Sublime Wreckage

by Charlene Zapata

  "Same old same old. Did you get some good food to munch on? I'm starving."

  "Sorry, I had dinner with Joey and Mom and didn't even think to bring you something. But I did buy some frozen pizza and a couple of your favorite junk foods. I'll throw the pizza in the oven if you want to hang and watch the game with me."

  "Sure. I don't have anything going on tonight. Anything new with you?"

  "Not really. Just working. Joey helped me out today with some yards so he can take his girlfriend out this weekend." After putting all the food away I slide the pizza in the oven for Tommy. We don't talk much once the game starts which is fine by me. He ends up devouring the entire pizza. Tommy is a big guy. I mean I am about 6'1" but Tommy is closer to 6'5" and probably weighs a good 250 pounds. He isn't overweight by any means. He is built. It always cracks me up when people see him. They ask if he plays football or some other sport. Poor Tommy doesn't have a coordinated bone in his body. Sometimes he trips over his own feet but he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I love him like a brother.

  By the time the game is over it's close to 10:00. Tommy heads off to bed. I feel restless. I straighten up around the house and decide to go for a walk. As soon as I get outside I head over to the railroad tracks. I don't know why I expect her to be waiting but she's not. So I walk around until I hear someone running. I can't believe my luck. I see her stop to catch her breath. Just as she is standing up I walk toward her. She seems pretty fearless. I still can't believe she is out running this late all alone.

  "You know you really shouldn't be out this late alone. A pretty girl like you could get hurt and that would be a shame." Oh crap. I hope she doesn't think I was threatening her. It did kind of sound like it. And a little creepy too. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?

  "I can take care of myself."

  For some crazy reason I move a few steps closer until I'm standing right in front of her. I don't know why but I feel drawn to this girl.

  "Don't say I didn't warn you when you are laying on the ground face down with my knee in your back, Slick."

  "I wasn't going to test the theory. I believe you. You seem like a smart girl and I don't think you would be out here right now if you couldn't handle yourself." There is that smart mouth again. I really like this girl. Now that I am standing so close to her I get a really good look at her face. Her right cheek is red and a little swollen like someone hit her. All of a sudden I feel so much concern for her. I can't believe someone would do this to her. They must have hit her pretty damn hard to leave a mark like that. I can't help myself. Slowly I reach up and touch her face with the back of my hand as gently as I can. I feel sparks flying through my entire body from just the tiniest touch to her skin. Wow. I have never felt anything like that before. Ever. The words are out of my mouth before I can even think. "Did someone hurt you?"

  "That's none of your damn business. Why are you even out here? Are you stalking me?"

  Super defensive. Yep. I should have kept my mouth shut. Someone definitely hurt her. She clearly doesn't want to talk about it so I let it go. "I actually think you're stalking me. See that small house on the corner? Well, I live there. So what are you doing in my neighborhood sweetheart?"

  "Ugh. Don't call me that. Like ever."

  "Well, you didn't want to toss me your name earlier so what else am I supposed to call you sweetheart?" Two can play at this game. I want to keep her talking. I'm really enjoying this banter.

  "It's Maggie but I suppose you already know that since you seem to know Sam."

  "I actually didn't know your name. I just knew you were Sam's ex. Sorry about the comment earlier. I really don't know anything about your relationship with Sam. I don't know the guy that well. I just do some work for his family and happened to see a picture of you at his house a couple of years ago. Well it's nice to meet you Maggie." Damn, I knew I shouldn't have made that comment about Sam. It's clearly a sore subject for her. I wonder what happened between the two of them. I wonder if she loved him.

  "Ummm...it's nice to meet you too, Vincent. And I'm sorry for what I said about you robbing a bank. I'm usually not so temperamental. I was kind of short with you based on rumors. So... sorry."

  "I understand. Most people don't have a high opinion of me but I promise not to rob you." She finally called me by my name. So she does know who I am. I can't believe how much I liked it when she said my name. I wonder if she will say it again. Although I like it when she calls me Slick too. It feels personal. Like we know each other. She gives me a little laugh after my comment and it's amazing. It's the best sound I've heard all day.

  "Well it's getting late and I have to get up early for school. I guess I will see you around, Slick."

  "Uh, okay. Do you want me to run with you back to your house or give you a ride? It just seems wrong to let you run alone this late at night. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."

  "It's okay, really. I do this all the time. I appreciate the offer but my mother would never let me out of the house again if she saw some strange, older guy giving me a ride home or running with me. But thanks for the offer. Later Vince."

  I really didn't want her to go but she left me with no choice. She just turned around and took off. Now she has called me Slick, Vincent and Vince. I can't decide which one I like best. All I know right now is I like this girl. I like her a lot. Maggie. I like that name too. Finally a name to go with the incredible girl. There is just something about her. After standing around for what seems like hours looking like an idiot, I turn around and head back to the house. I didn't even get her number. Dammit. Why can't I think straight when she is around? Wait, I can see her tomorrow when I pick up Joey from school. That puts the biggest smile on my face. I have never wanted tomorrow to come so badly.

  Chapter Five

  Maggie

  I get up as soon as my alarm goes off. I'm praying that my mother isn't awake. Sometimes when she falls asleep early she gets up early. I quietly creep across the hall into the bathroom. We have a small two bedroom house with just one bathroom. It sucks. I don't hear anything so I take a fast shower, get dressed, grab my stuff and get the hell out of the house before I have to see her. I was able to put some concealer on my face to cover up the red mark. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. I think the ice really helped. Amanda is waiting for me when I close the front door behind me.

  "What's up sunshine?" I skip happily down the front steps of the porch and over to Amanda.

  "What's up with you? Why are you so chipper? You're usually a great big grump in the morning."

  "So I can't be in a good mood? Besides, I didn't have any confrontations with momzilla so there is plenty to be happy about today. I also have work right after practice so I don't have to deal with her again tonight. Bonus!"

  "I don't think that's all that's going on here. I've never seen you this cheerful this early in the morning. So spill."

  "I'm telling you the truth. There's nothing else going on. I'm just happy."

  "Well I'm still not buying it but if you aren't going to tell me then I will just have to share about my latest conquest. You remember the guy we had lunch with yesterday? Well, he totally asked me out for this Friday night! I'm so excited. He is the cutest guy I have ever gone out with."

  Amanda continues to jabber in my ear the entire walk to school about the hot guy she will probably be sleeping with by the end of the month. I really wish she had more respect for herself. I made a mistake of giving my virginity away before I was ready. It's the biggest regret I have in my 17-years of life. I learned my lesson. That's also when I stopped trying to please my mother and started doing things for myself. It made my life with her a lot harder but I decided not to compromise who I am for another person ever again.

  We part ways until lunch, at which time I'm certain we will be sitting with tweddledee and tweddledum. I head into English with my favorite teacher Mr. Brown. I take a seat in the first desk in the front row. I don't know what it i
s about this class or this teacher but I'm usually captivated from the time class starts to when the bell rings. Today we are discussing our favorite short stories in American Literature. Mr. Brown is reciting lines from his favorites and the class has to answer which author wrote the short story. I love this game. I usually get most of them right but I never raise my hand. I only answer to myself, never out loud. I do well on all my papers and have had Mr. Brown for the last two years so he knows I'm intelligent. Obviously or I wouldn't be in the advanced class. I just prefer to keep my thoughts private. I think that's why I will never be a professional writer. As much as I love reading other people's work, I have little to no confidence in my own. Before I know it, the bell is buzzing in my ears. Time to move onto the next class.

  I am so grateful that I have study hall after calculus. It gives me the extra time I need to learn the material. Thus the name study hall. I am so funny, I crack myself up. I finally head to lunch. I'm starving. I was in such a rush to get out the door this morning I didn't have time to grab anything to eat. Once again Amanda gets a salad she probably won't even eat. I, on the other hand, grab a slice of pepperoni pizza, a cheeseburger with fries and a soda. Amanda looks over my food and shakes her head. "What? I didn't eat breakfast," I say while shoving a French fry in my mouth.

  "Maggie, you can't eat like that the rest of your life. You should try a salad once in a while."

  Amanda makes a beeline to the "hot guy" table, as she would call it. Great. Now I get to be completely and utterly bored the entire lunch period. The rest of the day drags so slow I think I may die of boredom. Finally it's time to head off to swim practice. I really don't know what I'm going to do once the season ends. It's something I really look forward to and it helps get me through my day.

  As soon as I step outside I have to blink several times. I can't believe what I'm seeing. Vincent Moreno is standing by the bus waiting. What's he doing? Who is he waiting for? Just as I'm trying to figure this out he notices me. Then he starts walking over. All of a sudden my heart rate picks up. The palms of my hands get all sweaty. Gross. I'm actually getting nervous. What could he possibly want with me?

  "Hey stranger."

  OMG! OMG! I am totally freaking out. Was he really just waiting here to talk to me? I am freaking out on the inside while trying to exhibit some level of composure on the outside. "Hey yourself, Slick."

  "You ran off the other night so fast I didn't get a chance to ask for your number. I'd like to give you a call sometime if that's alright?"

  "Ummm...." I don't have a clue what to say. I really like this guy. I want to give him my number but I can't risk getting caught up in a relationship when I'm this close to getting the hell out of here. So I make my decision right here, right now. "I just want to be clear, I'm not looking for a boyfriend. I don't have time to date. My focus is on college. I have no desire to stay in this town one second longer than I have to. So if you think you can handle being just friends with a girl then I will give you my number. Otherwise don't waste your time or mine."

  "It's not exactly what I had in mind."

  "Then walk away, Slick. Because I don't have anything else to offer." I walk right past him to get on the bus but when I do our shoulders touch. It's almost like a shock of electricity. When I was a kid I would rub my feet along the carpet with my socks on to build up static electricity and then shock someone. Well, it felt like that but intensified times a million. I have never felt that kind of chemistry, not even with Sam.

  "Wait. Please. I was just kidding. If friendship is all you have to offer I'll take it. I just want to get to know the girl who stole something right in front of my face without even batting her pretty little eyes."

  He wants to get to know me. I stand there with my back toward him thinking about what my next move should be. I turn around and look him right in his deep brown eyes. I lose all focus for about five seconds as I allow myself to get lost in those eyes. Snap out of it Maggie. "Fine. Give me your phone." I stand in front of this gorgeous guy with my arms folded across my chest like I can't stand him. I really don't want to give him the impression that I like him in that way even if I might just a little. He hands over his cell phone so I can type in my name and number. The only reason I even have a cell phone is because my mother wants to be able to reach me no matter where I am.

  "Do you need a ride home? You really don't have to take the bus. I don't mind taking you."

  "Oh. Thanks but it's not a bus home. I don't live far from here so I walk. This bus takes me to swim practice over at the YMCA."

  "No wonder you're in such great shape. Swimming and running. Very impressive."

  "It's just so I don't have to take P.E. I would do just about anything to avoid high school physical education."

  "Still impressed. When do you finish? Maybe I can give you a call later?"

  "I have to work after practice. I don't get off until 10:00 tonight. I have a pretty busy schedule so you might want to give up now." Please don't give up. It might be nice having someone else to hang out with especially since Amanda will be working at her dad's shop. And let's not forget that she's also boy crazy.

  "I could give you a ride to work if you want. Just one friend to another. What time do you get done with practice?"

  "That would be great actually. I usually walk from school to the video store. I could use a break. We usually get back to the school close to 5:00. Will that work for you?"

  "Sure. Not a problem. I'll be here."

  "Thanks. I gotta run. See you after practice." I quickly turn to get on the bus. I can't believe Vincent Moreno is giving me a ride. I can't believe he wants to be friends. I can't believe how incredibly nice he seems. Maybe he just wants to get in my pants. Even as I think the words I know they aren't true. There is just something about him. I feel safe around him. I feel like I can trust him. I really hope I'm not making another colossal mistake.

  Practice has never gone faster in my life. I can't seem to stop smiling. I keep finding myself picturing his cocky smile with that strong jaw line. He really is very good looking in a rugged, tough guy kind of way. As the bus pulls up outside the school I see his black Mustang sitting in the parking lot. I jump out of the bus and practically skip over to his car. He gets out immediately to come over and open my door. Seriously?

  "Let me stop you right there Slick. Friends don't open car doors for friends. We are not dating so don't treat me like we are. If you can't handle this, it's never going to work." He stops dead in his tracks.

  "I was just getting out to stretch. I would never think to open the car door for a friend. I mean that's the most absurd thing I've heard all day."

  He says this with the biggest grin on his face. It makes my lips lift up until they are practically touching my eyes. I just can't help it. That was so cute. "I'm sure that's exactly what you were doing. Let's go Slick." I walk over to the passenger side of the car. The smell of leather hits my nose as soon as I open the door. I slide into the seat with ease. At first I worried if being in a car that is the exact car my father died in would freak me out but all I feel is comfort. It's almost familiar in a way. I lay my head back against the seat and close my eyes. I hear Vincent get into the driver's side then start the engine. It brings me to life. I can feel the vibration of the engine climbing up my body until it hits my fingertips. I open my eyes just as Vince is pulling out of the parking lot.

  "So you work at the video store?"

  "Yep. I'm lucky I got the job. As you know there aren't a lot of opportunities in Milford, especially for a teenager. I've been working there for about two years now." I don't have to tell him where to go because our small town only has one video store. Am I crazy that I'm super disappointed this ride will only take about 10 minutes? I kind of want to talk to him longer. "So where do you work?"

  "I actually started my own lawn care service last summer. It's been doing really well, so well that I was able to buy a plow for my truck for winter. Now I don't have to go back to work at the factory. I
really hated being confined in a small building inhaling all kinds of toxins. I prefer the wide open outdoors breathing in fresh, clean air. I know it might sound weird but I really love the smell of freshly cut grass."

  Wow. I was so not expecting him to be so motivated. "Now I'm the one who's impressed. I think that's really incredible that you have the discipline to start your own business. You must be really smart too. It takes guts and brains to work for yourself."

  "I definitely have the guts but not so sure about the brains. I'm a high school drop-out, in case you didn't know."

  "I heard some rumors regarding your high school experience but I'm trying really hard not to believe the gossip." I turn and look directly in his eyes with a small smile on my lips. "Don't sell yourself short either, you have to have quite a bit of brains to start your own business."

  "Well thanks for the boost of confidence."

  Just then I feel the car come to a stop. I can't believe we're here already. It would have taken me at least 30 minutes to walk to work from school. I really don't want to get out of his car. I feel comfortable sitting here next to his warm body. He is looking into my eyes with a smile spreading across his gorgeous face.

  "Can I pick you up after work? Or do you already have a ride? Do your parents come to get you?"

  "That's an awful lot of questions in the span of 10 seconds." I laugh, shake my head, then turn to open the car door. "I walk everywhere so a ride would be nice. Thank you for giving me one to work. I really do appreciate it."

  "So you are off at 10?"

  "Yes. But you can't drop me off in front of my house. I don't want my mom seeing me with a guy this late at night. Okay?" I hope that sounded natural. I mean that is a normal thing a parent would get upset about right? An older guy driving their daughter home at 10 at night on a school night? Actually a normal parent would pick their child up so they didn't have to walk home alone. All I'm worried about is my mother hitting on my new "friend" while making crude remarks about sexual positions. Trust me, it's happened before and if I let it, I'm sure it would happen again. That's yet another reason I don't bring people around that awful woman. She has zero boundaries, zero filter. She says whatever pops into her head. I turn one last time to check his reaction to my request. He doesn't seem at all bothered by it so it must sound casual, typical even of a protective parent.