When it was about 20 minutes to 5 I ran down the stairs as quietly as I could to put my shoes on and wait for Solomon. I was hoping I could leave before Charles saw me but he was already standing in the hallway putting his garden tools back under the stairs.
“You leaving soon?” he asked when I reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Err, yeh.” I said. Charles looked up as he closed the cupboard door, his smile dropping from his face. He eyed me rapidly from head to toe, a frown forming on his face.
“I thought you were going to the cinema?” he asked, his voice suddenly very serious.
“I am.” I answered abruptly.
“Who with?” he asked.
“You know my friends, no one special.” I laughed nervously.
“Okay. So, everybody's going?”
“Not really.” I said. He stared at me and raised one of his eyebrows. It was obvious the indirect answers were not getting the better side of his patience. "It's just me and Solomon going Dad."
"Ah, I see.” he said as he pulled the bolt across the cupboard door. "Is this some kind of date?"
I shrugged, concentrating more on trying to appear casual than actually achieving it. I was not going to have this conversation, but not answering revealed more than if I had answered. Charles nodded his head and leaned against the cupboard door.
"I just finished putting that bird station up for my Mom. Did you see it?" he asked.
Okay, that was random. "No, sorry. I'll check it out when I get back." I said.
"Hmm, sure." he said. I started putting my shoes on, expecting him to go and sit in the front room, but instead he stayed in the hallway with me making light talk about the bird station and other things, until we heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.
“That must be Solomon. I better go.” I said reaching for the door handle, but Charles was already standing between me and the door by the time I had turned around. I'd forgotten that he could move so fast, in fact it was easy to forget he had the same abilities as me at all, I never saw him use them.
“I think Solomon's fine walking up to the house.” he said.
Hmm, I thought, so this was the reason for the small talk. I leaned back against the wall as I waited for the doorbell to ring. He was a little quicker than I would have expected, so Solomon was obviously aware that he would need to walk up to the door. Perhaps this was some first date ritual only I was unaware of.
“Hi Solomon, we've been expecting you.” Charles said after he opened the door. He was trying to appear natural but wasn't succeeding based on the worried expression Solomon now had on his face.
“Hi Mr Williams.” He said as he walked into the hallway, “Is everything okay?”
Solomon looked different today, he'd obviously made an effort as well. His hair was wavier than usual, suggesting he may have applied some kind of hair moose, and rather than his usual t-shirt and jacket, he was wearing a white short sleeved shirt with a cream pair of trousers. I couldn't help sighing, quite loudly, causing both Solomon and Charles to look at me. I could feel Charles gaze linger for a few seconds, but Solomon eyes simply flickered over to me and then back to Charles. I knew it was because he was embarrassed. I'm sure he'd feel awkward looking at me the way he normally did with Charles in such close proximity.
“Everything's OK." Charles said. "Claudia was just getting ready and we were talking about the cinema up in Knightsbridge. That is where you're going isn't it?”
“Yes sir.” Solomon said.
“Ok great. It would be great if you could get her home by around 10.”
Ten, I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could get any words out Charles continued. “There isn't any reason you would need to keep her out later than that, is there?” his face was much more serious than needed, but something about his expression showed he was possibly more anxious than anything, which I didn't understand.
“No sir.” Solomon answered “I'll have her home by 10.”
“Great.” Charles said, he smiled at Solomon and stepped aside so I could pass him “I'll see you two later then.” I walked out of the house and waved back at him, although I really didn't feel like waving. Poor Solomon, how dare Charles put him on the spot like that? We could have discussed it first, I thought making a mental note to have a word with him when I got back.
"I'm so sorry about my Dad." I said when we got into the car.
“Don't worry about it. He was actually okay.” Solomon said looking relaxed again now that we were alone.
“Really? You've had worse experiences?” I asked, wondering why it made me feel so jealous.
Solomon laughed, “I've just heard stories, that's all.”
“Oh okay. Have you been on many dates though?” I asked. Solomon didn't answer, he stared straight ahead of him as if he were concentrating on the road.
“You look really amazing.” he said after a short silence.
“Thank you.” I answered, “But you didn't answer my question.” Solomon smiled and shook his head, and although I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be the answer to my original question or just an acknowledgement that he hadn't answered me, I didn't say any more about it.
We arrived at Knightsbridge and parked in the same spot we had parked in the last time, then we made our way to the cinema. I held his hand the whole way to the cinema and through most of the movie as well. It was a comedy Solomon had chosen, which seemed to have more falls and collisions in it than an actual storyline.
Next time I'll choose the movie, I thought as I stood outside a shoe shop looking through the window. We'd met some of Solomon's friends as we were leaving the cinema, I knew he wasn't intending to talk with them for long, but I didn't feel too comfortable around a large group of boys so I'd offered to wait outside.
“Hello Claudia.” A man said.
I turned around to see Marcus standing behind me. He was wearing the same smile I remembered him with the last time we met, with a smart black suit and white shirt which had its top button undone. I looked over to the cinema, but Solomon wasn't coming yet.
“Hi.” I said coldly, no longer interested in speaking with Marcus.
“You don't look too happy to see me.”
“Well, I've been warned not to speak to you.”
“Ah yes. Your father told me pretty much the same thing.” he said adjusting the looseness of his collar. “And how did you feel about that?”
“Can't say I was really bothered.” I said.
“No?” he said stepping a little closer. “It's just, he didn't say anything about the fact that I'd invited you to visit me at the club, which I'm sure he would have. So I thought there must have been a reason you didn't tell him.”
Marcus tilted his head slightly to catch my gaze. A small groan left my throat as he stared into my eyes, the weight of his gaze burning through me attempting to read my thoughts.
“I just didn't want him to be angry.” I stammered.
“Hmm.” he said. His eyes flickered over to the cinema as the sounds came out from a now open doorway. “Well, the invitation is still open.” he said before turning to walk away.
Solomon walked out of the cinema looking around quickly until he saw me.
“Are you okay?” he asked when he reached up to me.
“Yeh, fine.” I said.
“You look a little agitated. I didn't take too long did I?”
“No, it's not you. I just ... “I guess it's not that important. “Nothing. I was hoping we could go to the park for a little.”
His eyebrows narrowed a little, obviously not believing me, but instead of pushing the subject he just smiled.
“I'm so sorry about that movie, it was a recommendation from Michael.” he said as we strolled through the park.
“It's fine. You seemed to enjoy it.”
“Yeh, kind of.” he laughed “But I guess it's not the best choice for a first date.”
”I wouldn't know.” I answered.
“Can I ask you somethin
g?” he said looking a little more serious. “It's just, you know sometimes you're a little difficult to read and I don't want to make any assumptions. But suppose someone else was to ask you on a date, what would you say?”
“Who?” I asked. Not sure why he was asking.
“Anyone. It doesn't matter.” his answer was a little abrupt, so it was more about my answer to any such proposal than anything else he was concerned with.
“Ah,” I said, understanding what he was trying to find out. “Well, it does kind of matter. I mean what if it's that cute guy Steven, from your science class?”
“Claudia!” Solomon said, sounding a little exasperated.
“I'm joking.” I laughed.
“I know, but it wasn't funny.”
“Ok, ok, sorry.” I exhaled deeply trying to make myself serious again. “Well, suppose someone did ask me out, even if it was that cute guy from your science class.” I chuckled “I'd say 'No. I don't go on dates ... I have a ... boyfriend?”
“Really? Who?” he asked, keeping his face serious. I bit my lip nervously, not sure if he was joking or not. “I'm sorry.” he said, finally smiling “I thought you were in the mood for jokes.” Solomon laughed. “Don't take it so seriously, you shouldn't even need to question how I feel about you after everything I've said.”
“Yeh, but things can change.” I said glumly.
“The way I feel about you isn't going to change.”
“How do you know? What if it's not in our power to stop things from changing?” I asked. Solomon stopped walking and turned to face me.
“What do you mean?” he asked as he took my hands into his.
“I don't know. Something J used to talk about. You know, maybe I don't have any control over the things that happen in my life.”
“Maybe we don't control what happens in our life, but we can control how we react to them right? I don't know the future, I can only speak about how I feel right now, and there's no scenario that I can bring that would change how I feel about you.” I looked into his eyes and noticed the same open expression I always saw. Solomon really believed what he was saying and I knew why, because I had felt the same feeling growing inside me over the last week and right now as I looked in his eyes I knew that without a doubt I loved him and I would always love him, but the realisation only made me more afraid of what the future held. Of all the people I had lost, losing Solomon could probably be the worst.
“What's wrong Claudia?” Solomon asked as the new found realisation caused my eyes to fill with tears.
“I'm scared.” I said.
“Why?”
“Because I think I'm in love with you, and I don't know if I'll be able to keep you.”
Solomon let out a soft laugh. “Keep me?” he said pulling me closer until his forehead rest on mine “You can keep me as long as you want, I'm not going anywhere.” I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck pulling myself even closer to rest my head on his shoulder.
“You promise?” I whispered.
“I promise.” he whispered back.
CHAPTER 22
“I'd better take you home, we're already going to be late.” Solomon said, looking down at his watch. It was already close to ten.
“Don't worry about Charles, he won't mind if I'm out late, honestly. I normally go home when I want to”.
“I know, that's why he specifically told me. He knows I'll have to abide by any curfew he sets”
“You don't have to.” I said.
“Of course I do, he's your Dad.” he said getting up from the bench and pulling me up next to him.
“Ok, I guess. What time do you have to be home?”
“Me? I don't have a curfew.” he giggled.
“Right.” I said rolling my eyes. I held Solomon's hand in front of me interlocking my fingers with his as we walked. It's way too early to go home! “I have an idea. Why don't you come to my house? At least you kept to your side of the agreement by getting me home on time, but you won't have to go.”
“I don't know.”
“Charles won't mind, seriously … please.” I said fluttering my eyelids at him.
“Hmm.” he groaned. “Ok. But if I get in trouble, I'll get you back.”
“Fine.” I said.
By the time we got home we were 30 minutes late, but I wasn't too concerned about the lateness knowing that Charles had only suggested the time as a safe point so we wouldn't come back too late. I opened the front door and went inside, taking hold of Solomon’s hand to make sure he was following closely. Charles was sitting alone in the living room.
“Hi, sorry we're late.” I said when he noticed us standing in the doorway. “Solomon wanted to bring me home on time, so it's not his fault.”
“Yeh, thanks for getting her back.” He said.
“It wasn't a problem.” Solomon replied.
“Anyway I was thinking," I said slowly "Since you made me come home so early, that Solomon could hang around for a while.” Charles looked back and forth from me to Solomon and I'm sure I heard him sigh.
“I guess so.” he said.
“Great, we'll be upstairs.” I said, walking back out of the room. I tugged gently at Solomon's arm for him to follow me but he didn't move. He was looking over at Charles, with a slightly anxious look on his face.
“I don't mind sitting in here.” Solomon said looking back at me.
“Yeh I think that's better,” Charles said, “I need to do some chores in the kitchen anyway.” And then he quickly got up and left the room.
I laughed quietly to myself, remembering Michael's comment about his mother slapping him for taking a girl up to his room. Which, in Michael’s case, I could understand, but what exactly did Charles think Solomon would do? I wondered deciding that maybe the front room sofa was the best place to be. It was strange sitting on the sofa with Solomon, we always met up in the school yard or at the juice bar. The sofa was where Charles and I normally relaxed.
“Are you sure your Dad's okay with me being here?” Solomon asked quietly.
Did I go too far by inviting Solomon home? I picked up the remote control and handed it to Solomon. “Maybe I should check he's ok.” I said getting up to go to the kitchen.
Charles was at the sink washing dishes.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeh, sure”
“It's just you’ve been acting a little strange since Solomon came to collect me.”
“Hmm.” he said and carried on washing.
“So? What's wrong? I thought you liked him.”
Charles put the plate down and rinsed the soap of his hands. “I do like him, he's a good boy. It's just, you were always adamant that you were only friends.”
“Things change dad. You must have expected me to start dating eventually, so why not him?” I asked.
“I just don't know if you're ready for someone like Solomon. He's almost 18 and he's a very popular boy.”
“I don't know what that means.” I said confused by the significance of his age and popularity.
“I mean, he might be a bit more advanced in the whole dating scenario.”
I still hadn't found out how many dates he'd been on but Charles was suggesting he'd done a lot more than just date. “I'm sure you don't have anything to worry about.” I said, really just trying to avoid thinking about it myself.
“Hmm.” Charles groaned. “Just don't feel pressured into anything.”
“Solomon's not like that.”
“Okay Claudia.” he said dismissively.
“Dad, please just be happy for me. I really like Solomon … a lot. And I don't know why, but he just makes me happy, in a way I've never been happy before."
Charles smiled sympathetically. “Yes, I've noticed you're different when you've spent time with him. You smile more too. I just don't want you to get hurt.”
“I don't think I will.” I said.
Charles nodded his head lightly.
"Okay," I said as I poured two d
rinks. “I should go and see if he's okay. I'll leave the door open if that makes you feel better.” Charles looked at me and frowned.
“You were planning on closing it?” he asked.
“Seriously.” I giggled “Do you want me to leave it open?” Charles looked at me for a little longer, sighing loudly.
“Yes Claudia.” he said with a small smile on his lips.
I took the drinks back into the front room where Solomon was sitting down watching an old comedy movie.
“How's your Dad?” he asked when I sat down next to him.
“He's fine. He just thinks you might be too 'advanced' for me.” I said emphasising the word advanced.
“Too what?” he chuckled.
“Never mind, he's fine.”
“Have you seen this before?” he asked referring to a black and white movie which was playing on the TV.
“I don't know.”
“I didn't know these old movies were so funny.” he said, laughing as one of the characters fell down an old manhole. “Did you want to watch anything in particular?” he asked.
“No, I don't mind watching this.” Solomon put his arm around me and I snuggled up closely next to him, and rest my head on his chest.
"This is so weird." I said.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't know. It's just, I would have thought this would be so awkward, but it actually feels like the most natural thing in the world."
"Hmm. Do you believe in soulmates?" he asked.
"I don't know. Do you?" I said sitting back up so I could watch him while he spoke.
"Of course. I believe you're mine anyway."
"Why?"
"Just something I noticed when we first met."
"Really? You knew the first time you saw me?" I asked raising my eyebrow.
"No." he laughed. "The first time I saw you, I just thought you were beautiful. But I knew you were special the day I met you at the school. When I was showing you around, I don't know what it was, there was just some kind of .. special aura about you. I don’t know how to explain it but you know what I'm talking about don't you?"
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