Again: A Young Adult Romance

by Rashmita Bhattacharjee

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if one day I find him cheating on Eleanor,” said Stef with a note of disgust in her voice. “Of course, the girl wouldn’t be from this school ‘cause that would screw up his perfectly good boy image. He’d never let that happen. You should go through his phone, E. Check who’s he been screwing with.”

  “I’m not snooping around, Stef, no,” I tell her firmly. “I trust Luke. He’s not that kind of a guy. He’s not cheating on me.”

  “Even if he’s not cheating on you, he’s not giving you anything other than crap either,” Stef counters.

  “True that,” Josh adds.

  “You guys are making a big deal out of nothing,” I say quietly.

  “What has happened to you, E?” She gives me a look. “The Eleanor Sanchez I knew wouldn’t take shit from anybody. She wouldn’t pretend not to see what the heck is going on. Ever since you got back to school, something’s changed in you. So what happened over the summer, E?”

  I feel the blood run dry in my veins at that question. My insides tremble but I know I’ve got to hold it in. I can’t succumb to the pain. I can’t let it show on my face. Not now. Not here.

  “It’s just a rough phase in our relationship. Nothing else,” I tell them in a steady, unbroken voice. “I’m not gonna give up on Luke so easily. Nobody is perfect. And I’m strong enough to look beyond his faults because he’s worth it.”

  ***

  I get to class early for my last period and sit at my usual place, dumping my bag on the desk. No one is here yet, which is good ‘cause I need some time alone to calm myself from what Josh just told me. Just when I start to take a deep breath, I get startled by the sudden intrusion. I look sideways to see Devon enter. His eyes glitter with mischief as he swings the door close behind him.

  Oh, great. Just great. Exactly the kind of nuisance I want to deal with right now.

  “On a scale of 1 to 10, how fast can you find someplace else to make a mess around?” I ask flatly.

  “Oh, tough question,” he says thoughtfully. “Anyway, let me tell you about my dream.”

  I roll my eyes in annoyance. I honestly feel like I’m the chosen one to bear all the sufferings of the world on behalf of the entire humankind.

  “Don’t get yourself too wet already, I haven’t even started,” he says smugly.

  My lips thin in shock and distaste. “You know it’s very easy to shut the frigging hell up and get lost. Try it once. I swear it’ll come naturally to you,” I sneer.

  Devon chuckles, walking over leisurely to sit on the desk across me. “Relax. You weren’t your stubborn and incorrigible self in my dream but smart and sensible for a change.”

  What the actual frock?!

  “How dare you have the audacity to call me incorrigible??” I retort heatedly.

  “Good that you’re aware of what that word means,” Devon remarks callously. “I honestly thought that pig boy Thomas has sucked all of your intellect to fill his empty head with some of it.”

  “Oh, I know much better words than this,” I say in a sickly sweet voice, “In fact I know the perfect words to describe you.”

  “I feel honored. What is it?” he says fake eagerly.

  “A blithering shrimp, that’s what you are,” I mock him.

  “Could have done better.” He gives me disappointed look. “After all, you had twenty-six letters in the alphabet right at your feet.”

  “The rest of the human race will be depressed if they come to know that you’re thriving amidst them. It’s not too late to lock yourself in a coffin forever,” I say crisply.

  “Your sense of humor is so amazing that I don’t even feel the need to laugh,” he counters huskily.

  “Devon, leave,” I say coldly.

  “You lose your temper way too quickly, E,” he says as if dealing with a little child. “Let me get your panties straight by telling you about my dream.”

  I roll my eyes, feeling appalled.

  “We were out in the woods, holding hands and when night came, we set up a tent and we’re sitting around a bonfire.”

  I decide to give him a taste of his own medicine. “Wow. To tell you the truth, I had the same dream too. Did you see the part where a wild animal came from nowhere and ruined your stupid face with its sharp claws and I was cheering out loud for that amazing creature?”

  Devon smirks as our gazes clash. “Nope. I kind of fast-forwarded to the part where you took me inside your tent and kissed every wounded spot on my face, including my lips,” he says in a cheeky tone.

  “You’re sick,” I tell him.

  “That would be you,” he responds bluntly.

  “Excuse me?!” I retort.

  But my breath hitches when he jumps to his feet and closes the distance between us. I feel my pulse race beneath my burning flesh as he stands behind my back and leans over me. His hot breath grazes the skin of my neck, causing my heart to beat furiously against my chest.

  “Look at you, Eleanor.” His deep sexy whisper gives me goose bumps. “You’re always so fired up to stand up for yourself.”

  I clutch my bag tight, feeling the slight brush of his warm lips on my earlobe. God, I’m supposed to protest or at least say something to him but I’ve no voice right now.

  “So where was this feisty girl when pig boy Thomas was being a pig to her in the courtyard?”

  My eyes widen, and I look at him. Our faces are close, my nose is touching his. His eyes are solemn and intense; there is no hint of mischief in them.

  “I like you, Eleanor, you know that,” his nose gives mine a caress, “which is why I hate it when you let him hurt you.”

  Devon tilts his face a little, drawing his lips closer to mine. I’m breathless already.

  Right then the door clicks open. He moves away from me just in time as the students walk in. Kelly Clarks enters as well, swaying her hips. The next thing I know, she throws her arms around Devon’s neck. He smirks, and they kiss wildly.

  I roll my eyes and look away from the scene. Ugh. Gross.

  ***

  For my dinner date with Luke that evening, I choose a short but flowy red boho dress to wear along with tall boots. I gather my curls into a high ponytail and put on a pair of black dangling earrings. For makeup, I only go with mascara and lip gloss like I usually do.

  But our date at the Lip Smack is a disappointment once again. Sitting across me at the booth, Luke is busy on his phone the whole time. He chuckles or snickers every minute or two, scrolling down through whatever it is that he is reading or looking at.

  Is he sexting again?

  I want to ask him straight if he is but then, I keep my silence because I don’t want a fight.

  “Is it okay to feel guilty about something that you have no control over?” I ask anxiously instead, recalling Stef’s question about my summer.

  He is so engrossed that he doesn’t even hear me.

  “Luke,” I call out, “I’m talking to you.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” He finally looks up as though he just came back from another world.

  “I was asking if it is okay to feel guilty about something that you have no control over,” I repeat.

  Luke looks at me strangely. “Why would someone feel guilty about something they have no control over?” He snorts. “That would be absolutely crazy and downright foolish. Why would you even ask me such a stupid question?”

  Yeah, why did I ask him? Why do I go about asking everybody? It just makes the whole thing much worse.

  Luke goes back to his phone, typing something.

  I try to make small talk with him but he is so distracted every time he speaks that I just give up. The next time he looks up from his phone, he stares intently at something over my head. I look behind me to see a blonde clad in a skimpy dress walk in. She has an amazing body. I feel so conscious and uncomfortable.

  “Luke, stop. Please!” I tell him when he just wouldn’t stop checking her out.

  “What?” He sounds irritated. “So, I ca
n’t even look at any other girl now? Maybe you should learn to be cool and interesting rather than being dull and insecure.”

  I say nothing more but eat my dinner fast. Luke doesn’t seem bothered at all as he’s quickly back on his phone. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible ‘cause the last thing I want is to lose it in front of him. When he offers to drive me home, I refuse. As expected, he doesn’t insist because, I can tell, he has other plans, which doesn’t involve me.

  I walk back home in the cool and breezy night of Crawford Lane. I feel awful to say the least. I don’t know what to do with the gnawing pain numbing my chest. I’d been better off Netflixing with Stef than this. My knees feel weak after a while. I just need to get to my bed and pillow.

  As I make my way past the riverside, I see the door of the trailer open. Quickly, I hide behind the bushes. I see Kelly step out first looking dazed followed by a shirtless Devon. She spins around and they kiss. Looks like she doesn’t want to leave him quite yet but he somehow manages to get her hands off him and send her away.

  I hide myself behind the bushes just in time as Kelly makes her way to her car. I don’t want her to think I’m his second booty call for the night. It’s gross. After she’s gone and Devon goes back inside the trailer, the coast is clear again. I step out from the bushes and start to walk away. But the stars don’t shine their luck on me because Devon steps out again.

  Damn.

  He does a double take when he spots me.

  “Eleanor,” he calls my name in surprise and walks over to me. ”Wow, you look…beautiful.”

  “Put a shirt on, Devon,” I say, my tone holds a slight rebuke. His chiseled physique is clearly distracting me.

  Sensing my discomfort, he smirks. “C’mon, Sanchez, you have seen me half naked more than the other girls have.”

  I roll my eyes in annoyance.

  “Fine, I’ll go get a shirt. Would you like to come in and make yourself comfortable while I look for a shirt?” he asks, his eyes twinkling.

  “No thanks, I’m good.”

  “Your loss. Be right back. Don’t go anywhere or I’ll come chasing after you.”

  My pulse quickens at the thought.

  He goes back in his trailer and comes out again in no time, shoving his arms through the sleeves of his black shirt. “I’m guessing you just had a nauseating date with your nincompoop boyfriend?” he asks, buttoning his shirt up.

  “Luke and I had a wonderful time!” I retort.

  “Liar, liar Sanchez on fire,” he remarks with a sly smile.

  “Excuse me?!” I scowl at him.

  Ignoring my reaction, he continues, “I’m on a similar same boat as you. I just had bad sex, which is quite frustrating.”

  My jaw drops. “Are you seriously telling me that you and Kelly Clarks just had sex and you didn’t like it?!” I ask in disbelief. “You’re very high maintenance,” I taunt him.

  “No, I’m not!” He frowns, taking offense. “I’m just an awesome guy who wants great sex and who thinks booty calls in New York are way better than here. And yes, I sound like a complete chauvinistic jerk right now but then it’s okay sometimes to spare a little bit of awesomeness for the world too.”

  “I don’t remember my geography teacher in school telling me that the earth revolves around Devon Parker,” I say with a deadpanned expression.

  “Child, your geography teacher doesn’t know geography then.” He shrugs.

  “Are you even for real?!” I ask in astonishment.

  “Totally am. You can touch and feel any part of my body to believe, baby,” he says.

  “How about getting my hands around your neck?” I ask sweetly.

  “To make out with me?” He gives me a lopsided smile.

  “To strangle you,” I respond bluntly and turn to leave.

  “Wait.” Devon blocks my path. “I want to help you with your boyfriend.”

  That startles me. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve a cliché for a plan,” he states. “You and I can pretend at school that we’ve got a thing going on. Either that will get Thomas jealous and make him to start treating you better, or you will finally realize what an asshole he really is and leave him. What I’m trying to say is I’m letting you use me to get to him.”

  “I’m not gonna do such a thing!” I refuse his offer at once.

  “It’s worth a shot to try and make your pig ass of a boyfriend jealous.” He shrugs.

  “Why?” I ask, looking him sharply in the eye. “Why do you want to help me? What’s in it for you?”

  A sly smile made its way to the edges of his lips. “You already know the catch,” he said. “I like you feisty rather than a damsel in distress. I’m not gonna give up on my only source of free entertainment in this otherwise insipid neighborhood to a pig’s ass.”

  I roll my eyes at the flippant remark. “I’m good the way I am, thank you very much for your genuine concern.” I smile in sarcasm. “Also, your plan won’t work even if I agree to go through with it, because then, I’ll have everyone at school bitching about me fooling around behind my boyfriend’s back, which I’m totally not okay with.”

  “So, you’re not gonna do anything and just let him treat you like shit because of what people might say about you?” He snorts dryly.

  “Yes.” I smile tightly. “So, you might wanna find another toy to amuse yourself with.”

  I don’t bother to watch his reaction but walk past him and leave.

  Truth is I don’t care what people think about me. Kelly Clark had spread some really nasty rumors about me when Luke and I started dating. It didn’t affect me. So nothing would now. But Devon doesn’t need to know that.

  I’m good the way I am. I don’t need any kind of help. And his plan is flawed. If I cheat on Luke, that will only make me the bigger asshole.

  Chapter Five

  “Did you text him about Adam and I coming along with you guys?”

  “Yes, I told him about our double date. He didn’t reply. But I’m sure he read the message.”

  “Okay, then he should’ve called you.”

  “I called him. His number was busy. Uh, he’s talking to someone on the phone.”

  “I’m sure he was talking with a girl.”

  “Well, it could be his mom.”

  “Like seriously, E?” Stef exclaims in disbelief.

  We’re at The Mug after school that afternoon. She took a decaf while I’ve opted for double chocolate. Since we haven’t really gone out together with Adam and Luke, Stef and I decided earlier to do a double date instead texted Luke about it when I couldn’t call him on his phone, probably, but like I told Stef, I’m sure he read my message.

  “He always tells you he’ll call you back but he usually doesn’t. He is on social media most of the time, but he can’t spare a second to reply to your texts. Not to be a nagging best friend or anything but what the friggin’ hell is wrong with you, Sanchez? Why can’t you see what he’s doing to you?”

  I’m about to respond but I’m interrupted by a sexy voice.

  “Hello, mademoiselles.” No drum rolls. It’s Devon. Yes, the devil himself. Ugh.

  “Hey,” Stef greets him with a polite smile. I just roll my eyes.

  “May I?” Devon asks, referring to the empty chair at our table.

  “Sure!” says my naive friend. I suspect she’s charmed by him too. She’s judging a book by its attractive cover. Only I know the ‘Blah’ that’s on Devon’s pages.

  “Thank you.” Devon sits down with us. I roll my eyes again.

  “Not even a hello, Sanchez? Call your etiquette back. You need it desperately.”

  “I don’t need my etiquette when it comes to people like you.” I sneer.

  “Isn’t her sense of humor absolutely crap?” He turns to Stef who immediately burst out laughing.

  “I know right!” she squeaks. But upon receiving a death glare from me, she stammers, “I-I mean, like, I didn’t know you two know each other.”

>   “We’re technically arch enemies but I know Eleanor secretly loves me.” Devon shrugs.

  I want to pour my hot double chocolate over his head.

  “E, why don’t I know you guys are on talking terms?” Stef quizzes.

  “Sanchez keeps a lot of secrets. I bet she didn’t tell you she broke my heart,” Devon responds bluntly.

  “Devon, how about walking out of this cafe alive?” I counter sweetly.

  “Later,” he states with an air of dismissal before turning his attention to S. “Hey, Steffy,” he holds her hand and looks into her eyes, “your eyes are a mix of heaven and sin,” he adds in a deep voice.

  She looks so mesmerized by him like a lovesick puppy. Isn’t she supposed to hate on him ‘cause he’s practically a man-whore? But, I guess she’s not thinking much about that fact right now. I cough, pulling her out of the trance.

  “I’m…I’m sorry, I already have a boyfriend,” she apologizes to him.

  Devon lets go off her hand with a hurt look on his face.

  “Then, Steffy,” he says solemnly, “give a part of your beautiful soul to another girl and I will go to her.”

  I roll my eyes in annoyance. “Devon, how was your detention today?” I ask in a sickly sweet voice. He has been serving detention after school for a week now for being very rude in French class. Today was the last day though.

  “Today was my last day. Tell me, Sanchez, jealous much?” he smirks, turning to me.

  “Cocky much?!” I snap.

  “Stubborn much?”

  “Conceited much?”

  “Cocky and conceited pretty much mean the same thing.” He grins as if he just won something.

  I scowl at him while Stef bursts out laughing.

  “So,” Devon speaks again, quite pleased with himself, “what were you guys talking about?”

  “You don’t have to know,” I tell him pointedly.

  “We were talking about how Jerk Luke is taking E for granted.” Ignoring my glare, Stef continues, “Eleanor and I had decided to go on a double date to the movies this evening with our boyfriends but Luke stood us up. Guess he thinks we’re not cool enough for him to be seen with and hanging out with us may hurt is popular status.”