Atoning (Darkness Rising 3.1)

"If we need that, I'm perfectly capable of getting it myself."

"Of course you are."

"And we don't need it," Maya said. We aren't having sex. We're just sleeping together."

"You realize you aren't actually supposed to tell me that, right?"

"Did I mention the honesty thing? And now you don't have to worry about telling Antone you let his kid get knocked up. Or telling my dad. I'm not sure which would be worse."

"Your mom."

"True. Oh, but we do need you to hit the beer store. We'd like a six pack."

He sighed.

"Would you rather I asked for a bottle of vodka and some weed?"

He shook his head and went to put up his own tent.

Maya took off to fill the water containers with Moreno. I was sitting on top of the picnic table, studying. I hid my work as soon as I heard the truck coming. My plan to get into college early isn't one I share with Derek. I mentioned the idea once, just an offhand comment, and he kiboshed it. I could have argued, but if I had, then it would have been obvious it had been more than an offhand remark.

I've asked my tutors to keep my advanced studies a secret, just in case I don't manage it, and I do as much of the work on the sly as I can. Maya knows, and she swears keeping it from Derek is a really bad idea. I tell myself she just doesn't understand, which is crap, but I'm determined to do this for him.

When the guys returned, I had the study pages stuffed into my novel before Daniel parked.

"Did everyone abandon you?" Daniel called as he got out.

"Luke's around. Maya and Moreno are fetching water."

"That way?" he said, pointing.

I nodded. He took off at a jog as Derek walked over to me. He glanced at my book. I clasped it shut, better hiding the study pages.

"How far are you?" he said.

"Not far." I stuffed it into my jacket pocket.

"Been working on that one for a while," he said.

I shrugged. "It's not really grabbing me. I'll find another." I caught the front of his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. "We probably have time for a walk before--"

His stomach growled.

"And that answers my question," I said. "We should get everyone moving for dinner."

He pulled a granola bar from his pocket, opened it and waved to the nearby path. I grinned, hopped down, took his free hand and led him toward the forest.

Dinner eaten. Shopping list conquered. Time for a movie. That part was for me. While the others enjoy movies, I'm the one who's crazy about them. Or I used to be.

I guess you'd still say I'm a film buff, but not like I used to be. For one thing, I don't have the opportunity to get out and watch many movies, and we don't get cable at Badger Lake. But to be honest, it's mostly inclination. I used to lose myself in movies to forget the crappier parts of my life, like the constant moving that kept me from making real friends. I don't need that now. My entertainment these days comes more from books--which we can get a lot more easily--and from just getting out and doing stuff. But that doesn't mean I've abandoned that first love, and if we're in a town with a cinema, Derek makes sure I get a movie.

We were at a repertory house watching Iron Man, which I'd missed when it came out last year. Partway through the film, I ducked out for a bathroom break. Moreno and Luke were in a separate theatre. Moreno said they were seeing some comedy, but Maya swore they ducked into Twilight. She planned to be waiting at the exit with her camera for blackmail fodder.

I was washing my hands when a girl came into the restroom for a quick check in the full-length mirror behind me. Through my mirror, I caught a glimpse of dark curls. Familiar dark curls. Of course it couldn't be Rae, but I still stepped to the side to get a better angle, see her face and--

I froze, my hands dripping suds and water as the girl walked out of the restroom. It took three seconds before my legs would work, and then I was bolting out, wiping my hands on my jeans.

I made it to the foyer just in time to see her walking out the front doors.