Unsound: A Horizons Book (12 page)

I reached for the glass of wine and downed it in one. As the wine slid down to my belly, I relaxed. I managed to quickly smooth a layer of gloss on my lips and spritz perfume while running towards the door.

“Hey there,” I said with a smile as I opened it for Jeff.

He stood there, in a pair of jeans and a flannel button up, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His eyes widened and a grin broke out over his face.

“Hey, you look beautiful,” he told me quietly, before handing me a bouquet of sunflowers, “these are for you.”

“Thank you,” I said for the flowers and the compliment, which caused a blush to rush to my face.

Jeff

“Wow it smells incredible in here,” I said, following Lena into the kitchen.

“Good, I hope you’re hungry,” Lena said, reaching for a vase above the fridge. I know I should have helped, but I just watched as her shirt lifted, showing a few inches of tan skin. My mouth watered.

“I am,” I said quietly, as Lena turned to face me, vase in hand. I couldn’t tell if she could read my face, but assumed she could when her blush deepened before she hurried to the sink.

“I have a bottle of white open, if you’d like a glass of that, or I have beer in the fridge,” she offered as she cut the ends of the flowers.

“Oh,” I started, her offer sobering me more than I already was, “you know, I’m good with water for now. I have to drive back and all.”

“Of course, sorry, I should have thought about that. I have soda also in the fridge, just help yourself to anything,” she handed me a tall glass and motioned towards the fridge. I helped myself to ice and water, noticing Lena putting the cork back in the white.

“Feel free to have a glass,” I told her, “just because I’m not having one. I don’t mind.”  Which in theory was true. I wanted her to be comfortable and relaxed tonight. She didn’t have to know about my drinking problem tonight, nor did she have to feel like she couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine around me.

“You sure?” she asked, looking at me leaning against her counter. I nodded and she poured.

After she encouraged me to sit at the already set table, Lena served dinner and the date continued. We were both immediately comfortable. Conversation flowed easily from topic to topic.  While I described my travels through Asia, Europe and South America, Lena told me about growing up locally, what it was like to always live in this bubble. We had barely touched on work, which although we both loved, we were both glad to take a break from.

After clearing the dishes, Lena asked if I wanted to watch TV. After flipping through the channels, we agreed to stop on an
I Love Lucy
marathon. The first episode was uncomfortable. All the ease from dinner disappeared as we sat side by side, barely touching, but inching closer every commercial break. 

Finally, as the credits rolled, I slipped my arm around the back of the couch, nudging Lena closer into my side. As Lena snuggled up against me, I dropped my arm to her shoulders, rubbing the back of her neck and stroking her hair. I was immediately comfortable and content like I had never been on a first date.

lena

I didn’t know how long I had been asleep against Jeff, but I woke up in his arms as he carried me to bed.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” I mumbled into his chest, eyes still closed.

“It’s okay Lena, there’s nothing to be sorry for,” he soothed me. I felt my body eased onto the bed. Jeff leaned over me for a moment, before pulling up and away. I reached up and grabbed his arm, his face shot back to mine, finding my eyes wide open and awake.

We looked at each other for a moment and I sat up on my comforter, inching closer to Jeff. My eyes dilated as I looked at his lips, and that was the only cue Jeff needed. He kneeled back on the bed and brought his hand around to cradle my neck as he pulled me in for a kiss.

We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, until the kiss took over and we both shut our eyes, allowing our other senses to take over. Jeff sealed his mouth against mine as he slipped his tongue into my mouth. A moan escaped his throat as I reached for his face, pulling him closer to me.

After a minute, Jeff pulled back, causing me to open my eyes again, “wow,” I said softly, touching my lips. Jeff smiled and kissed me gently on the forehead.

“Goodnight, Sweet Lena,” he whispered against my forehead. When he backed up, he saw the pout on my lips and a look of insecurity flash across my face. He leaned down and kissed my lips again, taking the pout away.

“Trust me; it’s going to be hard not to maul you in front of the kids tomorrow. I just need to set a good example. Don’t want them seeing me come back to campus too late… the hypocrite that I am and all.”

I laughed as relief flooded me, “okay, Mister Principal. I understand.” 

I moved to get up and walk him to the door, but Jeff stopped me.

“Stay in bed, Lena. I’ll lock the door on my way out. But if you walk me to that door, it’s going to be even harder for me to leave.”

I just looked at him and batted my eyelashes as I nodded, “see you tomorrow, Jeff.”

“I can’t wait. Sweet dreams, Sweet Lena,” and with a smile that melted my heart, he left my house, and I slipped into dreamland.

Julie

After I walked away from Jon, I saw Chris behind a tree, smoking, “I thought you were going out to cause mayhem,” I commented walking around the tree.

“I’m thinking. The whole process takes a lot of thought and planning first. Why? You have an idea?” Chris asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me. I gave him points for not startling at my sudden appearance.

“Well, no,” I said, “but I’m offering myself to you. I wanna help.”

“Why?” Chris asked, one eyebrow still raised.

“I don’t know… I’m bored. And feeling mischievous.”
And want to forget how guilty I feel
, I added in my head.

Chris offered me a cigarette, which I happily took. He looked me up and down as I lit up, “you’re hot,” he said in a matter of fact tone.

“Uh… okay?” I started, “What am I supposed to say to that?”

“Thanks?” he replied, sarcastically.

“You’re a smartass,” I felt a smirk play on my lips.

“That’s what my mother tells me,” he joked proudly as I laughed, “So… is there any way I could reap some benefits with that hot bod of yours while we’re stuck up here… you know, some innocent fun?”

“Wow,” I said studying his face.
He is one cocky son of a bitch. A very handsome, cocky, son of a bitch.

“Sorry, is that crossing the line?” Chris asked. I didn’t hear concern in his voice, it sounded more like disappointment.

“I’ll think about it,” I said, rolling my eyes. Truthfully, I wasn’t offended; I was almost relieved to have someone actually attracted to me. It wasn’t Jon, but someone was better than no one.

The two of us continued smoking, looking each other over in a comfortable and somewhat humorous silence. Chris flicked his away, before reaching for mine and doing the same as he pulled me close to him. His confidence caused me to kiss him back when he put his lips on mine. He was fun to kiss—skilled and playful. I could tell he was a playboy.

I let him pull my hips against his and let him slide his hands up my shirt and over my breasts. It was all meaningless fun.
What was the harm?

Headlights pulled up the main drive, and I knew it was Jeff back from his date. I pulled away from Chris, headed back to the cabin and went to bed with swollen lips. But it was Jon that swam through my mind as I drifted to sleep.

JONATHAN

After tossing and turning all night, I knew breakfast would be interesting. Stewing on the situation overnight definitely ignited my anger.

Everyone got food and sat at the Mountain Climbers table. Marie was on the end next to Anthony, moving food around on her plate. I sat at the other end of the table, making sure to face them. It was a little sadistic, but I wanted to watch them. Directly opposite me were Chris and Julie. The rest fell somewhere on the bench next to me.

I honestly didn't know what was more distracting. Marie stealing glances at Anthony and his little smile that had yet to evaporate from his face or the looks Chris was stealing at Julie. Julie was skillfully avoiding Chris's gaze. Come to think of it and he made it a point to sit next to her.

Okay, that’s definitely more distracting.
He got here last night and he's already making a move on my
, I stopped my train of thought.
My? Where did that come from?

"You okay, Sparky?" Julie's voice brought me back to the cafeteria. I looked up to see her grey eyes focused on mine. She glanced nervously down the table then back to me, leaning in, "you're not mad at what I told you, are you?" she asked quietly.

I looked down at the breakfast I hardly ate. I didn't have an appetite. Julie seemed guilty and nervous that I was mad at her.
But wasn't it her intention to tell me about Marie and Tony?
Her game, whatever it was, pissed me off.

I ignored her question. I was tired, cranky and didn't want to deal with this crap. I couldn't believe how blind I was. Looking down at Marie and Tony, it was obvious. I just hadn't bothered to look since I didn't ultimately care.

After breakfast, we headed to class. I sat in the back row like usual and watched the others. They all looked bored. Jay was yawning, Mindy seemed to be listening but hadn't even opened her notebook and her eyelids drooped closed every now and again, Tony was taking the occasional note, but then would look over at Marie and smile, missing a few seconds of the lesson each time. Marie was taking notes, no, she was doodling; most likely Tony's name with little hearts. I smirked at that before remembering I was supposed to be mad. Then I looked over at Julie.

Her pen was poised over her notebook, and she was actually taking in what the teacher was saying and actually scribbling down notes. I don't know why I found myself surprised that she cared. She bit her lip in concentration and there went mine. I couldn't keep my eyes off her the rest of class.

When class ended I saw Chris slip her a folded note. She opened it warily, lips pursed, and then… she smiled at him.
God that's a sexy smile. Why is she smiling at him like that? Did her cheeks just get pink? Did he make her blush?

The familiar anger started in my chest, but it was lessened by a heaviness in my gut. I ignored the sinking, icy feeling and concentrated on the anger. That was easier to control.

We had a break before the next class and I needed some alone time. I picked up my notebook and went for a walk, ending up in the tool shed where our hiking equipment was kept. I figured no one would have a need to come in there.

Just my luck that forty-five minutes later, Marie came into the tool shed to get her headphones out of her backpack. Her breath caught when she saw me sitting on an overturned milk crate, looking at the dirty floor.

Julie

“So, what’s the plan, Stan?” I asked as I lit a cigarette. I had met up with Chris after class as his note asked. Chris was clever, I appreciated that. There wasn’t a lot of clever up here. His note was clever and sweet and sure a bit naughty too. I accepted that he was not Jon, but the kid intrigued me nonetheless.

He leaned against a tree and snagged my cigarette for a quick pull.

“Well I was thinking,” Chris started.

“I have a feeling that whenever I hear you say those words from here on out… a bad plan is going to follow,” I quipped, lighting another cigarette so Chris could keep mine.

Chris raised an eyebrow and laughed, “You’re probably not wrong,” he admitted.

“Ok, so… I was thinking…” he paused and wriggled his eyebrows for affect, “there has to be something here. I mean, when cops confiscate drugs or money, they keep all the evidence in the evidence room, right?”

Chris paused again for affect and looked at me, wriggling his eyebrows more.

I giggled before I took another drag of my cigarette, “I see where you’re going with this and all but, I don’t know if your theory would stand up here.”

“Isn’t it worth a try? Jeff was out past curfew the other night, I have a feeling he’s going to have another hot date soon,” Chris commented.

“And you want to what? Break and enter to get your hands on… what exactly?” I asked, sarcasm dripping into my curiosity. I wasn’t one to break the rules and I was worried about my recent detox and never wanted to experience that feeling again.

“I just want to browse,” Chris said with his hands up in an innocent expression.

“Cute,” I responded with an eye roll.

“Oh, I know,” Chris joked with a sigh, then he laughed, flashing me a big smile. Chris ran his hand over his buzzed head and I thought he looked uncomfortable.

“I’m not really here for a drug issue or anything like that,” he said sheepishly, “it was more of a way to get me to stop acting up in class.”

“Oh?” I responded, feeling my mouth open in a comical O. I wasn’t sure why I found it so surprising. Probably because I couldn’t imagine being in rehab for non-rehab purposes.