Sweetness (Bold As Love 1)

“Okay, so where did we leave off?” I asked. Quietly, she answered and pointed to the current question. “Do you always talk so quietly?” I asked.

Her head shot up and, for the first time, she looked into my eyes as if she was trying to find a hidden meaning behind my curious question. It was as if she realized that she was looking at me because she quickly looked back down. “Yes,” she said. She began talking about our assignment, but I zoned out.

“Why?” I asked, interrupting her. Again, she looked up. Then it was gone, as if it never happened. She ignored me and continued where she left off.

An hour and twenty minutes later, I glanced up to see we had five minutes left. “How about we go ahead and stop for today?” I asked. Emily nodded and began to gather her things. “You know we have to finish it outside of school, right?” She seemed to freeze at my words. The expression on her face was one of total terror. Wanting to stay away from my dad, I offered to meet at the library or her house. While she thought about the options, I added that my little brother would be with me. Her features seemed to soften at the mention of him.

“My house would be better,” she said. “That way he can watch TV so that he doesn’t get bored.”

With the decision made, I asked yet another question. “Do you always walk home?” She nodded. “I can take you home today. Then I’ll know how to get to your house.” She seemed on the verge of denying my offer. “I’m horrible with directions, even the simplest. It’ll be easier for me,” I said as my last attempt to get her to say yes.

I looked up at the clock. One minute left. Faintly I heard, “Okay.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you at your locker.” She nodded and seemed to find something interesting on her desk. The bell rang loud and clear and she bolted out of the room. What was up with that girl?

I gathered my bag and headed to my locker. Claire was once again waiting. I tried my best not to let out a sigh. The girl just would not give up.

“Could you give me a ride home today, Jake?”

“Sorry, Claire. I already have an extra run to make. Todd probably could,” I said making the offer for him. I knew he wouldn't mind.

Claire did not seem to like that answer. “Are you sure?”

“Yep. Look, Claire, I gotta go. Later,” I told her as I walked towards where I saw Emily putting the lock on her locker. “Ready?” I asked.

She jumped at my voice. “Sorry,” I muttered.

“I’m ready,” she said quietly, putting her bag on her left shoulder. Automatically, I placed my hand on her lower back to guide her outside to my car. She flinched at my touch so I quickly removed my hand.

“Sorry,” I offered once again.

Was she being abused? Was that why she was quiet and why she flinched from unexpected touches and jumped from sudden noises? I then noticed that she was wearing a white, short sleeved t-shirt and blue jean shorts. If she were being physically abused, she would cover up more to hide the bruises.

So what was going on with her? I pondered as we walked over to my ‘09 Mustang. I opened the door for her and she took her seat. I walked around and started the car. Silence filled the air as I headed in the direction I saw her walking towards yesterday.

“Turn left up here.” I follow her instructions and soon arrived at her house.

“I can come over Friday after practice if you want to work on the project then,” I said before she could escape. She nodded her head. In attempt to hear her voice I asked, “Is that a yes?”

She huffed and curtly said, “Yes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. For the third time today, she had surprised me. She once again looked at me. This time, she was glaring, which only had me laughing harder. She swiftly opened the car door and got out, walking quickly up the doorsteps. I pulled out of her driveway and headed to the elementary school, which was only five minutes down the road.

The line was dwindling and I took my place. Slowly, I made my way up to the breezeway where, among other kids, Drake was waiting. He broke into a grin when he saw me. He ran to the car and hopped in.

“How was your day?”

“Awesome! A man, Kaleb, came in and brought in a snake! It was so cool! I even got to hold it! We all did. You should’ve been there, Jake!” It felt good to see Drake so excited about something. He’d had a hard time with Mom’s death. Dad, of course, had taken it the worst.

“Well, your day definitely topped mine.” His grin seemed to grow wider.

“I can’t wait to tell the guys!” I laughed and ro

ughed up his hair. “Hey! You are going to keep the ladies away if you mess up my hair!” He yelled.

I laughed, “You know there aren’t any ‘ladies’ at the rink when we practice. Plus, if they found out you touched a snake, they wouldn’t come near you.” He seemed to be considering it while I drove back to the school.

Finally as I was parking, he spoke, “Well you better not tell any of them!” I laughed and assured him I wouldn’t. Drake was only seven and he loved to make girls laugh. It didn’t matter how old they are. If they were cute, he would flirt like crazy.