The Hemlock Girl

by C. L. Heckman

“Get out of the car, and get in here,” Dakota directs. “He’s waiting for you.”

  I toss my hair into a pony tail, and meander into the house, swinging my key chain around my finger. Paul sits at the kitchen table, pushing to a stand as I enter.

  “Hey, Karissa,” he says with a genuine smile. “I’m so glad you are here.”

  Returning his smile, I walk toward him. He leans in and offers a kiss on my cheek. I respond with an awkward giggle. His hair is slicked into tiny spikes, and the collar of his button-down shirt hits me on the chin. Dark jeans and dress shoes complete his outfit and I feel remarkably underdressed in my jean shorts and button down shirt.

  “I didn’t realize that this was something I needed to dress up for,” I whine, brushing a few loose hairs out of my face and ruffling out the wrinkles in my blouse.

  Paul grabs my hand, interlocking his fingers with mine. “You look beautiful, Karissa. Now, I thought I could take you on a walk throughout the neighborhood,” he insists.

  I agree, even though Jasper had already given me a tour last week. My mind begins to wander, but I shut it down before it gets to the black hole Jasper left.

  “That sounds really nice,” I respond with a squeeze of my fingers.

  Dakota snaps a picture of us like it’s prom night, and we hurry away before she takes any more. Our shoes hit the blacktop almost in unison, and the summer air is thick with the smell of daisies.

  “So, you’ve lived here your whole life but never came over to Hemlock before?” Paul asks.

  “Yeah, I didn’t even know this place existed. I’m actually really jealous of you guys – of what you have here. I wish I had a bunch of neighborhood friends to hang out with all the time.”

  “You’re part of us now,” Paul winks. “You do have it.”

  Paul’s eyes linger on my frame longer than any times prior. Tingling waves of heat begin at my ankles and travel up my spine, like nothing I’ve ever felt before. My cheeks begin to burn, and I try to swallow it away. He tugs me to the left, and we follow the blacktop past Jasper’s house. My heart is begging me to look, but I remain focused on the road below my feet instead.

  “Are you ok?” Paul asks.

  “I’m perfect,” I respond with a forced smile.

  The blacktop turns to gravel, and we take a seat on a wooden bench at the edge of the beach. Paul’s shoulder rubs against mine, and I move closer. The water is a deep blue as a dragonfly coasts across the top of it, threatening to touch its surface and make tiny waves that will fizzle out before reaching the shore. There is a slight breeze, but not enough to give relief from the summer heat, and my legs are starting to bleed sweat into the wood beneath them.

  “You’re different,” Paul whispers.

  “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I ask.

  “Well, it was supposed to be. I may have chosen the wrong word, though,” he responds. “You’re unlike any girl I’ve ever hung out with before. You seem genuine. Like you have morals and beliefs and you want to get to know me, not just my body.”

  I’m not sure where he’s getting this from, because I’m pretty much just interested in his body. I laugh to myself, “I don’t know about all that.”

  “I feel like you and I have a special connection, and I’d like to see where this goes,” Paul says as he places his hand on my thigh.

  I glance down to it, and then back up to his brown eyes which are filled with wonder.

  A drop of water hits me on the forehead. Looking up, I notice the clouds have turned grey and the leaves have flipped upside down on the trees – a sure sign of an impending storm. Paul takes my hand and drags me toward the building at the edge of the beach. The skies open and release buckets of water, drowning us in its fury. Paul finally locates a key from under the mat, and rushes to open the door.

  Once inside, Paul switches on the lights and grabs a few paper towels from the kitchen. Walking toward me, he peels off his shirt and tosses it into a soaking wet heap onto a nearby table. His muscles glisten in the dim lighting as the tiny drops of rain coast down them. He steps in closer to me, and begins to unbutton my blouse with his damp fingers.

  “Why don’t I help you out of these wet clothes?” he whispers as his lip brushes softly against my cheek.

  “Uh-huh,” is all I manage to get out.

  Slowly, he tugs on my tank-top and pulls it over my head, casting it onto the floor. In unison with the rolling thunder, Paul’s lips press against mine. I pull away, and look him in the eye.

  “Everything ok?” he asks, concerned.

  I’m not sure why I hesitated. Paul is gorgeous, and there are girls that would kill to be in my shoes right now.

  “Everything is perfect,” I respond, gently biting his bottom lip.

  Paul runs his hands down my bare back and his body presses mine against the wall. I wrap my right leg around his waist as he places his hands on my hips. With one smooth movement, he lifts me onto the table and pulls me to the edge. My shorts ride up and my bare thighs wrap around his back. Clasping my feet together behind him, my hips rub against the buckle of his jeans. With his hand on the small of my back, he guides me down until I’m lying beneath him. The power flickers off just as he undoes the strap of my bra.

  We continue to make out in the darkness, his hands feeling every inch of my body. I reach for the clasp of his belt and begin to undo it. With little effort, his pants fall to the floor and mine are soon to join them.

  I open my eyes and notice a bright light shining through the door to the building.

  “Karissa?”

  I know his voice immediately.

  “Jasper, can we get some privacy in here, bro?” Paul asks as he uses his body to block Jasper’s view.

  I place my forearm across my breasts as I lean around Paul.

  Jasper’s eyes turn wide when they meet mine. “Karissa?” he whispers to himself.

  The door slams, and the light disappears around the building and into the darkness. Paul lets out a small laugh. “Didn’t think we would be having spectators. Just makes it that much more exciting, I guess.”

  I push him off of me, and grab my shirt from the floor struggling to cover myself.

  “I can’t do this, Paul. I’m sorry.”

  “Are you serious? Is it because of Jasper?”

  I shake my head, “No. Yes. I don’t know. I just can’t do this.”

  Sliding into my shorts, I apologize profusely. “Please, I hope you aren’t angry. I thought we had chemistry and I’m attracted to you, but I just can’t do this.”

  Paul grabs my hand as I try to run out the door. “Come, sit down,” he instructs.

  I question his intentions as I take a seat, clasping my bra under my wet tank top. Paul leans against a table in boxer shorts.

  “Riss, we all know that you and Jasper have a thing for each other.”

  I shake my head. “Jasper doesn’t like me. He’s dating Missy.”

  “Missy is just a filler,” Paul says. “Jasper has depth with you. It’s more than him and Missy will ever have. What you and Jasper could have, Missy can’t even hold a candle to.”

  I hook the strap of my flip flops around my fingers. “So, if you knew that Jasper felt this way, why would you try to date me and get in my pants?” I wonder.

  “Easy,” Paul starts. “You both needed a little push to see how much the other one cared about you. I knew Jasper would be incredibly jealous if you and I started dating. I sent him a text when we first got in the building down here, asking him to come help me with something. I set it up.”

  “Jackass!” I yell, punching Paul in the shoulder and rushing toward the door. “I don’t even know where to start! You are so arrogant that you figured you could get me to hook up with you. And then you shove it in Jasper’s face like him and I are pawns in your sick game?”

  Paul flies in front of me, blocking my exit. “No, no! It’s not like that. Well, I didn’t intend it to be like that. I actually like you as a person. I thought you w
ere a really cool chick. But, I would never break bro code. I knew Jasper had some pretty intense feelings for you and no matter how interested I was, I wasn’t going to step on his toes. However, when I saw him start dating Missy, and Dakota said how much it was killing you, I knew I had to step in. So, we came up with a plan.”

  “Dakota is in on this, too?” I screech.

  “It was pretty much her idea,” he explains. “She’s like a matchmaker. She just wanted me to date you. I didn’t think things would move so quickly. The plan was to have Jasper walk in on us hanging together, not doing what we were doing.”

  I roll my eyes, “I thought you guys were my friends?”

  “This plan wasn’t made with malice in mind, Karissa. Things went further than I thought they would and I couldn’t force myself to stop. You’re hot.”

  Paul seems sincere.

  “I’m still pissed at Kota for this,” I huff.

  “Try not to be, Riss. She thinks you’re supposed to be with Jasper, and she’s trying to give you what you want. She didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt. That’s my fault. ”

  I lean against the wall in silence for a few minutes, digesting what Paul has said.

  “Why don’t you let me walk you back to your car?” Paul asks.

  I shake my head and shove my underwear in my pocket. “No, thanks. I can find my way.”

  The rain hits my face like tiny needles, camouflaging the tears that have coated my cheeks. I thought that I had found something special here at Hemlock, but now I’m wondering if I truly ever belonged.

  Chapter 9

  Friday night. 7:00 pm. Party down at the lake. You better be there.

  Dakota’s text lights up my phone while I’m on break at work. I haven’t spoken to anyone since my date with Paul on Monday, and I’m not sure I want to.

  C’mon Riss, I know you’re pissed at us, but please come and let me explain. I really was just trying to help.

  After mulling it over for a while, and remembering what Paul said about Dakota just trying to give me what she thought I wanted, I decide to accept her invite. I’m off at 6:30, I’ll be by after.

  Dakota wasn’t evil, and I really appreciate our friendship. Besides, Keith has been nagging me to come to the party for almost a week now, and I figure I can just hang with him the whole time if things get awkward.

  Dakota texts back with an obnoxious grinning emoji and I find myself smiling for the first time in five days.

  ***

  The next few days fly by, and Friday sneaks up on me quickly. Keith has agreed to wait at his house for me so I don’t have to walk down alone. Unfortunately, I forgot my backpack with a change of clothes on the kitchen counter this morning, so I’m forced to attend the party in my waitressing uniform, complete with dried food and the smell of onions caked into it.

  “I see you really got dressed up for the occasion,” he jokes.

  I kick him in the shin, and he bends over to ease the pain. “What the hell, Karissa? It was just a joke.”

  “Well, I didn’t think it was funny,” I scold.

  “I’m sorry!” he whines, rubbing his injury. “I didn’t realize you were so uptight tonight.”

  “I got a lot on my mind,” I respond. “I shouldn’t have taken it out on you, Keith. I’m sorry.”

  “No worries,” he responds. “Just try not to use me as a punching bag in the future, ok?”

  Taking a seat on the wicker rocker, I stare at Keith as he ties his shoes. It’s apparent that his appearance means a lot to him, and he always dresses nicely. Collared, button-down shirts make up almost his entire wardrobe. Tonight, black is his color of choice, paired with khaki shorts. The top three buttons are undone, and a pink t-shirt peeks out along his neck. A silver chain necklace dangles on his chest, and a single pinky ring reflects the setting sun. Instead of the normal fedora, tonight Keith has decided to gel his hair.

  “Getting dressed up for anyone in particular?” I wonder.

  Keith offers a smile as he places a cigar in his pocket. “Just anyone who wants to look at me, I suppose.”

  I redo my messy bun and grab a hoodie from the backseat of my car and a tube of mascara from the glovebox on our way down to the lake.

  “So, have you talked to Jasper lately?”

  “No, why?” I respond.

  “Just wondering. I haven’t seen you around all week and I know you had off at some point. Why didn’t you come by on those days?

  “I picked up extra shifts,” I explain. “I needed the money.”

  I don’t want Keith to know what happened, but maybe he already does. He’s become one of my best friends and I don’t want to lose him because of his loyalty to the guys. I’m trying hard not to put him in the middle, even though I could desperately use his advice. Instead of sharing my heartache, I focus in on my hand mirror and struggle to apply mascara while we walk.

  “Gotcha,” he replies. “Well, are you ready to party?”

  I fake-laugh back at him and slam my mirror shut. “Oh, yeah. I’m super excited.”

  “No worries, Riss,” he says as he bumps me with his shoulder. “If anything goes down, I got your back. Just say the word and we are out of there.”

  I wrap my hand in the crook of his elbow as we head down the street toward the beach. A bonfire lights the way while the sun begins to drop behind the mountains in the west.

  Dakota runs toward us. “Karissa!” she squeals. “I’m so glad you came. Come here!” She grabs my arm and pulls me toward the fire, introducing me to a group of girls gathered around the flame. “These are my chicas,” she says. “They are all dying to know what it was like to kiss Paul. I’d rather eat cow pies than hear about that, though. So, I’m going to take a small walk. Be done by the time I get back, ok?”

  The girls are on me like vultures, dying to know every detail of our encounter – an encounter I’ve been spending every moment of the past week trying to forget. I answer their questions vaguely, hoping it’s enough to fulfill their teenage longing.

  “Riss, can I steal you for a minute?” Keith asks, taking a puff on his cigar.

  Jumping on the opportunity to leave this unpleasant discussion, I stand and brush the sand off my shorts. “Is everything ok?”

  Keith scratches his forearm, and then swats at a fly that lands on his knee. “Did you hook up with Paul?” he inquires.

  I look away, embarrassed. “Yeah. Well, kinda. It wasn’t a big deal.”

  Disappointment fills his hazel eyes, and he looks away. “Karissa, what about Jasper?”

  “What about him?” I snarl. “He’s dating Missy. He made his choice. I’m not wasting any more time or emotions on him.”

  Keith pulls his phone from his back pocket and begins to scroll through text messages. “Read this,” he instructs, shoving the phone in my face with force.

  Why would Karissa hook up with Paul? Does she really have no feelings for me at all? I thought we had something, but I guess I was just a pawn all along. Maybe she’s not the girl I thought she was.

  “Is that from Jasper?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “Who else would it be from?” Keith responds. “What are you doing, Riss? Why are you playing these games with him?”

  “He started it!” I yell. “Why would he date Missy if he thought we had something?”

  Keith stares at me.

  “Why aren’t you saying anything?” I complain. “Am I living in la-la land? I feel like I’m losing my damn mind here!”

  “Karissa,” Keith starts. “I think that you both are being very immature. Actually, I think everyone involved in this mess is being immature. You and Jasper need to figure this out together, without anyone else involved. I planted the seed, now you need to water it and allow it to grow.”

  He clicks off his phone and pulls me in for a side hug. “If it’s meant to be, just let it be. Stop over-analyzing every little thing. Karissa, in the grand scheme of things, these tiny imperfections that you are so focused on, wil
l mean absolutely nothing. So what if he’s two years younger than you. So what if he’s a little bit of a player. You will never know what you guys could be, unless you give it a try. You either want Jasper, or you don’t, but you need to figure it out and stop messing with everyone’s feelings.”

  Keith pushes me back towards the vultures as he heads in to the rec building to meet up with some of the guys. I see a rustling in the woods toward Jasper’s house. Between the bushes, he emerges, holding hands with Missy. I keep my stare until our eyes make contact. His deep pools of blue stare back, refusing to shift. I wrinkle my forehead, communicating my regret with him silently. He breaks our gaze when Missy pulls him toward the water, smacking the brim of his hat with her hand.

  I turn back toward the fire, concentrating on the growing flame, wondering how things got so muddled in such a short amount of time. I kick sand into the embers, and Dakota scoots closer to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

  “Maybe you should just swear off boys altogether. They are nothing but trouble, anyway.”

  I laugh it off. “Yeah, maybe.”

  Sitting with the girls, listening to their conversation, I search among the darkness for Jasper.

  “Anyone wanna do something a little crazy?” Dakota’s friend Laurie whispers.

  The other girls lean in, interested in her idea.

  “I’m in,” I blurt out, tired of this mundane evening.

  “Let’s go skinny dipping,” she explains. “Give the boys a little show.”

  “No way,” Dakota refuses, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m not taking my clothes off. No one wants to see this anyway,” she explains, pointing to her belly.

  Two of the other girls also disapprove of the idea. I kick off my flip flops and discard my hoodie on the sand. Without a care in the world, I head toward the lake.

  A loud whistle echoes over the water from one of the guys. It eggs me on, and I drop my shorts to my ankles before kicking them off. One of the other girls flies in behind me, completely naked. I kick myself for being a prude, and remove my underwear and bra, tossing it toward the shore.

  Laurie splashes water toward me as she swims over. “So, do you feel liberated?”