The Sound of Shooting Stars

by Heather Allen

  She sits up and nods, still hugging her arms around her middle. Her stance the whole way back is guarded. Once we make it back to the stairs leading up to the deck, she starts crying and frantically searching the sand around the steps. I place my hand on her arm and ask, “Beckett, what is it?”

  She flinches back and hugs herself tighter. Her face turns up to me and she trembles, “My shoes, they’re gone.”

  The innocent expression on her face makes my heart melt. I want nothing more in that moment than to take her in my arms and tell her it will be alright. Instead, I start to explore the sand with her. We come up empty handed after five minutes. By this point she is wiping her tears and straightening her wrinkled top. Her voice sounds stronger as she tells me, “It’s fine Jamie. I’ll just go home without them.”

  I take a step toward the stairs and nod as she rushes past me to make the climb. I glance ahead of her and watch as we approach the landing. Many faces turn toward us with looks of surprise and then glowering expressions. When my foot hits the wooden deck Trina scrambles over with a death stare. She rests her hands on her hips and spits in Beckett’s face. Beckett has a look of shock as she wipes the wetness from her face.

  Trina begins yelling, her accent so heavy that it almost masks the English coming from her lips.

  “Beckett Chase, I can’t believe you! You are a liar and a slut. I never want to see your face again.”

  She turns on her heel and stumbles across the floor to the opened door. Dani is just coming out onto the deck. She looks at Trina and then over to us. Her face mirrors Trina’s as she calls out, “Beckett, I warned you.”

  A small cry escapes Beckett’s lips as both girls spin and march back into the house. I place my hand on her arm again. This time she doesn’t shy away. I lean closer and ask, “Why didn’t you tell them what happened?”

  She shakes her head and faces me as another tear falls down her cheek. She whispers hotly, “They won’t believe me. You should just go before they all hate you too.”

  As she turns back around, my hand falls from her arm and I look up to find dozens of pairs of eyes staring at us. The expressions aren’t of surprise but scorn. My eyes meet Sam’s as she steps out onto the stoop. Disappointment screams at me from her eyes.

  I stand firmly in place as Beckett charges past her into the house. I hear Sam cluck her tongue at her retreating back. Anger swells at Sam for that small gesture but then I remind myself that Sam has her reasons for hating Beckett.

  She approaches me and states in a strangled voice, “Jamie, I know you did not just come up from the beach with her.” She shifts apprehensively and asks, “Did you?”

  I shift my gaze from the door where Beckett’s retreating figure is no longer visible to the tortured look spreading across Sam’s features. My gaze softens as I tell her, “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Well Jamie, it looks like she’s gotten to you too. Beckett Chase strikes again.”

  I can’t help but notice the hurt in Sam’s voice.

  “I just said it’s not what it looks like. I went down there to clear my head and found her down the beach.”

  Sam cuts me off, “Yeah, we already know what she was doing or rather who.”

  I squint not really believing what she is saying to me. This is not like Sam at all. Never has she been so hurtful and accusatory. I start to walk away finished with the conversation but her hand darts out to halt me. I pull my arm from her grasp and continue into the house. Jake steps into my path and asks, “Dude, what’s wrong with Sam?”

  “Why don’t you go and ask her?” I skirt around him as he presses forward to close the distance to Sam. When I pass into the living room there are drunken people everywhere but only one catches my attention. The guy who attacked Beckett steps up to me, blocking my advance to the front door. His eye is swollen and there are specks of blood spotting his green shirt. I didn’t notice before but he’s got a couple of inches on me and his stance is wider than mine. I was probably lucky he was already occupied when I attacked him. I clench my fists ready to throw down again if I have to. He notices and holds his hands up in surrender.

  “Hey, Jamie is it?”

  I nod, my stare unwavering.

  “Dude, I just wanted to make sure that there’s no hard feelings.”

  Is this asshole for real? I step back unsure where he’s going with this.

  He leans closer and lowers his voice, “I’m not trying to fight you. She’s not worth it.”

  My hands twitch as I hold back my urge to knock this idiot out. Instead of giving him an answer I charge forward knocking his shoulder. I didn’t notice before but as I cross the distance to the door my ears perk up at the sudden chatter filling the room. This whole thing was a show for all of them. Where in the hell am I? How is any of this normal even in a wealthy person’s life?

  When I bridge the gap to the street my lungs scream at me for the fresh air I didn’t know I was craving. I lean over and place my hands on my knees. Sam’s face pops into my head. She is just as bad as the rest of them. What happened to her? My heart aches at the loss of the Sam I knew long ago.

  When I’ve caught my breath I look up to gauge my location in relation to where I need to go. I didn’t really pay attention on the way here. Shit. My feet start forward down the street. A minute later a car pulls up beside me. I don’t bother looking, it’s better if whoever it is just keeps driving. But a voice calls out, “Hey, do you want a ride home?”

  I stop and look forward before glancing over at Beckett’s red rimmed eyes and tear stained face. I make my way around the car and climb into the passenger side.

  She shifts into drive and pushes the gas. The dash light shines twelve thirty and I smirk at the thought that we are both making curfew. She turns to look at me but I keep my eyes forward. As much as I want to tell her it’s okay and I get it, I don’t because in all of this, I really don’t get it. We are from completely different worlds and I am so far from understanding hers as I’m sure she feels the same about mine.

  When she pulls up behind Marla’s Range Rover she keeps her hands on the steering wheel. She sighs before speaking.

  “Thank you for tonight.”

  My body stiffens at the sound of her voice. It’s filled with pain but something else. A question seems to linger in the air. I shake my head trying not to hear more than her words.

  My voice comes out firm, “It was nothing.”

  I grab the handle to open the door but her fingers dart out and linger over my arm. I look up and meet her intense stare. The question lingers there too in the pristine blue of her eyes. I pat her hand with mine before removing her fingers and step out of the car. I don’t look back to see if she is getting out for fear that I’ll lose my nerve to continue up to my room. This is something I am able to control in my life. Staying far away from Beckett is a decision I resolve to keep.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Beckett Chase

  Pyxis – The Compass

  The constellation represents the magnetic compass used by navigators and seamen.

  ~*~

  The tears flow freely down my cheeks as I rest my head on the steering wheel. Jamie left the car filling the void with deathly silence. It might have just been me being sentimental about him saving me from Brett. But he could have walked the other way. He didn’t have to get involved. When he told me about the constellation, I thought maybe he had feelings for me. Now I think I’m just going crazy. I saw more in his face though, disappointment, fear, resentment. I’m not sure. He is probably disgusted after what Samantha told him but maybe not. He didn’t get a ride home with her which means she’s probably pissed at him. I’m sure I’m the cause of it. That must be it, he’s angry that yet again I’ve hurt his friend.

  I wipe the tears away with the back of my hand and switch the light on to chase away the shadows. My eyes move to the mirror and frown at the vacant stare looking back. I try to make myself presentable in case I run into Marla but it’s hard to
hide the horrible events that happened tonight.

  My bare feet hit the rough stone steps as I reluctantly approach the glass door. Somehow in less than a week I feel awkward walking into my own house knowing that Jamie is here. My heart aches at his rejection but I chastise myself for even thinking he would give me a chance. I deserve all of it. He owes me nothing. In fact, he’s been a lot nicer than he should have been with the way I’ve treated him.

  My feet move swiftly up the stairs to my room. Ever so slowly I close the heavy white door until a click echoes through the space. I turn to my bed and climb in letting the tears flow again. I cry that he wants nothing to do with me and for my two best friends who I have completely let down. I know that this time they won’t forgive me. I’ve pushed them to their limits.

  ***

  A soft knock on my door shakes me out of sleep. My hands automatically raise to shield the sun that is shining brightly into the room. I wince at the headache spreading behind my eyes. I barely drank anything last night but I did a lot of crying. I can only imagine what I look like right now.

  The knocking against my door begins again. I roll over into the fluffy pillow while mumbling, “Come in.”

  The sun’s rays shift across the room as the white paned French door swings inward. I look up surprised that someone is coming from the balcony and startled that it’s Jamie’s green stare meeting my gaze. He shuffles in carefully. I can feel waves of heat following him through the door. He halts a few feet from the bed, his hands deep in his pockets. He stumbles over his words, “Beckett, I’m sorry I was a jerk to you last night.”

  I push myself up to a sitting position and notice that I’m still dressed in the black shorts and teal tank top from last night. My shirt has seen better days. My hands rush to grab the pink flowered blanket and pull it up over my wrinkled attire. Judging by the smirk on his face I must look lovely. Great!

  “Um, you weren’t a jerk. I’m the one who should apologize. Samantha is mad at you, isn’t she? I’m sure that’s my fault.”

  He moves closer to the bed causing my hands to clench the blanket in a death grip. He doesn’t seem to notice or if he does, he shows no recognition. He adjusts his weight from one foot to the other. As he stands there I take in his damp hair messy from running his hands through it. He’s dressed in fitted jeans with a white Billabong t-shirt. Before I know it, he’s closed the distance between the door and my bed. He asks, “Can I sit down?”

  I nod afraid my voice will give away the erratic beating of my heart. Jamie sinks slowly onto the edge of my bed. He looks down to my hands that have tightened around the blanket causing my knuckles to turn white. His lips turn up in a wide grin as he asks, “Do I make you nervous?”

  What? Where did that come from? I loosen my grip on the blanket, finally throwing it down to my lap. I glare at him shocked that he would ask me such a question. I’m about to let him have it but he starts laughing. My brows knit in confusion, frowning at the humor that I am failing to understand.

  He chuckles after a moment, “Beckett, do you know the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?”

  My arms move across my chest in a defensive position and I nod.

  He chuckles as a small dimple creases his right cheek. I lower my chin and glare not knowing why he’s making a reference to a horror story.

  “Sometimes you remind me of the characters from that book. One minute you are nice and caring like Dr. Jekyll and the next you are a totally different person almost um, evil, like Mr. Hyde.”

  I scoot back against the padded headboard surprised by his blunt accusation. I open my mouth to protest but he grabs my hand. My face turns crimson as he looks straight at me, his stare suddenly serious.

  “I came in here to tell you that I really am sorry about last night. You don’t deserve what happened and I should have been more understanding. Yes, Sam is mad at me but that is between us. It has nothing to do with you.”

  His hand leaves mine and settles on his knee as he takes in my room. The sun is shining brighter making my skin sticky and clammy. I wish I had remembered to lower the shade before bed last night.

  His eyes lower to his feet as he takes a deep breath. His voice is unwavering when he murmurs, “I need to keep that truce with you.”

  His glance meets my stare with an unspoken question. I have such an urge to lean in and move my hands over his arms. I want to pull him over to me and kiss those lips that seem to be taunting me but I know what he is asking and it isn’t that.

  “The truce still stands.” My voice comes out stronger than I had intended.

  Relief spreads through his expression as he rises to his feet. He runs his hand through his hair and tells me, “Okay, well I should go.”

  He doesn’t give me a chance to answer before he’s back out onto the deck and softly closing the door behind him. I throw myself back into the mattress and move my arm, the crook of my elbow resting over my eyes. Maybe going back to sleep is a good option right now. Rejection is not something I am accustomed to and damn, it sucks, especially when it’s from someone like Jamie.

  ***

  I ended up falling back to sleep. This time it wasn’t the gorgeous Jamie Grey waking me up. It was an impatient banging on my bedroom door from Marla. I glance at the clock as she enters. She checks her watch and asks unimpressed, “Are you planning on getting up today?”

  “Yes, mother. I’m up, alright.”

  “You need to get cleaned up and come downstairs. Michelle is coming over for an early cook out.”

  I moan, “Really Marla, do I have to be there?”

  “Yes Beckett. I’m not in the mood for this today. She’ll be here in an hour and I expect you to be nice for a change.”

  She turns and struts back out before I can respond. What is this, attack Beckett day?

  An hour later, I climb down the stairs to find Marla and Michelle out on the stone deck that surrounds the pool. The waterfall built into the corner of the pool cascades down perfectly placed rocks creating a steady tranquil sound. Michelle greets me as I approach the tiled table set for five.

  “Beckett, it’s so good to see you again. How is everything?”

  I cement my best smile and reply, “Besides my best friends hating me and having to share my life with the infuriating boy that you left here, everything is great.”

  Her mouth drops in astonishment but she quickly regains her composure as Marla steps up giving me an eye of disappointment. She explains nervously, “Oh, don’t pay any attention to Beckett. She just woke up an hour ago. It takes her a while to come back to the land of the living.” She finishes with a warning glare in my direction.

  I shrug my shoulders and mutter as I skirt around the pool, “It’s true.”

  It really is true. Since waking up for the second time today, I replayed my conversation with Jamie from this morning over and over. I realized that Trina and Dani wouldn’t be mad at me if he never would have come here. It really is his fault. He wants nothing to do with me except to bask in this life of privilege that he’s never known. I came to the same conclusion that I had originally reached the night I met him; that he’s invading my life and I refuse to let him ruin everything. The damage is done but I don’t have to play nice. Truce my ass. If Jamie Grey thinks he’s going to have it made now that he’s living here, he’s sadly mistaken.

  Marla calls out to me but I continue on my trek to the wooden planked dock suspended over the gleaming water. The sun’s rays reflect off of the slight movement underneath. I rush to the end ignoring her further rant and lower myself to a sitting position. I can see the flitting migration of fish around the wooden posts holding the planks up. An obscure existence like those fish would be nice right about now.

  A few minutes sitting in the intense heat urges me to strip down to my baby blue bikini. I lie back on the hard floor and close my eyes enjoying the heat that sinks into my skin. I try so hard not to think about anything, but the hurt in Trina and Dani’s faces keeps flashing before my lower
ed eyelids. I have to come up with something to regain their trust.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jamie Grey

  Corvus – The Raven

  The raven originally had white feathers. Apollo told the bird to watch over Coronis, one of his lovers, who was pregnant at the time. Coronis gradually lost interest in Apollo and fell in love with a mortal man, Ischys. When the raven reported the affair to Apollo, the god was so enraged that the bird did nothing to stop it that he flung a curse on it, scorching the raven’s feathers.

  ~*~

  I don’t know what I was thinking going to Beckett’s room this morning but I had to make sure we are still cool. She seemed okay with everything. I’m not sure how things will go tomorrow at school but as long as we can be civil to each other while I’m here, I’ll be able to handle things.

  It pissed me off when Marla came to tell me that she invited Michelle over for a cook out. That is one person I don’t need around me right now. She’ s going to ask a thousand questions and the last thing I want to do is put on a show for her. It’s not something I do. What you see is what you get. I was about to ask if I could skip it, but I saw in the set look on Marla’s face and knew that she wouldn’t be willing to budge.

  I dress in my baggies and a grey t-shirt. The heat lately is unbearable. I’ve been eying the pool since I got here. Today might be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of it, offering me a chance to avoid Michelle. When I step down onto the stone floor, my eyes catch the water in the distance and the lean body splayed out on the dock. Dammit Beckett.

  Michelle’s voice brings me back, “Hey Jamie, it’s so good to see you.”

  She stands pushing the wrought iron chair out from under her and skirts around the table to embrace me in a tight hug. My body relaxes with her intentions. I know I shouldn’t give her a hard time because she always means well, but right now I’m considering my current predicament and I’m perturbed at her for placing me here. My eyes are drawn to the dock again as Beckett shifts in the sun.