Lumen Cove

by Dianne Frost

  “That’s not an answer, LoKey,” Reva said, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she jabbed her finger into his chest.

  “Oh my God, Reva I am not banging Kelsey,” Logan said as she stalked past him down the hall towards a door at the very end.

  “You better not be,” Reva glared at him and lowered her voice as they got closer to the group near the door. “Why won’t she tell me?” She frowned and for the first time he didn’t see curiosity in her eyes but hurt.

  “I dunno, Rev,” Logan said, throwing an arm around her shoulders and giving her a rough squeeze. “She’ll talk about it when she’s ready. You know Kels. Always playing it close to the vest.”

  Kelsey took a seat on one of the plastic chairs that were lined in a small half circle on three rows of built-in risers, eyeing Reva and Logan who were on their way over. Logan stopped, looking at the two of them contemplatively before grabbing Reva’s arm and pulling her to take a seat at the back row. Kelsey could hear her friend’s squawk of protest over the din of voices, waiting for Reva to plop down next to her any second but it never happened. She let out a slow sigh of relief and checked her phone again.

  “Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, settle down please. Settle. Settle!”

  Miss Gwualtney floated in with her usual fanfare, her flowing bohemian dress giving her the illusion that she was gliding on air. Reva had been trying to learn that particular grace since freshman year and could never quite get the knack. No one was sure how old Miss Gwualtney was exactly but she’d been teaching Etiquette at Lambency even when their parents had attended. Kelsey remembered Sully saying she was old even back then.

  “Today we will be starting our exploration of the Tango,” she gave a nimble hop, sashaying her arms gracefully and there was a titter of nervous giggles. “This class period is dedicated to an instructional video and we will be starting practical instruction tomorrow.”

  She pointed a remote above their heads at the projector which beamed a YouTube page onto the bare white wall opposite the chairs. She then glided over to the light switch and flicked it off, throwing the classroom into near darkness. Elliot hoisted himself off his chair, already on his way over to Miss Gwualtney’s computer and there was a few minutes of confusion before she finally let Elliot navigate and the video started.

  “You’d think she’d just let me do it after all these years,” Elliot muttered to Kelsey, retaking his seat next to her. Kelsey gave him a small smile, peeking at her phone again. Elliot eyed it for a moment before concentrating on the screen.

  Kelsey’s phone felt hot in her hand and her battery was nearly dead now. She wasn’t one of those types that carried her charger with her everywhere and fought for an outlet at lunch to get enough juice to finish out the day. She peeked again at her phone, this time looking at the time and felt her stomach do a little flip when she realized in less than an hour she would be in Alex’s classroom.

  She was caught somewhere between feeling ridiculous and giddy. Ever since they started… whatever this was… she had felt nervous thrills at the thought of seeing him again, a sense of urgency to get through other tasks that disinterested her. By the end of the day she was beginning to feel the itch to get back to Lumen Cove and into his condo where they didn’t have to pretend to be little more than strangers. However, today was the first time she’d felt derailed by it. She was beginning to annoy even herself with her inability to focus on what was in front of her, her mind bouncing away to what Alex was doing. Why hadn’t he texted her? Was he mad at her? All she did was bring him coffee this morning. She didn’t like this gnawing insecurity that had settled in her chest. It made no sense and had no evidence to support it but she felt as if she was on shaky ground with him all the same.

  “So…”

  Kelsey jumped, feeling warm breath on her ear as Elliot leaned closer to her, keeping his voice low so as not to catch Miss Gwualtney’s attention. Kelsey turned her head just slightly, her eyes trained on the screen in front of her but inclined her head a little more towards him to let him know she was listening.

  “So are you sneaking around with someone?” He asked. Kelsey rolled her eyes, cutting them over at him and Elliot bit his lip, looking concerned. Sweet Elliot, always keeping an eye out for her.

  Kelsey smiled at him and patted his knee. “No, Elliot. I’m not. I’m working on that space debris thing for Papert.”

  “Why wouldn’t you just tell Reva that?” Elliot asked, his brows drawing in confusion.

  “Mr. Braum I’m sure whatever you are saying to Miss Charming is of the utmost importance but please return your attention to the video.”

  Kelsey and Elliot leaned away from each other, both focusing hard on the screen and ignoring a few stray giggles from somewhere else in the dark. Elliot watched Miss Gwaultney from the corner of his eye for a few moments before leaning over to Kelsey again.

  “Why are you driving Reva crazy when you’re just doing research?” Elliot asked and he heard Kelsey emit a breathy laugh.

  “Because it’s fun,” Kelsey whispered back and Elliot felt a smile tug at his lips, “Also you know how she gets when I spend all my time holed up doing research. She tries to ‘rescue me’ and I end up behind. I hate to say it but it’s easier to lie.”

  Elliot cut his eyes at her, feeling a pang of doubt but shoving it away. What reason did Kelsey have to lie to them? “If you were seeing somebody you know it wouldn’t be a big deal right?” He whispered in her ear, his stomach curling nervously. Kelsey looked over at him blinking and then gave him a perturbed nod as if she were tired of hearing it. “So you’re definitely not?”

  “No, Elliot!” Kelsey hissed and those around them turned to look at them, Elliot held up a nervous hand, smiling tightly at everyone. Kelsey flopped back against her chair, crossing her arms and checking her messages again from underneath her bicep.

  “Hey have you thought about Cotillion?” Elliot asked finally, rubbing his hands together, watching as Kelsey pressed buttons covertly on her phone.

  “What about it?” she asked distracted.

  “Well, who are you going with for starters?” Elliot chuckle and Kelsey sighed, tucking her phone away again and leaning back in her chair, peeved. Whether at him or at her mystery contact Elliot didn’t know.

  “I don’t know,” Kelsey said with a shrug and then added, “Actually I’m probably not even going.”

  Elliot felt his chest tighten in panic. “Wh-what? Why not?”

  “Mr. Braum!” Miss Gwaultney called shrilly and Elliot winced sinking lower in his chair.

  “Why not?” he whispered again softly after a few moments.

  “Because your dad is supposed to give you away,” Kelsey whispered back. “You think I’m gonna get Sully to set foot in the Firefly much less get him into a tuxedo?” Kelsey cut her eyes at him and shook her head with a breathy laugh.

  “Well… what if you found someone else to do that part? Would you go then?” Elliot asked but Kelsey was peeking at her phone again.

  “Maybe,” Kelsey muttered, sighing as she looked back at the video on the wall.

  “Cool,” Elliot said, nodding his head and watching the video for a moment as well. He took a deep breath. “Maybe we could go together.”

  Kelsey shook her head. “Elliot you should find a date that you know for sure can go. You don’t have to stay available just because we’re partners.”

  “That’s not why,” Elliot said frustrated and he turned in his chair to lean close to her. “I want to take you Kelsey.”

  Kelsey looked over at him and jumped startled at his sudden closeness. There was an earnestness in his eyes and she jumped again when he took one of her hands in both of his. What the hell was he-?

  Her phone buzzed. She ripped her hand from his and grabbed it, tucking the screen under her arm to block the light and Elliot’s prying eyes.

  “Srry bout this morn See u in class. XOXO”

  Kelsey blinked confused.

  “Did you have a seizur
e?” She teased back and waited for a response but after a few moments that niggling insecurity surfaced again and she added. “U never use txt speak. Wuz worried u had aneurism.” She paused before tacking on “XOXO” and hit send.

  “Kels?” Elliot whispered and her leg jerked as he laid his hand on her thigh, pulling himself closer to her so he was sitting on the edge of his chair. “Can you just focus for a second this is kind of important.”

  “I’m sorry, what was it?” She asked, eying his hand and while she had known Elliot practically her whole life having him touch her like that was a little weird. Almost intimate. Alex. She shook her head, trying to focus on his face.

  “I really want-”

  He was cut off by the bell and he sat back as the lights flicked back on, the class all standing from their seats and gathering their things to exit. Elliot looked distraught, watching the chaos around him but he realized that Kelsey wasn’t moving. She’d stayed seated, her eyes focused on him, waiting for him to finish. He smiled turning fully towards her again.

  “I really want to take you to Cotillion,” he said, taking her hand in his again. “We’ve been friends a really long time and I think that Cotillion would be the perfect way to kind of…” he paused searching for the right word.

  “It’s really important to you huh?” Kelsey asked before he could finish and Elliot looked into her eyes, sighing in relief and squeezing her hand.

  “Yes,” he said emphatically. “Yes it is.”

  Kelsey sighed, eying him. “Okay lemme think about it. I have to figure out a way to get Sully on board.” She rolled her eyes as she stood, shouldering her bag.

  “Really?” Elliot said, staring at her dumb founded as she checked her messages again frowning. “Oh man. Oh Kels, this is great!” He exclaimed standing up and Kelsey let out a small huff as he pulled her to his chest awkwardly. “I’m gonna get you the best corsage. What flower do you want?”

  “Elliot it’s like two months away there will be time,” Kelsey said with a laugh, patting him on the shoulder. “Come on we’re gonna be late for English.”

  They shuffled out of the classroom and down the hall back to the stairs that led to the main level. Reva and Logan were waiting for them, Reva grabbing Kelsey’s arm to let some of the passing crowd separate them from the boys.

  “Did Elliot ask you to Cotillion?” Reva asked and Kelsey blinked at her.

  “Yeah he did actually,” Kelsey said with a small laugh. “How did you know?” Reva stared at her blankly. “What?”

  “Nothing,” Reva said rubbing her forehead. “Did you say yes?”

  “I told him I’d have to see if I could get Sully to agree to go,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes as she hoisted her bag higher on her shoulder, butterflies letting loose in her stomach when she saw Alex’s classroom door come into view.

  “But if you can you’re gonna go with him,” Reva asked, placing a hand on Kelsey’s arm and they stopped in the middle of the hall, bodies jostling them in their attempt to get by.

  “Yeah. Sure. I guess,” Kelsey said then bit her lip. Would Alex mind her going to Cotillion with another guy? “Who are you going with?”

  Reva shrugged, linking her arm through Kelsey’s and heading towards the classroom door at a leisurely pace, annoying all those around them. “I haven’t decided,” she said with a sigh and Kelsey laughed.

  “So many boys so little time?” She asked as Reva released her to step through the door first.

  “You know it,” she said winking over her shoulder but Kelsey had stopped dead in the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the dark haired man standing behind the desk, shuffling papers around importantly.

  “Hey Mr. Danvers,” Reva said smirking at him.

  That was definitely not Mr. Danvers. Or at least not the one Reva thought he was.

  He looked up bewildered by her tone and when he saw her sultry stare he actually licked his lips and smirked back. Reva gave Kelsey a covert wide eyed look as she spun away from him to take her seat. Kelsey jumped as the bell rang, looking out at the hallway just as Cody Alger tripped in, kicking the doorstop and the door swung slowly closed behind him.

  “Miss Charming?”

  She jumped, turning and Drew smirked at her

  “Would you please take your seat?”

  Kelsey took slow steps towards her desk, her eyes on him the entire time. “Mr. Danvers,” she said lowly and Drew grinned at her. “What…where… um…”

  “Please.” Drew said, his tone mock serious. “Take your seat.”

  Kelsey swallowed hard, taking slow steps over to her desk, pulling her bag over her head before lowering herself onto the chair. Reva leaned over.

  “Do you think he got laid last night?”

  Kelsey inhaled sharply, choking on her own spit which started a coughing fit. Reva looked at her alarmed.

  “Are you alright, Miss Charming?” Drew asked, his eyes playful and Kelsey managed to get ahold of herself, struggling to swallow.

  “Yes, thank you,” she said, clearing her throat.

  “Sir,” Drew corrected and there was a tittering of giggles from the rest of the class.

  Kelsey gritted her teeth. “Thank you, sir.”

  Drew grinned to himself and Reva let out a low breath. “Look at that smile. He definitely got laid last night.”

  “Okay, class!” Drew exclaimed walking out from behind the desk and surveying the classroom with glee before seeming to remember how solemn his brother was and he painted a stern look on his face. “Young minds… just ready to be… impregnated by learning.” Drew’s eyes fell on Reva who raised her eyebrows at him, her mouth popping open in shock. Kelsey sunk in her seat and covered her eyes with her hand.

  “You know what,” Drew said, leaning on the front of the desk and looking thoughtful. “I just feel like I don’t know you guys very well.” He sighed and looked around at the astonished faces of the class before zeroing in on Kelsey. “Miss Charming, tell me something interesting about yourself.”

  Kelsey lowered her hand slowly and gaped at him. Reva elbowed her hard and Kelsey could tell she was fighting giggles.

  “Oh I dunno Mr. Danvers, you know plenty about me. Why not Cody?”

  The entire class turned and looked at Cody Alger who was squinting up at Mr. Danvers with a dazed and confused expression, smacking his lips and occasionally rubbing at his bloodshot eyes.

  “Cody has a really great theory about aliens,” Kelsey said and the entire class groaned but Cody lit up.

  “Kelsey!” Reva said, hitting her arm, “Why would you do that to us?”

  “I am not listening to him talk about aliens for an hour and a half,” Brittany Evans groused.

  “Dude, okay, so, like everybody knows aliens built the pyramids. But did you know that aliens were behind Woodstock?”

  Drew squinted at Cody before crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head in concession. “Astute perception there, Mr….” Drew looked at the roster on the desk, “Alger. But, have you ever considered the possibility that electricity is alien magic and the hum from florescent lighting is them broadcasting their agenda into our receptive minds without our knowing it?”

  Cody’s eyes widened and his mouth popped open, turning his bloodshot eyes to the lights above him, muttering a soft, “Whoa,” and falling silent.

  Reva blinked at him and then back at Drew. “Wow, nice one Mr. Danvers.”

  “I like to adjust my teaching methods to fit every learning style, Miss…?”

  Reva snorted. “Sarno.” Reva leaned over to Kelsey. “What is with him today?” she muttered and Kelsey didn’t respond.

  “Ah yes, forgive me,” he tapped his temple and leveled his eyes on Kelsey. “Haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”

  Kelsey sat stock still, her face blank but her mind had started to race, finally unjamming from the initial shock. Where was Alex? She looked at Drew critically as he fished his phone out of his pocket and noted that he was definitely w
earing Alex’s clothes, except for dirty motorcycle boots on his feet.

  “Miss Charming?” He said again and Kelsey felt her ears burn hot. “Please, something about yourself?”

  “Um… I…” Kelsey stopped, her eyes riveted to the phone in his hands. There was a gray splotch of paint on the corner of the case from where he’d dripped on it while painting his rental - Alex’s rental. This is Drew. “Is that your phone,” Kelsey blurted and Drew grinned at her, looking down at it and scrolling.

  “Of course Miss Charming. Why would I have someone else phone?”

  “Erm…”

  “Come now,” Drew said stuffily in what he must have thought was a good impression of his brother. “Something. Fun. About. You.” He said punctuating each word with a tap to the desk.

  “Why do want to know so much about Kelsey?” Elliot grumbled and Kelsey and Reva both turned to look at him astonished. “You spend every afternoon with her.”

  Drew’s eyes lit up and Kelsey whipped back around finding him grinning at her lasciviously. She tried shaking her head as imperceptibly as possible but it only caused Drew to grin wider.

  “I do, don’t I?” Drew said, crossing his arms over his chest and sighing, smirking at Kelsey. “Why is that Miss Charming? Does your mind not get impregnated enough in my class you need it after hours too?”

  Kelsey opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the classroom door flying open, banging loudly as it hit the chalkboard behind it and cracking the slate. Alex stood there panting, sweat pouring down his face, his cardigan falling off one shoulder and the white button-down underneath, along with his trousers, were covered in chalky white dust. The entire class was silent, looking from Alex to Drew and back again, stunned.

  “Whooooooooaaaaaaaa.”

  Cody Alger was leaning so far forward in his desk Kelsey feared he was going to tip it over, his eyes squinting from Alex to Drew with disbelief. “Are… are you guys seeing this? Because… because….”

  “Good Lord,” Reva muttered beside her and Kelsey looked at her friend who was staring open mouthed at Drew. “There’s… there’s two of them.”