by A. G. Hobson
She eyes my big headed brother and plops at the table.
“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your sweats. I was tired of that dress.”
“Oh no. You’re fine.” I say.
We eat and talk for a while. Mom starts to stack the dishes in the machine. I stand to clean the table. As I began to wipe Eva sighs.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I was hoping to have a blast last night. I need a new boyfriend. But I did neither. All Scott would talk about was why you wouldn’t want to come. It was very annoying.”
“I thought you felt bad about leaving me home alone.”
“I did. But Scott ditched Amber and insisted that we come be with you. I was not having any kind of fun without you, so I agreed.”
“And how did Devin end up tagging along?”
“Oh yea! He heard us planning to surprise you, and begged to follow.’
“Oh I see.” I say trying to be mysterious.
“Why what happened!” She shouts.
My mom turns around and offers her two cents.
“Oh Eva… you have no idea. He was on the couch sleep and Sienna walked him to his car…”
I quickly cut her off.
“Mom! This is my story to tell. Good bye.” I snap.
“Alright, alright.” she surrenders and exits.
“Ok spill!”
I sit at the table and clutch my hands in front me. I rest them on it and begin.
“I don’t know how you are going to feel but… Scott made a move on me last night.”
“Okay? That is totally confusing. Go on.” She says.
“Then Devin told me he was looking for a girlfriend after kissing me in his car.”
“What!” She screams. “You mean to tell me that you got two boys in one night and I got none? What is going on in the world? Go ahead talk.” She waves.
I laugh. Eva is so vain. I love her but this is her world and I just reside in it. I am never offended. I except that she is hotter than me. I know my place.
“I agree. Was there something in the punch?” I add.
Her expression softens. She knows she is being obnoxious. I am used to it.
“Oh goodness Sienna. You are such a great friend and I have been a total douche to you.”
“No Eva. I know you mean well.” I say.
“Tell me about your eventful evening.”
I explain about Scott and Devin and our kiss. I am blushing at the thought of the night before, especially since I dreamed about it first. I can’t reveal it all to her just yet, but the juicy details of my first kiss with Scott will be the first details I divulge. I stutter as Eva stares at me. She hangs on to my every word. I have never asked her to give me the sorted details of their relationship. But now I wonder what base they may have gotten to. I am afraid to ask. I have been totally in love with him since I laid eyes on my gorgeous male best friend.
“I can’t believe he actually kissed you Sienna.”
“Wow, am I that hideous Eva?”
“No, no. I don’t mean it like that. I just mean…never mind.”
I stand from my chair and wave for her to follow me up the stairs to my room. I don’t want my monster of a brother to hear the details of our movie night. I get to my room and when she plops on the bed, I slam the door shut. I sit next to her and begin again. I end with my surprising encounter in Devin’s sports car.
“Well who will you chose? Not Scott I hope.”
“Why do you say that? Scott is my obvious choice. I just feel like we are friends so…”
“Sienna!” She shouts. “We dated. Does that mean anything to you?”
I clutch my tank. She scares the spit out of me when she raises her voice. I calm myself.
“I thought you were over him Eva? Why would you care?”
She stands and walks over to my window. I haven’t seen her this serious since she broke it off with him.
“Do you know why we broke up Sienna?”
“No. I just figured you were bored with him just like the others. You know you don’t keep boyfriends long.”
She turns to face me and there is hurt in her eyes. I stand to meet her at the window. I walk over and touch her arm. I see a hint of a tear in the corner of eye.
“What is it Eva?”
“You have been my friend for how long?” she whispers.
“Since fourth grade.” I answer.
“And you haven’t noticed my deepest flaw. You are the only one who could.”
I stand there next to her totally perplexed.
“What are you talking about?” I try to disguise my frustration.
“I have never been kissed Sienna. I am terrified of letting someone get that close. I have wanted to be with someone that way, but as soon as we get close I break it off.”
I gasp. I thought that by now she would have gone all the way. I have known her for so many years. I figured that one of the many boys who spent the night at her parent’s condo was lucky long ago. We just never discussed it. I didn’t want her to judge my crudeness.
“You mean to tell me you are a virgin too? I assumed that one of your college beaus deflowered you freshmen year. Your parents are never home and you are always entertaining your boyfriends.”
“Yes I am. And they have tried and I refused. That is why I date outside of Fremont. No one knows I’m a prude.”
“Oh no Eva. And Scott…”
“Well I pretended to be over it. And he was fine with that. He thinks I move on as fast as he does.”
“Well you do, Eva.” I pause afraid to totally express how I feel. “I am so sorry but I have been head over heels for Scott since the day I laid eyes on him.”
“I understand why you would be. He is absolutely the hottest guy enrolled in Fremont. He is smart, funny, athletic, and his parents are very wealthy. Then there is Devin, who is second in the hottie department, not as smart, also athletic, and wealthy. You are just swimming in the hot guy pool. Ignoring fashion and acting uninterested has gotten you in a great spot.”
That stung. Eva is aiming for the jugular.
“I promise I am not playing any games. I believe they are nuts. I don’t see what they are interested.”
“You are very beautiful Sienna, you just don’t know it. I am actually a little jealous of your carefree beauty. You don’t need all of the things to doll you up. You are just you.” She extends an apology the only way she knows how.
“Thank you. But what should I do? Scott wants to hang out today.”
“Do what you like. I will just have to deal. Maybe I could get hottie number two.”
“Yes. I could set it up!”
“No! I was totally kidding Sienna. I don’t want your sloppy seconds.”
“Oh. Well are you sure you would be okay with Scotty and I?”
“Yes. I will admire from afar.” She sighs and exits my room.
I sit on my bed and think of Scott. He is really who I want. I won’t settle for Devin when I can have him. I lie back and daydream. I relive the best evening of my life. My eyes begin to close and I drift off.
“Wake up Sienna! Wake up!” Eva screams.
I jump up and wipe my eyes.
“Oh wow. Was I sleep?”
“Yes for a long time. I had to go into Jarvis’ room and play video games. You were talking too.”
“Wow that’s weird I thought I was awake.” I say acknowledging the fact that I just dreamed of my whole day again.
I look at the clock and then on cue the phone rings. I run and grab it because I know it’s Scott. Eva rolls her eyes and exit. Somehow she must know also. I hope she isn’t having dream ESP too.
“Hey, beautiful how are you today?” He sings a sweet melody through the phone.
“I’m fine Scotty. How are you?” I answer nervously.
“Terrific now.”
“Why what happened with you today?”
“Nothing. It’s what happened last night. I can’t stop thinking about it. I�
��ve wanted to do that for so long.”
“What… kiss me? I find that hard to believe.”
“Sienna, I have literally daydreamed about what it would be like to kiss you. I was scared to make a move.”
“Why? You can get any girl you want to kiss you. So why me?” I ask afraid of his answer.
“Well…I have seen the best and the worst of you. And you don’t care. You never hide when I come over and you could look a mess. And we just have fun together.”
“That’s because we are friends and I don’t have to hide myself from my friends.”
“So, you are telling me that you only want to be my friend. You have never wanted anything else between us?”
“Umm, I wouldn’t say that but…”
“I knew it! Friends don’t kiss like that, Snickers.”
I laugh. Scott hasn’t called me that since ninth grade. He hated calling me by my name so he called me Snickers. I really loved them back then. I still eat them on somber days.
“Snickers. I thought you tossed the nickname.”
“I did because you asked me to. You said you were a sophomore and no one should ever know you as that. Well except for me.”
“Well nix it!”
“After that kiss, I really think it applies. You are sweet like chocolate.”
I blush. I am completely blindsided by his words. I have heard him talk to his groupies, but never like this.
“I’m coming over. Tell Eva to beat it. It’s my turn now.”
“Oo…okay.” I stutter.
He slams the phone down. The conversation in my dream didn’t go exactly that way. But he did come over and I know how this night ends.
CHAPTER 5
I hurry into Jarvis’ room. Eva is sitting slouched on the edge of the bed with a game remote clutched between her fingers. I have never seen the queen of everything playing anything but guys. I clear my throat and my brother looks at me. Somehow the events from my dream this time is veering off track.
“Get out stupid! You can’t enter!” My dumb, little, twerp of a brother scolds.
“Shut up you little piece of black mold. Eva may I speak with you?”
She doesn’t speak. She stands and tosses the game control onto Jarvis’ messy bed and storms pass me. I really don’t understand her anger. She never let on that she even cared that Scott existed. Now she is all gung-ho about me not dating him. I run to catch up to her. She is slamming things into a bag and I am really confused. We just discussed this earlier.
“So I guess one of your two new found admirers are coming over?”
“Yes actually…”
“Save the details for our next slumber party. I’m out!” she grabs her things and before I can protest she is out of the door.
Why is there always a catch to my happiness? That stupid dream did not reveal any of this. I guess it was a onetime thing. It is for the best though because I hate seeing what is coming. I watch from my window as Eva’s shiny white beamer speeds off.
“Am I really willing to lose my only friend over a boy?” I think.
I sit in my swivel desk chair and stare at myself in my mirror.
“I hate what I see.”
I turn away and pull my hair out of the ball I slapped it in earlier. I stand and slowly make my way to the bathroom, I past my mom’s room. I stop when I hear slight sounds of whimpering. I back up and take a peek.
“Mom?” I say pushing the cracked door open.
“Yes, baby girl.” She answers wiping her eyes.
She sits up to greet me.
“I haven’t seen you all day. Where’s Eva?”
“Gone.”
“Oh.”
I sit beside her and slowly but awkwardly wrap one arm around her shoulder.
“What is it Mom?”
“It’s okay baby. You have your own problems. I won’t burden you with mine.”
“No Mom really, what’s wrong?” I ask.
She pauses for a moment. She sighs and begins.
“Sienna. Adults have a tendency to mess up really bad. We don’t know how to admit we are wrong especially to our children. Unfortunately they see our mishaps before anyone else does.”
I shrug. I have no idea what she is talking about. I listen as she rambles, waiting anxiously for her to get to the point.
“I called Casey today.”
I frown. Now that I know she has called dad, this conversation is headed in a terrible direction.
“Why did you do that?”
“I miss him Sienna. I am tired of being alone.” She shudders as the tears start to fall.
I rub her back. How did she end up here? I have missed something.
“What did he say when you called him?”
“I was calling to ask for money for Jarvis’ uniforms. The team is purchasing a new set and we agreed to pay for the engraving. I just don’t have the money. We are on a strict budget now that I am unemployed.” She sniffs.
“We will work it out, you don’t need him.” I push through my clenched teeth.
“It’s more than that honey. He is miserable too. He says that Natalie is spending all of his money. He misses us Sienna. He told me he wanted to come over for dinner.”
“What! Dinner, for what?”
“He wants his family back!” She screams.
“What about their family? He has a child with her too mom. Can you handle that?”
“Get out Sienna!” she points toward the door.
I slowly stand and exit at her command. As if I didn’t have enough problems. Here comes World War 2. I run into my room and slam my door. I lie across my bed and sigh. My life could not get any more complicated if I tried. I close my eyes attempting to call it a day and my annoying brother bursts through my door. I turn and offer up the funkiest scowl I can muster.
“What. Do. You. Want?”
“Scott is here! He is coming up now!” he says running like lightning from my entry way.
I jump up and try to fix my now barbaric mane.
“Don’t, I like it that way.” He says approaching.
When he gets to me he grabs my hand and removes it from my locks. I immediately look to the floor. He constantly informs me of his admiration for untamed hair.
“Hi Scott, I forgot…my mom just…”
“You mean you forgot about me that quickly. Ouch!”
“No, it’s not like that. My mom was having a mini melt down. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to, you know.”
He sighs as he sits on the edge of my bed. He looks me over and bites his lip. I turn away. His glare could melt a glacier. I run my fingers through my hair again.
“Well let’s just chill here then.” He says lying back clutching his hands behind his head. My eyes grow wide. I don’t know what just happened, but I need to get him out of here. I walk over to the bed and sit next to him. I feel him move, and then I feel the warm sensation of his hand on my back.
“You look great in this.” He pulls at my tank top.
“This is my night wear. I sleep in this.”
“Shame. You are really attractive and you have a great body.”
I am so freaking speechless. I don’t know what to say. And it probably is not helping that his hand is gently caressing my back. He suddenly sits up and I freeze. I feel the heat of his breath on my shoulder, then the wetness of his lips. He softly plants kisses on it. I close my eyes. Never have I felt something so stimulating. He runs his fingers through my hair and I pray they don’t get stuck. I lose myself in his touch for a moment. I am quickly brought back when his lips inch up my neck and he takes his hand to turn my face to him. He kisses my cheek, my nose, and finally my lips. My eyes roll and I never want this moment to end.
“Sienna! Eva is on the phone!” Sweet Jacqueline yells.
I pull away from his delicious lips. I didn’t even notice that the phone rang. I stand and go over to my desk. I grab the phone.
“Sorry I was so sour. I will be over in the morning. Are w
e good?” She offers.
“Yea, of course. Eva you know I can never be mad at you.”
“Cool. I will see you then.” Eva says as she hangs up the telephone.
“Alright.” I say rushing our pointless apologies.
Eva and I have our moments, but we never ever take each other seriously. I considered her attitude as one of her usual rants. The fact that she is apologizing lets me know that she is about to start fishing. She is really bothered by the thought of Scotty and me.
“Okay…is Scott there yet?” She slowly allows the words to escape from her lips.
And there it is. I knew she wasn’t just calling to say sorry. It is just not her thing.
“Yes he is. We are actually…” Before I can finish my sentence Scott grabs the phone. I didn’t even feel him behind me.
“Eva, I know you have plans. So we will talk to you later.” Scott laughs.
For a few minutes he is quiet. I assume she is talking but I have no idea what she is saying.
“Well, I had plans for just me and Sienna.” His expression conveys discomfort.
Before I can ask he hands me the phone and plops on my bed. I slowly place the phone on my ear wondering what she has said to him.
“Hello?”
“Yes Sienna I will just see you tomorrow.” She yells.
I look at the phone. Her behavior is confusing me. I have never witnessed jealousy from her. I place the phone down and walk over to where Scott is sitting. I look blankly across the room and bite my thumb nail. I feel his eyes burning my skin, or maybe it’s the tension I feel between us, since he touched me.
“What was that about?” I finally let the words trickle from my mouth.
He shrugs and looks away from me. I am noticing that the tension is not from passion. What in the world did Eva say to him? He slides away from me a little. I gasp to myself. At first he couldn’t keep his hands off and now he is acting like I’m some kind of fungus. He attempts to stand and I grab his shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” I ask with my voice totally shaking.
“Man…Eva!”
“What!” I yell.
“She asked me out on a date.” He says as my hands fall beside me.
He stands and walks over to the window. I am too shocked to respond. How could she do this to me? Tears start to build. I don’t want Scott to see me cry, so I turn my head toward the wall. We are quiet for a while. My tears are falling full throttle and I can’t stop them. I sniff to stop my nose from doing the same. I stand to leave the room and he grabs my arm.