by Blythe Reid
Even with senior year to look forward to, I wasn’t ready to be back in New York. France felt like a reprieve from all my problems. The second I stepped foot in New York, everything would change. These last few minutes in Paris were my final moments of relaxation. I would have stayed forever if I could.
“Aren’t you at least excited to get back to Delta Pi?” Adam asked.
“Of course,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to leave. Some of us actually enjoyed this vacation.”
“What does that mean?” Adam asked.
I snorted. “Just screwing with you. You really should’ve taken one of those blondes last night. God, they were amazing.”
“I’m sure,” Adam said, laughing. “But having both probably didn’t hurt.”
I grinned. “Not one bit. Perfect way to end this trip.”
“Do you ever think about having a real girlfriend?” Adam asked suddenly. “Like, actually settling down one day?”
“God no,” I scoffed. “Why on Earth would I do that?”
Adam shrugged. “I don’t know. For love?”
“Love is overrated,” I said with authority. “The only things women want me more for are my body or my money. I’m happy to share my body with them, but my money? No. It’s not worth it.”
“It could be worth it,” Adam argued. “If you found the right girl.”
“No such thing,” I said. “They’re all the same. Just gold-digging naggers.”
Adam laughed. “Damn, that’s harsh.”
“Maybe,” I said, “But it’s the truth.”
“I don’t think so, man,” Adam said. “Love is real. There’s someone out there for everyone, even you.”
“You sound like such a chick right now,” I groaned. “What the hell happened to you?”
He laughed. “Nothing. I’m just not you.”
“Clearly.”
We fell silent for a while, just waiting for the minutes to tick by. When I checked my watch, I saw that we had half an hour left. I groaned and leaned my head back against my seat. Adam handed me a magazine and I nodded gratefully. I wasn’t at all interested in reading, but it was better than staring at the ceiling.
I flipped open the cover and mindlessly turned the pages. Nothing caught my eye. I closed the magazine with frustration and glanced around. Adam was captivated by his magazine, and I didn’t want to bother him. Instead, I looked around the terminal, searching for a bar. When I found one, I half-rose from my seat until I heard a nervous voice coming from my right.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. I have a ticket. Why can’t I get on the flight?”
I glanced over to see a girl about my age standing at the ticket counter. She had her hands on the counter, and her green eyes were wide with fear. My eyes were instantly drawn to her long, red hair. It flowed down her back smoothly, and I found myself wishing I could run my fingers through it. Shaking my head, I got rid of those thoughts and focused on her conversation.
“We’re overbooked,” the gate attendant said. “I’m sorry, but there’s just no room on the flight. We have to bump someone and since yours was the last ticket purchased, it has to be you.”
The girl stared at the gate attendant in horror. I could tell she was at a total loss. She’d clearly never been in this situation before. Judging by the way she kept tapping her foot, she was incredibly nervous.
I didn’t know what compelled me to do it, but I was suddenly on my feet. The girl just looked so lost and helpless that I couldn’t resist. I hurried toward the counter and stepped up beside her. Smiling kindly at her, I turned my attention to the gate attendant.
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
“No sir,” the gate attendant said. “I’m just explaining our policy to this young lady. There’s no need to get involved.”
Her voice was firm, and her eyes were set. She didn’t want me to cause a scene in the middle of the airport, but I wasn’t happy about the situation. This beautiful girl was standing alone at the ticket counter, asking for help, and no one came to her rescue. So, I did.
“And what policy is that?” I asked. I kept my voice level, calm.
“Sir, we’ve overbooked the flight,” the attendant explained. “So, unfortunately, we have to bump someone. I’ve just informed this young lady that she’s been bumped.”
I nodded. “I see. Well, my friend and I actually bought an extra ticket because we like to have space on our flights, but if this woman needs the seat, it’s all hers.”
“You don’t have to do this,” the girl whispered to me. I glanced at her and smiled encouragingly. She smiled back, her cheeks blushing slightly.
“You have an extra ticket?” the attendant asked with a frown.
“I do,” I said. I pulled out my boarding passes and handed them to her.
She nodded. “I see. Well, that seems fine then.”
I smiled. “Perfect.”
The attendant typed something on her computer and then printed out a new boarding pass for the girl beside me. She handed it to her, and we turned away from the counter. I looked at the girl kindly and waited for her to speak. She was blushing brighter than ever and seemed to be at a loss for words. The sight was incredibly endearing.
“You really didn’t have to do that,” she said softly. “I mean, thank you, but it wasn’t necessary.”
“It’s not a problem,” I said. “That policy is total bullshit anyway. Why would they sell more tickets than they could accommodate? It doesn’t make sense, does it?”
She laughed. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”
“What’s your name?” I asked, stepping closer to her.
“I’m Scarlet,” she said.
I smiled. “Well Scarlet, I’m Lucien.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lucien.” She smiled and extended her hand to me. We shook hands, and then she looked down at her feet, nervous again.
I fought the urge to laugh at her discomfort. She was already embarrassed, and I didn’t want to make her feel even worse about herself. She looked so innocent standing there in the airport. With her dark red hair and emerald green eyes, she could have been a model, but she seemed completely unaware of her beauty. I could tell by the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other that she wasn’t used to this much attention from a man, especially not one as attractive as me.
“So,” I said. “What’s in New York?”
“What?” Scarlet frowned.
“Why are you going to New York?” I asked.
“Oh,” she said, laughing. “My grandmother lives there.”
“I see,” I said. “That’s great.”
“Are you from there?” Scarlet asked.
I nodded. “I am. I go to NYU.”
Scarlet nodded back and glanced around again. She seemed incapable of looking me in the eye for longer than a few seconds at a time. I had never met a woman who was so jittery around me.
I couldn’t tell if it was me or just the situation. It wouldn’t have surprised me if Scarlet admitted that this was her first ever flight. She seemed uncomfortable in her own skin, but there was something about her that intrigued me. She was innocent and sheltered, that was obvious, but there was an excitement hidden behind her eyes. It told me there was much more to her than I first thought.
“Thank you again,” Scarlet said suddenly. “I know I already said that, but I just, I’m really grateful for your help.”
I smiled. “Of course. It was my pleasure.”
Scarlet smiled back, and I led her over to where Adam was still sitting. I introduced them and motioned for Scarlet to join us. She would be sitting with us on the flight, so it only made sense for her to sit with us while we waited.
It wasn’t long before the gate attendant began boarding the plane. Adam, Scarlet, and I were the first three people on board. We all had first class tickets, and we were able to bypass all the coach passengers. I was glad. After sitting in the airport for two hours, I was more than ready to be on the
plane.
As we found our seats, Adam and I slipped easily into our row without a problem. Our carry-on bags were tucked safely overhead within seconds, but Scarlet seemed to be struggling. I’d given her the aisle seat, so she wouldn’t be stuck between Adam and I the whole flight, but she hadn’t sat down yet. Instead, she was standing in the aisle holding her bag above her head. She attempted to shove it in the overhead compartment, but it kept falling back down and hitting her in the head.
“Here,” I said, standing up. “Let me help you.”
“No, it’s okay,” Scarlet insisted. “I can do it.”
I watched for a few seconds while she tried and failed to put the bag away. Trying to keep the smile of amusement off my face, I took the bag from her gently.
“I’m taller,” I explained, “It’ll be easier for me.”
Scarlet smiled shyly and released the bag. Stepping to the side, she watched me stow her bag safely away. When I was done, I grinned and slid back into my seat. Scarlet was beat red when she sat down beside me. I fought the urge to laugh, yet again.
I wasn’t just amused by her, I was intrigued. Every time her cheeks flushed red, I found it incredibly alluring. She had no idea how gorgeous she really was, and I could tell from her nervous demeanor that she hadn’t traveled much in her life. This trip to New York was probably her first time leaving France. I was glad she was on my flight, if only so I could witness her experience firsthand.
I’d only just met Scarlet, and already, I wanted to know more about her. I was suddenly thrilled by the prospect of a long flight because it meant I would have time to talk to her. She was sitting beside me and wouldn’t have anywhere to go. As the rest of the passengers boarded the plane, I subtly watched Scarlet out of the corner of my eye. She was glancing around the plane, taking everything in with a vague smile on her face. Her green eyes were alive with energy, and her hands were shaking on her knees. At first, I thought she was nervous to fly, but I suddenly realized it wasn’t nerves that kept her moving. It was excitement.
6
Scarlet
My whole life, I’d always known I was innocent. Compared to other people my age, I knew very little about the world. My experiences were extremely limited. Sometimes, humiliatingly so.
Still, I’d never felt as helpless as I did on the flight from Paris to New York. If it wasn’t for Lucien, I wouldn’t have been let on the plane at all. I was being bumped when this handsome stranger stepped in to save the day. He shut down the gate attendant with an easy confidence. A few short minutes later, my problem was solved.
My head was still spinning after everything, and I wasn’t sure what to think. Lucien was tall and gorgeous with dark brown eyes and short black hair. His t-shirt showed off his muscular body and huge tattoo. My eyes were immediately drawn to the tattoo. It was amazing. I’d always wanted one, but I never had the guts to do it. My mother would have killed me if I ever even considered marking my body permanently. Just the thought of her wrath made my stomach churn uncomfortably.
Still, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Lucien’s arm. The tattoo was enough to keep me captivated, but his bicep didn’t hurt either. I did my best to look away, but I was drawn to him again and again.
When we boarded the plane, I was so distracted by his presence that I couldn’t get my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. Try as I might, I just couldn’t tuck it safely away. Each time I tried, it fell back down and knocked me on the head with a painful whack. I quickly became embarrassed, and when Lucien stood up to help me, I felt my cheeks flush red.
He took the bag from me easily and shoved it upward. When he moved, his body brushed against mine, and I inhaled sharply. He barely seemed to notice our contact, but it was all I could think about.
My head was instantly filled with his scent, and I felt light-headed and woozy. He smelled like lumber and testosterone. I couldn’t place where I’d smelled that smell before, but it reminded me of the woods, of being surrounded by trees and fresh air. I breathed in automatically, sucking in his scent one last time before he sat down.
I followed his lead, sliding into my seat and looking around the plane. Other passengers were boarding, and my excitement was growing. I was finally on the plane. In just a few minutes, we would take off and fly to New York! I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. That I’d really made it this far.
All the anxiety I’d felt in the airport suddenly left my body as I imagined what it would feel like to land in New York. For the hundredth time, I thought that my entire life was about to begin, and I couldn’t wait.
“So,” Lucien said beside me. “How long will you be in New York?”
“At least a year,” I said. “I’m going to help my grandmother, but I’m also finishing out my degree at NYU.”
“Oh, wow,” Lucien said sweetly. “That’s awesome. Adam and I go to school there, too.”
“Right, you mentioned that,” I said. “Do you like it?”
“It’s great,” Lucien said. “You’ll love it.”
“Well, I’m glad there will be at least one friendly face on campus,” I said. “Or two.”
I didn’t want to leave Adam out. He seemed nice enough, but my mind was completely occupied by Lucien. I’d barely noticed his friend until he introduced us in the airport. Then, I only paid attention long enough to learn his name.
Lucien smiled. “Definitely. We’ll be there to lend a hand if you need it. We’re actually in the Delta Pi fraternity, which is the most helpful frat on campus. All our members are great guys. You’ll have a lot of friends, if you need it.”
Lucien’s smile was sweet and kind. He had a way of putting me at ease without even trying. His comment about the fraternity would normally have set me on edge. If any other guy told me he was in a frat, I would have run in the opposite direction.
Even being a sheltered kid, I knew the reputation American fraternities had. They were notorious for recklessness and drunken behavior. I was eager to experience life, but I wasn’t exactly itching to partake in a frat party.
Still, I wasn’t worried at all. Lucien made Delta Pi sound like a family, not a fraternity. Everything about him made me feel relaxed and peaceful. It didn’t make sense, but I already trusted him. If my mother could have seen me, she would have lost her mind. This was her worst nightmare, but I trusted my gut. It told me Lucien was a nice guy. He was helpful and sweet, sincere and genuine. I was excited to get to know him better.
It didn’t hurt that he was unbelievably gorgeous. His tall, muscular body was a huge turn on. I’d checked out men before, but none as attractive as Lucien. Just looking at him made me blush. I couldn’t control my thoughts. When he spoke, I found myself watching his lips, wondering how soft they would feel against mine.
Lucien and I spent most of the flight lost in conversation. Adam joined us occasionally, but mostly, it was just Lucien and me. He told me all about his fraternity and how much he loved it. He was going to be president this year and he seemed so proud of himself.
His personality was infectious. I found myself laughing when he laughed, smiling when he smiled, and following every cue he gave. I felt completely swept away by him, but I wasn’t worried or afraid. If anything, I felt perfectly safe.
“Is your grandmother sick?” Lucien asked about halfway through the flight. I blinked at him and frowned, wondering why he would ask such a question. “You said you were going to New York to help your grandmother, so I just assumed. Is she ill?”
“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “She’s not sick or anything. She just lost her husband recently, and it’s been hard on her. She’s old and just doesn’t want to be alone anymore, you know? My mom wanted to come take care of her, but she couldn’t get away from work. So we decided that I’d fly out.”
“That’s really amazing of you,” Lucien said earnestly. “I don’t know any college girls who would give up their lives for their grandmother. You’re really kind, Scarlet.”
“It’
s nothing,” I said with a shake of my head. “To be honest, this is as much for me as it is for her.”
“How so?” Lucien asked.
I was suspicious of his intentions, but I told myself to relax. His eyes were focused on mine, and he stared at me deeply, waiting patiently for my answer. Part of me wanted to change the subject so I wouldn’t have to admit my deepest secret, but a bigger part told me to keep talking. There was something about Lucien I couldn’t resist. He was so sincere, so kind. I couldn’t stop talking to him.
“Well,” I began. “I’m happy to help my grandmother. I really am, but I’m also excited to start a new life. I’ve been sheltered all my life. My mother homeschooled me through high school, and even when I started college, I stayed at home with her. I’ve never lived away from her, not once in my entire life. So, as happy as I am to spend time with my grandmother, I’m just as happy to be away from my mom.”
“Wow,” Lucien said with wide eyes. “That sounds rough.”
“It was,” I admitted. “And it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong. My mom was always insanely strict, but she loves me. She wasn’t mean or cruel or anything. She just wanted to protect me. She means well.”
“I’m sure she does,” Lucien said. “Moms can be overprotective that way. I guess all parents can be.”
“Are yours?” I asked.
I hoped he would say yes, so that we would have something in common. So far, I felt like we were total opposites. He seemed worldly and experienced, where I was sheltered and innocent. Everything about him contradicted everything about me. I was desperate for some connection, something that could bond us together.
“Kind of,” he said with a shrug. “They aren’t super protective, but my father expects me to follow in his footsteps. After graduation, he wants me to join the family business and work for him.”
“Is that what you want?” I asked. We’d spent most of the flight talking about me. I was eager to hear about him and his life.