Before either of us can protest, she sits down on our blanket with her legs crossed like a real princess.
“Well don’t wait on us,” Evie snaps, and she throws away the apple.
“Wait for what?” Scarlet says.
Evie frowns and shakes her head, then she whispers in my ear, “Brains of a sheep.”
I muffle a laugh and hide it behind my hand. “Look, we really just want to study,” I say.
“I know. I was planning to do the same, but when I saw you girls out here I thought I could join you.” She smiles brightly, as if she thinks it’ll help convince us to let her stay.
Well, it’s not like she’s been mean. We have.
It’s just that she’s so not Brody’s type. He used to like the geeky girls. The strong girls. Not the Barbie-doll types. And from the looks of it, that’s all she’s got.
“Oh, and you know about English literature?” Evie scoffs.
“As a matter of fact, I do. I followed a class about poetry in high school.”
Evie chortles and has trouble stopping herself from bursting out into laughter. “Okay. If you say so.”
“Besides, you guys and Brody are friends, so I thought I should get to know you guys.”
Evie rolls her eyes and glances at me.
“Actually … I’m here to ask you for a favor,” Scarlet continues. “I’m doing research about discrepancies between the different social classes and common portrayals of stereotypes. I thought you girls could help me out with that, since you seem just like the type to discuss this. I study sociology,” she says.
My jaw drops. I’m struck in awe by the fact that her words came out in a way that make her seem smart. Her clothing and the way she acts hides all that, but now I’m starting to think she’s smarter than we thought. Maybe we misjudged her.
From the corner of my eye I see Brody approaching. He’s frowning heavily and his lips are smashed together. He doesn’t look happy.
“Scarlet!” he yells as he marches closer.
She turns her head, and when she sees him she starts waving. “Hey!”
“What are you doing?” he says with a high-pitched voice, as if he can’t believe she’s here.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“You know you can’t be in the sun,” Brody says to her, ignoring my question. “Are you just going to ignore the doctor’s advice?”
“No, I was just talking. I didn’t plan on staying long,” she says, pursing her lips. “It’s just sun. Nothing scary about that.”
“You know it’s too hot for you!”
“Brody. It’s the sun. What’s your problem?” Evie snarls. “She have a heart disease or something?”
“Yes,” he snaps.
“What does the sun have to do with heart problems?” I ask.
“It’s none of your business,” he says, furious.
I draw back and look at him in confusion, while he grabs Scarlet’s arm and pulls her to her feet.
“Your heart is too fragile for this. You know better than to expose yourself to danger.”
“As if the sun is going to make my heart explode,” Scarlet says. “C’mon, Brody. A little warmth isn’t going to kill me.”
“You don’t know that. If you heat up too much your heart has to work way too hard to cool you down. There are risks. You know all this,” he explains.
She sighs. “It’s my heart, Brody. I know. I know the limits. Don’t tell me what to do.” She jerks her arm loose and turns her head away from him in defiance.
He lets out a huge breath. “I’m just worried about you.”
“Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”
He frowns. “I don’t have time for your nonsense. Stay if you want. I just want you to be safe.”
“Well, thanks, but see ya,” she says, still ignoring him.
In the meantime, Evie and I look at each other with raised eyebrows, both thinking the same thing. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but it has something to do with her heart. And Brody is acting like a total bitch because of it.
God, this is so not how I remember him from high school.
Has it been so long? Has he changed so much in the last couple of years?
He storms off again, and after a while Scarlet gazes at him with a sad look on her face. “I’m sorry, girls. I don’t …”
“Yeah, we know,” Evie says, nodding. “Don’t apologize for him. Not your fault.”
She smiles lightly. “Thanks. I’m sorry. I really have to go. But I’d really like to hang with you sometime.”
“Yeah …” I say, and a pathetic laugh comes out of my mouth. “Maybe sometime later.”
“Okay. Well, see ya!” She waves and then runs after Brody.
“Jesus. That girl’s something else,” Evie says after a while.
“Tell me about it.”
“I did not expect that.”
“No, I didn’t know she had heart problems. Kind of puts things in perspective.”
Evie hums in agreement. I’m staring at the grass, thinking about the whole scene. Brody really reacted over the top. I’m not sure it was necessary.
“Well, even if she has heart problems, it shouldn’t give Brody permission to act like that,” I say. “I think Brody’s really turned into a jerk.”
Evie chuckles. “Now you’re saying.”
“Yeah, well, I hate to admit it, but it’s true. He’s changed. A lot.”
“I wonder why. I mean, you always said he was the nicest guy you ever met. Then when I met him I thought you were crazy or something. He never struck me as a cool guy.”
“We used to be best friends. He always stuck up for me when I got bullied.”
“Yeah, I know. Still, he doesn’t strike me as the type to care right now.”
I nod and hum in agreement.
It’s true, what she says. I’m starting to see it more and more, but I don’t actually want to admit it. It means we’re really growing apart, and I don’t want that to happen. Before I came here I’d hoped we could be a tight bunch together, just the three of us, having fun, but now it seems he’s totally disconnecting from us. I barely see him anymore.
I don’t really want to think about it anymore, so I look at the people around me instead and focus on what they’re doing.
As I turn my head, my heart stops.
It’s Hunter.
He’s stretching his back and legs, alternating positions while staring up into the sky. His face is blank, concentrating on what he’s doing. The cut muscles hiding behind a thin layer of cotton are mesmerizing to look at, and he reminds me of those sportsmen who prepare for their challenge by increasing their limits.
He gets up on two feet and shakes off some of his energy. Then he starts hitting a large ball that’s hanging from a tree by a thick rope.
His strikes are hard and fast, and his face turns into the face of a fighter. Full of energy. Full of anger.
I don’t know which one I find more frightening.
He’s like a massive force of fury aiming for the knockout punch. On a freaking ball.
Sweat drips from his face and makes his skin shine. He’s wearing only shorts and a loose tank top, which moves fluently with his shuffling. I can clearly see his six pack through his wet shirt, and his brown nipples peeking through.
I gulp at the sight.
He looks marvelous. The way he jumps around, hitting that ball like it’s his arch enemy. He’s lightning fast and not heavy on his feet at all, even though he looks like a hulk right now. A big, fierce, manly man with biceps the size of small melons.
And it’s making me drool like a teenager.
I can’t believe I’m thinking about him like that, let alone gawking at him.
Each time he hits the ball, he sends it flying into the air, and I’m amazed at his sheer strength. The aggressiveness in his stance, his power. It’s like a magnet to my eyes.
“Looks like he’s working out,” Evie says, jerking me out of my daydream ab
out Hunter.
The moment she opens her mouth Hunter looks our way and stares right at me. My eyes widen, and my breath falters. I suddenly feel caught in the act of admiration. Dammit, I didn’t expect him to turn around, and I certainly didn’t expect him to notice me sitting here. What an embarrassment.
My face starts to glow. His lips quirk up into a smile, and he waves a little, so I wave back.
“Autumn!” Evie says, and she pokes me in the side.
I turn my face toward her. “What?”
“Don’t encourage him.”
“He’s not even into me,” I say.
“Well it’s sure a coincidence he keeps wanting to sit next to you,” she says.
“Maybe he just doesn’t have many friends.”
“I don’t think so,” she replies, and she points at something behind us.
I turn around again and see Hunter sauntering away. My eyes follow the direction he’s going, and I notice he’s walking toward the fence. A bunch of guys wearing ragged clothes and unshaven beards stand behind the fence. They’re clustered together, and it looks like they’re talking, but I can barely see their mouths move. Their eyes skid from left to right, scanning the area, as if they’re checking to see if the coast is clear.
With a quick glance, Hunter checks if anyone’s looking, and I quickly turn my head in the hopes he didn’t see me looking. When I think it’s clear, I turn my head again and see him talking with the guys.
“What do you think they’re doing?” Evie says, squinting.
“I don’t know.”
One of the guys behind the fence rummages in his pocket and takes out something I can’t see. Suddenly they exchange something, and Hunter pushes something deep into the pocket of his jeans. Then he does the same, giving something back to them. They’re lightning quick in the trade. I can’t even see what it is, just that it’s small and lightweight.
They all nod, and the look in their eyes is harsh, as if it’s a warning of some sort.
It freaks me out.
Everything. Not just the look in their eyes. Not just the exchange. Everything about it has bad written all over it. Just like Hunter.
“Nothing good,” I murmur.
“What?” Evie says, and she crawls closer to me, lying down on the blanket.
“Nothing.” It just doesn’t look good, but I can’t say what it is either. I didn’t see anything, but I know it’s not cool. But I don’t want to worry anyone without proof.
We both peer at the boys as they part. The guys stroll away from the premises, and Hunter comes back to the college ground. I quickly turn around on my back, and Evie does the same, and we pretend we’ve been laughing all this time.
Hunter passes us, and I know he’s been looking. I don’t want him to know we saw everything. There’s no need yet. I don’t know what it is he was doing, but I’m sure it’s something he doesn’t want everyone to know. And I intend to keep it that way, as I’m far too scared to face the consequences if I did tell anyone.
Yep, I’m chicken-shit.
Chapter 5
Chicken-shit
My hand is hovering close to the door of Brody’s dorm room, but I can’t pull the trigger and actually knock. I’ve been meaning to talk to him for the past couple of days now, but I can’t figure out for the life of me how to start this conversation. I don’t like fighting with my friends, but at the same time I don’t want it to continue the way it’s going right now. He’s important to me, and I can’t lose him. I want to see if I can change this.
I’m shaking from top to bottom as I blow out a final breath before knocking.
The waiting seems like minutes, but I know it’s only been a few seconds. Still, he doesn’t open the door. He doesn’t even respond.
I knock again, but still there’s nothing.
“Brody?” I call.
Nothing.
“Hey, Autumn.”
I turn around and Evie’s walking up to me.
“Do you know where Brody is?”
“Yeah, I just saw him downstairs. He’s hanging in the lounge room with a couple of his weird friends. Not a good idea,” she says.
“Well, I still want to talk to him.”
“Why? Is it important? He seemed too busy laughing his ass off at fat girls passing by.”
With furrowed brows, I say, “What? He would never do that. That’s not like him. At. All.”
“Tell that to the girl who ran past me, bawling her eyes out.”
I bite my lip. “I think we just need a good talk.”
“And you think that’s going to help?” One of her eyebrows lifts.
“We’ve been friends forever, he’ll listen to me.”
She sighs. “Look, Autumn, I get that you were best friends and all, but Brody’s really changed. And it’s not for the good.”
“Maybe if I can talk some sense into him he’ll …”
“Don’t count on it.”
I look down at the floor, mulling over my idea to talk it over, get this cleared up and out of the way. But Evie’s words ring true. She’s not one to make this stuff up. I know for a fact Brody’s changed, but I still think I can get through to him. I shouldn’t give up until I’ve tried.
“If you really want to do it, I’ll come with you,” Evie says, and she hooks her arm around mine.
I smile. “Thanks.”
“What would you do without me?” She winks, and it makes me laugh.
We go downstairs and into the student lounge. Brody’s sitting there with his supposed ‘friends,’ who don’t fit at all with what I had in mind for his friends. They’re skinny, well-built, have smug faces, and some of them have girlfriends hanging on their laps. I don’t remember Brody being like this, but now that I see him sitting there with Scarlet by his side, pretending he’s all that, he seems different than before.
They’re talking loud, and I can barely hear what they’re saying, because they’re all yapping through each other’s conversations. They’re also smoking, even though that’s not allowed, but it doesn’t smell like tobacco. It stinks, and I feel like I’ve just entered a private party.
Evie coughs, creating a distraction, and the group stops talking. “Hello?”
“Hmm … fresh meat,” one of the group members says. “What do you want?”
“Yeah, fuck off,” another one says, and they all chuckle.
“Shut up!” Evie yells. “I’m not talking to you.”
Brody calms down his peers. “Autumn, Evie?” he says. “What are you doing here?”
“Uh, hello? This is the student lounge room. Everybody’s allowed in here.” Evie taps her foot on the floor.
The group Brody’s with laughs at her, and her tapping speed increases.
“Obviously.” Brody looks annoyed by her comment. “What can I do for you?”
“What can I do for you? Boy, you sound like a real gangsta, don’t you?” Evie says.
“Don’t call him that,” one of the guys cautions.
“Or else?”
“Evie,” I say, and I put my finger on my lips. “Let me handle it,” I whisper.
She crosses her arms and puffs. “Fine.”
Clearing my throat, I say, “Brody, can we talk?”
The group bursts out into laughter. “He doesn’t have time for you,” one of them says.
“We’re busy, can’t you see?” another one says, and they lean forward, looking bored and annoyed.
“Stop being such assholes!” Evie screams. “Or I’ll …”
Now they all stand up. “Or what, bitch?”
The relaxed mood has suddenly changed to a darker, scarier mood, and I’m not sure if I still want to talk to him. Heck, I’m not even sure if I should stay here one second longer. I don’t feel safe.
“Or nothing,” Brody says. “Look, girls, I’m sorry, but I don’t think this is the right time.”
“Yeah, fuck off,” one of the other guys says. “Like you’re even welcome anywhere. Fat ass.”
“What did you say?” she screams.
“Stop!” I yell.
“What, huh? What d’ya wanna do? Wanna fight?” one of the guys says to her, and he tilts his head in contempt.
“Fuck you! Fuck you all!” Evie screams, and she jerks herself loose from my grip. “And you too, Brody! Autumn’s your friend, and you’ve been treating her like shit.”
“What? What did I ever do?” Brody says, holding up his hands.
“C’mon, Evie, let’s go,” I say, and I usher her out of the room with trouble. “They’re not worth it.” I can’t deal with this right now, so the best solution is to cut it off.
“Damn right they’re not worth it!” she screams, but I hope they can’t hear her.
I push her up the stairs and pull her into our room. I have trouble containing her, because when she gets started she’s like a bull with horns, ready to charge.
I slam the door shut and watch her pace up and down. Kicking the door, she rages some more until she’s out of breath. Then she slumps to her bed and flops down.
“God, I hate them. And I hate him.”
I sit down across from her, and just stare ahead.
“Wow …” I say. “I seriously did not know it was that bad.”
“Do you see now? Those guys are not good, Autumn. I tried to tell you, but you’ve been blind the whole time.”
“Well thanks,” I scoff.
She sighs. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean that you really need to open your eyes to the truth. He’s not who you think he is. Not anymore.”
“Damn it …” I say, and I let my back drop onto the bed so I can stare at the white ceiling. It makes things a little easier to process.
Neither of us say anything else until she’s calmed down. When I can no longer hear her panting, I sit up straight, and so does she.
“It smelled like pot in there. Brody’s really gone nuts.” Evie twirls her finger around in the air, close to her temple.
“I guess …” I say.
I don’t really know what else to say. I’ve seen it with my own eyes now. He’s hanging with the wrong crowd, and now he’s even smoking weed. Their behavior is violent and frightening, and I don’t want to have any part in it.
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