The Song #7
The bell rang and I shot up out of my chair. This place was making me go crazy. I ran to the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I whispered, “Get it together.” Other people filled the bathroom. One girl smiled at me while the others looked suspicious.
I sighed and walked back out to find Immy was waiting for me. My new friend didn’t say anything which was new. We made it to our next class before anyone else. Immy said, “So, this morning has been very dramatic. Which, admittedly, I love.” I snorted and started laughing.
Immy added, “Lisa was suspended. Well, it’s in school suspension. That’s just so interesting.” I frowned, “Why? That’s what should happen considering she assaulted someone.” Immy laughed, “Well, Emmett will handle things at home. That’s what usually happens around here.”
I asked, “Is Emmett her dad?” Immy smiled, “No, he’s Keaton’s older brother.” I was confused, “Then how could he have anything to do with Lisa?” Immy carefully said, “He’s her landlord and her family's boss.” It seems there was a lot unsaid there.
Well, it didn’t seem fair to take it out on her family, but she hit Keaton so screw her. Ok, that’s it it’s official; I’ve lost the farm. Everywhere Immy and I went people looked at me with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
I finally asked Immy, “Is it me or are people staring at us?” Immy offered, “You’re new.” I snorted, “That’s evasive. They are looking at me as if I did something wrong, they don’t like me, or like I’m fascinating.” Immy tried again, “You are really pretty.”
I sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to answer me directly. We walked around the corner together. I knew before the song started that Keaton was around because I could smell him. Like a crazy super sniffing weirdo.
Maybe this is why mom left Tennessee the last time, it made you crazy. I was fine in Nashville though. Keaton needed to cool it on the cologne. Well, maybe not considering it smelled so good. Who sells chocolate chip pancake cologne?
No one, Odette. It’s probably body wash or deodorant. That made more sense. I watched a girl walk up to him and ask him out. My whole face fell. Was it going to be like this all year? I could answer my own dang question. Of course it was.
Keaton’s new girlfriend must not go to this school, and everyone saw him and Lisa fighting this morning. This was going to be the longest semester ever. I heard Keaton agree to go only as friends with a big group. Just like that I was happy again.
I didn’t have to think about Keaton with that girl. God, I needed to get out of driving lessons. I felt this way after a brief encounter this morning. My emotions were all over the place. My period must be about to start. That’s what’s going on. Clearly. That must be it.
I was irregular, but my mom said it was nothing to be worried about. It was apparently normal to have four or fewer periods a year. Whatever. Maybe I was getting one early. That explained everything. I was fine, just hormonal.
Immy nudged me when the teacher asked me to introduce myself. UGH. It had been an entire day of this. Everyone knew my name by now. Someone in the back coughed, “Snitch!” Huh? I looked back surprised when the girl flipped me off.
Suddenly her chair knocked over. Immy loudly said, “Serves her right.” What the heck just happened? Did her desk have a wobbly leg? The girl flushed and picked her desk back up, then sat down saying nothing the rest of class.
When school ended Immy practically ran out of school with me.
I asked, “Where are we going?” Immy smiled answering, “We are going to your place.” Ok.
I asked, “What about driving lessons?” I’d been thinking of how to get out of it, but now the thought of not seeing Keaton made me want to cry. It was definitely my period.
Immy assured me, “We’ll get there.” We blew past Kenneth who looked like he wanted to ask me something. Immy sat me down on my bed saying, “Ok.” She opened her backpack and pulled out a ton of makeup. My friend quickly did a touch up on mine and then went into my closet.
Immy squealed, “This is perfect!” She came back out with a green plaid skirt that would come to my mid-thigh, a black belt, and off the shoulder long sleeve top. I gasped, “You want me to wear that?” Immy answered “Yes, now go change.”
I objected, “But…” Immy cut me off, “Nope, there will be no arguing with me on this. I’m dead set on it. So, go change.” I sighed, knowing my legs would look great wearing that. So would my waist and boobs. Keaton has a girlfriend, Odette.
I still found myself grabbing the clothes thinking I could look nice. This wasn’t about Keaton. Nope. Not at all. I could just look good. Immy clapped when I came out then fluffed my hair declaring, “Perfect! Let’s go.”
Kenneth tilted his head when we left calling, “Imaghen Miller, what are you up to?” Immy yelled, “Sorry, no time to talk. We don’t want to be late!” Kenneth laughed. We walked over to this place that looked abandoned. I was behind Immy, but I heard a car door shut. I peeked around her and saw him.
Keaton was wearing the same thing he had been at school. The song started full force when he looked into my eyes. Heck, my mouth might be watering from his delicious scent. Then the man smiled, which should be illegal.
I blushed when Keaton growled as he checked me out before looking at Immy. A man pulled up into the parking lot and got out. Keith and May were in his car. The driver said, “Ok, Immy let’s go.” He smiled at me introducing himself, “I’m Bryce Miller.” I shook his hand while Keaton growled again.
Why was that so hot? It was NOT hot, Odette.
Except my body disagreed. Bryce laughed, “What can you do?” I asked, “I’m sorry?
” Bryce smiled, “There’s nothing to be sorry for.
Good luck, Katie Karlton.” I frowned, “With what?” Bryce laughed, “Immy, get in the car.” So, people around here didn’t answer questions. Got it.
Immy hugged me and whispered, “Have fun.” Then ran to the front seat and jumped in calling, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. It leaves so many options.” Bryce shouted, “IMMY, WHY?!” May gave me a thumbs up at the same time that Keith winked at his twin brother.
I turned back around and found Keaton was now right in front of me. He touched my arms. The feeling I now decided was tingling started. Why was it only with him? Keaton pulled me in for a hug. I nearly jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around him.
The song was happily humming in my head. Keaton’s touch made it happier. What the hell? He has a girlfriend, Odette. Girlfriend. I nearly moaned when his nose touched where my neck meets my shoulder and forced myself to jump back.
I stuttered, “Umm your girlfriend probably wouldn’t like this.” Keaton shrugged, “I don’t have a girlfriend. Lisa and I broke up.” I frowned, “But she said you kissed someone else.” Keaton rubbed my cheek with his thumb, unperturbed by my comment. He was not acting like a man with a girlfriend.
Keaton explained, “It was a New Year’s Eve Kiss. I am single.” I sighed, “I’ve never had a New Year’s Eve kiss.” I did NOT just say that! Keaton whispered in my ear, “I’ll kiss you next New Years Eve.” I shivered, then muttered, “If I’m still here.”
Keaton growled, “You will be.” I told him, “My mom likes to move around a lot. She’s thinking about having a kid with her new boyfriend though. So, maybe I’ll get to finish school here.” Keaton confidentially told me, “You will.”
I felt lighter knowing he didn’t have a girlfriend. I looked at his truck. That would be a beast to learn how to drive because it was quite large. Good thing this parking lot didn’t have anything I could back into.
Keaton asked, “So, why do you want to learn how to drive?” I smiled answering, “My mom’s new boyfriend got me a car, but I don’t know how to operate it. I mean in theory I do, but I’ve never actually driven.” Keaton took my hand, intertwining our fingers.
The song was just softly singing in my head as I smiled at our hands. Keaton led me to the truck and opened the driver side door. I winked and jumped in. He’d left it running. I rolled down the window asking, “How do I look?” I flipped my hair.
Keaton immediately answered, “Stunning.” I blushed and rolled the window up. The scent of chocolate chip pancakes was overwhelming, but it was nice. My underwear was totally soaked from the scent though. God, I needed help.
Keaton was in the passenger side faster than I could blink.
His eyes instantly went to my legs. Keaton Daniels actually gulped.
I looked down, noting my skirt had ridden up a little.
I blushed and pulled it down. Keaton spoke through gritted teeth, “So, the right pedal is gas, and the left is the brake.”
I laughed, “I know that, Key.” His eyes flashed up to mine. Keaton had a soft smile, and I found myself wanting to kiss his lips. My eyes found his again. I gasped when I saw the raw desire staring back at me in his. I cleared my throat and looked out the front windshield.
Keaton said, “Why don’t you adjust the mirror and the seat?” I laughed, “You are quite tall.” Keaton smirked, “This button adjusts the pedals. So, you can bring them forward or back.” So, I didn’t need to adjust the seat.
Keaton was adjusting himself in his though. I stole a glance over and blushed. He was definitely bigger than Luke. Score one for Immy on this outfit. I adjusted everything he’d told me to, then looked over at him.
Keaton instructed, “Ok, put your foot on the brake.” I did as he said. “Put the car in drive.” I gulped and followed that order. He said, “Now, gently take your foot off the brake and put it on the gas.” I was not gentle enough and we both slammed back into our seats.
I screamed and slammed on the break and we slammed forward. I whispered, “I am so sorry.” Keaton laughed, “It’s fine. I ran my dad’s car into another SUV we have when he taught me to drive.” I asked, “Why did your dad teach you so close to other cars?”