Shadow Heights

by E. N. Goeking

  My eyes drifted toward the back of the room, unconsciously being drawn to any form of darkness in the room. A tingle spread out from my heart after seeing Jaden sitting alone at a table, distancing himself from the crowd. Okay. This is a little weird. Why are we always running into each other like this? He was facing the other way but I knew it was him. I hadn't seen anyone else in town dress the way he did or share the long hair. He looked to be engaged in a novel, sipping coffee from an oversized mug.

  “Here you are,” the girl from behind the counter said. I looked over and thanked her for her service. I shoved my straw into the top of the cup and swirled it around within my hands to mix the syrup better. Before I could stop it, my legs were moving me toward him. I held the straw up to my mouth and took a long sip, enjoying each of its flavors. Mm. I absolutely loved vanilla, the smell and the taste.

  My eyes stayed focused on the mirage of black ahead of me while my body weaved between tables. The smell of him wafted into my nose the nearer I came to him and fear grabbed hold of me. What was I doing? This wasn't me; I didn't walk up to attractive guys whom I barely knew. What would I even say? I told my mind to shut up and I let my feet continue walking. I stopped a foot short of his table but he still hadn't noticed me, never looking up from the words inscribed on the page he was reading.

  “Is this seat taken?” I spoke quietly. I didn't want to disturb the others around me. It was almost like being in a library with all the silence. I figured a coffee shop would be noisy with all of its customers hyped up on caffeine but everything about this town was anti-stereotypical. I had to remind myself that this was a small town, not a city. People conducted themselves in a better manner. Cities bring out the evil in our kind.

  His face turned in my direction after I spoke and his expression revealed his pleasure to see me, filling me with joy. He held his hand out for me to join him. I pulled a chair out while he closed his book and sat it on the table, staring back at me with amusement.

  “I probably shouldn't have bothered you. You looked so interested in your book.” I looked down at the cover to inquire what it was but I hadn't heard of it.

  “Yeah, it's pretty decent for a new piece. I prefer the classics myself,” he said. I ran my fingers around the top of my cup, circling around the smooth plastic. “But you're not bothering me.” I looked up from my drink and met his eyes. “How are you?”

  “I'm good, and yourself?” He leaned back in his seat, resting his hand on the table.

  “I don't have any complaints, not now anyway.” He grinned, and I felt my body go to mush. We unlocked eyes as someone walked nearby and I bit the inside of my cheek while I wondered what to say. My mind went blank whenever he was around.

  This was stupid of me to do. I should never have walked over. I don't have enough courage to hold up respectfully in front of him.

  “Are you bored to death of this place already?” His question caused me to laugh out loud. I guess I wasn't the only one who thought this place was lacking stimulation.

  “It's not so bad but there's really nothing to do.”

  “I've lived here my whole life so I know exactly what you mean.” He ran his hand through his long hair. “But they like to keep it that way. Everyone's happy when there are no transgressions.”

  I narrowed my brow at his words. “What do you mean?”

  “Some incidents have happened here in the past. Things that all of the Heights’ citizens would like to forget. Things I would like to forget.”

  “Like what?” His pupils expanded in size before me and I wondered how he could do that with the light unchanged around us. He adjusted himself in the seat and looked away as two others walked by.

  “They're already forming opinions of you just by sitting with me.” I leaned across the table to hear him better.

  “I don't care what they think,” I replied. He scoffed, taking a drink of his coffee.

  “You will.” He glanced at me for one second and looked down at his book. He actually seemed to be nervous and I was glad to know it wasn't just me. But still, what did he have to be nervous about? “Did you and your father enjoy lunch? Did you go to Armando’s?”

  “Yes, we did and thanks for the recommendation. It was excellent.” He seemed pleased. “So, do you work with my dad?”

  “No, no. It’s nothing like that. He’s a brilliant accountant and is keeping track of my books for me.”

  “Oh.” I looked away and dug through my brain for a thought. “So, I hear you’re pretty involved with the city. You seem kind of young to do that, aren’t you?”

  “My family has always run things in town and now it’s my privileged duty to take care of it all,” he spoke sarcastically. “I’m sorry. It’s not a bad job, really, there’s just a lot to deal with. I guess you could say it's my responsibility as a Laenzar to know the ins and outs of this place.” I stared back at him in bafflement, slurping up my coffee through the straw. As a waitress walked by, he signaled for her to pour him another cup.

  “What do you plan on studying in school?” he asked, taking a drink and not bothering to blow on it for cooling.

  “I haven't decided yet.”

  “There has to be something you're leaning toward. What are your better subjects?”

  “I've always excelled in English and I enjoy history but what career can I have with those degrees?” I took a long sip from my drink.

  “You should do whatever you feel passionate about. It shouldn't matter how much money you make,” he replied.

  “Well, in this century it does. Everything depends on money and you can't get anywhere without it. In reality, though, money means nothing. It's just paper created by an industry built on lies. The entire system needs changed.” He raised an eyebrow and I was hoping I hadn't offended him. Politics were always a sticky subject.

  “You have strong opinions.”

  “I know,” I said in apologetic form.

  He held up his hand to stop me. “Don't apologize. It's good that you have passion about something. Why not study political science? There might be something in it for you.”

  My mind drifted away for a moment while I thought about his suggestion in some detail. I did feel passionately about it but I wasn't about to make a decision regarding it. It practically decided my chosen career path for life. Besides, politics are too deeply entwined with corruption now for anyone to make a real difference.

  “So, how old are you exactly?” he asked, interrupting my thought process and I was surprised by his random question.

  “Eighteen. I’ll be nineteen in a few months.”

  “That’s about what I figured,” He said without revealing any feeling about the matter.

  “Is that a problem?” I asked, a hint of worry in my tone.

  “No.” He glanced at me and smiled. “You seem more aware of the world around you than most girls your age.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Twenty four. Is that a problem?” he joked.

  “No.” He chuckled with my reply. My eyes scaled the wall next to us and I saw the time. I knew I needed to get home soon because Caylie wanted to borrow my car for the weekend. For a moment, I thought about being selfish and not showing up but I knew the amount of bullshit I would receive if I was late. I sighed and scooted my chair back.

  “Are you leaving?” he inquired, sitting upright in his chair.

  “Yeah, I’m supposed to be meeting my sister.” I grabbed my cup from the table.

  “I hope to see you again sometime.”

  “Me too. Bye Jaden.” He sat back down as I walked away, flipping open his book. That was a rather odd conversation, I thought after leaving, but I found him fascinating. I ran over his every word in my head, not wanting to forget a single part.

  Chapter Seven

  These brief random encounters with Jaden Laenzar had me longing for one that was longer than five minutes. The secrecy of his demeanor, his lingering words, and the charm of his guise were beginning to overtake me an
d I was finding it difficult to think about anything else. Even though I didn’t know anything about him except for his name, age, and the car he drove—his secretive nature enticed me and the soul pulsating behind those eyes was drawing me in.

  The radiance in his energy and intensity of his words were balanced by the softness of his graceful smile and endearing charm. I was growing addicted to the feelings he stirred inside of me and the way he felt with his touch the first time we met, the tingling sensation that was like tiny electric pulses in my hand. However, he was proving to be too much of a distraction and I needed to be focusing on more important things entering my life, college for example. Classes were starting in less than a week and I was growing weary over my first day. I didn’t know anyone else in town and it was a whole new experience for me. I did not regret my decision about going to a community college, though. It would make this difficult task a little easier.

  The sound of a phone ringing broke my train of thought and I ran over to my desk to answer it. I knew that all-too-familiar ringer. It was Greg. After conversing with him briefly, I found out he was on his way to Shadow Heights. This overjoyed me and I grew excited by the minutes that passed until his arrival but increasingly nervous that he would bring up his proposition about taking our relationship further.

  I was secretly hoping things were going well for him with Kelly because then I wouldn’t have to hurt him. I didn't want to be the one to break his heart. Greg was so fragile when it came to matters of the heart. I was clearly set on Jaden; my mind was made up even if nothing ever developed between us and I wasn't going to jeopardize that tiny fragment of a chance.

  I sat alone in the house, tapping my foot repetitively against the carpet while I peeked over my shoulder every time I heard a car drive by on the highway. Both of my parents were at work and Caylie was out with Trent, who really knew where. He came down a few nights ago and was sleeping on our couch downstairs. Ha! Yeah right. I knew that once my parents were snoring, Caylie went down there or he came to her room. I wasn’t stupid but obviously my parents were. They were so naïve but I guess they didn't grow up in my generation.

  I turned on the big screen in front of me and flipped through all of the stations. I must've scanned through the plethora of choices over four times without choosing anything but I wasn’t really paying attention to what was on. My stomach made a low growl so I headed into the kitchen to grab a snack. I looked through the refrigerator and had my hand on an apple when a car honked outside. A smile grew on my face as I bolted through the kitchen and I don’t even know if I shut the refrigerator door.

  I slowed down when I reached the front door. I took a deep breath and swung it open, almost too quickly as it bounced back against the wall. Oops. I studied the wall but there was no damage, good thing. I don't think my parents would've been too pleased. My focus changed to my friend. His white VW Jetta sat silently in our driveway, in perfect condition.

  He opened his car door and stepped out. He was wearing a white t-shirt and torn jeans that covered the tops of his shoes. His hair was a little longer on the one side, definitely punk. His entire image was opposite from Jaden’s on every level. Besides style of dress, Greg was a lot smaller than Jaden in both size and height; and their features were very distinctive as well. Greg was the best friend representative, the boy next door if you will. The kind of boy you take home to meet your parents and the only one they'd ever approve of whereas with Jaden, they’d bar their doors and windows if he ever showed up on their doorstep.

  I couldn’t help myself as I took off into a full run toward him. He closed his car door and walked around the side to meet me, elated by my apparent excitement. His warm smile gave me a great sense of peace and it felt like he was bringing part of the life that I had been missing since the move. He lifted me off the ground and shook me convulsively within his arms. I could smell his recognizable cologne and it brought a tidal wave of memories upon me. I had missed him.

  I kissed him quickly on the cheek as he set me on my toes. He looked surprised by my actions but pleased to have received my affection. His hair was still the brilliant shade of milk chocolate that I remembered and his hazel eyes lit up like a perfect sunrise.

  “I could get used to greetings like that,” he said with a grin, his eyes looking me over. “You look a little different.”

  “It must be the hair. I’ve been trying different things with it. Why, don’t you like it?”

  “No, I do. I can’t believe I let you walk out of my life and move here.” He put his arm around my shoulders and held me tight against his chest. “My Mina.”

  I pulled from him quickly. “Uh, not officially.”

  “I know but I still like to say it.”

  I hurried to change the subject. “I am so excited that you came up. I have been waiting around a long time for you to get here. So, what do you think?”

  He whistled. “It is colossal, man. How do you think your parents afforded such a place?” I shrugged my shoulders while he held his hand over his eyes to shelter them from the sun. “This driveway is awesome. I almost missed the turn when I passed by. This place is bigger than Jared’s, you know?” He was a rich friend of ours and both of his parents were doctors. He was completely spoiled and always got the best of everything; all he had to do was ask.

  “You think so?”

  “Definitely.”

  I reached over to grab his hand and pulled him toward the front door, “Let me give you the grand tour.” He towed along while I showed him every room in the house. He seemed to be impressed and was appreciative of the smaller things like me. He asked me about the third floor and I told him the door wouldn’t open but left out the details of noises and creaking floorboards.

  I saved my room for last and when we walked inside, he immediately made himself comfortable on my bed just like old times but I chose to distance myself. I sat in my computer chair and spun it around to face him.

  “Did you register for classes yet?” I asked, hoping to keep things light.

  “Yeah. I’m taking on a full load, six classes.” My eyes went wide; I wasn’t even taking six classes. “I need something to occupy my time and I was hoping to get more time off work. I’ve been practically living at the bar all month.” He stretched his body across my bed while letting out a yawn.

  “And that is different from any other time?”

  “Well, since you left I haven’t really done much else. I’ve made a lot in tips, which I used to come up here.”

  “You’re so sweet.” He sat up and peered over at me with desperation in his eyes. Trying to ignore his plea, I removed my line of sight from his and stared out the window at a family of birds that was building a nest in a nearby tree. I was afraid that any unconscionable sign of body language would give him the wrong idea. “What did you want to do while you’re here?”

  “I’m up for anything dude,” he replied.

  “Well, there really isn't much to do here. I've been so bored over the last few weeks. You want to go on a road cruise?”

  “Do you even have to ask?” He laughed. “Do you want to drive or do you want me to?”

  “I don’t want you to use up all of your gas.”

  “It’s all right. I can drive. I need to stop at the gas station to fill up and get a pack of smokes.” I stood up and walked over to him, pulling him up with my hands.

  “I've missed you,” he admitted.

  “I missed you too, Greg. Come on,” I requested. He took my hand and followed me downstairs. I hopped into his car and he quickly sped off down the driveway, testing out his new break pads near the end, sending us both careening toward the dashboard.

  He pulled up to the nearest gas station and got out to pump.

  “Can you get me a pack of smokes?” he asked, handing me a five through the window. “The usual?”

  “You know it.” I grabbed my ID and went inside. I bought a bottle of water and two packs of cigarettes, one for him and one for myself and hurried outside
. While I walked back to Greg's Volkswagen, a car drove up from behind that was blasting loud music, the double bass of the drums rattled the speakers and the guitars dueled with speed against the drums. I glanced over to see who it was and to my disbelief, I saw someone I wasn’t expecting—Jaden.

  My heart skipped a beat and I clammed up. Of course he would appear when I wasn't expecting it. He hadn’t noticed me yet and I was glad he was focused on other things because I didn’t want to have to explain who he was to Greg. He wasn’t by himself, though. I recognized the guy with him as Ryan, the one who was impatient at the lake. I quickened my pace and caught up to Greg who was done pumping and waiting for the receipt.

  I watched while Jaden stepped out of his car and strutted toward the entrance. I bit my bottom lip as he crossed my line of vision and wished that he didn’t look over.

  As soon as I repeated the thought, his eyes shifted toward me as if he heard someone call out his name. His blue eyes fell upon me and the effect of my pounding heart rose into my throat, nearly choking me upon impact. I could feel the panic building—cold sweats and all. I heard the low tapping of Greg’s cigarette pack as he slapped it against his hand and he wrapped his arm around my waist. Despite Greg’s invasion into this moment, our eyes stayed interlocked and I felt a sweltering heat enter my body, an energy that spread through my core all the way through the top of my head. Every pore of my body began to sweat and I quickly fanned myself with my hand. He acknowledged me with a low nod but appeared confused by my impersonal greeting.

  After his eyes departed from mine, I hurried to Greg's car with all of my nerves on edge, the feeling of electric buildup in my arms. My hands reached for the handle of his door and a wave of voltage flowed through my fingertips. In a quick jolt, my hand was flung back into my body and I screamed out in pain. Greg chuckled.

  “I heard that from over here,” he joked.

  “Don't laugh. It really hurts.” I shook my hand while I let my wound heal, wondering how I managed to build up such a charge.

  We drove into the country and took our time on the deserted gravel roads. He mentioned some of our old friends in Cherry Ridge and I was glad to hear how they were. He was planning on getting an apartment with Kyle, his best guy friend, right before school started. I knew he had to be excited about that even though his tone suggested otherwise. He had wanted to move out of the house for a while now and get away from the control of his family. I envied his freedom and wished I had the courage to go on my own.