“The first week back is over,” Nick said as he pulled into my driveway. “Next week should be a lot better,”
“You know,” I said, twirling my hair around my finger, “I keep thinking that if I’d reported my attack after the football game that the fire at church never would’ve happened.”
“The police have no leads, and look how many witnesses they interviewed. Do you really think they’d have any leads from your attack?”
“No, but I’d feel better.” I ran my fingers through my hair and let them flop on my lap as I exhaled my regret. “At least I’d have done something about it.”
“Kate, this wasn’t your fault.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I just feel like… like I’m somehow responsible.”
“You’re not.” Nick took my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “The ones who started the fires are responsible.” He quickly glanced at our neighbor’s house and then back at me. “I have a feeling things are going to get better.”
A moving truck was parked in front of the neighbor’s house. A mover dressed in overalls was loading boxes onto a hand truck while two burly men carried a sofa into the house.
“Hmm, I guess the world can change all around me and I wouldn’t even notice it,” I said as I got out of the car. Both car doors slammed shut. Nick walked around to my side of the car. Our fingers intertwined as we walked up the brick sidewalk.
“I think I’ll head home now,” Nick said, stopping at the front door.
“Really? You’re not coming in?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I have some work to do at home that I forgot about. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Sure,” I murmured as he pecked me on the cheek. I watched in disbelief as Nick walked back to his car and drove away. We always hung out on Fridays. And what was up with that lame excuse? Who did he think he was kidding?
“Kate,” Mom called from the kitchen. “How was school?”
“It was fine.” I walked into the kitchen, dropped my backpack beside the island, and rested my arms on the polished blue, black, and iridescent crystalline infused granite. “Everyone is still talking about the fire.”
“Well, I have some exciting news.” Mom stood at the oversized granite island, chopping up vegetables. The knife clicked against the white plastic cutting board with each slice. “We have new neighbors and they, or I should say he, has a daughter your age.”
“He? There’s only one?”
“Yes, a single dad, Mr. Bishop. Anyway, I met him this morning, and he’s super friendly.” Mom waved the knife around, alternating between cutting the air and cutting the vegetables. “I want you to take a chicken casserole over to them and introduce yourself. Then on Monday you can show the daughter around, just like you did with Nick.”
My laugh drowned out the drumming of my nails on the island. “Um, Mom, I think my relationship with this girl will be a little different than my relationship with Nick.”
“Well, Katie, of course. I’m just saying that you and Nick can show her around. Nick knows what it’s like to be new.” Mom pointed the knife directly at me. “I’m sure he won’t mind.” Then she scooped up the diced vegetables, put them in a plastic tub, and placed them in a plastic grocery bag. “Here, the salad is ready.” She squeezed salad dressing into a plastic container, snapped on the lid, and added that to the bag. “Should I add croutons?”
“Who wants to eat salad without croutons?”
“You’re right.” Mom poured the croutons into a baggie and placed them in the grocery bag. “Did I forget anything?”
“The most important part.”
“Dessert!” We both replied in unison.
“At least I know where your priorities are.” Mom took the chocolate chip brownies off the counter and placed them in the bag. “I think it’s ready for you.” She tied the handles of plastic bag in a loose knot.
“Okay, I’ll go work my magic.”
I arrived, loaded up with goodies, at the neighbor’s open door. Balancing the food on my knee, I pressed the doorbell. Its melodic chime rang through the house and signaled my arrival. I self-consciously waited at the open door while movers covered in sweat walked past me.
After a few moments, I was finally greeted by my new neighbor.
“You must be Kate.” Her long eyelashes drew attention to her dark brown eyes. “My name is Zoe.”
“Hi, my mom asked me to bring you dinner.” I held out the casserole and bag of goodies for her to see.
Dark olive arms stretched out and took the food, cradling it close to her petite body. “Please, come in.” Zoe moved aside to make room for me to enter the house. “The place is a mess right now. You can imagine what a nightmare moving is.” Her smile revealed perfectly white teeth.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know our neighbors had sold their house. It just went on the market,” I said as we entered the living room. Large pieces of furniture were strategically placed and labeled boxes appeared to be stacked in the appropriate rooms. It didn’t look very messy to me. It looked pretty organized for moving day.
“Yeah, Dad noticed it the day it was listed, and that was it. I guess he made them an offer they couldn’t refuse,” she joked, raising her perfectly plucked eyebrows at me.
“As long as everyone’s happy.” I smiled, catching her reference to the mafia and thinking that she just might be interesting. “Are you nervous or excited about school on Monday?” We continued through the dining room and into the open concept kitchen and family room.
“A little of both.” Her long black shiny hair cascaded over her shoulders and back as she placed the food in the stainless steel refrigerator. “We move around a lot, so I’m used to it. Can I get you something to drink?” She stood beside the open refrigerator door.
“Thanks, a soda.” I sat down at a bar stool beside the granite island. “What year are you?” I traced a dark brown river of granite flowing through the polished golden slab.
“A junior.” She handed me the soda and sat down next to me.
“Me too. Maybe we’ll have some classes together.” I lifted the tab on the soda can and a loud popping sound followed.
“That would be great. It’s always nice to know at least one person.”
“Where are you from?” I lifted the can to my mouth. The cold metal rested on my lips as the sweet carbonation flowed over my tongue.
“A little bit of everywhere. We move around a lot.” She smiled, rested her head in her hand, and looked into my eyes. “We don’t stay in one place very long.”
“That must suck.” I couldn’t imagine leaving my friends constantly, never having a stable base to call home.
“Not really. I get to see the world.”
“I guess seeing the world would be cool.” I took another drink and looked around. In the family room, large cardboard boxes were stacked on top of each other. A leather sofa and reclining chair faced the gas fireplace. A coffee table, laden with small boxes, sat in front of the leather sofa. A few pictures leaned against the wall. A rug, which lay behind the sofa, was rolled up and tied shut with heavy cord.
Zoe and I talked for a few more minutes and learned a little bit more about each other. She eventually asked me about the fire. Evidently, even newcomers are obsessed with the attack at church. I did my best to give short answers and steer the conversation away from that topic. However, she was even better at steering the conversation back to the fire.
Then it hit me, my eyes wandered as we talked, but she was completely focused on me. The way she looked at me was beginning to make me a little uncomfortable. Her unending stare felt like she was searching for something.
I placed my empty soda can on the island. “Well, I should get going.” I glanced through the hallway towards the front door and looked back at her.
“You don’t have to leave already, do you?” Her eyes seemed to plead with me to stay.
“I have homework.” I knew I could put it off, but I’d run out of things say to a
complete stranger.
“It was nice meeting you. Please thank your mother for the food.”
“I will.” Behind me, the noise of movers adding boxes and other items to the rooms was constant. Mumbled voices discussed the placement of items. “It was great meeting you.”
I headed back through the dining room. My foot caught on the edge of a rolled up Persian rug. The walls slid by as I fell to the carpet; my palms broke my fall. “Umph!” I moaned as I landed with a thud.
“Are you okay?” a deep melodious voice asked. A young man crouched before me. My heart raced. I wasn’t sure if it was from the fall or from him. There was something intriguing about this guy — he seemed oddly familiar to me. Wavy dark brown hair adorned his perfectly proportioned face. His eyes were a mesmerizing light green encircled by a darker green band. The green was the shade of a new seedling, appearing fragile and delicate, yet strong enough to force its way through the soil to start a new life. These variegated green eyes stared into mine and awaited my response.
“Yes,” I choked out, still enraptured by him. His hand clasped mine as he helped me up. His touch felt warm and calming, similar to Nick’s. His honey-golden skin shimmered with a skein of sweat.
I stared at him and did a mental comparison between him and Nick. In many ways they seemed similar, yet deep down I knew them to be opposites. Where Nick was light, this stranger seemed dark, and where Nick was dark, this stranger seemed to be light. They seemed to be the same, yet different. I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Hello, I’m Alex.” He smiled, his green eyes never leaving mine.
“Hi, I’m Kate,” I stammered.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” His voice was calm and soothing.
“You’ve heard of me?” Oh no, what did Mom say this morning?
“Your mom mentioned you to Zoe.”
“Alex is my twin.” Zoe walked over to us. Standing side by side he was nearly a foot taller than her, and their skin tones were different.
“Oh, I can totally tell. You look just alike,” I joked, still in a daze.
“Really?” Alex chuckled and revealed a brilliant smile. “We don’t hear that very often.”
“I guess other people just don’t have my special abilities.” As I stared at him, I got the impression that he was just as fascinated with me as I was with him. His eyes connected with mine with such intensity that it felt like he was searching for something deep inside of me.
“Hmm,” Alex smiled back and a warm glow emanated from his face.
“Introduce me to our new friend.” A new man entered the room from around the corner.
“Kate, this is our father, Evan Bishop,” Zoe said. She extended her arm towards him. Mr. Bishop was tall and broad, like Alex, but his fair skin and blond hair streaked with gray set him apart from his children. I would love to see the gene pool these three swam out of. His blue eyes met mine as I studied him.
“Hello, Mr. Bishop.” Even as I greeted Mr. Bishop I felt the weight of Alex’s stare. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Mr. Bishop said. “I’m thrilled to finally meet you in person.”
A heat of blush rushed into my face. “I hope Mom didn’t bore you with too many family details. She can get long winded when it comes to Reese or me,” I said nervously, concerned about what Mom said this morning.
“No, I can honestly say I was never bored,” Mr. Bishop said with a smile that seemed to hide something.
“I guess that doesn’t mean she wasn’t long winded, does it? Maybe you have a high tolerance for pain,” I joked, feeling the weight of their stares on me. It was awkward, like I was the new person. “Anyway, I better get going. Good luck unpacking and enjoy the dinner.” I quickly waved and headed out the door, nearly bumping into another mover as he stepped into the house.
Once on our property, I glanced back towards their house. Alex stood in the doorway, watching me. He nonchalantly waved. I waved back and hurried inside. Why was he watching me? I locked the door and rested my head against it. My experience at the Bishop’s house had certainly been unique. They were perfectly polite and well-mannered, but there was definitely something different about them. They were too perfect, and the way they kept staring at me, like they were searching for something. What was that about?
“So, what did you think of Zoe?” Mom walked towards me from the kitchen and wiped her hands on a dishtowel.
“She’s nice.” I shrugged, not sure what else to say. “You didn’t tell me she has a twin brother.”
“I didn’t meet him. Is he nice?” Mom rested her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side.
“Yes, he’s polite. But he stared at me while I crossed the yard. That’s a little strange. Don’t you think?”
“Well, Kate, maybe he thinks you’re cute.” She winked and wiggled her eyebrows. “He’s new. Maybe he wants to know if you’re available.”
“Eww. Mom, I’m taken.”
“He doesn’t know that.” She tossed her palms up and shrugged. “He may think he’s the luckiest guy on the planet because he moved in next to you.”
“Wow, only a Mom would think that.” I hugged her. “I’m going for a run.” I headed up the stairs, changed into my running clothes, and popped in my earbuds. On my run, I decided to leave behind the disorder of the fire and reclaim my life.
The weekend passed quickly. Nick and I spent most of it together. We ran, hung out with our friends, and watched movies. Overall, it was a great weekend until Sunday night at the dinner table.
“Kate,” Dad said, “I talked with Mr. Dobbs at church today.” I looked up, puzzled. “He’s a little concerned about you’re AP biology grade.” Reese laughed as he shoveled roast and mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“My scores are fine,” I replied defensively. “I got a 90 on my last quiz.”
“A 90,” Reese howled, “that’s in the B range. Dad, you definitely need to step in and do something.”
“Katie,” Mom said, patting my hand. “It’s just that now that you’re spending so much time with Nick… your grades are slipping.” She nodded slowly.
“So now that I’m getting a high B you’re panicking?” I said.
“We aren’t panicking. We just want you to be aware that if you don’t get this under control, we’ll help you get it under control,” Dad warned. Then he cut his roast and speared it with his fork.
“Perfect, only in Cary, North Carolina is a high B in advanced placement biology something to be concerned about,” I said. “What a joke!” My hand landed on the table with a loud thump.
“It’s that attitude that’s causing the problem young lady.” Reese smirked, pointing his finger at me. “Now, get busy bringing that grade up or we’ll have to nix your ‘special time’ with Nick.”
Dad pointed at Reese and said, “You need to stay out of it.” I glared at Reese. Dad looked back at me. “Kate, if you’d like a tutor, we can find someone.”
“No, that’s okay. Nick can help me. He’s great at science.”
Mom slowly shook her head. “Honestly Kate, I don’t think he would be the best solution. You tend to get… distracted when he’s around.”
“What?” I replied, insulted.
Dad pointed his fork at me. “We’re only concerned because you’ve worked hard, and this can count for college credit. Honors and AP classes look very good on college applications.”
“Yes, I know.” He was right, and I knew it. I hate logic! How can I argue against logic? “I’ll work harder. I’ll try to pull it back up to an A.” My great weekend had been ruined by my parents’ interference in my life.
“Wonderful, that’s all we expect,” Dad said, swiping his roast in the potatoes. “I know you can do it.”
I left the dinner table feeling defeated and frustrated. So much for reclaiming my life, apparently my parents were going to claim it.
Monday morning I woke up refreshed and rejuvenated. The sun was shining,
birds were singing, and I knew this week would be different. I showered and bounded down the stairs to eat breakfast. I devoured my food and just finished brushing my teeth when the doorbell rang.
“Got to go,” I yelled to Mom. I grabbed my backpack and headed to the front door.
Mom yelled, “I love you. Have a good day.”
There he was, my knight in shining armor. Of course, he wasn’t really wearing armor, just jeans, a long-sleeve polo shirt, and a leather jacket. “You ready to go?” Nick asked.
“Does your carriage await?” I stepped out the front door and onto the wrap-around porch.
“No,” Nick chuckled. “I left my carriage at a former residence.”
“Oh well, that doesn’t really matter.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I have determined that I am reclaiming my life.”
“Reclaiming your life?” Nick slowly nodded his head. “Sounds like a plan. I hope I’m part of this life.”
“Of course.” I smiled as he opened the car door. “You are the star.” I ran my hands down the front of his smooth leather jacket.
“Ooh, I like the sound of that.” He leaned in and kissed me.
“I thought you might.” I sat on the leather seat and closed the passenger door. Nick walked around the front of the car.
Nick slid behind the steering wheel and started the car. “I like this optimistic Kate. What brought this about?” He pulled out of the driveway.
“The fire put things in perspective. Plus, I got a lecture last night about my grades.” I drummed my fingers on the car door. “My AP biology grade is slipping. I need to bring it up.”
Scintillate (Scintillate Series Book 1) Page 23