Save Me

by Stephanie Street

  “Let’s do this.” With a firm nod, I moved to the edge of the stage where I was supposed to wait for Elle to emerge from the side-stage across from me.

  With a huff, Joie marched off-stage and Trina sat cross-legged front and center.

  Calvin and Elle were supposed to be in a library. The set design included a few large backdrops painted to look like bookshelves loaded with books. There was one real bookcase with real books where Elle and Calvin argued the literary merits of various classics. Of course, since Joie wrote this script, Elle was the witty cynic and Calvin was the brooding romantic.

  Wrapping herself in the cloak of Elle, Joie stepped from the shadows of the side stage and made her way confidently to my position beside the book case. Glancing around, I noticed all conversation and movement from the other actors and stage hands had ceased. Everyone was interested in seeing their mysterious director in a new role.

  Elle steps up to the books and trails one finger along the spines, pretending to read the titles.

  “Need a recommendation,” Calvin asks.

  Elle looks him up and down before turning back to the books. “I think I can manage.”

  Calvin nods and turns his attention to the books as well. However, he can’t seem to keep his gaze from straying to Elle.

  Finally, Elle, hands on her hips, confronts him. “Fine. What would you recommend?”

  Without pausing to consider, Calvin pulls a book from the shelf and presents it to Elle. “A governess and a brooding master.” Calvin wraps an arm around her waist and twirls her into a waltz. “Romance. Intrigue.”

  Elle circles back around and out of Calvin’s arms. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she turns back to the books. “Already read it.”

  Calvin re-shelves the book, tapping his finger to his lip, apparently, deep in thought. “Hmm. How about this one?” He plucks another book from the shelf. “Poor damsel meets pompous bachelor.” Bowing deeply, Calvin sweeps his arm out to Elle. “Mother’s machinations. Misunderstandings abound.”

  Elle yawns, patting her hand over her open lips. “Sounds boring.”

  Calvin steps close, his mouth a breath from Elle’s ear. “Sounds romantic.”

  Elle glares at him and takes a step back. Holding up his hands, Calvin bows himself back away from her. He places the book back on the shelf, appearing deep in thought. Removing another book, he runs his hand over the cover. With a glance at Elle, who ignores him, Calvin once more places an arm around her waist. Pulling her into a one-armed dance, he holds a book up for her inspection.

  “Have you read this one? It is about a handsome prince who falls in love with a poor cinder girl.” Tension mounting, Calvin continues to dance with Elle. Reaching up to lace her fingers through Calvin’s hands, Elle appears to give herself over to the moment, losing herself in Calvin.

  “I prefer adventure,” she says.

  “Falling in love is an adventure,” Calvin replies.

  “I prefer battles and mystery,” Elle presses on.

  “You must never have been in love,” Calvin insists.

  “Why would you say such a thing,” Elle asks insulted.

  “For if you had, you would know there is no greater battle than that of winning your one true love and no greater mystery than discovering how to win that love for yourself.” Calvin slows their dance until they come to a stop, arms suspended in a traditional dance hold.

  “Have you been in love,” Elle asks breathlessly.

  Calvin gazes into Elle’s eyes. “Not yet,” he says just before kissing her.

  I goaded her into it. I knew I had, but I didn’t quite think things through all the way, because when Joie’s lips met mine, I didn’t give her the small stage kiss the script called for- even though that had been my intention. Instead, the moment her lips met mine, I lost myself in them, in her, just as I always did when we kissed. It was like something happened. Something magical. Something worth fighting battles for. Worth figuring out the mystery of.

  The room fell away as I dropped my hands from her, preferring to wrap them around her waist. Joie was tiny, my arms came around her with plenty to spare, leaving my hands to explore her back and the deep recesses of her hair. She was so familiar and so new at the same time.

  The sound of applause filled the stage and auditorium, but I was too focused on the girl in my arms, cataloging all the changes, determined to become intimately knowledgeable of all of them.

  “Cut!” A voice echoed above the cheering, almost breaking through the haze.

  “Cut!” This time the voice was accompanied by a rough jerk on my shoulder. “Cole!”

  Realizing I might be in danger, I reluctantly pulled my lips from Joie’s. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened, alarmed.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing?” The hand on my shoulder yanked again almost causing me stumble. I brought Joie close once more to keep myself from dropping her on her bottom right there on stage. The cheering had calmed to a deathly silence.

  I shook my head to clear it, trying to make sense of what was going on around. Glancing over my shoulder, my gaze landed on someone who had me sobering up faster than Michael Phelps in an Olympic swimming pool from my Joie induced high.

  “Brianna,” I croaked.

  Chapter 19

  Joie

  My cheeks still burned from the effect of Cole’s kiss. What happened to me anyway? Why did I let him kiss me like that? Why did I kiss him back? It was bad enough, the anxiety I was feeling about Davis being a newly permanent fixture at my house, I didn’t need to lose focus when it came to Cole. I needed to remember my goals. USC. No Cole. Get away from Indiana. No Cole. Direct the best play the people from USC had ever seen. NO COLE!

  It was like he set out to undermine all my resolve on a daily basis. Not that he was always trying to kiss me, but he was always there. Always reminding me of how things used to be. Making me miss him. Miss us. It sucked, and I couldn’t wait for rehearsals to be over. For the play to be done. To never see Cole Parker ever again.

  Then why did just the thought of it make my heart ache and my stomach want to lose all its contents?

  Letting the door to the auditorium slam shut behind me, I made my way to the bike rack, thankful for the warmer weather and Daylight Savings. I hated riding my bike home in the dark and now there was just a peek of sun left by the time I pulled into the driveway and stowed my bike next to the trash bins.

  “You kissed her, Cole!”

  I winced at the sound of Brianna’s pissed off voice reaching me from all the way across the parking lot. Cole leaned casually against the door of his car, his arms hanging loosely at his side. He didn’t seem like he had a care in the world. Brianna, on the other hand, looked ready to pounce and relieve him of his manhood.

  The old Joie, the one that was Cole’s best friend, wanted to race over to stand between him and anyone or anything that threatened him, but I couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t. Besides, Cole looked like he could take care of himself. I did feel somewhat bad for Brianna. I didn’t feel guilty though. Cole had kissed me. I didn’t initiate anything beyond the scripted peck on the lips. Cole had been the one to deepen the kiss. Cole had been the one to pull me in close to his chest. Man, what a kiss it had been, too.

  If there was one thing I’d come to realize over the last couple of months, it was that Cole and I had an unmistakable connection. It was as though my soul was attached to his soul. If Cole was anywhere near, I knew it even if I couldn’t see him. His voice rumbling when he spoke nearby seemed to settle me. When our eyes met, it was like something out of a rom-com. Time stood still. The world slipped away. And when Cole kissed me, I swear, I heard angels sing. It was almost enough to make me abandon my resolve to keep Cole out of my life. At least, until I got home and was reminded of my mom. That was all it took to shore up my defenses. I never wanted to be like her. Ever.

  Pedaling out of the school parking lot, I hazarded a glance over my shoulder to look at Cole. Brianna paced in front
of him, her hands waving around angrily. Cole wasn’t even paying attention. In fact, his gaze followed my progress, a small smirk curling his lips.

  Oh my.

  Cole

  I had a moment, leaning against my car door, watching as Brianna paced in front of me, angry words and accusations filling the air between us- As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t convince myself to care. I thought about the things my dad had taught me. About girls, not puberty. I wasn’t being fair to Brianna, even if I knew she only wanted to be with me because I was the top dog right now. Just because she didn’t know she deserved better than that- I did.

  “Brianna.” She kept going, ranting about Joie and that kiss.

  Wow. That kiss. At that moment, all I wanted to do was go to Joie’s house and talk to her about that kiss. And about the possibility of more kisses. We needed to have more kisses and I wasn’t going to let her get out of talking to me about it this time. She was going to tell me why or- or- I didn’t know what. She was just going to.

  “Brianna!”

  “What?” She finally stopped, facing me with tear-streaked cheeks.

  Was I really going to do this? I realized I couldn’t avoid it. I saw the future of my relationship with Brianna playing out before me and there was no way. I wasn’t going to keep hurting her. I had to end it now. With my conflicted feelings about Joie and our past…

  “I think we should break up.” Just rip off the Band-Aid.

  Her face crumpled. “What?”

  I was such a jerk. But I never anticipated this situation. Joie hadn’t spoken to me in forever. Briana and I were happy as we were. Then Joie opened that door and my heart couldn’t shake the idea that I might have another chance with her.

  Gently grasping her arms, I pulled her close. I didn’t want to hurt her any more than I had. Although, I knew mostly she was just going to be mad.

  “I’m sorry. It’s been great. I’ve had a lot of fun dating you. But I think we need to break up.”

  Brianna jerked out of my arms, her body roiling with anger and frustration. “Are you kidding me? You’re breaking up with me?” She sounded so astounded.

  I nodded. There was really nothing else to say. “You have your car, right?” I began walking toward it. I would make sure she got on the road safely and then I was going to go talk to Joie.

  I opened her car door and turned to see her standing open-mouthed where I’d left her. I gestured to the car, anxious to leave now that I’d done the right thing breaking up with her.

  Pressing her lips into a thin line, Brianna stomped over, sliding into the driver’s seat without a word. I closed the door for her and stood back. She jammed her key into the ignition before peeling out of the parking lot.

  Sighing with both regret and relief, I got into my car and headed home.

  Chapter 20

  Joie

  It was a pleasant night compared to the frigid temperatures we’d been having all winter. I was more than ready for spring to arrive for so many different reasons. Right now, I was enjoying the bike ride home with just a hooded sweatshirt and memories of Cole’s kiss to keep me warm.

  Turning the corner to our street, I felt the familiar rush of anxiety. Would Davis be at my house again? And if he was, would my mom be with him? She wasn’t much of a buffer, but she was better than nothing. Davis had become bolder the last few days, appearing out of nowhere disrupting the patterns I was accustomed to. I tried to quiz my mom about him the other day. Her eyes had glowed with happiness as she described how wonderful he was and how much they had in common and wasn’t he just the best. I nodded non-committedly and wandered back into my own room to search for any evidence of tampering with the locks on either my window or door. I did not trust Davis or the predatory look in his eyes.

  Mom’s car was parked in the driveway. This used to mean she was home or she was out. I used to be able to trust that if she was home she might or might not have company and if she was not home, the house would be empty. Now, I didn’t know what I was getting into before I walked through the door. Now, I had to wonder if Davis was in there and whether or not my mom was with him. How could I leave this to luck? I wished my mom was responsible enough to reply to my text messages asking for her whereabouts. I wished my mom was responsible enough to not put me in this position in the first place.

  I parked my bike on the side of the house by the trash bins and made my way to the front porch. The light was on, but the rest of the house was dark. That didn’t mean anything. He could be in there. Lurking. In the dark.

  Different scenarios flitted across my mind. Where was mom? What would I do if he was in there? Should I just go in the window? I’d left it unlocked so I could do just that. But did he know that? Was he in my room with the door locked from the inside?

  Terror crawled up my throat, threatening to choke me. I glanced at Cole’s house. Lights glowed cheerfully from each of the downstairs windows. I knew Mrs. Parker was inside, probably making dinner. Cole wasn’t home yet. Neither was his dad. I wanted to go over there. I wanted to never go into my house again. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to go home without fear. To feel warm and loved and safe. Maybe I should find a way to move out sooner than the end of the summer. But then I wouldn’t be able to save the money I would need to go to California.

  Making a decision, I lifted the rolled-up ladder off the sill outside my window and put my foot on the bottom rung.

  Cole

  I raced home from school. I wanted to see Joie, but I also couldn’t shake this feeling of dread. I knew things were going on at her house. I’d been keeping watch out my window for the last couple of months since the day we’d run into the guy with all the tattoos. Joie tended to enter her house through her bedroom window rather than the front door. After leaning her bike against the side of the house, Joie snuck up to the window and unraveled the ladder. She’d grown adept at pulling herself over the edge of the window and into her room. She never failed to immediately reach for the ladder and roll it back up before closing the window and locking it. It was the same every time.

  So, when I rolled up to my house and my eyes, which were immediately drawn to Joie’s window, took in the unfurled ladder and open window, I knew something was wrong. Without even taking the time to park in my driveway, I pulled to a screeching stop at the curb in front of Joie’s house. Leaping from my car, leaving it running, I sprinted to the front door, banging on the surface with my fist, while trying the knob with my other hand. It was locked.

  “Joie!”

  Scuffles broke the evening’s silence. Pausing to listen carefully, I heard something again.

  “Joie!” I pounded on the door once more.

  “Cole!”

  Leaping from the front porch, I raced to Joie’s window. Launching myself up the rungs of the ladder, I vaulted feet first into her room.

  For years to come I would have nightmares about what I saw in her room that day. I would have dreams of not reaching Joie in time to keep her from harm. I would see the terror in her eyes as they found mine once my feet hit her floor. I would dream I wasn’t able to keep the man with the tattoos from hurting her any more than he already had. Sometimes her mom would appear, strung out and worthless, just watching as her daughter fought for her life.

  I woke up each time, reaching for her beside me in my bed, which was ridiculous since Joie hadn’t slept in my bed since we were fifteen. Long before that day. The day I could never forget.

  Tattoo man was strong from years of living to survive. I think the only reason I was able to get the jump on him that day was pure surprise and pent up rage from years of wanting to protect Joie and not knowing how to do it. Tattoo man presented me with a perfect opportunity and I wasn’t going to squander it. In the end, Joie had to pull me off him.

  With shaking hands, I dialed 9-1-1. While I described to the dispatcher what had happened and where we were, I lifted the blanket from Joie’s bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. She wanted to change her cl
othes, cover herself more, but I wouldn’t let her. As much as it hurt, the police needed to see exactly what had happened. Tattoo man was still unconscious when the police arrived.

  My parents were completely unaware until they heard sirens coming down the street only to stop in front of Joie’s house. When they saw my car parked, running in the street out front, they rushed to see what was going on. My mom immediately relieved me of comforting Joie duty, even though I was loathe to relinquish my hold on her.

  Tattoo man was taken away in an ambulance, his hands cuffed to the rails of the stretcher. Joie’s mom was found, passed out in her bedroom, a bottle of pills spilled on the floor at her side. She was also taken to the hospital and would be under investigation by child-protective services. Joie was handled with great care, taken to the hospital and examined. Tattoo man hadn’t done all that he could have and for that at least, I was glad.

  Refusing to leave her side, I held her hand through the night and wondered how much more this girl could take. Swearing to myself, I vowed I would never allow any harm to come to her again.

  Chapter 21

  Joie

  “Why don’t you come home with us, sweetie,” Mrs. Parker said the next day as she reached out to smooth away the hair resting on my forehead. It was such a motherly move, it hurt my heart in a good way.

  I shook my head. Stay with the Parker’s? With Cole? I didn’t think I could do that. Could I? I thought back to the night before. Cole hadn’t left my side once. I’d awoken several times to see him sleeping in the chair beside me, my hand clutched in his.

  “Shh. Joie. Your mom is going to rehab. She can’t come home. Do you have anywhere else to go?” Mrs. Parker’s eyes were soft and tender, her love for me shone brightly from her gaze.