Black Butterfly

by A. G. Hobson

  “Think about me. Think about where this could lead and not the bad leads, the good ones. I have resources beyond measure. You would want for nothing; your family would need nothing. Just be mine, even for a little while, Montana. Please?” He leans in to kiss my neck and dissipates like evaporating water. I stare out of the window. A butterfly floats underneath the streetlight that pops on then the butterfly disappears.

  I sit straight up in my bed and I’m sweating. My hair is drenched, the curls hanging long and heavy. My heart pines as I remember every word and visual from my dream. Hayden had a way of popping up in my head and never leaving. I don’t think there’s been one night that I haven’t dreamed about him. Could this all be real? Could this be what he has been trying to tell me? I look over at my clock and it is nine o’clock AM. I look myself over and I’m still dressed in the clothes from the night before. I toss my legs over the side of the bed and pull my shirt over my head. I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower. I walk back into my room to grab some undergarments, sweats and a tank crop top. I hurry back into the bathroom and step into the tub. I rest my hands on the wall and allow the water to soak my hair. I close my eyes and think about my dream. I think about the hideous creature that stood in front of me with fangs and claws like a creature out of a movie, but then I think about the gentle dark human that made my body feel amazing.

  Suddenly, I feel the warmth of a hand slide up my back and around to my belly. I stand up straight to wipe the water from my eyes and my hands are immediately pinned at my side. Lips touch my ear and whisper, “be mine.” The heat from his breath sends jolts through my body. My head falls back onto a naked wet chest. The hand slides down my belly and to my curly pasture. They invade my slit and slide around my bulb. I gasp.

  “Shhhh.” He says.

  He rolls his finger around slipping and sliding between my lady lips. My hands are freed as I raise my arms and glide my hands up into his hair. I grip the curly wet locks between my fingers as I bite my lip attempting to stifle my moan. He plays me like a fiddle, strumming my nub. I lean forward releasing my grip of his hair and grabbing at my breasts.

  “Ahhhhh.” I yelp as I burst onto his skilled fingers. He takes his free hand and covers my mouth as I cry out my orgasm. I feel his stiffness against my back and I get nervous. Will he take me now? Here, in the shower? As quickly as his hands invaded me, they disappear. I turn, wipe the water from my eyes and there is no one there. I shove the shower curtain aside to find an empty bathroom. My middle still pulsates from my sexual siege. I breathe rapidly and grip the space above my breasts.

  “Did that really happen or am I going crazy??”

  I gently wash my body being careful not to touch my sensitive spot. I get out still in shock. My heart races as I think about how and what just happened to me. I get dressed and walk slowly back to my room. I grab some white socks and sit on the bed. I slide them on one by one. As soon as I stand my cellphone rings. I walk over and pick it up. I look at the screen and it’s him. I quickly answer.

  “Hayden?”

  “Good morning Montana.”

  “Good morning.” I smile.

  “You know, I love to make you smile. It’s the highlight of my entire day. How can you begin a day better than this?”

  “You can’t. The sound of your voice is like heaven.” I say.

  “Really? Not heaven.”

  “Well, not hell.”

  “Montana?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s all real. Call me a coward for masking it as a dream but from the butterfly to the shower, it happened. I apologize for invading your space but I had to tell you, see your reaction and feel your body respond to me before you leave me forever.”

  “Impossible Hayden! There’s no way.” I say not completely weighing the weight of his words.

  “Oh yes, I was in your shower, I was in your bedroom. It’s most certainly possible.”

  “I can’t. I can’t Hayden. It’s too much. Too weird.”

  “I will give you some time to process it all. I just had to feel you in my hands. I felt you in my mouth and if I can’t feel you inside, I’m happy with what I’ve had.”

  “It’s all sexual with you Hayden. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it but I’m not…”

  “I know, but this is how I show my affection. Believe me. I could have had more but I want it to be you and me making the decision together. Love is subjective, Montana. It is shown in many ways in different cultures. I want to love you physically and deeply, mentally.”

  “I need to think. This is way too much. Don’t invade my space until I’ve thought about all of this. It’s scary as hell and I don’t know what to do or think.”

  “Okay. I can’t do anything but respect your wishes. I hope to talk to you soon.”

  Chapter 15

  I end the call and toss the phone onto my bed. I sit down in my chair and slide my fingers through my wet hair. I sigh and there is a knock at my door. I look up and Breeze is entering.

  “Hey girly. Up for some company?”

  “Hey yourself. Yea. Come in.” I pull my hair into a ponytail and search for a scrunchie. Breeze finds a rubber band on my desk and hands it to me.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I guess.”

  “You stayed in your room all night. You didn’t even come to help me unpack. Don’t you miss me? Or are you so goo-goo gaga over your new boyfriend that you’ve forgotten all about me?”

  “Never.” I smile. Breeze knows that she is my favorite person in the entire world and there is no way any boy could change that.

  “Well…”

  “Well, what?”

  “Spill! How the hell did this happen? You went from Facebook stalking to dating? How? And might I say, Mr. Alexander’s pics do him no justice. He is so damn fine, Ana! You hit the fucking jackpot.” Breeze says too excited. But, what would she really think about Mr. Alexander if she knew what I just found out?

  “He asked to eat lunch with me about a week ago to help out with senior activities and then he asked me out.”

  “And, you met his parents! Girl, you are so in! Does he have a brother?”

  “Younger, yes.”

  “How much younger?” She jokes.

  “Younger than me!” I slap her arm.

  “Did you guys… umm… do it?”

  “No Breeze! What do you think I am? Some type of whore?!”

  “No. But he is gorgeous and I would have had my panties around my ankles in his mother’s bathroom!” We burst into laughter.

  “We have done things. Well, a thing.”

  “What? You better spill it right now!”

  “He…” I point to my crouch.

  “What? Touched it?”

  I shake my head. “With his tongue.” I cover my mouth and Breeze screams.

  “What??!! Shut up! I hate you right now!”

  She wouldn’t hate me if she knew what Hayden is and plans to do. My smile dissipates.

  “Breeze… I really like him. I swear I think I’m in love. But what if he’s no good for me? What if he’s really bad? I can’t explain but I don’t think I should pursue this. It will break my heart but I don’t think it’s wise, for so many reasons.

  “I’ll tell you this. If he makes you happy and you’re not in danger, see where it goes.” She grabs my hand. “I’ve never seen you in love, hell, not even strong like. It’s looks good on you and so does he.” She giggles.

  “But everything in me tells me to run. He is trouble Breeze. Real trouble.”

  “If it ain’t risky it ain’t worth it. Seriously, see where it goes. It can’t hurt.”

  But it can. And I don’t know how badly.

  “By the way, Cade got Belinda Martian pregnant and she is about to blow.”

  “What?” Her eyes grow wide. “How many girls did that asshole sleep with while he was with me? Glad I got checked out. He is a walking STD.”

  “I hate that you loved him so much.” I wrap my arm a
round her shoulder and pull her head to my shoulder.

  “Me too. And as long as Hayden isn’t a prick like that, nothing should stop you. Go for it. Give me hope.”

  “I’ll think about it. Hard.”

  “Okay.” She sits up. “Mom made breakfast. Come on let’s eat.”

  I stand up and follow her to the door. I look back at my bed and think about Hayden lying there. I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified of keeping and losing him. But he is literally a monster.

  I hear the sizzle of the bacon as I sit in the chair. I rock back and forth pushing with the ball of my feet tipping the chair. Mom walks from the stove to the fridge and to the stove again. Dad enters along with Tinsley. He is so angry with me.

  “So… Tinsley is staying with Herschel. And you are having men older than you and employees of the school district in the house? Me and your mom,”

  “Decided that you were going to take a job across the country. You decided that you would trust us. Tins has been dating Hersh for years and she’s not pregnant, her grades never reflect anything but what an amazing student she is and how she has rubbed off on him. Because… he is an A student since he’s been dating her.” I say as my chair slams back to the floor. “Yes, I had a guy in the house. We didn’t do anything. We had dinner and were talking. If you didn’t trust us maybe you shouldn’t have taken the job, dad! But if you’re going to be popping in like to police, what’s the point in telling us that you trust us? We are responsible girls. I haven’t had sex with any boy. I told Hayden that. I told him that he has to respect my body and my mind. You raised us, now trust that we are making decent decisions for ourselves.” I stand up and mom turns to face me.

  “You’re absolutely right. Every word. Tinsley has been amazing at not only helping Herschel with his grades but others as well. I trust you Montana. I was just shocked. You never date and just seeing a man so mature coming from your room made us a little nervous. We trust that you will do the right thing while we’re gone. And if we didn’t, we should not have left the two of you here to fend for yourselves. I’m sorry.”

  I cannot believe that my mom just apologized to me. I look at my dad and his look has softened. I really got to them. I for sure thought I would catch an elbow or punishment, but they listened.

  “You’re right Montana. I decided to uproot this family now I have to trust the process. You girls are nothing short of amazing and I’m going to start acting like it. You didn’t ask for this and you’re only trying to cope. Come give your stubborn ole dad a hug. I missed you guys.” I drag my feet and a smile creeps across my lips. We all walk over to him for a major group hug. Tinsley looks up at me and mouths, ‘Thank you.’

  We eat breakfast and chat about how Paris is. My mom wants to take her things when they go back which is why she was so nervous after seeing Hayden here at the house. After breakfast, we sit in the living room and dad goes to run errands. Breeze teases me about calling Hayden but I am seriously not ready to face him.

  “Montana, why don’t you call him back over so we can talk to him? We leave Tuesday and I at least would like to know who you’re hanging out with. Call him…”

  “We are so new mom. I don’t even know if he will be actually dating me after last night.”

  “Why? Did he say anything about last night?”

  “Mom, I talked to him this morning but I’m not sure where it will lead if anywhere.”

  “Call him Ana. We both know he is into you.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “So…” mom turns to Breeze. “What’s going on with your love life? You and Cade still hate one another?”

  “Oh yes, most definitely. Belinda Martian is very pregnant by him. I mean ready to blow pregnant.” Breezes exhales.

  “So, he cheated with Lydia and Belinda? That asshole!”

  “I just can’t believe it was all a lie. He seemed to love me so much.” Mom rubs her hand. “Every day we spent together made me feel like it would never end. How can you fake that?”

  “Men can lie really well when they want something bad enough. You just have to be careful until you meet someone like dad.”

  We sit in silence and Breeze tears up. I slide close to her and wrap my arm around her.

  “I don’t want to get hurt. And I’m afraid that Hayden will hurt me.”

  “Why?” Breeze wipes her eyes. “Just because Cade was a cheating asshole, doesn’t mean that Hayden will be. You have never experienced love or relationships. Give him a chance. He seems like he is really into you.”

  I take a deep breath and prepare to give Breeze some details, when my phone rings. I pick it up and it’s Hayden. I look up at the ceiling and take a deep breath. I place the phone to my ear.

  “Montana. I’m going crazy waiting to hear from you.” He says before I can even speak.

  I look at my mom and Breeze and their eyes are burning through me.

  “Hi Hayden.”

  “Can I come by and talk?”

  “Now you need permission?”

  “I was trying to introduce things to you in a way that wouldn’t completely scare you off.”

  “Well, that was a fail.”

  “Montana come on. I want to talk to you about this while looking in your eyes. I need you to understand so we can move forward.”

  “Forward with what?” I stand and walk out of the kitchen.

  “Us. Has that changed?”

  “I’m confused and nervous.”

  “I’m coming over. Should I bring dinner for everyone?”

  “Hayden you are creeping me out. I said I need time.”

  I hear a chair slide and my mom approaches from behind me. I look back at her as she enters the living room and her glare is deep.

  “Montana, listen. I won’t to talk to you in person. Don’t be afraid. Don’t end it before it has begun. Now, can I bring dinner?”

  I look at mom again and take a deep breath. “Okay, but my dad is allergic to seafood so anything else should be fine.”

  “Great. I’ll see you around five? I promise you Montana, you will get used to it all. Being with me will be easy.”

  “We’ll see.” I say before ending the call.

  “So, is he coming over?” Breeze enters the room and questions with excitement.

  “Five o’clock. I’m nervous. I don’t know how to handle this.” I tell my mom and Breeze without giving out any information.

  “What makes you nervous?” Mom hitches her brow.

  “He is different. I’ve never even been in a regular relationship and things with Hayden are proving to be super intense, especially because of him being in college and me still being in high school.”

  I deflect. That is the least of my worries.

  “Montana. Just see where it goes. It can’t hurt. You’re starting to worry me. Is there something else about him we should know?” Breeze probes.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Tinsley enters fully dressed. Going to Hersh’s for the day. I’ll see you guys later.”

  Mom smiles and looks at me. “Don’t let Hersh steal you completely. Me and dad would love to spend some time with you before we leave. And Montana’s new guy is bringing dinner. Will you be back by five to eat with us?”

  “Mr. Alexander? That’s so weird. Every girl in Westland drools over him and my sister snagged him. Of course, I’ll be back. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She says as she hitches her handbag over her shoulder. “Bye.” She waves as she leaves.

  Chapter 16

  Breeze sits on the couch and lies back. Mom sits beside her and takes the remote from the end table and points it toward the TV. When it clicks on, she and Breeze begin watching. I walk up the stairs to my room and look for something to wear. My phone rings as I get ready to toss it onto the bed. I look at the screen and it is Hayden again. I look around my room and answer.

  “Hayden?”

  “Hey. I wanted to speak with you before I came over. I know that you were around your fami
ly.”

  “Hey? I can’t think of you don’t give me a chance, Hayden. I need to be able to process this crazy shit.”

  “I’ve shown you repeatedly so that when I revealed everything to you it would be so simple. Why are you so distracted by minor details?”

  “Minor details? Listen. I don’t even know how I’m going to react when I see you in person again. You have invaded my privacy, performed sexual things on me that I could have never imagined wanting. You are rushing me to accept things that are so foreign to me that I can’t see wanting anything to do with. What if I see your true self in person and panic? People don’t get to see demon children every day. You have to allow me time to process.”

  “I have been prepping you for months. I haven’t been spying on you to violate you. I just need you to be in my life and I couldn’t risk you being afraid of me or even worse, not wanting me. I know I’ve said this before but, I have never, never wanted anything or anyone as badly as I want you. And if there is no forever than allow me to have right now.”

  “I can say that my decision will be made by the end of the night, whatever it ends up being. Can you deal with that?”

  “Yes, I can and I will. But don’t think for one moment that I’m not going to come over and woo the hell out of your family and make you fall so in love with me that nothing will keep you from me.”