CHAPTER 10

Friends. I really didn’t have many at my school. It worked for me though, because in just six months, school will be done. Then, I will graduate. I thought that returning to the school I’d gone to since 9th grade would allow me to step into the life I had before. Boy was I mistaken. It was actually worse, in so many ways. It made me take a hard look at the ‘fake’ reality I’d lived. The friends I thought really cared about me, rolled their eyes at me now. The boys I’d dated, barely nodded a hello in my direction. The only constant had been my teachers; they were still impressed by my grades – even more so now that it seemed the entire school knew my family’s drama.

It had bothered me at first. I’d had a good cry about it. Then I’d started thinking about Tristan and feeling sorry for myself all over for being made to feel like a stupid, desperate girl. Pathetic I know, but I got over it and vowed not to be so gullible ever again.

After that night of tears, yelling at myself in the mirror to suck it up, I’d attended school and just ignored the whispers, the snickers and everyone. I showed up, did my work, and left.

Lucky for me, I was able to get out of my one and only class early today. Thanks to me begging my mom to write me a note for an excuse. I convinced my mother, by telling her I could go to the Community College to apply for classes and ask about financial aid. I’d already talked to the counselor and went home to change.

The walk from my house to the bus stop wasn’t too bad this afternoon. It was the same street I took to get to school.

Walking to school sometimes could be a hassle since I had to run to catch to the city bus in everyday to get to work on time.

I was practically running as the bus drove up, stopped for a brief second and drove off.

“Dang!” the bus driver knew I caught this bus everyday. He had to see me running. I sighed, and gazed down at my feet. There was no reason to hurry now. I would be late for work.

I pulled my hat down over my ears, squinting at the car sitting at the bus stop. It couldn’t be. Shouldn’t be.

But it was – Tristan’s car.

I slowed my walk a bit, trying to get myself in the zone to keep up the distance between us. My cellphone vibrated.

I pulled it from my pocket.

Need a ride? His text seduced me into thoughts of him, the last kiss. It broke my heart when I hadn’t gotten a text from him in a few weeks. I knew I asked for some space. Heck, even deserved some. But deep inside, I wanted him then—still, even now.

I glanced up at his car, which inched closer. He parked, rolled down his window, and smiled.

“Hey,” I said, my voice coming out barely above a whisper.

“Hi. I can drop you off at work if you want.” Tristan got out.

I nodded, unable to say a word as I’d just been daydreaming about him.

Tristan rushed to my side to open the door. It happened so fast I just stood there with my mouth open.

“Sure.” I slid into the warm interior. Patiently, I waited for him to get back in.

Tristan got comfortable in the driver’s seat, buckled in, and grasped my hand. “You’re freezing. You want to borrow my gloves?”

I swallowed, my heart beat rapidly in my chest at his sincere words of concern. “That’ll be nice. I don’t have any. It’s the last thing I thought to buy for myself.” I babbled on, just wanting to say something but not able to control my words.

Tristan started the car. He never released my hand, but teased my palm with his thumb. It drove me crazy and sent tingles up my arm.

I’d missed him, his way of just letting me talk, or say nothing at all. We’d done that a lot when I’d worked with him in the shop. My fingers squeezed his hands tighter, wanting the warmth of them.

I trained my eyes on the window. “Don’t you have school?” For him to know where I took the bus and where I was that morning, he must’ve asked Phoebe – the traitor.

“No, I’m taking my English in an online class. School and me don’t get along, so I’ll be finished in two weeks. No graduation, but I get my diploma.”

Tristan lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. It gave me tingles.

“Why not? I thought you were doing well and had a lot of friends there,” Tristan asked.

At least that’s what I’d assumed. Tristan never really talked much about school when I worked with him.

“That’s Tatum’s domain. He’s the ‘star’ guy there. Remember, up until two years ago, me and the vice principal were on a first name basis. He didn’t understand me and I hated him.”

“Yeah, so what are you going to do when you get your diploma?” I still didn’t’ know what will happen to me when I graduate, he may not either. My hope was that I’d get approved for financial aid, but if I didn’t, I couldn’t afford college.

“Technical training school, I start in January and it runs for one year. It’s called Year-To Get-Up. They pay you to go, train you, and help you network. It’s a free program my counselor told me about. You have to test into the program. After that, I’ll go to work. I plan to keep my side business fixing and refurbishing computers.” He turned the wheel and released my hand.

Regretfully, I placed my hands in his offered gloves on the seat, wishing I had a good reason to allow him to hold them again.

“That sounds like a better plan than I have.”

“What you got so far?”

I shrugged. “Nothing different really. Just graduate, get full time hours at the store, and start Community College – if I get the money for it. I’d thought about signing up for the military, but my mom had a fit.”

“I’m glad you didn’t stick with that idea. That would mean you’d leave.”

“So you’d miss me?” I flirted. I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help myself.

“I already do – and you’re still in the same city.” He pulled the car in front of my job, parked in the front row and turned towards me – catching me staring at him.

“Well…thanks for the ride,” I mumbled and reached for the door.

Tristan grasped my wrist, staying me. “I’d really like to kiss you.”

I cleared my throat. “We’re just friends, remember? It can’t be any other way.”

“I won’t hurt you like that again. I swear.” He sighed. “But I understand. Can I pick you up?”

I was glad he gave me a reprieve from my insatiable desire to have his lips touch mine.

“Yeah, please.” I rushed out of the car, afraid to look back, because I’d probably give in to his request.

***

The hours dragged by at work until finally, Phoebe came in. She cornered me in the back of the store where I was restocking the shelves with new air fresheners.

“So, did someone pick you up today?” She grinned and rubbed her hands together.

I narrowed my eyes at my best friend, meddling cupid wannabe. “Maybe. I wouldn’t know, I caught the bus.” That’ll teach her.

Phoebe had the nerve to look disappointed. “You what? How? You’re always late for that stupid bus, especially on Mondays.” She crossed her arms.

Pointing at her, I said, “I know you tried to set me up by telling Tristan to meet me.”

She didn’t even have the ability to play it off, Phoebe just grinned at me. “So. He’s nice. And you’ve been pitiful the last few weeks.”

I shook my head. “He and his brother played the twin switch game on me. That’s not nice!” Why do I have to remind her of these things? She usually was so hard-nosed about people.

“Not any more. His brother told me.” Phoebe took her time pulling a piece of gum from her pocket and stuffing it in her mouth.

I stood up. “You talked to Tatum? Stay away from him. He’s a dog, man-wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Phoebe tsked me. “I know girl, but dahng! He’s a looker. I think he’s the hotter twin. Definitely, the hot one. But I’ve got a man, and pretty boys aren’t my type.”

“Mine either.” I placed my hand on my hip. “I’m trying to keep my distance. You know - get ‘closure’ like you told me to do.”

“I, uh, may have been too hard on him. Them.” Phoebe shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like you’re dating anyone else. Gosh, or even have any more friends besides me.”

I smacked my teeth. “So now I’m desperate for a friend. And to make me feel better you’re throwing Tristan – the two-faced twin liar – at me?”

“Oh c’mon, haven’t you ever needed forgiveness? I’m not telling you to give a habitual cheater and liar a chance. He’s just a guy who made a mistake. Stop being so hard on him.”

“What? Me. I’m the problem?” I pointed at myself, frowning at her. “I did nothing but give him honesty from the start.”

Phoebe came closer. “Really? So did you tell him when you first met that you were homeless?”

I gulped. “That’s not something you blurt out to a guy.”

“Uh-ha! Did you tell him that you have daddy issues?”

I shook my head. “I don’t have daddy issues.”

Phoebe lifted an eyebrow at me and leaned in. “You do. Tristan’s not your daddy. He’s not going to lie to you and treat you like crap because of his mistakes. Your father is not Tristan. Now if you said you were dating Tatum, I’d be ready to scream to the rafters that he’s a dog-hog. But Tristan’s the sweet one.”

I sighed. “Well, thank you for the advice. And meddling.”

She smiled. “So what happened?”

“You are so nosey. I’m not telling.” I placed the last of the items on the shelves as Phoebe made kissing noises near my ear.

“You kissed him?”

I twisted around. “No.” I snatched up the box to flatten it.

“He kissed you?”

I shook my head. “He asked if he could. I said no.”

The manager called Phoebe’s name.

“Next time – do it!” Phoebe hugged me, and ran off.

The sad thing was, I wanted to. I really wanted to.