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  He smiled at me and I managed to squeak out, “Books…please.” His eyes squinted in puzzlement, “Books? What books Hun?” Ok, grow up Parker and demand this jerk give you your stuff back. “My stuff is in the window seat ok, just let me gather it up. You kind of took over this cabin quickly. I didn’t know it was on the market or I wouldn’t have left my stuff here.” He smiled and replied with the utmost sarcasm, “Oh you follow the real estate market closely? What kind of place are you looking for?” God he is annoying, “Don’t be a smart ass, I just thought the place was abandoned, can I get my stuff.” He looked down at his chest and I realized my hand was still there and pulled it back quickly. He turned and walked in the house leaving me on the porch and I started to turn and walk away when I heard, “Uh, hello, forgetting something?” I turned around and he was holding my book bag from the window seat so I walked back to him and ripped it from his hand, “Thanks, buttmunch.” He was amused as I turned and walked away. “Pleasure, as always sweetheart,” he yelled as I was leaving. He called me sweetheart and I started to melt…Oh get a grip Parker. Geez.

  Chapter Three

  “Mom…Dad…anyone home?” I yelled as I closed the door when I got to my house. No answer. Good. I have got some things to figure out and need all the quiet I can get. I hung my backpack in the closet and my keys on the hook by the door. Turning around I headed up the stairs to my room. I had just shut the door, sat down at my desk and turned on the computer when my phone starts to ring. It was at the bottom of my purse so I had to dig to find it and I groan and regretfully answered it. Another thing you should know about me, I hate talking on the phone, I despise it actually. I have a cell phone, it’s a great phone and I love it…to play on Facebook and look up things on the internet, occasionally texting, but I utterly hate to talk on it. It’s weird for a teenage girl to say that I know, but I am not the typical teenage girl, obviously.

  The call was from Jackie, she wanted to come over and hang. I said sure, although I was perplexed because she usually hangs out with Mitchell. Jackie didn’t live far from me so I only had a few minutes to get ready for her. Maybe this is what I really needed was just a fun girls day instead of alone time. Something I get a lot of these days is alone time, it will be a nice change. One thing I love to do is cook, my dad is a fabulous cook and once I got old enough he taught me how so I could take care of my mom when he is out of town, since she can’t boil water without hurting herself. As soon as I hang up I head downstairs to the kitchen and started making a homemade pizza and stuck some cokes in the freezer so they would be cold in time. I called Jackie back and asked her to stop and get some chips on her way over and she said she was going to pick up a movie to watch too. This is so awesome. Jackie and I haven’t had a girl’s afternoon in a long time. The crust was ready and I was spreading the pizza sauce on and sprinkling cheese all over the top when the phone rang again. I grabbed it with my wrists and poked the answer button with my nose, this time it was mom saying that she and dad would be out late and to fix myself dinner, I told her that wouldn’t be a problem and that it was taken care of already. Also mentioned that Jackie was coming over, they were fine with that, Jackie was like their daughter as well.

  Jackie arrived right as I was pulling the pizza out of the oven. “Good timing, chickie!” I exclaimed when she walked through the door. She smiled and curtsied, “it’s a gift”, as she sat down her bags on the counter top. She pulled paper plates down from the cabinets for us while I sliced the steaming hot pizza. She had brought over some chips and dip and a good raunchy comedy for us to watch. It was one we had seen it in the theater a couple of months ago and we laughed so hard we missed parts of the movie. As I was putting us a couple of slices each on the plates, I asked Jackie where Mitchell was this afternoon. She said he was tutoring the new guy. “Quinn?” I asked. She said, “Yep, apparently his last school was a bit behind so he needs to catch up to where we are. Mitchell called me earlier and said he would be tutoring him every afternoon for the next few weeks. It will be good for us though, you and me I mean. Now we can have some much needed girl time…right?” I smiled and agreed with exhilaration, “Heck yeah! I can always use girl time!” I get my best friend back for a couple of weeks, what could be better than that. Jackie and I took our plates and went into the living room and began watching the movie. We were laughing in no time. At one point I just looked over at her and realized that this is just what I needed right now and smiled.

  Jackie was the closest thing I had to a sister since I was an only child. We used to have slumber parties on a regular basis. We went through phases together such as painting our fingernails all different colors, or wearing scarves with everything. Neither of us is fond of fads, in fact we usually liked trends once they were out of style. The only difference, besides the wolf thing, is that she’s never had a problem with boys. She has only dated Mitchell but it’s not because no one else was interested. She’s always been the “pretty one” and she has always been much more outgoing than I am. I think the only reason she never went out with anyone else is that her heart always belonged to Mitchell. She admitted to me once that she fell in love with him in kindergarten.

  It was the first day of kindergarten and her mom and taken her to school. She walked her in and met the teacher and was turning to leave but Jackie was clinging to her, crying, and Mitchell came over to them. He introduced himself and looked up at her mom and said “Don’t worry I’ll take care of her.” He reached out and took her hand in his and stayed with her the whole day making sure she was not scared. He has always been very protective of her. It wasn’t until high school that he finally asked her out on a date. When her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jackie was a mess. She didn’t tell anyone about it, only she and I knew basically. One day, I was at home sick and she broke down in tears at school and ran to hide in the gym for privacy to work through her emotions. Mitchell found her in there curled up in a ball and he sat down beside her, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her while she cried. She said she never even told him why she was crying until days later. He just sat there with her holding her and telling her it would be ok and he would take care of her. Since that day, they have been joined at the hip. Their love story is so sweet, in a way I envy what she and Mitchell have.

  Out of the blue, Jackie asked, “So, what is the deal with Quinn?” I about choked on my pizza, “What?” I said, “Why would you be asking me?” She shrugged her shoulders and said “Well you did have lunch with him today.” Being a bit of a smart-aleck I said, “Actually if I remember correctly I ate lunch with you today and I was only sitting with him for a minute or two.” I suggested she ask Mitchell what the deal was with Quinn since he would be spending more time with him than I ever will. “He’s cute though,” she said as she took another bite of pizza. I scoffed, “yeah kind of beautiful actually, but looks aren’t everything you know. “ We continued watching the movie in silence for a few minutes. Maybe the fact that Jackie gets time for me is a sign, maybe now is the time to tell her the truth about me. Then, I could tell her what Quinn said and she could help me figure out what to do about it.

  “Why are you always so weird about new people?” Jackie asked, again out of the blue. I was going to need CPR with all the choking she was causing, “Huh? We hardly meet new people in this town, how can I always be weird about them?” I insisted. She shrugged, “just seems like you are, at least the last couple of years, I’m pretty much the only one you hang out with anymore and you don’t date.” Well that was hurtful, thanks for rubbing that fact in as if I don’t feel like a big stinking loser. “I don’t understand where this is coming from all of a sudden a lot of people don’t have boyfriends. Life isn’t always about that. Plus, the people in this town and I don’t get along always…in fact we don’t really have anything in common. I am just working my butt off at school to make sure I can go to a college far away from here next year. Does it really bother you being my only friend?” She shook her head, “Of cour
se not, I just worry about you. You used to get along with the people in town and then all of a sudden you changed and you keep to yourself and you keep so many secrets now, even from me. Next year we will be going to college and I want to make sure you don’t need help trying to meet people or make friends…well that doesn’t sound good. You know what I mean.” I stood up and took my plate to walk to the kitchen, “sorry but I don’t, I think we should just watch the movie.” I threw my plate in the trash and started to pack the pizza up to save for later. She came in the kitchen and walked over and put her arm across my shoulders, “You know I love you Parker, you are my best friend in the world, practically my sister, and I just want to make sure you are happy.” I hugged her back and said, “I know.”

  Jackie’s phone rang and we both jumped when it did. The ringtone was I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith so I knew it was Mitchell. He was done tutoring so she said he was on the way to pick her up. The afternoon went by too fast with her; I was disappointed but knew it just meant more time to figure out my dilemma. I pull a couple pieces of pizza out for her to share with him. A few minutes later there is a knock on the door. When I open it Quinn is standing there and I just stopped and gawked at him. He smiled and said, “Hello sunshine, May we come in.” I just gazed at him and nodded. He said, “You can speak, right?” This made me aggravated, “Of course I can, come in please.” Mitchell walked around Quinn and made his way over to Jackie to hug and kiss her. Once they came up for air, Jackie said hi to Quinn and said that she and Mitchell were heading out. I was thrown for a loop when they walked out the door and I asked, “Aren’t you taking him with you?” as I pointed to Quinn beside me. He sniggered and Mitchell said,”I told Quinn he could hang out at your house and wait on his ride and that you would be cool with it.” Mitchell smiled and winked at me. ”Traitorous bastards,” I thought as they left, this was a freaking set up. Mitchell is trying to do a nice thing but may have just ended my life in the process. Mitchell took Jackie’s hand and they walked out, Jackie turned to me and gave me thumbs up as she left. Quinn sat down on the couch and patted the seat for me to sit next to him. Instead, I sat in the recliner across from him. He laughed quietly and propped his feet up on the coffee table. This is going to be a long afternoon.

  Quinn and I sat there in silence for a bit. Finally, he spoke and I wish he had just kept quiet. “So, now that we are away from any eavesdroppers or nosey-nellie’s, we can start our relationship over again.” I laughed at the ridiculousness of that statement, “Since when do we have a relationship? If I recall, you tried to say I was a werewolf and I denied it and stormed off. How is that a relationship?” He sat forward and countered with, “Well it’s not a healthy relationship I’ll give you that. My question is why did you deny it? I know what you are, you obviously don’t tell people so it should give you some relief that you can have a friend to confide in.” I laughed again rolled my eyes and said matter-of-factly, “We aren’t friends” and walked out of the room to the kitchen. If I was going to be stuck with him for a little while I may as well make things comfortable. I yelled into the living room and said “do you want something to drink?” He said “Whatever’s cold” so I grabbed him a root beer out of the fridge and fixed me a glass of water. He was looking through my mother’s photo album when I walked back into the living room. I handed him the drink and said, “what are you looking through that for, think you are going to find a picture of the family dog and try to prove it’s me in my changed form on the full moon?” He didn’t say anything but I saw the corners of his mouth turn up in a smile and a dimple appeared on his cheek as kept his head down looking through the album. That dimple was too cute. OK, stop thinking about him that way Parker, geez, calm your hormones already.

  “When is your ride going to be here?” I asked impatiently. Without looking up from the photo album he said, “As soon as I call for someone to pick me up.” I handed him my cell phone hoping he would take the hint. He took the phone from me and sat it on the coffee table, closed the photo album and sat it next to the phone. “How come you don’t have a car?” I asked in annoyance. “I like to run,” he replied then snickered as though there was a joke I was missing. “What’s so funny?” He ignored my question, sat back, crossed his legs and placed his hands folded on his lap and proceeded to stare at me. I did the really mature thing and stared back until I couldn’t take it anymore. “Take a picture, it will last longer!” I proclaim with frustration. He picked up my phone, good he’s leaving I thought, and then he took a picture. What the…? He took a frigging picture of me. After he took the picture he was pushing a bunch of buttons and then I heard his phone beep. He opened his phone and turned and showed me that he texted himself the picture of me.

  This guy is going to drive me insane! My pulse was racing and I was becoming angry and just wanted him gone. Then it dawned on me, he could be doing this on purpose, he could be trying to make me mad enough to change so he could prove that I am a werewolf. Ugh, what a sneaky douche bag, I have to figure out a way to calm myself down. So I did the only thing I could think of, I walked over to the couch, sat down beside him, leaned forward and planted a kiss on him. Not the most strategic maneuver but it served a purpose and it was fun. He tasted strange on my lips, not bad, but strange. I don’t know how to explain it. At first his body stiffened when our lips met, and then he kissed me back but was very gentle and was careful not to touch me. My lips were tingling against his, his lips felt like satin, they were so soft. My whole body was tingling, right down to my toes, is that what passion feels like? This guy annoys me to death, but WOW, can he kiss!

  A few seconds later, Quinn pressed his hands against my shoulders as he pulled back from the lip-lock. “Well that was…nice, what did I do to deserve that?” He asked. I smiled and shrugged then went to sit back down. He was looking at me in a different way this time. Not like a boyfriend way, but almost a bit nervous and…scared? Was he scared of me now? That wasn’t a good sign, or maybe I was a terrible kisser, either way he looked like was feeling awkward. He stood up suddenly and started towards the door, “I should be going, it’s getting late.” He didn’t even call anyone just walked out the door and I stood up and went to stop him and by the time I got to the door he was gone.

  I stepped outside onto the porch and looked all around, and up the street. How did he disappear so quickly? Did I sit there longer than I realized? Or does that prove he is a werewolf too, he could be one who has learned how to shift whenever he wants, that could explain how he was gone so quickly. Many different thoughts were battling in my mind but the only thing I know for sure is that I just kissed Quinn and it was the best feeling I had ever had in the entire world. Now it seems something about that moment may have scared him away for good. I picked up the phone and sent Jackie a text that said. Thx for leaving me w/Q, that went well. Ttyl—Parker. Jackie texted back almost immediately with Can’t wait to hear about it! I am definitely not talking about my kiss on text. She will just have to hear about it on lunch tomorrow. I just hope I don’t see Quinn. What have I gotten myself into?

  Chapter Four

  The next day at school Jackie ran up behind me in the hallway and grabbed my shoulders. I shrieked and she started cracking up laughing. When she finally stopped laughing, she said “Quinn said you attacked him yesterday!” Shocked, I gasped, “He said, WHAT.” She started cracking up again, “Chillax girlie, he said you planted a hot kiss on him, AND he said it was really nice and he hoped it happened again.” She was beaming at me, but I was stunned. When it finally dawned on me what was happening, I started to smile and feel all warm inside. This was a new topic for Jackie and I, it was the first time I had a real crush on a boy in town. She was so excited, she wanted to know all the details and I just kept gushing about how cute he was and how he was the best kisser. Next thing I knew, Quinn was standing in front of me. He had a huge smile on his face. Did he hear everything I told Jackie just now? There is no way, I’d have noticed him coming toward us and we w
ere being pretty quiet. At first I smiled back and then I turned and walked the other way. What? Why did I just do that? Well, I can’t turn around now I will look like an idiot. Oh geez, what is the matter with me!! Ugh, I smack myself in the head Billy Loomis style and call myself stupid. I just kept walking, and then realized I was walking the wrong way to my class, crap.

  When I noticed I was going the wrong way I tried to make it seem like it was on purpose by turning and going into the ladies room. I stayed there for a few minutes to make it seem legit and then headed to class. Entering my next class I saw Quinn sitting there looking right at me and I stopped dead in my tracks. Give me a break please! Why do I have to live in the smallest town ever? Oh good, and the only seat open is right beside him. I looked up to the ceiling and sarcastically said “thanks for that.” I went and sat down next to Quinn and he ignored me. Well that will work for now. I need time to think, to figure out if I want to pursue a friendship, or more, with him and if I am going to admit to him my secret. The one he already knows, somehow. Mr. Carter, our Algebra teacher, begins his lesson and I was taking notes as usual when a note folded like a paper football appeared on my desk. I must have really been focused because I never saw anyone leave it. I opened it and it said Can I come to your house after school? We need to talk. –Quinn. When I finished reading it, I looked up and he was looking right at me and I shook my head yes. My stomach began to cramp with anticipation.