Twist

by Roni Teson

  “Nope,” I say.

  “Can you pay attention, then?”

  Here I am again, thinking I’ll never need this junk he’s teaching and somehow knowing that Luke was into this school stuff, so I say, “Yes, sorry.”

  The teacher tips his head and then takes up where he left off. Later, when we’re free to leave, I follow Simon.

  “I don’t even like you, Lou. You’re nothing like Luke,” he says. “Why should I help you?”

  “Because Luke is hiding inside of me.”

  Erica sneaks up behind me. “There you are. You ran off so fast yesterday.” And the next thing I know, she’s holding my hand. I shake her off. She twists her hair and bumps into me, whining. “Guy . . . What’s wrong with you?”

  “This is you, with no strings attached,” I snap. “Get a clue.”

  Simon says to Erica, “Go to your class. You know how Luke feels about you.”

  She stares at my face. “Luke?”

  “Yeah,” I say. “No stalking this time.”

  She looks like she’s about to cry as she scurries away. Simon laughs. “So you can be Luke when it suits you?”

  “Yes. I should never have let her near me.”

  “Hopefully, you used a condom. She’s been with the whole football team,” he says, and bursts out laughing.

  I’m horrified that I even allowed Erica near me, and I’m sure it’s written across my face because when he stops laughing and sees me, he arrogantly says, “Well, Drake, this might be fun. Count me in.”

  I get a sense, from his attitude that he’s going to mess with me. But there will be some truth in what he shares. I’ll just need to figure it out. “Tell me about Bea.”

  “Walk!” Simon commands, and after he is a few steps ahead of me, he turns around and says, “You’re going to have to speed up. I can’t take this slower version of you. It’s eating into every aspect of your life, especially your speech!”

  I step up my pace.

  “You told me you felt like you’d known her forever,” he says.

  “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  “Was I some romantic sissy bed-wetter?” I ask.

  He snorts. “You were quite the opposite. But that girl, Bea was different, or so you claimed.”

  He’s talking as we hoof it to our next class. “You got laid more than anyone I knew or know. You said they were all special, but . . .”

  “What? Don’t stop.”

  “We don’t know if this one was different, because you got your ass kicked that night,” he says.

  “No shit,” I say.

  “I know her dad saw the video of you and Bea that was posted on the Internet.” Simon’s got a gnarly grin on his face and his eyebrows are touching the tip of his ugly curls. “If I were him, I would have done the same thing to you.”

  I scowl. “Did everyone see it?”

  “Well, yes,” he says. “It was on our ‘get punked’ website. Whoever posted it knew that half of the school would see it.”

  “We have a website?”

  “Not literally. But most of the guys check the site out often. It’s normally not porn, but pranks.”

  “How do you know her dad saw it?”

  “Who else would want to beat you up? You’re Luke Drake. Everyone loves you.”

  “And I only just met this girl?” I say.

  He snorts some more. “‘Mesmerizing’—to quote you. You were hooked.”

  “I remember her, all right.”

  Simon is laughing so hard he’s holding his stomach.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Ironic, the only thing you remember is the girl, and you knew her for less than twenty-four hours.”

  My face goes slack.

  He shuts his mouth and I’m glad his stupid laughter stops. “When I say it out loud it’s not as funny.”

  I ignore him. “I found what I could on the Internet. Her dad’s no peach.”

  “Well, don’t believe everything you read.”

  “Why not?”

  He stares at me for a few seconds. “Have you lost all of Luke? Anyone can post stuff on the Internet. I’m not so sure that her dad isn’t a hero.”

  “I’m not buying that. Way too many negative things about that man,” I say.

  “Suit yourself,” Simon says. “I gotta run. See you around.”

  After swim practice, as I’m walking to the bus stop Simon drives up. “I’ll give you a ride,” he says.

  I need this guy. He’s my tainted memory. And even though he might even be messing with me and not always accurate, I like having some form of my past around. So I take the front seat and we drive a few blocks.

  “I have Beatrice Malcolm’s number,” I say.

  “You haven’t talked to her?” he says. “Call her.”

  My hands are shaking when I dial her number. Ring, ring, ring, and then I hear her voice. “This is Bea. You know what to do.” I don’t know what to say so I hang up.

  “Leave a message. Let her call you back,” Simon says. “You’re so flippin’ bizarre now, Drake. Before, she would have been just another notch on your wall.”

  We pull up to my house where Dad is watering the lawn. His truck is parked out front. He smiles at Simon and waves good-bye as Simon drives away.

  “Where you been?” he asks.

  “Around,” I say.

  “Did you call her?”

  “Voice mail.”

  “Lou, she’s moving back here.” He puts the hose down. “Charlotte told your mom a few minutes ago. It’s a very recent development.”

  My heart’s about to jump out of my chest—I’m going to see my girl. “Really?”

  “Some problems in Seattle. We don’t know the details.” Dad and I go into the house.

  “When is she coming back?”

  “Next day or so,” Dad says.

  Beatrice Malcolm, force of one. I can’t wait to see her.

  Part Three

  Chapter 26

  I sat on the bench under the awning and watched the rain bounce off of the pavement. My book bag blocked the wind from my legs. Amilee was taking forever, which was unusual, since she bolted from school as often as possible.

  A boy approached me. “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey.” I knew this kid from biology. But I didn’t feel like talking.

  He sat down next to me. “Waiting for my ride.”

  “Me too.” I could feel his eyes on me so I rifled through my bag.

  “You want one?” he said as he held a pack of gum toward me. “Not that you need it or anything. I’m just being polite.”

  I chuckled. “No, thank you.”

  “Are you going to a big party this weekend?”

  “What party?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “You and Amilee seemed to be the social butterflies.”

  I shifted my body toward him and really looked at him. He reminded me of Luke. He was nowhere near as tan, but his shaggy hair and blue eyes were similar to Luke’s. He was a skinny, lighter version of Lucas Drake.

  “You think that about us?” I said.

  “Yes.” He had a textbook in his hands and flipped through the pages, keeping his eyes away from mine. “I’m sorry about what happened to you, but I’m glad you’re back.”

  When his eyes connected with mine, I saw that faraway, dazed look.

  “What do you know about all of that . . . stuff that happened?”

  “Hmm.” He did that thing with his eyes that Luke did. Like he was finding the right words or something. “It’s a love story.”

  “What?!”

  “Yes,” he said. “Your dad tried to save your mom.”

  I must have been holding my breath, because I let out a stream of air the length of two football fields. I thought for sure he was going to bring up Luke, but how would he know? “Oh, that.”

  “What do you mean? Was there another love story?”

  “No, no,” I said, way too fast.

&nb
sp; “I can’t help it,” he said. “I’m a hopeless romantic.”

  What was taking Amilee so long?

  “I don’t like to talk about my family,” I said and then I let out a nervous laugh. “I guess I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  “My dad always says it’s best to let the rhinoceros out of the bag,” he said. “My name’s Grant.”

  “And I thought I was the only one who used rhinos in life.” Suddenly, I grew self-conscious about the way I looked. I’d thrown a sweatshirt on this morning and a grubby pair of jeans with some galoshes. I sat forward and pulled my book bag in closer. “I know your name.”

  “You do?” He grinned.

  “You don’t hide much, do you, Grant?” He had dimples that accentuated a nearly perfect smile. I wondered why I hadn’t noticed him before. Then I almost jumped out of my skin when Amilee cleared her throat behind me.

  “Crap, Amilee,” he said. “You don’t have to sneak up on us.”

  “Hey, Grant,” she said. “Bea’s off limits.”

  “What do you mean? I’m waiting for my ride.” He tossed his book into his other hand. “Why don’t you give me a ride, since mine is so late?”

  No, no, no. He’s too much like Luke.

  “Okay,” Amilee said. “Let’s go.”

  “Can you drop me at the Road House?” he asked.

  “Sure, can you feed us?” Amilee said. “You work there, right?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, how did you know?”

  “We’re not your average high school girls.” She touched his arm and giggled.

  Unbelievable. She was flirting with him! It was like she was trying to get him away from me. But his eyes met mine and he smiled. “Bea, tell your friend that as long as you are there, the sky’s the limit.” And that made my dark cloud lighter.

  Amilee giggled and said, “Bea’s taken.”

  His face went slack. “I’ve never seen her with anyone.”

  “Amilee’s on crack,” I said, and flashed her a dirty look. Truth be told, I was starting to think this guy was cute but nothing more, than she turned it into a competition. Suddenly, I was interested in him.

  “What about coma boy?” Amilee whispered.

  I swatted her away.

  “I was going to be late,” Grant said. “Now, I’m with my dream girl—girls. Great day for Grant Lawson!”

  Amilee tugged on my arm so that we were both under her umbrella as we walked toward the car. “What’s with you and this guy?”

  I was beyond annoyed. “Why does there have to be anything with me and him?”

  “I always flirt.” She softened her voice when she said, “But you?”

  “He’s so sweet,” I said, and I genuinely believed that.

  “He kind of looks like that picture you carry of Luke.”

  Grant walked with his hands tucked in his pockets and his hoodie over his head. He bent slightly, so he could see under the umbrella. “Bea? You have a boyfriend. Is that what Amilee is saying?”

  “I’m just her wingman.” Amilee snorted.

  “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.” I don’t know why I said that, but I guess it was true. The only thing I had of Luke was that silly picture I printed from the Internet that Amilee so eagerly reminded me about.

  We approached the car and Grant put his hand on mine as I reached for the handle. “Sorry,” he said. “I was trying to open the door . . . for you . . .”

  We laughed.

  Amilee made a tee-hee sound, mocking us, but he ignored her.

  I plopped down in the passenger seat and in a low voice said to Amilee, “What’s with you?”

  “Nothing,” she whispered back. Then: “Grant, I thought you were dating that little blonde, what’s her name?”

  “That’s my sister, and we weren’t dating.”

  “Oh,” she said.

  He caught me staring at him and beamed wider. “You two really want to eat at the House?” He glanced at Amilee. “I’ll get you the best apps you’ve ever had. You like calamari?”

  “Not really,” I said, giggling. “But you do mean appetizers, right?”

  “Yep! C’mon,” he said.

  Amilee nonchalantly said to me, “It’s up to you.”

  “I’ll find something you like,” he said.

  I squinted “Huh?”

  “On the menu,” he said. “What did you think I meant?”

  He chuckled real loud and it was so unusual that Amilee got real quiet. She didn’t respond to him or me. She drove in absolute silence the rest of the way.

  “I think we’d both like that,” I said.

  At the restaurant Amilee finally spoke, but only after Grant had gone inside. “What’s with his sudden interest in you? It’s creepy.”

  “Why is it bothering you?” I asked. “Because I’m reciprocating?”

  She thought about it and said, “Maybe. It’s not like you.”

  “At least you’re being honest,” I said. “He reminds me of Luke.”

  “I know,” she said. “That’s a little freaky.”

  But I knew she was mostly annoyed that he had no interest in her. And he was taking my attention away from her.

  We sat at a table in the corner. Grant brought us small samples of things I’d never order. “I know you think you don’t like this, but just try it,” he said.

  “Ewwwww, it has tentacles.” Amilee waved her hands in the air and then pushed the plate away.

  I touched the calamari with my fork, and took a bite. “Not bad.”

  “See, I like a girl who tries new things.” He winked and left our table.

  Amilee made a clicking noise with her cheek. “He wants something from you. I don’t trust him. I’m going to talk to him.”

  “No, no, no!” I said. “Quit being my protector. I can take care of myself. Maybe he’s just like those other boys who follow me around.”

  “Yeah, well, that hasn’t happened since you moved back. Haven’t you noticed?” she said. “You’ve got that somber dark thing going on. I think everyone’s afraid to approach you.”

  I ate another bite of the calamari. “This isn’t bad. I like it.”

  “You know what I’m saying,” Amilee said. “Don’t ignore me.”

  “It’s only been a few weeks. What do you expect?”

  “Two months! Not a few weeks,” Amilee said. “Has Luke even called you?”

  “I told you, he doesn’t remember anything. Besides, it was only a day . . .”

  She pushed the food around with her fork and then mumbled, “Didn’t sound like it was just a day . . .”

  “I know. How can I miss him when I didn’t know him? But I do.” I was so confused.

  “I thought you two were my one example of love at first sight,” she said. That was so like Amilee, to spin this into something about her.

  “Sounds like if I saw him again it would be ‘at first sight’—for him.” I chuckled and then said, “Everything has been so . . . difficult. Can’t we just enjoy this and not complicate matters? Who cares, right?”

  Amilee nodded. “You’re right. Let’s enjoy.”

  We sat at Grant’s table for two hours, giggling and having a good time. When we left, he took a break and walked us out.

  “Thank you, Grant,” Amilee said. “I’ll wait at the car, Beatrice.”

  Grant put his hands in his pockets and stared at me. I waited for a few seconds and then said, “That was nice, thank you.” I started to walk away.

  “Hold on,” he said.

  I stopped.

  “Will you go out with me?” he asked.

  “A date?”

  “Yes.” His hands were shaking when he touched my shoulders. “Friday night.”

  “Hmm. What do you have in mind?” I asked.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Yeah, I will.”

  Before I knew it, he was hugging me and then he kissed me, a real light peck on the lips. “I’ll see you later.”

  I had a stupid gri
n on my face when I got into Amilee’s car.

  “What’s with your goo-goo eyes?” she said.

  “He’s nice.” I ran my finger across my lips.

  “Did you feel the swirls and spinning stuff, like with Luke?” she asked.

  “I guess not,” I mumbled. “But I’m going on a date.”

  She grimaced.

  “Quit making faces,” I said.

  “I was going to say your first date, ever. But is it?”

  “I suppose.” I shrugged and shut my eyes. Luke’s face was all I could see, and my swinging mood tree took over. Amilee knew how to trigger me. Sometimes I think she did it on purpose. I curled up in the seat and let the dark cloud hover. Maybe I would cancel the date.

  My dad’s voice rang in my ear. Stay away from all boys . . .

  And that made me think about everything. I wondered why Agent Carter had left me alone. The FBI seemed so relieved to find my father. I never talked to them. I slipped away and Amilee drove us home.

  Later, Oliver Campbell and I met with them twice. He was my savior when it came to dealing with the FBI. But he hadn’t gotten me out of testifying—yet. A preliminary hearing date was fast approaching.

  “I think you should go,” Amilee said.

  I was so deep in thought that at first I couldn’t understand what she was talking about. “On the date?”

  “Yes. I think we should double.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? I’m fun,” she said.

  “No to the date. Not to you.”

  “You’re such a poop. It’s time. Like you said, Luke was one day.” She pinched my cheek. “C’mon.”

  Chapter 27

  When we got home, Mrs. Gray was reclining on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand, watching cooking channels, changing the station at each commercial.

  “Mom, you were doing so good,” Amilee said as she reached for the glass. “How many have you had?

  Mrs. Gray twisted her body away from Amilee. “I’ll have you know, this is grape juice.”

  “Let me have a sip?” Amilee said.

  “I’m the parent here. Where have you two been?” Mrs. Gray said, half smirking as she handed Amilee the glass. “Go ahead. Gulp it.”

  Amilee tasted it and said, “Yuck, that’s way too sweet. Why are you torturing yourself with this?” She handed the grape juice to her mom and licked her lips.