O.J.

by Penny Hawking

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I whispered happily as I finally let go of his mouth. Before answering Andy tipped his head and once again captured my mouth. I opened my mouth to him as his tongue did a welcoming dance against mine. I ran my fingers through his hair and shuddered not only from the kiss but also from the brisk winds that brushed through my thin layer of clothes. “Oh my God, come in.” I said grabbing his arm and pulling him inside.

  “My stuff is still in the car.” Andy said.

  I didn’t let him explain as I closed the door and pushed him against it. Smiling I grabbed the collar of his jacket, tiptoed up and kissed him again. If I was dreaming this was exactly how it went. Andy’s hands ran up my back as his mouth moved against mine, possessing, claiming, promising. My hands dropped down his chest and slid down to his crotch.

  “Ornelia who’s at the door?” My mom yelled out from the dining room.

  Andy broke the kiss and grabbed my hands before I could touch him, pulling them away from him. “Hi Ms. Jones.” Andy yelled back, his breathing shallow. I smiled, glad that I had gotten him as worked up as I was. He was here…. He was really here.

  “Yeah!” I heard Fleur yell. I heard chairs scrape. I could hear Fleur’s little footsteps running towards us and also the pitter patter of Bubble’s paws. Andy quickly turned me around and pushed me away from him. I smiled amused at his actions. Andy was here, I wasn’t dreaming. I went back to him and playfully grabbed his little skinny ass.

  “I’m sorry I almost ruined the surprise at dinner, you were taking so long.” Fleur said breathlessly as she turned the corner. Bubbles was right next to her as he barked happily and wagged his tail.

  “Stop.” Andy whispered pulling my hand off him.

  I grinned. It wasn’t as if Fleur could see us. Andy turned me around again and nudged me forward. I was grinning stupidly as he adjusted his jeans behind me. “No you were great, she was still shocked.” He said. He touched my butt as he came from behind me and made his way to Fleur. He bent down and pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad you can keep secrets.”

  “It was so hard.” Fleur admitted. She let go of Bubbles giving him permission to move forward. Bubbles licked Andy’s palms and wagged his tail. Andy smiled as he rubbed the dog’s ears.

  I looked at Fleur suspiciously. So she knew he was coming and didn’t tell me? What a traitor. That’s what the dinner conversation was about.

  “I’m glad you made it here safely, the time you left we thought it would be another hour or so.” Cece said coming to the doorway. Andy got up and smiled.

  “There weren’t that many people on the roads today.” Andy said. I stared in confusion as Cece gave Andy a big hug. So everybody was behind this?

  “It’s so good to see you.” She said.

  “You too.” Andy said.

  “Andy sweetheart did you eat?” My mom asked coming up behind Cece. Even mom? Wait…the guest…He was the guest?! I turned from my mom to Andy and I looked around each member of my family.

  “Yes.” Andy said giving her a hug. “I stopped like an hour ago to get something quick. Thanks for letting me come here.” He said.

  “Oh nonsense.” My mom said smiling. “You’re welcomed anytime…though why you would want to visit this ungrateful daughter of mine, I have no idea.” She said narrowing her eyes at me.

  I smiled guiltily. “Mom, je t’aime.” I said. I had been a bitch all afternoon and apparently she’d just wanted me to be prepared for Andy. I went to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Merci.” I whispered.

  My mom scoffed and pulled away from me, but I could tell she wasn’t angry.

  “Surprise!” Fleur yelled happily.

  I smiled and turned to Andy. “When did you guys set this up?” I asked. Believe me I was playing it off, but I could barely breath. I was too happy, I wanted to bounce off the walls to show my joy.

  “Like 3 days ago.” He said running his tongue over his lip ring as he watched me.

  “You jerk.” I whispered as I hit him playfully on the arm. I didn’t know what to do, there were just too many emotions…way too many emotions.

  “You’re staying for a couple days right.” My mom asked. “Go get your stuff, we’re putting you in Ornelia’s room again.” She said motioning him upstairs. “Girls, go get his stuff.”

  “Oh I only have one bag, I can go bring it in.” Andy said.

  Gisele brushed his comment aside. “No…you come eat, look at you so skinny, you must be exhausted.” She said pushing him towards the dining room. Andy looked back at me helplessly as he brushed his raven hair out of his face. I shrugged and smiled at him until he disappeared around the corner. Wow Christmas was gone, but this was still the best Christmas present ever.

  “You’re very happy.” Cece remarked.

  I wiped the smile off my face and turned to her. I shrugged. “It’s cool that he’s here.” I said.

  ******

  “I cannot believe you kept this from me.” I said hitting him again. “You talked to me every night and didn’t say anything.”

  Andy shielded himself and scooted further down the bed. “If I knew you were gonna be this happy to see me, I would have came sooner.” He joked as he licked his bottom lip and brushed his hair back.

  “You should have.” I whispered. I smiled up at him innocently as I leaned my body towards him.

  Andy’s gaze moved from my eyes down to my lips. He gave a small smile and leaned towards me. Bending down he kissed me slowly, lingering before separating his lips from mine. “Susie says hi.” He said.

  What was this kid doing to me? I brought my hand up and gently touched his face. Staring into his endless blue eyes, this time I was the one to close the gap between us as I kissed him. I don’t know why I didn’t rush it, I couldn’t. As I tasted his lips again, it was as though I needed to savor every precious moment. Every turn of my head, every pressure of our lips was a defining moment I didn’t want to forget. Andy placed his arms on the bed as his body leaned towards me. His mouth caressing mine over and over again. His tongue expertly working his way inside my mouth, sending my senses in a frenzy. We parted slowly for some air, our noses still touching. We both waited till we caught our breath. I felt his soft inhale and exhale on my lips as I watched his mouth. I smiled as his head leaned forward again and I lifted mine to meet him halfway. Andy’s kisses weren’t demanding, but they were possessive, they were secure, they were confidant. I smiled against his mouth and sucked on his lip ring. Is this what it felt like to be reunited with your long lost love? When all you wanted was to be is in their arms, intoxicated by their kisses. Wait what? I broke off the kiss abruptly.

  “You okay?” Andy whispered. His eyes searched mine in concern.

  “Yeah.” I said nervously. What the fuck was I just thinking? That was scary. “I’m just so glad you’re here.” I said. I leaned forward and pressed a hard demanding kiss against his mouth, eliminating any sort of fairytale fantasy that was still floating in my mind. I must have accidently been sprinkled with fairy dust to think of something so absurd.

  Andy looked as though he wanted to say something because he opened his mouth and closed it. “Good.” He said bringing his hand up and brushing my cheek. He smiled down at me as his thumb slowly caressed my cheek. He was close enough that all he had to do was move his head and kiss me but he didn’t. He just stared at me, with a look in his eyes. A look I always saw briefly before he would look away. But this time he didn’t look away, it was as if he wanted me to see it, as if he wanted me to acknowledge it. He wanted me to sink into his unearthly blue stare as he stole my soul from me. He brushed his nose against mine. His soft breath on my lips, brought a tingling sensation to the pit of my stomach. I really needed to get that checkup because my pulse shot up and it was getting harder to breath. Andy buried his nose in my neck as he pulled me in for a hug. I rested my head on his shoulder as he hugged me tightly. I blinked in confusion. I was lost…I…no…I can’t…

/>   “Wanna fuck?” I asked pulling away from him. I smiled invitingly as I rested my hand on the tent in his pants.

  Andy let out a breath and shook his head slightly. He looked down at my hand and up at my face. Was that disappointment I saw? I blinked and rubbed him down gently. I watched as he moved his hip slightly and took a deep breath. He smiled sadly as he reached down and removed my hand and placed it on his thigh. “So your mom can send us both to hell?” he joked.

  “I’ll be quiet.” I whispered mischievously.

  Andy turned around and grabbed his duffel bag on the floor and placed it in between us. “I got you something.” He said opening his bag. “Well I got something for your mom and sisters too, but I’ll give that to them tomorrow.”

  I smiled, trying to hide my disappointment that he rejected my offer. “I guess I got you something too.” I said getting off the bed and going to my closet. I opened it and stretched up to get the present on top of my clothes. I jumped to get it and smiled. I turned around and held it across my chest as I went back to the bed. “I even wrapped it in black gift wrapper.” I said proud of myself.

  Andy looked surprised as he took out a gift wrapped box from his duffel bag. My eyes got big as I stared at it, it was wrapped so pretty.

  “I got Susie to wrap it.” He said shrugging.

  I laughed as I sat on the bed. “Here.” I said handing him his present. “I was going to give it to you when we got back to school but…you’re here.”

  Andy put the duffel bag down and placed the present he’d gotten me on the bed and took my present. “Thanks Ornelia.” He said softly.

  “I hope you like it.” I said excitedly. I really did. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was for him. I waited in anticipation as he carefully took off the wrapper. “Just rip it.” I said. Andy smirked up at me and still took his time to unwrap the gift.

  I watched his face carefully as he held up the black leather bound journal. He didn’t say anything as he looked it over.

  “It’s nothing big, I just thought…you like writing…so.” I said quickly. “You can use it to write your songs and…stuff.” His silence was unnerving me. “You don’t like it?” I asked softly as I wringed my fingers. Shit, I should have picked something else. Maybe that ACDC t-shirt I saw…no he had one already like that right?

  Andy looked up from the journal and took a deep breath. “I---this….” He smiled at me.

  “I inscribed your name at the bottom, so just in case you lose it…” I said. A smile was good. A smile must mean he liked it.

  Andy ran his fingers over the lettering on the bottom. “Ornelia, I---“ Andy started emotionally. Oh wow his whole face was….Andy put the journal down and grabbed me. He wrapped his arms around me and tilted his head and kissed me. I smiled against his mouth. So he did like it. Andy pulled away. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.” He whispered passionately. He reached up and held my face as his blue eyes locked with my surprised ones. “Thank you.” He whispered. “Thank you.”

  “Andy it was nothing, it’s just a present.” I said trying to break the emotions in the air. I laughed it off. “It’s just a journal.”

  “A journal that you gave me because I love writing…I’ll keep it forever.” He said seriously.

  I smiled as I reached for my gift. “What’s my gift?” I asked happily. I tore the wrapper off the box and gasped. I took out the Canon EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USM wide angle lens I’ve been dying to get. “How did you….no way.” I said in shocked as I took it out the box. It was a brand new lens, it was exactly what I wanted. My mom had gotten me the Canon 24mm f/1.4 and Cece had gotten me a 16mm wide angle lens… my collection was really starting up. I grabbed the lens and jumped on his lap. “Andy how…this is expensive…what?”

  Andy smiled. “Well one of the photographers for the tour does some shady dealing on the side, and he got me a good price for it.”

  I hugged him and kissed him hard. “You’re my favorite person in the whole wide world.” I said. I gave him a couple more kisses all across his face. “You’re amazing, you’re amazing, you’re amazing.” I repeated.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He said rubbing my side.

  “Ornelia, stop bothering the poor child and let him sleep!” I heard my mom’s voice yell from down the hallway. Andy froze.

  “We’re just talking!” I yelled back. I rolled my eyes as I turned to Andy. I smiled down at him and kissed him. I could kiss him forever.

  “Ornelia!”

  “Oh my gosh fine!” I said getting off Andy’s lap. “She makes me so mad.” I whispered. I kissed him again and then another time. “I’m so happy.” I whispered to him.

  “If I don’t see you walk out that door in---!”

  “I’m coming!” I yelled back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I whispered to him as I grabbed the box and put my lens back. I quickly kissed him again. “Thanks again for everything….coming her…. This… everything.”

  “Go, before your mom kills you.” Andy said playfully.

  I paused for a minute and stared at him. “Okay.” I said, whatever I wanted to say just escaped my mind. I smiled brightly and rushed to the door and opened it. I stepped out and blew him a kiss and closed the door behind me. I leaned against the bedroom door and smiled. I clutched the present to my chest and looked up at my mom down the hallway. How her voice manages to carry, I have no idea.

  “Mom, we were exchanging presents, thanks for ruining the moment.” I yelled at her. Gisele shook her head and went back into her room. I walked down to Fleur’s room when I thought I heard noises in Cece’s bedroom. I paused for a minute and leaned my ear against her door.

  “I don’t know if I…I just…” Cece stammered. I heard her sniffling and take a couple deep breaths.

  Somebody was making her cry? I twisted her doorknob but it was locked.

  “Hold-up a sec..” Cece told whoever she was talking to. “Yeah?” she called out.

  “Cece open the door.” I said annoyed.

  “Hey I gotta go, it’s my little sister…yeah I love you too.” Cece said. I heard footsteps coming towards me and she quietly unlocked the door and stuck her head out. “Yea wassup?” she asked.

  She looked like shit. I could see her eyes were pudgy and red, the tip of her nose was slightly red. She’d unsuccessful wiped her tears.

  “I need a place to sleep, Fleur’s already sleeping and I don’t want to wake her.” I said.

  “Aren’t you just going to sneak back into your room once mom goes to sleep?” Cece asked.

  I rolled my eyes and opened her door wider. “Don’t tell me what to do.” I said as I entered her room.

  “The extra bed is in Fleur’s room.” Cece said.

  “Well sister dearest, than you can be so kind as to give me your bed.” I said. I walked to her desk and put my camera lens down. Her laptop was open and I could see she’d just finished a skype conversation. I wasn’t nosey enough to find out with who. I jumped on her bed and pulled her covers over me. “Hopefully these sheets aren’t saturated with your wetness.”

  “Oh my gosh Nee-nee you’re so disgusting.” Cece said closing the door behind her. I laughed as I wrapped myself more in her blankets. Cece was too sophisticated and proper to do something like that. The bed sank as she climbed in behind me and pulled some covers off me and wrapped herself up. It was silent in the room as she turned off the light and I stared up at the ceiling.

  “Who were you talking to?” I asked.

  “Do you care?” she asked.

  “Not really.” I admitted. Well maybe a little…actually I was kind of curious. “What he’d do to make you cry?” I asked.

  “Go to sleep.” Cece said after a brief pause. I turned around and hugged the blankets. Oh well, you can’t say I didn’t try. I closed my eyes and smiled as I drifted off to sleep, reminiscing on the amazing day and the surprise Andy gave me. It was easy for me to fall asleep, but not with Cece occasionally sniffling in the backgr
ound, thinking she was being discreet.

  I groaned and turned around. “Shut-up.” I said putting my arms around her waist and hugging her. “I’m trying to sleep.” I forced my eyes to close.

  “Sorry.” She whispered. She held my arm around her tightly as her sniffling decreased. It was only when I heard the soft pattern of her breathing did I open my eyes again. What was wrong with her?

  *****

  I leaned against the wall as I watched Andy and Fleur give Bubbles a bath. I smiled as Fleur squealed as Bubbles shook himself off. I slide down the wall and sat on the grass. The last three days had truly been amazing, he turned this into the best winter break I’ve ever had. Andy reached up and pulled his hair back out of his face and grabbed Bubbles collar.