by G. Bailey
“Are you going to explain any of that?” I ask Landon, who scuffles his feet and gives me a guilty look.
“No…but can we go and get lunch?” he replies, trying to change the subject, but I can’t forget what I just saw. Her swirls that appeared almost look like mine on my forehead and arms. Maybe they know what they are and why only I can see them?
“What is going on? I swear Iris just glowed—” I start off, but Landon steps closer, shaking his head.
“I can’t tell you anything, only Maxx can…and if you ask too many questions, then we can’t be friends,” he says. “I really think we could be good friends, and I don’t have many of those. I promise you’re safe with me, but everyone has secrets.”
“I have a million questions,” I say and sigh. “But I think we could be good friends, and I have a feeling I might need one in this crazy school.”
“Ask Maxx those questions…just not when Iris is around,” he says, grinning and stepping closer. He pulls me into a hug and lets me go before nodding his head in the direction Maxx and the others went.
“Are they dating?” I ask.
“No…but in Iris’s mind, they will one day, and Maxx doesn’t exactly dissuade her from the idea,” he explains.
“What guy is going to stop a bombshell blonde from hitting on him?” I say with a laugh. Though I have to admit I’m happy they aren’t dating. I don’t know why it makes me happy, but it does.
“It’s complicated,” Landon says. “Now let’s get some lunch.”
Chapter Seven
I finish throwing my pencil case and things back into my bag before putting it on my back and leaving the art room. The art class was pretty laid back, just a painting of a bowl of fruit and some sketches of figures to start the year off. I walk down the corridor and find my way outside where students are getting into their cars and thankfully it has stopped raining. I walk through the parking lot and down the road to the bus stop where there is a man with his hood up, hiding his face, and two other students sitting on the bench waiting. I walk over and sit in the only empty space, right in between them. I shiver when I feel a wave of coldness spread over me, even though it’s not a cold day. It’s actually pretty warm, and I have a blazer on anyway. I slowly realize the cold feeling is coming more from my left side, and I turn my head to see the hooded man watching me. I jump back, but the man doesn’t move. I can’t see most of his face other than his shaved chin, and bright grey looking eyes, which is a little creepy as he continues to stare at me. I’m sure they are contacts or something.
“Ura!” I hear my name shouted, and I look away from the man to see Landon getting out the car and waving me over. I get up, looking back to find the man who is no longer there. I search around and see him nowhere. How could he just disappear? I wrap my arms around myself as I jog over to Landon and try to forget the creepy, disappearing man.
“Want a lift?” Landon asks, and I look in the car to see Maxx is driving, but the back seats are empty.
“I don’t know…the bus will be here soon,” I mumble. After earlier, I don’t think me being around Maxx is the best idea. I have a feeling Iris would lose what little sanity she has left if she sees me as any more of a threat.
“Pfft, what’s the point in you catching the bus when we are going that way?” Landon asks, and I shake my head, knowing he isn’t going to let this go. I open the backdoor, sliding my bag off and getting in. I close the door and then do my seatbelt up as Landon does the same.
“Thanks, Maxx,” I say, meeting his gaze in the rear view mirror.
“Don’t mention it, Freckles,” he replies and drives off before I can respond to his nickname for me, which only reminds me of the accident and the glowing marks. I’m having trouble not believing this is all related somehow, but I just can’t figure out the ‘how’. I’m also having trouble understanding Maxx’s hot and cold routine. One minute, the guy seems to hate me, and the next, he is checking on me when he heard I was hurt and being nice. Overall, this is one confusing day, and I think I need a lie down.
“We are having a party on Saturday, if you want to come over,” Landon says. “The students are a little more relaxed when there is booze and music.”
“Parties aren’t really my thing,” I reply. I would prefer to have my headphones in, sat on the sofa and reading a book. Which my dad says is odd for my age, but nothing beats a good book…and a bag of popcorn.
“Well, the offer is there,” Landon says, grinning at me. “You never know, you might have fun.”
“She said she doesn’t want to go. Freckles hardly seems like the crazy party girl type,” Maxx states, and somehow his statement feels like a carefully hidden insult.
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to go,” I correct him, and his blue eyes meet mine through the mirror.
“You shouldn’t come, you won’t fit in or make friends. So, what’s the point?” he says, and Landon whacks his arm. The asshole is back, and whatever nice attitude he had is clearly gone.
“You’re such an ass,” I bite out and look away from him. How does this guy manage to annoy me so much in such a short time? I briefly catch Landon’s gaze in the mirror and wonder why he is smiling, but I know it’s not the time to ask. The rest of the ride is silent, and Maxx pulls the car into his driveway. I grab my bag and quickly get out the car.
“Thanks for the lift,” I tell Landon.
“We will drive you home from now on,” Maxx states.
“No thanks. I think I’d rather walk than sit in a car with an asshole like you,” I say and turn around before he can reply. I jump when Maxx is suddenly somehow in front of me, but I have no clue how he got there so quick.
“You will let me drive you home. The bus isn’t exactly safe,” he growls out.
“Seriously? No. We aren’t friends, and you are a dick to me. You don’t get to tell me what to do,” I growl out and walk around him.
“Ura, he doesn’t mean—”
“Sorry, Landon, but your brother needs to know I’m not his to boss around,” I say, and Maxx crosses his arms, not looking impressed. “Also, if you are still pretending you’re normal…normal people don’t move that fast or appear out of nowhere.” I roll my eyes at his shocked, unamused face and walk back to my house. I know there is something up with my neighbors, but I just haven’t figured out what yet.
Chapter Eight
“Hey, how was school?” Dad asks as he comes into the house and rests a bag down on the floor after closing the door. I turn my Kindle off and smile over at him. His work uniform is covered in oil patches, and he looks exhausted. I hate that he has to work every day from morning until night, just so we can afford to live.
“Good,” I lie, because there is no way I’m explaining all the weirdness of today. My dad would freak and most likely find me another therapist somehow. I get up and follow dad into the kitchen, opening the microwave and handing him the plate of lasagna I made.
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to cook,” he says, and I shrug. Dad isn’t—and has never been—a good cook. That was always mum. When she left, I learnt how to cook because living on take-out food or whatever burnt or undercooked food dad attempted to make got old really quickly. “I brought us home some cakes from the shop in town,” dad explains and puts the white box on top of the kitchen counter. I get the bowl of salad out of the fridge and leave it next to him as he sits down on the stool and starts to eat before opening the box. There are five cakes, all smothered in icing with little decorations on top of them. They are super cute and look yummy.
“Was the bus okay?” dad asks as I pick up the pink iced cake and move to sit on the stool next to him to eat it.
“I didn’t get the bus in the end, the neighbors offered me a lift home,” I explain, and dad seems to think over it for a while as he eats.
“The boys from across the street?” he asks. “The ones that seem to have no parents around?”
“Yep, Landon and Maxx. Landon showed me around today and made s
ure I didn’t get lost. Landon said his mum works out of town but comes back once a month,” I say. “They are nice and friendly, you don’t need to worry.”
“I’m not worried. I’m happy to see you socializing, even if I wish it was with girls instead of teenage boys,” he grumbles and sighs. “Well, you should take over two of the cakes as a thank you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I mutter.
“They are clearly helping you settle in, and you should thank them,” he states, and I know from his tone alone he isn’t going to let this one drop. I finish off my cupcake before answering him.
“Fine,” I mutter, sliding off my chair and chucking the cupcake wrapper in the bin. I get a plate out of the cupboard and pick out the two blue frosted cupcakes for the guys. “Be right back then.”
“Be nice,” dad warns me. “We need this move to work out, and arguing with the neighbors won’t help it.”
“It’s not me being nice you have to worry about,” I mutter, but one look at my dad’s exhausted face, and I sigh. “You have nothing to worry about. Landon is my friend already, and I’m sure Maxx will like the cake.”
“Alright. Also, you will tell me if you plan to date one of these guys, right? I want to meet him if you do. I know your mother isn’t around, and I need to make sure you understand everything—”
“If this is the sex talk, please don’t. The internet is here these days, and I’m seventeen, not thirteen,” I say, my eyes widening in fake horror, making him laugh.
“Well, you know to be safe then?” he blurts out, practically choking on the words.
“I’m going,” I mutter, practically running out the door and hearing my dad’s laugh right behind me. I have a feeling he did that just to make me leave and take the damn cakes over. I walk across the street and up the steps to the guys’ house, balancing the plate with cupcakes in my one hand as I press the doorbell. A few moments later, the door swings open and Landon grins down at me.
“Ura! What’s up?” Landon asks and spots the cupcakes before I can say anything. “You have food, get in here, girl.” I laugh as Landon steps aside and lets me into their house. The hallway is like mine, only newly painted a cream color. I can see the modern black-countered kitchen on the right, and the door to the lounge is shut closed.
“My dad wanted to thank you for giving me a lift home, and for looking after me today,” I say, feeling awkward.
“Well, that’s cool of him, and food is always welcome. Especially the little bakery cakes,” he says and picks up a cupcake. “These cupcakes should be illegal with how addictive they are.”
“What is she doing here?” Maxx’s cold voice snaps from the top of the stairs, and I look up to see him walking down, his arms crossed over his bare, sweaty chest. He must have been working out, and I have to force my mouth to close before I start drooling.
“Ura bought us cakes from her dad,” Landon says, and Maxx narrows his eyes at the cupcake as he walks straight up to me. He leans down, so we are so very close, and a warm feeling flies across my body.
“You are not welcome here, and I do not like you. Get out,” he says, his voice cold and lacking any emotion. Before I’ve even thought about it, I have picked up the cupcake and slammed it into his good-looking face. I’m in shock I did it for only a second, but something about Maxx just annoys me, and I know he deserved it.
“Let’s make something clear, I don’t like you either, but I like Landon, so I will be coming over when I want to,” I say and turn around, pulling the door open as I look back at Maxx’s frosting-covered, angry face. “Enjoy the cupcake, asshole.” The said cupcake slams on to the floor as Landon laughs loudly, and I walk out their house to go home.
Maxx Faraway is never telling me what to do.
Chapter Nine
“What are you doing here?” Maxx demands, making me jump as I step out of the swimming bath changing rooms. I swear he likes to hide behind doors and make me jump. The asshole. I nearly choke on air when I take in his tight swim shorts, how they showcase way too much of him and how it all looks way too good. I run my eyes up his flat stomach, the six pack which is nearly perfect and then up to his rock-hard looking chest. I have to physically shake myself out of it when I hear Maxx’s chuckle, and I meet his eyes, seeing how me drooling over him is clearly amusing. I ignore the asshole and walk over to the eight people standing with the coach in their swimsuits. I tug at my tight pink costume that has gaps in the side that show off my ribs.
“Freckles, it’s rude to ignore me,” Maxx states, catching up to my side and still sounding amused. “Though for a stalker, you kinda suck at it.”
“Did the cupcake I threw at you not get the message across of how much I’m not your fan?” I dryly ask as we get closer to the group. “Let alone stalking you.”
“You like me, I know it, but I’m curious why you are in my swim meet? There is a waiting list to get in,” Maxx tells me just as we get to the group, and they part out of the way, most of the guys scanning me curiously.
“Everyone, I would like you to meet your new team member, Aura Scott!” the female coach says. She looks like she stepped straight out of Baywatch, with her bleached blonde hair, tight red swimming costume and flawless body. The group all mumbles hellos, well, except for Maxx who is staring at me as I try to ignore him.
“Hello, everyone,” I say back, feeling awkward.
“Aura has won three trophies for her class and countless swim meets. We have needed a new member for a while, and I know Aura is the best choice,” she tells people, and I feel my cheeks burning red as they stare.
“Impressive,” Maxx whispers, making the one word seem seductive somehow. My cheeks burn even redder. “You’re cute with red cheeks.”
“Ah, Maxx, why don’t you start off our usual five lap warm ups?” the coach says, and Maxx smirks at my scowl as he walks to the end of the pool. I watch as he lifts his muscular arms above his head, and I can’t take my eyes off him as he jumps into the water. I hear the click of the coach’s timer as he swims quickly back and forth down the pool until he gets back from his fifth lap. The coach clicks the timer off and jots the time down on a notepad.
“Aura, you can go next. We race like this for a warm up every time, and the winner with the fastest time gets to leave without cleaning the equipment,” she explains to me as Maxx pulls himself out of the pool. Somehow, he looks even more attractive dripping wet. I walk past Maxx who wipes his wet fringe away from his eyes and sets them on me.
“Good luck, Freckles. I haven’t been beaten before,” he says, his overly confident voice pissing me off. I roll my eyes at him and step to the edge of the pool, raising my hands up in the air and making myself forget Maxx so I can relax. I jump and dive into the pool, closing my eyes as the warm water slams against me. I quickly swim though the water, using the breast stroke to go as fast as I can and turning my head with each stroke to take a breath. I get to the other end of the pool and swim down, flipping over and using my feet to propel me off the wall to go back. I do this until I get to five times and swim as fast as I can back to the end. I gasp, breathless as I pull myself out of the pool, and the group claps.
“Impressive, Aura. I can see your old coach wasn’t wrong about you,” the coach comments, and I smile at her. I move to stand near Maxx as the coach calls another student to swim, and I awkwardly mess with my swimming cap to make sure it hasn’t come loose. Chlorine and hair are never a good mix.
“How long have you been swimming?” Maxx suddenly asks me.
“About four years,” I reply.
“What made you start? You seem like you’ve been swimming for your entire life,” he asks, and I don’t know why I tell him the truthful, personal answer that escapes my lips almost automatically.
“The day my mother walked out the house and didn’t come back, I was at my first swimming lesson. When I came home, and my dad told me, well, I ran back to the pool and kept swimming. I like to swim because it gives me time to
process my thoughts and feelings,” I say, glancing up at him to see him staring at me strangely.
“I use swimming for a similar reason. When you’re in the water, everything seems so simple and peaceful, doesn’t it?” he muses.
“Yes,” I answer, surprised to see us agreeing on something.
“Did your mother ever come back?” he asks quietly.
“No,” I answer.
“Then like that movie about the fish, you better just keep swimming, Freckles,” he says, and I laugh, not expecting him to have said that, and he laughs with me which is even more surprising. He has one of those deep, dark, sexy chuckles that sends shivers through you. I have zero experience with boys, but I know there is no one that looks or has a sexy laugh like him in London.
“My name is Aura, or Ura if you like me. Not Freckles. Why do you even call me that anyway?” I ask, and he steps a little closer, and I half expect him to touch me, but he doesn’t as he whispers.
“The thing I noticed first about you is your cute freckles. They suit you.”
“Was that a compliment?” I ask in shock, and something in my words makes him straighten up, like he snapped out of a trance, and storm away from me as I frown at his tensed up back. What did I say?
Chapter Ten
“You beat Maxx’s best time at swimming?” Landon asks me, swinging an arm around my shoulder as we walk down the corridor to the parking lot. The bus to school this morning wasn’t too bad, and the day went more quickly than I thought it would. Well, a lot quicker than the first day anyway. I pause when I spot Maxx and Iris standing by the lockers, facing each other. Iris has her whole body pressed up against Maxx’s as he leans on the locker, and he laughs loudly as he moves some hair off her shoulder. I shake off the empty, cold feeling that takes over me and force myself to keep walking, even if I feel like being sick.