Unspoken Words (Hope and a Future Book 1)

by Janna Halterman

  It was a dark night. There was no moon out and the sky was clear of any clouds. Almost every building was completely dark as well; everything had been shut down for the night. The only other people who were out were the officers patrolling the campus.

  Evelyn was uneasy as they walked by the first set of officers they passed on their way to her apartment. The officers slowed when they saw her and Jackson walking, in what she thought showed more curiosity on their part than anything else. But Jackson was right; no one bothered them. They nodded and continued on their way.

  The gardens were completely empty. Even in the gray palette of night, they were beautiful. All the plants seemed to sleep in sweet serenity, lulled by quiet trickles from the fountains. The heated water prevented freezing and sent wispy fingers of steam dancing into the air. It felt like a dream.

  “Would you mind if I called you Jackson, instead of Jack?”

  “No, not at all,” Jackson laughed. “May I ask why?”

  “I think it fits you better. Jack is too casual. Jackson sounds important. It’s a name people would listen too. People listen to you. Like with Tom, he doesn’t listen to anyone, but he listens to you…and I don’t think he wants to. Why is that, do you think? Just because you’re his professor?” She did find it peculiar, how everyone seemed to respect him, almost to a point of fear. Was there a mean part of him she hadn’t yet met? She was confident no one else could hurt her when he was with her, but should she be afraid of him?

  “Evelyn, you will always be perfectly safe when you are with me.” Curious emotions rose in Evelyn at that statement. “I know you don’t fully trust me yet. I appreciate you trying to figure me out.”

  He thought a moment before answering her question. “You don’t know what I do, besides teaching that is, do you?” he asked. She shook her head. “You’ll notice, I’m sure, that it isn’t everyone who listens to me, it’s mostly just the men. You see, every male that comes to this school is required to serve at least one semester on Patrols. So, every male who has served their term in the last year and a half has had me as their Captain. I’m sure some of them have wanted to challenge me, but the fun part is, if they have an issue with me, they’d have to report to the Colonel…my father. That is why they listen to me. And as for Tom, he’s been on Patrols for four years, and didn’t like it when I came on as Captain. We’ve never been on good terms.”

  Most officers served because it was required. Evelyn guessed only a handful of campus Patrol officers were like Tom, making their career out of it. But to be a Captain, and at Jackson’s age, that was remarkable. She knew the tests required for that title took tremendous strength and agility, as well as skill with weapons and an extensive knowledge of the laws. Her own feelings of inadequacy began to overwhelm her as she stood next to him. “Jackson, would you be honest with me for a moment?”

  “I always am.”

  They stood just outside her door now. “Why have you been so nice to me today?”

  Jackson looked over her head at the wall behind her and exhaled. He couldn’t tell her it was because he couldn’t get her out of his head and wanted to be near her, but he didn’t want to lie either. “Because you’re worth it.”

  “Come on, Jackson. You’re amazing, and I’m just me. Yet, you’ve saved me from embarrassment and from Tom multiple times, sat with me while I was practically falling apart, walked me home in the freezing cold after curfew, and…” she blushed thinking about their kiss and what he said at the theatre. “…and a lot more. You said you would be honest.”

  “A lot more,” Jackson laughed. “That’s one way to put it.” He had thoroughly enjoyed the a lot more and was currently enjoying the blush tinting Evelyn’s cheeks with the memory of it. He couldn’t help but smile and pull her into a hug with his free arm. She instantly became a statue in his arms. He tried not to laugh. “Evelyn, I know you’re not going to invite me in, but I’m freezing. Just give me a little break on this.”

  Guilt dropped in her stomach like a rock. She was warm and content in his jacket, and behaving like a little girl. That fact didn’t stop her nerves from rattling, or her heart from racing, but she wrapped her arms around him tightly and, resting her chin on his chest, looked up at him. “I’m sorry.”

  He was pushing his self-control to the limit. He could feel her body, statue turned flesh, nervous in his arms. He wouldn’t risk losing her; he couldn’t ask for more than her friendship. “You’re shaking.”

  “You scare me…this scares me.” She didn’t mean to tell him that. For the first time, though, she was able to keep her eyes on his.

  “You never need to fear me…and I wasn’t lying. You are worth it.”

  Just then the door opened and Sarah materialized in the doorway. She leaned against the doorframe, sliding her arm up against it in an overtly seductive manner. Evelyn’s arms fell to her side and she quickly stepped away from Jackson. Jackson was the poster-child for calm.

  “Just friends, huh?” Sarah asked. “Tom was here just a few minutes ago, looking for you, Evie. He seemed pretty upset you weren’t home.” Even as she spoke to Evelyn, Sarah never stopped looking at Jackson.

  Evelyn didn’t like it and was caught off guard as jealousy coursed through her. Sarah looked like a goddess as she stood in the doorway. Her nightclothes weren’t inappropriate, necessarily, but they showed off more than Evelyn wanted Jackson to see. Her heart sank when she saw his eyes distracted by her body.

  “He knew we were in the library,” Jackson answered for Evelyn. “There was no reason for him to come to here. It was his mistake for attempting to seek her out.”

  Sarah stepped forward, extending her hand. Her long fingers were adorned with gold rings. “Since Evie seems to have forgotten her manners and has failed to introduce us, I’m Sarah.”

  Sarah’s body language was anything but innocent, and though annoyed by it, he couldn’t help but notice her. He shook her hand once and dropped it. “Evelyn’s had a rather interesting day and I’m sure she is exhausted. I assure you, her manners are more than what they should be.” He turned to Evelyn. “I think I have kept you long enough. I should be going. It was nice to meet you, Sarah,” he said, only glancing in her direction. Sarah rolled her eyes and went back inside, leaving the door cracked. They both assumed she was still listening.

  A chill ran over Evelyn as she handed Jackson back his jacket and took her things. She wished they could have talked longer. She didn’t think she would be able to speak so freely with him tomorrow. “I’m not working tomorrow,” she remembered. “Earlier you said you’d see me tomorrow at my library, but I had to take the day off.”

  Jackson put his jacket back on, and though its warmth was welcome, he had enjoyed the warmth of her in his arms more. “Is everything ok?”

  Evelyn was already beginning to shiver again. Tomorrow was her mother’s birthday. She never really knew her mother. She had been addicted to drugs until her death, while Evelyn grew up in a government home, but she still liked to visit her grave every year. Her mother managed to stay clean during her pregnancy, and Evelyn was born healthy, so the government was willing to house her. Babies who were born addicted to their mother’s drugs weren’t accepted by the government housing, and more often than not, the mothers weren’t able to help them survive. It was one of the worst things about their world. But her mother gave her a clean start and Evelyn was very grateful to her for that. She wasn’t ready to share all of that with Jackson. “Oh, yes,” she answered. “I just have someplace I have to go. I don’t like missing class, so I have to miss work instead.”

  Jackson seemed hesitant to leave, but Sarah was listening. “Ok. Well get inside before you freeze. I’ll see you later.” He smiled at her and added with a wink, “Just make sure you’re home before curfew tomorrow.” He turned and left.

  “Good night, Jackson,” she called after him.

  As she walked into the apartment, she heard Sarah’s door close. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with her toni
ght.

  Evelyn’s head was spinning. She was exhausted, but even as she curled up in bed, thoughts of Jackson were intoxicating. It was a good thing that she didn’t work tomorrow. Perhaps after a day of not seeing him, she could return to her normal self. She didn’t doubt this was the end of their friendship. He had been nice for the day but would forget about her tomorrow. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest at that thought. She wanted him around, but her heart would be safer with some distance between them. She just hoped that Tom would leave her alone, too.

  “She’s still mine.” Tom’s seething voice came from a dark corner of the building. Jackson wasn’t surprised to find Tom lurking around; though he was surprised he would challenge him so soon, and so alone. Jackson stopped walking and turned as Tom approached him from the shadows.

  “Hello, Thomas.” Jackson wasn’t one to rush into confrontations. It wasn’t that he was afraid of them; it was just that he always finished them. He didn’t like Tom, but he knew Tom was angry and he didn’t want to have to hurt him if he attempted to fight. If he was honest with himself, he didn’t want to get hurt either. He knew he could beat Tom in a fair fight, but fights over women were rarely fought fair.

  Tom was what every Captain coveted in an officer, except Jackson. Jackson knew the reasons Tom made a good officer were the same reasons girls swooned after him; powerfully built, assertive, showed no signs of fear. But Tom was cruel and had a defiant heart. Jackson wondered for a moment why Tom would be so invested in Evelyn. His blood ran hot as he realized why he was after her. She was pure…her purity would be a trophy for his pride.

  The stories weren’t rumors. They were goals.

  “Do you understand me, Jack?” Tom continued, stopping a few feet from him.

  Jackson took a deep breath, hoping the cold air would calm him. “Thomas, I believe you are wrong, and I would encourage you to leave her alone from now on.”

  “If you want her, you can have her if I tire of her. But she is mine.”

  It took every ounce of Jackson’s self-control not to knock Tom out, right where he stood. “Thomas, let me be clear. Evelyn is no one’s property and will never be anything to you. If you touch her, or I hear that you have upset her in any way, you will answer to me and no one will be able to help you. She is under my protection now, as her friend…and as your Captain. Do you understand me, Thomas?”

  Tom eyed him with wariness. “Yes.” He had no intentions of losing Evelyn to Jackson, but he needed time to learn this new game; especially now that there was a new player involved.

  Jackson turned and began to walk away. “And Thomas,” he added, “You will address me as sir from now on. If I hear you use my name, you will be reprimanded for disrespect to your Captain.” He left then, leaving Tom behind him. He didn’t think this was over, though. Like he had told Evelyn before, Tom was an idiot.

  Chapter 12

  Evelyn awoke the next morning to Bekah jumping on her bed.

  “So,” Bekah chirped, much too cheerfully, “I know he was here last night. You didn’t invite him in. You said you would invite him in.” She looked at her expectantly.

  Evelyn pulled the covers over her head and moaned.

  “Come on!” Bekah pleaded, pulling the covers back down. “What happened? You can’t just bring Mr. Gorgeous to our doorstep, after curfew, and not tell me what happened!”

  Evelyn liked Bekah, even early-morning Bekah. She was silly, and a hopeless flirt, but harmless. Sarah, however, was not to be trusted.

  “I’m sorry, Bekah, nothing happened. I promise. We were both at the library and I didn’t keep track of time, so he walked me home. Nothing exciting at all.” Of course, there was also that little part about Jackson saving her from Tom again, and having his arm around her, and wearing his jacket home. But Bekah didn’t need to know those parts.

  “Tom was here, ya know?” Bekah wrinkled her nose. There were things she knew about Tom, things that were impossible to share with Evelyn. “He seemed pretty upset. He talked to Sarah for a while. I really don’t like him.” She threw herself back on Evelyn’s bed. “I know, I know, you like him. But he’s so creepy. I like Jack much better.”

  Evelyn sighed and sat up, looking at Bekah sprawled across her bed. She wondered if this is what it would have been like to have a sister; talking casually about boys or whatever you wanted to talk about in your nightclothes? She liked it. “I don’t like Tom. I think I just liked the idea.” That wasn’t the truth, but maybe if she kept telling herself that, she could convince herself too.

  Bekah sat up. “But you’re so weird around him. I thought you still liked him?”

  “I don’t know how to behave around him. He spread all those lies about me. I’ve never had to deal with boys before.” Bekah smiled. “I know, you think it’s so funny. But I have no idea what to do with a boy, let alone a boy that everyone thinks…well, thinks things about. Bekah, you believe me, right? That I didn’t actually do those things?”

  “Oh sure,” Bekah answered. “Anyone who really knows you couldn’t believe those things, even if you didn’t argue that they’re lies.”

  “I don’t think Sarah believes me.”

  “She does. But I wouldn’t trust her if I were you. There’s something weird about her and Tom. I sometimes wonder…” but she didn’t finish her sentence. Secretly, she wondered if Sarah didn’t have something to do with what happened between Evelyn and Tom. “It doesn’t matter. So, do you like Jack?”

  Evelyn’s blush betrayed her again. “I could. He is so incredibly handsome. I’ve never met anyone like him. Did you know he’s a Captain in Patrols? Not a trainer.” She paused a moment. “What does it matter, though? He’d never like me. I just hope we stop running into each other.”

  “What? Why? Aren’t you friends?”

  Evelyn looked down. She wanted to be his friend. She wanted him to be around all the time, but that was the problem. “He seems like the best friend anyone could ask for, but I think it would end up being too difficult for me.”

  “Oh Evelyn, I hate to tell you, but you do like him, and I’m willing to bet you like him a lot.”

  Evelyn sank back into her pillows. Bekah was right, however much she didn’t want her to be. What was the point of liking someone you knew would never return those feelings? Time away would help her forget.

  “So,” Bekah continued, “visiting your mom today?”

  Evelyn stared at the ceiling. “Yes. Right after class. Speaking of which, I guess I should get ready. Don’t want to be late.”

  Bekah stood up with a huge smile. “Last day of class before Thanksgiving break! I’m glad we still celebrate Thanksgiving.” She turned to leave but stopped in the doorway. “You’re always welcome to come home with me for break. You know that, right?”

  Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed. Bekah was really a good friend to her, and she was overwhelmed with thankfulness for her. “Thank you. I’ll be alright. Can’t miss what I’ve never had.”

  With that, Bekah left.

  Evelyn sat a moment longer thinking about the holiday. A Thanksgiving meal was something the government homes simply couldn’t do. The ladies who worked with them were kind and tried their best to make it special. She had been blessed to be in a home with such kind women. She smiled. She already had two things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

  Class went quickly enough. After they submitted their papers, the professor began his very animated lecture. She enjoyed this class. Her professor was a dear older gentleman who lit up every time he taught. It was evident he was passionate about teaching, and about what he was teaching. She wondered what type of professor Jackson was, but she wasn’t supposed to be thinking about Jackson, so she pushed it from her mind.

  After class Evelyn walked to the station and waited for the bus. She wished she had brought a book to read while she waited, but instead filled her time people watching. Most of the people she saw were Patrol officers. She didn’t mind the city’s officers as much as sh
e minded the school’s. They were men who chose Patrolling as their career. They weren’t young men looking to prove themselves.

  The bus finally came and it was a peaceful ride to the cemetery. As always, the cemetery was empty when she arrived. She walked between rows and rows of graves, some decorated, and some so old she could barely make out what they said. She enjoyed reading them as she walked. There were so many she didn’t think she had ever read the same one twice. Then she came to her mother’s.

  Justine Evelyn Thompson, 2122-2151

  Evelyn sat down on the grass next to her mother and tucked her feet under her gray dress. “Hi Mom. Happy birthday.” She knew it was silly to talk to her mother, but she always did. “School’s going well. I think you’d be proud of me. After this semester, I just have one more and I’ll have my schooling completed. I’m hoping to stay on at the library when I’m done. It’s not adventurous, I know, but it’s safe and I do love it.” She thought over everything that had happened with Tom, and Jackson.

  “It’s been difficult lately. There was this boy, Tom. I was a fool to believe he felt anything kind for me. When I didn’t…I guess when I didn’t please him…he made it clear he had never liked me and spread some pretty horrible lies about me. Now there’s this other man, Jackson. I think you would like him; everyone likes him. He comes to my work a lot, and yesterday he kind of saved me, and he kissed me. It was wonderful, but I know he was just doing it to make Tom angry. Mom, I don’t know what to do. He wants to be my friend, but I don’t think I can be that. I’m sure it will all just blow over. I’m sure he hasn’t thought of me once since yesterday.” Her heart hurt as she remembered how Jackson’s eyes moved over Sarah’s figure last night. If he was thinking of anyone, he would be thinking of her.

  Evelyn sat with her mother a while longer, until time demanded she return to the bus station.

  “Happy birthday, Mom. I love you. Thank you for giving me a life.” She meant it.