by Emma Taylor
“Huh?”
“Were you just talking to Lucas Smith?” Grace emerged from behind me.
“Yeah, that was weird. He introduced himself, oh, he pinched me on the arse first, bought me a drink and just left, like he was in a hurry.”
Grace looped her arm through mine as we made our way to a table near the band.
“Ohhh.” I threw my head back and laughed. The microphone crackled as it was turned on. Lucas cleared his throat. “Hi everyone. We trust you’ll enjoy yourselves tonight. Welcome back to all the locals and a warm welcome to the new ones.” Lucas winked at me as he bellowed into the microphone.
“Of course he was in a hurry.”
“Mmmhhm, they’re already ten minutes late.” Grace confirmed.
I probably couldn’t have found a better person to know in this town. Grace was a personal people network. She knew everyone and everyone knew her.
“It comes with the territory when you grow up in the same small town and work in the local pub. It’s great to know all the people that live here, but it’s not always great to know all their dirty laundry either. I try to tune out when the drunks think I’m their free shrink, but they just go on and on sometimes.” She rolled her eyes as she recalled last weeks ‘session’ with, unfortunately the school headmaster.
“I guess some people never learn from their mistakes, though.” Her eyes gazed over to a table of suits drinking wine. A balding man in his late fifties raised his glass in Grace’s direction.
“Oh please, the sooner you admit to being a womaniser, the sooner the rest of the town can stop talking behind you back.” Grace hissed and chuckled at the same time.
“I’m getting too old for this crap. See headmaster Harrington’s at it again.” An older waitress said to Grace as she was beckoned over to the teacher’s table. Grace smiled sympathetically, just pleased it wasn’t her tonight.
“So Lucas was flirting with you?” One of Grace’s friends asked me. I think her name was Megs or Meags.
“Yeah, a little I guess.” I blushed.
“A little? Didn’t he grab your arse?” Andrea, another of Grace’s friends stated, quite loudly.
“Pinch. Not grab.” I corrected.
“Still, he never shows any of us attention like that. Grace has a huge crush on him and he is completely oblivious to it.”
“It was mistaken identity though,” Megs defended.
“Well, I’ll be whoever he wants me to be if it means he’ll grab my arse!” Andrea roared with laughter.
Pinch. I say in my head. Pinch, pinch, pinch!
“Shut up Rea. It was a pinch, anyway.” Grace scolded as she returned from the ladies room.
“Heads up girls, I just saw Reed Harper. Bets on he heads straight for Jayde.”
“Ah.” It was too late. There he was, in all his glory. Except he looked better than I could remember. Without white, paint splattered overalls, I could really make out his fit, masculine body. My heart beat faster as I realised our eyes were on each other and indeed he was on his way over to me.
Reed was swamped by four or five mates and a group of girls following behind. Closely, but not actually close enough to belong to his entourage. He brushed past Grace, Andrea, Megs and Rachel, another of Grace’s friends, the prettiest and quietest one and made a bee line directly for me.
“Jayde. It’s nice to see you out. I missed being at the house today, I didn’t get to see you. Looks like you’re settling in ok.” His gaze didn’t leave my face. It made me feel a little awkward. And special.
“Yeah, I met Grace at the beach today and she’s introduced me around.” I looked at the faces of the four girls sitting with me. Still, he didn’t break his gaze.
“Beach?” He raised his eyebrows.
“The Queensland girl went to a Tasmanian beach on the rainiest, shittiest day ever?”
We both laughed. My new found friends did not find humour in our conversation, though.
“Well, hope to catch up with you later.” Reed must have sensed his out welcomed stay and headed for the bar.
“You already know him? Man that guy works fast.” Andrea spat.
“He’s been painting our house.”
“Stay away from him, Jayde. He only wants one thing.” Grace didn’t hesitate to sugar coat her scorn. “He slept with me, broke my heart.”
“And me. He’s bad news.” Andrea nodded matter-of-fact.
I felt my body deflate like a let down balloon. He seemed so genuine.
“Reed’s not that bad,” Rachel said quietly after the other three girls had departed for the dance floor. “You shouldn’t listen to them.”
“He’s been really nice to me. I’m not very experienced with guys, that was always much easier for—He just seemed like a good guy.” I said.
“He did break Grace’s heart. But in his defence, it wasn’t a one night stand and he broke up with her when he had a lot of personal things going on.”
I looked over to the bar where Reed was standing with his mates. They were all laughing, but Reed seemed distant. Deep in thought.
“And Andrea, well, she’s a wild one and would’ve used him just as much as he used her.” Rachel giggled as she, spoke, motioning toward Andrea on the dance floor. She was gyrating behind Headmaster Harrington with no care and no class. But none the less, it was kind of funny.
“You wanna dance?” Reed came from behind and whispered into my ear. It sent shivers down my spine.
“Oww, slow song? Bit soppy don’t you think?”
“Would you rather a trashy act like your new friend has just put on for us?”
“That’s a bit harsh isn’t it?” I bit back.
“I don’t know, perhaps ask Mr. Harrington how he feels about people laughing and talking behind his back.”
Guilty. I felt awful.
“Ashamed into coersion.” I bowed my head and held out my hand.
“My evil plan has worked.” He smiled wryly.
I received a few disapproving looks, well actually only from Andrea. Grace shot me a ‘I have warned you’ look and Megs actually had an encouraging look. She was a bigger girl, with a baby face and short dark hair and the longest, black eyelashes I’ve ever seen. Reed pulled me into his body. Oh! He smelt awesome. It was a mixture of wood and sea salt with a sweet note of licorice. Hmm…
“You’re apprehensive, Jayde.” Statement, not question. Silence.
“Aah, you’ve been getting the heartbreaker story.” He seemed unfazed by the teenage town gossip.
“Look Jayde. I find you intriguing. You’re different from the girls here. Well at least I thought you were. I hadn’t picked you to listen to small town mindless talk. Make up your own mind. Get to know me. I’d like to get to know you better. If you decide you hate me like your friends do, well so be it.”
“Oh Grace doesn’t hate you.” I began.
“She wasn’t exactly singing my praises, though. It’s ok. We had a relationship, she’s a sweet thing. I probably didn’t deal with things the best way and we parted on bad terms. It was my fault, but it was just really bad timing for us.”
“Why are you telling me about all of this?” I pulled back from Reed.
“Small towns are hard on people sometimes. Just make your own judgement Jayde, based on your own experiences.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’m quite capable of making my own opinions and decisions.”
Liar! Growing up and even up until Haylie’s death, I could never make up my own mind. Whatever Haylie wants. I would say. Chocolate or strawberry? Whatever Haylie’s having. Pool or the beach? Whatever Haylie wants to do. It drove everyone who knew us insane. Even me sometimes. But it never worried Haylie. She told me I would grow out of it one day. I guess that day was forced on me the day Haylie chose to jump to her death.
“What do you decide, Jayde?” I love the way Reed says my name.
“Right now, I’m off to get a drink and rest my poor feet.”
With that, I turned on my
(sore) heels and left Reed Harper standing by himself in the middle of the dance floor. The groupie girls all waited, panting on the sidelines for a sideways glance or a silent invitation from him, but it never came. Reed watched me and only me.
It wasn’t long before the publican had called last drinks and the boys from the band had started packing up their gear. Lucas strolled over to where Grace and I were standing.
“Hi Grace, hi Jayde.”
“Oh hi, um, Lucas. Hey, great set tonight.” Grace beamed.
“Thanks, glad you had a good time. I saw you grooving out there.”
Grace blushed. I think she likes him!
“I see my friend Jayde has caught your attention.” She said, still blushing.
“I see Jayde has caught many people’s attention. It was cool of you to introduce her around.” Now I think I’m blushing.
“We all know how hard it can be to make friends here.” Grace added, looping her arm through mine.
“You coming back to mine for a few drinks? You can bring all the others.” He added.
“Oh. Ah, yeah. You want Jayde to come, too?”
“Grace. I want you to come.” Lucas stared straight at her. I really shouldn’t be here.
“What’s happening? What’d I miss?” Megs asked when returning to the table we were standing at. She winked at me, her bright eyes shining with excitement.
“Think we might head to Lucas’s for a party.” Grace was smiling ear-to-ear. I could tell she was busting to relay the conversation she just had.
“As exciting as the evening has been, I think I’ll give it a miss. It’s been so long since I’ve gone out, I’d hate to use all my energy in one night.”
I looked around at the disappearing people. The bar staff had called five minutes to closing time and bodies were staggering for one of either two doors. One door to exit for the evening and the other door led to the bottle shop where they were collecting their take home supplies. Judging by the amount patrons were buying, a few after parties were on the agenda.
“Where’s the taxi service?” I asked innocently. Grace, Andrea, Megs and now Rachel all laughed at me.
“Taxi?” Megs asked. “You’re in the bush now honey.” She said gently.
Really? No taxi service? Should my Dad have known this? I glanced at my watch. 12:50am. I did not want to wake my parents.
“No Taxi hey? It’s a bit primitive isn’t it?” I asked unashamedly.
“And dangerous. Half these people will walk but what do you think the others will do?” Grace was disgusted at the lack of respect for human life.
“I couldn’t help but over hear your conversation,” Reed slid over. “Do you need an escort home? I have to right passed your house to get to mine.”
I looked at the four girls in front of me. Andrea looked away like she didn’t care. It was Grace who spoke first.
“Lucas’s shack is in the other direction…”
I looked up at Reed. Was he really that bad? He had been nice to me. Why shouldn’t I make my own opinion and give him a chance?
“Call me tomorrow.” Grace smiled and handed me her number that she scribbled on a drink coaster. She roused up her friends, making my decision for me.
“Hey man, you guys coming back to mine?” Lucas asked, grabbing his last bit of equipment.
“Nah, not tonight mate. I’ll see Miss Miller here home and might go for a surf early in the morning. You up for it?” Reed obviously knew Lucas well. Of course he did, didn’t everyone around here know everyone?
“Sounds cool. I’ll catch ya then.” Lucas shook hands with Reed.
“Nice meeting you Jayde. Promise next time I won’t pinch your arse.” He winked at me.
“Friendly locals hey?” I raised my right eyebrow in cheeky suspicion.
“You look after Grace tonight.” I added. Lucas stared at me with a poker face, until he almost tripped over his guitar strap. I think I might have seen him blush as he scurried away.
“You and me, hey?” Reed said as he led me out the door.
“Me and you.” I retaliated. He smiled, approvingly.
“Ok. Me and you.”
The night air had dropped a degree or two, but there was no wind, which I was really grateful for. However, I was glad I had Haylie’s jacket. I wonder how long it will take to acclimatise.
“What are you thinking?”
“Oh nothing really. I had a good time tonight.” I sounded surprised, even to myself.
“I’m glad. I actually have a confession to make.” He began.
“It’s a little early in our walk for confessions.” I teased. Reed smiled at me. He was brilliant to look at!
Everyone I’ve met so far all look like they’ve just stepped from the pages of glossy magazines. They were all so attractive, it was sickening. Reed, Lucas, Grace, even Andrea was attractive, but I think her obtuse personality probably detracted from that. Here I was, I would just be average if I didn’t have red hair and freckles, which was worse!
“Yeah, but I should get it out there.” He said. I waited for him to reveal his sins.
“I knew you would be here tonight. My uncle told me you were coming. I probably would’ve been here anyway, but once he said you were going to be, well I…well I didn’t want any other guys to get to you first.”
My heart started pounding in my chest. I kicked some gravel with my boots as I was walking to try and muffle out the sound. It beat so loud. Surely Reed could hear it throb.
“I’d like to see you again, Jayde. I’d like to take you out. May-be dinner? We could go down to Richmond. They have some great little restaurants there.”
Why me? Was I just his next conquest?
“Why me, Reed? Am I just your next conquest?” Oh crap. I just said that out loud. He looked horrified.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude, but seriously, why me? You’re…”
“I’m what Jayde?” He was on the defense.
I stopped walking and turned to face him, not entirely sure if I could summon the correct words from my mind and if I could even verbalise them if they did pop into my mind.
“You’re gorgeous Reed. I mean, amazing.” Yep, wasn’t quite what I had imagined.
My eyes began to dart. I wished I had just gone with Grace now. I felt like I was about to pass out from the embarrassment. It didn’t help that he laughed at me. He laughed at me! Reaching forward to grab my forearms, I think to catch me because I’m pretty sure I was swaying. He commanded eye contact and spoke directly and softly.
“Jayde, you are gorgeous. You are amazing. You are so unique, so different, so unassuming and so, so beautiful. You have this aura about you. It’s intriguing.” Wow, they’re the words I was looking for. He reached his hand out to move a stray curl from my eyes, twisting it behind my ear, right before I started to gag. Saliva was rapidly forming in my mouth.
“Think I need to sit for a bit. Do you mind? I only had 5 beers, I think. May-be it’s the fresh air.” Please don’t let me throw up, please don’t let me throw up. He smiled at me with genuine concern. Reed put his arm around my waist and guided me to a bench seat. Looking around, I noticed swings, slides, a rock climbing wall and a fortress in the tree tops. The local park.
“It’s nice here.” I commented once I was feeling perkier.
“Our Park.” He mused. I rolled my eyes. Bit presumptuous, don’t you think, Casanova?
He smirked at me. My eyes travelled the length of his arm and down to his pointed finger.
The sign read ‘OUR PARK’ Oh! You idiot, Jayde.
“So about that dinner date?” He tried to distract me from my obvious embarrassment.
“Perhaps. Let’s just see where things end up. I’ve only just moved, I haven’t even unpacked all my things yet.”
“So just leave things to fate then, destiny? No hurry. I’m not going anywhere now.” He said gently.
“Now?” I asked.
“Not now or anytime soon.” We exchanged comforting smil
es and both looked into the night sky.
“Full moon.” We said in unison.
“Full moon.” He repeated matter of fact.
FOUR
I rose from my slumber this morning grasping for air. Mouth wide open, lungs waiting to be filled. My torso lurched in pain. I turned and buried my head deep into my pillow to subdue the horrendous torment. It was morning-time. I could smell the distinct aroma of pancakes. Banana pancakes. It must be Sunday. Mum always, no matter what, would make banana pancakes every Sunday. Even when the prices of bananas had risen to $16.49 per kilo because of the floods. It was a family tradition that she stuck to.
“Hmmm.” I followed my grumbling tummy straight down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Dad said on entry.
“I didn’t hear the taxi last night, I must’ve been exhausted from all this work. What time did you get in?” Mum asked.
“Oh about two I think.”
“I must’ve been away with the fairies.” She said.
“Well, it turns out that they don’t have a taxi service here. Can you believe that?” I pulled up a stool at the island bench.
“Well honey, how did you get home?” Dad asked.
“ReallyThom? No taxi service? That’s just down right backward.” My mum scolded my father like he was responsible for the lack of public transport here.
“I walked.” I said, moaning for my poor feet and no doubt my now ruined heeled boots.
“You did what?” Dad jumped up. “Jayde.”
“I had an escort. Reed. You know the painter?” I tried to sound nonchalant. It seemed to have worked with dad. He returned to the perch he had risen from. Mum was a little less forgiving.
“Next time, you ring.” She spanked me on the hand with the spatula.
“I’ve lost one daughter to a silly circumstance, I won’t lose a second one.” She reprimanded.
“Silly circumstance?” I repeated.
“Haylie committed suicide, Mum. It wasn’t a silly circumstance. Maybe if we had all been paying a little more attention to the problems that she was having with Sebastian-” I couldn’t continue. The kitchen suddenly felt too hot and I suddenly lost my appetite. “I’m going for a run.” I looked briefly at my dad, but long enough for him to notice the tears already welling in my eyes.