Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  I turned to go and Alex grabbed my arm. Sparks filled my entire body with tingling awareness from his unsolicited touch. He released me immediately upon seeing the scowl slide across my face that I hadn’t disguised very well. Perhaps he’d felt the sparks, too, but I doubted it. He made no comment and merely said, “I’ll pick you up at seven, okay? We can stop and pick up a couple of pizzas. We’ll decide what we want and I’ll pick it up if that’s all right, Vince. It’ll be my treat since I’m the new guy that kind of invited himself this morning.” He looked pointedly at me, waiting for me to say something before he continued, “You can show me where the best pizza place is and we’ll pick it up on the way to get Tori and Anne.”

  “Of course,” I said almost unenthusiastically. More time alone with Alex, just what I didn’t want.

  I refrained from further comment. As usual, Tori didn’t. “Alex, you didn’t invite yourself,” she practically cooed as she walked over to him. She grasped his arm, removing it from where his hand still held onto me. She smiled up at him. “It wouldn’t be right to leave a new guy in school alone on the first Saturday night of the school year. You know you’re welcome to join us anytime you want. We’re always glad to add new friends to our group. Isn’t that right, Emma?”

  I didn’t have to answer as Vince said, “You’re welcome anytime, Alex. I told you that in the first place. I just hadn’t thought to invite you yet.”

  Alex still looked at me, waiting for my answer. I wanted to kick my best friend at that moment. “Yes,” I said with a smile not quite reaching my eyes, as Alex smirked. I continued, “the more the merrier.” Now, it was my turn to irritate Tori. If she could invite someone, so could I. I knew she wasn’t overly fond of Raven, so I said, “Raven wanted to hang out with us, too. I hope it’s okay.”

  “I already talked to him,” Vince said. As an afterthought, he added, “I didn’t know you knew Raven well enough to invite him to join the group, Emma.” He raised his eyebrow at me in inquiry.

  I didn’t answer him.

  “Good, that’s settled then. I’ll see if Raven wants to ride with us, too. Of course, if it’s okay with you, Alex.”

  “Yeah, that’s cool. Whatever the rest of you want to do is fine with me. I’m just the new guy here. Raven seems like a nice guy. I saw you talking to him in the cafeteria at lunch. He must be a friend of yours, Emma,” Alex said. I gave the best imitation of a smile I could muster under the scrutiny of the boys’ all-too-knowing gazes. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought Alex was almost jealous of Raven. I wouldn’t know why. I was nothing to Alex. Vince looked at me funny, too.

  “Yes, I know him. Maybe you should try to patch it up with Brittany, Alex. You two seemed to be getting along pretty good during lunch. You could invite Brittany Saturday night. Tori and I can ride over in her car so there’ll be enough room in your car for everyone else.”

  If looks could kill, I’d have been dead at that moment. Tori was making no secret of her displeasure at having to give up her seat in Alex’s car for Brittany. “I’m sure that Brittany already has plans. You know how popular she is with the football team. I doubt she’d want to hang out with us, anyway. I am sure Alex isn’t interested in hanging out with a girl that slaps his face for no real reason.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. It probably wouldn’t be much fun for her hanging with a bunch of nerds,” I said.

  “Speak for yourself. Anyway, I can’t stand the bitch. Alex is better off without her,” Tori said. Everyone else just looked at me. I’m not sure any of them could believe I’d suggested that he bring Brittany. Tori reached up and rubbed his reddening cheek.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not invite Brittany. Actually, I’d rather not see her again at all. I plan to avoid her as much as possible. I’m not crazy about her, either. I just met her at lunch so it’s not like we’re close friends. The girl has a quick temper and I’d like to keep my face in one piece,” Alex said.

  “I just thought since you were sitting with her that you were friends before you started talking to us. I could’ve sworn that she was walking with you earlier. It doesn’t make any difference to me if you don’t want to invite her.”

  He gave me a strange smirk and said, “I didn’t realize you were watching me. Unfortunately, she did join me at lunch. I didn’t sit with her nor did I invite her. She just sat down at my table. She was the one holding my arm walking down the hall. I wasn’t holding hers. She’s pretty aggressive, you know.” Vince nodded his head at that comment. “Next time you need to pay a bit more attention, Emma. It’s nice to know you’re watching out for me though.”

  I blushed at his insinuation that I’d been watching him and said, “I just happened to notice, that’s all. It’s no big deal.”

  “If you say so, Emma. I do appreciate you watching me. I mean watching out for me, since I’m new here. I wouldn’t want to become mixed up with the wrong girl. Then it’s settled. I’ll pick you up first, then the pizza and after that, the rest of you,” Alex said with his most charming smile. “It’ll be tight, but we should all fit as long as we don’t buy too much pizza.”

  Someone piped up, “is there ever too much pizza?” We all chuckled, easing the tension between Alex and me, even if it was one sided.

  “Raven’s meeting me at the gym on Saturday. I’ll see if he can just drive over. He doesn’t live that far away. Anyway, I doubt if Raven’s dad would let Alex pull inside the gates at their house. He’s a bit on the eccentric side, as you know. I guess he can be anything he wants with the kind of money he has. The Tafini’s are the richest family in town, Alex.” Vince offered his comment for Alex’s benefit, “He’s got a new Harley that he’d probably love to show off.”

  When had Vince started hanging out with Raven? It was getting a bit weird. Saturday night should prove interesting or stressful. It would include Alex, Raven, and Vince, three of the hottest guys in school. Three guys who seemed to be focusing on me.

  If Tori had her way, Alex would be invited every time we got together. Well, at least it was settled, Raven was coming. Maybe Alex would stop baiting me if he was there. I’d been so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t realized that they were still talking about Raven until Anne added her comment, “His father does a lot for the community you know.”

  “Yeah, I know. I just thought I should warn Alex before he sees their weird house. Raven’s cool though,” Vince continued.

  “I’ve got to get going,” I said, followed by similar comments and goodbyes from everyone.

  “Hey, I’ve got to go, too. See you later,” Alex piped up and gave me a big grin.

  I thought to myself, not if I see you first. His charm wasn’t going to work with me. He may have got himself invited to join our group for Saturday night, but I’d try to make sure I kept my distance.

  I wondered why Alex wasn’t going out with someone, but made no comment about it. Couldn’t a guy that looked like him get a date for Saturday night? He wasn’t exactly hanging out with the most popular students. As soon as he was established in school, he’d drop our group and my problems would be over, so why should I worry about it?

  It was strange that Alex and Vince were acting like old friends as I walked away. Tori bid the guys an overly friendly goodbye before joining me. When we were out of earshot I said, “Geez, Tori, did you have to agree to us riding with Alex?”

  “Well, why not? He only lives a few blocks from your house. We might as well all ride together. Anyway, I want to ride in his awesome car. While we’re at it, why the hell did you suggest he bring Brittany? Do you really want to hang out with that bitch? You know I don’t. It also wouldn’t hurt us to be seen with the hot new guy. I know your social status could use a little boost. Actually, so could mine. What is your problem with him? He’s a nice guy. He’s also hotter than a forest fire up close. Everyone is talking about how fine he is and all you do is rag on him. Can’t you tell he likes you? Although, the way you treat him, I have no idea why he does. I wish h
e’d look at me like he does you. I wouldn’t brush him off.”

  “I wish he’d look at you, too. Alex was having lunch with Brittany and her sisters. He was even walking down the hall with her. She was holding his arm, too, so he must be interested in her. As far as my social status goes, I don’t have one, as you well know. I’m a fat, plain girl that lost a few pounds, bought some new clothes and put on some makeup. Oh, and of course, we can’t forget I got my hair cut.”

  “Maybe Brittany was walking with him. You heard what he said as well as I did. Anyway, you know she can be a persistent bitch when she sets her sites on a guy. As far as you being a fat, plain girl, that is just bullshit. I don’t know why I bother, except that I love you and you’re my BFF. You have two guys crushing on you, even if one is Raven.” She paused and rolled her eyes for effect. As I said, she just wasn’t a big Raven fan. She then continued, “and the year is just starting. You definitely have a social status now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of girls getting short curly hairstyles like yours before the year is out.”

  “You actually think that Brittany just sat with him at lunch? He could’ve told her he wasn’t interested or that the seat was taken. Alex didn’t have to walk with her either. I think he’s interested in her, no matter what either of you say. Although, it was cool that he acted like he wasn’t and blew her off.” I paused before continuing, “and as far as two guys crushing on me, if one of those is Vince, he doesn’t count. I’m not a scientific experiment, so I don’t imagine I matter much to him other than as a good friend. Maybe he thinks I’m going to be popular and could help him catch the attention of that girl he used to like, the one that’s the school vice president or something.”

  Yeah, I noticed Vince looking at me a little differently, but I wasn’t mentioning it, because I thought Tori was just trying to make me feel good by telling me the guys were crushing on me.

  “If Alex told Brittany that the seat was taken, she would’ve watched his table. If someone didn’t sit with him before lunch was over you know there would’ve been a scene of some kind. Anyway, not everyone is as rude as you’ve been lately. The way you looked at him. If looks could kill, the guy would be six feet under by now. Do you really dislike Alex that much or are you jealous of Brittany? Perhaps you’re planning to join her group. You would fit in the way you’ve been acting today.”

  “That was pretty cold, Tori. I just don’t want to end up hanging out with Brittany every week when she starts following Alex wherever he goes. When she sets her sites on a guy, it’s all over for the guy, as you said. She bulldozes over any girl that gets in her way, too. I’m so not going there. Actually, I’m not sure why I told him to invite her either, yuck.”

  “You’re right, it was cold. I was right, too, Brittany won’t take no for an answer. However, I still think you’re a little jealous. The last I heard, you weren’t afraid of Brittany or the bitch sisters. As for Alex, you underestimate him. I know he’ll get rid of her as soon as he figures out how. As for Vince, he definitely noticed you today. I thought he was going to go blind the way he was staring at you. Are you that naïve, my friend? Don’t you notice anything about guys?”

  “I’m not jealous of Brittany. She’s welcome to him. As for Vince, I’m not sure he was staring. Maybe he was having a bad day or something. He was acting a little weird. I’m interested in Raven, as you know.”

  I was glad when she finally let the subject of Vince drop. I just wasn’t ready to discuss him, even with my BFF. He was one of my dearest friends and a BFF, too. I’d have to see what happened, but I wasn’t sure he was actually boyfriend material. I really liked him, but I didn’t think the guy knew anything about being a boyfriend, even with his new messy haircut and hot, buffed out body.

  “Say what?”

  “You heard me. I’m interested in Raven.”

  “I think I’m in shock. Raven is like weird. I know, I know, don’t remind me, you’ve had a crush on him forever.”

  “I know his dad is strange, but Raven’s popular enough and has always been pretty nice to all of us. He spoke to me earlier. We talked for a few minutes, actually.”

  “That’s great, but I like Alex better. All that bronze skin and blonde hair is just too hot for this place. I should’ve changed my looks a little more over the summer, but alas,” as if practicing for her drama class, Tori put her hand over her heart mimicking a nonsensical heart break, “he only sees my friend Emma, who continues to be a nasty b. i. t. c. h. around him.”

  “I was not nasty.”

  “Bitchy?”

  “I wasn’t that either and you know it. Don't blame me, because he sneaks up on people. Then he eavesdrops on their conversations. Then he practically invites himself Saturday and says he’ll bring a movie. I know he heard me say I was bringing a movie. Just because I don’t fall all over him like you and the rest of the female student population, doesn’t mean I don’t like him as a person. I just think he’s too pushy and he likes to aggravate me. Also, we really don’t know anything about his background. I bet he left a string of broken-hearted girls back in California. I’m just not sure I want to hang around with him. Unfortunately, you’re right. He does seem to bring out my bad side. He likes to bait me.”

  I didn’t mention that his fire eyes disturbed me in a way I didn’t want to discuss.

  “Well, at least you admit he’s a human being and that he brings out the bitch in you. I think you’ll change your mind if he keeps flirting with you. If you don’t snatch him up, I’m going to do my best to catch him. Do you have seventh period English with Mrs. Webb?”

  “Yes, I do, and don’t hold your breath about catching him. Number one, he’s not a fish and two, he’s too good looking for his own good. One of the cheerleaders will capture his heart. He won’t know what hit him until she reels him in.”

  We both laughed.

  “I’m done trying to talk to you about boys. If you can’t tell that someone has already caught his eye, you’re blind. I’ll see you later. I didn’t mean to piss you off earlier, but I really like Alex. Although, I think he really likes you. Don’t look like that, I’ll drop the subject.” I rolled my eyes as I thought she’d never stop with the rah-rah Alex lecture. When she noticed, she said, “I’ll see you later in English class. At least we’ll get to suffer together this year. I wonder if Mrs. Webb will tell us any ghost stories this year.”

  I smiled as we parted to go to our next class, which in my case was French. Tori was determined about this Alex thing. It seemed as if she wanted one of us to be with the guy. Who knew why? I sat near the back of the class and watched. Vince and Alex came in together. I had no idea they were coming this way when I left earlier. I guess I hadn’t asked, either.

  I liked to have classes with Vince, that way we could study together. I wasn’t sure I was crazy about sharing the class with the ever smiling, over confident Alex, who grinned at me as he passed and whispered only for my ears, “Looking forward to seeing you Saturday. Vince tells me that you get together regularly. Looks like will be seeing a lot of each other. Oh, like the skinny jeans. They look great from the back, beautiful.”

  Did he really just call me beautiful? I quirked my eyebrow at him, but made no comment. What was the point? I’d made it obvious that I wasn’t interested, but he was an incorrigible flirt and he’d looked at my butt. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

  The room filled up quickly. There were only two seats left near me and a couple across the room. Vince sat in front of me, and as luck would have it, Alex sat across from me. Well, at least Vince was in front of me. I wouldn’t have to look at Alex during the entire class unless I turned my head. Brittany sashayed in right before the bell rang. It was obvious that she was looking for a seat near Alex. She frowned upon finding no open seats near Alex. She nudged one of the girls sitting near him and told her to move. She did and Brittany parked herself near him.

  No, I couldn’t hear her, but I knew the drill. What Brittany wanted, she got. I fel
t somewhat sorry for Alex. He was in for a rough ride with her. Brittany sat as close to Alex as she could get. She glared at me. I looked right back at her. What could she do to me? My social standing was zilch and I didn’t have a boyfriend for her to steal. I had nothing to lose as I looked into eyes that hated me for no real reason. Strange, but she made sure to lose the ugly stare when Alex glanced in her direction, she was all smiles. Alex mostly ignored her. I could feel his fire eyes on me throughout class.

  As luck would have it, Mrs. Montgomery, the French teacher decided that these would be our permanent seats. She sent a sheet around the room, asking everyone to sign it. It would serve as the permanent seating roster for the class. Oh, goody, I thought, I get to sit near Alex and watch Brittany stare daggers at me, because Alex kept looking in my direction and not hers.

  It might be a long year. I didn’t actually dislike Alex. I just wondered how many girls he called beautiful. I didn’t want to examine the fact that he probably called other girls beautiful bothered me. I didn’t need to start liking a guy only to be pushed aside when someone better looking came along. That would be a real ego crusher, which I didn’t need.

  Strange, Raven was every bit as handsome in a dark fashion as Alex was in his golden manner. It didn’t bother me to be interested in Raven. I think it was because I remembered how Brittany had treated him. The whole school knew how she’d tried to humiliate him. I’d also known Raven a long time. We hadn’t been close, but I’d seen him around, actually, I’d watched him. He didn’t really seem like the conceited type that was pumped up with his own self-importance. He was excessively handsome, too, I thought as I stole a quick peek in his direction.

  My face lit up like a flaming candle when I realized that not only had he caught me watching him, but so had Alex. They both grinned at me. I stared down at my book as if it was the most interesting thing I’d ever seen. I’d have to watch where my eyes focused in the future. I wondered if Alex thought I’d been looking at him, too. I was sure he did. He was just that conceited, blast him.