obvious you guys like each other. But you’re so awkward, like Shannon said.”
“You talk to Shannon?”
He leaned back on the couch. “Hey, we may hate each other, but we got the same idea. You two need to get in on! Well…that part is mine.”
“Oh, I can tell,” I said without expression but I already felt my face getting hot. Eric and I together was a recipe for disaster. But up in my sleeves, I pulled out an excuse. “I have a boyfriend. Kade, remember?”
“You mean that guy you haven’t seen over three weeks. Oh sure. I guess you’re still going out. Was ‘If I ever get kidnapped we’re still going to be together’ part of the contract of your relationship.”
I crossed my arms, looking the other way. “You don’t get over a person you’ve been dating for over six months.” I couldn’t believe Aaron. Why is he messing with my mind right now? This is the weirdest situation, and he’s suggesting that I should go out with Eric? Now that’s just silly.
“Hey.” Eric shuffled in the room quiet as a mouse.
Aaron rose, passing Eric on his way out the door. “I’m going for a drive.” He shrugged. “Maybe pick up a girl, who knows?” In the corner of my eye, I saw Aaron give a wink at him. What was this? A conspiracy against me? I don’t think I deserve to be kept from another secret.
Before he left out of the door, he waved at me. “See ya, Dottie!”
“Can we talk?” Eric said, staring at me.
I glared back. “Gladly,” Maybe he’ll finally tell me his side of the story.
He led me to his room. And we both stood before each other, neither of us residing to a chair.
“I guess you can understand by now that I’m…strange.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I said, but harsher than I intended to.
“Dorothy, what I’m about to say may not surprise you one bit.” He noted.
I looked through him. “Shoot.”
“I’m depressed.” He said.
“I know.” That much was obvious.
“I was suicidal.”
“So that doesn’t mean you are now?”
Instead of answering me right away, he sat down on the floor in silence. I was already up to aggravation at this point—anything more would be pushing it.
“No,” he said simply, “I got past that. Something else distracted me.” He looked up into my eyes and this time I didn’t look away.
“So is that why you kidnapped me? Because you needed to get over your ‘depression?’ That’s not a very good reason.” This time I let my voice grow cold without any need to turn it back to its curious mode. By now I was no longer curious. Just irritated. And only he could fix that by answering clearly.
“Dorothy.” He was quiet. “You were the distraction.”
“Well duh!” I raised my arms. Realizing what I said, I excused myself. “I didn’t mean that in a conceited way.”
He grinned slightly. “Yeah, I know.” His face shifted, like flash of thought occurred to him. “Hey you want to know where I was this morning?”
I raised my shoulders and let them down, “Sure.”
He got up from the ground, walking towards me, only to stop just a few feet away. “Church.”
“You go to church?” I said. Not that Eric didn’t seem like one of the church-goers. It’s just that I don’t really know much people that do go to church. I wasn’t familiar with really religious people.
“Yeah. I’m a Catholic.”
“So…you’re a Catholic. And you go to church every Sunday,” I said, pointing at him.
“Yeah.” He responded.
“But you’re suicidal,” I added.
“Not in the technical sense anymore.” He reminded. Oh right. Recovering suicidal. The only way I pieced that information together was his old friends, the suicidal clan. Shannon mentioned it, maybe he was led there, all others chanting about how awesome it would be. That only left him regretful.
“Eric,” I started slowly, looking down at my feet. I think I figured out the whole reason, but he lost the reason altogether. He could let me go, but he didn’t want to. And that’s why we’re both here. “Why?” I asked again, for the final time. If he wouldn’t answer, I would give up on caring.
“Because you were better.” He said.
I glanced up, astonished. “I was better?” Better at what?
He took a small pause before he said, “Better than the rest.” His eyes lingering towards mine. I should look away but I couldn’t. Deep gray eyes, hypnotizing and deceiving, he was only telling the truth. The very truth that got me here. “You know more than you led on.” He drew closer.
I only gawked back. “And you kidnapped me.” It wasn’t a question. He nodded gravely, a frown set on his lips. I still tried to fit the pieces of the puzzle. Eric just gave me enough to get by. He never exactly handed me the big picture. What was I forming, what was I making?
“I’m sorry I did this. Really.” He spoke quietly. “I’m sorry,” he repeated in a whisper. He peered down, holding me now in his arms. My face fell to his chest and I looked down at my feet again. Boy, do I really need new shoes. I think I had these for two years now.
Eric didn’t let me settle for too long, pulling me away, staring into my tired eyes. “Dorothy,” he said, while leaning his head down.
I didn’t know what to do. I was frozen in place, willing him to do whatever with me. I knew myself, though. This is what I wanted; right here, right now. But looking back, I wanted this since the first time I talked to him in English. I was just ignoring that side of myself. I reminded myself that I loved Kade, even when I really didn’t. Kade stood as a boyfriend, something that I needed to be safe. No one could touch me because of that.
But anyone could. I wasn’t living in a little bubble—Kade sure as hell wasn’t helping. And it took me a while to realize that.
All I could do was close my eyes. To stand by and let this happen. Let him do what we both wanted to do.
His soft lips slowly brushed against mine, his arms wrapping around my waist.
The kiss was amazing. Shannon was right—Eric kissed like he studied the art of it. And I kissed him back. Days of waiting for this, and all that tension built up (Aaron teasin, Shannon pushing). We released it both through the motion of our mouths.
Eric shifted his lips into a different expression. It felt like a grin. Wait—he was happy? But so was I, in this strange, weird mess we created.
But Eric pulled his mouth away now, leaving me in a serious state of shock. We glanced away from each other immediately.
14. GAME OF LIFE
As if saved by the bell, a rapid knock outside Eric’s window snapped us back into reality. Eric opened the blinds and we were both surprised to see Shannon staring at us.
“Let me in,” she mouthed.
“But why—”
“Just let me in!” She hit the window. Eric pulled the window up wide, making room for her to jump in. “Okay, so Bobby is fine. He’s coming back home tomorrow.”
“That’s great, but why—”
She put her finger up to his lips. “And Travis is totally acting idiotic at the moment. He’s IMing a random girl he met in chat rooms like there’s no tomorrow. Apparently she lives in Alaska.” She smiled, pleased. “Oh, and Carter is hanging out with Gloria ALL day. So I’d much rather leave them and let them have their privacy.”
“Is there a reason why you used the window instead of letting yourself in through my front door?”
“Well, I wanted to know why Carter uses the window. I have to say, it’s exciting!”
“Okay.” He said. “So what do you want to do?” He turned to me, almost about to run into me, but halted abruptly. “Sorry,” he muttered. He walked around me, making absolutely sure not to touch me.
Shannon raised her eyebrows slightly. “Did I come in at a bad time?”
I shook my head and we both followed Eric down to the living room. He clicked a button to get the TV on, sitting down at th
e edge of the couch. I sat down on the other edge, tossing my hair aside over my shoulder. Shannon still kept her eyebrows raised in suspicion, as she sat down.
Her phone buzzed in her hand. She flipped it open, texting furiously.
“Be gentle to your phone.” I said, noting how hard she was punching the buttons.
She smirked, “It doesn’t deserve much kindness, to be honest.” She continued on, “And I saw Aaron sitting in his car down the street, yelling to a girl. What’s up with that?”
“Aaron left because he wanted to.” Eric said, not taking his eyes off the screen.
“Well, he’s coming back.” She said, playing with her phone as she opened and closed it. “I met him.”
“You know why he ran off?”
“Oh, I know exactly why he ran off.” She smiled to share her secrets. “For the same reason I came here.”
This time, Eric and I gave her the raise of our eyebrows. She extended her arms around us. “Oh joy! Let’s play a game.” She stood up and skipped along to the closet next to the front door. “What do you have, Eric?”
“The usual,” he said. “It’s all the same.”
She opened the closet door in such a big commotion. She balanced herself on the balls of her feet, trying to grow as tall as she can so she can view the various board games. “Okay, so you got…” She pulled on the string hanging from the ceiling to turn on the light, “Monopoly.”
“That game is stupid.” Eric said.
“It’s the best game in the world,” I disagreed.
“Clue?”
“Trials are nice.” Eric noted.
“Finding out who killed John Boddy, lame.” I barked back. Shannon gave a questioning glance in our direction.
“Alright. The next game I say, we’re going to play.” She paused, gazing her eyes over something particular. “Life.”
Eric and I both sighed. At least something we agreed on.
“Did I hear Life?” Aaron walked in with his phone in his hand. That’s funny. I didn’t even hear his car.
“Yes, we’re playing life. Would you care to join us, Mr. Reed?”
“Don’t mind if I do, Vermont.” He said politely. Okay, something was going on. I didn’t like that.
Aaron helped Shannon set up the game in the dining room while we sat in the living room, getting the money and cards ready. Eric didn’t look at me once, so I decided I should ignore him as well. I didn’t get him. Ten minutes ago we were kissing and now he just seems to hate me.
Shannon appointed me as the ‘co-banker’, which meant that I also had control over the money.
“Okay, someone spin?” Her eyes widened at me. “Dottie?”
I stared at her for a second before I caught that she meant me. “Oh.” I spun the wheel, and it landed on an eight.
She spun it next, and it landed on five. Eric was a seven.
Aaron was next, but he decided to talk down to me before trying the wheel. “I’m going to spin so much higher than you, Fane.” He made an exaggerated grunting sound, defending his manhood, even if it was just about some lousy wheel.
“Just go Aaron.” Shannon put head on the palm of her hand.
He spun the wheel and it landed on eight.
“Whoa! We have a tie!” Shannon exclaimed. “This never happened before. What should we do in situations like this?” She was practically bouncing up and down on her chair.
“Well there are a lot of options Shannon,” Eric said, less excited. “Birthday’s, ladies first, spin again.” He shrugged.
“Let’s go with spinning again!” Shannon said.
I spun as well did Aaron. This time he landed on a nine, while I got on a six.
Aaron sprung out of his chair. “YES! Ha! IN YOUR FACE!” Somehow this scene looked vaguely familiar, just the opposite roles.
“Aw, Dottie. I had a lot of faith in you.” Shannon patted my back. “You and I will smear the boys though. The future looks good for us.”
“Are we talking about the actual life here? What’s the deal?”
“The actual life can look good for us too, if we work in the right path.” She pushed her yellow car to the college side, “Anyone else considering going for college?”
“I’ll go.” I said, while she placed my blue car behind the start.
“Me too.” Eric said, handing her his green car.
“Wow. You guys are geeks. I’ll just go ahead and start my career. Watch me win.” He smirked slyly.
“Oh, I definitely will be watching.” Shannon said, putting his red car down the career spot. She picked up a bunch of cards in the box, sorting them all out. When they were sorted she took one of the three piles, fanning them out. “Okay, pick a career Mr. I-can-do-better-without-college.” Ironic that he’s actually going to college in real life.
He picked out a card in the middle. He placed it on the table. “Entertainer.” He muttered. The hint of defeat sounded strong in his voice.
Eric busted out laughing. “That’s like the worst job in the pick!” He slapped the table hard. I laughed along because of Eric.
“Hey. Shut up!” Aaron said.
“You have to pick your pay now.” She grabbed the other stake of cards, fanning them out as well. Aaron (this time) picked one in the edge.
“20,000 dollars.” Shannon said, passing him the card. “Hey, you only have to pay 5,000 for taxes.”
“No.” He grumbled.
“Haha!” Eric laughed harder this time. “That’s like the worst pay you can get!” He was actually getting teary, holding his hand in front of his mouth, trying to contain the laughter. We could all hear it though.
“Wow,” Aaron said sarcastically. “It’s not that funny.”
“Yes it is,” Eric sneered.
Aaron shook his head and spun the spinner again. This time it landed on a four. He moved his spot to the fourth place, having to pay for a car accident.
Shannon held out her hand, “You got to pay.”
“No way,” he exclaimed, “I didn’t even pass my payday yet. How am I supposed to pay?”
I thought up something. “We can confiscate your car, if you are not able to pay.”
He flung his arms around. “Then how the hell am I going to move?”
“You simply lose your turn,” Shannon stated. I nodded in agreement with her.
“You two are being ridiculous.” His eyes narrowed. “It’s just a game.”
“Oh, but Aaron, who’s the one complaining?” He fell silent, slumping down on his seat. “Yeah. Think about that. Dottie, go ahead.”
I landed on an eight again. Going ahead on the spots, I drove through my college life, having to stop on the ‘start your career’ spot.
“Alright Dottie, let’s get you a career.” She grabbed the cards. I picked one to the right. She revealed it. “Oh. You’re a teacher.” She showed it to me. “Nice pick! Now for your pay.” I chose the card that said 50,000 dollars.
Eric spun next, moving to the spaces, having to pay for college books and all that glory. Shannon spun after him, and the game quickly moved along.
After five minutes, everyone had a job and pay, with a bit of argument.
“You knew that card said Doctor! So don’t lie to me!” Aaron yelled at Shannon.
“Wow. It was random. Wasn’t it Dottie?” She turned to me, the doctor card showing in her hand.
I shrugged. “I don’t think Shannon would purposely pick that card. But she did go to college. Don’t you think she deserves that?”
He brushed over my say, and looked at Eric. “Eric?”
“Can’t we just keep playing?”
Shannon nodded. “Yes. That I agree with.” She grabbed her cards and moved out of the way for me to spin.
After Eric, Aaron, and I went and got married, Shannon was next. She paused at the marriage stop. “I cannot abide marrying somebody. So I will pass this next turn—”
“Now wait just a minute.” Aaron stuck out his finger for
his grand interruption.
Shannon let out a low sigh. “What is it now, Reed?”
“You can’t just not marry someone. You have to stop and marry. It says on the board that you stop and marry. Not stop and choose to marry or not.”
“Well, what if in real life, I don’t want to marry. How about that?” She asked, towards Aaron over the table.
He leaned away from her. ”You’re really creepy.” He said, folding his arms.
“And you’re an imbecile.” She continued to move her car three more spots. After moving, she stretched out her arms and said, “Hey Eric. Got anything to eat? I’m starving!”
“We have leftover lasagna.”
She made a face. “I don’t eat lasagna during lunch time. That’s only for dinner. Duh!” She rolled her eyes as if it was written down law.
“Yeah,” Eric said, not sounding interested. “I thought you would say that. So instead I think you’d appreciate cereal?”
She jumped up, running to the kitchen. “Okay, you have Rice Krispies.” She then stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Do you happen to have a banana on you?”
He stared blankly for a minute before answering. “In the refrigerator, I think.”
I was taken aback. “Wait a minute, you have a banana? Where the hell was it when I wanted one?”
He looked at me for the first time. “I thought you didn’t like bananas.”
I gawked at him. “When did I ever say that I didn’t like bananas?”
“I told him that you didn’t.” Aaron butted in. I was about to ask him the same question, but he continued. “I could sense that you did not enjoy bananas. It was in the air, Dottie. I’m sure you understand. There was just something about you screaming out to me: ‘Apples yes. Bananas no’.” He finished with the lame attempt of copying my voice.
Aaron made a quick glance towards the kitchen, and then held up his hand like a gun to my head. He whispered, “Make a sound, I will shoot.”
“Dude, that’s really stu—” But Aaron cut Eric off.
“Shut up, you too!” He went back and forth with his one hand, taking some money from the bank next to me with his other hand. I couldn’t believe it; I was getting robbed at a ‘pretend’ banker. Tells me a lot about what I’m not going to choose as my job profession for life.
After what seemed like a good 30 seconds, Aaron put down his hand. Eric and I just shut up.
Shannon came back holding a bowl in one hand and a banana in the other. She sat down, “I brought you a banana, Dottie.” She smiled, then turned to Aaron and frowned. “Okay, put the damn money back.”
His jaw dropped. “How did you find out?” He said, utterly shocked at her intelligence.
“Because Eric gave me the Aaron-did-something-insane look.” She motioned at Eric, and I saw that his eyes just focused on Aaron in awe. “And your whispers are so very loud. I don’t think you even try.” She took a spoon full of the cereal. “Oh goodness. You know what I found out? That these are actually made of real rice! That’s like so weird.”
Aaron put back the fake pink money. “You didn’t know that. Wow Shannon. It even says it on the box.” He chuckled, “Hey, who’s the stupid one now?”
Shannon made a fake exaggerated laugh, “Ha ha.” Then she went serious. “Still you.”
I peeled open my banana, taking a small bit out of it. Aaron laughed, but to humor myself, I decided to question his sudden amusement. “Yeah?”
But all he did was point at me and laugh. Like a bully doing