True Loves (A Collection of Firsts) (58 page)

He throws his hands up. “You caught me. Now we know why we’re perfect for each other. We’re both demon freaks.”

Instinctively, I punch his arm and laugh. “Shut up. I’m serious. I 
really
 am damned.” 

“Not if I can help it. I’ll help you get off the naughty list.” He laughs as he starts the car and then tears out of the parking lot. “There has to be a way to save your soul and I’m going to make sure we do.”

My lips pull into a tight line. “And how do you suppose you’re going to do that?”

“Don’t worry.” He steals a sideways glance at me and winks. “I have connections.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure. I bet you do.”

I
can’t believe
Alicia left for grad school this morning. The thought of being alone with Mom all the time while Dad spends all his time at the hospital sends a twinge of sadness through my heart. Last night after getting no answers from the demon book I bought online, I’ve determined I’m lost as to where to look for answers on saving my soul. If only I had more time. It probably wouldn’t bother me if I was an old lady or something, but I’m only twenty. I’m not ready to die yet, so giving up isn’t an option.

“You look gorgeous, honey,” Mom gushes as she stands in my doorway and admires my clothes.

“Thanks. Alicia put it all together.” I go to my satchel and fumble through my things. If it were bigger, I could just stick my head in there and hide from her.   

The tension between Mom and me gets intense sometimes. She was one hundred percent against my old emo look and told me constantly that it wasn’t healthy for me to look like I was in constant mourning. But who wouldn’t mourn for the loss of their soul? So, I suspect the compliments and the look of content spread across her face is genuine. I wish I could really be the perfect daughter she craves. My life would be so much easier if I was normal, but I’m not.

“I’m sure going to miss your sister. I can’t believe she’s gone, already.”

I know she’s sad—I’ll miss Alicia, too. She’s always seemed like Mom’s best friend. The loss of her around here may cause Mom to finally snap. They have so much more in common than we do. Alicia is beautiful like Mom. I’ve heard some of the other doctors at the hospital compliment Dad on his trophy wife. My parents got married while my dad was in medical school. They probably were in love back then, before he went on to become one of the state’s best cardiologists, but that’s all changed. At least it feels that way. 

A couple years ago, Dad began his mid-life crisis or some kind of crazy weirdness. First it was sports cars. Now, he sleeps around with nurses half his age. Everyone knows about his affairs, but Mom refuses to show any sign of distress in the family. I’m pretty sure that’s why she’s ecstatic I’ve finally conformed. It helps with the mask of perfection. 

Sometimes, like now, I feel guilty for being so difficult with her. The thought of leaving her soon chokes me up a little.  With both me and Alicia gone, she’ll be alone. 

All this drama with Stew and Rick has certainly kept my mind preoccupied lately. I haven’t dreamed about the boy demon in a couple of days now, but I know he’s out there. Waiting.    

Tears sting my eyes at the thought. The emotional realization hits me hard. My eyes trail over Mom and take in every inch of her. Hands clasped in front of her as she lingers in my doorway. She looks worried.

This could be the last time I ever see her. I turn my hands over and stare at my palms. My life lines stop in the middle of both hands. Rick has distracted me so much lately I’m not really sure how much they’ve changed. My hands ball into tight fists in front of me and my body shakes. 

Mom wraps me in an embrace, and I bury my face in her neck. She misunderstands my tears, but I don’t care. I need her close. The smell of her lilac perfume surrounds me as I breathe it in. “Don’t worry. She’ll be home for Thanksgiving.” She soothes my hair. “Come on. I’ll make you some breakfast before you head out to school. Just like when you were a little girl.”

I nod and let her believe these are tears for my sister. She releases me and scoots from my room. I blow out a breath between pursed lips. It’s probably best she thinks that. No need to trudge up the demon issue with her after we’ve had this nice bonding moment, because those conversations never go well. 

Once I’m through with breakfast, I step out of the house in my new, prepped-up outfit. My heart does a little flip when I see Rick’s car parked beside mine. He gets out and grins as I approach. “Hey, you.”

Rick looks really good today in his dark washed jeans and his long sleeved black shirt. His gray eyes sparkle against the morning sunlight while his brown hair hangs loosely around his face. He could easily pass for a movie star, looking as good as he does. 

I’m glad he’s here, but I’m a little hesitant. Is this too much too soon? “Hey. I’m surprised you even want to hang out with me again.”

“You know, Natalie, you don’t have to worry about that. It takes a lot more than a little secret to scare me off.” His fingers lightly trace my forearm, and I smile. It’s a simple touch, but it feels so intimate and caring. “Actually, I couldn’t wait to see you. One day away was enough, so I wondered if you’d ride with me to school.” The slight resistance I felt a second ago when I approached him leaves me. His charm makes me melt a little.

My eyes shoot to the ground. I want to say yes, but I think this feels too soon. I don’t want to get serious with him.  

He takes in my silence and frowns. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.”

I look at him. “No. I mean, I want to, but I can’t.”

“Can’t, huh?” His head whips toward Stewart’s house and narrows his eyes.

I frown. I don’t want to seem weak when it comes to Stew, but I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t a confused, emotional wreck right now. Still, I don’t want Rick to think I’m still into Stew. Honestly, since Stew blew me off at that party, I don’t feel as attached or strongly for him anymore.  “It’s not what you think, Rick. I have an appointment after school.”

He seems to accept that and nods. “Can I follow you then? We can at least walk in together.”

The gossip wheel about Friday’s party is bound to turn today if the people from the party spot us together. I nod, and hope a show of solidarity with Rick cools the rumor flames of what the cause of the fight may have been. “Sure.”

Butterflies tickle my stomach as I pull into my normal parking spot by the football field. My hands slightly shake as I gather my things. I can’t believe I feel this nervous. Maybe, this is a mistake. Are we an official couple now? I mean, I’ve never had a boyfriend-boyfriend, other than Stew, but I don’t count a relationship that never went public.

Rick taps on my window and then opens my door. “You ready?” 

No.

“Yeah, just getting my stuff,” I say as I hop out of the Focus.

He twists his lips. “So…”

I have no clue what he’s about to say. “So?”

He gestures to my clothes. “Are you ready for this? I know this is a big change for you.”

I sigh as I look down at my outfit and shrug. “I guess. What choice do I really have? I’m already here, plus my sister tossed most of my old ones.”

He laughs. “Tell you what, we’re in this together—demon deal thing and new clothes alike. You already know I’m okay with kicking some ass over you, right? Someone gives you a hard time, just let me know.” He sticks out his right hand. “Deal?” I stare at his outstretched hand. 

Shaking hands is usually a no-no for me, but this is Rick. I trust him. It’s nice that I finally have someone to be there for me. “Deal.” I shake his hand.

Our skin touches, his grip firm in mine. A static shock passes between our hands and I quickly jerk my hand back. “Damn.” I shake it to rid the left over tingles. “Did you feel that?” It felt oddly familiar, almost like—never mind, I’m thinking crazy. There’s no way that shock was the same as the little demons. 

He rubs his hands together and laughs like it was no big deal. “You shocked me.”

My palm rubs against the cotton fabric of my skirt. “
That
 was a little more than static electricity, Rick.”

The grin on his face stretches. “I think you’re overestimating my electrifying personality.”

I furrow my brow and shift my eyes to my open palm. Is it possible that I am overreacting? “You seriously didn’t feel a huge shock?”

He laughs at me again, like I’m making a big joke. “Come on. We don’t want to be late for your big reveal day.”

All morning long I see the stares and hear whispers as I walk around campus. Not everyone is receptive to my new look, but the one person who is—Taylor Gee—alarms me. She smiles and waves every time she sees me, like we are fast friends, which is messed up considering she’s the one who started all those rumors about me being crazy. She made my life a living hell back then. Why the hell does she want to be friends with me now?

I shake my head and try to think about something else.  

The scene with Rick in the parking lot replays in my brain. Maybe, I’m being paranoid, but that jolt I received from his handshake this morning reminded me so much of the one I receive from the little sadist. Could everyone else be right? Maybe I am crazy. It’s not like Rick is a five year old who steals souls.

My morning classes fly by without much incident, so I hope lunch follows the same pattern, A third of the students in the cafeteria ignore me, which is a good thing. I’m blending in. I’m no longer the freaky looking Emo chick who everyone thinks is mental. 

I head outside to the quad. Rick’s under the tree and stashes his book in his bag as I walk toward him.

He grins and then speaks loud enough for others to hear. “Hey beautiful.”

Such an outward display of affection, here, in the middle of the open courtyard, in front of everyone, causes my stomach to knot. But I kind of like it. The feeling of being admired is one a person should cherish. It’s something I’ve craved for so long, but I’ve only known him a week, and two dates doesn’t mean we’re on the pet name stage yet. We didn’t even kiss after our date Saturday night, merely a polite hug good night. He needs to slow down. 

“Hey,” I simply reply as I toss my bag to the ground and fold myself onto the ground next to him.

“So? How’s the big change going?”

I shrug. “Okay, I guess. I think I actually have a new BFF.”

He tosses his head back slightly letting the sun skip through the leaves and shine on his face. I stare at him openly as I can’t help but notice how amazingly attractive he is.  “And who is that?”

“Your admirer.” A grin stretches across my face. “Watch this.”

My eyes scan in the jock table’s direction. I spot Taylor. Her attention zooms in as our eyes meet. I wave. Her unnaturally white teeth gleam from across the quad as she waves back. 

Never far from his minions, Stew takes in our little exchange—his eyes fixed on me while wearing a serious scowl—and my heart crushes. How could I ever fall for someone like him? He’s an asshole of epic proportions. 

The urge to stick my tongue out at Stew and flip him off surges through me, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his presence. Instead, I inch closer to Rick and turn my focus on him just to piss Stew off some more. 

“Wow.” Rick laughs. “Who knew clothes would make such a difference.”

Stew still has his eyes on me. I know it’s wrong to use Rick like this. He’s going to get the wrong impression, but I don’t care, hurting Stew like he hurt me is all I care about. 

I kiss Rick’s cheek. “I don’t think it’s just because of the clothes.”

Rick slowly licks his lips and gazes into my eyes. “Glad I can help,” he whispers as he reaches up and strokes my cheek. His touch is familiar, and for a second, I forget this is just a show for Stew’s benefit.

My heart thunders in my ears, and I nervously bite my bottom lip. He leans in so close that I can feel his breath on my lips. Inching forward, I actually find I crave his kiss which surprises me after I’ve spent the past couple of days warning myself to take things slow with him. My motion halts when I feel a tickle on my right hand. This moment can’t be ruined by a stupid itch. I move my hand, and it lands on something slender and slimy. Instinctively, I pull away and jerk back from Rick. My eyes snap to the ground and my mouth gaps open. I jump to my feet like I have superpowers. A blood-curdling scream rips from my throat as I stare wide eyed.

“Whoa!” Rick yells as he rolls away from the brown snake who has settled next to us. “Was not expecting that.”

Our commotion causes heads in the quad to whip toward us. My Statistics professor, Monkey Man Miller, who happened to be walking by at that moment stops abruptly. “What’s going on over here?” 

Words won’t leave my tongue. My whole body shakes as the adrenaline pours through my veins. I just touched a snake for God’s sake. 

The professor stares at me, like I’m nuts. I still can’t bring myself to speak, so I lift a shaky finger and point at the coiled up snake in strike mode. 

Dr. Miller’s eyes flash with panic. He locks his gaze on the snake, and then he yells, “Everyone inside the building!” No one moves until he adds, “Now!”

Students scamper inside. Everyone goes—everyone, but me and Rick. My legs won’t budge. I’m frozen in fear and still at a loss for words.

Rick turns to me. “It’ll be okay. It’s just a little snake. They can’t hurt you, remember?”

Dr. Miller rubs his chin and mumbles, “How am I going to get rid of this? Maybe I should call maintenance.”

“I can do it.” Professor Miller and I stare at Rick with wide eyes. “I can get rid of it. I’ll take it over to that empty grass lot and let it loose so everyone can come back out.”

The teacher grimaces. “Son, I don’t think it’s wise—”

He cuts himself off when Rick swiftly picks the snake up by its head and holds it away from his body. The tail wiggles back and forth. Nausea rolls through me, and I fight the urge to pass out. This is no pet snake. It’s wild and dangerous. Rick could get really hurt if that thing bites him. 

With unfathomable grace, Rick runs out of the quad—snake in hand—and across the parking lot. He reaches the empty grass lot and kneels down. Rick releases the slimy creature back into the wild, safe—like he’s protecting it from the student body instead of the other way around.

Within the seconds, he’s back in the quad, which most of the people have repopulated. Rick dons a triumphant smile as he looks at me.

“Thank you, Mr. Steele,” Monkey Man says.

“No problem. I had to.” Rick gives me a sad smile. “Nat hates snakes.”

“Whatever.” Professor Miller scratches his head and mumbles to himself before heading back into the building.

No guy has ever tried to prove they would protect me against anything like Rick has. In only the short time I’ve known him, he’s saved me twice. A grin threatens to expose how flattered I am by one little statement. Our eyes meet, and his travel down to my lips, causing me to lick them. It feels like he wants to kiss me. I mean, really kiss me. Intensity flows between us, like there’s an invisible rope pulling us together. My face heats up, reddening my cheeks, giving my feelings away.