Immortal
By Lauren Burd
Published by Lauren Burd at Smashwords
Copyright 2010 Lauren Burd
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Arrival
Gathering my borrowed sleeping supplies, I folded the blanket before placing it along with the pillow on the empty seat next to me. One of the attendants began reading off the gate numbers for connecting flights. Yawning, I took my plane ticket out to check where I would be heading after disembarking.
“Did you sleep well?” the overly attentive flight attendant from the previous night asked, as she gathered the pillow and blanket.
“Fine, thank you,” I said with a small smile.
“Do you need help finding your connection, sweetie?” she asked, still playing the concerned mother figure.
“Thank you, but they already announced the gate for my connecting flight.” I tried to keep my voice pleasant.
I hated being short. People always thought you needed help. It wasn’t my fault I looked closer to twelve than eighteen.
“All right then, you just let me know if you need directions to the gate,” she commented before moving to the next row to get everything gathered and safely stored before landing.
I lifted the shade over the window. Fluffy pink clouds accented the bright blue sky. I felt the plane begin its descent with a drop in my stomach. An attendant was going around making sure everyone had their seatbelts buckled while I tried not to think about the plane crashing.
I wrapped my finger around the armrest and searched for a song to distract me from the twisting in my stomach. Lightly humming to myself, I tried to stop the spinning in my head while the plane made its final descent into the airport. I could taste the bile in the back of my throat as the plane touched down with a lurch. Digging my fingers into the armrest, I fought the urge to spill the non-existent contents of my stomach as the plane quickly slowed.
The captain turned off the “Fasten Seat Belt” signs, and people started to move groggily around the cabin. I waited for most of the commotion to die down before reaching up into the overhead compartment and retrieving my bag. Rummaging through my carry-on, I located my brush and ran it through the tangled maze in my hair until all the knots and snags were gone. Tossing it back into my bag, I leaned back into my seat and impatiently waited to get off the flying death trap.
The captain came on the intercom again and said, “Thank you for flying with us…” in the all too familiar monologue. The aisle was soon clogged with passengers trying to get through the door first. In no hurry to enter the crush, I waited in my seat. Once the aisle cleared, I vacated my seat and made my way into the terminal and to the nearest restroom.
I checked my reflection after taking care of my immediate needs. The circles under my eyes were more defined than they had been last night due to my waking early and lack of sleep before the flight. My skin had returned to its normal creamy ivory tone, and my dark auburn hair lay flat from the brushing I had given it on the plane.
I looked down at my clothes to make sure I still looked okay after sleeping on the plane for four hours. My light-blue blouse showed no signs of stress thanks to the invention of wrinkle-free materials, and I could leave my jeans in a crumpled heap for days with no signs of distress.
I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste, gave my teeth a quick scrub, and rinsed my mouth. To help clear away the last of the cobwebs from my uncomfortable sleep, I splashed some water on my face before leaving the restroom to catch my next flight.
As I walked to the gate, I grabbed my phone out of my purse and turned it on. I only had thirty minutes before my next flight. Quickly scrolling through my recently called numbers, I pressed send. It rang several times before my Mom answered with, “Hello,” in a sleepy voice.
“I’m in Atlanta,” I said, in a hurry to get off the phone. “We made it on time, so I should be at the airport by nine.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then,” she said, and started to snore. I chuckled lightly, as I flipped my phone closed.
I made it to the gate just in time to board the plane. After finding my seat, I grabbed my book from my carry-on. I placed my bag into the overhead compartment and sank into my chair next to the window. I was already wishing the flight over.
After reading the same sentence three times, I gave up on my book and leaned my head back against the seat. I watched as the rest of the passengers finished boarding. There were the usual college students returning to school after summer break, parents dropping their kids off at college for the first time, and the occasional family returning from vacation. Many of the faces held excited expressions about the upcoming year. I looked at my reflection in the window to see if their excitement was reflected in my face, but all I could see was my lack of sleep.
A slight commotion near the front of the plane caught my attention, and I turned to investigate. My breath caught in the back of my throat. A young man stood in the aisle looking at the numbers in search of his assigned seat. I watched the faces of the women fall as he moved down the aisle and closer to where I was seated.
He stood around six-foot-two with a slim build. The thin, dark-blue vintage t-shirt he wore hinted at the smooth muscles underneath. His skin was a pale ivory just a shade or two lighter than my own. His dark, chestnut-brown hair was gently tousled, framing his face. His most striking features were his eyes. The deep blue caught and held the morning light, making them shimmer like the ocean after a storm.
I could feel my heart beating faster. Maybe he would sit next to me. I tried to calm myself. It didn’t matter if he sat next to me. After the hour-long flight, it wasn’t as if I would ever see him again. For some reason, I just couldn’t convince myself not to care.
Then he stopped. He was right next to my seat. My head was spinning a little from lack of oxygen. I took a deliberately slow deep breath to calm myself and try to stop the pounding in my chest.
Looking at the numbers listed above the seats, he didn’t even glance down at me. He placed a small carry-on in the overhead compartment then sat down in the seat next to me. I quickly turned my head to the side and looked out the window. My cheeks felt hot, and I knew the blood was pooling there, turning them red.
The familiar drone started on the intercom as we began to taxi onto the runway. I reopened my book and made a second attempt at reading it, but I found it even harder to concentrate with him so close. I wished now that his seat was someplace else where I couldn’t see him. Forgetting my book for the moment, I looked out the window and focused on the increasing noise from the plane’s engines. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as gravity pulled me back into my seat. This time, however, they had nothing to do with the plane taking off.
“What are you reading?” a silky voice asked.
I forgot how to speak. Flipping my book closed, I offered him the book. Instead of taking it, he leaned closer to inspect the cover. He smelled wonderful, a mixture of lavender and vanilla.
“Are you enjoying it?” he asked.
I nodded. “I like the classics.” I was thankful that I had brushed my teeth during the short layover.
A strange smile pulled up the corner of his mouth.
“Do you like to read?” I asked, feeling foolish.
He nodded. Flipping his own book closed, he held it out for me to inspect. I examined the cover briefly. It was a popular thriller.
“Is it any good?” I asked. I didn’t bother to let him know that I had already read the book a couple of months ago, before it became a bestseller.
“It’s okay so far,” he said, leaning back into his seat and reopening his book.
I wanted to ask his name but felt that would be prying. He was obviously not interested in having a conversation. He had probably only asked what I was reading to be polite.
Opening my own book again, I pretended to read. It was one of my favorites, but I couldn’t pay attention to the words. I kept glancing at the figure seated next to me. His arm lay lightly on the armrest between us. I was tempted to lay my arm next to his but fought the urge, unsure of how he would react.
Before I knew it, the plane was landing. I couldn’t decide if I was happy to be getting off, or if I wished it would just keep going. I waited for the Adonis seated next to me to get up. He remained seated and continued reading. He didn’t appear to be in a hurry to collect his things. The other passengers began gathering their items as the plane taxied over to the terminal.
I was about to excuse myself so I could grab my bag out of the overhead bin when he finally stood up. “Would you like me to get your bag?” he asked.
“Um, sure, thank you,” I said, feeling awkward.
I couldn’t help admiring his physique as he stretched up to reach for my bag and pull it out. I could feel the heat burning my cheeks as the blush spread across my face. He handed me my bag before returning to his seat.
The passengers started to disembark a few minutes later. As the commotion died down, I stood to leave. The gorgeous young man stepped out into the aisle to let me pass. I gave him a half-smile before walking down the aisle after the other passengers. I should have let him go in front of me. I could feel him behind me, and I had to force myself not to look back at him as I made my way to the exit.
Once in the terminal, I scanned the small crowd gathered near the gate. It took a couple of sweeps before I noticed my mom standing against the wall near the back. I forced a smile on my face as she caught sight of me. The sentiment felt hollow; maybe I was just anticipating the upcoming conflict.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man dressed in a simple black suit and tie standing off to the side of the terminal with a small sign in hand. He might as well have screamed, “I’m a chauffeur. Does anyone need a ride?” It wasn’t until I saw the dark-haired stranger from the plane making his way over that I started to pay closer attention. Surreptitiously glancing at the white eraser-board, I checked the name written there. Samuel Grant was spelled out in block letters. The name suited him.
I finished covering the distance to my mom. “Hey, Mom,” I said, my voice a little stilted. Neither of us attempted to embrace the other like so many others in the terminal.
“How was your trip?” she asked, as we walked around the corner to the luggage carousel.
“We didn’t crash.” I liked flying about as much as a root canal without anesthesia. She thought I was being silly. “Planes are safer than cars,” she would always remind me.
She gave me an odd look. She didn’t always get my sense of humor. “Did you get a nap on the plane?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “How was your summer?” I asked, as we found an empty place near the luggage carousel to wait for the rest of my things to be offloaded.
I half-listened as Mom rambled on about her summer and everything she had done. Nodding in the appropriate places was all the encouragement she needed to continue.
Scanning the room, I wasn’t looking anywhere in particular when I caught sight of Samuel standing across the carousel from me. He was waiting with his chauffeur for the luggage to make its way from the plane.
I took the opportunity to get a better look at his long, lean body. I didn’t realize how long I’d been staring until he turned and caught me. I quickly lowered my gaze, blushing brightly.
I kept my head down until the luggage started its slow journey around the carousel. Paying close attention to the bags making the rounds, I tried to distract myself enough to avoid looking across at Samuel again. It worked for the most part. I only glanced up once as I collected my last bag. He was much closer than before. He must have moved closer when I wasn’t looking.
Reaching for a bag at the same time I did, our eyes met. I felt my skin heat as the blood rushed into my cheeks. Mom’s inane chatter coming from over my shoulder created an odd background noise. His eyes seemed even more beautiful than they had on the plane.
“Come on, Alina,” Mom said, trying to get my attention.
I heard what she was saying but was unable to respond. Samuel’s eyes held mine as sure as a riptide held a swimmer. A few seconds later, he released me from his gaze. I shook my head slightly to help clear away the fog.
“I have to stop and get some things on the way home. Do you need anything?” she asked, as we started toward the exit.
“No, I’m good,” I answered, as we walked through the sliding doors and out into the hot, muggy morning. I really just wanted to go home and rest, not traipse around Gainesville all morning.
Mom popped open the trunk so I could put my luggage in the back. She didn’t bother to offer any help. I began loading my things in the back, being sure to keep my carry-on out in case of an emergency.
“Alina, what are you doing back there?” Mom whined, while standing by the driver’s side door.
“Nothing,” I answered, trying to hide my annoyance. I had hoped things would be different once I came back from Dad’s, but it was more of the usual. Actually, it was worse than the usual; most of the time, her attitude didn’t kick in until a week or so after I got back.
Mom shook her head in frustration, mumbling something under her breath as she climbed into the driver’s seat. I threw my bags in the trunk, taking care not to slam it closed. As I walked around to the passenger door, I was already dreading the drive home.
“So, how was your summer?” she finally asked. She didn’t sound very interested.
“It was nice.” I didn’t bother to reveal any details; it wasn’t as if she actually cared.
“Well, that’s good honey,” she said distractedly, as she paid the attendant at the small gate. Pulling forward, we followed the little signs out to the road.
The traffic was light as we made our way across town. The rush I felt from meeting Samuel on the plane was seeping out of me the longer I sat. I reached over and turned on the radio. Tuning it one of my favorite local stations, I nodded my head along with the song.
“Do have to listen to that racket?” Mom asked in an irritated voice. She reached for the radio and pressed one of the preprogrammed buttons.
I took a deep breath. I didn’t need an argument this early in the morning, or this soon after returning from California. I took my iPod out of my bag. Thankfully, I had kept it with me instead of storing it in the trunk.
Mom stopped at three stores on the way home. I hid my annoyance at being dragged all over town so she could shop. Too tired to shop or be of any use to her and hoping she would hurry up, I waited in the car.
When we finally pulled into the garage, I didn’t feel the release of being home. I was only going to be here for a few short weeks while I packed and got everything ready for the move to the apartment Dad had rented for me. Mom grabbed her three small shopping bags from the back seat and headed inside, not bothering to offer me any help with my things. I followed her a moment later.
Departure
When I walked through the door, a small gasp escaped my lips. I couldn’t believe it. This had to be a sick joke. Standing in the doorway, I tried to remember how to speak. There were boxes stacked just inside, all clearly marked with my name.
“Shut the door, Alina. You’re letting out all the cold air,” Mom called from the kitchen.
I moved a few cautious paces into the foyer, just far enough to shut the door behind me. “What is all this?” I asked, confused.
“Well, what do you think it is?”
I fought back the hurt I felt welling up inside me. Leaving my suitcases on the floor, I walked down the hallway to my room.
Standing outside the open door to my room, I stared in disbelief. The pictures that had adorned the walls before my departure were all missing. They had been replaced by nondescript paintings that seemed better suited to a bed-and-breakfast. The familiar comforter that had covered my bed was gone, replaced by a simple multicolored quilt. I checked the closet and dresser. Everything was empty.
I turned around. Mom was standing by the bedroom door with her arms folded.
“You packed all of my stuff?” My voice was barely a whisper.
“Well, no, not really,” she said in a flippant tone. “I hired someone to do it. I just told them what to pack.”
“You went through all of my stuff. How could you?” I was trying to keep my emotions in check but losing the battle. “Did you pack everything as soon I left for California, or did you wait a few minutes?” My body shook with anger.
Mom rolled her eyes, “Don’t be ridiculous. I had to find a reputable person to help with the packing.”
I couldn’t believe how selfish she was. “I have nothing in this house but what was in this room, and you just went through it. Did you even think about how it would make me feel?” I could feel my temper boiling over.
“It’s not like you’re going to be here much longer.” Mom walked out of what used to be my room. I followed, so mad I didn’t know what to do. Was she purposefully trying to hurt me?
“You are the coldest person I have ever met.” I pulled open the front door as she wheeled around to glare at me.
“Just make sure you’re out of here soon,” she said, landing a last blow as I walked out.
It took every ounce of control I had not to slam the door behind me. How could the one person who was supposed to love me unconditionally be so brutal? I guess the temporary cease-fire while I was in California was over already. I’d hoped it would at least last until I had my stuff at my new apartment.
I walked around the block a few times before heading back to the house. I wouldn’t have gone back then, but I had stormed out without my phone.
Turning the handle to the front door, I was surprised to find it unlocked. It wouldn’t have been the first time Mom had locked someone out. Taking a deep breath, I stepped over the threshold and back into the war zone.
I found Mom seated on the sofa with the television tuned to some soap opera. She was enthralled with the bad acting and inane plot twists. She didn’t look up or say a word as I grabbed my carry-on and headed to my bedroom-turned-guestroom.
Laying my bag on the bed, I quickly rummaged through it to find my phone. I wasn’t ready, willing, or able to fight with my Mom again, and that left me with only one option.
It was close to noon, so I assumed my friend Tabby would be up. I found her name on my contact list and called her cell.
“Hello,” she answered, sounding like a hyperactive Chihuahua.
“Hey, Tabby,” I said, trying to match her enthusiasm but failing miserably.
“Oh, Li-Li, are your back from Cali? How was your trip?” she asked, her enthusiasm spilling over. I could hear the millions of other questions in her voice but ignored them.
“It was good,” I answered honestly. “I actually just walked in the house not long ago. How was your summer?”
“Boring,” she said in a dejected voice. “I had to go down to West Palm and visit my grandparents for two weeks. Then I spent the rest of the summer getting a tan.”
“That sounds like fun,” I lied.
“You don’t have to be sarcastic, not all of us can pull off the ghost look.”
I laughed. “So, have you moved into the apartment yet?”
“No, I was waiting for you to get back. I thought it would be more fun if we spent our first night there together,” she said in a mischievous voice.
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to wait on my account,” I added, though in truth I was grateful she had. “Do you have everything ready to go?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been packed and ready to go for weeks.”
“Apparently, so have I,” I added in a dejected tone.
“No.” Her voice sounded incredulous. “Please, tell me she didn’t.”
“My Dad and I told her everything right before we left for Cali. That went about as well as I expected. When I got back today, I found my stuff packed and waiting by the front door.” I did a decent job of keeping the hurt from my voice, but some of it managed to leak out.
“I’ll be right over,” Tabby said. I could hear her rushing around.
“Don’t worry about it. I have a car.”
“Oh, right,” Tabby said. She was still getting used to me having my own vehicle.
I had bought a car just before I left to visit my Dad. It was a 2000 Honda Civic Si coupe. The car had seventeen-inch rims with low-profile tires that stood out against the royal blue custom paint job. The aftermarket body kit gave it an aggressive look that I fell in love with. The fact that the engine was upgraded, and it was a manual gearshift didn’t hurt, either.
“I just need a place to crash tonight. I’ll look into renting a truck tomorrow so I can get the rest of my stuff out of here.”
“You know you’re always welcome here Li-Li, you don’t need to ask. Besides, my parents are in Europe for another week.”
“Why didn’t you go with them?” I asked.
“Are you joking? It’s just Josh and me, sans parents. No way was I passing this up. Plus, I still needed to do some shopping.” I could hear the smile in her voice.
“Well, I’d better go. I guess I’ll see you in a few.”
Relief flooded through me as I hung up. Tabby always made me feel better, and now I had time to get my plans straight.
I gathered my bags and a few other things as I prepared to leave. Grabbing my keys from the holder near the front door, I was about to head out to my car but stopped. Turning around, I walked into the living room where Mom was still engrossed in her soap.
“Mom, I’m going to stay with Tabby,” I said, interrupting her show.
“Sounds great,” she answered, without looking up from the television.
“I’ll be by in the next few days to get my stuff.”
“Okay.” She briefly raised her head to give me an indifferent look. “Have fun.” She returned her attention to the screen.
I stood still for a moment letting the shock give way to the inevitable disappointment. Even with my abrupt departure, she couldn’t be bothered to show any concern for me.
I held firm, leaving the house with my dignity intact. I wouldn’t give her the pleasure of seeing me cry, though I knew the tears would come at some point. Walking out to my car, I threw my bags into the trunk and left everything else behind me.
The Movies
“Alina, Alina, wake up.”
It took me a few minutes to realize where I was. After a concerted effort, I forced my eyes open. “I’m up.”
“Come on,” Tabby whined, “it’s after five. You told me to wake you up so you could shower before we left.”
I sat up still half-asleep, “I’m awake.” My voice sounded scratchy and distant. “Give me a few minutes, okay?” I rubbed my eyes.
“Alright, but don’t lie back down, or you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
I nodded as Tabby started out of the room. She stopped at the door and turned back around. “Do you mind if Josh joins us for dinner?” she asked without making eye contact.
I closed my eyes in frustration. From the way Tabby was acting, she’d already invited her older brother to join us. It wasn’t a bad thing; it just made it a little awkward for me.
“That’s fine,” I said, letting Tabby off the hook, “if you and I don’t get going though, none of us will be eating.”
Laughing, Tabby skipped from the room, pausing just long enough to close the door behind her.
Josh was another issue I still needed to deal with. While growing up, he had usually ignored me. As children, there had been the occasional moments of torment when he would pick on me because I was a girl, or because I was his sister’s friend.
It wasn’t until the summer I turned seventeen that he began to notice me as something more than an acquaintance. I had no idea what had changed that year other than his graduating from high school. Somehow, I became a much more interesting person. He was careful not to let on at first, but when through unforeseen reasons I was dateless for the senior prom, he was only to eager to fill in. I let him know we were just friends, but he read a little more into it than I intended.
I felt bad about the whole situation. He was a nice guy, though a little immature. The problem was that I didn’t have feelings for him. Every time I looked at him, all I could see was a brother, not a boyfriend.
I sat on the edge of the bed for another minute before making myself get up. I walked over to my luggage on the window seat, pulled out my toiletries, and went to the bathroom.
Figuring that after wearing the same clothes for almost twenty-four hours, and with only five hours of real sleep in the past thirty-six, I was in sad shape, I didn’t bother to look in the mirror. I peeled off my clothes, let them fall in a pile on the floor, and got in the shower.
The hot water felt good. I let it run through my hair and down the drain. I was in no rush to get out, but half an hour later, I knew I needed to start getting ready. After drying off, I brushed my teeth and headed back out into the bedroom.
Rummaging through my bags, I took out a pair of black, pinstripe pants and a short-sleeved, green cashmere sweater. I didn’t bother doing anything with my hair other than drying it. Checking my reflection in the mirror, I realized I needed to put some cover-up on the dark circles under my eyes. Giving myself a quick once over before walking out of the guest suite, I guessed I was at least passable. I walked downstairs to the living room to wait for Tabby and Josh.
It was a little before seven when Tabby finished getting ready. “How do I look?” she asked, making a small turn in the middle of the living room.
She was wearing a white silk blouse with a cowl neck that set off her tan beautifully. The tight-fitted pencil skirt made her long legs look even better. Her naturally blond hair was draped neatly down her back. Her makeup was applied with great care to highlight her hazel eyes and full, dark lips. She looked perfect, as usual.
“You look great,” I said, stifling the yawn that was tickling the back of my throat. “Where’s Josh?”
“Don’t seem too excited,” she commented at my yawn, “and I told Josh I would call when we were ready to go.”
“Well, call away,” I said. “I’ve only had an apple in the past twenty-four hours. I’m starved.”
As soon as Tabby hung up, we headed out front to wait for Josh. A few minutes later, a pearl-black Lexus ISF rounded the corner of the house and came to an abrupt stop a few feet from us. A small puff of smoke rose from the back tires as they left a small trail of black rubber on the white concrete drive.
“Very mature,” Tabby commented as Josh climbed out of the car. “Mom is going be ticked when she sees those skid marks.”
“No she won’t. I’ll have Mr. Green clean it up tomorrow,” Josh said, joining us.
He looked handsome in a pair of khakis and a button-up, dark-blue dress shirt. His muscles bulged as he moved around the car to join us. I was always surprised at how graceful he could be despite his large frame. He was only five-nine but carried himself so confidently that he appeared taller. His lips were a little too full for his face, and he had the same shade of hazel eyes as everyone else in the Bishop family.
“Hello, Alina,” he said, holding the passenger door open for Tabby and me.
I wished he had gotten a four-door rather than the two, so I didn’t have to accept his courtesies. “Hello, Josh,” I said, forcing a smile. His face fell a little at my formal greeting. This was going to be a long night.
After we were settled into the car, Josh started the conversation. “How was your summer, Alina?”
“It was good. I spent most of the summer in my Dad’s condo playing games and reading. How was yours?” I asked politely.
He brightened slightly. “It was awesome. I got to spend my summer interning with one of the law firms here in town. I thought it would be a little more glamorous, though.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, it’s nothing like you see on television. I mean you actually have to work.”
We all laughed. As our snickers died down, Tabby plugged in her iPod. The music blaring out of the speakers made further conversation impossible.
“Did you want to see a movie?” Tabby asked, as we walked to the car after finishing dinner.
“Which one did you have in mind?” I knew any time she asked if I wanted to see a movie it was her hint that she wanted to see one.
She began describing the latest romantic movie. I cringed on the inside. I hated chick-flicks. Also, Josh would be there. Even with Tabby to play interference, it still had the possibility of getting sticky.
“Sure, sounds great,” I said with fake enthusiasm. I knew I would probably regret it, but I didn’t want to disappoint Tabby.
“You don’t mind, do you, Josh?” Tabby asked, as we climbed into the car.
“Whatever you want to do is fine,” he said absentmindedly. I tried not to think about where his thoughts had wandered.
The theater was packed, so Josh let Tabby and me out near the entrance to get tickets while he parked the car. After getting the tickets, we stood on the curb waiting for him to join us.
Scanning the crowd as we waited, I caught sight of a small group of people standing a few feet down from the entrance. The three of them seemed oddly serene, despite the amount of attention directed their way.
The girl had light-pink lips and golden brown eyes. Her shoulder-length honey-blond hair framed her perfect face. She was as tall as a model and with a dancer’s body. It should be criminal for someone to be that beautiful.
The only thing that gave me any solace was the fact that a guy who looked like he could lift a small car over his head had his arm draped over her shoulder. I was curious how she could support the extra weight. He was easily six-three to six-five with brown hair and light-gray eyes.
They made an odd couple, but there was something about them that made it seem as if they were made for each other. Maybe it was the way they stood, or the way they looked at each other. I couldn’t quite figure it out.
The third member of the party was Samuel Grant. Shocked at seeing him again, I couldn’t help but stare. The sun setting behind the horizon cast a glow that made him even more perfect than I remembered. Trying to figure out if I was dreaming, I continued to study his profile.
Before I could look away, Samuel glanced in my direction. His eyes caught and held mine for one brief moment. I tried to conceal the blush spreading over my face by quickly lowering my head. I wasn’t sure if it was my lack of sleep, but I could have sworn he was just as shocked by my being here as I was by his.
Tabby nudged me with her elbow. “Who is that?” she asked, annoyance evident in her voice. She pointed to the group with her eyes.
I didn’t need to follow her gaze; I knew whom she meant. Anyway, the last thing I wanted was to get caught staring again. Instead of answering her question, I just shrugged.
“He’s looking over here again,” she added, abruptly looking down. She kept looking up from under her lashes to see if he continued to stare. She gave me the play-by-play of Samuel’s every move until Josh arrived.
“Hey, why didn’t you go in and get us seats?”
Tabby jumped at the sound of Josh’s voice. Slightly more recovered from my encounter, I managed a sarcastic remark. “We thought you would get lost on the way to the theater.”
“You could always hold my hand and lead the way,” he said with a smug expression, offering me his hand. The statement hung in the air like a lead weight.
“We should go inside,” Tabby said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Quickly turning around, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along after her. Josh was left standing on the sidewalk with a downturned expression. As I was being dragged through the door, I glanced one more time in Samuel’s direction. I might have imagined it, but I could have sworn I saw a smile flicker across his face.
“Do you mind getting the seats? I have to use the restroom,” Tabby said to Josh as she shoved me through the restroom door. I caught a glimpse of him rolling his eyes as he headed to the theater.
“So, what did you think of him?” Tabby asked from inside the stall.
“Think of who?”
The toilet flushed, and Tabby exited the stall. “The dark-haired guy out front.”
I shrugged. “He was kind of cute,” I said, trying to downplay my growing infatuation with someone I didn’t know.
“‘Kind of cute’? That has to be the understatement of the century,” she said, as she washed her hands. “I hope he’s seeing the same movie we are.”
I nodded absently. I didn’t want to mention that the likelihood of a single man watching a chick flick was almost nonexistent.
After Tabby freshened up her makeup, we made our way to the theater. We walked into the dimly-lit room and looked for Josh. He was saving us a couple of seats about halfway up.
As we made our way to our seats, I noticed Tabby scanning the crowd. She looked disappointed as we made it to our row. Josh offered me the seat next to him, but I ignored his suggestion and sat next to a hairy man on the other side, and Tabby took her usual position in the middle.
Once the movie started, it didn’t take very long for the melodrama to begin. The hairy man sitting to my right was sniffling every few seconds, and Tabby was dabbing her face every now and then. By the time the movie was over, her eyes were red and puffy.
Walking out of the dark theater as the credits started, Tabby was chatting about the movie. I tried to pay attention and give her feedback, but I could barely remember who was supposed to be in love with Mr. X, let alone anything else about it. Josh did only marginally better at recalling the specifics. I suspected he had paid closer attention to the movie in hopes of discussing it with me afterward.
Once outside the theater, I couldn’t stop myself from scanning the exiting crowds for the small group we had seen earlier. Josh left Tabby and me at the entrance and went to retrieve the car.
“I was hoping we would get to see that guy again,” Tabby said, searching the crowd for Samuel’s face. “Where do you think he is?”
“He’s probably still in the theater. Maybe next time we should see the action movie instead,” I commented, as she continued to look in vain. “Any plans for tomorrow?”
“Nothing concrete right now. To be honest, I think we just need to get you home and into bed. You look beat,” Tabby said, concern evident in her voice.
Her words must have hit some magical note because I yawned at the mere suggestion of being tired. “I think you’re right.”
We all piled into the car, and I managed to maintain consciousness on the way to Tabby’s house. I mumbled good night to Tabby and Josh in the foyer and made my way upstairs to the guest suite. Once inside, I left a trail of clothes behind me as I pulled them off on my way to the bed. Climbing under the covers, I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Moving Day
The night passed in a blur of dreams. The light shining through the curtains woke me from my slumber. I rolled over so I could see the clock, ten in the morning. I glared at the numbers and rolled back over, trying to remember what my dreams were about and coming up empty.
I forced myself to sit up. My internal clock was still set to California, and all I really wanted to do was go back to sleep. I pushed the covers down to the end of the bed and stood up on shaky legs.
Ignoring the full-length mirror in the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and showered to help wake myself up. After getting dressed in a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt, I threw my hair in a ponytail and went down to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” I greeted Tabby, who was seated at the breakfast bar eating a bowl of cereal.
“Good morning,” she answered. “You’re certainly in a good mood.”
“It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do,” I said, looking for something to eat. “So, what are our plans for the day?”
Tabby gave me a mischievous grin. “Well, I was thinking that we should head over to your Mom’s house and get your stuff.”
I took a deep breath. I was dreading this part. “Where am I going to put it all?” I asked, grabbing the cereal from the counter and pouring myself a bowl.
Rolling her eyes, Tabby looked at me like I wasn’t getting the joke. “At the new apartment.”
I didn’t know what to say. I had originally planned to stay at home for a few weeks before moving. With my things already packed and ready to go, there was no reason for me not to move forward with our plans. The main obstacle was Mom’s presence at the house. I really didn’t want her there while I loaded up my stuff.
“Give me a minute,” I said, grabbing my phone. I left my half-eaten breakfast on the counter and flipped open my phone while walking into the pantry for a little more privacy. Scrolling through my contact list, I found my home number and pressed send.
“Hello,” Mom answered.
“Hi, Mom,” I said, trying to sound civil despite the anger I felt.
“Alina, good, I was just getting ready to call you. UPS came by and dropped off a package for you from your father.”
“Oh, that’s good. Thanks for signing for it,” I said, reluctantly giving her the pat on the back she was looking for. “I was wondering what your plans are for the day?”
“Well, I was heading out to the gym, and then I was going to meet Jeff for lunch.”
I let out a soft sigh of relief. She would be out for the day with her current boyfriend, so I wouldn’t have to worry about any melodrama. “That sounds like fun,” I said with fake enthusiasm. “I was planning to come over and pick up my stuff today, if that’s okay.”
There was a pause. I was about to check if we had been disconnected when she finally answered. “I think that would be a good idea. Just leave your key in the mail box after you’re finished.”
It felt like a slap to my face. Even over the phone, it stung. “Don’t worry. I will,” I said, keeping the hurt from my voice.
“I’ll talk to you later, then. I need to get going. Jeff is calling on the other line.”
“Bye, Mom—” She hung up before I could finish.
I stood in the pantry with my head resting between the cans of ravioli and spaghetti sauce as I tried to reconcile the past twenty-four hours. I was moving out, Mom had pretty much written me off, and Samuel’s face kept popping up in my head without my permission.
I walked back into the kitchen and threw out my breakfast without bothering to finish it. Watching me closely with a guarded expression, Tabby remained silent throughout my cleanup. She knew better than to interrupt me when I was in the middle of a cleaning binge.
“How bad was it?” she asked, breaking the silence as I loaded the dishwasher.
“It was bad.” I shook my head to clear away the gathering dark clouds. “The good news,” I added in a more chipper voice, “is that we can get all of my stuff today.”
Tabby smiled gently while I leaned against the granite countertop for support. She knew I didn’t like to be hovered over, and I had to be in pretty dire straits to accept a hug. It was probably due to the fact that I was used to taking care of everything myself.
Pushing off the counter and refusing to mope any longer, I looked at Tabby. “How long until you’re ready to go?”
“I’m ready when you are,” she answered in a happier voice.
“Then let’s go.”
Josh, Tabby, and I piled into their father’s Ford F-250. I was worried that Mom would still be there when we got to my house. Thankfully, she was already gone. Without her usual glares and comments to distract us, we loaded the truck in no time at all.
When we arrived at our new apartment, I could feel the butterflies flapping around in my stomach. I hadn’t been here since my dad had rented the apartment for us after viewing the model. It was the first time I would see the inside of our actual apartment.
“Are you ready?” Tabby asked, as Josh backed into one of our designated parking spots. She looked like she might explode from the excitement. After jumping out of the truck, she practically dragged me up the stairs to the front door.
I took a deep breath, put the key in the deadbolt, and turned it. It made a barely audible click as the tumblers fell into place.
The apartment was nicer than I remembered. The floor plan with the kitchen, dining room, and living room open to one another made it feel larger compared to similar apartments we had looked at before settling on this one.
The dining room had a round mahogany table conveniently placed off to the left of the door under a contemporary nickel-plated chandelier. There was a spot to the right of the door just big enough to hold a small table. It would be a perfect place to drop our keys and purses.
The kitchen had black, granite countertops atop rich cherry cabinets with silver handles. The stainless-steel appliances gave it a clean look. A breakfast bar opened out into the living room, adding additional eating space.
The living room held an overstuffed, dark-beige sofa with a matching love seat positioned so we could easily see the television. Dark chocolate hardwood floors connected all the rooms together. Accessories were nonexistent, but with Tabby here, I knew that wouldn’t last long.
“I’m home,” I said under my breath to try and make all of this seem real.
“Don’t just stand there, go pick out your room,” Tabby said excitedly from behind me.
I turned to look at her, and she was grinning like a Cheshire cat. I ran to the back corner of the apartment and tried my second key in the lock on the bedroom door. It turned without hesitation. I flung the door open and laughing, I threw myself across the bed in the middle of the room.
“Freedom,” I screamed. Laughing and screaming, Tabby joined me in my excitement.
When we calmed down, I looked around again. The bedroom held the basic furniture required, but it lacked personality. The dark wood of the bedroom set gave it a spa-like feel, which was nice. The attached bathroom had modern styling that made it seem like an oasis. Once I brought in some homey touches, it would be a nice place to spend time and study.
“We had better get that truck unloaded,” I said, thinking about all the boxes waiting downstairs for us.
After my fourth trip up the stairs, it felt like my legs had caught fire. By the ninth trip, I thought my legs were going to fall off. At around five o'clock, exhausted, the three of us sank onto the living room sofa. Josh found the remote and turned on the television while Tabby ordered pizza.
Forty-five minutes later, there was a knock at the front door. Since I was the closest, I answered it. A delivery guy stood in the doorway with the pizza and soda.
“How much is it?” I asked.
As he answered, I tried not to stare at the overwhelming acne that covered his face. I took the money Tabby had left on the counter and told him to keep the change.
Setting everything down on the table, I looked around for something to pour drinks into. I grabbed our empty bottles from the coffee table and recycled them in place of cups. “I guess cups and plates should be a first purchase,” I said, as Tabby joined me in the dining room.
The meal started in silence, all of us too hungry to carry on much of a conversation. It was nice to have a hot meal and even better to have all of my things in the new apartment.
“When did you want to get your things?” I asked Tabby as we finished eating.
“Oh, I totally forgot,” she said, swallowing. “Josh and I moved the last of my stuff in this morning while you were sleeping.”
“You should have waited,” I said, a little put out. “You know I would have helped.”
“A lot of help you would have been. You would have been on the floor halfway through the morning,” Josh teased.
I rolled my eyes as I started to clean the mess off the table. “Are we going to ride back in the truck tonight and get our cars?” I asked, throwing the leftover pizza in the empty fridge. It was either that or Josh would be staying the night, which was a prospect I didn’t want to consider.
“That sounds great,” Tabby said, getting excited again. “It will be our first night in our new apartment. I can’t wait.”
We pulled into the garage at Tabby’s house, and she jumped out of the truck. “I have to grab something. I’ll be right back down. Then we can head back to the apartment,” she said, running into the house.
I cursed her under my breath for leaving me alone with Josh. Climbing out of the truck, I ambled around to my car to wait for Tabby. Josh followed me a moment later. Leaning against his Mom’s Audi, he looked nervous about something.
“Looks like you’re going to have a busy week,” he said after a minute.
“Looks like it,” I said, pulling my lips into a thin smile. “How about you? Do you have any plans this week?”
“No, not really, just going to hang around here until school starts back. I was wondering …” he started as Tabby came bounding through the door.
“Okay, I’m ready to go.” She pressed the button to the garage door behind our cars. It hummed into life, rolling up and bringing into view the neatly manicured lawns.
“Thanks for all the help today,” I said to Josh as I climbed into my car, thankful for my narrow escape.
Tabby repeated my sentiments as she climbed into her new Civic. The pearl-white hybrid was a graduation present from her parents. I would have been jealous, but it lacked the aggressive styling I liked. As we pulled out of the garage, Josh waved forlornly from inside.
Arriving at the apartment first, I ran into my room and opened the brown box my Dad had sent. Inside were two smaller packages wrapped in purple paper with a card on top. I quickly scanned the note before discarding it and unwrapping my presents. One of the boxes contained a digital camera I’d been looking at for a few months; the other held a digital frame.
Plugging in the frame, I waited a few seconds as pictures loaded. I flipped through the images one at a time, savoring the happy memories. Coming to a stop on one of the pictures, I couldn’t help but smile. Mom and Dad were huddled around me backstage at the ballet studio before I went on as a sugarplum fairy. It was one of the last times I could remember being happy as a family. It was too bad I was only six in the picture.
As I set the frame down on my desk, I heard my dad’s ring-tone. Locating my purse, I retrieved my phone.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hello, Alina, how are you doing?” He sounded concerned.
“I’m good. I just opened your present. It’s perfect.”
“Well, I’m glad you like it.” I heard a smile in his words. “Why haven’t you called me?”
“I’ve been a little busy. Tabby, Josh, and I got everything moved into the new apartment today, so I’m pretty beat.”
“Wow, that was fast. I thought you were going to stay with your mother for a few days?”
“That was the plan. Mom wasn’t too keen on it.” I heard a sharp intake of breath. “It’s all right, though. This way, Tabby and I will have more time to get settled in.”
“I’m sorry your mother wasn’t better about all of this.” I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
“It was bound to happen sometime. So, don’t worry about it. Now, enough about me; how have you been since I left?”
“Busy and not very well fed. It’s amazing you learned to cook at all with your mother and me around.”
“Are you kidding? That’s why I learned to cook.”
We both laughed. I heard someone calling his name in the background. “I better let you go, Dad. It was nice to hear your voice.”
“Same to you, take care of yourself, okay? I love you.”
“Don’t worry, I will. I love you, too, Dad.”
Tabby arrived at the apartment shortly after I hung up. In no rush to unpack, I joined her in the living room. We savored our newfound freedom by staying up late, watching television, talking, and laughing. It was close to two before we made our way to our beds.
I rummaged through my boxes until I found a box with Bed written on the side. I pulled out my comforter and sheets out of it and quickly made my bed. I slid underneath the heavy blanket and as I drifted off to sleep, I let my mind wander back to my happy memory of being a sugarplum fairy. I wasn’t sure if the smile was only in my head or on my face as I fell into unconsciousness.
Introductions
“Tabby, wake up, or you’ll be late.” She grumbled in response to my wake-up call. “I have to get down to the bus stop, or I’m going to be late for class.” She pulled the covers tighter around her. “If you don’t get up, you’re on your own.”
Tabby groaned and rolled over. “I hate mornings.”
“They don’t seem very fond of you, either.” Her hair had a rat's-nest in the back, and there was drool crusted to the side of her face.
“Too early to joke,” she said, dragging herself upright.
“I have to go, or I’m going to be late. Don’t forget to switch your laundry over to the dryer.”
“Yeah, yeah, get out of here,” Tabby said in a gruff voice.
I grabbed my keys from the stand by the door and shoved my wallet in my book bag before leaving. Passing my car on the way to the bus stop, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I could have gotten a parking permit, but there were so few spaces, I’d have to get up at five in the morning to get a spot.
I couldn’t believe it was already time for school. Between unpacking, getting things for the apartment and getting ready for classes, the past two weeks had flown by in a frenzy of activity. Thankfully, the frantic pace had left little time for me to contemplate the not-so-new relationship with Mom.
People were crowded around the bus waiting to get on when I arrived. I would have to leave earlier on Wednesday. Once inside, I looked around for a spot to stand as all the seats were occupied. I ended up between a guy with black eyeliner and a haircut that looked like he had stuck his head in a blender and a girl wearing a tennis skirt and pink tank top.
I got off the bus and walked as fast as I could to my first class. I checked the time on my phone for the tenth time. It took an extra fifteen minutes to get to campus with the heavy traffic on the first day of school. If I didn’t hurry, I was going to be late for my first day of college.
I was a little out of breath when I made it to class. The teacher’s desk was empty, and only a few students were seated around the room. I found a desk near the middle of the room and pulled out a spiral notebook and pen before sitting down. The clock at the front showed fifteen minutes until class began. Feeling awkward just sitting at my desk, I leaned down to grab a book out of my bag so I could read.
“Is this seat taken?”
My breath caught in the back of my throat. There was no way he was here. I hesitated before turning to look at the person addressing me. I couldn’t believe he was standing there with his hand on the back of the chair next to mine. My heart began to beat faster and faster until it felt like it would fly out of my chest.
I took a deep breath before answering, “Uh, no.” There was a slow burn in my cheeks as I tried my best to ignore him.
Samuel sat down next to me without saying another word. As he prepared for class, I opened my book to read. Letting my hair fall as a curtain between us, I tried my best to ignore him. It didn’t work the way I planned. After what felt like twenty minutes but was probably only ten, my book lay in front of me still unread.
Taking care not to linger on Samuel, I took a furtive look around the room. It was nearly full. There must have been forty students crammed in like sardines in a can. The teacher was plugging in his laptop and trying to figure out how to work the projector mounted in the ceiling. The teaching assistant stood close by removing the cellophane from some index cards.
“Hello, class. My name is Professor Burns. This is technical writing, so if you’re not scheduled for this class, please leave now.” There was a small commotion as some students gathered their things and left, and new students took their place. He waited patiently for the room to grow quiet again.
“My TA will be coming around with cards. Please fill them out with the information listed on the slide and turn them in at the end of class. If you do not fill out one of the cards, Financial Aid will not receive notice that you have been here today, and you may not be able to obtain your funds for the semester.”