"I'll meet you in the car. I'm turning off the computer, then I'll be there," Sawyer yelled from the other room.
Sighing, I tried to breathe slowly and keep the butterflies at bay. Running into his car, I played with the dress to hide my legs. The cool breeze swept through the driveway, letting me know winter was here. I prayed Sawyer would get us out of here before Dr. Vodola showed up.
As I chewed on my bottom lip, the car door opened, making me jump. My neck snapped, and smiling brown eyes greeted me.
7
Sawyer
I turned the engine of my car off, my smile vanished as I saw another vehicle near the garage. I trudged my way to the house, knowing this had to happen. I couldn't avoid my dad forever. I hope that I could make it back in time for the concert.
Opening the door, my hand was steady as the house was quiet. My eyes were scanning everywhere and everything, expecting him to pop out of nowhere for the attack. It was then I noticed him sitting at the table—the scene of the crime.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my lovely son returning home."
My blood froze when he said the word son. I was not related to him. I refused to believe that I had any of his blood running through my veins. If I could leave like my mother, I would have done so years ago.
"Well, you know I just had a fabulous vacation."
Our eyes locked like fire orbs at each other. I got my stubbornness from the man. I would give him that much.
"Yes, and her."
"Leave Madeline out of this, you bastard," I growled.
"You better not have touched her." My dad muttered with his eyes narrowing.
"Are you out of your mind? She isn't your property."
"You're to not to make her your sex thing." My dad snapped, almost as he cared about her.
"Even if something had happened, it wouldn't be any of your business."
"Nothing happened, did it?" his voice was still in that strong tone.
"No, she was in another room. She had her own bed and everything," I said and rolled my eyes.
"You're to stay away from her."
"How can I? She lives near me, goes to school with me. Let's face it, she's human and needs and should interact with people. Why do you have such a problem with that?"
"Because I 'created' her!"
"She's still human! You also created me."
He stopped just to pause.
"I've had this conversation before. I didn't back down then and I won't this time either."
Glancing at the clock, I noticed I was going to be late. I only stopped here to grab a different pair of shoes for school. I wasn't going to have that conversation again with my dad, and there wasn't time.
"I have to go."
I started to take a step towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go to the choir concert to support Madeline."
I stood in front of the garage door with my hand on the handle.
"I wish I was here to have stopped her."
"That's why I dropped her off early," I spoke quietly with my back still turned to him as I left.
As I ran down the hall towards the dark auditorium, my shoes barely hit the ground, and the piano cords echoed into the hall. Running faster, I couldn't miss her performance. Almost sliding on the tile floor, I grabbed onto the door to swing into the room.
Hearing a charming voice, I looked up out on the stage. Standing by herself under a spotlight, Madeline stood in front of a microphone, and her arms were by sides. Looking scared for her life, moving forward, she seemed to have seen me as she gave a weak smile. Her voice was a little small and started to build as the notes went along. A grin was wide on my face as I stared at her. Her confidence had to be growing with the song. Her eyes were in my direction instead of out in the masses. The grin felt permanent on my face. Her hands started to move a little away from her sides. Her voice grew louder, and her face seemed less pink. She might have gotten the chance to develop self-esteem. For once, the attention was on her talent rather than what she was.
"You sang so great! Why do you hide such a great voice?"
I hugged Madeline as she was blushing. She was outside of the choir room. Madeline hugged me back.
"Was I? Because I think I messed up this one part."
"You're too hard on yourself."
I ruffled the top of her head.
"Ah, stop doing that!"
I laughed. Madeline yelped. Justin came behind her and pulled her into a hug. Turning around to the smirking Justin, she stood next to me.
"Wow…I don't think there is another word that could describe that besides wow."
"Thank you."
"Why haven't I heard you sing before?" Justin kept going on with the badgering.
"I get nervous, and I don't think I'm excellent," Madeline mumbled.
"You're crazy!" Justin yelled out in comparison to her timid voice, causing others in the hall to turn to look at us. "You're the essence of amazing."
"Thank you, well we're going home now. I'm tired." Madeline spoke up.
"Alright, see you tomorrow." His voice dimmed.
We opened the doors from the school, and the December air smacked us. She put her hands into the pockets of her coat. We headed towards the car. It was time that we headed home instead of Ricky's house. After her performance tonight, she might have found her voice.
"You know about that dinner next week?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you go with me?"
My eyebrows bunched together. Glancing over, Madeline was staring at me.
"What?"
"Well, you don't have to, but at least I'll have a friend to talk to."
"Seriously?"
"I'll take that as a no." She whispered and got into the front of my car.
I turned on the car and pulled out of the parking spot.
"I'll go." I finally answered.
"Really?" Madeline asked, her voice sounded peppy.
"What the hell, I'll be there for you."
"Thank you! If you weren't driving, I'd hug you. I owe you so much for this."
I laughed.
"I get it. That's what friends do."
I sneezed and shook my head. My head felt stuffed up, and the medicine hadn't kicked in. I didn't even make it up the stairs after school. I was lying on the living room couch of my dad's house watching TV. Ricky's family was back. I had the TV on and didn't plan on moving the rest of the night. Thankfully, it was the last day of school before break, but I had the party with Madeline the next night. I had to make sure I had the cold manageable before then. Madeline walked into the room holding a mug that had steam drifting from the top.
"I already told you I don't drink tea."
She rolled her eyes and sat next to my feet.
"It's not tea. It is hot water with lemon and honey in it. It'll help open you up."
I rolled my eyes. I took the mug from Madeline and sat up. Sipping it at first, I nearly spat out the scolding hot liquid.
"Blow on it." She commented and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, don't like this. Burning isn't the same as opening up my passageways."
She took the mug back and took a sip herself.
"Men are such babies when they're sick."
I shrugged and laid back down to close my eyes.
"I plan to take it easy from now until tomorrow night, and I'll be good to go."
"I hope, but if you're still sick tomorrow, don't be afraid to skip it."
"I'll be fine tomorrow, you'll see. I'm going to take a nap now."
"For the last time, Justin, I can't hang out tonight."
I held the phone as I took the tux out of the closet. I had rented one for tonight. Even on the hanger, the thing looked stiff.
"I don't get it. Why are you going?"
"She asked. We'll find a way to have fun."
"Why did she ask you instead of me?"
Was Justin still on this? Why couldn't he just let her g
o? Madeline didn't even flirt with him to lead him on.
Placing the tux on my bed, I began to speak. "Why would she ask you? Hold that thought."
I put the phone down on the bed. Reaching for the bottom of my shirt and started to pull it over my head. I flung the material towards the laundry hamper. The material landed on the floor to join the others.
"Okay, back," I replied, grabbing the phone again.
"Why wouldn't she want to take me? I mean, aren't we friends too? Plus, I bet I would look better in a tux than you. This evening could have been the event to the start of us being a good couple."
My hand gripped the phone tightly, jaw tensed.
"Dude, she's fourteen years old, and we're leaving for college this summer."
"So? She's mature-"
"And you're not. Tell me that doesn't spell disaster."
"Oh, come on, I'm not that bad."
Pulling up my black pants then I zipped them with one hand.
"I don't want her to get hurt like some of the other girls you've dated."
"It's not like I do it on purpose. Girls have dumped me too, if you don't remember."
I sighed. Grabbing my white shirt, I shoved an arm while switching arms to hold the phone.
"Look, Madeline and I finally fixed our friendship-"
"Because you hurt her, I have to suffer?"
"Look, I didn't hurt her-"
"You can't honestly say that."
"Why?"
"Her mood has been different these past two weeks than the past year."
"Look, it's complicated."
"I doubt that."
"Don't believe me then."
I started to button my shirt, trying not to skip any. It was difficult with the phone and the frustration building up from talking to my, oh so lovely friend.
"She is going to have to date eventually. She's a pretty, smart girl. You can't hide her forever."
"Note how even you call her a girl."
"Young woman, whatever," Justin exasperated.
"It's that tone which is why I have to protect her," I growled. "I have to go. I'm going to see if my dad knows how to tie a bowtie."
"Fine, bye."
Clicking off the phone, I took the fabric and searched for him.
I don't know what Justin was talking about; I looked great. Tall, and on the lean side, with black jacket and pants, white shirt, black tie, black cumber bun, it was the classic tux, and I was pulling it off if I didn't say so myself. Dad even taught me how to tie my tie without a fight. Just minor grumbling, but there was some pride behind those glasses.
I know he wasn't keen on the idea of me going, but I think he enjoyed helping me get ready for the event. I don't think I'd asked him for help on anything since driving, and before that, I couldn't remember the last time, especially since the last fight we had. My dad and I displayed slight signs of the battle; the skin on my dad's nose showed darkened as my eye had hints of yellow surrounding it.
"Why don't you just marry yourself already?"
I turned towards the voice, half-stepping out of the downstairs bathroom. With a small hand lightly gracing the railing, it had to be an angel coming towards me. Madeline had some silky mink brown strands tied back, all in loose curls. She was wearing a floor-length pale pink dress, with a little in her one hand so she wouldn't step on the skirt as she walked.
The dress was strapless. Madeline was highlighting every curve softly that I didn't know existed. She has been there, my friend. Not my sister, even though Madeline lived down the hall. Being told over and over again that she had no relation to me, she was just a scientific marvel. I'd accused everyone else of not seeing her as a person. As I watched her, I started to wonder if I was following my own advice.
Yet, watching her smiling face, sparkling green eyes, she seemed different. How long has she been like this? How did I miss it?
"Stop staring. It's rude." She giggled.
I shook my head to stop the staring.
"What is there to stare at?" I asked, smirking, but I could hear the lie in my voice.
"It's time to go," my dad said, placing a jacket over her shoulders, but his eyes were on me.
My dad still thought Madeline and I were after each other. That Madeline and I were in love, that real sort of feeling. He was always accusing me of being physically attracted towards each other.
Of course, we loved each other, I guess, but it wasn't like that at all. I mean, we didn't. I mean, we couldn't, no, we couldn't possibly.
Trying not to act bored, I watched Madeline trying to do the same. I crossed my eyes and stuck my tongue at her as speeches continued. She giggled, trying to stop herself by biting down on her lip. Getting a few scolding faces, we tried to hide back our laughter, but the harder we tried, it just seemed more challenging to stop. As we just kept our eyes on each other, we were beaming. She covered her mouth with her hand.
"With these parting words, we'll be starting the dancing, then dinner. Let the fun begin." I think it was the mayor of the town speaking.
People were dancing to the music, not the kind of dancing you'd see at school events. A mixture of songs included swing, slow songs, and other music like the two.
Flashes were going off everywhere from the cameras, and every news outlet had to be here. People were posing for pictures while others were dancing. My dad got up from the table and was talking to a man a few tables over. One second, his face stern, concentrating very hard on what the man was saying, then the next, a smile spread across his face. When was the last time I'd seen him smile at home?
"You're Doctor Vodola's boy, aren't you?" an older man at our table seemed to be making sure, questioning himself more or less.
"Yes."
"And sorry to say this, but I don't remember your name. I remember reading it, but I don't remember."
Yes, I've been mention before, but not much and momentarily—still, more than I wanted.
"Sawyer."
He smiled.
"That's right. I remember that. I knew your father when he was growing up." The man replied, nodding his head, and turned to look at Madeline, who watched the people dancing before playing with a spoon resting on the table. "You look familiar."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Fred, of course, she does. We've seen her picture for years!" His wife said through gritted teeth.
"No, duh, Ester, I'm just saying, doesn't she seem familiar?"
His wife just rolled her eyes at him.
"Heads up, honey, if you ever get married, men are." Ester paused with a sigh, "Difficult, but the good ones make it worth it."
Ester started to smile as her husband took her hand in his.
"Sawyer, you want to get up with me?"
"Um, sure?" I raised an eyebrow.
Standing up, I looked at her. What kind of question was that? We made our way through the crowds. She smiled at a few people. I grabbed Madeline's hand as she was dodging people better than me despite her big skirt. We reached the back of the room near some windows out in the hall.
"I figured we should give them room."
"Oh."
The music was loud, filling the room with useless chatter yet, all I could feel was the silence between us. Every nerve I could feel was on end, jittery uncertain to no end.
"Madeline…"
"Yeah, I figured you needed to stand up as much as me." Madeline continued to talk, but her eyes were on the crowd around us.
"Yeah, I needed it too," I added as I felt my insides shake.
She wandered further down the hall until we reached some benches closer to the building's front door. Madeline sat on one, and I sat next to her as I played with my hands.
"You okay?" Madeline asked, looking at me with one raised eyebrow.
She always has been more mature.
Madeline might as well have been my age. My palms felt sweaty.
"Yeah, I'm just really out of my element here."
"Join the club. I've been doing this for years. I still ca
nnot get comfortable. I just feel so out of place here."
"Sucks to be you," I tried to joke, but my insides felt like they were trying to jump out of me. I didn't know what was wrong with me.
Why was it so weird to be around her? I could not calm down. Madeline has been in my life since I was a toddler yet, the two of us have been trying to rebuild a friendship, so I figured there would be uneasiness, but this was to a new level. Like I couldn't find the words around her, and I felt a knot in my stomach.
"Sawyer, this is almost over, then we can go back home. I want to thank you for coming here to keep me company."
She was staring up at me with those olive-green eyes, and I took her hand in one of mine. Madeline was beaming at me, and I gave her a half-smile. I gazed down at our hands; mine was more prominent than hers as I interlaced our fingers. Our fingers interlocked and every knuckle wrapped around the other's hand. Her fingernails were only a little longer, with light nail polish covering them.
"So how about as a reward for suffering through this ball, we do a movie and popcorn night. We haven't had one in so long." My voice came out hoarse.
Her rose color lips bloomed into a smile once again that spread across her whole face.
"I'd like that. I really can't wait to get out of this dress and into pajamas."
I chuckled.
"I know the feeling," I spoke, reaching up to the bowtie that seemed to be growing tighter by the second.
She giggled as she pushed my hand away from the tie.
"Do not do that. You look fine."
I raised an eyebrow as a smirk formed on my face.
"Only fine?"
She rolled her eyes as she continued to laugh.
"Sawyer, your ego is showing."
I looked down at my pants.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I sputtered, pretending to look at my zipper as I felt a slap on my shoulder.
"You are impossible!"
"And you enjoy every second." I snickered.
"Keep telling yourself that," she said, sticking her tongue out at me.
"So, the adult dress is just an act."
Beaker to Life Page 6
