by Laurel Veil
I nodded.
“Now…we need to move on to more important matters.”
“Such as?”
“Such as your birthday. Your eighteenth birthday! It’s only a couple of days away! I have, like, no time to plan.”
“I know you’re trying to distract me, Bri, but you can’t cheer me up. I don’t want to be happy.”
“Well, we’ll talk about it later—when you’re not so moody.”
That morning we were greeted by large signs made of butcher paper covered in pumpkin orange paint. They were hanging from the balcony, inviting us to our annual homecoming dance at the end of the month.
“We should go,” said Bri. “It’s our last year.”
“How ’bout we talk about that when I’m less moody too,” I said with a smirk.
When we entered Ms. Elliott’s room, I walked over and sat right next to Trent. Bri sat on my other side. She was happy because she got to sit next to Angel.
Trent and I greeted each other with a smile, and then I rustled through my purse until I found my phone. I texted him.
Sleep tight?
He responded with an adorable grin then typed:
Could have been better.
“Ladies and gentlemen, get where you can best view the TV. We’re watching Romeo and Juliet today.” With some enthusiasm the class applauded. A second later Ms. Elliott had the movie playing and the lights off. Oh, good! It was the 1968 version directed by Franco Zeffirelli. I liked this one.
My phone vibrated with another text from Trent.
Can I take you home?
I responded:
I drove today.
He wrote back:
Can u take me home?
I smiled when I read his message then responded:
I have to work.
Then he texted back:
Let’s just hang out at your house for a little while…pleeease :)
I couldn’t resist him any longer.
Fine—for a little while…Now pay attention!
We were barely past the opening credits when the bell sounded.
“My goodness. I believe that’s a fire alarm,” Ms. Elliott said calmly while shutting off the TV. “Quickly gather all your personal items,” she instructed as she gathered hers.
We walked behind her in a single file to exit the building. Trent came up behind me and whispered, “Hold me. I’m scared.”
I giggled. “Aw…poor baby.”
As Ms. Elliot opened the door to step outside, a gust of wind yanked it from her hand. Her dress was whipping all around, threatening to fly over her head.
We walked out into the schoolyard with hundreds of other students and waited patiently for instructions.
Lightning shot across the sky, and thunder rumbled shortly after. As long as I could remember, I’d always loved the rain. It was exciting and frightening at the same time…like Trent.
Principal Rayburn finally stepped out with his megaphone. “It seems our front office received a bomb threat this morning. Therefore, I am dismissing you for the remainder of the day.” The applause that erupted was almost louder than the thunder. “Quiet down!” He waited for a moment. “Do not reenter the building! Buses will be running shortly. That is all.”
“Not a prob,” said Bri. Then she looked at me. “Hope you don’t mind—I’m catching a ride with Cole.”
“See ya,” I said.
Trent looked at me, and whether or not he realized he was doing it, he licked his lips. “Looks like it’s just you and me,” he said.
I immediately called my mom so I could fill her in. If she didn’t hear about the bomb threat from me, she’d rush home and take my temperature or something.
“Everyone’s OK, though, right?”
“Yes, Mom,” I reassured her for the millionth time. “I’m going straight home to do my homework. Oh, and don’t forget I have to work tonight.”
“Oh, good, now I don’t feel so bad that I’m going to be working late. I’m actually on my way to Houston right now. I’ll be there until tonight.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll go to The Egg and I again this Sunday, OK?”
“That’s a great idea, but only if you let me pay this time,” she said.
“I promise.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Me too. I’d better get going. Love you,” I said.
“Love you too. Bye.”
The rain was coming down in buckets. Before I could leave my parking spot, I had to figure out how to turn on my wipers. Until this moment I’d never used them.
I had just begun to look for the switch, when Trent leaned across me and turned the wipers own. “Here it is,” he said confidently.
“Well, aren’t you just sooo smart,” I said. “I would have found it if you had given me half a second.” He was still leaning against me. I pushed him. “And get off me. You’re crushing me,” I said dramatically.
He was grinning. I thought he was about to sit up when he reached over and turned the wipers back off.
I looked at him like he was crazy. “What are you doing—besides aggravating me, that is?”
It was dark as night, and the rain was pounding. You couldn’t see out, and you couldn’t see in either.
Trent turned slightly to face me. He wasn’t grinning anymore. My heart was pounding like the rain. He licked his bottom lip again. He and I were the only two people in the world, and I’d been yearning to touch him for so long.
I slowly raised my hand to his face. He responded by closing his eyes and pressing his cheek into my palm.
With my other hand, I traced his jawline. It was rough with stubble. I felt him clenching, and then his lips slightly parted, and he subtly caught his breath.
I brushed his dark hair from his eyes, and he opened them. We held each other’s stare. Then I leaned over and kissed him on his cheek. At that moment it felt like everything was OK between us…even though I knew it really wasn’t.
I smiled. “Where do you want to go for lunch?”
We went through a drive-through and devoured soft tacos in the parking lot before heading to my house.
The rain hadn’t let up yet, so we made a mad dash to the front door. We laughed as we shook the rain from our hair on the porch. Inside, I grabbed a couple of towels from the bathroom, and we did our best to dry off.
I rushed to the TV. “Come on.” I flipped on the Weather Channel. I was almost giddy.
“What is it?” he asked as he walked over.
“Look at this footage. Some areas are already flooding.”
“And this excites you?”
“Oh, come on. You don’t think this is interesting?” I laughed. Something scrolled across the bottom of the screen in flashing red letters. “Look! A tornado warning!”
“Darn. Look! It’s about to expire.”
I rolled my eyes at him, set the remote down, and headed to my room.
“Where ya going?”
“I want to check my rain gauge.”
He followed me.
Amazingly everything was dry on the porch, but if the wind shifted, we’d be soaked.
Trent sat on the lounge chair. “Nice view,” he commented as he looked out at the forest. The leaves were starting to show the first signs of fall.
“It is,” I agreed.
“How much rain so far?”
“Just two inches. It looks like it’s stopping too. Guess that’s it for now.”
He looked through my telescope. “Bri said you want to be a weather girl.”
“Meteorologist. And yes.”
“You like looking at the stars too, I see.”
“When I get the chance. It’s relaxing. I need a new telescope, though. This one’s old and pretty simple. I got it when I was a kid. I need one that’s more powerful for starters, but now they have some that you can hook up to your laptop, and they can locate stuff for you.”
“That sounds like what I need. Maybe you’ll get one for your birth
day. Who knows? Maybe I’ll buy you a star and name it after you.”
“Aw, how sweet, but don’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s a scam. Only the IAU—”
“IAU. Is that like NASA or something?”
“It’s the International Astronomical Union. Anyway, only they can officially name stars. Save your money.”
He nodded. “Good to know, Devoe.”
Too soon it was time for me to get ready for work. Trent stayed outside on the porch while I went inside.
Fifteen minutes later I opened the door. “Ready to go?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to call in sick? You can stay here, and when it clears, you can teach me about the constellations.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I laughed. “We’d better get going. I still have to run you by school so you can get your car.”
We rode in silence the entire way. Not even the radio was on. We just stared out at the drizzle, both hypnotized by the steady rhythm of the wipers.
I replayed what had happened earlier in the car between us. The thought helped numb what I’d been feeling. Why did Trent have a gun? What was his connection to my parents and Chase? I started to get angry.
I pulled up next to his car. It was the only one still in the lot.
“See ya later,” he said, like he didn’t have a care in the world.
I thought about the girl I’d seen him with, and even though I didn’t have a right to be, I was suddenly very pissed. I didn’t let it show though.
He followed me to work and watched me go inside before leaving.
Mack looked at me then at his watch. “You’re early. Do you want to go ahead and get started?”
“How early?”
“Almost an hour.”
“I guess I read the schedule wrong. I’m going to run back out to my car for a little bit.”
He shrugged and walked off.
I didn’t want to be there anyway; I was still livid.
I sat in my car and worked myself up into a frenzy. I knew not to do it, but I couldn’t help myself. The next thing I knew, I was crying.
Forty-five minutes later, I looked like crap, but at least I felt better.
XIX
Downpour
I looked at my reflection in the lighted mirror on my sun visor and touched up my makeup as best as I could.
Luckily the rain had stopped. Hopefully I’d be able to make it inside before it started back up. I hopped out of my car just as Angel pulled in beside me. I felt like I was drowning and a life boat just arrived. I walked over to his truck before he even got out. When he opened his door, I smiled, and of course he was already grinning.
“Pretty smart parking next to a bodyguard,” he said.
“Is that a promise you’ll walk me out again tonight?”
“Yes ma’am.” His smile faded. “Ash?” He reached for my chin and turned my face upward so he could have a closer look.
I thought I was OK, but I swooned at his touch. He was being so kind and sincere, and I felt so sorry for myself that I couldn’t help it.
Tears began to fill my eyes. Not now! I tried to will myself to stop, but it made it that much harder. He pulled me close. Then he held me tightly with one arm and held my head against his chest with the other.
It was damp and chilly, and Angel was strong and warm. I felt safe, and I melted into him. His shirt was freshly starched. It smelled wonderful, and I almost smiled when I thought how I was glad I was wearing waterproof mascara so I wouldn’t ruin it.
“What’s wrong?” When I didn’t answer, he tightened his grip even more. It felt so good.
When I finally was able to speak, I said, “I promise it’s nothing. It’s just been one of those days.” He held me as long as I needed, and finally I whispered, “Thank you, Angel.”
Reluctantly he released me. I blotted my eyes as we headed to the theater. “Let me know if you need anything, OK?”
“I will. And I’m fine. Really.” I managed a smile.
We went our separate ways when we entered the theater. Mack let Lindsey be in charge of the register drawer that night. Good! That was one less thing I’d have to deal with.
Erica and I rolled silverware in napkins and set them in a bin. Then I checked to make sure the restrooms were clean. The paper-towel dispensers were low, so I filled them along with the soap dispensers. By the time I stepped out, we already had our first customers. They were a little damp and carrying on about the rain. Evidently it was coming down hard again.
Suddenly a loud clap of thunder made me jump.
Erica laughed at me, but I didn’t join in. “Oh, come on. You know it was funny.”
I tried to smile, but my heart wasn’t in it.
“You need cheering up. You should come with me to my cousin’s party tonight. The rain is supposed to let up soon. Her parties are always a blast.”
I didn’t even try not to hurt her feelings. “No, thanks. I’m just not up for a party.” I turned and greeted the couple that had just walked up. They looked so in love and like they were having a great time. That must be nice.
A couple of hours into my shift, Angel approached Erica and me at the entrance to the café. “You don’t look well,” I said the moment I saw him.
“I never thought I’d say this to you…” He grinned weakly. “…but don’t get too close. I think I’m coming down with something.” He looked clammy and pale. “Mack is sending me home. I just wanted to let you know I’m not going to be able to walk you to your car tonight, so you can ask someone else.”
I smiled at his thoughtfulness. “I hope you feel better soon, Angel. Thanks for thinking about me, even though you feel so bad.”
He tried to smile, and then he turned and walked away. He was such a good guy to come and tell me he was leaving. It was a great feeling to know someone like him was looking out for me.
I leaned against the hostess podium for a few moments and stared at the little golden clock that sat ticking on the edge of it. I was waiting for the moment when it would tell me it was time to go. I didn’t really know why I was in such a hurry. All I was going to do was go home and be miserable. I could just as easily be miserable at work and make money while doing it.
The bad weather wasn’t keeping people at home. The café was still pretty crowded. There was no time to sit, but at least the night went faster.
Lindsey was becoming a stronger worker. I actually didn’t mind sharing a shift with her now. Things were really starting to hop; a movie had just let out.
“Is Erica back from her break yet?” I asked Lindsey.
Just then Erica walked in with wet hair. “You went out in the rain?” I asked, surprised.
“I needed a cigarette, and the wind was blowing. What can I say?”
“Well, come on. Table five needs cleaning. Hurry,” I barked.
A few minutes later, Mack entered the café looking flustered. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” he addressed everyone. “It seems we’re under a tornado warning until midnight. We’re going to have to close up for the night. I need to let you and my employees get home now.” He paused and held up some tickets. “I have movie passes for anyone who has an unused ticket. You can find me out front. We’re going to try to have the café shut down within the next thirty minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience, folks. Thanks and good night.”
We had the place empty in ten minutes.
I walked to my car as quickly as I could. Something didn’t seem right; my car looked a little funny. Ugh! My front tire was flat. I saw Erica getting into her car. Great! I thought. I wasn’t very nice to her tonight, and I’d turned her down every stinking time she’d asked me to do something. Now I needed her to give me a ride. I began to say something, but I felt guilty, so I chickened out.
A few moments later, I heard, “Something wrong?” Erica was yelling from her car. Apparently she had finally noticed me.
Thank goodness she saw me. “A flat!” I yelled t
hrough the rain.
She pulled her car over. “Get in,” she said through the window.
I ran around her car and quickly got in. “Thanks, Erica. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.” I was so grateful to have a ride and be out of the rain that I didn’t even let the stench of cigarettes bother me. Her car was in pretty rough shape, but at least we didn’t have far to go.
“It’s no problem. Where to?” she asked cheerfully.
I gave her directions. “That sounds easy enough,” she said, as she completed a text. She finally put the car in gear and headed down the road.
“Can you believe this weather?” she said, as she squinted, trying to see through the driving rain and her wipers.
“We haven’t had a downpour like this in a while,” I said.
We drove a little ways, and then Erica flicked her blinker on. “I just have to swing by and pick up my friend. He gets off the same time we do, and I always give him a ride.”
“Sure,” I said, still just happy that I had a ride.
She pulled in, and a medium-built guy, just a few years older than me, was waiting under the porch of a gas station. He had his jacket zipped up and was trying his best to keep dry. He smiled when he saw Erica, and he trotted to the car and got in behind me.
“Thanks!” he said. “It’s brutal out there.”
Erica had us back on the road in no time. She smiled in her rearview mirror. “Ashley, this is Anthony.”
“Hi,” I said.
He nodded. He wasn’t very talkative, which made me uncomfortable. I felt pressure to have a conversation. “So…you work at the gas station?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell Erica was giving him a look in the mirror. After a few moments, he finally said, “Yeah.”
It took him that long to come up with that? What a genius. I stared sleepily out the window, lost in thought and wishing I were in my own bed, and then…it hit me. Erica had said that Anthony got off work the same time we did, but we didn’t get off at our usual time that night. So why would he be off right now? Was she lying? Why would she lie? Maybe he was sent home early too because of the bad weather.
I began to feel nervous. I tried my best to stay calm and not let it show. I was relieved when I saw that the exit to get to my house was approaching. I realized too late, though, that Erica was going too fast.