Ignite (2 page)

April 13, 2006

Zeke

“What, so you're not going?”

“No!” she whines. “I don't know why you even care, Zeke! You have ninety thousand other people who are going. You won't even notice I'm not there,” she says, playing with a strand of her long, blonde hair as she positions it over her lip like a mustache. “Check it out.”

“Yes, I will, Addie,” I argue, holding out the new package of Twizzlers and offering her one. “You're my best friend. Of course I'm gonna notice. Plus, you promised you'd go.”

“Well, I know I did, but I have to study for finals. I'm not supposed to be there anyway. It's junior prom and I'm a sophomore.”

“You can go if your date is a junior.”

“I don't have a date, Zeke!”

“Well, what the hell am I?”

“Rachel Faulkner's date!”

“Don't have to be,” I shrug. “I'll just tell her I'm taking you instead.”

“No!” she groans from her spot beside me on her roof. “I don't even want to go.”

“Well, tough shit,” I argue, laughing at her dramatic eye roll. “We both know you won't go to yours and you have to go to prom so I'm taking you to mine.”

“You're totally going to regret this when you get older,” she huffs, shaking her head and leaning against the chimney as she tugs the end of the Twizzler between her teeth.

“Why?”

“Because Rachel Faulkner will probably let you feel her up.”

“Meh,” I shrug. “I can touch boobs later. I'm not ready for that kind of pressure right now anyway.”

“Yeah right,” she snorts. “Like you'd pass up touching boob.”

“Well, I didn't say I'd pass it up,” I chuckle. “Just that it's a lot of pressure. Besides, I'm not sure that's all she'd want to do. I'm definitely not ready for
that
yet, ya know?”

“What the hell are you asking me for? I've never even kissed a boy, let alone let one grope my boobs. I think it's obvious I'm not ready for
that
.”

Taking in her even expression, I stare at her in disbelief for a moment before I call her out.

“You have so kissed a guy!”

“Who? When?” she asks around the candy hanging from her lips.

“I don't know,” I laugh. “But you're fourteen years old. You have to have been kissed by now.”

“Me being fourteen doesn't mean anything, Zeke,” she deadpans. “I only hang out with you and Mollie. Hey! I bet she'd-”
 

“No,” I cut her off. “I don't want to go with Mollie!”

“Why not?”

“Because she
will
want me to grope her boobs,” I shudder as I lean back on my elbows and look up at her. “And when we played spin the bottle that one time in her garage and I kissed her? All teeth.”

While everything I'd said about Mollie was undeniable, the truth was, she seriously got on my nerves. I'd never say as much because I knew she was Addie’s only other friend, but she's not a nice person. Not only did I hate the idea of Addie not coming with me, I'd never in a million years want to spend that much time with Mollie.

“Well, I'm not going to be the only prude at your prom, Zeke. You're just gonna have to grope Rachel or find someone else.”

“That's why you won't go?” I ask, unable to conceal the amusement as I sit up and face her. “Because you think you're a prude?”

“I don't think I'm a prude, Zeke, I know it,” she declares, tossing the last of her Twizzler into her mouth. “And I don't care, but all the other girls in your little group know it, too,” she says, prompting a look of disbelief. “Girls talk, Zeke. I know y'all think locker room talk is exclusive to boys, but it's not. Every girl in our school knows I'm a prude and the girls in your group? They just love to tease me for it. I get teased enough as it is, we don't need to add more fuel to that fi-”

Before she can stop me, I grip the back of her neck and press my lips to hers, shutting her up. At first, she tenses up, but then she relaxes and starts to kiss me back. It's awkward and over almost as quickly as it started, but when she pulls away, touching her cherry flavored lips with her fingertips, I'm surprised to find I'm disappointed that it's over.

“There, you're not a prude anymore,” I manage, my voice low. “Will you please go with me now?”

“Ezekiel Anthony Turner!” she rails, smacking me hard on the arm. “I can't believe you just did that! You're such a... a... kiss... thief!”

“Don't be such a drama queen, Addie!” I smirk. “It was just a kiss.”

“Yeah, but it didn't belong to you, you jerk!”

“Well, who were you saving it for? Axl Rose?”

“Yes!” she shouts, making me laugh as she cuts her eyes at me before climbing off the roof.

“Where are you going?”

“Inside!” she yells from her spot at the edge of the roof. “I'm so mad at you!”

“It was for your own good, Addie!” I sigh, lowering myself down to her window just in time to watch her slam it shut in my face. “He has cornrows now. He's not the same guy you fell in love with.”

“It's just a phase!” she shouts through the window angrily. “He's finding himself as an artist!”

“What time do you want me to come and get you tomorrow?”

“Never!” she rails. “I'm not crashing prom with a kiss thief, Zeke!”

“Whatever,” I sigh, climbing down and walking to my house.

When I make it to my bedroom, I look out my window to see her curtains drawn shut. Pulling my walkie out from beneath my pillow, I stretch out over my blue comforter and hit the button and hold it to my mouth.

“You're being a really big baby, Addie,” I say. “It was just a kiss. It didn't even mean anything.”

“That's exactly what every girl wants to hear after she gets kissed,” she replies drily.

“Do you seriously think your precious Axl Rose would say anything better?”

“Axl is really misunderstood,” she sighs. “We've talked about this, Zeke.”

“Yeah, I know,” I smirk.

“It wouldn't kill you to take some of his advice,” she starts. “Maybe try a little
patience
.”

“You're right. I'm sorry.”

“He's very wise.”

“So you've said,” I smile. When several moments pass with no reply, I bring the walkie back to my lips. “So you're really not gonna go?”

When I hear 'Patience' by Guns N' Roses blaring from her bedroom, I can't help the grin that covers my face.

She doesn't come over to my house that night.

I never see her perched in her usual spot on the roof.

Right as I'm getting ready to fall asleep, I hear the walkie sound off beside my pillow.

“Pick me up at eight and bring Funyuns and Skittles.”

“Your breath's gonna stink.”

“Good,” she starts grumpily. “Maybe you'll keep your kiss thievin' lips to yourself.”

“Deal,” I laugh. “Goodnight Addie.”

“Night Zeke.”

June 3, 2010

Addie

“Addison? Honey, I'm about to leave,” my dad calls from the bottom of the stairs.

“Okay, Daddy!” I call back. “I'm comin'!”

As I bound down the stairs two at a time, I find his burly frame waiting for me.

“What the hell are you wearin' kid?”

Looking down, I take in the bright yellow crop top and cut off jean shorts. When I meet his eyes with question in my own, I laugh when I remember the fairy wings I'd put on an hour ago.

“Oh! I'm a fairy,” I giggle, spinning playfully and jumping from the second step, turning in time to see him shaking his head.

“Well, I guess your mother was right,” he sighs. “I'll never understand women.”

“Oh, what does she know anyway?” I smile, hiding the sadness that any mention of her inevitably brings up.

“Yeah,” he smirks, pushing a stray piece of my blonde hair out of my eyes. “What are you gonna do while I'm gone?”

“Zeke's coming home today,” I say excitedly. “I'm not sure what time he'll be here, but I'm probably just gonna hang out with him, do some dancin' and maybe clean up around here some.”

“Okay,” he smiles. “Will he be around when I get back?”

“Yep,” I grin. “He's staying all summer.”

“That's good, baby,” he nods. “Well, you be good and keep out of trouble. I'll see you when I get home, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, hugging him to my chest. “Be safe, I love you.”

“I love you, too, kitten.”

After I watch him climb into his rig, I dance into the kitchen to make myself some lunch, checking the clock incessantly and running to the window at any noise. Zeke didn't say what time he'd be in today, but I knew he'd left an hour ago which meant it wouldn't be much longer now.

I'd made it through my senior year relatively unscathed, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss Zeke like crazy. This was the first time we'd been apart for more than a day or two since I was seven.

When he told me he'd be going to A&M on a football scholarship, I couldn't have been more excited for him. He was getting to live his dream of playing college football and for that, I was ecstatic for him. We'd kept in touch through email and phone calls, but it wasn't the same. Truth be told, I'd never realized how much I depended on him until he left.

After I eat, clean my room for the tenth time and twist my hair into Princess Leia buns, I realize there's no way I'm ever going to sit still. Turning my stereo on, I'm pleased to find my new love, Justin Timberlake, waiting for me to rock my body.

Zeke

“If you insist, Mr. Timberlake,” I see her smirk in the direction of the radio, tossing the remote onto the bed before she begins to move to the beat.

I haven't seen my best friend, Addie Greyson in close to a year. Truth be told, as fun as college was, I missed looking out this window to see her dancing in her room. Tossing my bags onto my bed, I can't help the grin that covers my face as I look at the bright purple wings she's wearing.

Some things never change.

As I take in the rest of her ensemble, I can't help but notice the differences in her body since the last time I saw her.

Some things do.

“Damn Addie,” I say as I watch her drop lower, shaking her ass.

Forcing my gaze away, I clear my head and make my way down the stairs.

“Zeke? You leavin' already?”

“I'm just gonna go see Addie,” I call back to my mom.

“Okay,” she says. “Well, I'm about to start supper. Be back here in an hour and bring her with you. That girl eats too much pizza when her daddy's gone. It can't be healthy.”

It doesn't look like it's hurting her any.

“Yes ma'am!” I call out, pulling the door shut as I admonish myself for my thoughts. “She's your best friend, perv. Get your shit together.”

Pulling myself up to the eave outside her window, I carefully push it open and silently

slide inside, taking a seat on her bed. When she stands upright, brushing the sweat from her brow, she turns to find me fiddling with the Homer Simpson Rubix cube we'd never been able to figure out.

“You really need to start lockin' this window, Addie.”

“Zeke!” she shrieks, instantly bringing a smile to my face as she crashes against me, squeezing me tightly. “You're here!”

“Did you miss me or something?” I chuckle.

“Nope,” she grins, raising up to look down at where I'm now lying across her bed and she's straddling me. “Didn't miss you at all. Did you miss me?”

“Hell no,” I lie, smiling widely. “Best ten months of my life.”

“You're such a liar,” she laughs, freeing me and sitting beside me on the bed. “I know you cried yourself to sleep every night.”

“Who told you?” I roll my eyes.

“No one had to tell me. I just instinctively knew,” she chuckles. “How long were you watching me?”

“Just a minute,” I admit, sitting up next to her. “Mom wants you to come for supper.”

“Okay,” she smiles. “She's not making meatloaf, is she?”

“I don't know,” I chuckle. “Want me to ask?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “I've got some money. If she makes meatloaf, we can order a pizza.”

“Sweet,” I laugh. “So whatcha been doin'?”

“Nothing,” she shrugs. “Just hanging out. I was gonna get a job, but my dad asked me not to since I'm leaving in a couple months for school.”

“Well, good,” I tell her. “We can hang out while I'm home, then.”

“Yep,” she smiles, her hazel eyes holding mine before she lets out a squeal and grips me tightly again. “I'm so glad you're home.”

“I know,” I say with a soft smirk as I squeeze her back. “I'm glad, too.”

Addie

After dinner at Zeke's, we go up to his room to play a video game before I head home for the night. I'm lying in bed, staring up at the stars and clear Christmas lights that are plugged in above my head when I hear the walkie sound off beneath my pillow. As I pull it from its place, I feel the smile creeping over my face.

“Are you sleeping?” he asks, his voice hushed.

“No,” I smile. “Are you?”

“Yep,” he chuckles. “What are you doing?”

“Laying here, looking at stars,” I yawn. “What are you doing?”

“Nothin',” he says. “Can't sleep.”

“Me either,” I admit. “Wanna come over?”

“Sure,” he whispers. “Meet you on the roof?”

“Okay.”

Getting out of bed, I pull a pair of shorts on and slide the window open, hoisting myself onto the eave. By the time I get up there, I'm surprised to see him already there waiting for me.

“Hey,” I smile. “That was super fast.”

“I may have already been here,” he admits, reaching for my hand to help me up. “You were in the shower and I thought you might be tired, so I didn't want to bug you.”

“So you waited to give me enough time to fall asleep?” I snort.

“Yeah,” he stretches out before glancing up at me and laughing. “I'm thoughtful like that.”

“You okay?” I ask as I stretch out next to him.

“Yeah,” he nods. “Just thinking about stuff.”

“Like what?”

“It's weird to be home again, you know?”

“Not really,” I confess, looking over at him with a grin. “But I can imagine.”

“When I first got out there, I was crazy homesick. Sometimes, I'd climb the fire escape and get on the roof to look at the stars at night, but it wasn't the same,” he starts quietly. “I thought it was stupid because they're the same stars, ya know?” he glances over to see me nodding silently. “But they're not. The stars there suck.”

“How can stars suck?” I ask with a smirk.

“I blame you,” he says, nudging my knee with his own playfully. “Before I moved in next door, I never even looked at the stars.”

“You were eight.”

“Technicality.”

“You wanna know what I think it is?”

“Hmm?”

“I think you missed me,” I say quietly as I lean my head against his outstretched arm.

“Meh,” he says, a soft smirk covering his lips as he squeezes me around the shoulders. “Maybe a little.”