The last person in the booth smiled. A tiny girl with blonde hair to her shoulders. Tamyra didn’t recall seeing her in gym class even though she looked for her. Because of how different she appeared from Sandi, Tamyra wouldn’t have even thought this girl could be Yvonne. Hard to picture the two girls as best friends. Even from the small amount of conversation, Tamyra easily discerned Yvonne’s outgoing personality.
By the time the pizzas got to the table, Tamyra had impressed herself by managing to field all of their questions and even ask a few of her own.
She discovered this group of friends had known each other since grade school. She learned Sandi and Cam had been together for almost a year. She picked up other tidbits here and there. They called Ivan Val because of his last name, Valentine, and his father had something to do with the police. Yvonne had a pesky kid brother. Sandi ate pizza with a knife and fork because of her braces.
Despite everyone being close friends for years, she didn’t feel like an outsider. They all went out of their way to make her feel as if she’d always hung out with them.
By the time she finished eating and excused herself to the ladies room, she felt pretty good. Like she could belong in Shiver Cove. On her way to the bathroom she caught herself humming and had to suppress a giggle. It had been a long time since she allowed herself to be so happy.
The restroom looked clean and luckily empty. Tamyra entered the first stall and shut the door as the door to the restaurant swung open.
“What’s her name again? Tamara?” asked a female voice.
“Close enough. Just call her Tammy.”
Chapter 9
Tamyra rolled her eyes. She knew the husky voice unmistakably belonged to Bianca. The girls must have seen her come into the washroom and followed. What could they possibly want? Being the first day of school, it wasn’t like they needed help with homework.
She pondered the notion of faking sick for a second and winced at the idea of hiding while Sal waited. Just get it over with fast. Whatever they wanted couldn’t be that bad, right?
As she finished up her business, she could hear the girls chatting about some cute boy and how this year he’d for sure be Bianca’s boyfriend. She detected a faint smell of cigarette smoke before she opened the stall door.
Annoyed to have her suspicions confirmed when she finally exited the stall, she saw them smoking. In the cramped little room the smell overpowered her senses. She walked with her head down to the sink and prayed they would leave her alone.
She stretched out her hand to turn on the water and Bianca cleared her throat loudly. Putting on her best fake smile she turned, looking up at the girls.
“Hi.”
“Don’t “Hi” me. Dish. What do you know about him?” Bianca shot.
“Sorry, what? Him, who?” and even as the words left her lips she knew the name Bianca would say. Her stomach catapulted to the floor.
“Salem Crake. You know, the hottie you’ve been sitting with all night? Tell me everything. Better yet, get me in with him.”
Tamyra couldn’t find a single word. She looked blankly at the two puffing girls. Bianca’s friend reminded her of a mouse. Stringy blonde hair and a heap of freckles. The shape of her nose and mouth made Tamyra think of a mouse’s muzzle.
“What? You wanna smoke or some’n?” the mouse asked nervously.
“No. Thank-you.”
“OK then why’re you stare’n at me?”
“Sorry.”
Bianca cut in; “Never mind all that. You gotta hook me up with Salem.”
It felt as if someone held her head under water. The edges of her vision seemed to blur and she couldn’t pull a coherent thought. She turned back to the sink and ran the water. Washing her hands in the coldest water possible, she tried to come up with something smart to say and get out of this predicament.
I think he’s gay. I think that Yvonne girl is his girlfriend. He wouldn’t like someone with more facial hair than him. She balked at the last one as she watched Bianca exhale blue. The little caterpillar of black fuzz above her lip seemed to be trying to crawl away from the smoke.
Tamyra shut the water off and started drying her hands with a paper towel. She wanted to be back in the booth with Sal and her potential new friends, away from this nightmare. The school bully asking to be set up with Tamyra’s own crush.
“I only just met him.”
“Yeah, so. In all the years I’ve gone to school with them, I’ve never once been invited to hang out with that group. It’s your first freak’n day and there you are sitting with them, like you’ve always been here. I’ve liked that guy forever and now you can help me.”
“I can?”
The question had been more to herself than Bianca, yet Bianca jumped on it.
“Of course you can. You’re one of us now. One of my girls. And my girls help each other.”
“Oh?”
“Well of course we do. You help me with this and I’ll owe you big-time.”
“Big-time?”
Tamyra couldn’t help but think of how big-time messed up Bianca would make things if she caught on Tamyra had no intentions of helping her.
“Yeah, big-time. You really would be my new bestest buddy.”
“Hey!” cried the mouse.
“Cram it Kelly-Ann. We both know how I feel about Salem.”
“Hey B, what about bros before hos?”
“What about it? That’s some stupid guy saying. Sides, it’s not like you wouldn’t still be my best friend. Tammy here would just be my bestest buddy, that’s all. So what do you think Tammy? Can you work this for me?”
Bianca dropped her smoke and crushed it under her shoe. Kelly-Ann played copycat and mimicked Bianca butting out in the same manner.
“I um, I just met him.”
“Yeah, you said that. So what? You’re in, now get me in.”
“You mean us? Right B? You mean get us in. You know I’ve always had my eye on that Ivan guy.”
“Ivan and half the rest of the boys in town.” Bianca chuckle-snorted.
“Hey.” Kelly-Ann’s face dropped to a pout.
“Kidding, girl. Relax. Of course I mean get us in. Just bring us back to your table and let me sit next to Salem. I can take it from there.”
The nightmare evolved. She had to think of how to get out. She refused to bring this new Vicki anywhere near her new life. The door to the washroom swung in and Sandi peeked around the door.
“There you are. We worried you got sick after accidentally eating that bit of meat on your pizza.”
“I’m OK.”
“Great, then let’s go. We’re all leaving now.”
Tamyra gathered up every tiny strand of courage within and looked over at Bianca and Kelly-Ann and said; “Gotta go, later girls.”
She dived through the doorway and almost stepped on Sandi’s heels as she left the restroom. She hadn’t given the girls a chance to say anything. Once the door swiveled closed, she whispered “Thank-you.”
“If I knew they were in there I would’ve come to get you sooner.”
“Least I’m out now. Thanks again.”
When Sandi and Tamyra arrived back at the table everyone else stood, ready to go. Cam handed Sandi her bag. Tamyra noticed the way their hands lingered on each other’s. How sweet. She noticed Sal also watched Cam and Sandi coyly hold hands. Cam caught Sal’s gaze and released Sandi’s hand. His face turned slightly pink.
Bianca and Kelly-Ann walked up the hall towards the group. They stopped short, fidgeting, looking as if they couldn’t quite figure out how to try and join in.
“Say, do you want me to drive you two?” Cam asked Sal.
“Um, I think we’re good walking. I guess Tamyra can decide.”
She could feel the heat in her face. Only part embarrassment, the other part from the hatred in Bianca’s glare.
“Sure, we can walk.”
“Alright. We’re out. See you all tomorrow for another day in jail.”
>
Everyone said their goodbyes and headed for the door. All the while Tamyra could sense Bianca’s stare boring through to her bones. That moment she should have been ecstatic as Sal slipped his arm around her waist, but instead she felt her insides shrivel and dry up.
Chapter 10
Saturday morning, before Tamyra even opened her eyes, she had a big goofy grin on her face. She liked her new home, her new school, her new friends and her new hopefully soon-to-be boyfriend. Everything had been going so good… well almost everything.
She spent the week dodging Bianca and her friends. Fortunately aside from Kelly-Ann the mouse, it seemed Bianca only had one other friend. Tamyra didn’t know her name but in her head she referred to the girl as ‘Stumpy’. Stumpy looked almost as round as she was short and for some reason her pimply olive skin reminded Tamyra of tree bark.
Neither Mouse nor Stumpy had said a word to Tamyra, even when they had the chance. They just sort of lurked about outside her class one day, talking to each other and pointing. When she finally drew up the courage to stare them down, they moved on.
The sidekicks didn’t really worry her too much without Bianca, and Tamyra went out of her way to avoid her.
The morning after she met Sal’s friends at the pizza place had been pretty tense. She missed Bianca waiting near her locker until the bully jumped in her face. Tamyra felt bad when she saw the sad look Bianca wore. The look brought an image to her mind of a whipped dog. Up until the pitbull’s rage bubbled to the surface. Sadness disappeared, chased off by anger.
Bianca stepped towards Tamyra and spoke within an inch of her face.
“You’d better stay away from him.”
“Or what Bianca? You’ll kiss her? Get the hell outta here, you fat loser!” Yvonne said.
Tamyra didn’t know where she came from and didn’t much care. Bianca flashed a nasty look Yvonne’s way and then slunk off down the hall.
“Hey girl, you alright?
“Thanks. I’m OK.”
“No worries. So, Old Sasquatch has the hots for Sal, huh? Nasty.”
“I guess.”
“No guessing, she’s nasty. I mean would it kill her to bathe and wash the grease mat on her head? Hey, you sure you’re OK?”
Yvonne’s outspoken nature still surprised her, but she admired the girl nonetheless.
“Yeah, it’s just, well, I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with her type when we moved.”
“Don’t worry about her. She’s more bark than bite anyhow.”
“I think I’ll just stay away… from HER that is.”
For the rest of the week Tamyra managed to elude Bianca. She knew she couldn’t go on dodging and hiding forever, but it seemed like a good way to handle things for now. Good thing Bianca ran a few brain cells short of actual thought. For once being in the smart classes paid off for Tamyra, not just made her mom happy.
*-*-*
Tamyra groaned and opened her eyes. It annoyed her Bianca was her first thought upon waking. Anything would be better than thinking about her.
She glanced about her new room. She tried to distract herself thinking how nice of aunt Kiki to revamp the former spare room for her. Apparently the room had been used for storage and had been plain beige.
Kiki had put a lot of work into transforming it into a teenager’s room. The beige remained on three of the walls but the fourth one she painted a deep burgundy. The window opposite the dark wall had the same shade of shimmery organza curtains. The bedroom set, rich dark brown wood, had been bought new for her. Next to her four-poster bed stood what appeared to be a small wardrobe, but turned out to be a discreet entertainment unit with a hidden TV and stereo. The massive room also housed a dresser, two night tables and a hope chest.
Her favorite part of the room had to be the walk-in closet. She didn’t have anywhere near enough clothing to fill it, but she loved the thought of trying. Thinking about the two new outfits and the new top her aunt randomly placed in there, she found herself smiling again.
She had to force Bianca out of her mind and enjoy her day. With no school and no plans to go out today, it should be easy. She wondered if the sun shined bright and if Sal would be windsurfing. He told her his mom needed help around the house today and he probably wouldn’t get a chance to get out, but a girl could always hope.
After sitting up and taking a deep stretch, with her arms spread wide, Tamyra swung her bare feet onto the floor. She thought about maybe spending the day on the private beach with a good book when the landline rang. No one called her on that phone, so she ignored it and headed to the bathroom.
“Tamyra, you awake?!”
“Yes, Aunt Kiki!”
“Phone’s for you, hon!”
“One sec!”
Her heart hopped. But then she realized Sal would call her cell, not the landline. Curious about who it could be, she made her way to the bedside table and picked up her cordless.
“I got it Aunt Kiki!”
“OK.”
She heard the click of her aunt hanging up right before she said; “Hello?”
No one answered her.
“Hello? Anyone there?”
Again, nothing.
“I can’t hear you. Hello?”
Heavy breathing filled the line but the caller said nothing. She felt fear inching its way up her spine, the breathing creeped her out, making her feel watched.
“Someone there?”
“Sssssskank!” came through in a whispered hiss and then the quiet click of the caller disconnecting.
She couldn’t be sure the voice belonged to Bianca or one of her friends, but they were the only real suspects. So much for putting Bianca out of her mind. Could’ve just been some kids. She could feel the fine hairs lying back down on her neck and arms and felt better, fear subsiding. She checked the caller i.d., but the number had been blocked.
Just kids. She wouldn’t let this wreck her day. Even as she tried to convince herself, she remembered the person had to have asked aunt Kiki to speak with her. Great. Just great. Of all the guys, why did Bianca have to like Sal? So unfair! Why couldn’t Bianca just leave them alone?
Tamyra kicked halfheartedly at the bedpost. Although upset and angry, she still had the sense to know she would be the only one hurt if she kicked hard enough.
The phone interrupted her self pity-party thoughts. She paused to listen for her aunt’s inevitable call. A minute later it came.
“Tamyra, phone!”
“Tell them I’m busy!”
Another minute ticked by before her aunt yelled; “She says it’s an emergency, you better take it dear!”
Not wanting her aunt to start asking a bunch of questions, she picked up the handset and hit the call button.
“Got it!”
Despite not hearing her aunt hang-up, she knew she had.
“Hello?” she said, trying her best not to let her voice crack.
“Stay away from him, skank!”
“No!” she screamed, surprising herself.
“You’re” CLICK.
Tamyra didn’t wait for the whispering caller to finish the next sentence before she hung up. She smiled, proud of herself and then walked out into the hallway.
“Aunt Kiki?”
“Yes, hon?”
“If anyone calls the house could you please tell them to call my cell. If they don’t have the number, don’t give it to them.”
“Sure sweetie. Why, what’s going on?”
“Some girl trying to get me to do her homework.”
She felt guilty lying to her aunt, half-truth or not. She simply couldn’t have her aunt getting involved.
“I can’t stand that type of person. I’ll make sure she doesn’t call here ever again if you want.”
“No. Being new, I don’t want to make a fuss. I’ll just keep away from her.”
“Sure, hon. Whatever you want, just as long as I don’t catch you doing her homework!”
“You won’t!”
/> Tamyra stepped into the shower and the phone rang a third time. She played out aunt Kiki telling Bianca to get lost and felt better. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about taking any more threatening calls. No way would Bianca and her ghouls be getting her cell number.
Chapter 11
After lunch Tamyra decided to go for a walk. As much as she wanted to poke around the mall, she didn’t want to chance bumping into Bianca and friends. She set out towards her private beach, with secret hopes Sal would be there.
She stood near the waterline, surprised by her lack of disappointment when she couldn’t find him out on the lake. Her cell vibrated against her thigh, in her pocket. She crossed her fingers as she reached in her pocket and left them crossed as she pulled out the phone. She inhaled with her eyes closed and wished for a text from him.
With her eyes still closed, she flicked the button and brought the screen up. She let her breath out and snapped her eyes open. The little LCD read ‘1 New Text Message’. She noticed her fingers still crossed, wrapped around the back of the phone and thought; Good. She knew the little superstitious rituals probably wouldn’t make a difference, but then again, one thing supernatural had become natural.
She pressed a button and opened the text. It read; ‘Still bz. Beach 2morrow?’
She punched the air and jumped while squeaking with excitement “Yes!”
She wanted to tell him yes over and over again, but fought the urge. She figured it would be better to not look like she waited right by her phone. It nearly killed her to force herself to walk for another five minutes.
Once she decided five minutes had passed, she stopped walking and replied; ‘OK.’
The phone, not yet back in her pocket, vibrated again. Happiness showed all over her face as she read; ‘Call U L8er 2night.’ She slipped the cell away and took a look around. Still along the water’s edge, but much deeper in the forest than before. Birds sang from the trees and a sense of calm peacefulness filled her.
Figuring she’d eventually come out at the cemetery, she followed the shore.
Not a cloud in the sky and near perfect temperature. Comfortable weather for her t-shirt, shorts and sandals. Watching out over the lake as she walked, a turtle paddled along. She spotted another animal that could have been a beaver or an otter. So different from the city.