Taming the Darkness

by Sarah Carter

  “I wasn’t going to say anything. I was going to ask you a question.”

  With a wave of his hand, Jackson says, “Ask away.”

  “Are you like this with everyone?”

  “What? A jackass?”

  “Yeah, I figured that you would be more interested in making friends instead of enemies.”

  “Are we enemies? Taking this bet a little too far, aren’t you?”

  Kayla exhales dramatically. “You and I are like oil and water.”

  “No, Kayla, my dear. We are oil and the rest of the world is water.” He stands up and points to the computer. “Finish your paper. I want it to be your best so when I win, it will make my victory all the better.”

  “Go jump off a cliff,” Kayla snaps.

  Jackson leans over and braces himself on her chair and the table. He comes breathlessly close to her and whispers, “That comes later and one of these days, I bet you’ll join me.”

  “What?” Kayla breathes out against him. He gives her one last, long look and then turns and walks away. Kayla watches him leave and then says, “Weirdo.”

  She takes the piece of paper and puts it in her pocket, debating on using it for a spell to curse him. During the remaining hour, Kayla finishes researching for her paper. When the bell rings, she gets up and heads to her next class.

  During lunch, she stops at her locker. When she opens it, there is a note inside. Curious, Kayla takes it out and reads it: Sorry, babe, got sick and went home. You’ll have to catch a ride with someone else.

  “Grrreeeeaaaat,” Kayla draws out. She shoves her books in her locker and groans. Having Tracy go home early puts her in a bad mood, because now she has to ask someone else to give her a ride. Kayla lives on the outskirts of town by the woods, and no one likes going out that far.

  When she arrives at creative writing, Jackson is already in his seat. Kayla walks past him and flops down in her chair. Crossing her arms she glares down at her desk. She is so annoyed, she won’t even look at Jackson when he turns around in his seat and stares at her. Two minutes of silence pass before Jackson says, “Who or what in the world pissed you off so much?”

  “Nothing…my parents…my friends…people,” Kayla mumbles.

  “PMSing?” Jackson asks.

  Her jaw drops. “What? NO! My friend Tracy went home sick, and I can’t find anyone to take me home, which means I have to wait for one of my parents to get off work. I love school and all, but I don’t want to wait around here that long.”

  “So you’re mad because you don’t have a car and have no way to get home.”

  “Would you be happy if you were going to be stuck at school for another two hours?”

  Jackson looks off to the side. “Probably not, but I don’t have to worry about that. I have a car. Since my parents are both well-established scientists, we have money. Never needed to worry about finding a ride home since I learned how to drive.”

  “I know how to drive. My parents just won’t get me a car. I’m an honor student, but they still want me to wait until I graduate. I’m surprised they’re okay with me dating and don’t try to lock me in my room at night.”

  “Ooh, now I’m intrigued. Who do you date?”

  Without thinking, Kayla replies, “No one.”

  “Awww, poor Kayla.” Jackson laughs. “So tell me, why aren’t you dating anyone?”

  “Have you seen the guys around here? Would you date any of them?”

  With a thoughtful look, Jackson says, “No, I like the female body too much, so I can’t really see how any guy would sway me from that.”

  Kayla bursts out laughing. “We have a wide variety of female bodies around here. You could probably pick anyone.”

  “Mmm, I’m pretty particular about who I date. She has to have certain…assets.”

  “Wow, could you be any more shallow?”

  Jackson chuckles. “No, no, not those assets. I may be a jackass, but I’m not petty. No, rest assured, Kayla, I love women in many different forms—many different forms.”

  “You could have earned brownie points with that, but you also made yourself sound like a slut, so you lose points instead.”

  “Hmmm, and where do I rank on your scoreboard?”

  Kayla returns with a thoughtful look. “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Will I win more points if I give you a ride home?”

  Sitting up in her chair, she asks, “Will you?”

  “No, I was just asking.”

  “I wish you would just go back to where you came from.”

  Jackson grins. “I was joking. If you can deal with me for an entire car ride home, I’ll give you a ride.”

  “Thank you!”

  Jackson sighs. “I have nothing better to do.”

  Kayla rolls her eyes.

  The bell rings and Jackson smiles as he turns around. The teacher walks to the front of the room and says, “Okay, today we are going to start a new assignment. It’s going to be a group project and you will need to pick a partner. You need to write a fifteen-page short story. I want notes from both you and your partner so I know it was a joint effort. Brainstorm; come up with an idea and then a plot. Give your characters life! This will be fun. Okay, go. Pick your partners.”

  Kayla smirks as Jackson turns around. “You know you’re going to be my partner, right?” he asks.

  “Oh, really?” she quips sarcastically. “Why in the hell would I do that?”

  “Because I have a lot to offer. You and I are on the same playing field. Our two sexy, amazingly gifted selves can do this project and do it to perfection.”

  “Sexy? You find yourself sexy?”

  Acting surprised, Jackson says, “I see the way you look at me. Don’t deny it.”

  “What?” she shrieks. “I do not look at you in any sort of way! Arrogant much?”

  Jackson looks at her thoughtfully. “You sure kissed me with some real passion.”

  “I was putting on a show,” Kayla grumbles, having to look away.

  “Mmhmm, that’s it. So what are we going to write about?”

  With a threatening stare, Kayla says, “Who said we were going to be partners?”

  “Who said she needed a ride home?”

  “Fine, I’m horrible at creative writing. My imagination is way too out there.”

  Jackson looks at her, confused. “Doesn’t that mean you’re good at creative writing?”

  “No, I—” Kayla starts and then stops. “I always have the same ideas. It’s not like I come up with tons of different story lines.”

  “Then we’ll write about your idea. I bet it isn’t bad.”

  Nervously twiddling with her pen, Kayla whispers, “I’ve never really talked about it. When I was a kid, I would always draw pictures of this strange world that existed only in my head. My parents loved my pictures and put them all over the house. Dad always said it looked like a beautiful place to live.”

  “Tell me about it.” For the first time he appears sincere.

  “You’re going to laugh at me.”

  Shaking his head, Jackson replies, “No, I won’t. I promise.”

  Kayla takes a deep breath before continuing. “It was a world I always saw in my dreams. It was very mountainous, and everywhere I looked, I saw peaks and valleys. The sky was purple and the sun was almost maroon. The plants were similar to what you see on Earth, but they were all different colors. It was always so beautiful when I dreamt about it. You probably think I’m nuts, huh?”

  Jackson stares at her for a second and then responds, “No, not at all. Were there creatures on this planet?”

  “Not that I ever saw. You know, I never even thought about that. I never drew animals…or people.” Kayla laughs to herself. “Like people would actually live there. I mean, I’m talking like this world is real. But no, there were no animals.”

  “Mmm, well, let’s write about this world then. What kind of animals do you think could live on this planet?”

  Kayla looks at him curiously
. “Why do you say planet? I always thought it was like a parallel universe.”

  Jackson snorts. “Planet is much cooler.”

  “Whatever.” Suddenly, Jackson grimaces and clenches his stomach. Kayla sits up, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”

  “I need to eat,” Jackson spits out.

  With a confused look, Kayla says, “You get that bad of stomach cramps when you’re hungry?”

  “No, I have to eat something in particular. I should go.”

  “Wait! You’re leaving too? What in the hell am I going to do for a ride?”

  Jackson looks at her. “Come with me.”

  “I can’t leave school!”

  He looks at her and scowls. “Either you leave with me or you wait for your parents.”

  “How are we getting out of here?” Kayla hisses.

  “Just follow me,” Jackson says, grabbing his books. He stands up and walks to the front of class.

  Kayla snatches up her bag and notebook and springs after him. The teacher looks up at them from her desk. “Yes, Mr. Blakely?”

  “I’m not feeling well and need to go home,” Jackson says with an even tone.

  “You look just fine,” their teacher, Ms. Klein, responds.

  “Five more minutes and I may explode all over your floor.”

  Ms. Klein looks at Kayla. “And are you also not feeling well, Miss Hendrickson?”

  “No, she’s my ride, and since I don’t know my way around town yet, I would have no idea how to get home.”

  Kayla says, “Yeah,” nervously.

  Ms. Klein gives them a look. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’re sick, Mr. Blakely.”

  He abruptly grimaces again and grabs his stomach. “I…need…to…leave,” Jackson growls.

  “Should I call someone?” Ms. Klein asks, standing up, with wide panicked eyes.

  “No, just let Kayla take me home.”

  Nodding, Ms. Klein says, “Yes, yes, do what you need to. You can pick partners tomorrow.”

  “Oh, we’re each other’s partner,” Kayla interjects. “We’ll work on it tonight.”

  “Very well, get him home.”

  Kayla pushes Jackson out the door. When they get into the hallway, she whispers, “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, come on.” He grabs her hand and leads her out the front doors. They walk across the student parking lot to Jackson’s car. He unlocks the doors with his key fob and opens Kayla’s door. “Get in.”

  “A Mercedes, really? Trying to make up for something?”

  “Get in the car, Kayla,” Jackson instructs, walking around to the other side.

  They both climb in and shut their doors. Kayla turns to Jackson. “What am I going to do about my homework?”

  “What homework do you have tonight?” Jackson asks, reaching for something behind Kayla’s seat.

  “Calculus, but I have that book with me. Then I have to finish up my paper and start the story project with you.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Jackson says as he retrieves a Tupperware container from the backseat. He takes off the lid, grabs one of the brownies from inside, pops it into his mouth, and lets out a sigh of relief.

  Kayla looks at him. “Those aren’t special brownies are they?”

  “Depends what you mean by special.”

  “Do you do drugs?”

  Jackson shakes his head. “No, not like you think. You could eat these and be just fine.” He thrusts the container at her. “Have one.”

  “What’s in them that you need to eat so badly?” Kayla inquires, looking at the dessert.

  “Nothing really. My brownies and I are like a diabetic and sugar. Sometimes I need to eat something to keep my body in balance.”

  Looking at Jackson, Kayla says, “You have diabetes?”

  “No,” Jackson says with a laugh. “Do you really want to know my medical history? I didn’t realize we were at that point in our relationship.”

  With a glare, Kayla retorts, “We don’t have a relationship.”

  “Trust me, I did not mean it that way. You’re exactly my type, but I doubt we will ever be more than friends.”

  Kayla gasps, surprised. “I’m your type? I don’t hear that very often.”

  “That’s kind of sad.” Jackson is silent as he starts the car. “I think you intimidate the guys around here.”

  “Am I scary?”

  Jackson laughs. “No, your intelligence, it makes guys feel dumb.”

  “But it doesn’t make you feel dumb?”

  “Not much makes me feel stupid. I’m rather intellectually gifted.”

  “You can say that about your ego too,” Kayla mutters, turning to look out the window.

  Jackson chuckles as he pulls out of the parking lot.

  Chapter 3

  Jackson turns on his stereo and music fills the car. Kayla glances at him with a surprised face.

  “What?” he asks.

  “This is American music. I figured since you didn’t grow up here you listened to something else.”

  “I may have lived all over, but my family is still from the United States. We were a very American household.”

  “I see.”

  When they get to Kayla’s house, Jackson parks the car and looks at her. “See, you made it home and we didn’t kill each other.”

  “That’s a relief,” Kayla says with a laugh. She grabs her stuff but doesn’t reach for the door handle right away. Finally, she says, “Thank you for this.”

  “Really, it’s not a big deal. I honestly have nothing better to do. I don’t know anyone here, and there isn’t much in the way of entertainment.”

  Kayla wants to roll her eyes, but refrains. “Do you want to come in and hang out?”

  “I didn’t say that so you would invite me in.”

  “A simple no would have sufficed,” Kayla mumbles, opening her door.

  Jackson grabs her. “If you want me to come in, I will.”

  She looks at him for a minute. “Don’t do anything you don’t want to.”

  “We can work on this story for class, because I know you want to ace it.”

  “Yes, I do. Come on then.” She gets out of the car and walks to her front door. Reaching into her backpack, Kayla looks for her key. When she doesn’t feel it she groans. “Great.”

  Jackson comes up behind her. “What’s wrong?”

  “My key…I think I forgot it on my dresser.” Kayla sighs. “I’m locked out.”

  Stepping back, Jackson looks up the front of her house. “Are any of your windows open?”

  “Mine is always unlocked. Why?”

  “Because,” Jackson says, looking around. “I can get the key.” With that, he walks away from her and toward the tree next to the house.

  Kayla watches him with mild curiosity. Jackson looks up at the tree and then up at the house. Rubbing his hands together, he jumps and grabs the first tree branch. Then, with what seems to be great ease, he climbs the tree. Kayla watches wide-eyed. When he gets to the same height as the second floor, he turns around. Realizing what he is about to do, Kayla steps forward. “Jackson…don’t do it.” Ignoring her, Jackson jumps and grabs the terrace next to her window. Kayla squeaks and flinches, knowing he’s going to fall to his death. He steadies himself and then reaches for her window. Sliding it open, Jackson easily pulls himself inside, disappearing from view. “Wow,” is the only response Kayla can muster. She pauses for a second and then whispers, “That was kind of hot.” Shaking her head, Kayla grimaces. “Shut up, you idiot. Don’t waste your time thinking about his…muscles.”

  A few seconds later, her front door opens. Jackson smiles and says, “Easy.”

  With a smirk, Kayla walks inside. “Good job, monkey boy.”

  Jackson shuts the door. “Being a monkey is fun. You should try it.”

  “No thanks,” Kayla draws out, slightly confused. She watches Jackson walk into the kitchen. Kayla rolls her eyes and thinks about how weird he is. Following Jackson, she throws her backp
ack on the counter and asks, “Are you hungry or thirsty?”

  “Both, actually.”

  Walking over to the fridge, Kayla opens it and looks inside. “There’s leftover lasagna or we have frozen pizza downstairs.”

  “Pizza would be good.”

  “All right, I have to go get it.” She runs down the basement steps and to the freezer in the back. Kayla grabs a pizza out of it. When she turns around to walk back up the steps, she passes the side room. Movement catches her eye. Kayla screams, “No!”

  Jackson spins toward her as he puts the leaf in his mouth. “What?”

  “Spit it out! Spit it out right now!” Kayla shrieks.

  With a raised eyebrow, Jackson continues to chew. “Why?”

  “It will make you sick, and it’s really dangerous!”

  Jackson scoffs at her and swallows. “Kayla, calm down. I eat this every day.”

  Kayla squeaks in bewilderment. “You do?”

  “Yeah, where do you think your parents got it from?”

  “Oh, do you know what it is?” she asks, since her parents still haven’t told her.

  Jackson takes off another leaf and offers it to her. Kayla studies him and then opens her mouth. With a smirk, Jackson gently places it on her tongue. “It’s called Kiej.”

  “Is that Chinese?”

  Jackson shakes his head. “No, it’s not from China. Is that what your parents told you?”

  “Yeah. So where is it from then?”

  “Are you sure your parents have never mentioned us before?”

  Kayla looks off to the side. “I think I would remember that my parents had friends who had a son my age.”

  “Mmm, well, Kiej’s origin is kind of a family secret. Let’s just say it’s from really far away from here.”

  “My parents put it on everything. I don’t mind; it tastes kind of good.”

  Jackson puts his hand on her shoulder and guides her toward the basement stairs. “It’s what was in those brownies.”

  “But you said there wasn’t anything dangerous in them.”

  “Not dangerous to you. It wouldn’t hurt you.”

  “How did you know that?” Kayla asks as they climb the stairs.

  They return to the kitchen, and Jackson takes the pizza from her. He flips it over to read the directions. “It was in the food last night. Couldn’t you tell?”