East Side Academy

by K. E. Woodward

  “Are we allowed to be here?” I ask, holding onto James’ arm now.

  “Just trust me, Arya,” James says in that way that makes my nerves just calm instantly. We walk into the old house, where the entire first floor has been stripped of its furniture, paintings, carpets, anything that would make this place a home. The moonlight provides the only light in the house, showing a wide-open living space with a fireplace at the center. There is a door on either side of the fireplace, one of which probably leads to a kitchen. There's a beautiful giant staircase to the right of the fireplace.

  “Who used to live here?” I ask.

  “I have no clue,” James says. “The guys and I found it when we were kids and used to play here all the time without telling our parents. None of us have been back here since elementary school,” James says as he walks over and touches the railing of the staircase.

  “Is there a reason you wanted to come here?” I ask James, coming up to him.

  “I guess I wanted to connect back to a part of my past,” James says. “I changed when my dad passed away. I threw away my childhood to take on the responsibilities I thought I needed to do. I’m proud of the person I have become, but there’s a lot I miss about who I was before the accident, the simplicity of life. I didn't think I could go back. But with you, Arya, I feel like I can be both. I can take my life back from when before my dad died and combine it with the person I have become since he's been gone.”

  “James,” I say, coming up close to him, putting a hand to his cheek to force him to look at me. “I'm sure your dad would be so proud of the man you are today.”

  “There's another reason for bringing you here,” James says.

  “And what is that?” I ask.

  “I refuse to let our first kiss to be in my car or on your front porch,” James says. I look into his beautiful, blue eyes at that moment to find them already looking into mine. He takes a step towards me, placing his right hand on my neck, his finger just touching my hair. His eyes ask me if I'm ready and I respond by grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him towards me, which makes him smile. He bends down to kiss me, putting his lips on mine and I don't want it to stop. His hands travel down the length of my arms until he grips my waist. I reach out to hold his face with both hands, pulling him closer to me. I want every part of him closer to me. His hands just touch the bare skin above my jeans and under my shirt, which causes me to shudder inside. He leans into me, reaching his hands below my thighs so that he can lift me, and I can wrap my legs around his waist. We never break the kiss as I run my hands through his hair, and he never seems to have a problem holding up my weight. He walks while still holding me and pushes me up against a wall so that he can lean into me more. I bite his lip and it sends him into overdrive. He readjusts his hold of me and our lips part, but our faces remain close, looking at each other in the eyes. I play with the back of his hair, my elbows resting on his shoulders.

  “Now how does that compare to the other kisses you’ve had?” James whispers to me.

  “James, there is no comparison,” I say, and then I kiss him again, there's an urgency, a need in the kiss as if neither of us can get enough.

  But all good things must come to an end. James slowly returns my feet to the ground, putting his hands on my waist, and we break our kiss. I grab his shirt right over where his belt buckle is, not wanting this to end, not wanting to let him get too far, not wanting to leave our safe haven. His hands travel up the inside of my shirt on either side of my waist, touching bare skin, and he leans down to me as if he’s going to kiss me again.

  “I swear if I kiss you again,” James says, “I don't think I'll be able to stop.”

  I want to say, ‘Then don’t’, but I know I can’t, and I know James can read those words in my mind, knowing that I want to say them, but can’t.

  So instead, he leans down and kisses me on the forehead. “Let me take you home.”

  Chapter 19 – Today Was a Fairytale

  “But can you feel this magic in the air? / It must have been the way you kissed me / Fell in love when I saw you standing there / It must have been the way / Today was a fairytale” – Today Was a Fairytale, Taylor Swift

  Arya

  “10:52 pm," I say, looking at the car clock as James puts the car into park in front of the garage of my house. "Not bad timing."

  “I’m smart enough to know that staying on your dad’s good side is the key to being able to keep seeing you,” James says. “I also know that he is still up, watching the TV, waiting for you to come through that door.”

  "That's a pretty good prediction," I say and then undo my seatbelt. "Thank you for a great evening." And then I lean over the console and lightly kiss him on the lips, while he sits there and just accepts the kiss as if he is holding himself back.

  As I sit back in my seat, James says, “I hope this means I can plan the next date?”

  "Is it going to be the Maple Sugar Shack?" I ask.

  James plays with the idea in his head. “I’m considering it,” he says and then he just smiles at me.

  "Then you can," I say, opening the door of the car and stepping out.

  “See you on Monday,” James says.

  "See you Monday," I say and then shut the door. James doesn't even leave the driveway until he sees that I'm inside the house, and then I wave to him before shutting the door.

  When I step into the living room, as predicted, my dad is still awake, watching the TV. When I walk into the living room, he looks at me and then his watch. “How was your evening?” Dad asks.

  "Perfect," I say, still coming off the high of being with James.

  “Perfect?” Dad asks skeptically.

  “Well,” I say. “Pretty close to perfect, James was great, the perfect gentleman if you will.”

  "Well, he knows he'll have to deal with me if he is anything but," Dad says.

  “Dad,” I say. “James is amazing, you have nothing to worry about with him.”

  “Save the oohing and ahhing for your mother, Arya,” Dad says. “James seems like a decent guy from what I’ve seen so far, but the minute he steps out of line, you let me know and I’ll take care of him.” I laugh on the inside, spoken like the true father of two daughters.

  “I swear you’ll be the first to know if he does anything wrong.” I say. “Now I should head up to bed.”

  “Goodnight, love,” Dad says, and I make my ascent up the stairs, but before going into my room, I knock softly on Mia’s door and walk in. She’s in bed already, but on her phone.

  “Mia!” I say as I walk in and jump on her bed.

  “Arya!” Mia says and then puts her phone on the nightstand. “How was it?” she asks. “Tell me everything.”

  And so I tell Mia about the entire evening with James, leaving nothing out. Well, I may have not gone into detail about the kiss we shared, because I don't think that's something my little sister needs to hear.

  “Where can I find one?!” Mia whines at the end of my retelling of the night and I just laugh.

  "James is special," is all I say. "I've never met someone like him. I already like him so much, it's crazy!"

  "Does he have a younger brother?" Mia asks, and I respond by grabbing one of her many pillows and hitting her with it. "Just a question, I'll take that as a no. But seriously Arya, I'm happy for you, you deserve a guy that treats you like the queen that you are. When are you going to see him next?"

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Probably at school on Monday.”

  “Are you guys official?” she asks. “Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?”

  “Chill, Mia,” I say, putting a hand on her knee through her duvet cover. “It was just one date.”

  “Yeah, but I’ve never seen you like this before,” Mia says. “I think Mrs. Arya Fox has a nice ring to it.”

  "Now you are getting way ahead of yourself," I say.

  "But you have thought about it!" Mia says, and then I hit her with the pillow again and start walking out
of her room.

  James

  I open the side door of the house that leads to the kitchen, carrying in the cooler, and flick on the lights. I’m about to start unloading the cooler, but I hear the TV going and head to the living room in the opposite corner of the house to see who’s still up. When I walk in, I see my 13-year-old sister in a giant blanket, on the couch, eating a bowl of popcorn, while watching the TV on her own.

  “Rachel,” I say. “What are you still doing up?”

  “James!” she exclaims in a shouting whisper, pausing the TV. “You’re home!”

  “Yes, and shouldn’t you be asleep by now?” I ask.

  "I'm almost done," Rachel says, pointing at the TV with the remote. "I'll go to bed after this."

  “What are you even watching?” I ask, walking over to the TV.

  "The Bachelor," Rachel says as she presses play on the remote.

  “How can you even watch this?” I say. “It’s ridiculous, he’s dating like 20 different girls at the same time! How could he possibly choose a wife this way? And these girls? Why would they subject themselves to this?”

  "It's the ridiculousness of this show that makes it great!" Rachel says, her eyes on the screen.

  “Did that girl just eat a bug?” I ask, slightly horrified.

  “Yes,” Rachel says. “Now sit down and tell me how your date went.”

  I take a seat next to Rachel, watching another girl eat a bug.“What the heck? Seriously, aren’t you too young to watch this?”

  "That's why I have to wait until I have the TV to myself," Rachel says.

  "I shouldn't let you watch this," I say, seeing all these girls wearing clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. This is not what I want my sister looking to for inspiration. "Give me the remote," I say, holding out my hand.

  “No,” Rachel says. “Now tell me how your date was.” I glare at her. “And then I’ll give you the remote.”

  "Fine," I say. "It was amazing. We served food at the church for the community dinner, ate dinner at the park, and then went to Samson's house on the lake for a bonfire." I leave out the part of our detour to the abandoned house.

  “Do you like her?” Rachel asks.

  “Yes,” I say quickly. “I like her a lot.” Not wanting to reveal too much to my younger sister.

  "You're different," Rachel says, popping a piece of popcorn in her mouth.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  "You have the vacation glow," Rachel says.

  “What the heck does that even mean?” I ask.

  "You know when people come back from vacation and they are genuinely happy?" Rachel says. "That's what you look like right now. Like you are genuinely happy. You must really like her."

  "She's different," I say, thinking about Arya, especially that kiss we shared, it's ingrained in my mind. I hear a female shout from the TV and turn to it. "That Cassie girl is terrible," I say.

  “We hate her,” Rachel says. “But she keeps getting a rose.”

  “Can’t the guy see what a terrible person she is?” I say.

  “She doesn’t act that way around him,” Rachel says. “She acts all sweet and kind in front of him, and then as soon as he’s gone, she becomes this evil witch.”

  "I don't believe that he doesn't realize it," I say.

  “Some girls are very good at hiding who they truly are,” Rachel says. “Now hush, it’s the final rose.”

  "There's no way he's giving it to that Cassie girl," I say, crossing my arms and focusing on the TV.

  "Don't be so sure," Rachel says.

  “And the final rose goes to…” from the TV, “Cassie.”

  “WHAT?!” I say. “He really chose her?”

  “I told you,” Rachel says. “Some girls are good at hiding their true selves.”

  "Okay, I think it's time for bed," I say, getting up from the couch and start walking back to the kitchen.

  "Fine," Rachel says and shuts off the TV. "James?"

  “Yes?” I say, turning back to my sister. “Can you take me to Annie’s house tomorrow morning? Mom’s working tomorrow and can’t.”

  “Doesn’t Annie like half an hour away?” I ask.

  “25 minutes,” Rachel corrects. “Please James, her mom will drive me back after dinner.”

  It's hard losing a parent. The hole they leave behind can never be filled. I have spent the last two years making sure that my sisters never lose out on anything because our dad is gone, I'd do anything for them and more. "Sure," I say.

  “Thank you, James!” Rachel says. “You’re the best!” And then she happily skips off to head upstairs.

  I walk back to the kitchen and begin to take out everything from the cooler. I thought I packed a lot of food, but clearly Arya has a big appetite for a small person. I hear my phone go off and check it.

  ‘I’m going to be running late tomorrow – can you pick up the new designs from the farmhouse before heading to site?’ – Uncle Terry

  ‘No problem.’ – I reply

  ‘Thanks! See you tomorrow’ – Uncle Terry

  There’s another message.

  ‘Hope everything is okay! I think we’ll try and make sure Lisa doesn’t come out to any of our hangouts anymore’ – Samson

  ‘No worries. I’ll see you guys Monday’ – I reply

  ‘Remember we have soccer practice before school on Monday’ – Samson

  I start putting everything in the dishwasher. Work, taking Rachel to her friend's, an entire Biology lab and English essay that needs to be finished for Monday and soccer practice Monday morning. Lovely. My phone goes off again. I almost don't want to check. I don't need another thing added to my list.

  ‘Had a great time tonight! See you Monday!’ – Arya

  The text makes me smile and feel happy. When everything is piling up, she’s like a light in the darkness. It’s like everything will be okay if she’s around.

  ‘I had a great time too. Sweet dreams.’ – I reply

  Then she sends me a picture. The picture is of me in the pink apron that she must’ve taken when I wasn't looking.

  ‘You better not show that to anyone’ – I say

  ‘Why? Would it hurt the image of East Side’s popular soccer player?’ – Arya

  What do I say to that?

  ‘Nothing is more manly than a guy wearing pink. Especially an apron.’ – Arya

  ‘At least let me pose for the photo next time?’ – I reply

  ‘LOL!! Good night, James.’ – Arya

  ‘Good night, Arya’ – I reply

  Chapter 20 – Something to Talk About

  “People are talkin', talkin' 'bout people / I hear them whisper, you won't believe it / They think we're lovers kept under covers / I just ignore it, but they keep saying / We laugh just a little too loud / We stand just a little too close / We stare just a little too long / Maybe they're seeing something we don't, darlin' / Let's give them something to talk about” – Something to Talk About, Bonnie Raitt

  Arya

  “So, tell me everything!” Diana says as she rushes up to me at my locker. “Leave nothing out!”

  In the two months I have been here, Diana and I have become close, especially since our lockers being next to each other requires us to cross paths between every period. She was the first person who was kind to me when I transferred here. My first friend here, and I will be forever grateful to her for letting me into her group, something she didn't have to do. She gave me a place in this school, she and her friends made me feel like I belonged, and not just a West Sider. "It was the most amazing night," I say, thinking back on it. "I didn't want it to end." And then I explain everything about the evening to Diana, from the church meal to the picnic dinner, from the bonfire to Lisa's jealousy, and then finally to the kiss. I leave nothing out, even going into the details of the kiss that I didn't share with Mia, knowing that Diana would love to hear it.

  “Damn, girl!” Diana says when I tell her about the kiss. “Even after all these years
, Mr. James Fox still has game! I always thought he would be a good kisser, gentle yet controlling, the perfect combination.”

  “Correction,” I say. “He is an amazing kisser.” And Diana hits me on the side with her binder.

  “You got it bad!” Diana says. “So what are you guys now? Are you dating, is he your boyfriend? I’m living my dating life vicariously through you, so you have to give me details!”

  “We’re just seeing each other,” I say. “It was one date, but we both want to go out again.”

  “Mm…” Diana says. “I’m sure he’d like to take you back to that abandoned house.”

  “Hey!” I say, hitting her on the shoulder.

  “Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking that!” Diana says and she’s right. As long as I’m with James, he could take me anywhere and I’d follow willingly behind. I could have spent the entire night with him in that abandoned house and it still wouldn’t have been enough.

  James

  "And then she flipped on me being like, 'Maurice, if you're not going to take this relationship seriously, then I don't even know why we are still together,'" Maurice, a Grade 12 and wearing only a towel, says in the locker room as all the boys are getting changed after morning soccer practice. "I mean, Friday night has always been guys' night, and then she wants me to cancel to go to her cousin's party? No, not doing that."

  “You can never keep them pleased,” another Grade 12 says. “You give them everything and then all they want is more.”

  "You'll be back with Constance before the end of the day," Daniel, the captain, a Grade 12 and wearing only a towel, shouts across the locker room. "No one cares about your guys' never-ending makeup and break up relationship."

  “Hey!” Maurice shouts at Daniel, throwing one of his soccer cleats at him. Daniel catches it and throws it right back at him.

  "Instead, I want to hear about how our Grade 11 superstar took out that West Side chick this weekend," Daniel says, looking at me, trying to find some gossip for the locker room.

  “Ohhhh…Did Foxy get himself a girlfriend?” Maurice says all excited.