The Art of Life

by Carter, Sarah

  I go to the passenger side and open the door. When I get inside, I see a guy in the back. “Oh, hi,” I stutter.

  “Isabelle, this is Jack. Jack, this is Isabelle.”

  Jack nods his head. “I have had a few classes with her. I didn’t realize you two were friends.”

  “Well,” Eric laughs uneasily, “We have only recently been talking. She doesn’t live that far from me, so I am going to give her a lift.”

  “Whatever,” Jack says, shrugging his shoulders. “Drop me off at Joanne’s house.”

  Eric rolls his eyes, but Jack doesn’t see. “So, where is Jeremy today?”

  “Working,” I answer. “He’s a mechanic and works on bikes.”

  “Who works on bikes?” Jack inquires.

  Turning around, I say, “My friend Jeremy. He is a, what do you call it, gear head?”

  With a chuckle, Jack says, “Yeah. That’s cool, if your car ever has problems.”

  “I don’t have a car,” I mutter. “I don’t even have my license.”

  “How old are you?” Jack asks, with a surprised look on his face.

  I cross my arms, “18, but my mom never took me to go get it. Jeremy is teaching me, and get this, he wants me to get my motorcycle license.”

  There is a split second of silence, before Eric yells, “What!?”

  “Yeah,” I snap. “That was my reaction, too.”

  “A chick with a motorcycle license, that’s SO hot,” Jack laughs. “Like seriously….a girl on a bike? That is freaking awesome!”

  Quite frustrated, I sigh and smack my forehead. “He probably won’t relent until I do it, too. I barely have learned to drive stick.”

  “He taught you to drive stick?” Eric asks.

  “Yeah, on a flippin’ muscle car! I am so lucky we didn’t end up around a light pole. Do you have any idea how much power those things have!?” I exclaim in frustration.

  That seems to grab Jack’s attention. “Seriously? What kind of car?”

  “An orange one,” I reply. “I don’t remember what kind it is. I do remember it’s a 1967 something or another.”

  “Well, that leaves many options open,” Jack groans. “You need to find out more information. I love older muscle cars.”

  Shaking my head, I say, “It’s in pristine condition and he could show it, but doesn’t. I will ask him what it is when I see him tomorrow.”

  “You are getting together with him tomorrow?” Eric inquires, looking out of the corner of his eye.

  “Oh yeah, got to practice driving,” I retort. “I did pretty well for my first time.”

  Jack nods his head, “I would have killed to learn on an awesome car like that. I learned on my mom’s station wagon, totally not noteworthy at all.”

  Now, I want to smile, but I try not to. “It was alright. It’s nice that Jeremy has the fast car and great motorcycle, but there is a lot more to him,” I state, as I look out the window. “He is a great guy.”

  “You are really into this guy, huh?” Jack asks.

  My eyes look at Eric. He returns my gaze. “Jeremy is a major part of my life. I don’t know what I would do without him.”

  “That’s cool,” Jack returns.

  “So, you two are an item then?” Eric asks.

  I smile and laugh. “We are a couple of nut jobs. That is what we are.”

  “Dude,” Jack exclaims, “If you are going to be in that car tomorrow, you need to bring it by where I work. I WANT to see what it is.”

  Turning around, I smirk, “And where do you work?”

  “The coffee place on Hickory. I know it’s across town, but I swear, I will give you free coffee if you show up.”

  “I think we can drive by,” I reply. “Jeremy’s apartment is right by there.”

  That seems to shock Eric. “He has his own apartment?”

  “Uh, yeah,” I retort. “He is 21, and not the type to live with his parents.”

  “Where is he from? He didn’t go to our high school,” Eric questions me suspiciously.

  After thinking about it for a minute, I slowly reply, “He is an extremely private person, so I won’t share his information beyond that he is from Texas.”

  “That’s a ways away,” Eric replies.

  “Mmhmm,” I hum. “So, anyway, how was everyone’s day?”

  Jack groans. “I have a 12 page paper due tomorrow for English Lit.”

  “Ouch,” I say. “Shouldn’t you be going home then?”

  Winking at me, Jack replies, “I am going to get help.”

  “I bet you are,” Eric laughs. “Well, here we are. Not sure why you needed a ride if you were just going to Joanne’s house.”

  Jack opens the door, “Because I am a teenager, and super lazy.”

  “I walk home every day,” I state. “Not all teenagers are lazy.”

  “Are you telling me if you had a ride home every day, you wouldn’t take it?” Jack asks.

  That makes me frown. “Good point.”

  A snort comes out as a response, “I will see you guys later. Don’t forget tomorrow Isabelle.”

  “I won’t. You promised coffee!”

  He grins. “If you get him to let me drive it, I will give you free coffee for life.”

  “I don’t think I have that much pull, but we shall see,” I giggle.

  “Bye!” Jack waves and shuts the door.

  I turn and look at Eric. “Okay, so you can let me out on the corner of Harmony and Twelfth Avenue.”

  “Why not your house?” He asks.

  “I don’t let anyone see where I live. Sorry,” I quietly mutter.

  With a quizzical look, he says, “Alright. Do you live in a box or something?”

  “Yes,” I reply. “Two boxes actually, held together with that tape that fixes everything.”

  “Awesome, I hope you at least have a great view.”

  A chuckle escapes me. “Yeah, our neighbors garage.”

  The corner of Eric’s mouth twitches. “So, do you have plans all weekend?”

  He’s asking me about this weekend. Why!? Oh my gosh! What do I say? What do I say!? Play hard to get. “Yup, all weekend, booked full.”

  “That’s good,” he replies. Then there is silence. I bite my lip and stare out the window. Should I have said that? “Well, if you find yourself free sometime this weekend. You should call me. I have no plans. I mean, get together as friends, not to tread on Jeremy’s territory.”

  “Oh,” I squeak. “Sure. I don’t have your number.”

  Looking at me, he says, “Give me your cell. I will put it in.”

  “Umm, yeah,” I retort. “I don’t have a cell phone.”

  “Wow, okay, get out a piece of paper then. I hope you have that.”

  Now, I glare at him. “Funny, funny.” Opening my backpack, I take out my sketchbook. “Okay, what’s your number?”

  “555-6504.”

  My heart is going to pound out of my chest. I seriously just got a guy’s phone number! And of all the guys, I got Eric’s. I think I am going to die. “Alright, got it.” This can’t be happening. Seriously!?

  “That’s my cell. I would say text me, but that’s kind of hard to do when you don’t have a phone to text from,” Eric says with a smile.

  I playfully roll my eyes. “I haven’t really needed a cell phone, but I am starting to think that I am going to get one. Sooner or later, I am going to have to track down Jeremy and I don’t want to do it from home.”

  “Why?”

  “My mom would probably eaves drop. So, that means I probably wouldn’t call you from home either,” I state heavily.

  Eric laughs. “I used to eaves drop on my sister’s calls. It drove her nuts.”

  “That’s so sweet of you.”

  “I told you, we only started getting along recently. When she was my age, ooooohhhh man, we did NOT get along. Now, she is 23 and married, having a baby. It’s different.”

  As we pull up to the corner, I quickly grab my backpack. “Thanks f
or the ride.”

  “Wanting to rush off so quickly?” Eric says, with a raised eyebrow.

  “Did you want to talk?” I ask curiously.

  Shrugging his shoulders, he replies, “I was just enjoying our conversation.”

  “Oh,” I mumble awkwardly. I sit back in the seat. “What do you want to talk about?”

  With a blank look, Eric says, “I don’t know. I know nothing about you. No one does. I know you don’t have friends and all, but I don’t understand why?”

  “Have you ever seen those movies about the dorky, nerdy characters that have no friends and get picked on? Well, that’s me. I just stopped putting myself out there. Jeremy is the first person to really SEE me. That is why he is so important.”

  “Are you in love with him?” Eric asks.

  Gasping, I say, “NO! What would make you think that!?”

  “I was just curious,” he replies. “He seems to mean a lot to you.”

  I nod my head. “He does. He is my one true friend. I am waiting for it to blow up in my face, though.”

  “Why?”

  Do I really want to answer that? I turn my head and look out the window. “Things usually don’t go right for me.”

  “Hey, that is the way the world works. Not everything works out for me either,” Eric points out.

  “Yeah,” I almost snap back, “but you have all the friends and popularity. You have the loving family. Jeremy is all I have. It is a scary world when that one thing may blow up in your face.”

  Frowning, Eric asks, “You don’t have a loving family?”

  Now, completely put in a corner and afraid of this conversation, I say, “Sorry Eric, I have to go.” I quickly jump out of the car, and start to walk down the sidewalk.

  “Isabelle!” I hear Eric yell from his window. “I am sorry! Come back here!”

  I spin around, holding back tears. “I am sorry Eric, but I have to go. I understand if you don’t want to deal with my melodramatic butt, but some things are hard for me to talk about.”

  Eric backs the car up and looks at me. “I will not push you, again. Just take a deep breath.”

  So, I do as he says, breathing deeply. “See, this is why I hide away from people. I am crazy.”

  “Oh please, have you met some of the girls we go to school with? Now, they are crazy! They stab each other in the back every chance they get. You do not seem to be like that.”

  A sigh comes out of me and I say, “No, I am not like that. I think that is really catty and stupid.”

  “See, you aren’t crazy. Now, my sister being pregnant with all those hormones, now THAT’S crazy! Geesh, you getting upset by a personal question is one thing. Her getting upset about every look, every breath you take, that makes her certifiable. So, if I can deal with that, I can certainly be okay with you being a little shy.”

  That makes me smile. “Thanks.” I nudge my head. “I should still get going. I want to get my homework done tonight, so that my weekend is open. I never thought I would actually say that.”

  “Well, if you have time this weekend, give me a call. We can get to know each other and become friends, which is something we should have done years ago, and I am sorry that it is my fault.”

  “Not entirely your fault, but yeah, it would be nice to be…..friends.” Okay, friend isn’t what I was looking for, but it will do for now. That is far beyond my expectations anyway. “I will see what Jeremy has planned for me and if I can, I will let you know.”

  Eric smiles, and says, “Sounds good. See you later Isabelle.”

  All I can do is wave as he pulls away. Turning around, I finally grin the biggest grin. This can’t be happening. Things like this don’t really happen. I am a nobody. Guys don’t talk to me, especially Eric. It’s like Jeremy is my good luck charm. He is more than a good luck charm, he is my closest friend, my best friend. I would never say that to him, because he would probably think I am clinging onto him.

  I get to my door and open it up. Instantly, I hear my mom yell, “Isabelle!”

  Oh great. “Yes mom.”

  “Come in here,” she demands.

  Dropping my backpack on the floor, I sigh and walk into the kitchen. “What’s up?” I ask.

  “Are you still going clothes shopping this weekend?”

  Bewildered, I say, “Huh? What are you talking about?”

  “Your boyfriend Jarrod said he was taking you to buy new clothes,” she spits out.

  “Jeremy, mom, his name is Jeremy and I don’t know if we are still doing that. Right now he is teaching me how to drive. I don’t know if that is one of the things we are going to do this weekend.”

  My mom grabs her purse and starts rooting around in it. “Here, I got this out for you.” She hands me a money envelope.

  “What is it?” I ask, opening it up. My eyes nearly bulge out of my head.

  “It’s three hundred and fifty dollars. I want you to get yourself some clothes. I don’t even remember the last time I took you shopping,” my mom mumbles as she goes to the fridge.

  Stuttering, I go, “Mom, you haven’t taken me clothes shopping in years. I have done it all myself.”

  She looks at me. “That’s a little obvious.”

  Deep breaths, deep breaths, don’t scream. “I will gladly take this and go shopping.”

  “Good. I am going away for the weekend with Howard. I will be back Sunday night.”

  “Who is Howard?” I ask sharply.

  My mom raises her eyebrow. “My new boyfriend, anyway we are going to his cabin. So, make sure you lock the doors at night.”

  “You are leaving me here alone? I have never been alone in this house!” I snap.

  “You are 18. Really Isabelle, you shouldn’t be afraid of the dark.”

  Seething mad, I slowly retort, “I am not afraid of the dark. I will be just FINE without you.”

  “Good,” she replies. “Have fun shopping. I am going to go pack now. I am leaving in an hour.”

  “Great, have fun,” I snarl, as I turn and leave the room.

  When I walk into my bedroom, I slam the door. She is so incredibly annoying! Ugh, I just want to be somewhere else right now! I would call Jeremy, but he is out with the guys creating a ruckus, and I would look way too desperate if I called Eric already. This would be a nice time to have a female friend. I throw myself on my bed, and cover my face. Well, at least I have money for the weekend. We don’t even have food in the house. What would I have done if she didn’t have money out for me? I need to get out of here, that’s what I need to do.

  I get up and get my mp3 player out of my backpack. Putting my headphones on, I disappear from the world. It isn’t until a little later that I wake up. I shoot up in bed. The sun has already set and my room is dark. I turn on my lamp and rub my eyes. “Shoot, I was going to do my homework,” I mumble to myself. “Must obtain sustenance first.”

  My house is empty, dark and quiet when I walk out of my bedroom. Okay, yes, I am not afraid of the dark, but who wouldn’t be creeped out by a giant, vacant house. As I walk through the rooms, I throw on every light. My mom can just deal with electric bill. Teach her to leave me alone. I make a sandwich and sit down in front of the television. It is reruns. I am bored after only 15 minutes. Groaning, I put my plate on the coffee table.

  What in the world can I do? I bite my lip and think about it. I have an idea. Checking the doors, I want to make sure they are locked, and of course the front door is open. Thanks mom. Now, I have to go check every room of the house, with a knife in my hand. All the rooms are clear. Taking a deep breath, I go into my room and shut the door.

  My computer is on my desk, and I go and turn it on. When I go on the internet, I type in fashion. Of course, a million sites pop up. I click on one of the well-known designers. My eyebrow arches. “I am so not wearing that,” I mumble. And why do the guys in these pictures look dirty? It’s that a new trend, not bathing? I really hope Jeremy knows what he is doing. I mean, he is always dressed nicely, but he is s
o attractive, I barely look at his clothes. Wait, did I really just think that? I shake my head and look back at the pictures.

  I spend a good hour going through site after site. Finally, I can’t do it anymore. I sit there and look at the clock. It’s eleven. I guess I could go to bed. As, I turn to click out of the browser, a thought suddenly occurs to me. I could search for Jeremy’s name and see what pops up. Should I do that? Isn’t that wrong though? I mean, shouldn’t I wait for him to reveal his past to me?

  Tapping the keys, I think about it for a minute. Finally, I turn off the computer. I can’t do it. That would be invading his privacy and that is not something I want to do. Part of me is curious to what I would find though. Is he a criminal? Doubtful. Where is his family? What is he hiding? I just shake my head as I get ready for bed.

  The next morning I clean like a crazy person. I even clean my mom’s room, because she will never do it. My house is finally sparkling clean. I look at the clock and realize I really need to get into the shower. While I am rinsing the conditioner out of my hair, I hear the doorbell ring. “Shoot,” I exclaim. Shutting the water off, I jump out of the shower. As I am drying off, the doorbell rings again. I grab my robe and throw it on. I nearly sprint down the steps to the front door. I yank it open to find Jeremy standing there.

  He looks at me and frowns. “Why in the world would you answer the door in your robe? You had no idea it was me. I could be some scary killer.”

  “Next time, I will answer the door with a knife then,” I retort with a smile. “Come on in.” I open the door wider.

  Jeremy walks in and looks around. “Wow, your house smells so clean.”

  “That’s what I spent the morning doing,” I reply. “I got my homework done and then was really bored.”

  “It’s called watching TV.”

  Shutting the door, I roll my eyes. “I don’t watch a whole lot of television. Anyway, it’s Saturday, there is nothing on.”

  “Well, go get ready,” Jeremy orders, ushering me with his hands. “We have stuff to do.”

  “Okay, give me a minute. In the meantime, the TV is in there and the remote is on the coffee table. Entertain yourself.”

  With a grimace, Jeremy replies, “I am going to lie down. My head hurts.”

  “Too much partying last night?” I ask, laughing.