His Eyes (13 page)

“You don’t know how I feel, Tristan,” I said and yanked my arm from his grasp.

“I’m baaack!” The Creature cried while she lurched through the gas station door. I hadn’t known it was possible for her to pee that fast. She still had a piece of toilet paper stuck to her sandal and she tried to scrape it off on the cement. However, her foot got caught on her curb and she fell into the arms of a large truck driver. He laughed when she leapt away, looking disgusted at being touched by a man who probably hadn’t showered in several days.

hadn’t showered in several days.

“Great,” I said sarcastically and took a step toward the car before remembering that I was leaving Tristan behind. I reached back and took his arm, pulling him along. “Come on. The fun with your
friend
isn’t over yet.”

I helped him into the backseat, before climbing behind the wheel. As I pulled back onto the highway, I eyed the buttons on the dashboard. I smiled a little, thinking that the only thing that could salvage such a car ride was an open convertible. I pressed the button and, with a whoosh of air, the roof folded back. I shook my head, letting my hair fly free where the wind took it. The Creature, in turn, hissed when her hair flew into her face, “What are you doing?!
I
spend a lot of time on my hair!”

“That’s too bad,” I said unsympathetically.

The breeze was refreshing and just what I needed. I looked in my rearview mirror to see Tristan smile and hold up his hand to feel it rushing by. The sound of the music was now thankfully drowned out by the sound of the wind whistling in my ears. I could feel the warm sun shining down and that taste of summer reminded me that I was going to a lake, after all. I relaxed and wondered what it would look like.

The next hour of driving passed by with ease. I was soon leaning into a turn while the car hugged the smooth curve of Wind Song Lake. The pine trees were sparse along the shore and the bright water could easily be seen in-between them. The lake was wide and the dozen “cabins” around it were unlike anything I’d seen on the cover of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. They were all two-stories tall, full of picture windows and large porches. The Edmunds’ had at least attempted to keep to a rustic theme by making the outside out of logs, even though they were all polished to the point of shining. It was the thought.

The moment I turned off the car, The Creature grinned and threw off her seatbelt, announcing, “The water looks perfect, Tristan!” She curled around in her seat and whispered seductively, “Let’s go swimming.”

Tristan pulled his fingers through his wind-tossed hair and sighed. “Do you want to come, Amy?”

“No.” I rolled my eyes and, punching the button to close the convertible, climbed out of the Cabriolet.

Reaching into the backseat, I pulled out my duffle bag, along with Tristan’s, and threw them over my shoulders. I looked up to see that The Creature had taken Tristan’s hand and begun dragging him along a sidewalk that led around the oversized cabin. Feeling like a pack mule, I trudged behind.

From the house, the ground sloped down to the lake. A steep staircase was carved into the hill and she jerked Tristan down it at a speed dangerously quick for such a decline. As soon as she reached the dock at the bottom, The Creature shed a layer of clothing, revealing the string bikini she was wearing underneath. She turned to see that Tristan was standing, fully clothed, at the base of the stairs where she’d left him. She whined, “
Tristan
.”

His face was still as he said, “It smells the same.”

The Creature huffed, “Of course; we’re in the woods. Come on. Swim.” Watching them from halfway down the staircase, I opted to sit on the grassy hill instead of joining them.

Dropping the bags, I could see that Tristan was bending to her demand. I tried not to stare when he pulled off his shirt, again revealing the abs I’d admired. To distract myself, I rifled through my bag, pulling out a notebook and pen; it was about time I wrote Charlie another letter.

I looked up to see The Creature slide into the water, until only her green eyes were visible above the blue. I tensed while Tristan carefully stepped up to the edge of the dock and sat down, his legs hanging over the side. Nervously, I began to chew on the cap of my pen as he braced himself and then jumped in.

The Creature had no thought of any discomfort Tristan was feeling; her arms were like snakes—rising from the water, and slithering down, and up, and down. She finally surfaced a few yards away from Tristan and splashed him.

Tristan froze, his expression tight. He splashed in her direction, but The Creature ducked out of the way. Laughing cruelly, she again showered him with water. He laughed too, but it didn’t carry to his face. I felt like I was watching a sick game of Marco Polo and, seeing Tristan’s expression, I remembered why I felt like I was watching a sick game of Marco Polo and, seeing Tristan’s expression, I remembered why I never liked being “it.” The Creature, like some wicked siren, splashed him with her kick as she swam toward the middle of the lake.

Free from the taunting, Tristan began to float on his back.

Looking down, I uncapped my pen and began to write: “Hey. It’s been a few days since I’ve written.

Guess where I am? In Wisconsin. I’m at the Edmunds’ cabin because Tristan’s ex-girlfriend is visiting.

She’s almost made me obsolete. And she’s not even a Clarencite; she’s worse. She makes quitting sound tempting, but what about paying for Evanston? And what about... Never mind. If you find a silver lining, please send it my way. Love, Amy.”

“Come on! Catch me!”

I rolled my eyes and, pushing the notebook back into my bag, looked up to see The Creature bobbing in front of Tristan. She had evidently gotten bored with swimming alone and wanted to give Marco Polo another shot. At the sound of her whine, Tristan stopped his peaceful floating and stood up in the water. I could see from his expression that he wasn’t eager to start Round Two, but she didn’t care. She slapped the water, beckoning, “This way!”

The moment Tristan began to swim toward her, she dove under the water and appeared a few feet away. She slapped the water, so he adjusted his swimming, and then she dove under again. She continued this pattern several times, until I could see that she was leading him in a circle, disorienting him.

Tristan began to swim slower each time The Creature slapped the water, always far away from him and always in a different place.

He looked almost ready to give up the game, when The Creature climbed onto the dock. A canoe was tied to one of the posts and she hit her hand against it. The hall ow aluminum gave a clear, recognizable sound and Tristan immediately shot toward it. I stood up on the hill, my hands on my hips while I watched him swim toward the dock. I pushed my hair behind my ear, waiting for The Creature to move, to give some indication to Tristan that he was almost there.

The yards turned to feet, the feet to inches, and I finally screamed, “
Tristan
!” Tristan stopped, his head coming out of the water a breath away from the edge of the dock.

Furious, I stormed down the hill when The Creature turned to face me, her features maddeningly calm.

Toe-to-toe with her, our height difference was obvious, but I stood straight and demanded, “What were you thinking? He could have hurt himself!”

Tristan, now aware of his location, was climbing onto the dock. The Creature looked down at me and said condescendingly, “
I
was right here. He wasn’t going to hit the poles. He was just going to swim underneath.”

“He was ‘just’ going to—!” I threw my hands up in the air. “Fine! I’m crazy.” I turned and began to climb the hill. Grabbing my bag off of the grass, I pulled out the key ring that held the key to Tristan’s car and the cabin. Behind me, I heard The Creature huff as she was forced to follow my lead. I didn’t bother to look back, but continued up the stairs and didn’t stop until I’d reached the back door. Opening it with the key, I stepped inside and found myself in a kitchen.

Shouldering my bag, I looked around. Everything was made of pine—from the floor, to the walls and the cabinets. Despite the fact that the building had been empty since the previous summer, it smelled fresh and clean. The cabin was an open design, like the Edmunds’ house in Grayfield, and I could see through the kitchen to the living room. A flight of stairs in the living area led up to the second floor and what I could only imagine were generously-sized bedrooms.

I heard the back door open and shut and then a bag smacked into my leg. The Creature clicked her tongue and said unconvincingly, “Oh. Sorry.”

I sighed and walked further into the kitchen, asking over my shoulder, “Are either of you getting hungry?

”

“I’m starved,” Tristan said quickly.

I opened the silver refrigerator, but it was empty, which I should’ve expected. I paused, thinking, and saw that a cordless phone was hanging on the wall next to the cabinets. I turned to face them, offering, “I could order a pizza.”

“Yeah.” Tristan nodded. “Whatever kind you want.”

The Creature scowled while she perched on one of two stools under the counter. “
I
only eat thin crust.

It’s low in carbs.”

I shrugged. “Well, I usually get Hawaiian—ham and pineapple.”

“That sounds disgusting,” she spat.

“No,” Tristan interjected, “that sounds good. Order it.”

Though a bit surprised that Tristan was siding with me, I reached for the phone. “Okay.”

“Get me a cheese,” The Creature commanded.

“Plain and boring. Got it.” Just when my fingers closed around the phone, it began to ring. I jumped, looking suspiciously at Tristan and The Creature, as if one of them had scared me on purpose. Of course, they appeared as surprised as I did. I turned back the phone, picked it up, and asked tentatively,

“hello?”

“Hey. Is this Tristan’s assistant?”

I hesitated, wondering why the male voice sounded familiar. “Uh, yeah?”

“Thought so! This is Nick, from Clarence. We met at the graduation dance.” I nodded, remembering the redheaded boy and his perky girlfriend. “Oh, hi.”

“So, Melissa and I are up at my parents’ cabin on the other side of Wind Song,” he continued. “We thought we saw you two and...was that Lexus?”

I frowned. “Yup.”

Nick laughed, “She has balls! How’d she manage to get back up here after dumping Trist last summer?

”

“Hypnosis,” I deadpanned.

“Heh. You’re probably right.” Nick paused, like he’d forgotten why he’d called. I heard a girl whisper something to him. “Right! I’m having a party tonight. You guys should come.”

“A party?” I repeated skeptically.

The Creature shrieked, “A party! Tristan, we
have
to go!” Tristan’s voice was weak and unconvincing. “Sounds like fun.” Disgusted, I turned my back as she threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.

“I guess we accept.”

“Awesome! Come by any time after eight.”

“Great. Bye.” I hung up the phone and turned around to find that Tristan had somehow freed himself from The Creature’s clutches. His expression looked so distant that I wanted to ask him he was thinking, but I changed my mind when I saw her victorious grin hovering obnoxiously over his shoulder. She said sweetly, “Weren’t you going to order pizza?”

Right after I wipe that smile off your face.

“Oh yeah.” I grimaced. “Plain and boring. I remember.”

“
Thin
crust,” she hissed. “I’m going to go get ready. Trist, I’ll be upstairs.” She kicked at her bag and her lip pouted at the thought of carrying it up a flight of stairs. The Creature looked up, her eyes latching onto me, but before she could open her mouth to whine for my help, I snatched the receiver and mouthed, “On the phone!”

The Creature glared and dragged the bag toward the stairs. She huffed every step of the way, clearly trying to attract Tristan’s attention. He ignored her and stood dripping onto the wood floor. I said, “Careful, you’re going to leave a watermark.”

“What?” Tristan shifted his feet. He gave my joke a small smile. “Yeah.” I set down the receiver and opened one of the drawers, looking for a phonebook. “You don’t seem as excited about the party as her.”

“A party at the lake—just like old times,” Tristan said bitterly. He took off his wet sunglasses and rubbed them on the edge of his shirt, which had stayed dry on the dock.

I was startled to see his cerulean eyes suddenly staring past me. My arms covered in goose bumps, I admitted, “I don’t get it. Why are you going?”

“Because....” Tristan shrugged.

“
Tristan
!” The Creature cried from the stairs. “This is
really
heavy!”

“You’ll make it!” He sighed, pushing his glasses back on, and said, “Your room’s upstairs, too.”

“Thanks.” I watched while he walked into the living room, sitting heavily on one of the sofas. He tipped his head back against the cushion, looking tired. If only Mrs. Edmund was here, she could see that The Creature was doing the opposite of what she hoped, draining way her son’s smiles. Shaking my head sadly, I flopped a phonebook from the drawer onto the counter and picked up the phone.

* * *

He was standing in a doorway down the hall, his stance wide and his face murderous. I heard, from inside the room, The Creature’s weak reply: “This room has the biggest vanity.” I snickered at the irony. Of course it did.

“Get out!” Tristan yelled.

“But
we
stayed in here last year,” she whimpered, her hand snaking out from the room and wrapping around his neck.

He jerked back, as if bitten, and growled, “This is my parents’ room.” The Creature laughed. “Since when do you care? ‘Parents’?!” Reminding him that his father was dead—honestly, her insensitivity was astounding. Before she had a chance to say anything worse, I stepped out into the hall. “
Hey
! Remember, there’s pizza down there!

Maybe you should
go
eat it.”

Tristan turned and walked toward me. He said quietly, “Thanks, Amy.” The Creature huffed, looking down the hallway at me, and tossed her hair. “That’s okay. I’ll get something at the party.”

I narrowed my eyes at her and took Tristan’s outstretched hand, placing it on the crook of my arm.

While we began to walk toward the stairs, he said over his shoulder, “Then we’re going. Now.”

“But I’ve only curled half of my hair!” she complained.

Tristan clenched his teeth together. “Then pull it back.”

“That just looks lazy!”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed onto the railing; I knew her last comment was directed at me, but I didn’t feel like taking the bait. Ignoring her, I told Tristan, “Step here.” In perfect sync, we climbed down the stairs. Tristan’s left hand was shoved deep into his pocked and a frown lingered on his face. His voice low, he said, “She shouldn’t have gone in there.” Pulling the keys from my jeans, I sighed. “She doesn’t care, Tristan.”

“She used to.”

“Really?” I asked skeptically.

We stopped at the front door while I pulled it open. Tristan’s mouth formed a hard line and he didn’t respond to my question. Somehow, I doubted that The Creature had
ever
been a nice person, not that his hormone-clouded memories would show it. As we approached the Cabriolet, I heard The Creature hormone-clouded memories would show it. As we approached the Cabriolet, I heard The Creature rushing down the stairs. She appeared in the doorway a second later, her stilettos in her hands and her eyes wide at the thought of being left behind. Breathless, she demanded, “I...get...shotgun.” I smirked, unlocking the passenger door. “You know, it would be
nice
if you let Tristan ride upfront in his car.”

The Creature leaned against the hood of the car while she pulled her heals on. She hissed, “It’s just around the lake. Get in, Tristan.”

“I’m sitting upfront,” Tristan snapped. “And you’re
not
sleeping in their room.”

“Fine. Whatever.” She waved her hand dismissively and slid into the backseat. “Get in.” As I walked around the car to the driver’s side, I silently wished that she would neglect to buckle her seatbelt, so I could slam on the brakes and she’d— No. No, I wouldn’t do that, even if she made the idea tempting. Turning on the ignition, I reached down to shift the Cabriolet into Reverse. I jumped when I grabbed the knob, but found Tristan’s hand on top. He slid his hand out from under mine and the brush of his skin was like static electricity.

Tristan whispered, “I should have said this before, but...thank you for driving.” Shivering, I whispered back, “You’re welcome.”

While I drove around the lake, I couldn’t help but wonder what Tristan was thinking. Was he remembering the last time he sat behind the wheel of his Cabriolet, or what we were like before The Creature came along? I spotted Nick’s parents’ place easily, seeing that the driveway was jammed with cars. Parking at the end, I noted that the cabin was almost as large as the Edmunds’, but had more of a ranch look with gray siding and a wrapped porch.

The Creature, of course, wasn’t about to go unescorted into a party, so she helped Tristan out of the Cabriolet, making me the third wheel. My favorite. I threw my shoulders back, marched up the front door, and gave the doorbel a quick press. Nick immediately pulled it open. He had a slightly wobbly smile on his face and his arm slung over Melissa’s shoulders. “Hey, you came!” Before I had a chance to respond, The Creature pushed her way in front of me, dragging Tristan along with her. She gushed, “Oh thank God you’re having a party!” and ran a finger down Nick’s jaw. He instantly turned to Jell-o. “I don’t know
what
we would’ve done without you! Been stuck playing board games or something.”

Nick’s eyes wandered down her body while he stuttered, “Y-you look nice, Lexus.” Less than amused, Melissa jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and stomped into the cabin.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her retreating form as he slowly surfaced from the poisonous cloud that was The Creature’s aura.

Unconcerned with the ravage she wrecked on other’s relationships, The Creature asked, “Where’s the bar?”

Nick frowned and pointed. “Back there.”

The Creature strutted off, leaving Tristan and I standing in the doorway. I shuffled my feet, unsure of what to do. Then, with a surprising amount of understanding, Tristan said, “Well, she got you. Lexus is good at that.”

“What?”

I was all too ready to clarify for Nick. “Drive-by flirting.” Tristan smirked and Nick’s smile found its way back onto his face. He laughed, “I’d almost forgotten.

Here.” Nick took Tristan’s arm and guided him toward the living room, where music and laughter could be heard. “You gotta say hi to everyone.”

While I followed them at a distance, I felt painfully out of place. Not only was I a stranger in a room full of friends, but I was also wearing thrift store buys in a crowd of preppy dressers. I recognized many of them from Tristan’s graduation, though I couldn’t guess their names. Most of the Clarencites were standing in clusters, gossiping and trying their best to get drunk. I received a few curious looks, a few frowns, but was clusters, gossiping and trying their best to get drunk. I received a few curious looks, a few frowns, but was generally ignored.