November 22, 2010

• nanowrimo: day twenty-two.

  

  Lucas’ face is blank.

  “Yeah. My point exactly. You already know what it’s like to get glimpses of your future, and it’s something I’m not too keen on. When my mother tells me things, I take them seriously. But sometimes it just freaks me out.” I frown.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Lucas shakes off the awkward pause. “And, we’re taking my car.”

  I frown. “We’re going to my parents’ house. What makes you think you’re driving?”

  He tilts his chin downward and looks mockingly into my eyes. “The fact that you just thought, oh, man, I hope he loves driving because I can’t stand it.”

  “It’s true, I can’t stand it. But Nadia loves it. You’ll have to fight with her.”

  “It’s like, nine hours. She and I can take turns. And if Charlotte wants to have a go, she’s more than welcome. I’m not that protective of my car, even though it is nice, and great on gas.”

  I sigh heavily.

  His brow creases in concern. “Georgia, do you really not want me to come home with you? Because, I really don’t have to if you don’t.”

  “Yes, I want you to come home with me,” I blurt, and close my eyes as the inevitable blush paints the apples of my cheeks pink. “I’m just afraid it will be weird. All of the expectations attached to bringing a boy home are definitely going to be present with my family.”

  “I’m not worried,” he smiles. “I like expectations.”

  “You always have that look. I’m not surprised.”

  “What look?” He raises one eyebrow.

  “That I-know-something-you-don’t-know look. It’s kind of disconcerting.”

  “Well, I do know things you don’t know,” he grins mischievously. “But that’s because I’m a seer, and a reader. I’ve got advantages in the knowledge department.”

  “I know that, Lucas. I just mean, I think you know things I don’t know about us – about you and me.”

  Lucas frowns slightly. “What makes you say that?”

  I take note that there is no denial. “Like I said, you have that look about you sometimes. I’m afraid that you saw some possibility of being with me, so now you are trying to make it happen or whatever. And if that’s the case, I really don’t want you to waste the effort. Visions aren’t always one hundred percent accurate, and I don’t want you missing out on someone who is more worthy of you, while you’re wasting time on me.”

  His frown deepens. “First of all, I see the future, not all possible futures. My gift is very specific – it takes all of the fun out of guessing and wondering like a normal human being, but it is dangerously close to one hundred percent accuracy – in my life, I’ve rarely even gotten minor details incorrect. Second of all, no time I have spent or will spend on you could ever be considered wasted. You aren’t being noble right now, Georgia. You’re afraid. Your insecurities are running rampant because this is new for you. And I get it.”

  “How do you know?” My stubborn frown lines crease farther than his.

  “Because my fears are like a circus inside of me all of a sudden. And I mean, I’ve had a couple girlfriends before, but it was nothing serious. I’ve never felt like this about another girl in my life.”

  “That is so standard,” I scoff.

  “Are you kidding me?” his voice raises in pitch and frustration radiates from his pores. “You of all people should recognize honesty when you see it, Georgia.”

  “You’d be surprised!” I snap back. “It actually makes me kind of naïve at times, which also makes me feel suspicious. It takes a lot for me to trust people.”

  “You are acting schizophrenic with me all of a sudden, Georgia.” My name on his tongue is like a favorite song in my ears, and I try to ignore that sensation wanting to take over the terror I feel. “I wouldn’t be around you if I felt there was any harm in it, for either of us. I like you. I like talking to you, and learning about you, and looking at you…”

  “See, that’s where I think you must be blind or something, because I am a whole lot of woman, and men like little waifs that they can just toss in the air on a whim—oh, my goodness,” I gasp as he throws my significant weight up over his shoulder without so much as a grunt or sigh.

  “See. Not a problem for me,” he says, his voice completely even. He reaches over with his left hand and slaps my butt loudly before setting me down on my feet again. “Next?”

  “You failed to mention you’re a mover,” I accuse, breathless.

  “Lifter,” he corrects. “I have natural physical strength. Movers use their mind, not their muscles.”

  “So, you’re like… Superman,” I tease.

  “More like Batman,” he grins. “I have weakness – like Bruce, if someone shot me in the right spot, I would die – but it isn’t a fictional stone from a fictional planet.”

  “Except, Bats has to train to be and stay strong, and exerts himself. That seemed like very little effort on your part, Mr. Browning.” I purse my lips curiously.

  “It’s very easy for me,” he shrugs. “All the more reason to love your curves.” His grin is wicked.

  “You can’t fly can you?” I squint my eyes at him.

  “Not unless I’m in an airplane,” he verifies.

  “Good. Because, that’d be just too weird.”

  “Yeah, that would be freaky.”

  We get quiet, realizing that we’re in the middle of the hallway – it seems to be our spot for intense conversations.

  “So, you like me – like me?” I say, feeling like an episode of Hey Arnold! come to life.

  “You could say that,” he smiles. “Though, that’s putting it pretty mildly… Do you?”

  “Do I what?”

  “Do you like me – like me?” We both grin at how silly the elementary school phrase sounds coming out of the mouth of a grown man. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard, and I wonder if he’s nervous about my answer.

  Silly boy.

  “I’d be lying if I said no,” I say. “And we both know I can’t do that.”

  “Well, that’s good to know.” Lucas acts nonchalant, but the spark in his chest reaches mine, and my heart seizes.

  “Like you didn’t already,” I shrug.

  “I like hearing your voice, though,” Lucas says softly.

  “Likewise,” I give him a half-smile before lowering my eyes, embarrassed. “But I know you knew that already.”

  “You did mention something similar before, mentally, yes,” he smiles. “It’s just different now that you know I can hear you, and you still don’t mind.”

  “I’m used to having people in my head, Luke,” I laugh gently.

  “That’s my favorite,” he steps a bit closer, and I clench and unclench my fingers to ward off any trembling.

  “What is?” I ask, working very hard to keep my voice clear.

  “Hearing you say my name,” he says, keeping his voice low so no one else can hear. “It drives me crazy.”

  I swallow hard. “Again… likewise.”

  Please stand back. We are in a crowded hallway and I don’t want to do anything stupid. And, you smell really good, so I can’t make any promises that I won’t.

  “Good.” His crooked grin, up this close, steals my breath.

  “Will you please continue to be an honorable gentleman and give me some space?” I laugh even as I scold him.

  He’s too adorable for description.

  “Are you sure? Because, you smell very nice too, and your skin is very soft, and I think I’d like to stay right here,” his grin expands as he moves so that his left foot is between both of mine, and his right is on the outside of my right, so that our bodies are touching.

  I can’t help but laugh as I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. He repeats the gesture, and I rub my cheek against the soft, warm fabric of his sweatshirt. He inhales deeply, and I hear the air rush into his lungs as they expand. The feeling in the pit of my stomach is awkward and unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.

  “I… really need to eat lunch,” I say, insisting on breaking the spell.

  “Me too,” he agrees, pulling back and releasing me.

  I sigh and let him go, too.

  He smiles at my reluctance and takes my hand.

   

  I turn to Lucas as we make our way through the loud dining hall with our plates and glasses. “We have to find Nadia and Charlotte, and see if they are okay with—“

  “I told youuu!” Charlotte sings from our usual table, at the top of her deceivingly small lungs.

  “Well, I guess that answers that question,” I shake my head as I sit down across from my sister and our roommate. “Nadia, do you—“

  “Mom called and told me. It’s completely fine with me, Georgia. Lucas is the one who’s going to feel outnumbered.”

  “Seriously, bro. It’s gonna be like, once, twice, three times the estrogen.” Charlotte holds up three fingers and shakes her head. “You are one brave dude.”

  “Honestly, I’m not scared,” he shrugs. “I have a teenage sister and I’ve driven her and her obnoxious, Taylor Swift-belting friends around plenty of times. I definitely feel strong enough to handle this. Besides, we’re taking my truck. There is plenty of room for all of our loudness in there.”

  “That’s what she said,” Charlotte snickers.

  “Yeah, you set yourself up for that,” I point out to Lucas.

  He is unfazed. “And I’m sure I will set myself up many more times during our road trip.”

  “Good, you know how to take it like a man,” Charlotte holds up her cheese-slathered nacho for a gross version of ‘cheers’. “I like that in a driver.”

  Lucas touches his chip to hers and shakes his head. “You, I’m a little bit afraid of.”

  “Good thing,” she grins. “You’d be stupid not to be, I think.”

  “I’m actually pretty excited about this,” Nadia adds some positivity to the conversation. “It’s been a while since we’ve brought friends home to Mom and Dad, and I think this is going to make for some pretty sweet memories.”

  “I’m already planning the mix I’m going to make,” I smile, scooping up some of the runaway cheese on my plate with one of my round tortilla chips.

  “You know, we aren’t really the healthiest lunch table I’ve ever seen,” Nadia sighs.

  “At least you tried,” I point to the apple slices that are in a bowl beside her huge plate of nachos. “That’s more than I can say for myself.”

  “Or for me,” Lucas’ mountain of nachos, complete with jalapeños and bacon bits, puts all of our smaller portions to shame.

  “Your poor children,” Charlotte shakes her head in mock disgust. “They’re gonna have such severe diabetes.”

  I stop smashing the chip between my teeth and glare at her.

  “I actually have really good genes,” Lucas grins, going along with it. “Both of my parents were always extremely healthy people, and my mother is Southern to the core. She puts at least one entire stick of butter in everything.”

  “Were?” Charlotte asks, not really thinking.

  “They’re both alive,” Lucas says quietly, “but my mom has been in a coma for a little while now.”

  “I’m sorry, Lucas,” Charlotte says, her voice gentle and remorseful. “I wouldn’t have asked.”

  Lucas smiles at her; his warm hazel eyes forgiving, as always. “Don’t be. She was perfectly healthy. But a car accident stole her from me.”

  I feel a huge spike of sadness exploding from Charlotte’s direction. It makes me feel like someone just took a sledgehammer to my ribcage.

  “That’s beyond horrible,” Charlotte’s voice is even quieter now. “I lost the love of my life in a car accident. He didn’t make it.”

  A hush falls over the four of us, and Lucas is about to speak up and – most likely – apologize for something that isn’t his fault, when Zahari sits down beside me and slaps her hands down on the table.

  “I don’t know why you all look depressed, but cut the crap. I have important news and I need someone to talk me out of it.”

  “No,” we all reply automatically.

  “You don’t even know what it is.” She rolls her eyes.

  Nadia holds two fingers to her temple, like she’s doing a magic trick. “You’re going home with Jonathan for Thanksgiving because you found out he actually lives really close to you.”

  “Stay out of my head!” Zahari frowns, crossing her arms.

  “Well, then, stop being so transparent,” Nadia counters, unrepentant.

  “Both of you cut it out,” I smack my hand down on the table in between them, rattling silverware and plastic glasses. “Zahari, you like Jonathan, and you have for months now. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  “That is putting way too much of a damper on it, honey,” Zahari laughs. “How about… nothing you wouldn’t do before marriage? Unless kissing is on that list…”

  Nadia sticks up for me right away. “Zahari, no one likes a smartass.”

  “No one likes a snoop, either, but that doesn’t stop you, does it, sweetheart?” Zahari’s voice is a lot more defensive than it should be.

  “Relax, Z,” I elbow her. “You two love each other, remember?”

  “Sometimes,” they both say in unison, and then laugh.

  “Exactly,” I eat another nacho.

  Lucas changes the subject, swiftly and skillfully. “So, how are we doing this? Are we going to leave Tuesday or Wednesday morning?”

  “If we leave Tuesday, we’ll have more time at home,” I say with mouth full of chewed-up nachos – so attractive.

  “We also might have a better chance at beating traffic that way,” Nadia adds, nodding her approval.

  “I don’t care when we leave, as long as I have time to pack beforehand,” Charlotte shrugs.

  “Who is interested in driving? Because, I can drive the whole way if no one else wants to,” Lucas offers.

  “I definitely want to,” Nadia smiles. “I love the drive home.”

  “I have zero interest in being behind the wheel,” Charlotte shakes her head. “So, count me out for this one.”

  “I hate driving on highways,” I shudder. “Count me out, too, if that’s okay.”

  “It’s fine,” Nadia and Lucas both assure me.

  “Well, good.” I laugh. “You all would be terrified of me driving somewhere I’m unfamiliar with anyway.”

  “I am so stoked for this trip,” Charlotte bobs her head, as if she can hear the music playing through Lucas’ truck speakers already.

  “And don’t forget,” Lucas grins, “y’all are allowed to ride in the truck bed ‘round these parts.”

  “Oh, my goshhhh, I had totally forgotten about that!” My eyes get huge, like a little kid who just got told they were allowed to have cookies for dinner. “That’s seriously one of my favorite pastimes.”

  “Mine too,” Lucas’ grin doesn’t fade. “I might entrust Nadia to take the wheel first, just so I can enjoy the back roads of North Carolina.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be warm enough,” I shrug. “It’ll be colder at home.”

  “Home,” Nadia sighs. “It’s such a beautiful word, isn’t it?”

  “It really is,” I smile. “Though, I feel like this is my home now, too. Does that sound weird?”

  “No,” Charlotte shakes her head. “I agree. This feels more like home to me than my house ever did.”

  “Okay, I know I’ve been quiet, but am I missing something here? I thought you and Nadia were flying home on Wednesday, girl,” Zahari interrupts, looking at me.

  “Plans changed,” I explain. “Charlotte’s parents are going on a cruise, so she’s coming home with us. And Mom insisted that we bring Lucas because she didn’t want three girls traveling alone.”

  “Yeah right,” Zahari laughs. “Your mama just wants to make sure you haven’t become a lesbian while you’re in the back woods of America with limited supervision.”

  “And Georgia is also being nice,” Charlotte interjects. “I invited myself to their house.”

  “That doesn’t matter, I’ve done it before,” Zahari grins. “I came home with them for their twenty-first birthday. It was goooood tiiiiimes. Their family is amazing.”

  “See, I knew I had nothing to worry about,” Lucas punches me lightly in the arm.

  “Oh, honey, of course you do,” Zahari sneers. “I’m Georgia’s best friend. I’m not a man. I didn’t get no shotgun glares from her Daddy while I was there.”

  “I’m prepared for shotgun glares and propriety speeches,” Lucas smiles. “In fact, I hope her dad loves her enough to protect her from men he doesn’t know. That says something about a man’s character. If he didn’t want to kick my ass, I’d worry for her.”

  “Wow, Georgia,” Zahari elbows me. “You have yourself a noble gentleman right here, right now.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I agree with her, grinning sheepishly.

  “Well, baby, if you’re not afraid of her huge, gun-toting, Bible-believing daddy, this should actually be a fun trip.” Zahari reaches behind and around me, and pats Lucas on the shoulder.

  “That’s what I’m hoping for,” Lucas smiles, but he isn’t looking at beyond-gorgeous Zahari.

  He’s only looking at me.

   

  • 11:29 pm
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