Talisman

by S. E. Akers

  By the time fourth period arrived, I felt a growing sense of angst starting to churn. It wasn’t stemming from my pending Geology exam. Not hardly. I was bothered by the irksome fact that Mike Riverside’s assigned desk was right beside mine. That alone made my normal gait to class slow to a reluctant creep. Ugh! And he was standing near the door talking to Kara Leighton too. What a pair. “Class Ass” with “Easy Piece of Ass”.

  Fitting.

  I paused in the doorway to hone my stare. Unlike most of the school’s general population trapped under her charming “faux-angelic” spell, I didn’t see what was so fascinating about our school’s resident “mean girl”. She wore entirely too much make-up, and all her clothes were at least one size too small (especially her uniform at the Drive-In). My eyes rolled as I thought about the limits of her “mental capacity”. How Kara even maintained a C average to stay on the cheerleading squad was beyond me. There wasn’t room to fill her head with any knowledge — that vacuous space was already taken up by air. She wasn’t what I’d call a “waitress” either. Kara was more of a slutty hostess who made sure her male customers received a heaping side order of “tease”. And right now, it was clear from the touchy-feely ass-pat she’d just given Mike exactly what kind of “job” she was dreaming of performing on him.

  Chloe needs to open up those big eyes of hers another notch…along with another person Kara claims is her “boyfriend”. I shook my head as I stepped into the classroom. My snarl alone could’ve curdled dairy.

  WHATEVER…

  Katie was chatting my ears off about a new movie she wanted to go see. I couldn’t tell you the name of it or what it was about, not from the moment Tyler Smith glided into the room, straight off his billowy cloud. I bit my lip before my smile became embarrassingly obvious. Especially after I watched him sweep his hands through his dark locks and caught a brief sparkle dancing in those dreamy blue eyes of his. He was the guy whom I’d had the biggest crush on for years, and in my opinion, the hottest guy in school. His rock-hard physique was only out-shone by his brains. Ty was the only player on the football team with an A average, and my closest competitor for graduating with top honors at our school. He wasn’t vain like most of the jocks, and he always spoke to me. I guessed I’d been focusing on my college aspirations so much lately that I’d forgotten how appealing he was. This was an excellent reminder.

  My perfect vision was interrupted by a classic “I know what you were doing” smack to the shoulder from Katie to my right and Mike’s arrogant rear plopping his butt into the seat to my left. Perfect, I grumbled as I kept my eyes straight ahead. Neither of us acknowledged the other with even so much as a crappy-look. We seemed to be on the same page — ignore each other.

  “Any day now,” Ms. Fitzpatrick announced, trying to hurry the remaining stragglers to take their seats.

  Kristine Fitzpatrick, also called “Ms. Fitz” by many of us, was one of my favorite teachers. I think she earned her Master’s degree from an Ivy League school up north. How she ended up here, I had no idea — or why she would even want to? Today, she was way more dressed up than usual, wearing a stylish, double-breasted red suit that accented her brown skin tone perfectly. You couldn’t help but notice all her jewelry either. I’d seen Christmas trees with less bling. To top it off, she had even darkened her make-up several shades and was sporting a sleek new hairstyle too. I wasn’t the only one who had noticed. Someone blew a catcall towards the front of the room.

  “Ms. Fitz, you sure look nice today,” Marcus Patterson, one of our football team’s tight ends, called out. Several other students chimed in, whistling at her in agreement.

  “Flattery won’t get a single one of you an A on this test,” Ms. Fitzpatrick insisted. “But…It might get you a few bonus points,” she added with a smile.

  “What’s with the new look?” Kara Leighton asked.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but an old friend of mine from college is coming to town, and I’m meeting them for coffee later,” Ms. Fitz explained.

  “Is it a girl friend or a guy friend?” Kara pried, batting her eyes.

  Ms. Fitzpatrick began to blush. “It’s a guy friend, but that’s all he is — a dear, old friend,” she insisted over several of her student’s giggles. “Books away and pencils out people,” she demanded, attempting to end our interrogation. “Good luck. If you haven’t studied…you’re going to need it.”

  Fortunately, I wasn’t one of those people. I jotted down my name, Shyloh Wallace, at the top of the first page and got right to work. I breezed through the questions, and after writing a detailed summary of the characteristics of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, I walked up to Ms. Fitzpatrick’s desk and handed her my exam.

  “I’m not surprised,” Ms. Fitzpatrick remarked with a grin.

  I smiled back and returned to my seat with a good fifteen minutes left to kill. I couldn’t let my thoughts dwell on the mine, so I grabbed my Geology book and started reading the next chapter. The bell rang before too long, thankfully. Katie had just handed in her test and was returning to her seat.

  “I’ll meet you in the Caf,” Katie called out.

  I confirmed our plans with a quick nod and then hurried down to the second floor where my locker was located. It was uncomfortably close to Mike’s, especially today. I’d successfully avoided a conversation with him last period, but I knew he would be along soon. I still couldn’t stomach the idea of a face-to-face about “the dance”. Chloe could fill me in on any pending details later. In the midst of my frantic rush to dodge him, I dropped all the books I was scrambling to put away. Crap!

  I tried to gather them up as quickly as possible when I heard a hostile male voice say, “We need to talk.”

  I saw a pair of black Asics with white piping and looked up. There, standing above me was the jackass, in the flesh. Disappointed and defeated, I rose up and pitched the last book in my locker.

  “What about, Mike?” I replied, pretending to be puzzled.

  “Look…I know Chloe has already filled you in on our proposed date,” Mike countered. “I really don’t care. I’d rather go by myself, but my parents are insisting I go with someone…Anyone,” he stressed, nostrils flaring. “Just don’t embarrass me. I’ll pick you up around 7 o’clock, so be ready. None of this keep-me-waiting-because-you’re-not-ready ‘girl-crap’. Got it?” Mike demanded and then smugly strutted off down the hall.

  I slammed my locker shut and gave the combination lock a quick spin clockwise. I’m sacrificing my Saturday night to spend it with an asshole, I raged to myself. To help out two ungrateful witches!

  My “selfless act” had already lost its luster and was in no way giving me the warm & fuzzies any more. I stormed off down the hall towards the cafeteria to meet up with Katie. I wasn’t the least bit hungry. I didn’t know if it was because I’d eaten such a big breakfast or if my stomach was flipping around full of worry over the situation with the mine. Probably a little of both, with an added touch of nausea about the dance — and my “date”, I thought as I yanked open the cafeteria door. Yeah, he’s a regular “Prince Charming” all right!

  The scene in the lunchroom seemed markedly amiss. Everyone was huddled into his or her cliques like always, but the room was relatively quiet — almost “focused” — not the least bit lively like it usually was. Even the teachers were gathered around a large table near the back, engrossed in their hushed conversations. Each and every one of them looked extremely apprehensive, and I didn’t need three guesses “why”.

  I felt a tap on my shoulder.

  “How’d you do on the test, Shi?” a familiar and stirring voice asked.

  A warm sensation tingled my entire body, which forced my eyes to ignite. I whipped around to see Tyler Smith standing there, smiling back at me. My stomach flipped, but I knew that reaction wasn’t because I was thinking about the fate of any ’ole coal mine.

  “I think I did pretty well,” I replied humbly.

  Ther
e was something quite fine about Tyler Smith. It wasn’t his sculptured physique (of course, that didn’t hurt), or even the way his eyes glistened whenever he smiled. That only forced me to remember to breathe. The fact that he made straight A’s and cared about his grades was merely a perk. Truthfully, it was because with all that going for him, he was still so down-to-earth and radiated this indescribable gentle kind of confidence. That’s what pulled my trigger. Realistically, Ty could be as cocky as Mike Riverside, if he wanted to be — but he wasn’t. Ty had a compassionate side, too. He volunteered with Helping Hands, a group that assisted the handicapped on the weekends. I stood there in a slight daze, totally envying Kara Leighton while I stared at the handsome, quintessential boy-next-door. They were clearly polar opposites.

  I just don’t freakin’ get it, I grumbled quietly.

  “I’m sure you did better than ‘pretty well’,” Ty vowed with a certain laugh. “You probably destroyed the curve for everyone else.”

  “You won’t need to rely on a curve,” I countered. As thrilling as it was to have Ty’s full attention, I found myself scanning the cafeteria, distracted by its nagging vibe.

  “Ty…is it me, or does it seem a little weird around here to you, too?” I asked.

  “You could say that. Everyone’s gossiping about the mine, including the faculty. Ms. Fitz got a makeover. But my personal favorite, which I just heard a second ago, is that you are going to the Homecoming dance…with Mike. I’d say our town is heading for a redneck apocalypse.”

  My eyes shot open. There was a strange look dancing on Ty’s face — no doubt about it — but I couldn’t quite tell if it was disbelief or disgust. Embarrassed, I chose to focus on his first observation.

  “Yeah, I guess no matter who you are in this town, the fate of the mine will be your own, in a sense.” I scanned the hushed sea of gathered masses in the lunchroom. I didn’t want to be reminded of this all day, so I rallied to continue the conversation. “Personally, I like Ms. Fitz’s new look. If an old friend of mine was in town, I suppose I would want to look a little nicer, too.”

  “You’re right,” Ty concurred, “about the mine…and Ms. Fitz.” He stepped closer. “But that doesn’t explain why YOU are going to the dance…with Mike. What’s up with THAT?”

  Clearly, Ty wasn’t letting this topic go. Honestly, it was none of his business, but for some reason I felt the need to mount a defense.

  “I’m only doing it for Chloe. His mother won’t hear of him going stag…and let’s just say, my little sister trusts her girlfriends about as far as she can throw them.”

  Ugh. I felt icky enough about “the favor”. I sure didn’t need the awkwardness of someone bringing it up to me purposely — especially Tyler “I’ve had a crush on him forever” Smith. I happened to spot Katie by the vending machines and waved her over.

  “Hey, there’s Katie. I was supposed to meet her here a few minutes ago,” I informed him, trying to dodge any further questions. Why the heck should it matter to him anyway?

  Katie strutted over to us, grinning from ear to ear. She tossed a Diet Coke my way, along with a discreet, sly grin. “Hey, Ty…Are you joining us? I saved a couple of seats over by the back windows,” Katie suggested and gave me a subtle nudge.

  “Um…No,” Ty insisted awkwardly. “I’m heading for the fountain.” During lunchtime (on any day of a fair-weathered week), all the senior football players as well as most of the cheerleaders could be found in the school’s courtyard hanging around “the fountain” — their sacred ground.

  Katie shrugged her shoulders. “Okay…Suit yourself.”

  “Yeah, Katie…um, bye, Shiloh,” Ty replied somewhat uncertainly.

  What happened next was nothing short of bizarre. He had told us “bye”, but his body didn’t seem to be going anywhere. I nodded back to him, leery about why he hadn’t moved. Ty picked up on my confusion. He started to walk off, but he stopped and then slowly turned back around.

  “I didn’t know you…liked dances,” Ty announced and then blazed a trail through the cafeteria, headed for the exit.

  “What the heck was THAT?” Katie inquired with a laugh-like gasp.

  I was stunned. “I’m not exactly sure.” After all, he was Kara’s “boyfriend”. At least it appeared that way last night at the Drive-In. I hadn’t heard any rumors of a break-up. “You don’t think Ty wanted to ask me to the dance…Do you?” I could hardly say it out loud, let alone think it.

  Katie smacked me on the head. “You think?” She grabbed my hand and led me over to the one of the seats she’d saved.

  I lowered myself into the padded chair in daze. As I replayed Ty’s comment in my head, I couldn’t help but wonder, If he wanted to ask me to the dance, then why the heck didn’t he? I pondered that one simple question, over and over in silence, while I sipped on my Diet Coke.

  I’d heard Katie’s voice calling me, but my mind was helplessly adrift. I snapped out of my trance as soon as she pressed her icy soda can against my arm.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Katie. What did you say?”

  “You’re intimidating,” Katie replied casually.

  Confused, I looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “What? What are you talking about?”

  Katie cleared her throat. “You’re sitting there thinking, ‘Why didn’t he ask me to the dance?’ and I’m telling you — it’s because you’re kind of intimidating.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” I laughed.

  “Oh, is it?” Katie posed with an arched brow. “Well, let’s see — for starters, you’re super smart, and your kindness goes without saying. Your only flaw is your own guilt, which is probably why you can’t say ‘no’ to anyone. You don’t care what anyone thinks about you. You run around town, sportin’ your college sweatshirts and jeans, without any makeup on, your hair in the same old ponytail you’ve had since kindergarten, and you hardly ever wear perfume — while the rest of us spend hours trying to pull ourselves together, mind you. With all that, you’re still one of the most naturally beautiful girls around. It’s rather sickening,” Katie added as she snarled her nose and grinned. “Like I said…You’re intimidating.”

  Stunned had now been replaced with uncomfortable.

  “Thanks for taking my mind off the mine.” Katie was doing what a true best friend was supposed to — build you up. I shook my head and laughed off her assessment. “Katie, if I was all that, guys would be hanging all over me.”

  “You really don’t see it, do you? Ugh! You’re so delusional.” Katie threw her arms up in the air, suggesting she was surrendering to what she considered to be “utter insanity”. “I stand by my original assessment. You’re intimidating. Deep down, they’re too scared to approach you. Maybe it’s because they think you’re too good and it makes them realize how crappy they are — I don’t know. You come across as pretty tough sometimes… Maybe they think you’ll kick their asses?” she proposed with a devilish laugh.

  This conversation was becoming unbearable at an alarming rate. “Change of subject… Please?” I begged.

  “Fine…Intimidator.” Katie threw her arms up to halt my apparent discomfort. “Have you talked to Mike yet?”

  “I sure did.” I really didn’t particularly care for this topic either.

  “So, did you two lovers hammer out all the details?” Katie couldn’t contain her amusement.

  “Oh, trust me. He hammered away,” I grumbled.

  Katie giggled, feeling my sarcasm.

  “Can you PLEASE keep the ‘Mike-cracks’ to a minimum?” I pleaded. “I know it would be impossible for you to shut up completely.”

  Katie draped her arm around my shoulder. “Understood,” she agreed and gave me a firm hug. “Oh!” Katie exclaimed as her eyes lit up. “I do have some gossip about the M-I-N-E.”

  I wouldn’t have to ask her to spill it. She looked like a balloon bursting to “pop”.

  “The company that’s meeting with Mr. Riverside today is out of New York, but they have offices all
over the world…Xcavare Enterprises,” Katie revealed. “Have you heard of them?”

  “No. Do they mine coal?” I asked curiously.

  “They mine everything,” Katie replied. “Graphite, gold, silver, lithium…Anything they can turn a profit on…Even gemstones.”

  “Where did you hear this?” I quizzed.

  “I overheard Coach Hayes telling some of the teachers. He was trying to be secretive, but you can hear that loud mouth of his from the next flippin’ county. His brother works at the Mercer County Airport in Bluefield. He filled him in on who was due to arrive today, according to their flight log. He also told him about three SUV’s from one of the car dealers in Bluefield that were dropped off at the airport last night. Xcavare Enterprises reserved them for a couple of weeks.”

  “But how does he know what they mine?” I posed.

  “Oh, I don’t know if he knows what they mine or not, but I do. They’re always featured in my mom and dad’s trade magazines. Some of the finest gemstones come from their mines. They’re truly spectacular. The gemstone side of their corporation is merely a fraction of their overall operation. Like I said, they mine everything, all over the world.”

  “Impressive. Maybe you don’t need to go off to college after all? It sounds to me like you’re ready to run the shop all by yourself,” I joked.

  “Not hardly,” Katie groused. “But hey — that’s good news, right? They’re in the mining business.”

  She made a pretty good point. “I guess I’m not as worried as I was…but I’m still going over there at 3 o’clock,” I insisted.

  “Suit yourself, but I don’t think there’s any need to stress about it,” Katie replied, equally as adamant. “You need to focus on more important things — like what colors you’ll chose for your wedding.” Katie quickly jumped up and ran off as the lunch bell blared through the cafeteria, leaving me with the “whip” of her latest zinger. I heard her giggling all the way to the door.