by Paige Powers
“Yeah, I probably will have to deal with the parents inside.” I said rolling my eyes. He smiled.
“Good luck.”
“Yeah I’m going to need it,” I reached for the door but stopped and turned around. “Thanks, Jack. I had a lot of fun today. I think I needed it. It’s just with everything that’s going on...” I trailed off. I looked at him. Now is not the time to tell him. “Thanks,” I said quickly. He nodded.
“See you on Monday.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek and quickly went to his car. I was stunned once again. After he left, I let out a girlie giggle and sighed. I opened up the door, feeling giddy.
“Mom, Dad, I’m home!” I called. They were in the den arguing but stopped when they saw me.
“Oh, hey, honey,” Mom said, pushing her hair back with a smile. Dad nodded at me looking like he was sweating badly. “How was your day?” she asked sweetly. I bit at my lip.
“Um, it was good. Jack and I ate at a diner then went—.“ I stopped mid-sentence. If my parents found out about that, they would murder me. “Um, just hung out.” Mom smiled and nodded. “I’m going to my room,” I said and left quickly. I heard them muttering some words but I ignored it. I shut my door and stripped out of my clothes, getting into something comfortable and started to read with a smile on my face.
Chapter 24
I went out running on Sunday morning then came back, got a bowl of cereal and watched cartoons like I did when I was 8. It was fun. Monday came quickly and I found myself looking out the window at the storm that had covered everything in a thin layer of snow. I smiled. I ran downstairs upon hearing the knocking on the door. I swung open the door to find a shivering Jack. I laughed.
“Not too hot are you now, hot stuff?” I teased. He rolled his eyes with a smile and pushed past me and entered the house.
“Damn, I hate the cold!”
I laughed.
“If only you would wear more than that leather jacket.”
He turned to me.
“It was my uncle’s,” he said softly. I frowned. “He died a couple of years back. Closest thing I had to a father.” I was silent.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said quietly. He shrugged.
“Just don’t insult the jacket,” he said and posed. I laughed and rolled my eyes.
“Come on, I think my mom made something to eat. Want anything?”
He grinned.
“Yes!” We went into the kitchen to find my dad sipping coffee and reading something and my mom drinking a glass of water by the bar.
“Hey Jack!” she said and smiled. “I just made some breakfast. Would you like any?” He nodded eagerly.
We ate breakfast with my mom and dad. It was a little strange, but I found that I was relaxed. They liked him. They actually liked him. Dad wasn’t too fond of Grant but he seemed to like Jack. Surprisingly. Wait, why do you care if they like him? You’re not really dating him, stupid! I suddenly lost my appetite and put down my fork and took a sip of water. Right, it’s not real. He doesn’t like you...a churning went through my stomach and I thought for a moment I might throw up but then regained myself.
“You okay, Lidia?” Jack asked from across the table. I looked up and he actually looked concerned. The churning started again. He was faking it. He was faking everything. ‘He doesn’t like you!’ I was yelling at myself. I felt like I was going to…no…oh no!
“Lidia!” someone yelled. I pushed back my chair and ran upstairs holding my hand to my mouth. I ran into the bathroom and slammed the door shut and puked into the toilet.
If I thought eggs would look like that, I would have never eaten eggs in my life. Jack pushed open the door as I was wiping the back of my hand over my mouth. His eyes were wide.
“Lidia, are you okay?” he asked as he ran over and sat down beside me. I nodded.
“I’m fine,” my throat felt raw. He put his hand on my shoulder and massaged it. I closed my eyes and suddenly realized why I had barfed. I opened my eyes.
“Maybe—.”
“No!” I pushed his hand off me and scooted away. His eyes looked hurt. I looked at him. It was his fault you’re barfing your not so good looking eggs. “I said I was fine!” I said my voice louder. I grabbed a towel from the towel rack above my head and wiped my mouth again, still tasting the eggs.
“I was just going to say why don’t you go lie down.” I shook my head and grabbed the wall and started to stand. I started to slip and Jack was right there holding on to me. I pushed him back and growled.
“I can do it myself!” I yelled. He frowned. I stood up and leaned against the wall trying to settle the dizzy feeling. I went to the sink and washed out my mouth then brushed my teeth. Jack watched me. “Don’t you have anything else to do?” I snapped as I finished. He clenched his teeth together.
“Lidia!” Mom said, as she and dad came up the stairs. “Oh, honey! Are you okay?” she asked as she came in past Jack. I nodded as she put her hands on my face. “You look pale sweetie. Let’s go let you lie down a bit. I’ll call the school.”
“No!” I said, making everyone jump from my outburst. Dad frowned and Mom just looked worried. “Honey—“
“Mom, it’s okay. I’m fine. I think it was just the eggs.” I wouldn’t meet Jack’s eyes. I couldn’t. I was lying of course but I didn’t want him to know.
“Alright, if you think you're okay.”
I nodded.
“I am.” She pulled me out of the bathroom and we went downstairs. “I think we better just leave,” I told Jack who I knew was behind me, watching me. He didn’t answer. I put my jacket back on, my hands trembling a little. I grabbed my backpack and Jack followed behind me as we went out.
“Bye!” Mom called. I stopped on the porch and looked at Jack’s crappy car.
“I don’t have 4 wheel drive,” he mumbled. I nodded.
“We’ll take mine,” I said quietly and I headed to my black jeep. I got in and started it up shaking a little. Jack got in the other side. The jeep didn’t have very good heating so we were frozen until a block from the school when the heat finally kicked in. I put my gloved hands in front of it trying to steal the warmth. Jack just looked out the window. We didn’t talk as we headed into the school. He took my hand but it felt weird with our gloves on. We smiled at people, putting on like we always did when we got mad at each other. But this was deeper. This was different. He walked me to my locker, we let go our hands.
“I’m going to class,” he muttered. I nodded as I grabbed my books out of my locker and he disappeared in the crowd. I stared after him. I should go talk to him. Make up for being a jerk. ‘No, no, Lidia. Don’t. You’re going to be breaking up soon enough anyhow. It isn’t working with Grant or Kendra. Why bother going on anymore? They don’t want us back.’ But something inside of me wanted them to not love us. That I agreed to do this fake relationship for a reason. I didn’t know what the reason was though. I frowned as I walked to class and sat in the back.
“Lidia,” a sweet voice said. I looked up and saw Grant.
“Hey,” I said and looked down picking at my finger nail.
“So, how was your weekend?” he asked causally. I shrugged.
“Pretty good. Yours?”
He shrugged, too. “So, so.”
I nodded, still looking down.
“I wanted to talk to you, Lidia—.”
“OK, class. Get settled in. We’re about to start.” I looked up and saw Grant rolling his eyes.
“I’ll find you later today,” he said and I nodded. The sound of his voice wasn’t like Jack’s. It didn’t affect me like Jack’s did. I didn’t know why. Why did Jack’s voice affect me so? I never liked him. Or did I? I shook my head and listened to our teacher.
Chapter 25
Next thing I knew it was Thursday. Nothing really happened. Jack didn’t come over to the house after school, we both didn’t talk. But it wasn’t me. It was him. Something was wrong. He seemed really d
istant. We were going to have dinner with his mom on Saturday. ‘Wow that’s going to be a trip in the park!’ I thought sarcastically. We didn’t even hold hands that much anymore. I haven’t even talked to Kendra or Grant. I was too swamped with schoolwork. Algebra was kicking my ass. It snowed more and it was two weeks until Christmas. School would be ending for the holidays in about a week. Jack and I walked out of school quiet as usual. We got into the jeep and I started it up kicking my foot trying to get the snow off. I sniffed and wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck.
“My mom said, um, that I should pick you up and bring you to the house since the streets aren’t safe.” I looked over at him, surprised at his voice. It was throaty and sounded sick but it was the first I’d heard all day. He looked at his hands.
“OK, what time?” I said and drove out the school gate. He shrugged and sniffed.
“6:00 p.m.?” I nodded. We drove to my house where Jack’s car sat covered in a thin layer of soft puffy snow. I turned off the car and turned toward Jack.
“Jack, listen. I’m sorry about Monday…it’s just that I wasn’t feeling like—.”
“It’s fine,” he said and looked over at me. Something stirred in his eyes and he let a small smile spread to his lips. “I’ve been….a little sick this week…is all.” He said quietly. I looked at him and searched for anything. Why was he acting this way?
“I’m worried about you,” I whispered almost too low for anyone to hear. Jack half smiled at me.
“Don’t worry about me, Taylor.” I looked down at my gloved hands.
“I’m sorry if I did anything to make you mad.” I said. He laughed.
“Isn’t that what we do? Get each other pissed off?” He lifted my chin with his finger and smiled at me. “I think it’s kind of sexy when you’re mad.” I rolled my eyes and laughed.
“Sure,” I said. He dropped his hand from my chin and sighed.
“I’m not sure Grant and Kendra want us back, Princess,” he said quietly looking down then looked up through his eye lashes. I bit at my lip and nodded. “When do you want to break up?” he asked, trying to cover the sadness in his voice. It still leaked through. The thought of breaking up, the thought of actually not having Jack take me to school or hold my hand as we walk into school. The thought of not being able to touch Jack or to fight with him made my heart heave. I couldn’t live without his soft rough hands. But why? Why did my heart want this? Why did my body yearn for him? My lungs had almost stopped too, thinking about it. I looked at him and swallowed.
“I don’t know,” I said. He nodded.
“Well after this weekend, I guess,” he said and shrugged. He winced. I stared at him, my eyes a little wide. “Gym practice,” he stated quickly. Too quickly. I nodded, not believing him.
“Um, do you want to come in?” I asked hesitantly. He bit the inside of his jaw thinking. Then frowned.
“I can’t...I have to be home when my mom gets home…it’s just that she isn’t...never mind.”
I frowned.
“Is there something wrong with your mom?” I asked, concerned. He shook his head.
“No...she’s OK.”
I nodded slowly.
“I’ll call you later or something,” he said and got out. I did the same, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.
“Bye,” I said as he got into his car and drove off. ‘I’m so damn sick of this!’ I thought to myself as I slammed the front door shut throwing off my shoes. What the hell is going on with him? I know we just made up and stuff but there is something that he isn’t telling me! I want to know the truth. Tomorrow I am going to force it out of him. Mom came in, looking worried.
“Lidia, are you OK?” she asked. I nodded.
“Yeah I’m fine.” Dad came in behind her and smiled at me. I frowned at the two of them. They looked relaxed for some reason. “What the hell are you guys grinning at?” I muttered.
“Watch your tongue,” Dad warned. I put my hands up in surrender. Mom sighed.
“Your father and I decided we want our marriage to get better, so we’re going on a marriage retreat on Monday and then coming back next Monday.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well...good,” I said, not sure. Mom nodded.
“So, will you be okay by yourself?” she asked. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood in my mouth. “Yeah, it’s fine. You guys leave me alone all the time,” I said, coldness seeping into my words. They didn’t notice.
“Okay, good. We’ll have enough food and I’ll leave some money so you can order pizza and stuff.” I looked away and crossed my arms. “Something wrong, sweetie?” she asked. I grabbed my backpack and avoided their eyes.
“No. I’m going to do my homework.” I went up the stairs, passing their stupid faces. I went up into my room and dropped my bag to the ground realizing I had no homework today. I got out one of the books I hadn’t finished, slipped on my reading glasses and started reading. Trying to transition from one world to another.
It was 6:00 p.m. when my mom called me down for supper. I told her I wasn’t hungry. I didn’t feel like eating. I didn’t want to go downstairs. I looked out the window at the dark sky and saw that it was clearing a little. But this close to the city, you couldn’t see the stars. I sighed and got back to my book. My phone vibrated on my nightstand but I didn’t feel like looking. It vibrated again and I groaned and picked it up.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Lidia!” Jack said, relief in his voice. I was worried.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked. He sighed.
“I got into a fight with my mom and her...boyfriend. I’m out driving around and I can’t go home. Could I maybe stay with you tonight?” I was stunned. “I mean, I can go someplace—,” he said after I didn’t answer.
“No! No, no. You can come over! I was just thinking. Yeah, my parents are home so you’ll have to sneak in through my window but they’re leaving early tomorrow morning for work. So, yeah. Come over,” I said quickly.
“OK, which window is yours?” he asked. I looked out the window and saw the road.
“It’s two windows from the front door. The porch is a wrap around so you can jump up there. There’s a stool by the side where I used to...,” I trailed off. He snorted.
“You’ve sneaked out before?”
I was quiet.
“No comment.”
He laughed. It rang like bells and I smiled. He was okay.
“I’ll park my car down the street. Have your window open and turn the heat up. I’m freezing my ass off.”
I laughed.
“Okay.” I hung up, jumped out of bed and started to pick up my clothes and piled them on my dresser and into my dresser draws. I went to the window and opened it only to realize that I was wearing shorts and an old T-shirt. I grabbed my school sweat shirt and pulled it over me. I went to my mirror and fixed what was left of my makeup and nodded to myself. Good enough. I heard the noisy car slow down near my house. Whatever he was hiding, I was going to force it out of him tonight. But just the thought of having Jack in my room, at night, sleeping made my head think crazy thoughts.
Chapter 26
I turned the dial up on the heaters and heat blazed from it. Jack came from Mr. Rogers’ yard and saw me. He sighed as he looked up at the house. He climbed the porch with a brown backpack over his shoulders and looked in at me when he arrived at my window.
“Princess,” he said and cracked a smile. I rolled my eyes. He came in, his snow boots bringing the puffy white snow into my room and on my toes.
“Aw man, Jack!” I whispered in a yell. I tip-toed to the window and shut it shaking. “Take off your boots.” I said and he did. He put them in the corner then peeled off his jacket.
“Damn its cold,” he muttered and put his hands over the heater dunk. I went over to my closet and grabbed the old mattress that my friends would sleep on and pulled it out.
“Yeah, it’s winter,” I said sarcastically. He smirke
d. He helped put the mattress on the other side of my bed so if my parents came in, they wouldn’t see him immediately. I brought out a pillow and a Barbie comforter and threw them on his bed. He looked up at me from under his bangs.
“You’re kidding?”
I gave him a smug look. “Nope.”
He sighed. Then I heard someone walking up the stairs.
“Lidia?” my mom called.
“Shoes!” I said and grabbed Jack’s hand running toward my open closet door. He laughed and I turned and clamped a hand over his mouth. He winced. I frowned. The steps got closer. I pulled my hand away from his mouth and saw it. The cut on his lip. My mouth hung a little then I looked up into those blue eyes and glared.
“Lidia…I think we should talk…” Mom said, knocking on my door. Jack’s eyes were sad. I shoved him in the closet and shut the door just as my door peeked open. I smiled as mom entered the room. She smiled at me. “Something wrong, honey?” she asked. I shook my head and headed over to my bed where my book lay open. “Lidia, are you okay? You seem different somehow,” Mom said, as she sat down on the bed. I gritted my teeth together. I sighed.
“Mom, I’m fine. I’ve just been busy with school and stuff.” She frowned.
“Is everything okay with you and Jack? Are you on the pill honey? I don’t want you getting pregnant.” My eyes bulged from my eyes and I heard a faint laugh. I coughed.
“Oh my gosh, Mom,” I said. “I’m not having sex!” I yelled. She shrugged.
“OK, honey,” she said doubtfully.
“You know, Mom…,” I trailed off and looked away.
“Please don’t get mad at me. I’m only worried. Why don’t we do something tomorrow after I get back from work? Since your father and I have been fighting, it’s been hard for us to do anything. Besides me sleeping in your room.” She smiled and laughed. I didn’t.
“Yeah, fine,” I said quickly. She sighed and patted my knee.
“Goodnight, honey. I’m going to bed early because of work and your father will, too.” I nodded. She kissed my head and left the room. I put my hands to my head and sighed. After she left, I opened the closet door and found Jack looking at a picture of someone. He looked up at me and put the picture down on a pile of clothes. Heat rose in me at the sight of him.