The Line That Holds The Kite

by J E McDonald

  “I don’t know places either, let’s just drive around and talk? Probably the best way to get to know each other anyway.” She says and I am relieved. For the next three hours we drive around New York. There are no awkward silences, it’s like I’ve known her all my life. She is actually really funny; she has a dry sense of humour like me. I learn she has an older sister who she is very close to, but her family is relatively small. She wants to be some sort of writer when she finishes university, maybe a journalist. She’s beautiful. I like this girl, more than I should.

  *

  When my phone starts ringing, I don’t recognise the number on the screen, when I answer, I am surprised to hear Nathan’s voice. He asks me to come out with him, well tells me more like. I am giddy. I throw on a grey jumper dress with black tights and black flat, suede over the knee boots. It’s the beginning of October and it is really cold in New York. I curl the ends of my hair and put on light make up. Twenty minutes later I am climbing into his fancy Mercedes jeep. I am now really nervous, he’s obviously rich. What? Being ridiculously good-looking wasn’t enough. He is way out of my league.

  We drive around for three hours and all the nerves I felt climbing into the car have gone. Our conversation flows so easily. We have a similar sense of humour and his upbringing has not been much different to my own. Well apart from the private schools and fancy cars. He has one brother Jack, and a half-brother Matthew. He is perfect. When he drops me back off at campus, I don’t want to get out of his car. I can’t wait to see him again.

  Once I’ve changed into pyjamas and climb into bed, I text Nathan, saying thank you for tonight and instead of responding via text message he calls me. We talk on the phone for a further two hours. When the conversation ends and I fall asleep, I dream of piercing green eyes and a contagious laugh.

  Chapter Twenty-Two – Ellie

  Nathan and I have been texting and speaking on the phone constantly for the past three days. I didn’t expect him to stick to our date for tonight as we have already been out, but he tells me on the phone to be ready for seven. After my lessons are finished, I head to my dorm and start getting ready. I wear a guns ‘n’ roses t-shirt dress, black opaque tights, black studded ankle boots and a black leather jacket. I blow-dry my hair straight and apply thin black flicks across my eyelids with a subtle makeup base and red lipstick. This look is completely different to what I would usually wear but I want to impress Nathan. As I sit on my bed waiting for Nathan to call, Sienna blows into our room like a whirlwind.

  “Wow girl! You like fire!” She says to me with clear shock in her eyes as she takes me in. “You should totally dress like that more often! What’s the occasion?” she enquires.

  “I have a date with Nathan.” I squirm in my seat.

  “Is he the hot rude guy? The one from Jay’s gig?” Sienna starts rummaging through her drawers.

  “Um yeah, but he isn't rude, you just don’t know him yet.” I’m surprised how quick I am to defend him.

  “Ooh defensive, you must really like him huh?” Sienna giggles at me from across the room. I feel my cheeks flame.

  “Hey, don’t be embarrassed! I don’t blame you! If it was me hot and dangerous was interested in, I would climb that like a tree.” Sienna’s figure of speech has me chuckling away with her. Just as I am about to answer her, my phone starts ringing and Nathan’s name flashes across the screen. I can’t hide the smile that spreads across my face. Sienna laughs as I answer the phone. Nathan simply says “Outside” and hangs up. I run from the room almost forgetting to say goodbye to her.

  As I climb into Nathan’s car, his mouth drops open slightly and his pupils dilate. He drags his eyes up and down my body slowly, swallows and says “Wow, you look fit.” I giggle and say thanks.

  “Actually, that outfit is perfect, I was thinking we could go to a gig. Seeing as I bailed on the last one. The Arctic Monkeys are playing a one-off intimate gig, my dad knows their manager, it’s a bit of home.” He suggests, he seems nervous.

  “I love the Arctic Monkeys! I couldn’t think of anything better!” the relief washes over his perfect face and he grins. “let’s go then.”

  *

  “Do you want another drink?” I feel Nathan’s breath on my neck, and I feel goose bumps rise on my skin. I nod my head and he tells me to stay put. I start dancing along to ‘Old Yellow Bricks’ when I feel a hand squeeze my bottom, as I turn around, a guy with long greasy hair and a creepy look in his eyes sneers at me. “Nice ass, I’d like to see it naked.” I recoil away from him. Nathan appears from nowhere and tells the creep to Fuck off, the look he gives the guy sends a shiver down my spine. It also excites me. I’ve never had a boy get defensive over me before. The creep holds his hands up and walks away.

  “Are you alright?” Nathan asks me as he hands me my water.

  “yeah, he was just a creep, thank you for defending me,”

  “Ellie, you’re with me now, of course I will defend you. Besides, the only one who will be grabbing that arse from now on, is me.” He sniggers without looking at me.

  “That’s a little presumptuous.” I say into his ear.

  “Nope, I’m just used to getting what I want, and I want you.” He looks directly into my eyes and shrugs his shoulders.

  If it wasn’t so dark in here, he would see my face turn the same colour as my lips. Holy Shit!

  “Do you want to go for food?” Nathan asks me when the final song finishes.

  “I’m not really hungry, you could come back to my dorm though?” Nathan raises an eyebrow at me and grins. I think about what I have just said, and I gasp, “Omg! I’ve just heard how that sounded! I meant just to watch a movie or something!”

  “I knew what you meant; you don’t strike me as that type of girl anyway.” He laughs.

  “I’m not!” I blanch.

  “I know, I know!”. Nathan holds his hands up in mock defence and laughs.

  Chapter Twenty-Three – Nathan and Ellie

  “So, what chick-flick am I pretending to watch then?” Nathan mumbles as he pulls his grey hooded sweatshirt up over his head. As he pulls it off, his white t-shirt underneath rides up, revealing a tanned, toned, stomach, with a neat little happy trail running down to below the waist band of his dark, denim jeans. The Calvin Klein waist-band of his white boxers peeping through. My eyes involuntarily roam further down to his crotch. I almost choke on my water and have to force a fake cough so I’m not so obvious.

  “You okay?” he asks me as I continue to fake cough.

  “yeah, sorry, water went down the wrong hole.” I lie.

  “Don’t worry, I know where the right hole is.” He smirks at me.

  This time, I do choke on my water at his crude comment. Nathan laughs and climbs onto the bed beside me.

  “So, Chick-Flick?” he asks again.

  “Actually, I was thinking we could watch ‘Goodfellas’? it’s on Netflix. I’m partial to a good gangster movie.”

  “Really? That is one of my favourite films. I’m surprised you like it though, it’s quite gritty for most girls.” Nathan seems genuinely surprised by my choice.

  “I’m not squeamish, well not when it comes to movies anyway.” I say. Just when it comes to you and that happy trail..

  Nathan lies next to me on the bed, he puts one arm behind my head and pulls me in close to his chest, with his other hand he traces small circles over my thigh. The sensation makes me shiver. Before I can stop myself, I reach up and kiss Nathan chastely on the mouth, I hear him gasp with surprise. I pull away to look into eyes for a second when Nathan brings his hand to the back of my head and pulls me back to his lips.

  The kiss starts off gentle and tender before he slips his tongue into my mouth. My entire body seems to liquify and I melt into his embrace. The kiss is heated and passionate and neither of us barely come up for air. His hands roam all over my body, starting from my breasts, down to my bottom and thighs. He never tries anything I am not comfortable with.

  Although, I s
ecretly wish he would.

  *

  I am lying on the bed with Ellie, and I pull her in close to me. Her body fits to mine like a jigsaw piece I didn’t know I was missing. She is all curves and silky soft skin. I trace circles on her thigh, they feel so smooth under her tights.

  I am taken aback as she kisses me softly on the mouth. When she hesitates, I pull her back to me and deepen the kiss. I have wanted to do this since I first saw her in that little yellow dress.

  I can sense she is nervous at first, but she soon matches my rhythm. I can’t help myself; my hands roam down her curvy little body. Her tits are the perfect handful, her waist is tiny, and her arse and thighs are toned whilst still being soft. I want to rip her clothes off, but I restrain myself; I like this girl too much. She will never be like any girl that has come before her, and I will never treat her like them either. If I am being honest with myself, I don’t think I will want anyone else after her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four – Nathan

  “Who is she then?” Jack is sprawled across my bed when I walk into my room. I could have stayed in Ellie’s bed for the rest of my life, but she seems so innocent, so I don’t want to push her too far too soon. That’s why when she asked me if I wanted to stay, I said I had to get home for my curfew.

  A Fucking curfew? I haven’t had a curfew since I was twelve!

  “What are you on about?” I say with a grin like a Cheshire cat. Smooth, Nathan.

  “I’ve heard you giggling through the wall like a fucking school-girl for days, you’re staying out nearly all night, and you’ve got a grin on your face now, like the cat who got the cream. Are you going to try and tell me there isn’t a girl involved?” Jack gives me a smug grin and waits for me to respond.

  “Alright, so there’s a girl.” I say nonchalantly.

  “And?” Jack pushes.

  “And, she is gorgeous, she makes me laugh. I like her.” I lie down on the bed next to him.

  “Nay, the look on your face now, I think you more than like her. I have never seen you like this over a bird.” Jack replies.

  “Don’t be daft bro, I don’t love her, I’ve only known her a few weeks.”

  “Who said anything about love?” with that Jack gets up and walks towards my door. He turns around to smile at me and then leaves the room.

  Do I love her?

  Chapter Twenty-Five – Ellie

  I can’t stop thinking about him, he is on my mind constantly. I was a little bit disappointed when he said he had to leave. I don’t believe for one second that he has a curfew. What if he’s decided he doesn’t like me?

  No, you can’t fake how he was with me.

  So… passionate.

  I have never felt like this about anyone before. Or better yet, no boy has ever given me any attention, not the way Nathan does. I feel like I could really fall for him.

  I know I don’t know him very well yet, but I think if we continue spending time together like tonight, I will definitely fall for him. He is everything I have ever wished for.

  “Hey, are you still up?” Sienna closes our room door behind her and comes to sit on my bed.

  “Yeah, Nathan just left about fifteen minutes ago.” I reply.

  “How was the date then? Did he tell you how smoking hot you looked? Did anything happen between you two, you know when he brought you home?” Sienna bombards me with questions.

  “I didn’t sleep with him, if that’s what you mean? It was only our first date, well officially anyway. Besides I’m really not that kind of girl, I assumed you would have guessed by now.” I reply sheepishly.

  “Guessed what, that you’re a virgin? Yeah, I gathered, I’ve never met anyone so prudish.” She giggles.

  “Hey! I’m not a prude! And is it really that obvious? Do you think Nathan knows? From past experience when boys have found out that I am a virgin, they have ran for the hills.” I roll my eyes. “I really like him, Sienna.”

  “I mean I don’t think he will definitely know, because you don’t exactly have ‘virgin’ tattooed across your forehead! But I mean he may have an idea, you’re just so, shy, and timid. It is kind of a giveaway.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Listen, being a virgin is a good thing, to wait until you’re ready, and for the right person, that isn’t something you should be ashamed of, you should be proud as hell. The guys back home from your past, they sound like assholes! Honestly, I wish I would have waited! Getting wasted in a party at fifteen and then having sex with a much older guy who basically got up and walked out of the room after the deed was done, well, let’s just say it if I had a time machine, I would do things differently.” She looks at me, like she is waiting for judgement.

  “I’m sorry that happened to you Sienna, that sounds awful! I know I should be proud of myself, and I am not ashamed of who I am. I just feel like I am missing out, that’s all. Back home the guys never really fancied me, they always liked everyone else but me. You could say it has knocked my confidence.” I can’t believe how honest I am being with her.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be complaining to you about this stuff, you probably think I am such a loser.” I start to fiddle with my hands, it’s something I do when I’m uncomfortable or nervous.

  “Hey! Despite our differences when we first met. I really like you Ellie, I think we could become really good friends. If I consider you a friend, then I am loyal, you can talk to me about anything, I will never share our conversations with anyone. Obviously, I would expect the same from you.” Sienna smiles at me and I decide that we will be friends.

  “I consider you a friend too.” I tell her. “Thank you for talking to me about this stuff, do you think I should tell him?”

  “Not right away, no. Like you said, guys can be jerks! But I mean, if you two do become serious, then yeah tell him, if only so he is gentle with you! Let me tell you it hurts like hell, well my first time did anyway! But only have sex with him, if it feels right and you are ready, once that cherry is popped…” she pokes me in the side and laughs.

  I can’t help but laugh along with her.

  Chapter Twenty-Six – Nathan

  “Nathan, Jack, it’s the opening night of the ‘Crane Astoria’, I was hoping you would both come? There is a tuxedo on your beds.” Michael enters the living room carrying a sleeping Matthew.

  “Who will watch Matty?” Jack asks our dad.

  “The babysitter will be here at 6pm, and don’t let Casey hear you call him Matty, she hates his name shortened.” Dad Replies.

  “All the more reason to call him it then.” Jack Smirks and I can’t hide my laugh.

  “Can you both please try and be nicer to her, I know it’s difficult.” He pleads with us.

  “We aren’t horrible to her; we just don’t speak to her.” I reply to him. I will never give that girl the time of day.

  “Exactly my point, stop making her uncomfortable in her own home.” Dad replies rather sternly.

  “Listen, she split up our family, us ignoring her, is a kindness, believe me. Blood is thicker than water, you need to sort your priorities out!” I argue.

  “Okay, Okay, let’s not get into a row. Will you both come tonight or not?” Dad deflects.

  “Only if I can bring someone?” I bargain.

  “Yeah, me too?” Jack adds. I raise my eyebrows at him, who does he want to bring?

  “Um, yeah, of course! I didn’t know you both had, um, made friends?” Dad almost stutters. Why is this weird?

  “I wouldn’t call Ellie a friend, exactly.” She is more than that.

  “Yeah, Beth isn’t a friend either.” Jack says without looking up from his MacBook. I look at him with genuine surprise. Who the fuck is Beth? He looks up at me and mouths “What?”.

  “Oh right, well yes of course you can bring your girlfriends, I would love to meet them.” Dad is clearly surprised, but his smile is genuine.

  “Um, she’s not my girlfriend, well not yet anyway, it’s early days.” I shrug my shoulders and take a sip of my tea.
r />   “Beth isn’t my girlfriend; I’m just sleeping with her.” Jack says.

  I choke on my tea. Dad and I both look at Jack in total shock.

  “What? It was a joke!” Jack looks at us both and laughs. “Should see your faces though, priceless”. He starts typing on his laptop again.

  “Um, I’m going to put Matthew to bed.” Dad says and almost jogs from the living room.

  “I thought you was still a virgin?” I ask Jack when I hear dad walking up the stairs.

  “Why would you just assume I’m a virgin? I was with Katie for a year!” Jacks looks over at me.

  “Because you’re a kid, you’re seventeen!” I blanch.

  “Oh yeah, because you were a virgin at seventeen, wasn’t you?” He says too sarcastically for my liking.

  “I’m different, you’re not like me!” I counter.

  “Nathan, I am more like you than you realize. Besides if Emily Burdock, offered it on a plate to you, you wouldn’t have said no either.” He starts laughing. My Jaw drops.

  “Emily Burdock? You lost your virginity to Emily Burdock! She is like my age, and fit!” my initial shock turns to admiration.

  “Exactly man, you wouldn’t have said no.” Jack laughs again.

  “No, I guess I wouldn’t have!” I agree.

  “So, who is Beth?” I change the subject.

  “She is just a girl from school, I’ve been seeing her for a few weeks, her family own restaurants or something.” He says nonchalantly.

  “Do you like her?” I ask him, genuinely intrigued.

  “She is good in bed. She’s just a distraction really though.” I feel my jaw slowly drop again. Who is this kid?

  “Why do you need a distraction? From what? And you sound kind of heartless.”

  “I miss Katie. I loved Katie. But she is back home and is seeing Callum Locke. If she can move on, So can I, eventually anyway.” He looks at me, for the first time I see the pain behind his eyes. My kid brother is heartbroken. If I hadn’t fucked everything up back home, we wouldn’t have had to move here.