I stubbed my toe on a chair and tried to cover the noise by coughing into my hand. Ouch! I moved a chair out of my way. My eyes drifted to her boyfriend. What was his name? It was something different. He wore a t-shirt, too, but with a blazer over it. At least he was wearing jeans. I ran my hand through my hair to keep it out of my face as I walked to their table.
“Hey Tristen. I hope you don’t mind Brooks hanging out with us.”
Brooks, of course.
“I told him it would be boring,” she continued, “but he said he didn’t have anything better to do.”
“Sure, I don’t care.” I shrugged as I sat across from her. I fixed my gaze on the table between us to keep from staring at her. I was nervous that she would notice that I was having trouble with that; or worse, that Brooks would notice.
What is it that draws me so intensely to her? Even though Ailey and I grew up in the same area, we were never really in the same social circles.
I thought about the times we'd see each other in the hall. I was usually trying to get my locker to open, mentally scorching it off with my laser eyes, dropping my books — which she would pick up for me sometimes — or accidentally bumping into the group of girls that were gathered at the locker next to mine.
They always floated around her like excited butterflies. When she was gone they gushed about Brooks; that conversation usually ended with sighs or dreamy looks.
“Um – I got this book for you.” She rifled through a stack of books in front of her, and then looked at me expectantly as she held it out to me.
I smiled at the title of the book: ‘How the French Won the Long Drawn-Out Hundred Years’ War.’
“I found these for you, too,” she indicated the pile on the table. “I figured since I was already looking that I’d save you the trouble,” she said casually.
“Thanks,” I said gratefully.
Ailey was thinking about me.
I flipped through the book, trying to think of something to say to Brooks. “So, do you have Mr. Becker too, or are you lucky enough to have Mrs. Stone?”
“I have Mrs. Stone – she’s a breeze. Sounds like this project sucks. At least you get to work with a partner, though. My biology teacher assigned us a huge project about Habitats,” he sighed and then turned toward Ailey. “At least you’ll be going with me, babe.”
“Sounds like we have the same teacher,” I mused.
“Oh, you too, huh? Well, at least we’ll get to go to the beach for our field trip this year. That’s going to be sweet. She even let the students in the water last year. Something about observing animals in their natural habitat. I don’t care if I have to have to find mollusks or the loch ness monster — I’m getting in the water. I’ve always wanted to take a surfing class for school, like they do in Hawaii.” He had a big grin on his face, probably imagining surfing ten foot waves even though North Carolina hardly ever got waves that big. Unless, maybe, there was a hurricane coming.
Ailey laughed, listening to us. “Yeah, good luck hiding your surf board in your backpack.” She sat back, appraising him. “You would look good on a surf board though.”
He grinned and rolled his eyes. “Of course, babe.”
“So anyway,” she said and turned toward me. “Tristen I scored with this book. Look what it has – a comparison between the French and British armies. It even has pictures of their military uniforms.” She moved the book upside down so I could look at it.
“Sweet,” I replied, flipping through her book. Then I opened my book, diving into the realms of the French and how they ‘Won the Long Drawn Out Hundred Years’ War’.
An hour and a half later I found myself loosening up with them. They told me about their first date, how Brooks accidentally spilt chocolate milkshake all over her white blouse.
Funny, I couldn’t imagine him spilling anything.
He was pretty nice; he helped us by skimming through the books, looking for useful information.
Every time I made eye contact with Ailey, I was drawn in to whatever she was working on. I had to restrain myself from constantly turning to look at her. I wondered if I would ever get used to just being around her.
At least I’m speaking coherently around her now.
Sighing, I looked at my watch. “Well, guys, I’ve gotta get home. I’ve got to help my mom with some stuff.”
Ailey looked up from her book. “Oh, okay. Maybe we can do it again another day?”
My heart beat faster. “Sure.”
Brooks pulled his arm out from around her and turned to look at me. “Hey bro, we’re going to the Outdoor Classics at the movie on the lawn this weekend. Want to come? It’s some old black and white movie with that Rhett Butler guy in it. Maybe you could bring someone and we could double date it?”
“Umm. I’ll have to see. It’ll depend on how my mom is feeling.” And if I can even find a date.
“Hey – maybe you could bring Piper,” said Ailey. I gave her a blank look.
“You know, Piper Conway? I think you have a class with her.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “She said she sits a couple tables away from you – in Biology I think.”
“Umm, sure. Okay. I guess I could ask her.”
Ailey laughed. “Well, check it out. We’d love to hang out with you.”
I walked away with a grin on my face. Ailey was incredible. And Brooks was actually pretty cool, too. Maybe I could find someone to come to the movie with me.
❦
The next day after Biology, I approached Piper. I wasn’t sure how to ask her, so I waited until I saw her alone in the hall.
“Hey,” I said and waved at her. She looked around her and then moved to walk by me. I tentatively stepped in front of her and she stopped in her tracks.
“Hey,” I repeated.
“Oh,” she said.
There was an uncomfortable silence and I shuffled my feet.
“Oh, you were saying hi to me?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I just wanted to ask you a question.”
What am I doing?
“Sure. Yeah, of course.” She looked up at me expectantly; I wasn’t that tall but she still had to peer up at me at an awkward angle.
“I was just wondering if you wanted to go with me to see some movie at the park this weekend.”
“Yes,” she immediately responded. Her fair and freckled face turned red and she took an embarrassed step back. “Well, I guess so. I mean, if I can. I’ll have to check with my dad.”
She looked at me; it was my turn to talk. I, in classic Tristen fashion, had no idea what to say. I wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic response. A painful silence grew between us.
“Well, okay then. If it’s okay with your dad we’ll pick you up around six. I think Brooks is driving.”
“Oh, Brooks is coming?”
“Oh sorry, Brooks and Ailey are coming.”
She smiled wide showing perfect white teeth. “Okay, yeah. I’m pretty sure it will be okay.” She thought about it. “I’ll text you and let you know what he says, 'kay?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
We stood there silently.
“Okay then. I guess I’ll see you later?” I asked.
“Wait,” she responded. “I… uh… I need your number.”
Duh.
“Yes, of course. Sorry, I’m dumb sometimes.”
She pulled out a pen and I wrote my number on her hand. Her thin fingers were delicate in my clumsy hand.
“You’re not dumb,” she said. I could feel my face turn red.
“Oh thanks.” I smiled at her. “Okay, then, I guess maybe I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, sure,” she responded. Then we both walked off. Unfortunately, we walked off in the same direction.
I am such an idiot.
“Oh, okay. Oh yeah, I forgot something,” I said and turned around the other way to pretend that I had to go that way. I saw the bathroom and made a beeline for it. Just before going in I turned to see her staring a
t the ground with a huge grin on her face as she hurried up the hallway.
I stood inside the door trying to calm down. My arm pits were sweaty and my face was burning and red. Phew. That was awful.
❦
When Sunday night rolled around, I could feel my ears pound from Brooks’ music as I squeezed out of the back seat of his brand new, midnight black Camaro. I stepped back to admire the white racer stripes while Piper struggled half-in and half-out of the car, desperately trying to untangle her sandal from the seat belt.
"Hold on a sec," I said when I finally noticed her trouble. I reached to the back seat to unhook it, and when it unclasped, she fell flat on her butt. I looked down and could see her face glowing red.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I held my hand out to help her up. It was rough with gravel from the parking lot and I brushed the loose rocks off.
“Thanks,” she smiled at me with pink cheeks. Ailey’s face popped out from behind the open trunk.
“You guys okay?” she asked.
“Yep.” I nodded at her.
“Yes, of course,” Piper chimed in. “We were just… I was just…” she trailed off.
“Here man, this one’s for you guys.” Brooks walked around the car with two large baskets and handed one to me.
“Oh.” I looked at the basket in my hand filled with food and was embarrassed that I didn’t contribute anything. “Thanks,” I mumbled.
“Ailey put these together,” Brooks stated.
I looked at Piper, who was busy examining her hands.
“You ready?” I asked. She nodded and rubbed her hands together. She walked next to me as we followed Brooks and Ailey, who held a blanket and pulled a cooler, toward the lawn. People were scattered across the open lawn and mostly gathered around the large projection screen at the end of the park. A group of teenagers were playing Frisbee, and a few kids rolled down the short grassy hill while their parents stared at their phones, waiting for the movie to start.
We picked a spot in the middle of the lawn and Ailey spread out a large blanket for us to sit on. We unpacked the baskets and began to talk, with Piper sitting next to me and Brooks and Ailey across from us. Every time I looked up, my attention gravitated toward Ailey; I couldn't help it. I figured after hanging out with her for a little bit, my strange connection toward her would weaken and fade out. Strangely, the opposite was happening. I tried to ignore it and clumsily joked with Piper. That ended up in me spilling coke on her jeans. When the large screen blared to life in front of us I was relieved. Ailey and Brooks turned to face the screen, their backs now to us. Ailey leaned into Brooks and he put his arm around her.
As the movie played, Piper constantly shifted around the blanket nervously.
I wonder if she’s cold. I took off my jacket and handed it to her.
“Oh, thanks.” She smiled at me. After she put my jacket on she scooted closer to me. I turned to see her staring intently at me. I shifted a millimeter away uncomfortably and smiled. She reached out her hand and I stared at it blankly. She flipped her hand over, palms up.
Okay, I’m dumb.
I put my hand on hers; it was sweaty. Or is that mine? She scooted closer again and rested her head on my shoulder. The smell of her shampoo drifted towards my nose. I sat there stiffly and we watched the movie silently. My hand grew uncomfortably hot and sweaty and I let hers go to rub mine on my pants. When I turned to look at her, she was staring at me again and her face was inches from mine. I smiled uneasily and could feel her breath on my face. Then she leaned in and kissed me. I opened my eyes in surprise and could see that her eyes were squeezed tight. Her hand grabbed mine and pulled me into her. She pecked my lips and her lips felt tight and rough. A kid stared blankly at us and I looked away, embarrassed.
When she pulled back she looked at me to see what my reaction would be. I couldn’t bear to look her in the eyes and so I studied the folds in the blanket. My face burned red and I quickly folded my hands in my lap. Ailey turned to look at us.
“Hey Tristen, can you hand me some more coke?”
Grateful for the distraction, I stood up to get another can from the cooler. After I handed Ailey the can, I sat back down and put a little bit of distance between Piper and me. She looked at me and frowned.
“What's wrong?” she whispered.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Something's wrong, isn't it?” she said miserably.
“I… I don’t know what you mean. Nothing is wrong,” I stammered.
Suddenly, Ailey stood up in front of us. “I have to go to the bathroom. Piper, can you come with me? I really don’t want to go alone.” Piper looked up at her, confused.
“Please?” she pleaded.
Piper sighed loudly. “Okay, sure.”
As they walked off I could hear Ailey chatting loudly. “Isn’t this movie so funny? I just love Clark Gable…”
Brooks laid back and put his arms under his head to look at the sky.
“This is awesome.” He sighed and smiled contentedly.
“Umm. Sure,” I said.
By the time the girls returned, the movie was over and Brooks and I were waiting by the car. I could see Piper walking a few steps ahead of Ailey. When she got to the car, she was a little breathless.
“Sorry, Ailey took forever and she just kept talking.”
“It’s okay.” I smiled and watched Ailey reach the car.
“Hey, babe.” Brooks reached for her hands and then pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. I quickly looked away and opened the door for Piper to climb in. Then I climbed in beside her and faced her with a frozen smile. Finally Brooks and Ailey got in the car and we rode back toward our homes.
Well, that was… interesting.
❦
My dad was waiting for me when I got home. He was sitting on the recliner reading, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and drinking what I called his “drug,” Cherry Coke Zero, in a cold glass with ice.
“Hey bud, how was it?”
I plopped down on the couch across from him and closed my eyes.
“Okay, I guess.”
“So… what happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you have fun?”
“Umm, I guess. We had food and drinks and we spread out a blanket and just hung out.”
“How was the movie?”
“It was good.”
“What about Piper?”
“What about her?”
“What’s she like?”
“Umm…” I thought. “She seems nice.”
“Seems nice? Did you talk to her that much?”
“Kinda.” I shrugged.
“Well… do you like her?”
“I don’t know. She didn’t say much.”
“Well, you’ve got to get her to talk about herself. That’s how you get to know a girl.”
“Ok,” I replied. “It’s just that I don’t know what to ask.”
He thought about it for a moment. “You can say anything, really, just ask her about her family. Or about her favorite subject in school, or what she likes to do for fun outside of school.”
“Okay.” I sighed.
“What do you mean, ‘Okay’?” he mimicked my sigh.
“Okay. Just that. I’ll try that sometime.”
“You don’t seem to be that into her,” he suggested.
I shrugged. “She’s just someone that Ailey suggested I bring. So, I did.”
“Who?” My dad asked.
“Ailey.”
“Ailey? Ailey who?”
“Ailey Collier.”
My dad gasped, then coughed and spewed Coke all over me.
“Eww, Dad. What is your deal?” I asked as I wiped it off my face.
“Oh, sorry bud. Just went down the wrong pipe,” he replied weakly as he coughed the rest of it out. Then he looked back at me. “You went out with Ailey Collier?” he asked. I looked at him strangely.
“Yes. Piper and I double dated with
Ailey and Brooks. Remember? I told you the other day.”
“No, you told me you were going on a double date with Piper. You didn’t tell me who the other couple was.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess you’re right. Why? Does it matter?”
He shook his head. “Nope. It doesn’t.”
I yawned, which made him yawn. We laughed and I stood up.
“I think I’m going to bed. G’night, Dad.”
He smiled up at me. “Night, little man.”
❦
In the middle of the night, something stirred me from my sleep. A coldness crept through my bed and I shivered while wrapping my blanket tighter around my body. Then a strange tapping sound ripped the fog from my mind and I sat up abruptly. The room looked hazy, like I was dreaming. I looked at my window to see if it was open and letting in the fog that sometimes rolls through the field outside. It was closed. Before I could lay back down a movement in the mirror caught my attention.
I got out of bed and walked toward it. My vision was fuzzy and I rubbed my eyes, trying to get a better look at the spot in my mirror. A chill ran through my body as a familiar robed priest stared at me from the other side of the mirror.
I stepped back in horror. His bony face looked like it was chipped from stone. He had sockets but no eyes, only a deep hole of empty blackness, like the light and love had been sucked out of his heart. Stitches bound his mouth as if someone had sewn it shut. Fear immediately clutched my heart and an immense dread seized my whole body. He stretched out a stony skeletal hand toward my face. I could see a vibrant butterfly tattooed on the webbing between his thumb and index finger. Its intricate beauty contradicted the evil energy radiating from him. His finger hit his side of the mirror and he longingly held it there.
Then he pushed his finger forward at the barrier of the glass and, incredibly, it began to stretch toward my horrified face. I was frozen to the core; I could barely move my chest to breathe as his hand reached closer and closer to me. Just when his finger had stretched the mirror as far as it would allow, he touched my cheek. I felt like I had dived into a pool filled with ice; my lungs struggled to suck in their next breath. I inhaled forcibly and gulped in a mouthful of air and then screamed as loud as possible.
The Last Seeker: Book 1: a teen & YA magical, fantasy, paranormal, & adventure novel (TRISTEN) Page 2