Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1 (2 page)

August 2014

Eloise

Finishing work, I step out into the cool air and inhale deeply. I can smell the lavender coming from the fields on the outskirts of town. It’s the crappiest, smallest town in the UK in my opinion, although I’ve never ventured farther than Lincolnshire, so I guess I can’t really be one to judge. I do love it on warm days like this, though, when the sun beats down and the breeze is cool, because the lavender fragrance is always carried in this direction.

I head from Crystal’s, a local café that do the best chocolate twist pastries and lattes in town, although there aren’t that many choices here, so I don’t have much to compare with.

Pulling my phone from the zipped compartment in my bag, I wander forward, quickly responding to the messages I received whilst working. I smile to myself at the sight of Hayley’s text. She’s sent a picture of herself and her little brother sliding down a long waterslide. She’s on holiday for the next week. Lucky for some.

Sigh.

A split second later, the sound of screeching tyres and a horn blast sends my heart shuddering.

Something grabs the back of my top and I’m flying backwards before I can register what’s happening. My body smacks into solid wall of chest, and arms come around me before we hit the pavement. All of my organs jolt back to the places they’re supposed to be after bouncing around my body a few times.

I finally let out a belated yelp and a set of hands pull me off the stranger’s lap and help me stand.

“Christ, Elle!” I hear through my daze and look up at my uncle Stanley. “What the fuck?” He turns to the person who pulled me backwards and slaps him on the back. “Quick thinking pal, thanks for that.”

“Stupid fucking kid!” A woman shouts out of her car window and races around the corner.

Well that’s pleasant…

I blink a few times, my phone still in hand. “What happened?”

“You almost got hit by a car, that’s what happened,” the man who seems to have saved me bites out as he rights himself. He’s kind of hot for an older guy. No… not kind of…
definitely
hot. “Don’t you watch where you’re going?”

I can’t help but gape at him. Holy crap. He is mesmerizingly hot. Bright, blond curly hair, deep blue eyes and the body of an athlete. Christ, look at those arms! Does he do push ups all day every day? I bet his abs are smoking. Better than Riley’s, definitely.

Did he paint his T-shirt on? It’s literally clinging to his chest and waist.

Shit, I’m already undressing him and I haven’t even seen him properly yet.

“Did she hit her head?” My uncle asks and I feel him brush my hair from my face.

I bat his hands away. “I’m fine, just shocked I suppose.” I look to the tall man and give him a small smile. “Thanks for…” Waving my arm at the road, I give a shrug and run my shaking fingers through the side of my hair. “Saving me I guess.”

He runs his own hand through his short blond hair, almost mimicking my movement, and scowls down at me. Without saying another word, he turns on his heel and marches away.

“He seemed nice.” I roll my eyes and turn to my uncle, who’s sharing the same scowl as the man who just walked away. “I’m sorry, before you go off on me. I’ll be more careful.”

“You could have been killed.”

“Oh the horror,” I say, my tone laced with sarcasm in an attempt to hide the fear that is clogging my throat. I turn back towards the road, this time checking both directions before walking across. The guy who saved me seems to have vanished.

Oh well.

“I’m calling your dad,” my uncle shouts. I flip him off over my shoulder and ignore his chuckle as I walk away.

Christ… I almost died right then. That’s scary.

With that lingering thought in my mind, I make my way home, being extra careful of roads and parked cars.

I wonder who’d miss me if I die. Genuinely I don’t want to die, but I can’t help but wonder. All of my friends would probably place flowers by the road upon which my body was mangled; my dad would be distraught; my mum would probably shut down and my uncle and cousins would no doubt be quite sad.

I think I’ll live for now. That would be better for everyone.

It would definitely be better for me. I’m going to a live band mash up next month. Woohoo!

Isaac

I shouldn’t care. I know I shouldn’t, but I do. How can somebody be so stupid? She’s probably lived here her entire life; she probably knows this crappy small town like the back of her hand, yet she can’t even stop at the road side and check for cars.

Stupid mobile phones and new technology.

No, I shouldn’t blame the technology. It’s the users of said technology that screw everything up. She shouldn’t have been so immature and careless.

If I hadn’t been there, she’d probably be dead and even though saving somebody’s life should bring me a small amount of satisfaction and pride, it doesn’t. It only makes me wonder, yet again, how somebody could be so careless with their own life.

That said, she couldn’t have been older than twenty, so I guess being young and naïve can take part of the blame.

“Sorry I’m late,” I say as I walk into the house where I grew up. It hasn’t changed much, apart from the fresh paint job in the hallway. Still the same shade of magnolia, just brighter than it was due to being new and clean.

“You’re not,” he responds, patting me on the back. “Your mother is just finishing dinner.”

I glance through to the kitchen where I hear her soft voice as she talks to herself. This isn’t part of her illness; it’s something she’s always done. It’s one of the many things I loved about her as a boy and one of the many things I still love about her as a man.

“I’ll just go in and see her,” I tell him and make my way into the kitchen. The minute she sees me, she smiles brightly, her plump arms opening up ready for me to embrace her. I do so instantly, feeling like a small boy again, even though I’m a foot and a half taller than she is.

“You look more handsome every time I see you,” she says, grinning as she tilts her head back to look at me. “So much like your father.” Her hand pats at my cheek and she steps back. “You need a shave.”

I rub the stubble along my jaw and around my mouth and decide she’s not wrong.

“I have some things for your classes when term begins,” my dad states as he takes his seat at the dining table across the kitchen. “If you could drop by my office tomorrow to pick them up, I’d be grateful.”

I smirk, folding my arms across my chest. “I heard you bike everywhere now.”

“Good for the heart.” He pats his chest, which has gained a couple of inches of meat since the last time I saw him three years ago. I didn’t notice this yesterday when I arrived in town, but in my defence I was exhausted after a long drive and zero sleep. My dad was always a health freak as I was growing up; he was into exercise and a balanced diet. I’m assuming that stopped when I left home, because the man I knew twelve years ago would never let himself become overweight.

“What time? I’m meeting some old friends at four.”

“Any time before then. I’ll be in from nine. Got a few things to deal with and it’s quiet there during the holidays.”

“No shit,” I mutter, earning me a slap on the shoulder from my mum. “Sorry.” It doesn’t matter how old you get, you never ignore a chastisement from your mother.

“So, is there a woman I should know about? Wedding preparations? Grandchildren on the way?”

Jesus Christ, I hope not. “Sorry Mum, still looking for the one.” The next one to open her legs at least.

She sighs deeply, clearly disappointed, and now I feel guilty because she might never get a grandchild before she loses her mind to this awful illness. “Maybe you’ll meet somebody local.” This time she sighs wistfully. “Maybe you’ll fall in love and come home more often.”

Now I feel
extremely
guilty. I only smile in response and take the seat across from my dad as Mum brings the prepared plates of food over. “So, is there anything I should know about the kids I’m teaching? Who to watch out for, who to pay attention to, etcetera?”

“They’re mostly good kids,” Mum answers and takes the seat beside Dad, after making sure we both have everything we need. “There are a few who I don’t approve of, but they aren’t bad kids. The year nines are the worst.”

My dad nods his agreement. “I dread to see how bad they are now they’ve gone up to year ten. The older kids in sixth form are a lot better than they were last year. We got a bit worried about some of them. They started dabbling, but most of them snapped out of that phase.”

“Thankfully,” Mum inputs and dabs at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “You’ll be able to keep them in line; just make the lesson fun. When they get bored, they get restless and reckless.”

“I know how to teach.” I frown, forking mashed potato into my mouth. “I have to go soon. I have a flat viewing. The sooner I’m in my own place, the better.”

“You’re welcome here, always.” I take my mum’s hand as she places it over mine and thank her. As much as I’d like to stay, I’m too used to living alone.

Eloise

“I’m home,” I call and throw my bag onto the hanger by the door. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”

No answer… huh. They better not be bonking; that would be awkward, not to mention disgusting.

“Hello?” I shout again and finally hear my mum call back from the dining room. Opening the door leading to the beige room holding antique shelves and a large dark oak table that seats six, I immediately notice the headphones hanging around my mum’s neck and roll my eyes. “Jamming it to the seventies again?”

“You know I can’t dust without music.” She squirts the table with white foam and wipes it down with a yellow dusting cloth. “You could help me, if you like?” Her smile is wide and welcoming. I cringe away.

“I did my chores already. Besides, I’ve just finished work. Give me a break.”

“Coffee?” She offers politely.

“Please.”

“You know where the kettle is.” She starts cackling and puts her headphones back on her head.

Smiling whilst rolling my eyes again, I mouth, “Where’s Dad?”

To which she shrugs and points at the ceiling. He’s in his man cave then.

Making my way up the staircase, I enter my room and dive onto my bed, where my laptop and tablet wait for me. Both flash with unseen messages and alerts.

I quickly update my status on Facebook:

Almost died today, realised life is so much easier for everyone else with me here. Saved from a dragon car by a mighty knight with a very comfortable lap. ;)

The comments start piling in.

No way? Are you okay?

She’s kidding… you’re totally kidding right?

I got hit by a car last month, it wasn’t pleasant, be more careful.

It’s funny because I have no idea who these people are. I respond anyway and, within minutes, I’m conversing with two of them in private chat.

This is my life. This is my summer. Work, Facebook and chores.

Riley
:
Are you coming out?

Am I?

Eloise
:
Yes. Pick me up?

Riley
:
On my way.

Riley is my hot friend, the one who I used to have a crush on but since decided it’s better that we remain friends. Especially since hot guy Garrett moved into town last November. He is beautiful. Way too beautiful.

He’s also a black belt in Karate and so freaking good to look at when he takes his shirt off. He never dates though, even though he’s not shy. I’m still waiting for him to ask me out. I mean, I’ve dropped every hint possible.

Sooner or later I’m going to have to ask him.

Ooh, he’s uploaded a new profile picture; damn that blackish hair and those dark brown eyes!

Swoon!

Like!

A chat box immediately pings in the bottom corner of the screen.

Garrett
:
Thanks. :)

Eloise
:
No problem. :)

Garrett
:
Any plans?

I smile when he likes a few of my pictures in return and quickly type my response.

Eloise
:
Riley is on his way to pick me up. Want to hang out?

Garrett
:
Are you two together?

Yes! Finally! I’m getting somewhere.

Eloise
:
No, never have been.

Garrett
:
Awesome. Where are you going?

I quickly text Riley.

Eloise
:
Where are we going?

Riley
:
Thought we could hit Ranger’s arcade?

I quickly respond to Garrett.

Eloise
:
Meet us at Ranger’s arcade in ten.

Garrett
:
Will do. :)

Day planned. Wicked.

“I’m going out!” I shout and quickly check my makeup in the mirror, making sure to touch up my lip gloss and push my boobs up an inch.

Outfit done. Wicked.

“Where are you going?” My dad calls from his man cave.

“Out with Riley, to Ranger’s.”

“Home by ten thirty. No alcohol!” He says the last part with a growl to his tone.

“Promise!” I make a loud kissing noise and bound down the stairs, taking two at a time, and startle my mum, who’s organising the coats on the coat rack in the hallway. I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and leave the house, ready to meet my friends and hopefully my future husband.