A few days later, I surprisingly found myself talking to Aaron Raines, the boy who sat next to me in English, history, and science. There was something about the way he was nice—it was pure. He was comforting to talk to. He walked with me to the lunchroom and sat between Becky and me. Aidan walked past me like he did every day, but this time, he didn’t ignore me or glare at me; he smiled and sat across from me.
“How’s your ankle?” he asked.
“Fine,” I lied.
“What did you do to your ankle?” Becky interrupted.
I just shook my head.
“Well, you certainly did a number on it.” Aidan chuckled.
“Really, it’s fine,” I answered, not looking at him. His direct gaze made me nervous. “It only hurt for an hour or so.”
He probably knew I was lying, but I kept the act up anyway.
Aaron laughed quietly. “Do things like that happen to you a lot?”
“You have no idea.” Becky laughed back. “She’s been a tomboy her entire life.”
“I never had any sisters,” I said, poking at the cold pasta on my plastic tray, “except maybe for you, Becky.” I glanced at her.
“I know,” she answered. “Still true.”
I stared at my tray, not making eye contact with anybody.
The lunch bell rang, and Aaron walked me to English. “Are you okay?” he asked, trying to get me to look at him.
I averted my gaze from my shoes back to his gold eyes. “I’m fine, Aaron. Why?”
“You seem…distracted. Is your ankle bothering you?”
“I’m fine.”
He nodded as we walked inside and took the seat beside me.
“Did you read the chapter?” he whispered.
I giggled. “I read the book.”
“Seriously?” His eyes widened.
I smiled and nodded.
“And?”
“Well, I hated it actually. Steinbeck was never one of my favorites.”
“Actually…I was asking what happened in chapter four.”
I chuckled. “Basically nothing—like most of his work.”
He sighed.
“Relax.” I laughed. “Mrs. Webber will go over it.”
He nodded but didn’t look convinced.
Mrs. Webber did go over it briefly, and to his relief, didn’t pop a chapter quiz like she often did.
I was dreading history next. Aaron walked with me, but Becky wasn’t there yet. Sitting next to Aaron was better than the other alternative. Before I had even seen him enter the room, Aidan had stolen the seat beside me. I looked over at Aaron, who looked even more confused than I did. I could tell his feelings were hurt.
“You can sit here,” I told him, gesturing to the seat at my other side.
He shook his head. “It’s okay.”
He moved closer to the front of the room, three rows in front of me. Becky was late for class, so the only empty seat was the one to the left of Aaron. I glared at Aidan briefly then covered my face with my hands. I felt terrible remembering the look Aaron had given me as soon as Aidan sat down.
“Hi,” he said, shattering my thoughts.
I wanted to ask him why he did that, being sure he’d know what I meant, but I didn’t say anything.
“I hope I didn’t upset him.”
“Aaron.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes,” he answered. “Nobody has been very friendly to me, save for maybe Becky.”
I chuckled.
“What?”
“It’s nothing,” I answered but couldn’t help but to laugh again.
“Really—what?”
“It’s just funny. Becky is friendly to anybody of the male species.”
He smiled, revealing his perfect teeth. “Figured you’d say something like that.”
“Did you?”
He just smiled. “How’s your ankle?”
Way to change the subject. “I told you already—it’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. Ethan had tried to wrap it up for me again, but I insisted it didn’t hurt anymore.
“You can tell me if it’s bothering you.”
“Aidan, please!” He was the only thing bothering me.
Class dragged. It was purely lecture, and I had my mind set completely somewhere else, somewhere quieter.
“Are you all right?” Aidan’s musical voice scattered my peaceful daydreams, crashing me back to the reign of terror.
“If I were to tell you yes, I am guessing you’re going to ask me if I’m sure.”
He smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
After class, I bolted out the door faster than Aidan had the day before, but Aaron caught up to me in the parking lot.
“You know,” he started, slightly out of breath, “people are saying some pretty strange things about that guy.”
“What guy?” I asked, being sure about whom he was talking.
“Only the guy who stole my seat in history today.”
I chuckled at his sarcasm. “Aidan.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“What are they saying?”
“Ask Rudy Thompson.”
“Rudy?” I exclaimed, remembering him from years ago. He used to live a few houses down from Ethan. I hadn’t thought about him since Ethan mentioned him when I first moved in.
“Yeah,” he answered, seeming not to notice my enthusiasm. “He’s got a few people thinking he’s nuts, but there’s something about the Summers kid Rudy actually seems afraid of.”
I pursed and gave him an awkward stare.
He laughed quietly. “Don’t look at me that way.” He chuckled. “You make me feel…exposed—like you’re reading my mind or something.”
“What?”
“You have a way with your eyes, Jane.”
I smiled, taking it as a compliment.
“Really though,” he said, “talk to Rudy, and you may want to steer clear of the new kid. He doesn’t seem to like anybody.”
“Really?” I asked dryly.
“Well, he doesn’t seem like he wants to like anybody. He’s pretty reserved.”
I remembered him in the lunchroom by himself and how Aaron had chosen a seat as far away from him as possible.
“So?” I said. “I’m reserved too you know.”
“I know,” he answered. “It’s different, Jane. Just talk to Rudy.”
“I’ll talk to him soon,” I said. “Becky has a date Friday night and wants me to help her pick out a new outfit, so it looks like I’ll be out shopping.”
He nodded. “Well…just talk to him when you can.”
I nodded.
I was on autopilot the entire drive home, planning my weekend in my head. I really didn’t want to talk to Rudy. I wanted to like Aidan because of how difficult it was for me to get close to people. It’s even more difficult to discover when someone is genuine, and Aidan had rescued me twice—once when the shelf in the bookstore almost collapsed on my five-foot-four body and again in the woods when I sprained the hell out of my ankle. He was so kind and curiously innocent. I didn’t want to think about what Rudy would say. Hiding neighborhood kids gone missing in his garage. I laughed at this thought—the quiet, breathy laugh that escapes when I think something should be funny but actually fails to amuse me. Knowing Rudy, that’s exactly what he would say.
I didn’t like him much as a kid. He was one of Danny’s friends. My lovely brother never failed to see the good in people. Rudy just seemed a little…weird. I’m sure I have no right to say that but weird in a completely different way than myself—superstitious kind of weird. But at the same time, it was always nice and fun to be around him. He was an upbeat and cheerful kind of company.
The next day at school, I daydreamed through every class. It took me until history when Aaron sat next to me with a huge grin on his face to realize Aidan wasn’t there. I was somewhat relieved. Aidan was oddly shy but also very determined to talk to me. I couldn’t tell if he actually liked me or was simply
intrigued by me as I was by him.
I heard Aaron mumble something.
“Huh?”
He laughed. “You know, you may want to pay closer attention in class. When Mr. Cornally pops a test, you’re going to be in for it.”
I half smiled. “Probably.”
When I got home, Ethan was in the living room. I heard a grumble and the familiar sound of a bottle cap hitting the TV—sports.
“Dad?”
“Oh, you’re home.”
“Yeah.” I opened the cupboard. “I’m gunna heat up some lasagna. Sound all right?”
“Sure, kid. Thanks.”
I was in a good mood for some reason, perhaps looking forward to the weekend. I didn’t even mind cooking. I brought Ethan his dinner in the living room, not even checking to see what he was watching. Whatever it was, his team was losing.
I slept well that night. Aidan wasn’t at school that Thursday either, and after school, I changed into my comfortable clothes, prepared for a long day shopping with Becky. Shopping was definitely not my thing, but it couldn’t be all bad. I could do some shopping myself with the money from my mom. A job hadn’t even crossed my mind since I arrived. My job back home selling magazines was slightly less than ideal, considering I hated people—didn’t especially like magazines either.
Chapter Five
“I’m driving,” I said to Becky.
She laughed. “I do not think so.”
“Okay, Becky,” I started. “You’re going shopping and dragging me with you—I’m driving.”
She sighed but smiled, hopping out of her red truck and into my tiny car.
“I should be driving,” she said, switching on the radio. “You don’t even know where we’re going.”
“I will once you tell me.”
She directed me to Pony Village Mall, right across from school. I tried to avoid the huge sign reading “Used Books” and followed Becky into some clothing store with a name I didn’t even bother to read. She tried on several different outfits, mixing and matching, but after an hour, she still hadn’t found anything that suited her.
Surprisingly enough, I had a good time and got a little shopping done myself. Becky eventually settled for a pair of dark, tight-fitting blue jeans and a red, strapless evening top that brought out her gray eyes and accented the red highlights in her brown hair.
“You look great!” I told her, and I meant it. After all, she had a beautifully shaped body.
We stopped at the little coffee house across from the store. As I expected, Becky flirted with the waiter, trying to get free food. He didn’t seem interested.
“My name is Rodger,” he said. “I’ll be your server tonight.”
“Rodger, huh?” Becky sang, looking up at him and cocking her head slightly. “I’m Becky. I’d like to serve you—Sunday night if you don’t mind.”
The blood rushed to my cheeks Oh, good God, Becky. For one night, could you NOT be yourself.
“How about we just start you off with something to drink instead.”
She sighed and nodded.
I ordered water, making eye contact only enough to be polite. He smiled at me and locked his gaze onto my own. As soon as he left, Becky instantly complained.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?” I answered, opening my menu.
“He was totally checking you out!”
“Oh, please!” I choked. “Maybe if you weren’t so forward, guys would find you more…unattainable. Guys like that.”
“I’m not a slut you know.”
I burst into laughter. “Oh God, Becky. I know that. I wouldn’t be friends with you if you were.”
She nodded. “So…chicken sounds good.”
“You always say that,” I answered, laughing.
“Well, chicken always sounds good.”
The waiter didn’t make eye contact a single time the rest of our stay. It was actually a relief.
We went back to my place, and Becky stayed for a few minutes, answering Ethan’s questions about school since I wasn’t.
The plans for Saturday were to not have plans. Maybe I could actually try to talk to Ethan over dinner or something. Friday was a typical day at school. I listened to Becky’s chatter about her date later that night, that she apparently couldn’t wait for, and ignored her snapping pictures of me whenever I happened to chuckle at something she said. When I got home, I caught up on some homework and went to bed early.
I awoke the next morning, absolutely thrilled to see the sun shining through my window. I raced downstairs in a much better mood than Ethan had expected. He was home reading the paper.
“The sun’s out!” I sang, pouring a bowl of cereal.
He looked up from his paper, smiling. “You seem overly happy about that.”
“It’s been a while.” I laughed.
“So, what’s Becky up to today?”
I smiled. “Not sure. I was just thinking about running down to the bookstore to do some reading and catch up on some homework.”
“Sure. Be careful.”
“I won’t be home late.”
“Sounds good, honey.”
I realized that when I was willing to talk to my dad, he wasn’t nearly as nosey. I guess he figured when I didn’t talk to him, I was up to something.
I ended up at Books by the Bay and took Aaron’s advice about paying closer attention to our history assignments. I brought my book and read through the chapters and lectures I had daydreamed through. The coffee on the table shuddered, and I realized the chair across from me was no longer empty. I smiled.
“I knew I’d find you here.” She laughed.
I looked up from my book. “How was it?”
“What? Oh—Anthony?”
“Yeah…your date. How’d it go?”
“Oh, it was perfect.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, if you enjoy human suffering.”
I tried not to laugh. “Oh, no.”
“I don’t even know how to describe him.”
“That bad?”
“Well, you know me, Jane, and you know how much I love theatre.”
I nodded.
“Well, he did too, so he tried to convince me into being in one of his…films.”
“I don’t understand,” I said. “Sounds like a good opportunity for you.”
“Um…not that kind of film.”
I was silent for a moment until it processed. “OH!”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “He didn’t tell me he worked for that industry.”
I sighed. “What did you say?”
“Simply told him I wasn’t interested. For some reason, he seemed surprised.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Yeah, I come across as forward, but I have more self-respect than that. I can get pretty self-conscious sometimes.”
I smiled lightly. “We all do, Becky.”
We ordered coffee, and Becky went on about Anthony, letting me leave my non-existent love life out of the conversation.
I thought a lot about Aaron and was, in a way, hoping that Becky could spend a little more time with him, maybe even like him. He was her age, after all, and pretty decent. Becky always found the wrong guys, such as Anthony, a few years too old for her and in the adult entertainment industry. She would be happy with a guy like Aaron.
I watched as Becky licked at the whipped cream from her coffee, getting it all over her face, which caused her to curl and twist her lips.
“Becky, stop it!” I snarled. “That guy over there is looking at you. You don’t want to give him the—right idea.”
She laughed, but I wasn’t joking. I handed her a napkin.
“You know, Jane, you should lighten up a little.”
“Lighten up?” I demanded, feeling slightly insulted.
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. What I mean is…well, maybe you should get out more.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a…party—”
/>
“No way!” I interrupted. “No way, Becky. No parties!”
“Come on, Jane,” she pleaded. “Just one party. Just make an appearance. It won’t be so bad. It’s Halloween time. You love Halloween.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head and sipped at my coffee. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on,” she continued. “My little bookworm…? For me?”
“I’ll think about it,” I said. “But don’t hold your breath.”
“You’ve never even been to a party, so how do you know you won’t like it?”
I chuckled. “Well, that part is true. The last party I went to you were turning eleven.”
We both laughed.
“I’ll call you,” she said smiling. “It’s Andrew Gallagher’s party.”
I hesitated for a moment. “Who?”
“He sits across from me in history.”
“Oh, dark hair? Usually half covered with that gray baseball cap?”
She laughed. “Yeah, it used to be blue.”
“Yeah, don’t count on it.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll just call you tomorrow, but right now I gotta get home to finish up some homework of my own.”
I nodded, and she leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Don’t waste away into your mind now, Janie.”
Being interrupted by Becky never bothered me, but when I was interrupted again, I was horribly annoyed.
“Jane?”
I looked up from my book. It took me a moment to recognize him. His face had lost most of its roundness, and his hair was a shade darker than I remembered and slopped with hair gel.
“So good to see you. Do you not remember me?”
At last, I smiled and nodded. “Of course I remember you. You look so different!”
He laughed. “Not that different.”
I closed my book and leaned forward a little, still smiling. “Gosh, Rudy, how are you?”
“I’ve been good. I haven’t seen you at school at all yet.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re a reader I see.”
“Always kind of have been, just never cared as much when I had Danny to keep me company.”
He frowned. “Yeah. Sorry about that. When I heard, I locked myself in my room for days.”
I nodded, trying to hide the pain.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’ll change the subject. I’m actually glad I found you here. Aaron Raines said something about you being friends with the new kid.”
Summers' Deceit (Hunters Trilogy Book 1) Page 4