Falling by Design (3 page)

Before I can respond, Mom calls my name. "Evelyn is on the phone for you." I almost sigh in relief, give Dad a quick smile, and take the phone.

"Aunt Evie?"

"Hello, Brooklynn," my aunt always sounds so serious and official. It makes me smile. "Would you be willing to come in about an hour earlier today? I have to finish up this jewelry inventory before the big audit next week."

"Sure, that's not a problem." With a small thanks, she disconnects. She's peculiar, serious, and very matter of fact. She’s so unlike the rest of my family, and I love her for it.

"Aunt Evie wants me to come in an hour early," I state turning back to my parents. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I can almost feel the air shift around me.

"Of course she does," Dad grumbles and I see Mom shoot him a scolding look, before she clears her face of emotion.

"That's my sister you're talking about," Mom comments the same moment I whine, "Da-ad." If Dad is notoriously outspoken about anything other than discussing my future, it’s Aunt Evie. She owns her own store in the middle of downtown Glendale, back where the streets are small and old fashioned, and my father hates it. He's constantly reminding me not to end up like her.

"What?" He shrugs, as if he hasn't said anything wrong. "You know it's true. She's so needy. Especially when it comes to Brooklynn. You," he continues, pointing in my direction, "don't forget to concentrate on school work and final college preparations. I don't want you to distract yourself in that hole in the wall."

"It is not a hole in the wall," I reply through clenched teeth. It's not the first time we're having this argument either. I'm so tired of the way things are. Why can't they just see what makes me happy and be happy for me?

"We're not discussing this right now,"  Dad states, turning back to his paperwork. I glance at Mom, but she's back to baking. So I grab a glass of water and head upstairs, wanting one of my parents to say something, anything, as I leave the room. But they don't.

FOUR

"An old friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a dead body."

- Author Unknown

"I have to say that today has been quite entertaining," Dakota announces strutting into the store as if she owns the place. She's like a cat on the prowl. All flash and confidence.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," I reply turning my attention back to the journal in front of me. As there are no paying customers in the store right now, I get to do a bit of doodling. I love the fact that my aunt pretty much allows me to run the place while she's in the back doing all the paperwork and such.

"Hey!" I shout as Dakota sweeps the journal from under my hands.

"Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics, author unknown," she reads aloud. "You know, that sounds like great advice." I purse my lips, leveling her with grimace and she carefully replaces the book on the counter. She knows how particular I am about anyone reading it.

"Fine, you can have it back," she grumbles making herself a bit more comfortable in her seat. That's another thing about this place. It's so off the wall it would be funny if it wasn't so fun. For example, we installed these old bar stools in front of the register counter. Aunt Evie says shopping is therapy and therefore, she should have seating available in case anyone needs to vent. This is why we also have beanbag chairs and a small couch placed strategically around the room.

"I have to give you props though, Brooklynn." Dakota continues, reaching for one of the bracelets on the counter, "You find the funniest quotes. Even after all this time."

"Thank you. Thank you very much."

A few years back I got this obsession with quotes and I've been collecting them ever since. However, I don't just write them down, I put them in my mixed media arts journal. My pages are filled with color, random pictures and magazine clippings. I don't know how many of these journals I've finished over the years. Dakota is one of the few people I've shown them too.

I let her play with the bracelets on the table, arranging them by color and size while I set my journal down and make my rounds. I have this habit of walking the floor to make sure everything is where I left it, even though we haven't had a customer since the last time I did this. I duck behind the closest rack, hoping the real reason Dakota is here will not come up. This, of course, is in vain.

"So Grayson is back," she states popping up on the other side of the rack and I stifle a yell. She grins, her beautiful face shining with excitement.

"I feel like we had this conversation already," I reply, sidestepping her.

"Brooklynn, Grayson is back."

"I know Dakota. He body slammed me with his car door. " I pull hangers off the rack, studying the clothes, before picking out a new favorite and placing it back in front of the display. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”

"Oh, I know you're fine." Dakota waves her arms in the air. "You told me a few times since I've asked. But you know who else is fine? Grayson."

"Dakota," I turn to her exasperated, "where exactly is this going?"

"Nowhere," she smiles innocently, running her hands over the sheer bathing suit cover up in front of her.

"Dakota." My voice carries a tad of warning.

"Oh fine," she replies turning her full attention to me. "I just find it interesting how much he's flirting with you."

"He's not flirting."

"Is too."

"Is not. And stop that, we're not seven," I say, grabbing fabric out of her hands and placing it back on the rack.

"Brooklynn, I'm serious here. Do you not notice my serious face?" She points at herself with mock determination. "The boy has been watching you all day."

I sigh. "I guess he just hasn't grown out of his childhood yet."

"Oh please, this has nothing to do with how he treated you in grade school." I keep moving through the store, Dakota hot on my heels.

"It doesn't really matter now does it? I'm not about to be buddy-buddy with a guy who made my life a living hell for years."

"I’m not asking you to be buddy-buddy. What kind of a friend do you take me for? But I do see some positive changes in him that are worth unearthing. Really, I think there's more to Grayson that meets the eye." she says, as we come back to the counter. She settles on the stool again and I make my way to the other side of the table. "I think he has a plan."

"A plan? To do what? Conquer the western hemisphere?" I'm all sarcasm but truly, my best friend is nuts. She stays quiet for a moment too long and I glance up to see her staring out of the window.

"Why don't we just ask him?" she says.

"Sure Dakota, why don't we just go up to him tomorrow in school and say, hey you, yeah you with the eyes, Grayson is it? Are you trying to take over the world?" I take on my full-blown persona, dropping my voice low and puffing my chest out. Stepping out from behind the counter, I strut over to Dakota and say in my man voice, "Yes, you lowly humans. My reign of terror will spread through the whole world and no one will be safe. Ha ha ha. I am Grayson, bow down to me and my awesomeness."

"Now," a voice comes from behind me and I freeze. Without turning around I know exactly who it is. "I don't sound that creepy now do I?" I'd like the floor to swallow me whole now, please.

I twist around finding Grayson a few feet away from the door.

He heard every word.

FIVE

Lost a planet Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. - Yoda

I try not to cringe as I put on my best sales person smile.

"Grayson, what brings you here?"

"Well, I was coming down here to buy some, umm, super expensive lace lingerie," he replies running his hand over the first thing he can grab. He looks a bit uncomfortable after touching that particular garment and I can't help but smile. "But you know," he continues hastily, dropping the garment. "I think I'll stay for the show."

He grins.

I roll my eyes.

Dakota is having trouble staying in her seat.

I move away, heading to the opposite side of the store and away from Grayson. I know leaving him in the vicinity of Dakota may be dangerous, but I really don't have a choice now. I'll probably embarrass myself more if I stay. I'm picking up one of the clothing boxes when I feel him behind me.

"You know," he says, his body inches from mine, making me way too aware of him. "We should have dinner sometime and catch up."

"You do remember that we're not actually friends, right?" I move away and he follows. I step left, he steps left. I step right, he steps right. I’m about to kick him out of the way.

"Maybe we can remedy that?" he whispers. I can almost taste his breath on my lips and I jerk back.

"Maybe not." I head toward the front of the store, hoping he leaves me alone, but no such luck. Placing the box on the counter I turn, bumping right into his solid chest. My hands flatten out over his shirt and I can feel his heartbeat through my fingertips. The counter is at my back. There’s nowhere to go. "Have you heard of this thing called personal space?" I ask and I hate my voice for sounding breathy.

"I've heard of it." I swear this guy can give Cheshire cat a run for his money. His smiles are pure mischief. We're standing way too close for comfort, yet I can't seem to find the will to move. I raise my chin a bit, determined not to show how much he’s affecting me. We’re at a stand off, neither one of us wanting to give in first. I don't know how long we would've stood there if Aunt Evie hadn't come out of the office.

"Brooklynn," she calls out. I jump, banging my back against the counter. Grayson studies me as I try to escape his body cage without actually touching him and I try not to groan out loud. Finally, having no other choice, I push past him, my body brushing against his briefly, shooting sparks across my skin. I grit my teeth against the sensation and march toward my boss. I can feel Grayson's eyes on me.

"Yes, Aunt Evie?" I say stopping in front of her.

"Can you watch the store for me? I have to step out for a few." She asks me this every time she needs to go anywhere even though I’m watching the store anyway.

“Sure.” She waves in our general direction and disappears out the door without another word. I turn back around as Grayson makes his way towards me. Mentally, I prepare myself for another round of teasing, but he surprises me.

"I guess I need to let you get back to work. But I was wondering if I can take a few pictures of the store before I go. I’m doing a bit of freelancing for the town’s website and I liked what I saw in the window display." He reaches for the camera that's slung over his shoulder, turning it on and flipping thru a few settings. I've noticed him carrying it around this morning at school. Even as a kid, he liked photography. I guess some things never change.

Dakota nudges me with her shoulder when I don’t say anything. “Umm, sure.” I reply, because in all honesty I wasn’t expecting this. I was expecting more teasing, but he changed topics before I could come to terms with the first one. I place myself behind the counter once more, keeping as much distance between us as possible. Dakota wiggles her eyebrows at me when her back is turned to Grayson, and I try not to cause a scene. 

He walks around the store, taking a few shots of the various displays we’ve set up. Aunt Evie enjoys making a show of the items she purchases. It’s makes for good visual aids, and boosts up our sales. Sometimes people come in just because of an elaborate creation we’ve put up in the front window. I guess that’s what brought Grayson in as well.

Dakota and I don’t speak as he makes his way around the store. After about ten minutes, he stops by the front entrance, glancing over at us.

"Until next time ladies." And walks out the door. Both of us stare after him, not knowing what to make of his little visit.

"Well that was interesting," Dakota finally breaks the silence. Groaning, I scrunch up my face at her and head for where I left the box of clothing.

"No, seriously Brooklynn, that was very interesting."

"I'm glad you think so." I'm hoping she drops it but of course she won't. She's like a shark going after her prey when it comes to these things. Or a cheetah. Probably more like a cheetah. She goes from zero to a hundred in a span of three seconds flat.

"So." And there it is. I breathe out an exasperated sigh, but she'll have none of that. "Grayson wants to be friends, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm sure that's at the top of his list," I reply, taking clothing out of the box. Dakota jumps to the other side of me and starts taking items out, studying them in front of the mirror.

"What do you think?" she asks holding up a bright yellow summer dress, with green trim around the top and bottom.

"It's cute."

"No, what do you think about Grayson wanting to go to dinner?" I throw her a look, but she's not letting this go. "Brooklynn, the boy wants to spend time with you. A gorgeous piece of man hunk wants to spend time with you." She annunciates every word as if speaking to a five year old.

"Yes, I know. I was there."

"So, are you going?"