Eternal Beloved

by Bella Abbott

  He laughed. “I’m not worried about it.”

  “They’re pretty serious, with the movie down there.”

  He looked me up and down. “What are you, the cops? Don’t sweat it. I’m not doing anything wrong. Just out for an evening ride.” He flicked his cigarette onto the gravel path and stepped forward to crush it beneath his boot. “Seems pretty dead down there, actually,” he said, indicating the set.

  “They’re not filming tonight. Just lining up some shots for tomorrow, I guess.”

  I noticed the glint of a silver bracelet above one of his motorcycle gloves. I tried not to stare, but he noticed my interest and grinned again. “What?” he asked.

  “Oh, nothing. I mean, your bracelet, is all. It looks familiar,” I explained.

  “Yeah?”

  “My TA has one like it.”

  Another harsh laugh. “Your TA? Not Robert, is it?”

  My surprise must have shown, because he held up his wrist so I could better see the bracelet.

  “That’s my brother. I’m Victor. Small world, huh?” He extended a gloved hand.

  “Lacey. Nice to meet you,” I said, shaking it.

  He held my hand long enough for me to feel uncomfortable. He finally released it and chuckled. “So my bro is your TA? Some guys have all the luck.” He eyed me. “You in college? You seem awfully young…”

  “I’m a first year here at the academy.”

  “Oh. Sure. That’s right.”

  I didn’t say anything, hoping my nervousness didn’t show. Victor was creeping me out a bit, and it wasn’t just the biker gear or my memory of Robert’s description of him that was doing it. He had an aggressive energy to him I recognized from bullies on the playground – like at any moment he could burst into a rage.

  I glanced around, my trepidation at being alone at night back in force. “Yeah, well, I have to get back to the cafeteria. They’re expecting me. It was nice meeting you.” I paused when he didn’t move out of my way. “Be careful about security. They aren’t messing around.”

  The reference to patrols seemed to get through to him, and he stepped aside. “Don’t let me keep you.” He smirked again. “Hey, you want a ride? My hog’s got plenty of room.”

  “Um, no thanks. See you around.”

  His eyes lingered on me. “Hope so, Lacey.”

  I hurried away, half expecting to hear gravel crunching under his boots as he followed me. The way he said my name somehow managed to make it sound obscene. When I turned a bend in the trail and saw the road ahead, I exhaled a loud sigh of relief, but I didn’t slow. Something about Victor had left me unsettled, even though the moment had passed.

  The sound of the Harley sputtering to life reached me from down the trail, and I broke into a jog as I hit the road, the lights of the dorm in the distance the only warmth in the darkness. The motorcycle roared from the trail and took off in the opposite direction. I twisted to look and caught the glow of the bike’s taillight as it disappeared around a curve. I broke into a run, not slowing until the dorms rose in front of me, the area silent except for the sound of my Docs pounding a frantic tattoo.

  Chapter 10

  The following day was a lecture for the entire class, in keeping with the academy’s approach of running the first year like we were some prestigious university, and I didn’t get a chance to talk to Robert until the bell had sounded. He greeted Kate and me with a welcoming smile when we approached him.

  “How are you two doing?” he asked.

  “Great,” Kate said.

  “You more rested today?” he asked me.

  “Yeah. A lot more.” I hesitated. “I met your brother yesterday.”

  “Victor? Really?” His brow furrowed. “He, uh, he didn’t…bother you, did he?”

  “No. Nothing like that.” I paused again. “He doesn’t really look much like you.”

  “Genetics can be tricky that way. We’re not much alike in the personality department, either.”

  “I kind of got that.”

  Robert checked his watch. “He just hit town yesterday. Came north to visit for a little while.”

  “Is he staying with you?” Kate asked.

  Robert shook his head. “My place is cramped if I take my shoes off. There’s no room for guests.” He offered another smile, this one somewhat pained. “Well, ladies, I’ve got to run. Next class, and all.”

  “Oh, sure,” Kate said. “Maybe we’ll see you at lunch?”

  “Maybe,” he said, glancing at me.

  He hurried away, and Kate turned to me with a somewhat troubled expression. “Do you think he…he even likes me at all? At first I thought he did, but… He was just the same to you.”

  “We’re in his class, Kate. Come on. He has to treat everyone the same.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s just that, well, sometimes I get this vibe…”

  “You got it from Jared backstage, too, and we know how that turned out,” I said, trying not to sound bitter.

  “I still don’t understand that one. You sure you didn’t misread him at the shoot?”

  “Pretty hard to, Kate. He couldn’t be less interested. Which is okay. I’m not either.”

  I avoided meeting her eyes when she threw me a knowing look. “Yeah. I can tell by the way you’re using his jacket for a pillow.”

  It was my turn to shrug. “I didn’t say I disliked his jacket. It’s butter soft.”

  “That must be it. I’ll have to take a nap with it soon and see how I like it.”

  I flushed, but merely smiled. “I’m off to computer science. See you around.”

  My day crawled along at snail speed, and I found myself struggling to stay awake during my last class. I stopped at the cafeteria and bought a jumbo cup of coffee, which I guzzled on my way to the dorm. It perked me up, and I spent the hours before I was to report to the set going over my psychology homework, which I still hadn’t completely caught up on in spite of Robert’s notes.

  Serena came in, looking studious as ever, as I was putting my books away.

  “Hey. Where’ve you been?” I asked, making an effort to be friendly.

  “In the library. It’s easier to study there than with Sarah bouncing off the walls here.”

  “I haven’t really seen her much.”

  “Because she’s laying the groundwork for her social life for the next year. She told me her goal is to be invited to every party on campus, and she’s well on her way.”

  I slipped into the bathroom for a quick shower. When I was done, I checked myself in the mirror, adjusted my top and my hair, and after waving at Serena, headed off to the set.

  The last of the light was fading from the western sky as I picked my way along the path to the auditorium. When I arrived, the catering vans hadn’t shown up yet, and Oscar was pacing by the camera, frowning and looking up at the clouds periodically. The air felt leaden, like it might rain, and it occurred to me that a storm could set filming back significantly. I looked around the area for any sign of Jared or his co-stars but didn’t see anyone but crew.

  Not having anything to do until the food and drink arrived, I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, remaining by the makeup trailer and watching the activity. Trent and Alfred materialized from behind one of the trucks, Alfred with a script in hand. He smiled when he saw me.

  “Lacey, right?” he asked.

  “That’s right,” I said, my eyes darting from Trent to Alfred.

  “Doesn’t look like you’re doing much right now,” Trent observed.

  “I’m waiting for the food vans,” I explained.

  Alfred brandished the script like a weapon. “Can I ask a big favor? I need to get this to Jared’s trailer – it’s got some new lines. But I don’t have a runner. Think you’re up for the job?”

  I swallowed hard. “I…where is it?”

  “Jared, Christina, Kaitlin, and Samantha are set up on the other side of the river. It’s not that far.” He pointed at a rack with a half dozen
beach cruiser bicycles. “You can take one of the bikes. Maybe three minutes each way? I’ll tell Melinda you’re running an errand for me if she shows up.”

  My mind worked furiously, trying to figure out a gracious way to refuse, but it betrayed me. I must have looked like a dimwit, because Trent exhaled loudly through pursed lips. “I would take it myself if I didn’t have other things I need to do. This weather’s making everyone nervous. If it starts to rain, we’re shut down for the night…and that gets expensive fast.”

  Alfred thrust the script at me. “Follow the trail there down to the river, cross the bridge, and you’ll see the trailers about fifty yards away. His is the last one on the left. Their names are on the doors. Can’t miss it.”

  Alfred turned, the matter decided. I stared at the script like it was a poisonous snake, and then trudged to the bikes and selected one, resigned to being snubbed by Jared yet again. Assuming he even remembers me.

  It had been six years since I’d ridden a bicycle, and I wobbled a bit as I pedaled down the trail. The lights of the set grew dimmer as I neared the river. I spotted the footbridge in the gloom – an antique wooden affair that predated cars. The water beneath burbled softly. I squinted as I coasted toward it, and then I was on the rough planks before I was ready, moving faster than I’d intended due to the grade. I struggled to control the bike with one hand while clutching the script in the other. Whatever you do, don’t drop the script in the river!

  And then the front tire hit a long gap between two slats of wood, and the bike pitched forward. The back wheel lifted as it flipped, and I flew through the air, over the wooden rail that ran along each side of the bridge, and down toward the inky river rushing below. The last thing I registered was hitting the surface hard, and then I was sinking, stunned, the wind knocked out of me, the pull of the current dragging me under as icy water closed over my head.

  Chapter 11

  I sputtered and coughed, my throat constricted, and blinked away tears. I gasped for air, and my lungs filled, causing another coughing bout as my body battled to clear the water from my lungs. Light flooded my field of vision, and I realized someone was carrying me. I looked up, my eyesight hazy from river water, and made out the inside of a small room. Two wall lamps blazed near the door.

  Strong arms laid me on a couch, and I coughed some more, shivering from the cold. My teeth chattered and I tried to sit up, and then a blanket settled over my shoulders and enfolded me in its warmth.

  “You going to make it?” a familiar voice asked.

  My stomach tightened. I forced my eyes open again and twisted my head to where Jared was sitting close by, holding the blanket against my torso. He was also sopping wet, but even so looked ten kinds of amazing. A thrill ran through me at his proximity, and my heart rate rocketed.

  I tried to answer but only managed another racking cough. His forehead creased and he edged closer. When I finally caught a breath, I tried again.

  “I…I think so.”

  Jared studied my face, worry obvious in his gaze, and I shivered from the cold. Or something. He stood, moving with the effortless grace I’d seen onstage, and crossed the small room to a doorway. He disappeared inside and returned holding two fluffy white towels. Using one to dry his face, he handed me the other.

  That was when I realized that my hair, normally carefully positioned to hide my birthmark, was hanging in wet strings. I took the towel from Jared and did my best to hold it against my left shoulder and blot myself to relative dryness, hoping he hadn’t seen anything.

  “What happened?” I managed.

  “I heard you hit the water, so I pulled you out. You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck.”

  Another cough as my throat tightened. “What were you doing by the river?”

  “I like to rehearse my lines there.” He tossed his towel onto a chair and fingered his wet shirt. Even drenched, he looked like he’d stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine. I, on the other hand…

  As though he’d read my mind, he retraced his steps to the bathroom and came back brushing his hair. He set the brush next to me with a tight smile and then crossed the room to a small two-way radio on the counter and spoke into it. I brushed my limp hair into some semblance of normalcy and shivered beneath the blanket again.

  He finished with the radio and glanced at me. “Can you move everything? Hands? Feet? Neck? Does anything feel broken? Ribs?”

  I probed my ribs, and while they felt a little sore, perhaps bruised, there were no stabs of pain. I flexed my hands and feet and then stared down at the puddle of water on the linoleum floor. “Sorry,” I apologized, my embarrassment making breathing difficult.

  “No problem, Lacey,” he said.

  My pulse quickened. “You remember my name?” I stammered.

  His smile lit the room. “You’re wearing a name tag.”

  Can this get any more embarrassing? My eyes returned to the water on the floor. “Oh, right.” I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and not just that; the prickling sensation – or was it tingling? – that I’d felt even the first time I saw his poster was there again. It’s just from the cold. It’s a normal reaction. Except it didn’t feel like one.

  Jared chuckled. “Hope the movie company has insurance, because between the two of us, this trailer’s–”

  Christina burst through the door. She couldn’t seem to decide whether she should address me or Jared.

  “What the hell?”

  Jared shrugged almost apologetically. “She was drowning.”

  Christina stopped speaking and composed herself. She walked over to me and knelt by my side. “Are you okay? How did it happen?”

  “I was bringing Jared a script, riding one of the bikes, and the wheel caught on the bridge.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t work for the company,” she said. “Why would you be bringing him a script?”

  “I’m one of the caterers. Alfred asked me to bring it.”

  “Alfred,” she repeated, her face hard.

  “There was nobody else. And the catering vans hadn’t shown up. I said I’d do it…”

  She stood. “That isn’t important. The doctor’s on his way from the set. He’ll be here in a few minutes. He needs to check you out.”

  I sat forward. “I don’t need a doctor. I’m just…shaken up.”

  “I can imagine,” Christina said. “But it’s not a question of needing one. For liability reasons, you have to be examined and get a clean bill of health.”

  I frowned. “I’m not planning on suing anyone. It was an accident. I’m fine.”

  “It’s not optional,” she said, in a tone that left no room for argument.

  I shifted on the sofa, beginning to warm up. Jared remained on the far side of the room, his chiseled features and satin skin unruffled by the river rescue. He seemed to be avoiding looking at me now that Christina was here, and I again wondered what she meant to him – whether she was more than just a producer.

  The doctor arrived and introduced himself, and Christina walked to Jared and brushed an errant lock of his hair off his brow, a gesture so filled with intimacy I almost cried. My gut churned as a hint of a smile played along his full lips, and then he stared directly at me, freezing my breath in my throat. That knowing look again. Except what was there to know?

  “I’m afraid I’ve got to get changed and have my makeup redone.” Jared paused. He glanced at the doctor. “Is she going to be okay?”

  “I won’t know till I’m done,” the doctor said.

  Christina nodded to the doctor. “Keep me informed. We’re going back to the set.” She fixed me with a neutral stare. “I’ll speak to Melinda about giving you some time off. Looks like you’re going to need it. I’m so sorry this happened. Get better soon, and please let us know if you need anything.”

  Christina pulled the door open and stepped outside. Jared’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, as though trying to figure something out, and then he followed her without lookin
g back. The change in his demeanor from friendly to distant was obvious. Just like after the concert. It was a harsh reminder that even if our paths had intersected in a few chance ways, I was just the hired help, too inept to even pilot a bike without nearly killing myself.

  The memory of the excitement in my voice when he’d said my name, and then the crestfallen expression I’d been unable to hide when he’d pointed out I was wearing a name tag, made me wish I’d been washed away by the current. I winced as the doctor jabbed my ribs, jarring me from my thoughts and reminding me that for all my bluster, I had taken a hard tumble and would probably be feeling it for days.

  As to visions of Jared riding to my rescue on a white unicorn, I’d had about enough of having my dreams crushed by reality. I resolved to talk to Melinda the next day about changing from catering to anything else that would have me. There was no point torturing myself by being in his company.

  The doctor took twenty minutes to check me out before pronouncing me bruised but unbroken. He advised me to change into a dry robe hanging on the bathroom door while he arranged for transportation back to the dorm, and I didn’t argue. My soaked shirt and pants were clammy and chilled, and I emerged from the bathroom swaddled in Jared’s robe. He’s going to run out of clothes if I keep making off with them – a thought that brought a hint of a smile to my lips.

  Chapter 12

  The next day was a mad rush. The prior evening I’d avoided telling my roommates what had happened out of embarrassment, and had changed back into my wet clothes before I entered our room, shivering as I pulled on my jeans and top in the shadows outside the dorm. The subterfuge turned out to be largely in vain because only Serena was there, and she barely glanced at me when I rushed in and went directly to the bathroom, emerging a few minutes later in Jared’s robe.

  When I awakened and inspected my chest in the bathroom mirror, I saw some purple patches near my rib cage, but other than that, no outward evidence of trauma. My clothes could easily cover it all, and I avoided any conversation by dashing out the door, muttering something about having to get to my first class early.