Chapter Seven
I pulled up in front of her small but well-kept home and jumped out of the truck to open her door.
“Wow. I would’ve never pegged you as the gentlemanly type.”
“I’m full of surprises,” I said as we walked up the sidewalk together. “If you stick with me a little longer, you might even find out some more.”
She paused on the porch. “We’ll see.” She smiled.
“Be careful. That sort of sounded promising. I’m starting to think I might get you to go out with me again.”
“Hold that thought,” she said, going into the house and leaving me standing there.
She reappeared a minute later, carrying a large, clear, glass vase full of water with a plant sitting in the top of it.
“This is for you.” She handed it to me.
“What is it?” I asked, completely perplexed with this gift.
She laughed. “It’s a betta fish. See.” She pointed to the hanging roots.
Sure enough, there was a turquoise and purple fish with long, wavy fins hiding in there.
“It’s pretty. Is it boy or a girl?”
“The pretty ones are always male.”
“I guess that rules out naming it Nikki,” I teased. “Not to seem ungrateful, but is there a reason why you’re giving me this?”
She nodded. “There is actually.”
“Are you going to tell me?” I asked when she didn’t carry on.
“Keep both of them alive, and you can continue to date me.” She looked up at me expectantly.
“So is this a test? You’re seeing how responsible I am?”
She grinned. “Something like that, but I also thought you might enjoy it. They’re fun to watch and talk to. I think there’s something kind of soothing about it.”
“Ah. I get it. It’s therapy.” I suddenly wondered if she saw me as a mercy date—the kid with problems who needed fixing. I didn’t care for that.
“When my dad died, I went through a time when I felt as though I couldn’t speak to anyone. It was hard for me to open up about things. We had a betta fish, and I started talking to it. It sounds silly, I know, but it helped me to air things out sometimes. I hope you won’t think I’m trying to be intrusive. I thought I would share it, because it got me through a rough time.”
I quickly reassessed the situation. She was honestly trying to help, and I really did want to date her. If that meant taking care of a fish, then so be it.
“Thank you. I know just where I’ll put him in my bedroom.” I smiled.
“Oh, one more thing before you go.” She ran inside and quickly returned. “I forgot to give you his food.”
“Yeah, it might help in the ‘keeping alive’ part.” I set the vase and food down on the porch, before I stepped toward her. “I had fun today.”
She wrapped her arms around me, laying her head against my chest.
I hugged her back, closing my eyes, as I smelled the sweet fragrance of her hair.
“I did too.” She didn’t let go right away, and we swayed together in a natural rhythm for a moment.
“Do something with me next weekend too,” I said, not wanting to release her, enjoying the sparks her touch was causing in my body.
She giggled. “If the fish is still alive.”
“Then consider it a done deal, because I’ll hire daycare for it if that’s what it takes.”
She laughed and pushed away. “I like you, Chase. You’re funny.”
“Really? I thought I was a punk.”
“Yeah, you’re that too.” She winked, though, softening the blow. “See you soon . . . at school tomorrow.” She stepped inside and closed the door.
Not soon enough, I thought.
I gathered my new pet and headed home.
My mom was surprised when I entered the house carrying my gift from Nikki. “Well, this is certainly interesting.” She chuckled. “How’d it go?”
“It was great. We drove to California, went snorkeling, and made friends with some of the local sea life. I guess this little guy wanted to hang out longer.” I smiled.
“Nice try,” she said. “Only one problem with your story—this is a fresh water fish.”
I shrugged. “I figured it was worth a shot.”
“Seriously, how’d it go? I’m totally curious.”
“It was fun, in a weird, trial sort of way.”
“Trial?” she asked.
“I guess she was testing me to see how well I could handle difficult situations.” I shook my head at the memories. “She took me to a rest home to meet her grandma, and then to the Silver Screen Sunday feature to watch Gone with the Wind.”
Mom snorted. “You went to watch that movie? I think I would’ve paid to see that.”
“It wasn’t half bad. Of course, we were the only people in the theater, and it was dark. Throw a cute girl into the mix, and it was kind of nice.” I grinned.
She snickered. “I bet, but it still doesn’t explain how you ended up with a fish.”
“She gave it to me—told me she would date me as long as I could keep it, and the plant, alive. Apparently, she has the opinion I might be a bit irresponsible, though where she would come up with an idea like that is totally beyond me.”
My mom rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I have no idea where she would’ve heard something like that. Are you going to keep it in your room?”
“Yep, on my nightstand, right next to my lamp.” I turned toward the stairs.
“Take good care of it,” Mom called after me. “And I want to meet this girl!”
“Okay,” I replied over my shoulder. I entered my room and sat on the bed, placing my pet in its new home. I tapped the glass, trying to get the creature to pay attention to me, but it seemed more content to stay buried amongst the roots.
“So what shall I call you, little dude? I’m not big on what’s popular in aquatic names these days.”
Great, I thought. I’m actually talking to a fish.
I pondered ideas while I stared at it, taking in the beautiful purple and turquoise color.
“I think I’ll call you Turk, short for turquoise. You okay with that?”
He didn’t move.
“Last chance to object,” I warned.
Still nothing.
“Then Turk it is. Welcome home, Turk.” I lay back on my pillow and slid my hands behind my head, stretching out as I gazed at the ceiling.
Fish talking aside, today had been a pretty good day—in fact, the best I’d had in long while. Things were definitely looking up.
Nikki seemed like a pretty cool chick. She definitely wasn’t afraid to march to her own drum, but she was sweet and seemed genuine. While I knew she was different from the other girls I’d been with recently, I liked it.
I hadn’t been on a real date since my dad died. Dating had pretty much consisted of going to a party and hooking up with someone there. While I didn’t object to that either, I found I missed the structure of actually going out and doing something strictly to have fun and get to know someone.
Of course, I had no interest in knowing anybody before, so my lifestyle had worked for me. I wasn’t even sure why I had the sudden desire to know Nikki. Something about her drew me to her, like a moth to the flame. I felt the need to connect to her.
“Get a grip, Walker,” I groaned, shutting my eyes. There was no way I was turning into some girl’s lovesick puppy.
Despite my resolve of the previous day, I found myself carefully scanning the parking lot for Nikki’s car the next morning while I waited, casually leaning against the school.
“Hi, Chase,” Brittney said with a smile and wave as she and Brett approached. I nodded and winked, giving her an admiring glance as she continued on into the building.
“Dude, your sister is freakin’ hot. Why does she mess around with a jerk like that Matt guy?” I asked as Brett leaned against the wall next to me.
He shook his head. “I do not ask about her love life. That’s
something I don’t need to know. Why do you care anyway? I thought you were all about Nikki.”
“I am. I like Brittney, though. She’s a nice girl. Matt doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy who can appreciate nice.”
“People say the same thing about you, bro. Heard you had a pretty exciting weekend, by the way.”
“Meaning what exactly?” I asked, squinting.
“Rumor has it Nikki was getting pretty friendly with you in your truck.”
I grunted. “You know what they say about rumors—they’re rarely true.”
“So you weren’t getting lucky then?”
“Hardly. Her purse fell off the seat and spilled all over the floor. She was gathering her stuff.”
“Man, that sucks. Maybe next time,” Brett joked, making to fake punch me in the shoulder.
“I had fun with her the way things were,” I replied with a scowl, wondering why I was suddenly feeling so defensive over the whole conversation. “I wouldn’t change anything about how our date went.”
“Is that so?” he asked, seeming genuinely surprised.
I nodded, staring back.
“Well, I guess what you say about rumors is true then, because the gossips say Chase Walker is a kid without morals. Now I’m a little curious about who you really are.”
He honestly looked perplexed.
“That’s the problem with most people I’ve met. They never take time to truly get to know a person before they judge them—myself included.” I pushed away from the wall when I spied Nikki’s car entering the lot. “Be careful with that curiosity thing too. It’s what killed the cat.” I chuckled as I moved past him.
I hopped off the curb, pausing for a second to allow a car to pass before I walked to where Nikki was parking. She waved through the window when she saw me approaching and grabbed her books in the seat next to her as she got out.
“Good morning,” she said with a smile, and I reached around to shut the door behind her, glimpsing over her form. She looked amazing, as usual.
“Good morning to you too.” I grabbed my cell phone from my pocket and flashed my screen at her. “I wanted to put your mind at ease right away. The plant— and Turk—are still alive today. I’d be happy to show you the time stamp on the image if you require proof.”
She giggled. “Turk?”
“That’s what I named him, short for Turquoise. He’s a pretty cool dude. He yelled at me for sleeping in, but made up for it by helping me pick what to wear. How do I look?” I held my hands out, and she glanced from the ball cap on my head, over my clothes, down to the boots on my feet.
She swallowed thickly and flushed a bit.
“That good, huh?” I replied, pleased with my obvious effect on her. “I guess I’ll have to keep Turk’s advice then.”
She shook her head. “You’re a dork.”
“You don’t say?” I asked, taking her books, before I clasped her hand in my own. “I’m pretty sure that might be a step up from punk. Better watch it, Nikki. I’m really starting to think you like me.”
She rolled her eyes and bumped her hip into mine. You need to get that wild imagination of yours under control. It might be bad for me to date a guy who takes tips on how to dress from a fish.”
“No way. Turk has swag, and that’s all that matters. You watch, he’s going to be the next big thing in fashion.”
We came to a sudden halt as Jeremy Winters squealed his jeep into the space right in front of us. He flashed an unconcerned look in our direction as Matt, another guy, and he jumped out.
“Dude, take it easy in the parking lot, would you?” I said casually as he walked up to us. “I just got Nikki here to go out with me. I’d kind of like to keep her alive a little longer.”
I felt Nikki’s grip tighten in mine, and I started to move past him, eager to get her away.
“Don’t waste your time, bro. She doesn’t put out, do you, Nikki?” Jeremy sneered, and Matt laughed.
A sudden rage pulsed through me. Without stopping to think, I dropped Nikki’s books and swung around, punching Jeremy in the mouth as hard as I could. He staggered backward, grabbing his face before lowering his head and plowing into my midsection, sending us both sprawling onto the pavement. I quickly rolled over, straddling him as I pummeled him again. He landed a solid punch to my jaw, knocking me back a bit before I grabbed his wrists and pinned them beside his head.
“Anxious to head back to jail, Walker?” he panted, little drops of blood spraying from the cut on his lip as he spoke.
“Only if I get to take a dick like you with me.” I leaned in closer. “I know what you did to Nikki, and I’d be more than happy to see you pay for it.”
His glance darted to where Nikki stood with her eyes wide, tears showing.
Strong arms encircle my waist, dragging me away from Jeremy, and I struggled to go at him as he jumped up and ran for me again.
I saw Wes and Chad, run up to grab and hold him.
“He’s not worth it, bro,” Brett’s voice whispered in my ear, and I realized he was the one restraining me.
Our actions had drawn a lot of attention without my notice. A large crowd of kids had gathered around us, and more were running in our direction. Brittney and Tana joined Nikki, towing her away from the two of us, Matt following after them.
“Let me go, Brett,” I said straining against him. “I’m okay. You’re right, he isn’t worth it.”
Brett slowly released me, as if testing to see if I would jump to attack Jeremy again.
I bent to pick up Nikki’s scattered books and papers, before going over to where she stood by the girls, frozen like she was in shock. I shouldered my way past Matt, who was glaring at me and seized her hand, pulling her after me as we began to weave our way through the other students.
“Did you see that?” someone whispered. “He kicked Jeremy Winter’s butt.”
“He deserved it if you ask me,” someone else replied.
“Why’d you hit him?” another voice chimed in.
“He didn’t like my shirt,” I mumbled facetiously as I continued pushing past people.
I held onto Nikki even tighter and walked into the school, moving through the doors into the nearly empty library. I walked around behind a bookshelf, so we were out of the librarian’s view. I set her books on the table.
“Are you okay?” I asked, nervous about how quiet she was.
“Me?” She stared incredulously. “I’m more worried about you. You’re bleeding.”
She touched the back of my arms near my elbows, and I noticed they were stinging. There was some slight road rash there from sliding on the pavement.
“I’m fine. This is nothing,” I replied, shrugging it off.
“You might have a little swelling on your jaw too,” she added, reaching to tenderly trace it.
I captured her hand and pulled it down. “I’m fine, Nikki,” I emphasized again. “It’s you I’m concerned about. I’m sorry I jumped him in front of you. He said that, and all I could see was him attacking you. I lost it. Who the hell does he think he is talking to you like this?”
My anger over the situation was rapidly growing again, and I wished I could’ve beat on him a while longer.
Nikki slid her arms around my waist and laid her head against my chest. “I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that before. Thank you.”
The frustration coursing through me melted away, and I naturally reached out to hug her tighter. “I’d do it again, anytime. I want you to know I’m here for you if you ever need it.”
She chuckled quietly. “I think you’ve already proven that.”
I lifted her chin with my finger. “I mean it—anytime.”
“I know you do. Thank you.” Her eyes were still brimming with tears, and I couldn’t look away from them as I realized how close we were. Our faces were mere inches apart.
Involuntarily, I leaned in closer, and she swayed toward me.
“Chase Walker and Jeremy Winters, please report t
o the principal’s office,” a female voice blared through the school’s intercom system.
The moment was broken, and I sighed loudly as Nikki stepped away from me with a concerned look. “Please don’t tell anyone what he did to me,” she pleaded. “I don’t want anyone to know.”
“Your secret is safe. I promise.”
She held my gaze, and I stroked her cheek with my thumb.
“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
She nodded, and I turned toward the door.
“You might want to go home and change your shirt too. It’s ripped, and there are some blood spots on it.”
I paused, trying to glance over my shoulder and see the tear she was referring to. “Man, Jeremy better watch his friggin’ back because my fish is gonna be pissed.”
Nikki choked back a laugh, and I smiled, happy to see her face light up again. I walked out and headed to the office.