.
“It’s a school night! My parents will flip, I have chores to do!” I reply, trying to control the panic in my voice.
“All taken care of. I did them this afternoon and told your Mom my plan. She’s cool with it. I do have to tell you something before we get to my house though.” He shifts in his seat awkwardly.
“What?” I reply, trying to assess his mood.
“My Mom has been trying out new foods for the diner and has gone … well crazy,” he said plainly.
“What do you mean?”
“She has almost become a recluse. She has bought a new space over on the other side of town, but she wants it to be a ‘fancy diner’.” He says making quote marks with his fingers, and the furrowed brow emphasising the air of sarcasm he was trying to create. “She’s started creating all these different dishes and she uses me and my grandma as her guinea pigs.”
“Oh, poor you. Having a personal chef in your home, what’s so bad about that?” I imagine the food she must create. The warm soft pancakes dripping in gooey maple syrup. My mouth waters at the thought.
“She’s crazy! I have to do twice the training I usually do to work off the food, or feed it to Ray on the sly. By the way she might have a lot of questions for you,” He nervously shifts in his seat, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
“Why?”
“Because you’re the first girl I’ve taken home,” he says, his attention unwavering from driving.
I stare at him in disbelief.
Chapter 9
We pull into the driveway and I see the first glimpse of his childhood home. A tyre strung up in a tree, a large porch that shrouds the front of the sky-blue house with a bench and fresh flowers either side of the path.
He comes around to my door and opens it for me and hands me a bag.
“Your mom packed this for you. You can change in my room after you meet my mom.” He says, pulling me up the path.
A deep gruff greets us at the door.
“Good boy, Ray.” Charlie pats the large blood hound on the head. Ray turns to me and rubs his head into my hand.
“Nice to meet you bo,.” I say, scratching behind his ears. He grumbles back in appreciation.
“He likes you. That’s a good start,” Charlie laughs.
“Charlie is that you?” a voice hollers from the kitchen.
“Yes Mom,” he shouts back in response and pulls me towards it.
“Great. Could you grab the cooler from the back room?” she asks, wrapping up the last of the lunches. The work top displayed a banquet fit for a king. Chocolate covered strawberries, potato salad, sandwiches, eggs, corn dogs, mini burgers and the most amazing, mini waffles. My mouth watered in anticipation. She slowly turned to look at us.
“Mom you didn’t have to go to all this trouble!” he said awkwardly, returning with the cooler.
“It’s not a problem! Gave me a reason to try out some of my new recipes. This must be Faye. You’re as beautiful as he says you are.” She gestures for me to come forward, reaching for my hand. I walk towards her and she looks at me deeply, like she’s trying to read my innermost thoughts. Charlie’s mom wipes her floury hands in her apron then pats it back into position, so it lies neatly around her waist. She is small compared to her towering son. Gentle features that make me want to trust her instantly. Her hair was neatly tide back and she had specks of flour in it as confirmation she had been cooking all day.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you Mrs Lawrence,” I reply putting on my politest voice.
“Strong hands, not too girly to get stuck in. I take it you help on the farm?” she suggests, and waits for her answer.
“Yes, it keeps us all busy,” I reply, feeling a little nervous.
“Do you cook?” she asks inquisitively.
“She makes a great spaghetti bolognese. Is the interrogation really necessary?” Charlie jumps in help.
“Of course, it is! I need to find out who this girl is on the inside!” She seems a little annoyed he interrupted. “Do you get along with your brother?” she continues.
‘Sometimes. I don’t see him very often, but he usually just gets on my nerves.” I reply feeling a little invaded.
“Honest. She’s a good one.” She says turning gracefully to put the sandwiches in the cooler. As she does a waft of cinnamon fills my nostrils. My stomach rumbles in pleasure.
“Thanks Mom. I think I got that.” Charlie gives me a little wink that makes me melt a little inside.
“Do you like Diner food? I only ask as I want to see how you like what I’ve prepared,” she asks staring at me almost telepathically urging me to say yes.
“Of course! I wish I could have your pancakes every morning,” I can almost taste the memory of them.
“Thanks Faye. I can’t wait to hear what you think. Charlie isn’t helpful anymore. I know Ray eats my food more than he does!” And at the sound of his name, Ray wonders in from the porch and starts licking around the kitchen floor at the small scraps that had been forgotten. Charlie gives me an awkward grimace as he avoids replying to her accusation.
“Right, you two had better be going. Don’t want you getting back too late!” she continues, busying herself putting the last container in the cooler. She hands the cooler to Charlie and starts to gesture to the fridge.
“There’s some Cokes in there for you to take too,” she says, her eyes like a piece of gleaming emerald. “Get going! Shoo now, both of you! I have work to do.”
“Thanks, Mom. This is perfect.” He kisses her on the forehead as he reaches for the cooler.
“No problem. I just expect ratings when you come back, and a full report. On the food I mean,” she says still shoving. Charlies eyes widen and his cheeks flush with colour. “It was lovely to meet you Faye. Let me know if he’s not a perfect gentleman and ill sort him out,” she says with a little giggle and with that she closes the door behind us.
“Sorry she gets like that sometimes. Come on let’s go.” He says taking my hand and pulling me towards the truck. He opens the shiny black door and lets me hop in. He slides the cooler on to the back seat and fastens it in, in case the food runs off, of course.
Chapter 10
As we near, the immense body of water fills my field of vision with shadowing trees lurking in the distant fog. The water is completely still, reflecting the darkening sky. So quiet, that I dare not breathe, hoping not to disturb it. Charlie reaches into the back of the truck, pulling out a few blankets and cushions and laying them out beside the lake.
“Well, this is cute. Have you been here before?” I ask, watching him flatten the corners of the blanket out and fluffing the tartan pillows.
“Yeah, this is my thinking spot,” he said. “My Grandpa used to take me here. We would just sit and fish. He was the best person to talk to and he always had the best advice.” He smiled. “He’d always start with ‘Well, Bud,’” he chuckles at the memory and his southern impression of his Grandfather’s voice.
“I wish I’d met him.” I remembered he had passed a few years back.
“He was a great man. If I turn out to be
half the man he was, I’ll be happy.” He starts to lay out the banquet before me. His expression seemed distant for a moment, only to return when I reach for the waffles.
“Don’t even think about starting with dessert,” he says, laughing at my unwavering stare.
“Not even one?” I say, batting my eyelids and smiling as sweetly as I can.
He lets out a small sigh. “How can I say no to that face?” He leans forward and tucks a stray hair behind my ear, not taking his eyes away from mine.
