The House of Grey- Volume 4

by Earl, Collin

  Surprised, Cyann gave Monson a sharp expression that he did not quite know how to interpret. She answered Damion, “All right, sure.”

  She sounded as awkward and unsure as Damion.

  The elder Harrison got to her feet, adjusted her clothes, and followed Damion a short distance away. Monson and the rest watched as they strolled towards an unoccupied space of the Gardens.

  “What was that all about?” asked Casey, sounding annoyed.

  “Not sure,” said Artorius, still watching them walk away. “Maybe—hey Monson, where are you going?”

  Casey, Artorius and Indigo gazed at the retreating backside of Monson as he strolled towards Taris Green with apparent confidence.

  What in the world am I doing? thought Monson. I shouldn’t be asking anyone to this stupid thing. Blast you and your idiotic ideas, Casey.

  The football players glared scornfully as he neared. Since the night when he opted out of the Legion after being almost run over by a car, they had been less than friendly. The bitterness of the loss suffered at the state championship did not help. Fortunately, they let Monson pass unmolested.

  Monson reached Taris with the eyes of the majority of the school, at least those in the Inner Garden, upon him. He was thankful that Taris greeted him with a bright smile.

  “Well, if it isn’t my hero in training,” Taris commented. “And to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

  “You flatter me, Princess” Monson took a knee next to her. “I’ve just come to bask in your radiance.”

  Taris leaned a little closer towards him, “Aren’t you sweet. You’d better be careful with your fancy words, Mr. Grey. I may just have to take advantage of you.”

  Monson tried to keep his face from going red.

  “Actually, I was wondering if I could speak with you for a second. Alone, if possible.”

  Taris wetted her lips. “Hmm…well, I don’t see why not.”

  Monson stood up, proffering his hand to Taris and inadvertently catching a glimpse of Artorius, Indigo and Casey. They were all looking at him, apparently at a complete loss for words. Cyann, back from her conversation with Damion, was now propped up against the willow at a distance from the others.

  That was quick, thought Monson as his eyes met hers. Yet, as always, her expression was unreadable. Remembering where he was, he made another obvious attempt to help Taris up. She took his hand and stood up, sweeping under her skirt so as to not flash the entire varsity football team.

  When she let go of Monson’s hand, her fingers skimmed his palms and fingertips. He tried to control the resultant trembling in his hand.

  Get a grip! Monson took his other hand and clamped down on the trembling one. Just do it and be done.

  Taking deep, steadying breaths, he reached a stone bench tucked away from the student body. He made to sit but decided against it. Despite the distance, he could still feel a great many eyes peering at them with interest. It made him all the more nervous. Whipping his mind back, Monson steeled himself for this idiotic venture.

  “Thanks for giving me a moment of your time,” he said bashfully. He was not really sure where to start. “I need a favor and you may be the only person who can help.”

  “Umm...can’t say that was what I was expecting you say,” began Taris with a slight pout. A look of confusion worked its way onto her otherwise relaxed appearance. “But I’ll help you if I can. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m in desperate need of your expertise,” blurted out Monson.

  “I’m not sure where you’re going with this, Monson.”

  He tried to hold back a nervous laugh. “No, of course you wouldn’t. It would probably be easier if I just asked; it would clear this up a whole lot faster than me trying to sit here and explain. I mean honestly, how dumb am I standing around rambling like an idiot when you don’t even know—”

  “Know what?” asked Taris, cutting across his babbling.

  “Taris, would you go to the Spring Solstice with me?”

  Holy blue bloody crap! He actually did it!

  If Taris was surprised, then she hid it well.

  “Oh Monson, I—” began Taris.

  “You don’t have to say anything else. I totally understand.” Monson could barely contain his embarrassment and was starting to understand how dumb a plan this was. He should have just asked someone else at the very least, someone who would have said yes. What was he thinking? He might as well finish it properly.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. Casey just thought that—” He stopped and took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry, Taris. I should go. Thanks for taking the time.”

  Monson turned, intending to leave silently, berating himself for caving in to Casey. What in the world was he thinking? Of all the stupid, idiotic ventures...

  “Wait!” Taris yelled in a shrill voice, catching his hand as he attempted to walk off. They hung motionless in time, Taris holding onto his hand in almost suspended animation. She gave him a little tug, just a little one, applying just enough force to make him turn back towards her. They gazed at each other, the soft green of Taris’ eyes and the cloudy blue-gray of Monson’s boring into one another. She smiled an embarrassed smile. Her next move made his knees buckle.

  Taris Green took his hand in hers, turning it over and resting it on her upturned palm. He stared as small delicate fingers caressed the scarred and cracked tissue of his hand, wrist and forearm. Monson felt an overwhelming warmth shoot up his arm.

  She finally spoke. “It’s awfully rude to ask someone out and not give them a chance to answer.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  Taris touched his lips with one finger, silencing him immediately. She brought her hands to his hips as she stepped into him, her finger brushing under his uniform and touching his skin. She whispered.

  “Ask me again.”

  Monson did so, his tone still confused and a little nervous.

  Taris smiled seductively as she tucked back his hair to expose his ear. Her hand on his neck now, she pulled him closer until her lips were a finger’s breadth away. She whispered three little words.

  “I’d love to.”

  Chapter 41 - Mirrors

  Casey’s shock was slowly turning to amusement. “You gotta be kidding me! Wow, that’s just hot; I totally have goose bumps. That should seriously be in a movie. As a matter of fact, remind me to write that down.”

  Monson, Casey, Artorius and both Harrison girls were now up in Monson’s apartment listening intently. The emotions ranged from Artorius’ look of slack-jawed amazement to Indigo’s scornful scowl. Casey, however, was giggling like a schoolgirl.

  “I can’t believe you’re laughing!” Monson tried to keep the desperate tone out of his voice. “Now what the heck I am supposed to do?”

  “Go with her.” Casey shrugged. “And pray to everything holy that she doesn’t realize how boring you are.”

  His nerves already strung very tight, Monson almost pounced on Casey. He was halfway out of his seat when the touch of a small hand instantly pacified him. Monson glanced over his shoulder to see Cyann’s hand casually resting near the base of his neck as if it had fallen there by accident. He tried to catch her eye, without success.

  Brian’s entrance broke the tension. He strolled through the sitting area carrying the dress clothes from earlier.

  “Brian!” called Monson, attempting not to sound frantic. “Just the man I wanted to see. I need to tell you what happened. I just asked—”

  “You just asked Ms. Taris Green to accompany you to the Spring Solstice and now you are ‘freaking out.’”

  Brian calmly grabbed various items from atop the bar area.

  Monson scowled. “You seriously drive me insane. How did you know? How do you always know?”

  Brian gave a small smile. “Master Grey, I think you are seriously underestimating my eavesdropping ability.”

  Everyone stared at him blankly.

  Brian sighed. “I heard
from the other room.”

  With that pronouncement, he started for the door.

  “Brian!” said Monson sharply. “Where are you going? I need you!”

  “Oh, do not worry.” Brian winked at him. “You will soon realize that in the grand scheme of life this is merely a blip in your emotional progression. If you wish, we can talk later. But now I must return these clothes. Ms. Green is most likely going to go with something lighter, perhaps a green dress, and I will have to dress you to match.”

  “I can dress myself, thank you very much. If you were so concerned with dressing me to match, why didn’t you just wait until I actually asked someone?”

  “I would have thought that was obvious.”

  “That’s what I thought,” said Casey over Monson, who was about to lose it. “But alas, he is a thick one, isn’t he?”

  “Well said, Master Kay.”

  “What the heck does that mean?” Monson shot alternating venomous looks at both Brian and Casey.

  “Oh, we cannot tell you,” said Brian in an exaggeratedly innocent voice. “We would not want to spoil it for you.”

  “No, of course not,” agreed Casey in the same tone.

  Monson resigned himself to the fact that he had lost this one. “You guys suck. Do you know that?”

  Casey and Brain just beamed at him, clearly pleased with themselves. But Brian’s self-indulgence only lasted a moment. “Well, ladies and gents, I will be off now. I have to make our young hero look presentable.”

  He left, leaving an irritated Monson in his wake.

  They sat there for a moment until Indigo finally spoke.

  “I don’t know what you’re so happy about.” She glared spitefully at Casey. “You do realize that now that Monson is going with that cow, you’re the only one here without a date.”

  “That cow?” repeated Casey coolly. “Hardly. I think we’ve already established she is not only not a cow but—”

  “A totally hot girl... I know, I know!” interrupted Indigo.

  “I was going to say a delightful person, but that works for me.”

  Cyann, Artorius and Monson all cringed. Indigo took a deep breath and let it fly.

  Monson had seen some really good fights in his life—well, on soap operas—but when Indigo and Casey got going, things really heated up.

  Already annoyed with both of them, he thought he would talk to Cyann, who had yet to say a word to him since leaving with Damion earlier that afternoon.

  “Hey Cyann.” Monson sat down next to her on the window seat. “How’d everything go with Damion?”

  “All right, I guess,” she replied simply.

  Monson’s next question, which was on the tip of his tongue, stalled in his throat as he watched Cyann, her head resting lightly against the window. The pause in the conversation made him realize how beautiful the day was. Shimmering rays of vibrant sunshine reflected off Cyann’s curtain of glossy black hair. If only she didn’t come across as so heavy.

  Cyann continued her thought when Monson did not answer her. “I still need to give him an answer, though.”

  “Damion asked you to the dance?”

  “Yes he did.”

  Monson gave a nervous chuckle. “What about your Combat for Dates policy?”

  “My what?”

  “Combat for Dates, at least that’s what Casey calls it; I think he’s working up a screenplay off the name.”

  Cyann abruptly sat up. “Casey, what the heck are you—”

  Monson caught her by the waist. “Cyann, I’m kidding.”

  She sat back down as he slowly released her. “Oh.”

  “So you haven’t given him an answer yet?” asked Monson, puzzled. “Then what did you say to him when he asked you for a word earlier? I assume that is what he was doing. Asking you out.”

  Cyann’s eyebrow twitched slightly. She was surprised.

  “I told him that I still didn’t know if I could say yes.” Cyann’s gazed resettled on the grounds outside the window. “It’s just a big mess.”

  “Why don’t you tell me about it?” Without thinking, Monson reached up to push her hair out of her eyes. He stopped himself after realizing what he was doing. He pulled his hand back and rubbed at it. “I know you might not believe it, but I’m actually a pretty good listener.”

  “How do you look like a good listener?”

  Monson’s cocked the eyebrow. “You know…I have no idea.”

  She let it hang…

  He smiled. “Please share.”

  She pushed a hand through her hair. “It’s like this. Damion Peterson has liked me for a while now, long enough for most people to know, and I’m pretty sure he broke up with his girlfriend for me, though I’ve never given him any reason to think I was interested. He’s just not my type...I’m not sure anyone is.”

  She stopped, returning her gaze to the grounds. “My roommate this year has a huge thing for Damion. She is very vocal about it. I don’t know why, but she reminds me incessantly. Probably trying to mark her territory. Not only that, I heard that Damion’s ex has been doing everything in her power to get back together with him, though it looks like recently she is maybe starting to move on. Regardless, I feel like my head is in a guillotine. If I say yes, then my roommate is going make my life really difficult and who knows what Damion’s ex will do. Also I don’t want to lead Damion on or anything. I don’t want to hurt him. But if I say no, none of the other guys will ask for fear of Damion. Though to his credit, I doubt he’d do anything to them if they did. So I either say yes to Damion or go as royalty by myself, which will be problematic. My father is coming to this thing and I don’t want to embarrass him. I have no idea what I should do.”

  Monson’s jaw dropped as the full effect of what Cyann was telling him sunk in. Talk about complicated! In fact, it was so complicated it made Monson’s head hurt just thinking about it. He finally spoke.

  “Wow.” Monson grasped for words. “I am SO glad I’m not a girl.”

  Cyann continued to stare out the window; though definitely not in a state of anguish, the self-possessed calm that Monson had come to associate with her was clearly disturbed.

  Monson did a quick critical analysis of the drama and came to the most logical conclusion. “You should go with Damion. Who cares who your roommate likes or what Damion’s ex has planned? Go and have a fun time. Just make it known that you want to go as friends.”

  “You really think so? Should I?”

  “Yeah I do,” Monson said with a warm smile, “you are way too cute to go by yourself. Don’t worry about things like that. It’s a waste of your time. Go. Have fun, and for all that is holy, try to smile.”

  For the second time that day, Cyann Harrison blushed, summoning that same slight patch of pink to her olive skin.

  “Cyann!” said her sister’s unbelievably annoyed voice. Monson and Cyann looked over to find Indigo, Artorius and Casey staring at them. Indigo appeared upset, Artorius shocked, and Casey smug.

  Did we miss something? thought Monson.

  Before he could continue this deliberation, however, Indigo stood up. “We’d better go, Cyann. We still have to make it to the mall and back before curfew.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Cyann rose to her feet. The room was silent, Cyann avoiding both her sister’s and Monson’s eyes. Why was everyone acting so weird? It just did not make any sense. The huffy silence prevailed even as Indigo and Cyann gathered their bags, jackets and shoes, and moved towards the door. Cyann opened it, stepping to one side and allowing Indigo to pass through first. Indigo disappeared from sight.

  Cyann followed her sister over the threshold of the door a half second later. She stopped just outside, and then glancing over a shoulder, looked right at Monson. Their eyes locked as she mouthed the words, “Thank you.” He waved it aside, his face going pink. Turning back, Cyann left, closing the door with a snap and leaving Monson with the increasingly familiar feeling that he was missing something extremely important.

&n
bsp; ***

  The next couple of weeks were crazy for Monson. The news that Monson Grey was going with Taris Green to the Spring Solstice spread at the speed of thought. Ever since Monson had arrived at Coren, it had been a common complaint of his that he received too much attention. It might be nice for some people, but the attention he received was mostly negative and definitely not welcome. And just when he thought he could not possibly get any more attention or be any more on his fellow students’ radar, the beginning weeks of his relationship with Taris told him that he was sadly mistaken. He and Taris, Grey and Green, the freshman punk Horum Vir and the Junior green-eyed goddess…it seemed that people talked of nothing else, and for those first few weeks, that was probably true.

  Particularly vexing was Derek, who seemed to pop up everywhere that Monson went, undoubtedly with something malicious in mind. Lucky for Monson, Casey and Artorius were always with him, so he did not have to worry about someone beating him up.

  The two Harrisons were also acting strange. Neither girl came around much anymore or had much to say when they saw Monson in the halls or classes. They also stopped eating with him; not that they had ever eaten together a great deal, but the couple of times a week became never. It became very noticeable. The few occasions Monson did catch up with Cyann, she put on her poker face and only responded to him with the bare minimum required to be polite. It was incredibly frustrating, because ever since their encounter after the weight room incident a few months before, Monson Grey and Cyann Harrison had slowly become friends. He trusted her. He had been able to tell her things that he had not shared with anyone, even Casey and Artorius.

  She was the first to know that about my memory loss, Monson thought.

  Now they were like strangers; distant, indifferent strangers. Why was she acting this way? Could it be because of Damion? He heard through the school’s rumor factory that shortly after he asked Taris, Cyann had accepted Damion’s invitation to the dance. That little bit of gossip actually supplanted Taris and Monson for a brief period, but interest in the topic died out relatively quickly, as everyone had seemed to expect their eventual pairing. Time may have helped, but Taris certainly was not helping the situation at all with her flashy behavior. He was not sure what her deal was, but she dragged him all over the place, intending for him to acclimate to her friends and social life. It was a bit on the annoying side. He found that he had a sudden appreciation for show dogs.