sense she was irritated with me though.
Justin walked by our table twice in fifteen minutes, staring hopefully in our direction. It felt like it was me he was ogling but maybe I was being conceited. If he really was interested in Heather now, I certainly didn’t have any qualms about it. I hoped I could make that clear to her so she would forgive me for whatever I did to upset her.
After school I left promptly from class and didn’t stop to chit chat with friends. I wanted to be quick about retrieving my bathing suit to avoid fueling Heather’s anger. I needed to find out what was bothering her. I had to fix it.
I sped up my street and came a few houses away from mine, nerves tensing my arms. I focused my eyes forward, away from the house across from mine. I wasn’t sure I would feel a need to wander in that direction again, but I made a conscious effort not to look just in case.
Hopping out to the driveway, I scurried up the front yard without a pause. I ran to my room and rummaged through my bathing suits in a hurry, suddenly recalling Heather’s original request that I wear a cute bikini.
I pulled out the bubble-gum pink bikini with lime green ties Heather picked out for me this summer. It was skimpier than the bathing suits I normally wore but she insisted I would look super cute and talked me into the purchase. I never wore it once.
Maybe she would consider it a nice gesture if I wore it tonight. I threw it in my bag along with a towel and a change of clothes, then unclasped the watch I’d been wearing from my wrist and tossed it in my jewelry box. I didn’t need anything to cover my birthmark since I was going to be at Heather’s all night.
Today had been on the warm side but it usually felt a little chilly in the evening, especially after getting wet. I flipped through my closet to search for a sweater. What I really wanted was the faded black one that carried the sweet scent of the mysterious boy, but I stuck to my plan of avoiding any thoughts of him. I pulled a baby blue hoodie off its hanger and rolled it up on top of my towel.
I thought about grabbing a snack but decided it was better not to waste any more time and headed out the front door. I hurried across the stone path away from the door and couldn’t help but notice the shiny black car still parked across the street. I hummed aloud to keep my mind distracted but a slamming noise from the direction of the car broke my concentration.
My left foot missed a beat, tripping forward. I caught my balance with my right leg and stood without moving. A man wearing a shirt and tie exited the passenger door, his dark hair mixed with strands of grey. He paced back and forth along the sidewalk.
I couldn’t resist the temptation.
“Excuse me,” I called.
I shuffled down the driveway, curiosity mounting. He eyed me warily as I approached and I felt suddenly uneasy. I stopped in the street, gaping at the man.
“Can I help you with something?” he said, tone agitated.
“Uh, I’m just wondering if this is your house.”
He sounded completely uninterested. “No, I’m just visiting an old friend.” He waved me away, turning his back but suddenly gestured back around. “Since you’re here, do you have the time?”
“Sure.” I lifted my wrist to my chest reflexively, but my arm was bare.
His eyes widened and a look of sudden interest crossed his face. I remembered the tear-shaped mark on my wrist and shot my arm down to the side.
“That’s just a birthmark,” I said. I inched back a step, feeling awkward. “Sorry, I forgot my watch.”
“Wait,” he said. He clutched my wrist forcefully with one hand.
I gasped, muscles stiff. His gaze pierced mine and I couldn’t help but stare at his eyes. They were black and frightening. Something about him didn’t seem right. I felt the notion to run, but froze in place.
He loosed his grip and straightened his stance. “I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive my brash behavior. I haven’t been
Justin walked by our table twice in fifteen minutes, staring hopefully in our direction. It felt like it was me he was ogling but maybe I was being conceited. If he really was interested in Heather now, I certainly didn’t have any qualms about it. I hoped I could make that clear to her so she would forgive me for whatever I did to upset her.
After school I left promptly from class and didn’t stop to chit chat with friends. I wanted to be quick about retrieving my bathing suit to avoid fueling Heather’s anger. I needed to find out what was bothering her. I had to fix it.
I sped up my street and came a few houses away from mine, nerves tensing my arms. I focused my eyes forward, away from the house across from mine. I wasn’t sure I would feel a need to wander in that direction again, but I made a conscious effort not to look just in case.
Hopping out to the driveway, I scurried up the front yard without a pause. I ran to my room and rummaged through my bathing suits in a hurry, suddenly recalling Heather’s original request that I wear a cute bikini.
I pulled out the bubble-gum pink bikini with lime green ties Heather picked out for me this summer. It was skimpier than the bathing suits I normally wore but she insisted I would look super cute and talked me into the purchase. I never wore it once.
Maybe she would consider it a nice gesture if I wore it tonight. I threw it in my bag along with a towel and a change of clothes, then unclasped the watch I’d been wearing from my wrist and tossed it in my jewelry box. I didn’t need anything to cover my birthmark since I was going to be at Heather’s all night.
Today had been on the warm side but it usually felt a little chilly in the evening, especially after getting wet. I flipped through my closet to search for a sweater. What I really wanted was the faded black one that carried the sweet scent of the mysterious boy, but I stuck to my plan of avoiding any thoughts of him. I pulled a baby blue hoodie off its hanger and rolled it up on top of my towel.
I thought about grabbing a snack but decided it was better not to waste any more time and headed out the front door. I hurried across the stone path away from the door and couldn’t help but notice the shiny black car still parked across the street. I hummed aloud to keep my mind distracted but a slamming noise from the direction of the car broke my concentration.
My left foot missed a beat, tripping forward. I caught my balance with my right leg and stood without moving. A man wearing a shirt and tie exited the passenger door, his dark hair mixed with strands of grey. He paced back and forth along the sidewalk.
I couldn’t resist the temptation.
“Excuse me,” I called.
I shuffled down the driveway, curiosity mounting. He eyed me warily as I approached and I felt suddenly uneasy. I stopped in the street, gaping at the man.
“Can I help you with something?” he said, tone agitated.
“Uh, I’m just wondering if this is your house.”
He sounded completely uninterested. “No, I’m just visiting an old friend.” He waved me away, turning his back but suddenly gestured back around. “Since you’re here, do you have the time?”
“Sure.” I lifted my wrist to my chest reflexively, but my arm was bare.
His eyes widened and a look of sudden interest crossed his face. I remembered the tear-shaped mark on my wrist and shot my arm down to the side.
“That’s just a birthmark,” I said. I inched back a step, feeling awkward. “Sorry, I forgot my watch.”
“Wait,” he said. He clutched my wrist forcefully with one hand.
I gasped, muscles stiff. His gaze pierced mine and I couldn’t help but stare at his eyes. They were black and frightening. Something about him didn’t seem right. I felt the notion to run, but froze in place.
He loosed his grip and straightened his stance. “I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive my brash behavior. I haven’t been
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