The Heir

by Eshbaugh Kayla

  “So Shad—” Ash began.

  I looked at Ash as she leaned her elbows on the table.

  “Yes.”

  “Emma and I are having a little party tomorrow after school at her house, a pool party—” She didn’t get to finish because she was cut off by Ryker.

  “He is busy; he has lots of other things to do, don’t you, Shad? Your family business cannot run itself, now, can it?” Ryker asked. Where was that coming from? I had never seen Ryker that way.

  “No, not busy at all. If you remember, Ryker, I have more time off as of late because my biggest project finally saw results—despite others’ unwanted involvement. I will be there, after work.” He nodded to Ash, and I tried to not let it irritate me, maybe having a friend who was a girl wasn’t a good idea. Maybe she would steal Shad away from me. Emma, he isn’t even yours—so stop. Shad looked to me then, and smiled. “Well, it is nice talking with you, Emma, as always, and nice to meet you, Sam and Ash.” Shad touched my shoulder, energy pulsed through me, and I loved the feeling. I wanted to cry with pure joy at his touch, beg him to never let me go. I leaned into him just a little as Ryker moved Shad’s hand away from me.

  “I think you should go now,” Ryker said, firmly standing between us. I rolled my eyes in annoyance at Ryker, ever my protector. They were standing mere inches apart: Shad with a smirk on his face, and Ryker with a scowl.

  “Ryker, are you okay dude?” Sam asked, looking back and forth between the two guys.

  “Yes, it's fine,” he replied without taking his gaze from Shad. Shad laughed and moved away.

  “See you all again soon.” Shad smiled, nodded to me, and walked away.

  “He annoys me,” Ryker said as Shad walked out of the cafeteria.

  “Well, that is apparent,” Ash agreed with a laugh. “What’d he do—steal your girlfriend, take your lunch money?”

  “Yeah, what is it with you two?” I asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Great answer, Ryker.”

  He shrugged his shoulders as he got up and threw away his trash. He walked behind where I was sitting and bent down similar to what Shad had done and whispered in my ear—I assumed because he didn’t want Ash to hear:

  “Please, just be careful with him, Em.” He stood, turned and walked out of the cafeteria, leaving me completely and utterly confused and irritated.

  Third period was a blur as History class always seemed to be. I kept thinking back to my Math class, to Shad and those golden eyes, to lunch and his stare focused so often on me. My last and final period was English. I had been hearing the buzz around school about my pool party. Things really seemed to escalate quickly. I hoped that Mary would not be upset. I told myself that I was not irritated about it. I envisioned Shad shirtless, swimming in my pool, and nope, I was not upset at all. I actually loved Ash for thinking of making it a pool party and inviting Shad. I walked down to the “A” hall and stopped at a line that was forming outside the door to my English room. We were all waiting as the warning bell rang. About five minutes passed; our class should have already started. Students started leaving. I saw him again, Shad, over by the door, leaning against the frame, writing in a notebook. I wondered what it was in his book that held his attention. What was it that made me want to be around him all of the time, to think about him, and what made me want to touch him? I was turning into some lovesick puppy. I groaned. He looked up at me. He had such an amazing face; Seriously—who has a face like that? I quickly looked away and felt my face get ten degrees hotter.

  Finally, the teacher arrived and let us in. The desks were facing each other on opposite walls; my seat was at the back.

  Shad sat by the teacher. He must be the teacher’s assistant, I thought. As the teacher began lecturing, I tried as best I could to take notes. I glanced up and across the room as I moved my hair around my shoulders, feeling anxious, and I saw that Shad was looking at me, or I thought he was looking at me, but I couldn’t really tell for sure. I ducked. I couldn’t imagine what he was doing. I decided that he was probably just looking at the wall behind me or at a poster; yeah, that makes sense. When class ended, I hurried out the door. Shad stood outside, talking to a group of girls, and I rolled my eyes, just thinking about him and his crazy beauty. At least, I was not the only girl at school who was completely undone by him.

  “Hey, Emma,” I looked around; there stood Shad right by my side. I jumped, surprised by how quickly he had gotten to me.

  “Oh, my gosh, you scared me!” I clenched my shirt where my heart should be. He laughed, his laugh bubbling up inside me, making me feel like I was glowing. The song I made up for him started playing again, and I tried to focus on what he was saying.

  “I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you,” he looked sincere.

  “Oh—thanks, yeah, no worries, I scare easily,” I responded, looking at his feet.

  “So, you left your notebook on the table in math class. I was going to give it to you at lunch, but Ryker kind of freaked out.” He smiled as he handed me my blue notebook. I took it and held it against my chest.

  “Oh, thank you. Yeah, he is pretty protective of me.”

  “So, are you headed to work now—so you can help other boys buy lavender roses?” he asked, putting his hands again, behind his back, clasped together, shoulders straight and strong as he smiled.

  “No, I have the day off. I work Wednesday, after school, next. How is your hobby going? Did the rose work out?” I wanted to slap myself. Did the rose work out? Really, Emma? Really? Did you just say that?

  “Well, you tell me. I didn’t actually end up keeping it. I gave it to someone instead,” he shifted a little as he spoke.

  “Oh, well, I guess next time you should buy two—you know if you make a habit out of giving roses away and all.”

  Again, what are you saying, Emma! Did it just sound like I want him to keep giving me roses? That is a little too forward.

  “Look at you, still working even off the job. Looks like someone needs a raise,” he smiled as he spoke, making eye contact.

  “I get paid overtime for this, Shad.”

  He laughed again at my words, and the sound was captivating. His shoulders moved, and his eyes lit up like a shooting star. I could not help but laugh, too, for a moment. It felt good.

  When was the last time I laughed? It was too long because the act felt so unfamiliar—although pleasant. As I contemplated that thought, Shad moved to me and stopped when he stood right beside me, leaning towards me, so our shoulders touched just slightly but enough to bring a warmth to my cheeks that lit up my world.

  “I hope you liked the rose, Emma,” he whispered in my ear, and before I could look at him or turn around, he was walking down the hall and lost in the crowd of students, making their way home.

  The notebook

  THE WALK WAS LONG AND warm. Ryker had to stay after school for football practice. So, just as I walked to school alone, there I was, walking home alone also. Football season was the worst for me; I was often alone because Ryker was always busy. However, I knew that Ryker loved the sport, so I was happy for him, although sad for myself, of course. I really need more friends.

  It was quiet except for sudden breezes. My home came into view, and I smiled. I hadn’t even realized that I had been running until I was in the house. The door closed behind me, and my shoulders and back leaned flush against its cold surface. I was still panting as I walked to the kitchen; my stomach started to yell at me. I grabbed a snack and sat down at the table. There was a note for me there.

  “Hey, Emma,

  I will be late coming home today, waiting on a wedding shipment. Don’t wait up for me. I can’t wait to hear about your first day! Call me!”

  I folded the paper as my phone started buzzing in my pocket, still on vibrate from school.

  “Emma! How did it go?” I heard Mary’s excited voice over the phone.

  “Really great, actually,” I said with a smile, thinking of Shad.

  “Really?”


  “Well, I met the across the street neighbor, and I met another girl named Ashlyn, I mean Ash.”

  “Look at you, you rock.”

  “I assure you, I so do not.”

  “It is true; I am not a liar, you know.”

  “Hey, I have a question to ask you.”

  “Shoot,” she said, a little muffled into the phone. No doubt, she was holding it up with her shoulder as she tied a ribbon on a display or worked on an arrangement.

  “So I asked Ash to come swim tomorrow, and then it kind of turned into half my school.”

  “A pool party?” She screamed into the receiver. I couldn’t understand the rest of what she said, as she started spouting things out so loud and quick. I thought I was officially deaf.

  “Yeah, I take it you’re not mad?”

  “Um, heck no! I’ll go shopping tomorrow while you are at school! This is perfect, Emma, just what you need.”

  “I am not entirely sure about that, but—”

  “It is good; have some fun, let go and relax. I will take care of all the details. I cannot wait to meet all of your friends!” I pulled the phone away from my ear, not wanting to be assaulted by another scream.

  “Well, I have homework, so I better go.”

  “Yes, of course. You have a fun night. I will see you tomorrow.”

  I ended the call and shoved my phone in my back pocket. I grabbed my backpack, and I rushed up the stairs to my room, shutting the door behind me. I laid sprawled on my bed, hands behind my head. I thought about my day, about Shad. Oh, man, he is seriously the most beautiful guy I have ever seen. I turned to my window and got off my bed, walking toward the window. I stared out at his house. I felt my pulse quicken just looking at it. I sighed; I was more confused than ever and finally shut the curtains.

  I realized that I should start my homework; I grabbed my notebook from my backpack, the one that had been returned to me by Shad. I flipped to the first page, and there underneath all my fancy cursive at the bottom of the page scratched quickly was a note.

  “Emma,

  I was wondering if you could call me tonight. I need to ask you a question about a problem from Math class. Thank you.”

  Always,

  Shad

  He signed his name and left a number underneath. My heart jumped. Oh, how much I hated phone calls. More than anything, small talk was the worst thing in the world. Why couldn’t he have just asked me the question when he returned the notebook? What did he need from me? He was the one who helped me in class. I huffed. No matter what I told myself, at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to call the number written in my notebook. I wanted to hear his voice and talk to him. But, why? I did not know him. Deciding not to be a baby, I grabbed my cell phone and dialed his number. Closing my eyes, I placed it by my ear. It rang once before I heard his voice.

  “Hey, Emma,” his smooth voice said clearly through the phone.

  I felt my face heat up. How did he know it was me? “Hey, Shad, so you needed to ask me a question about math?” I waited for him to answer.

  “No,” he answered.

  “Oh, I thought—”

  “It isn’t really so much about math as it is about math class.”

  “Oh, okay,” I was confused.

  “I hoped you would call,”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, of course,” my face felt hot again. I tried very hard to focus on the conversation. I did not want to sound like an idiot, but it was harder than I thought.

  “Well, here I am calling.” I put my head on my pillow in annoyance. That was a good one, Emma.

  “So, I was wondering if you wanted to come over and see my rose hobby sometime,” his voice came out rather slowly near the end as if he wanted me to linger on the last few words.

  I smiled. “That doesn’t have anything to do with math class.”

  “Well, you are in my math class, so it is related in a way,” he chuckled.

  “And here I was thinking that you needed my expert help with equations.”

  “No, uh, you are—”

  “Yes, I know; I am not good at math.”

  “No, not that. I just mean—no, I finished my homework, so—what do you think?”

  “About the homework? It is probably awful. I am putting it off,”

  He chuckled. “No, about coming to my house.”

  “What is a rose hobby exactly?” I could not help but giggle a bit. At least, it wasn’t loud.

  “Okay, okay, yes—it is a little ridiculous. I am aware of that; however, I go a little crazy for the things I care about—the things I love,” he paused, and I heard him let out a breath. “You know my secret. I am a flower nerd.” He laughed at himself for a moment.

  I couldn’t help but join him and laugh, too. “Flower nerd, huh?” I asked.

  “Yes, probably the best way to put it, I do love roses—and many other plants, I might add,”

  “Nothing wrong with loving roses. I love them, too.”

  “Something in common then.”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you might be interested in seeing what my hobby is all about, seeing as you work in a flower shop and love roses.”

  “I am rather curious.”

  “I knew it,” he said in a triumphant laugh that made my head spin. “That is wonderful, so you will come?”

  “Yes. When is a good time?” I asked.

  “If right now doesn’t work, is Thursday after school okay?”

  “Right now? I should really be doing my math homework.”

  “Right, and how is that going?”

  “I should probably hang up, so I can find out—”

  “Not so fast, you didn't answer if Thursday after school would work. I just figured I would throw tonight out there to give you some options. I hear that this is the polite thing to do.”

  “Glad you have some manners.”

  “Yes, I am definitely a gentleman, so Thursday then?”

  I thought about Thursday, and knew I didn’t have any plans. When do you ever have plans, Emma? I shook that thought away, it was just mean, I had plans, sometimes, it was just rare. I stopped to think about what I should do. Okay, so should I go to his house? I mean, of course, I want to, but I do not actually know Shad, do I? He had given me that rose, which proved to me that he was nice, or I guess maybe a flirt? No, he isn’t a flirt, I saw girls introducing themselves to him all day today, didn’t I? Not once, while I was staring at him—Yes, I was watching him every chance I got—not once, did he flirt back. He was polite but nothing more.

  I thought back to lunch, when Ryker was rude to Shad. Shad had kept his cool and didn’t get upset or fight or argue. This told me so much about him already. Plus, beyond all of that, I just wanted to know him, and I was just drawn to him; I didn’t know why. But, maybe if I could just hug him—what would it be like to kiss his perfect face? I pushed that thought away so I could focus. When would I go back to feeling normal? What was normal anyways?

  “Yes, I mean, that should work. I do need to ask my aunt; she is working late tonight, so I can’t ask her right now, or I would. She is probably going to get home really late; she has a shipment of bridal flowers coming in, and she usually works late when she is preparing for a wedding. So it would be too late to text tonight, but I could let you know tomorrow at school. It will probably be fine.” I buried my head in the pillow again. Stupid stupid stupid! Way to make yourself ramble on for a half hour about nothing!

  “Great. That sounds perfect. I could take you home after school if you would like.”

  “Great. That should work for now,” I tried my hardest not to ramble again.

  “Well, thank you for calling me tonight, Emma. If you don’t mind, I am going to save your number in my contacts.”

  I felt warmth flush over my face yet again. Was he seriously asking to save my number? Why wouldn’t he just do it? Him asking, I had to admit, made it feel a little more personal, and I liked it.

  “
Of course, no problem.”

  “It was wonderful talking with you. See you tomorrow at school. Have a great evening, Emma. I am also looking forward to your pool gathering tomorrow.” He wasn’t an average sixteen year old boy, speaking to me like that. I pictured him without a shirt on and bit my lip. What did he look like shirtless? I tried to focus on the conversation and not on if he had defined abs, which I decided he did indeed have.

  “Oh—yeah, you, too! Goodnight,” I rushed out my words, waiting for him to hang up. Once he did, I fell on my bed face first, kicking my feet and punching the pillow. I let out a scream into the bed and flipped myself around. I felt like an idiot, and I was an idiot—but an idiot who was going to hang out with Shad the next day at the pool party and then again that Thursday. I giggled and looked up at my ceiling. I felt so light, like I was walking on air. I was happy, and I loved every moment of that feeling. Was it possible that I could really heal? Could I really have a happy life even with such a tragedy in my past?

  I lay there contemplating our conversation on the phone, looking at the note resting in my notebook in Shad’s handwriting—which I had decided was masculine, beautiful, and neat—all at the same time. But before I could draw hearts all over the page and write “Emma hearts Shad,” I was interrupted by a sound at my window. I sat up and heard it again; it sounded like a little tap. I pulled back the curtain and opened the glass. I looked down, and there, Ryker stood, waving up at me.

  “You know, I do have a phone, right? You could just text me. What is wrong with everyone today?”

  “I like to practice my throw,” he offered with a laugh. “Come down,” he called. I nodded and closed my window. I walked down the hall and down the stairs. Just as I was about to open the front door, I stopped, and out of habit, was about to call to my parents in the kitchen that I was going outside with Ryker—when I realized that—my parents were gone. I stood there, looking at the dark kitchen for a moment, proud of myself for not crying. I realized that I was feeling okay—okay about life, the way I must have felt when they were alive. I was acting like a real person, with feelings. It was hard to remember exactly how I was before their deaths. Was I always happy? Was I smiling and excited about life? I didn’t remember that. All I remembered were a few memories and times spent with Ryker, my dad under the stars, and other moments with my mother. Was that normal? Was it normal to forget my life? Sure, I knew bits and pieces of it, but it was as if I was trying to read a book and was only given one paragraph in each chapter. There was so much missing. Still, I could not help but feel more complete, more whole when I was with Shad. How was it that he made me feel more, question more after only knowing him for such a brief time? I used to feel peace with Ryker, like he was my home and life, but it wasn’t enough anymore. Being with Ryker could never fill the void that I had inside—I realized, after meeting Shad. I wondered if my parents would like Shad. I wondered what my mother would say about his wardrobe and what my father would say about the way he talked. I smiled at that thought because although it was sad that they were gone, I knew that I could be happy—sometimes, at least, and Shad had given that to me, somehow.