The thought of David with other girls made my teeth grind together.
“In my experience, I’ve found that these male deities are far too spoiled—David especially. They think they can always get what they want with a snap of their fingers. They all grow huge egos. To be honest, I’m grateful that you haven’t given in to David’s charm.
“He needs to learn to fight a battle without weapons. The struggle will teach him to value and respect you. That’s a lesson that must be learned on one’s own.”
She took several steps toward the window and gazed at the bright blue sky for a moment. “I’ve sensed something with you, but what it is, I’m not certain,” she said in almost a whisper. Then she turned to look at me. “I was thinking aloud. Pay no attention to my rambling.
“Anyhow, I suppose I need to let my sons take responsibility for their actions. That’s why I won’t oppose to David’s determination to win you over. You’re free to decide whether you’ll have him as a suitor. I won’t judge you either way.
“Oh, and Isis, the words we’ve exchanged behind this closed door should stay between us. You’ve seen the way my sons react under the most trivial of circumstances. I could do without their drama.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” I said.
After having a glass of strawberry lemonade, David took me home.
“How did your chat with my mother go?”
“It went well.”
“Did she assure you that I was free to make my own decisions?”
“Yes, she mentioned that.”
“She likes you. That pleases me.”
***
Claire’s car was parked in the driveway when we reached my house. David walked me to the door where I could bet anything she was peeking through the peephole.
“You look worried.” David noted the expression on my face.
“Not really,” I said. But to be honest, I was thinking about the last part of the conversation I had with Nyx. “I forgot I have to help my mom with dinner.”
“Then I’ll leave you to your chores.” He locked his fingers with mine and kissed the back of my hand. I didn’t pull it away this time.
I watched until the black sports car was out of view.
With a quick twist, I turned the doorknob and flung the door open, hoping to catch Claire running away. Instead of the door swinging right open, it bounced back with a loud thump and an “Ouch!”
“Mom?” I was careful as I opened the door this time. Claire was sitting on the floor holding her head.
“Jesus Christ, Isis! What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you’d still be behind the door. Should I drive you to the hospital?” I felt horrible.
“No. I’m fine. Just get me an icepack.”
I helped her up and sat her at the kitchen table while I filled a sandwich bag with ice. “You need to stop spying on me.”
“I wasn’t spying. I was observing,” she said, closing her eyes as she placed the homemade icepack above her right eye.
“Gimme a break. I’m not twelve. I know the difference.”
I walked over to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients for dinner, then walked over to her again.
“How do you feel?” I asked, lifting the icepack off her brow to inspect it.
“Like I was hit on the head with a door. Is it swollen?”
“Uh… I think you should look in the mirror. But I have to warn you, you look a little like the elephant man.”
“What?” She raced to the mirror in the living room. I stayed in the kitchen, afraid to see her reaction.
“Oh… My… God!”
I cringed.
“I can’t go to work looking like this!”
***
Dr. Jameson was nice enough to make a house call. I didn’t know who else to resort to, and Andy had once told me he was a nurse at some point of his life, before he became a psychiatrist.
Thankfully, Claire didn’t have a concussion, but the bump distorted the proportion of her head. Dr. Jameson told her to keep ice on it.
Neither Claire nor I was in the mood to cook after that scare. We ended up ordering pizza and spaghetti. I sent Claire upstairs to rest while I washed the dishes and tidied up a bit before I went up to my room to finish my homework.
***
March 7, 10:43 P.M.
Your sight on mine and mine on yours is no longer forbidden. But to what extent, I’m not certain. I’m confused, afraid, and curious about you, about me, about us. Confused for the change of heart, afraid of falling, and curious for what is to come.
***
I was relieved when Claire’s bump had shrunk by morning, but it was still noticeable. She decided to go to work even though she said she looked like she was growing a horn. I helped her cover the bruising with make-up, and we managed to hide the bump with her hair.
As I locked the front door, I heard a car come to a stop in front of my house. I kept my back turned, trying to get rid of the silly grin on my face. I could hear his footsteps coming up the walkway. With a straight face, I turned to greet him.
David walked up the porch steps and kissed my cheeks in his usual manner. “Good morning, my lovely.” He handed me a single long-stemmed red rose. There was a note attached to it with a silky satin bow.
***
“My Lovely,
Your guise is unparalleled,
Your touch entices my thirst,
Your presence thaws my soul,
My heart threatens to burst.
Awaiting your requited love,
Forevermore I shall remain.
Never exhausting of time,
But enduring this eternal pain.
Ceaselessly Yours,
David Chios
***
“Did you write this?”
“I did.”
“David, I… I love it,” I whispered, rereading the words on the paper.
Any other girl might have fallen into his arms and melted. Too bad I wasn’t any other girl.
“Thank you for accepting a ride from me this morning. I didn’t think you’d be willing since you were so set on your answer yesterday.” David reached for the car door.
“How am I supposed to refuse after a stunt like this? You’re cheating.”
“All’s fair in love and war, I’ve heard.”
I kept my eyes on the ground, trying my hardest not to let him see how blown away I was over the gift. I wasn’t about to give in so lightly, even though I felt the urge to spring into cartwheels. I stole the occasional glance and wondered what other romantic gestures he was capable of. Some would call it corny… too corny, even. But I was a lost cause for corny.
***
“Girl, he is in love with you.” Andy’s golden eyes flickered back and forth between the parchment paper and me.
Through one of the restroom mirrors, I watched her read the poem over again like I had.
“I‘m jealous.” She sighed. “I want Bill to write me poetry, too. Does he tutor boyfriends in need of romantic inspiration?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. That’s probably his hobby.”
Andy and I giggled as we walked out of the restroom.
***
When we returned to the cafeteria, the first bell rang indicating that class would start in seven minutes. I expected to see Jean prancing around Eryx or David, but she wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“What were you guys doing in there?” Bill asked. “We’ve been waiting for you forever.”
“William,” David said. “A man always waits patiently for his ladylove.”
“Are you for real?” Bill’s eyes narrowed. “What black and white movie did you escape from?”
David laughed.
Andy and Bill moved to the side to say their good-byes before they headed off in different directions.
“So much for trying to educate a boy,” Eryx said under his breath to Galen as they passed
me.
“I wouldn’t have waited for her,” Galen muttered.
“Yes, but then again, you’re no gentleman, brother.” Eryx laughed.
Galen pushed his brother playfully as they walked into the crowded hall.
Andy, David, and I walked to first period together, elbowing our way through the crowd. When we got to class, Andy reached into my book bag and set the rose on my desk. I didn’t understand why she had pulled it out. I had been very careful in making sure it wouldn’t get crushed. It wasn’t until I saw Jean’s face when Andy said in a loud voice, “David, that rose you gave Isis is beautiful,” that I understood Andy’s reason for putting the flower on display.
“Yes it is, but it pales in her presence,” David said, and Andy glanced at me.
“I read the poem you wrote her, too.”
“Andrea,” I said. I didn’t want David to think I was divulging all the personal stuff about what was going on with us. Besides, Andy’s comment embarrassed me because now David knew it was important enough to share.
“And what did you think of it?” David asked.
“It’s sweet and passionate,” Andy said. “Have you thought of majoring in literature? You’d make an excellent writer.”
“Perhaps.” David and I exchanged a look; we both knew his scholastic level was beyond a simple degree in literature.
When the teacher had handed out our assignments, toward the end of class, David started to whisper into my hair. The warmth of his breath on my neck made me tense all over.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about that day in the hallway. Your lips tasted like sweet ripened berries. If I never taste them again, I’ll starve.”
I peered over my shoulder at him, wondering how he could be so confident and forward.
David walked me to second period. He glared at Simon from the door.
“What’s up with you and that new guy anyway?” Simon asked.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing or none of my business?”
“Both.”
“So you’re going out with him?”
“Could we drop this already?”
“It’s just a question.”
“Well, for future reference, I don’t share my personal life with just anyone.”
“So that’s a ‘yes’?”
“Simon…”
“Gimme a little hope, Isis. I’ve been waiting to ask you out since freshman year.”
“That’s… uh… flattering.”
“So will you go out with me?”
“Simon, I told you, I’m not dating.”
“C’mon.” He reached for my hand. I moved it quickly to my lap.
“I said no. Conversation over. Now, if you don’t mind, physiology requires my undivided attention.”
“You’re not even going to consider it?”
“Shhh…” Mr. Ybarra called the class to order.
Minutes into the lecture, I caught Simon eyeing the rose in my bag. I felt kind of bad for him.
“Isis, will you at least think about it? I mean, it’s just one date.”
“I don’t want to hurt you. Just stop, okay?”
Simon tossed his pencil on the table with a swift twitch of the wrist. He didn’t say anything else to me for the remainder of the period. I was stuck with him as a lab partner until the end of the year—awkward. Simon refused to talk to me while we worked on the day’s lab assignment.
After what seemed like an eternity, class ended. David was waiting by my classroom accompanied by Marie Shannon and Jean. I paused for a brief moment to watch the cheerleaders flirting.
They seemed to have it down to an art. They found ways to touch his arms or giggle and bat their eyelashes. I couldn’t see myself doing those things. It made me feel defective in some way. A small quiver of rage ran through my spine as I saw Jean’s fingers running up and down David’s arm. I couldn’t compete with that. I ducked out of the room in an attempt to avoid them.
“Pardon me, ladies.” I heard David excuse himself. I slowed my pace to let him catch up to me—there was no point in exhausting myself by running away; he’d catch up to me anyhow.
“Hey,” I said as he fell into step with me.
“How was your class?”
“It was okay. Yours?” I didn’t feel it was necessary to tell him about Simon. Why add more fuel to the fire?
“Quite uninteresting.”
“What class is it, again?”
“Calculus.”
“That explains the uninteresting part of it.”
David chuckled. “Well, there were some interesting parts.”
“For example?”
“Your friend, Jean is very—how shall I say this? Friendly.”
“She’s not my friend.” I ground my teeth. David noticed my irritation, and I quickly composed myself. I’d be damned if he was going to play this type of game with me.
Our lunch table was full by the time we reached the cafeteria. The twins were making a real impression. Two jocks and three other girls had joined the group at our table. Andy had saved a place for me, but there wasn’t enough room for David.
“Sorry,” Andy said. “They were here before we were.”
“I guess we can take a booth.”
“You guys go ahead. I’m staying with Billy goat.”
David let out a snort. “Billy goat?”
“He loves it. Don’t you, Billy goat?” Andy crushed Bill’s arms and pressed her round ebony cheek against Bill’s pale, freckled face.
“Yeah, sure.” Bill rolled his eyes. “Love it.”
David insisted I stay at the booth and didn’t let me go get my lunch on my own. He stood restlessly in line keeping an eye on me. I’d swear his gaze was hypnotic. He blew a kiss in my direction. I looked away from him and scrolled through my phone messages, pretending not to take notice. On the inside, I was a giggling fool.
Claire had texted me, reminding me of the appointment with Dr. Jameson I had scheduled for today. He’d be glad to know I was doing much better. David wasn’t part of my horrific dreams anymore. Now, I could sleep without the use of the prescription medication. They had come in handy at the beginning, though. I’d have to thank the doctor for being so persistent with Claire. She would’ve taken longer to convince me of taking the pills otherwise.
David placed a salad on the table in front of me along with a small carton of milk.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
He sat next to me instead of across the table.
From the cheerleaders’ table, Jean was looking at me like I had stolen her candy. I have to admit it felt good. But I knew a relationship with David wasn’t allowed for anyone that wasn’t of his same species—for lack of a better description. So why did I feel this jealousy?
“Can I drive you home this afternoon?” David asked.
“Oh, about that… Not today. I have a doctor’s appointment. I’m riding with Bill and Andy.”
“Are you sick?”
“No…” I was hesitant to tell him I was seeing a psychiatrist. I didn’t want him to think I was a nut case.
“Why the appointment, then?”
“It’s not important.”
“I’m confused.”
I sighed. He wouldn’t stop until he had an answer. “I used to have trouble sleeping. I see a psychiatrist, Andy’s dad, Dr. Jameson.”
David frowned. “This insomnia was because of me, wasn’t it?”
I nodded.
“I’m so sorry for causing you that type of trauma. If I could do it over again, believe me, I would never do this to you. But I had to find some way to keep you out. The consequences…”
“Yeah, I know. Still, I don’t understand why you didn’t do something about it the first time you found me there.”
“Have you ever looked at yourself—I mean really looked? You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”
I looked down at my salad. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Isis…”
“What?”
His hand swept the hair out of my eyes and tucked it behind my ear. He cupped my face and closed the gap between us, nestling his nose next to mine. I felt my heart in my throat, beating at full speed. My internal voice screamed, Kiss him! But it was the chicken in me that clucked, “No.”
David moved a few inches back. He stared at my mouth while his thumb traced the line of my bottom lip. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I thought I felt my heart stop for a few seconds. I placed my hand over his fingers and removed them from my face. David twisted his wrist and caught my hand; he squeezed it gently before letting go.
The remainder of our lunch hour was quiet. For some reason, I thought about Gabriel. I felt guilty for thinking of him while I was sitting next to David. I felt like I was cheating on him, although we were through months ago. Why was Gabriel in my thoughts when David was a perfect distraction to everything around me? I wished I had let David kiss me. Then I came back to reality. Bad Isis!
I knew there couldn’t be anything beyond a kiss. I couldn’t be with him, and I knew why. I would rather keep him as a friend than lose him forever.
Maybe, I should’ve agreed to go out with Simon to convince myself that Gabriel was over and done with and that my fate wasn’t pointing toward David. But I’d just be using Simon, which wasn’t fair.
The last class of the day rolled by slower than the rest. As the teacher lectured, David sat observing me. He tapped his hand on his leg as if desperate for the lesson to end.
Eryx stared at the notes on the chalkboard with a dismal look while everyone else, except for David and him, copied the lesson onto their notebooks. I wondered if their knowledge of American government and economics was so great that they could sit back and still pass the course. If they could, what was the point of being enrolled in school? Then I remembered the reason behind their sudden appearance in Los Fresnos. Me.
I didn’t see why they had to attend school, though. David said it was to observe me, but he really meant to pursue me. He couldn’t have settled for just being in the same town as I was?
Eryx dropped his head back and sighed in relief when the final bell rang. He hurried out of the room without waiting for David.
I started getting my stuff together, throwing it in my bag. David walked over to me and squatted, placing his chin over his crossed arms on the desktop.
“I’m coming with you to the doctor,” he informed rather than asked me. “I promise I won’t behave.” He pulled the semi-wilted rose he had given me that morning out of my bag and set it on the desk.
His greater attributes were chivalry, cunning, wit, and humor. He killed me with all of them. I turned various shades of red when I realized the way I was looking at him. I closed my mouth and looked away from his gaze.