Lucy grinned; Maria was right. Seeing her name up on the board outside the drama room that afternoon had nearly made her faint. She got it. All her audition practice paid off and she would be starring in the spring musical. Not only did she get to sing her heart out and act, which was one of life’s greatest pleasures. She’d also get to give Patrick De Luca a quick peck on the lips. Unless Mrs. Blomfield took that part out, but Lucy had a pretty strong feeling she wouldn’t.
Nerves attacked once again, making her reach for Maria’s hand.
“Are you sure I can do this?”
Maria pulled them to a stop and adjusted the bag on her shoulder before looking Lucy right in the eye. “Lucy Tate. You are the most talented, amazing person I know. You deserve this role. Remember what Mrs. Blomfield said in your audition? You’re a natural. You could pretend to be anyone and people would believe you. You’re gonna be the star of the show and I’m so proud of you.”
Lucy blushed, her smile taking over her entire face.
“Your parents are going to go nuts. They’ll be so proud of you too.”
Warming at the thought of telling her two biggest supporters, Lucy threaded her arm through Maria’s and started them walking again.
“Will you practice lines with me?”
“Yes.” Maria nodded.
“Will you tell me not to spaz out and make sure my butt gets to rehearsal on time?”
“Yes.” She nodded again.
“Do you think Patrick will fall in love with me and kiss me for real once the musical’s over?”
Maria giggled. “Most definitely.”
Lucy chuckled at the sound of Maria’s sweet laughter. The girl was like the chocolate chips in a cookie. All sweet surprises encased in a golden soul. They had become best friends within a week of starting Palms Middle School together.
Now, at the age of thirteen, they both felt like the world was their oyster. They would be starting high school together soon and Lucy couldn’t wait.
At that moment, life was perfect.
Chapter 3
ZACH
March 2014
As usual the cafeteria was crowded. I took my tray and followed Elliot out to where AJ and Liesl were sitting. Now that we were finally seniors we more often than not scored the table on the edge of the quad. It was the best spot in our opinion. Near the grass and shaded by the edge of a big oak tree, it was far enough away from the chaos, but near enough to watch the student body trundle past. We’d seen some interesting things in our four years at Monte Vista High.
Danville was a small pocket of a town near San Francisco. I moved here when I was eight. My grandfather died leaving my dad this really healthy inheritance and they decided they wanted to try a small town for a while. So they picked one of the wealthiest towns in California. I’m not sure if that’s why Mom had always loved Danville or not, but when they both scored teaching jobs here, we packed our Sacramento bags and headed closer to the coast. I really love it. It’s a cool town and I’d made cool friends. I’m not saying I didn’t want to spread my wings and see some more of the world, but as far as childhood’s go, I think it’s safe to admit that I’d had a pretty sweet ride and I was grateful for it.
I slid my tray onto the table and took a seat, tucking my bag behind my feet.
“So, which one’s the new flame?” AJ arched his eyebrow. It popped up above his thick-rimmed, rectangular glass. He was wearing his bright orange pair today. So AJ. The guy’s fashion sense was off the charts.
I unwrapped my sandwich, giving him a droll look before firing a warning shot at Elliot.
“What!” He threw his hands up. “I haven’t had a chance to tell them yet.”
“It was Jaeda actually.” Liesl’s smile was all sweet like.
Damn it, that grin could win any guy over. I snorted out a chuckle and picked up my sandwich.
Liesl was one of the most beautiful girls I’d ever met. She was long and lean with dark floating hair and deep brown eyes. Her model looks turned most heads - guys and girls. But the best thing about her was…she didn’t notice any of them. She was the nicest, sweetest human being on the planet and she proved it on a daily basis.
“So?” AJ kicked me under the table. “Which one?”
Knowing they wouldn’t let up until I gave in, I swiveled my head and scanned the area for her. “She’s not here.” I turned back and took a large bite of my ham and cheese sandwich, hoping to stall any conversation for a minute.
“There she is.” Elliot pointed over my head and we all turned, very unsubtly, to take a look.
Thankfully Dani was looking the other way so couldn’t see us all gawking at her. Her thin frame eased through the traffic, her straw colored hair catching on the breeze, a few wisps tickling her delicate nose. She had an apple in her hand and as she turned in our direction, I quickly spun around.
She headed past us without looking our way. I nearly called out for her to join us, but somehow I knew she’d politely refuse.
I watched her walk over the green grass and head for an isolated tree. I would have kept studying her if AJ hadn’t kicked me again.
“Would you quit it?” I kicked him back.
He gave me his big, cheesy grin. The one that made his round cheeks score with deep dimples. “What is it with you and skinny waifs anyway?”
I frowned, pointing at Liesl. “What are you talking about? You’re dating one.”
Wrapping his large arm around his slight girlfriend, he gave me a pointed look. “Liesl Ekland is not a waif. She is a gift from heaven. An angel in human form, sent to dwell among us.”
We all rolled our eyes as AJ began his standard speech about the love of his life.
“Oh no, he’s not doing the Liesl speech, is he?” Jaeda dumped her bag on the table as Liesl elbowed her boyfriend with a blush.
“Angus, stop it.”
Elliot and I snickered. AJ hated being called Angus. As a kid, he used to demolish anyone who even muttered it, but Liesl loved the name. She thought it was adorable and refused to call him anything else. He let her, because he was totally in love with her, but Elliot and I couldn’t stop the snickers every time we heard it.
He cut his lengthy ode to Liesl short and then turned the heat right back to me.
“As I was saying…” He cleared his throat. “What’s with the goofy look on your face? You’re not going down this path again, are ya?”
“What path? You guys, it’s just curiosity.”
My friends collectively groaned.
“Do we need to list them?” Jaeda grabbed my hand, batting her blue lined lashes at me.
I shook my head and slid my hand away, then rolled my eyes as they started listing them anyway.
“The witch from Junior year. Remember how you thought you were cursed for like the whole summer?” Liesl grimaced.
“I wasn’t cursed.” I tried to brush it off, pretending that I didn’t spend three months freaking out that the girl had hexed me like she said she would when I broke up with her.
“The crier from 2011. Ugh!” Elliot pretended to gag.
I rolled my eyes, but that was a fair call. Suzette Pearce cried over everything. At first it was sweet and I could comfort her, but then it just got exhausting. Breaking up with her was the hardest thing I’d ever done. Memories of her screeching wail still sent shivers down my spine.
“The cheerleader.” Jaeda could barely get the words out. She had always been disgusted by Bambi.
“That was like two dates.”
“Two dates too many.” Her eyes bulged.
“And then there’s the stalker of 2010.” Elliot winced.
“Lest we forget.” AJ used his deep dramatic voice.
“Hey, she was sweet.” I pointed at them both.
“To start with, yeah, but then the checking in every three seconds began. The whole making sure she knew where you were and what you were wearing.” AJ made a face.
“Insisting that you didn’t go anywhere without her.
” Liesl tipped her head.
“And then the spying. Yikes.” Jaeda’s nose wrinkled.
“She wasn’t a spy,” I sputtered.
“Dude.” Elliot squeezed my shoulder. “She sat outside your house for like a month after you dumped her. Secret agent, most definitely not. Creeparoonus? One hundred percent.”
I grimaced. “Okay, so it wasn’t great.”
“You mean to say, thank the Lord her family moved to Australia.” Jaeda’s ringed fingers spread wide. She always talked with her hands, particularly when she was exasperated.
“I just don’t understand your obsessive desire to protect women all the time.” Elliot frowned.
“Maybe it’s because you’re short.” Jaeda looked completely serious. “You know, looking after girls makes you feel taller and more powerful or something. Feeds into your knight in shining armor desire. Makes you feel more manly.”
I’d never wanted to throttle her more.
“I’m not that short,” I said between gritted teeth.
“Okay, the girl you’re crushing on is taller than you, but whatevs.” She flicked her hand and raised her eyebrows.
Thank God I was taller than the say-it-like-it-is redhead or I’d never hear the end of it.
“Jae, you know you’re not supposed to talk about his height.” AJ put on his father figure voice. “Zach is very sensitive about his height or serious lack of it.”
“Thanks, Goliath.” I threw my sandwich crust at my six foot, two inch friend. He bashed it away with a chuckle.
“I hate you. I hate you all.” I pointed my other crust in their direction. “And Dani is not taller than me, we’re the same height.”
“Until she puts on a pair of heels,” Jaeda mumbled and then sputtered when I shot her a glare. “Which she doesn’t look the type to even wear, so you’re sweet.” She slapped my arm and winked at me, putting on her cutsie grin, which I found impossible to resist.
My lips twitched.
“We’re serious though, Zach.” Liesl tipped her head as she reached for my hand. She laid her delicate fingers over mine. “We just don’t want to see you get stalked or cried on…”
“or Bambi bitch slapped again.” Jaeda finished for her.
I had no choice but to finally let my smile show. I’ve never denied I was an idiot in the love department.
But…
Looking across to the tree Dani was nestled against, I took a second to watch her lick a drop of apple juice off her lower lip. She seemed oblivious to the world as she read the book in her lap…or did she?
“This is different, you guys.” I shook my head. “I’m mean yes, she is gorgeous. And yes, I’m attracted to her, but it’s not just her looks. There’s something about her. She’s intriguing. It’s like she’s not all she appears to be or something.”
“You can tell that after two minutes of interacting with her? Give me a break.” Elliot balled up his napkin and threw it on the table.
Liesl snaffled it up before it flew away and with a motherly look of reprimand made him take it back. He snatched it with a grumble, tucking it under his lunch tray.
“I realize that I don’t know her at all yet, but I can tell there’s something more there.” I rubbed my bottom lip.
“She looks normal to me.” AJ shrugged.
“I think she’s pretty. She looks sweet, but…” Liesl turned to spy her quickly. “AJ’s right. She looks like any other transfer student. What makes her so different?”
“It’s something about her eyes. There’s a story in them. I can’t even explain why I think that. I just feel like she’s got a lot of layers and I want to peel back every single one of them.”
“I bet you do.” Elliot raised his eyebrows.
“Not like that.” I threw him a droll look. “I just want to solve the mystery that is Danielle Harrison.”
“Dude, there is no mystery.” Elliot slapped his hand lightly on the table.
“Yes there is. I can feel it.”
“Careful, Zachy, your Nancy Drew is showing.” Jaeda’s green eyes were large and round as she gave me a playful look.
“I don’t care.” I shrugged, confident in my perceptive abilities. “That girl over there has secrets and I’m gonna figure out what they are.”
She suddenly looked my way, piercing me with those blue eyes of hers. Even with the distance, they affected me. My breath was snatched away before I could raise my lips to a smile. The edge of her mouth quirked to the side as she closed her book and packed her things into her bag. She didn’t look at me again as she rose, brushing off her jeans and heading away from our table. I kept my eyes on her, stupidly unabashed. Part of me wanted her to know I was studying her.
Flicking her fine hair over her shoulder, she politely made her way through a group of students. Her manners were impeccable. She was self-assured and capable. All those things made her different from the girls I’d made the mistake of falling for in the past.
Not that I was falling for this one, I reminded myself quickly.
I couldn’t deny that tug though. It always started as an urge to protect the girl. I could easily figure out why I’d ended up dating all my past errors, but what had me stumped this time was why I was so captured by a girl who didn’t look as though she needed any kind of protection. Why did I feel an overwhelming urge to hide her away, tuck her in my arms and tell her I wouldn’t let the world hurt her?
My friends were laughing over AJ’s latest culinary class. He told the best stories about his teachers. Everyone was in hysterics except me. I was too busy watching Dani disappear around the corner.
Watching.
Wondering.
My parents always said that they found out more about a student during parent/teacher conferences than any other time of the year.
“To some degree, everyone is a product of their upbringing.” That’s what Mom always said.
I couldn’t help wondering what Dani’s parents said about her.
Chapter 4
LUCY
February 2009
The table was set, the meal was cooked. Lucy’s mom placed the plates of hot food at each setting and they were all pulling their chairs out to sit down when Lucy couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I got the part.” She beamed.
“The part of Milly?” Edith Tate’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
“Uh-huh!” Lucy’s head was bobbing stupidly, but she didn’t care. The look of pride on her dad’s face would keep her happy for weeks. He stepped away from his chair and enveloped her in one of his bear hugs. She nestled her head against his chest and squeezed back.
“So, so proud of you, Lulu.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled back, holding her at arms length to give her a wide smile.
She grinned back and bit the edge of her lip.
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold.” Her mother pulled out her chair and sat down. Flicking out her napkin, she laid it over her lap and clasped her hands together. They said a quick grace and as soon as everyone had said Amen, Edith touched Lucy’s hand. “Have you got the script? We can start practicing tonight.”
“Yeah, it’s in my bag.” Lucy picked up her fork and pierced a carrot slice.
“So how did you find out? Tell us the story.” Her father cut off a square of meatloaf and smothered it with mashed potato.
Forgetting about her food, Lucy dove into a lengthy story, not leaving out one detail. She even talked about how Patrick congratulated her at the end of the day. She was sure she was blushing up a storm. Her parents both grinned at her, obviously trying to hide their laughter.
“Shut up, you guys.” She flicked her hand.
This set them off and they were all soon laughing.
At the end of the meal, Lucy’s mom suggested they treat themselves to ice-cream to celebrate.
“Sweetie, run down to the freezer and grab it for me, will you?”
“Sure.” Lucy jumped up and headed for the basement stairs off the kitche
n, listening to the clink of cutlery being gathered up for rinsing.
She never liked the basement much. It was always so dark and creepy. That was probably because she never bothered turning on the light when she was down there. Her priority was only to run to the chest freezer and back out again so she didn’t see the point of fussing with the string light switch that dangled in the middle of the room.
Above the freezer was one tiny window that was never opened. A large cobweb covered the left pane of glass; she couldn’t see a spider in it, but yuck! She shivered, dashing over the cold concrete on her bare feet.
Most of the surfaces were covered with dust. Her parents often talked about gutting the area, re-walling it and putting carpet in. They had plans to make it a fun rumpus room area for Lucy and her friends. They had plans…and that was all.
Still on tiptoes, Lucy lifted the chest freezer lid, wriggling the ice cream tub free from beneath a loaf of bread and a frozen meal. Holding it with her finger and thumb, she slammed the freezer closed and looked up at the little window. With another shiver, she raced out of the room and up the stairs.
She was about to swing the door open, but the tone of her parents’ conversation made her pause. The cold ice-cream container was freezing her fingertips, but somehow she just knew she couldn’t interrupt this conversation. She shifted, spying her mother through the crack in the door. She was stacking the dishwasher with the last plate. Shutting the door with a concerned frown, Edith turned back to Lucy’s father.
“Well, have you gathered enough evidence?”
“I think so.” He rubbed his forehead. “I guess I’m just worried if I jump too soon that it’ll get squashed. I need to play this right.” Her dad sighed.
“Sweetie, you will,” Edith placed her hands on his shoulders, squeezing gently. “You can’t ignore what you’ve found. You have to expose him.”
“I know. I know.” He ran his finger down the chain of her necklace, squeezing the emerald pendant he’d given her two weeks earlier. She’d swooned over the birthday present every day since. “But I’m only an analyst and he’s…”
I Know Lucy (The Fugitive Series) Page 2