Connected by the Tide (5 page)

7

It was quiet at the dinner table. Henry bit into
a roll, but it was rock hard. He tried to pretend it didn’t hurt his jaw as he returned it to the plate.

His mom’s eyes were empty and lifeless like they usually were. She never had anything to say when he came over for dinner. It was always quiet. When she did talk, she asked the same questions.

“Have you talked to your brother?” she asked in a weak voice.

Henry kept
Bryce’s devastating behavior to himself. He knew how that would make his mother feel if she knew the truth; she would assume it was her fault. “No, not in a while.”

She nodded. “How’s school?”

“It’s good. I like it.” He shoved the burnt chicken in his mouth. It didn’t taste good, but he ate it anyway. He looked at his little sister Jacklyn. “How’s school, kid?”

“I have PE first period,” she said sadly.

“Well, at least you get it out of the way.”

“But my hair looks horrible all day.” Jacklyn was a freshman in high school. She was pretty quiet all the time. Henry was worried how she would transition, but she seemed to be doing okay.

“I’m sure it looks great.”

“I try to style it again
, but it never looks the same.”

“Well, I’m sure you won’
t have PE first period ever again. It’ll be the only time.”

“I hope so.”

His mother pushed away her plate then sighed.

“Mom, you hardly touched your food,” Henry said.

“It tastes like garbage anyway.”

Henry and Jacklyn both stopped moving. Henry held his fork in his hand
, but it shook. When he looked at his mother, he saw the bags under her eyes and the paleness of her face. She hadn’t done her hair in so long that he couldn’t remember the last time he’s seen it styled. She didn’t work because she was too depressed. “Mom, it’s great.”

She left the kitchen the
n disappeared down the hallway. After they heard her bedroom door closed, she started crying. The quiet sounds could be heard even in the kitchen.

Henry sighed, hating to see her in pain. The fact that Jacklyn dealt with this every day made him feel even worse. When he looked at his little sister, he saw the calm in her eyes. She was used to the sudden bouts of depression.

“You got a boyfriend?” he asked, trying to break the tension.

“No. The boys don’t like me.”

“I’m sure they’re just shy.”

“I doubt it. They think I’m ugly.”

“You aren’t ugly,” he said with a laugh. He’d seen her grow into a young woman. Her breasts were showing, and she had curved hips. Her cheeks were prominent, and she had thin lips. Henry knew she was beautiful. “Believe me, they’re just shy.”

“It’s probably because I have PE first period. They think I stink.”

“Then you should shower.”

“There isn’t enough time,” she said with a sigh.

“Have you tried to move your schedule around?”

“We aren’t allowed to do that.”

“Did you tell Mom?”

She shrugged. “She wouldn’t listen anyway.”

Henry grabbed the dishes and washed them in the sink. Jacklyn came next to him and watched him scrub the plates then load them into the dishwasher.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.

“No.”

“What about Sydney?”

“She’s just a friend.”

“Why haven’t I seen her in so long?”

Henry didn’t meet her gaze as he washed his hands. “She’s been busy.”

“I miss her.”

“She misses you, too.”

“Did she say that?”

“Yeah.”

“Sydney is so pretty.”

“Yeah,” he said sadly.

“How come I never see you with a girl?”

“I just don’t have the time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Guys always have time for girls.”

He chuckled. “I haven’t met the right girl yet. And I don’t want to waste my time with someone who isn’t the right person.”

“You sound
like a girl,” she teased.

“
Shut up,” he said with a smile.

“What do you want to do?”

“Watch a movie.”

“Okay,” she said. “I got this video from the store.”

“What is it?”

“
Only For You
.”

“It sounds like a chick flick.”

“It’s a romantic comedy.”

“So it is a chick flick.”

“It looks good.”

He dried off his hands as he rolled his eyes.
“Whatever you want, kiddo.” He sat on the couch and leaned back while she lay on the opposite side of the couch. Henry would rather do anything than watch this girly movie, but he wanted to spend time with his sister. He felt like he was the only stable person in her life right now. Dad was gone and Bryce was a total mess. Somehow, his Mom was worse than all of that.

Jacklyn fell asleep halfway through the movie, and Henry resisted the c
ompulsion to laugh. He knew the movie would be boring. He picked her up and carried her into her bedroom. When he placed her on the bed, he noticed the teddy bear his dad had gotten her for Christmas when she was little. It was dirty and worn out. One eye was missing, and there were stains on the fur. She still slept with it every night. Henry placed the stuffed animal under her arm then left the room, turning off the lights.

He locked the house then returned to his apartment, the brothel. When he walked inside, Mitch was making out with a girl on the couch. Henry walked by and pretended not to notice. After he got inside his room, he
lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, wanting the night to be over.

His thoughts started to drift to Ren. He didn’t know what she wanted to say to him
earlier. She stared at him like she could see right through him, see the gaping hole in his heart. Her green eyes were like lasers. He wondered what she was thinking. He hoped she didn’t have feelings for him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. After being the recipient of so much pain for so long, he didn’t want to be the one to hurt someone else. Not only was he in love with Sydney, but he had too much baggage. He wasn’t boyfriend material. Ren was so beautiful, smart, and cool. She deserved someone way better than him. He knew he should forget about her and concentrate on getting over Sydney, if that was even possible.

8

When he got to school the next morning, he saw Nancy and Derek on the sidewalk.

“Why are you guys here so early?” he asked.

Nancy smiled at him. “We wanted to see you. How’s it going?”

The over-the-top enthusiasm immediately made him suspicious. “Good. How are you?”

Derek clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s go to lunch today.
Somewhere off campus.”

He looked at them
. “I’m okay, you guys. You don’t need to baby me.”

“Baby you?” Nancy asked. “We just wanted to hang out.”

Derek nodded. “We’re going to a luau tonight. You wanna go?”

Henry thought that was really odd. “What luau?”

“Oahu Luau. John said he wanted to go because there’s this dancer he likes.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll pass.”

Nancy grabbed his arm. “Come on, Henry. We haven’t seen you in days.”

Derek looked at him. “Coen and Sydney won’t be there…if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“You guys don’t have to spend time with me just because Sydney asked you to.”

“What?” Nan
cy asked. “She didn’t ask us to.”

“So, we’re off the hook?” Derek teased.

Nancy hit him. “We miss you, Henry.”

He smiled
, touched that they cared. He always felt like Sydney was the center of the universe. “Uh, thanks.”

“So you’ll have lunch with us?” Nancy asked.

“Sure.”

“How about the café on campus?”
Derek asked.

“That works for me.” As long as it wasn’t the cafeteria, he didn’t care where they ate.

Nancy hugged him. “Great. We’ll see you later.”

“
’Bye,” he said with a smile. As he watched his friends walk away, he felt better. He would never admit it, but that consideration and attention was exactly what he needed right now. It meant the world to him. He felt like he was just as important as Sydney. She wouldn’t be offended that they were spending time with him. If anything, that would make her happy.

He walked to his first class and felt his heart rate increase, knowing he would see Ren in just a moment. Now she made hi
m even more nervous than before. Something about her just made his palms sweat and his throat constrict.

He walked inside and took his seat next to her. She didn’t look at him
, and he didn’t look at her. He wondered if she would question his behavior last night. He hoped she didn’t. He didn’t have an answer.

The class passed quickly
. As soon as the class began, it was over. Why didn’t it go that fast when he wasn’t dreading being questioned by someone? He left the classroom and walked into the hallway, Ren behind him. He continued down the hallway, but she didn’t speak to him. She turned a different way and ignored him.

It
was what he wanted, but now he felt sad. He finished his classes with a heavy heart, wishing he could talk to the new friend he’d made. Ren was laid-back and easygoing. She was beautiful and smart. And he was very attracted to her. He didn’t want to lose her companionship, but he didn’t see what else he could do.

At lunch, he walked to the café and looked around for his friends. They were sitting at a
table near a few booths. When he walked closer, he realized Ren was sitting in a booth right behind them. His heart stopped for a second, but he kept going. He sat down and tried not to glance at the blonde hair he enjoyed staring at.

“I’m going to get a chicken sandwich,” Nancy said.

“I’m just gonna get a smoothie,” Derek said.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re so cheap.”

“You try having a girlfriend.”

“Why don’t you just get a job?”

“Because I have to surf.”

She sighed. “Such a waste of time,” she mumbled.

“What did you say? You don’t believe I’ll go pro?”

Henry shook his head. They were always arguing.

“I didn’t say that,” she snapped.

“It sounded like it.”

“This is fun,” Henry said sarcastically.

“Ignore him,” Nancy said. “How are you doing?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been better.”

Derek glared at Nancy before he looked at Henry. “I think you made the right decision, for what it
’s worth.”

“Really?”
Henry asked. “She doesn’t hate me?”

Derek chuckled. “She loves you, man. She’s just upset that she’s hurt you so much.”

Henry sighed. “I don’t want to make her feel bad.”

Nancy placed her hand on his. “But you have to do what’s best for you, Henry.”

“I know.”

Derek eyed him. His voice was louder than it was a second ago. “So…Coen mentioned you have a thing for some girl?”

Henry glanced at Ren and hoped she hadn’t heard that. He couldn’t turn his head so he had to peek from his peripheral vision. “Keep your voice down,” he whispered.

“Why?” Derek asked. “Are we in high school?”

“Just be quiet,” Henry said quickly. He nodded his head slightly to the right, indicating Ren.

Nancy looked without turning her head. “Oh.”

Derek had his back to Ren, so he couldn’t look at all. “Is she behind me?”

“
Shh,” Henry said.

“
Shh, you!” Derek said. “Be a man and ask her out.”

Henry shook his head. “You don’t get it. Just drop it.”

Derek opened his mouth to speak, but Nancy grabbed his arm. “Drop it,” she said.

He rolled his eyes but said nothing.

“Anyway…you coming to the luau with us?” Nancy asked.

“Uh, I don’t know.”

“Why?” Derek asked. “You have something better to do?”

Henry thought of a lie. “I have to work.”

“No, you don’t,” Derek snapped. “Sydney said you were off and would reject all our plans. That’s settled. You’re coming.”

Henry sighed in annoyance.
“Fine.”

Derek smiled in victory.

Ren approached the table, and Henry felt his heart skip a beat. She was holding tickets in her hand. “I’m glad you’re coming tonight,” she said as she placed them on the table. “I’ll see you then.” She turned around and left the café, her beautiful hair flowing behind her.

“Wow,” Derek said, still staring at the last place he saw her. “She’s hot.”

Nancy glared at him.

“What?” Derek asked. “She was.”

Henry got defensive. “Don’t say that again.”

Derek raised his hands. “I’m being attacked by two wolves.”

Nancy grabbed the tickets. “She just had these on her?”

“She works there,” Henry explained. “She invited me to go last night.”

“And you said yes?” Nancy said.

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “I don’t get you, man. You like her or you don’t? I can’t tell.”

Henry sighed. “I hope she didn’t overhear our whole conversation.”

“Who cares?” Derek asked. “You like her and you want to fuck her. It’s obvious she wants you to fuck her.”

Henry felt his anger increase. “Talk like that again, and I’ll punch you in the face.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you get so angry?”

“Just don’t talk about her like that,” he said.

“Wow,” Nancy said. “You
really
like her.”

“I—I don’t know.”
He looked away.

“You’re totally into her,” Nancy said excitedly. “Go for it.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?” Derek asked.

“I’m not over Sydney.”

They both look confused. “So?” Derek asked.
“It’s not going to happen overnight.”

“I can’t ask her out while I’m in love with someone else,” Henry explained. “That isn’t fair to her.”

Derek rolled his eyes. “Who knows how long that will take? And sleeping with someone would speed up the process. And it’s not like she doesn’t have baggage. I bet there’s something going on with her, too.”

“I still can’t do it,” Henry said firmly.

“You’re such a pussy,” Derek said.

Nancy hit him. “Don’t talk to Henry like that. He’s a really good guy. You should be more like him.”

Derek shook his head. “If I were, I wouldn’t get laid.”

“You’re about to stop getting any from me,” she threatened.

He finally fell silent at the threat.

Nancy looked at Henry. “I admire you for being so sweet, but you have to move on somehow.”

“The only way I think of is by telling her the truth first. But I can guarantee she’ll have no interest in dating me then,” Henry said.

“She might. Girls appreciate honesty.”

Derek didn’t say anything, but he shook his head, locking his gaze on Henry.

Henry sighed. “I guess I’ll try that.”

Nancy shrugged. “It’s better than nothing, right?”

“Don’t do it,” Derek whispered.

Nancy hit him upside the head.

“Ouch!”

“Stop trying to drag him down to your level.”

Derek looked at her. “If I
’d said that to you when we started dating, you and I both know you wouldn’t have given me the time of day.”

“But you aren’t a sweet and sensitive guy like Henry. It’s different.”

“Whatever,” he said.

Henry cracked his knuckles. “I guess I’ll see how it goes.”