Enigma (9 page)

He laughed, sounding genuinely surprised at the fact I’d busted Bradley’s nose, then jokingly told me he’d probably had it coming from someone else and all I’d done was save somebody else the trouble, explaining that Bradley was a good guy but was always getting into some kind of mischievousness. He agreed that Ms. Greer was being a bit harsh with my pointless assignment, suggesting that she simply wanted to make an example out of me to deter others from ever trying anything.

We also talked about my horrible decision to go on a blind date on Saturday and how it ended with me getting drunk and thinking I was going to die of a hangover and a probable slight case of alcohol poisoning, which kept me in bed all day yesterday. He was glad to hear that I would never consider doing that again and seemed to be very skeptical of Ian, insisting that any guy who had at least one ounce of character would never have introduced his date to alcohol for the first time and definitely wouldn’t have even kissed her while she was drunk.

He kept himself under control but did not hold anything back as he voiced how he obviously did not think much of Lena, whom he said guys were stupid for wasting their time to ever be interested in. According to him, she was an offensively dressed, easy target for frustrated males who were only looking for someone to satisfy their sexual fantasies. He also made sure to note that neither he nor any of his friends would even give her the time of day, because just the sight of her made them sick. He was also angry with her for setting me up with someone like Ian in the first place, explaining that she put me in a potentially dangerous situation and was also incredibly put out with Ian, even though he didn’t know him aside from me telling him about our date. He kept saying how he couldn’t believe how some guys thought they could disrespect women without a trace of remorse.

He went as far as saying that Ian’s behavior was appalling, not only for introducing me to liquor, as he was sure he only did it to try and have his way with me, but because of the fact that he had given alcohol to someone my age. It felt like there was an underlying reason for what he was saying. He talked as if he were angry at himself for not being able to be there to protect me.

Seeing as how we really didn’t even know each other before now, I knew it was an impossibility that he could have known I was on a date with someone that would make me question my morals and end up making me need protection from my own bad judgment. Upon explaining it that way, Avan reassured me that it wasn’t myself I needed protection from but others who wanted me to change who I was in my heart.

Hearing those words come out of Avan’s mouth made me see him in a whole new light. Up until then, I had never even considered the idea that Ian might have been trying to manipulate me into giving him whatever he wanted physically. It really touched my heart that Avan was so old fashioned. Evidently, he was not aware that these days guys did just about anything in their power to get what they wanted from a girl. It made me wonder what his parents were like and how they’d managed to keep him so innocent while residing in such a messed-up state—not to mention world. I knew from listening how he felt that women should be treated respectfully, regarded as God’s creations, and not just as sex symbols; my mom would have really liked him, and my dad might not have even threatened him with a shotgun. I assured him I would not be going out with Ian again and that losing an entire day due to sickness from stupidity that someone else promoted was not my idea of a good time.

I almost wished something would come over him and make him ask if I wanted to skip school today, but I knew there was no chance of that happening as he pulled into the parking lot early enough to get a great parking spot right in front. He did not turn the car off immediately, since we still had time, letting it idle. I enjoyed sitting with the heater instead of starting straight for the entrance of the school, having to fight the cold to get to the door. Even though California was never considered cold to most of the people in the country, when those of us who lived here and were used to temperatures that allowed us to soak up sun on the beach dropped into the fifties, we considered it to be cold.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten to grab a jacket this morning in my hurry to get to Spirits to write my pointless assignment, so I was shivering through my sweatshirt, even with the heater blowing on me. Noticing my teeth chattering, Avan leaned toward the steering wheel to take off his black leather jacket and handed it to me to wear. I told him I would be fine once I got to class, but he insisted that I take it, not wanting me to be uncomfortable.

I couldn’t help but smile as I suddenly felt like a damsel in distress who was being saved by a generous, handsome, chivalrous prince who had ridden up on his royal steed out of nowhere. This was one of those feelings I could definitely get used to. It was ten minutes until the tardy bell, and the parking lot had filled to nearly maximum capacity when we decided we would leave the warm embrace of the heated car and head for our classes.

Avan came around to the passenger side of the car to open my door and hand me my bag from the back seat. I felt guilty knowing Avan had on less clothing than I did and yet I was wearing his leather jacket. As we made our way to the door, it didn’t even seem as if Avan was affected by the cold. If he was cold, he certainly didn’t show it. Maybe he didn’t want me to feel bad and give his jacket back.

As we were walking up to the entrance, I still wasn’t used to how considerate Avan was when I went to grab the door handle and he jogged ahead of me opening the door. I smiled again and thanked him. I was surprised again when he walked upstairs beside me all the way to class as he gave me tips to help survive Ms. Greer’s class this morning and told me he would see me third period.

Feeling light on my feet, I was wearing a smile on my face while singing a song in my heart as I dropped my paper on Ms. Greer’s desk on the way to my seat. I’d expected her to only read a couple of paragraphs to make sure I’d actually done the assignment, so I was a little shocked to see her put it into the trash can without reading one word. I guess Avan was right—all she wanted was to prove she was in charge and make an example out of me to warn others of what would come their way if they stepped out of line.

As Bradley walked in and took his seat, he smiled, giving me a nod. I supposed he saw my car at his workplace this morning and had more than likely been told by Avan that I would be his new carpool partner and maybe his new hangout buddy. Since Bradley was Avan’s best friend, I was fairly certain I would be getting to know him a lot better and be spending a lot of time with him as well. He seemed pretty cool, and Avan was sold on the fact that he was a great guy, so I didn’t really mind. Not to mention, as long as I was getting to spend time with Avan, I really did not care where we went or with whom else we hung out with. As I predicted, I didn’t hear a single word Ms. Greer was saying due to my drifting mind concentrating on thoughts of Avan, and I was thankful she didn’t call me out to answer any questions about the reading material.

I was still off in my own world as the bell rang and everyone started heading out of class, having put all their notebooks into their bags prior to the bell. Trying to hurry and get myself situated so I could leave, I noticed Bradley standing at the door.

“Something on your mind today?” I heard him ask as I made my way to the door.

“Not really. I guess I’m still tired from the weekend.” I certainly wasn’t going to admit that my lack of attention that caused me not to hear the bell was all because I was doting over his best friend.

“Nice jacket.” Bradley was smiling as he tapped me on the shoulder to let me know he recognized it.

“Yeah, it’s not mine.” I really wasn’t sure what he expected me to say.

“I know. I saw you pile up in Avan’s car at Spirits this morning. So, are you guys an item, or what?”

Were we an item? Was he trying to tell me that he knew something I wasn’t aware of? I felt a nervous feeling in my stomach. Avan was the hottest guy in school, who did not even acknowledge Lena Montgomery’s existence, other than sharing his opinion that he did not think she was much of a friend for putting me in a potentially dangerous situation and how the only thing she had an effect on was his gag reflex.

How could he possibly be interested in me? Sure, I didn’t consider myself a complete loser or anything and I always had somewhere to sit in the cafeteria but I wasn’t a homecoming queen candidate or anything. It also wasn’t a big secret that Avan and his friends were the only guys in town that Lena Montgomery hadn’t sunk her claws into. It was talked about in the hush-hush kind of way where people became quiet as she walked by them and the whispering commenced once she was just out of hearing distance.

Her beauty certainly didn’t hurt her, but it was true that her dad’s money and her reputation for being easy were what gave her the popularity status she maintained. I was only popular because I lived in her house and was seen as her sidekick. I was actually proud that people talked about how they didn’t see how Lena and I were even friends due to how opposite we are. Needless to say, if Avan was interested in me, it would surely kill Lena in the worst way.

I had never even thought it was possible for someone to be in favor of me instead of her. I almost feared how she would react once she found out Avan had driven me to and from school today after I saw her reaction when I had simply gotten a compliment at the store on Saturday. She was going to explode, and I really had no desire to be around when it happened, considering I would once again be the cause.

“Avan’s a great guy, but we’re just friends.” I smiled and reassured Bradley.

“Oh yeah? Well, that’s cool. So do you want to be an item?”

Geez, could Bradley be more forward? Way to put me on the spot. I felt my cheeks warming up, which was an obvious sign I was blushing. How was I supposed to come up with an answer to that question? I knew whatever I said he would report back to Avan, so I had to be careful with my wording. But seriously, what girl wouldn’t want to be an item with Avan Rork? Not to mention now that I knew more about who he was as a person and not just an image he was even more desirable, but I wasn’t about to tell that to Bradley.

“I guess that would be something I would have to decide if the option was presented, but I don’t like having expectations.” I was partially telling the truth. I really didn’t like to have expectations. From everything I had experienced, whenever I went into a situation with expectations, I usually ended up disappointed. What I would not admit aloud was how I wished the option would be presented.

“So you like playing it safe, huh? Ya know, sometimes it can be fun to step outside the box, jump in the deep water, and take a few risks every now and then.”

“To be honest, Bradley, I’m really not all that crazy about stepping outside the box. I’ve done it a few times and it never ended well, so I prefer to stay in the box away from any risks.”

With the answer I gave him he smiled wider than I had ever seen him smile, as if he had just found out his long lost love was still alive.

“Great answer, Mattie; I was just testing your responses. You are very correct in saying that Avan is a great guy. He’s my best friend—more like a brother. I have to protect him when I can. A lot of girls are just after him for his looks and his car. Like that Lena chick you hang out with. She comes into Spirits once in a while dressed like a hooker trying to get with Avan. She leans over the counter almost falling out of her shirt and all kinds of crazy crap.

“It drives her nuts that nobody up there wants anything to do with her. We all know she’s just rich trash. Avan doesn’t need anybody like that trying to take advantage of him, so I try to look out for him. I know he would do the same for me if the tables were turned. Sorry if I put you on the spot. I just had to make sure you weren’t like her.”

Wow, Bradley really was a good friend to Avan! Now it made sense why Avan had thought Lena was a horrible friend. After hearing Bradley’s motives for the conversation, I knew he would never do anything purposely to put Avan in a dangerous situation and he would do anything it took to protect him from whatever could possibly bring danger to him. I was now starting to see that Lena really wasn’t much of a friend. At least she wasn’t doing a very good job of acting like one.

“I like that you are there for him. Most people wouldn’t care to go out of their way to make sure a friend didn’t get hurt.”

“Well, I made him a promise a long time ago that I would protect him at any cost, and I can’t break a promise.”

“You’re a good friend, Bradley, and sorry about busting your nose on Friday,” I said as I walked into the door of my next class. Second period was much like first period with Ms. Greer. My mind was so distracted with the conversations I had with both Avan and Bradley that I couldn’t make myself concentrate on what the teacher was talking about to save my life. What stuck out most were the comments that they’d both made in regards to Lena. I knew all too well how misguided and morally corrupt Lena was.

I couldn’t explain why I called her my best friend when she never had my best interest in mind, but if I really had to narrow it down, it mostly stemmed from feeling obligated to a fault for her and her father taking me into their home and providing me with everything I needed. Looking at the chalkboard as my teacher was working out quadratic equations, I wished I were sitting in the passenger seat of Avan’s Mustang, sniffing in the scent of leather and newness instead of chalk dust.

I leaned down as I pulled the lapel of Avan’s jacket up to my face, noticing it smelled of his cologne. I closed my eyes and inhaled the captivating scent that made me melt. I opened my eyes to find I was still sitting in my desk in geometry with five minutes of class left. I put my things into my bag and waited impatiently, knowing I would get to be close to Avan again when the bell rang.

When I got to third period, I sat down in the same desk I always did, right in the center of the classroom. Sitting in front always made me feel a bit too nerdy, whereas sitting in the back made me feel like a slacker, so I decided I would settle somewhere between the two extremes. I took out a notebook that I kept all of my notes for third period in and laid it on my desk with a pen beside it, waiting for Avan to come in and sit down, wondering if he would say anything to me before attendance. I noticed my left shoe felt loose on my foot and upon further investigation, realized it had come untied.