Sometimes being young sucked.
After Blake left one night, she sat down with her dad in the living room. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“Not much, Arielle. Had a nice afternoon teaching Blake to shoot.”
Arielle scrunched her nose. “I hope you didn’t kill anything.”
Dad chuckled. “Of course we didn’t. Unless you count old pop cans as bein’ alive.”
“Good.” Arielle grew silent and her dad stood from his chair and sat beside her on the couch, wrapping an arm around her.
He squeezed her close. “You wanna tell me what’s botherin’ ya?”
She shrugged. “Not so much.”
“Well, how ’bout ya tell me anyway.”
It all flooded out. She spilled everything that had been weighing on her mind. How Blake would be leaving at the end of the year, which meant it would be difficult for their relationship, how she would never be able to see him and it was impossible. Tears spilled from her eyes as she spoke, her voice loud to her own ears, and her words rushed together as they flew from her lips. She wanted to tell Dad about Jess too, but she couldn’t find the words. Plus, she hadn’t found out the complete truth yet. She couldn’t very well tattle on her friend before she knew everything, could she? No, she couldn’t.
When the last word left her mouth, Dad squeezed her harder. “Ari, your momma and I can see how head over heels you are for this boy. You’ve managed to keep your grades up the whole time you’ve dated him, and we are so proud of you. Now, I don’t wanna see you goin’ all over the world without your parents, but we can talk to Blake’s parents and set up some times we can send you down to visit and he could come on up here. Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll work it all out.”
Arielle threw her hands around his neck, almost tackling him. “Dad, you are the absolute best, not that you didn’t already know.”
“Well, since I’ve been told a time or two, I mighta had a feelin’.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot. I’m not supposed to tell you those kinds of things anymore because it will go straight to your head.” Arielle laughed.
He acted like he was smacking her arm, but missed at the last minute. “Hey now!” He stood, walking toward the kitchen. “Momma, Arielle’s teasin’ me again.”
His voice faded as he disappeared and Arielle couldn’t wipe the big grin from her face. She never considered her dad letting her visit another state as an option, but maybe everything would work out in the end. Maybe Arielle would end up graduating and marrying Blake and they would have the rest of their lives to be happy.
Or maybe she was jumping the gun and needed to slow the heck down because no way at sixteen should she be thinking about marriage.
Chapter 17
Best Friends or Worst Enemies
School would be over in a few more weeks, which Arielle dreaded. Usually, she looked forward to the last day, but now the end of school meant not seeing Blake everyday anymore, so she would love it if she could stay in school forever.
After school ended for the day, Blake drove her home, but couldn’t stay since he had work to do. She climbed out, but didn’t close her door, instead leaned inside by holding her arms over the roof. “You want to go to the movies tonight?”
Blake frowned. “I’m a little short on cash, plus I have so much homework.”
She smiled. “No, not the movies. Arielle’s movie theatre. In the living room of her parents’ home.” She winked. “Guess what? There will be popcorn and candy too.”
Blake nodded his head upward once, dragging the movement out. “Oh. Yeah. That movie theatre. Well, sure, it’s my favorite. I’ll run home and get my homework done first, but what time should I come back?”
Arielle tilted her head. “Six?”
“Sure, but what else is on your mind?” Blake asked, his tone of voice softening with concern.
“What do you mean?”
“You have the look.”
“What look?”
“The one you get when something is on your mind to the point where you can’t get rid of it until you do something about it.”
All the blood in Arielle rushed through her veins to pump her heart that had all but frozen with his words. She didn’t know how he knew her so well, but it showed he paid attention. “First, I love that you know my looks. And second, I am going to go see Jess. I haven’t seen her at school for a while, and when she is there, she avoids me like the plague so I don’t see her anyway. I need to find out what is going on with her.” Arielle’s stomach shook, like she might get sick just thinking about her friend. She had to see her, even though she already suspected what she’d gotten involved in.
Damien had introduced her to an addiction, but she was the one who didn’t want any help. She avoided her friends and everyone in her life, except for the person supplying her with drugs. Of course, Arielle might be wrong, and she hoped she was, but she had a sinking feeling in her gut that she wasn’t. Her instincts were all she had, so she had to learn to trust them.
Blake unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned into the passenger seat, then he kissed her cheek. “Well, Ari, just be careful. Remember what I told you and what signs to look for. If you need to confront her, I think it would be a good idea, but don’t expect the truth from her.”
“I have to try to help her, Blake. Someone has to.”
He touched her face before moving back into his seat. “Be who you are, Ari. Help your friend. It is the part of you that makes you so special.”
She leaned over the center console in his car. “Thanks for understanding.” Leaving her own kiss on his cheek, and an imprint of her pink lip gloss, she hopped out.
She ran inside and dropped her backpack in the room right off the door and yelled, “I’m heading to Jess’s house. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Arielle,” Dad said, coming through the kitchen, “hold on a minute. Where’s the fire?”
Arielle tried to catch her breath. “I have to go see Jess. I haven’t seen her all week.” She didn’t tell her dad it had really been even longer.
“Can’t you call her?”
“Dad, it’s the first nice day we’ve had in a while. I thought a walk and some fresh air might do me good.” She opened her ears, listening for any noise in the kitchen. “Where’s Mom?”
“At work. She has to work her second job tonight so she won’t be home ’til late. I’m cooking, so McDonald’s it is.”
Arielle laughed. “Well, I’ll be sure I’m home in time for the best food in the world.” She stuck her tongue out, acting like she was heaving.
“Should I get Blake somethin’ to eat?” he asked with a glint in his eyes.
The finances were a little rough. Arielle didn’t think she was supposed to know, but her dad had been disabled since Arielle could remember and Mom had always worked full time. At first, when Mom had taken a second job, her parents had tried to keep it a secret. It didn’t work well. They had a hard time explaining why Mom was gone so many evenings during the week, so they’d finally spilled the truth. It made things a little harder, especially since Arielle didn’t see her mom most of the week. But they’d get through it. As a family.
Mom always did what she had to do to make it. Since Dad couldn’t work, she worked extra hard, most nights even coming home and still cooking dinner, but Arielle could tell her mom loved it so much in the kitchen she couldn’t breathe if she wasn’t in there making something. Most of the time, when Mom had a day off, she cooked or baked all day long, but sometimes, on a rare occasion, Arielle would find her sitting in her chair, crocheting. But her hands hurt her so much she didn’t do it often.
Arielle shook her head. “He’s not coming until six, so he should have eaten by then. We are going to make some popcorn and watch a movie, I think.”
“All right, kiddo. I will have dinner here by five thirty, so go have fun with your friend ’til then.”
“Okay. I will. See ya soon.”
Arielle opened the door, letting i
t slam behind her as she walked, more like jogged, down her driveway and onto the two-lane road in front of her house. She crossed the street and all but ran down it, turning on the first side street to the right. Down past a section of woods sat Jess’s house.
She walked up the long, gravel driveway, admiring the century home with its tan siding and red shutters. Jess’s parents had this house built from scratch, designing most of it themselves. It was beautiful inside and out.
Arielle knocked on the red door, then waited about thirty seconds for someone to answer. It was Jess. Her mouth dropped open. “What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t seen you lately so I thought I’d stop by and see how my best friend is. Can I come in?” Arielle asked, holding her breath.
Jess nodded and opened the door all the way, letting her in. “Sure, but you can’t stay long. Damien is coming over.”
Jess led Arielle up to her room, where she sat down on her purple bedspread.
Arielle folded one of her legs underneath her. “So, what’s been going on?”
Jess sat beside her, the bed indenting and making Arielle feel like she might slide off the end. Arielle focused on her friend’s face. Her pale skin made it easy to see the dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.
Jess fiddled with a magazine as Arielle inspected her. “Nothing. Hanging out with Damien.”
“Yeah, I know. Guess that’s why I haven’t seen hide nor hair of ya, but when I have seen you, you’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding me. I came here today because I wanted to have a conversation about why those things are happening.”
“Well, have it, then.” Jess’s snarky tone felt like fingernails clawing Arielle’s skin.
Arielle tapped her shaky fingers together, then shook them out in front of her. She had to be blunt now. It was the only way. “Are you doing drugs with Damien?”
Jess scoffed, still staring at her magazine. “Am I. Doing. Drugs? Wow, Ari. It’s good to know what you think of me.”
“It’s not a huge stretch when your eyes are always red. Let’s not forget the dark circles under them or how you’ve been snapping at everyone around you, which I had to find out from other people you used to hang out with. Plus, I’m sorry, but a lot of people say Damien is big into drugs, so please tell me the truth.”
Jess looked at her then, but not in the eye. Her cheeks were red and her lips squeezed together so tightly creases formed in her cheeks. “No. I am not doing drugs.”
Arielle sighed. Jess had lied to her. The truth was painted all over her face, but she would never admit it to Arielle. No, Jess would keep lying to protect her secret. Even though she’d been busted.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Jess slammed her fist down on her desk. “I don’t care what you believe.”
Arielle dropped her forehead into her hand, shaking her head. “If that’s how you want to play this, then fine, but just so you know, if you are doing drugs, it’s the dumbest decision you’ve ever made in your life.”
“Get out!” Jess screamed. “Go. We haven’t been friends since Blake came into your life, so get out of my house and out of my life!”
“No, Jess. We haven’t been friends since you started doing whatever it is you’re doing. Those drugs are pushing you away from everyone you love. Something to think about when you get your next high.” Arielle stood up.
“Get! Out!” Jess screamed, knocking everything off her dresser. “Don’t come back, Ari. We’re done being friends.”
Arielle didn’t say another word as she walked out the door. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she ran into Jess’s mom. Her dad stood in the kitchen, slicing up what looked like green peppers. A hearty smell, like beef cooking, made her wish Mom would be cooking tonight.
Jess’s mom stopped her. “Did you guys have a fight or something?”
“Yes, we had a fight.” Arielle kept walking, not about to be the one to tell Jess’s parents their daughter had an addiction.
“What happened, sweetie?”
Arielle turned just shy of the door. They had no idea what had happened to their daughter. Either they didn’t pay attention or they just didn’t care. But they needed to know. And Arielle had to tell them, even though it was the last thing in the world she wanted to do. “Do you have any idea what is going on with your daughter right now?”
Jess’s mom dropped her jaw and stepped back. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“She’s on drugs. Her boyfriend, Damien, is the one who got her on them, and as far as I know, he’s the one supplying them also. Have you noticed her acting strange and being all snappy?” Arielle’s heart pounded in her chest, racing faster than an Olympic gold runner. She realized raged burned through her, making her shake. Not at Jess for lying to her, but at her parents for not knowing something was wrong.
No, they were too worried about each other to pay much attention to their daughter at all, and it had always been like that for Jess. Arielle thrust her chest out, hands on her hips, focusing on Jess’s mom’s face. With a scowl directed at Arielle and her nostrils flaring, Jess’s mom narrowed her eyes. Arielle didn’t flinch or back away. She didn’t care what they did to her. They needed to open their eyes and help their daughter.
“Leave this house right now, Ari. I don’t know what your problem is with my daughter, but I won’t let you make accusations about her.” Her voice shook with suppressed rage.
Jess’s dad came and stood behind his wife, bracing his hands on her shoulders. “You heard her, Ari. You were asked to leave, so please do.”
Arielle threw her hands up in the air. “Fine. Put your blinders back on. See if I care.” She walked out the door, slamming it behind her, and sent a little prayer up toward the sky. Maybe her best friend would come back to her one day, but Arielle feared it wouldn’t be anytime soon. It might not be ever again.
Chapter 18
The Last Day of School
The day came faster than Arielle had imagined it would. And it shredded her heart when the final bell rang because Blake was leaving tomorrow for the long trip home. He wouldn’t even be here to get his diploma or graduate with his class.
She headed to her locker, walking almost like a zombie to grab the last few items in there. She shoved them in her book bag and walked out the front door.
The last day of school should have been the best day of her life, but she’d been dreading this one for weeks. She’d been trying to push reality to the back of her mind, but it had caught up with her and she had nowhere to hide. She had to face the facts.
On her way down the steps to meet Blake at his car, she passed Jess, who turned and gave her the cold shoulder. Jess hadn’t talked to her since the incident. Hadn’t even looked at her, which was fine. She tried to be a friend by telling her parents the truth and they hadn’t believed her.
As much as it hurt, she had to let her go because she’d tried…and failed to help her. It was too bad a seven-year friendship faded into what they had now, avoided glances and awkwardness.
Blake sat on the hood of his car, waiting for her with his arms crossed over his chest and a sexy smirk on his face. She jogged the rest of the way to him, pulled his arms open, and stepped into him, burying her face in his chest. “I can’t believe today is the last day I’m going to get to spend with you.”
He rubbed his palms up and down the side of her arms. “I know. I can’t believe it either. But we’ll have to make the most of it. Hop in.”
She did without any reservations, tossing her backpack in the backseat and strapping her seatbelt on. She popped in the Journey CD and cranked it up as they barreled out of the parking lot.
One hand on the wheel, Blake used his free hand to grab one of hers and kissed the back of it before holding it against his chest. “Your parents know we’re going out after school?”
“Yeah, they said to have fun but be careful. And to stop and see them before you leave.” Arielle’s fingers trembled and she tucked her right hand
under her leg to hide it. The last thing she wanted was Blake to be even more upset than he already had to be. She could tell he liked living here and didn’t want to go back to South Carolina, but at the same time, he needed to fix his relationship with his dad, so he was torn between two worlds.
As Blake drove, the world slowed down around her. A lump had formed in her throat and if she started talking, she’d cry; she didn’t trust her voice at all. Instead of talking, she stared out the window, not focusing on anything specific, just watching the scenery fly by. Since it had gotten warmer, she cracked her window, not stopping until she had it halfway down, letting the breeze ruffle her hair.
Blake pulled down a side street. Arielle had no idea where he was headed, had decided not to ask because that pesky lump remained in her throat.
Her chest ached, a throbbing ache she didn’t think would go away any time soon. Each minute the pain intensified until she could hardly breathe. Arielle pulled her free hand up and rubbed her chest, but it didn’t help, not that she’d thought it would.
Blake pulled into the driveway of a small house Arielle recognized right away. “What are we doing at the Christmas house?”
Blake brought her hand up and kissed it. “Remember the first day we came here? How we got busted standing in the rain in the driveway of some stranger’s house?”
Arielle laughed. “How could I ever forget? It was the first day you kissed me.”
“I replay that day in my head all the time. When I’m upset or angry, I think about it because it is so special to me.”
Arielle’s breath caught in her throat. Her voice was strained with unshed tears. “I don’t know what to say except you are amazing, which isn’t enough at all.”
“You have made me so happy, Ari. When I’m with you, I feel like I can be myself, and that is amazing.”
Crush: A YA Romance Collection Page 87