Don't Kill Dinner (The Rules Trilogy) (10 page)

“It must have been the new bed,” Blaire said absently, interrupting Kate’s silent plea with her father. Blaire turned around then, and looked at her daughter in between flipping pancakes. She glanced at the mug in Kate’s hands. “You shouldn’t be drinking coffee,” she said before turning back around, ending the conversation.

Kate looked back down, defeated. She didn’t much like the taste of her coffee anyway. She stood up then, pushed the steaming mug away, and walked out of the room in protest. As Kate walked by, she commented on how it might be easier to sleep during the day anyway, since she was alone. Stunned, Blaire turned to watch her daughter leave, and then slowly turned back to her cooking. She began to hum again, almost as if the argument hadn’t taken place at all.

Upstairs, Kate flopped down on her bed, tears burning in the back of her throat. Her mother was making her favorite food for breakfast, and even though Kate was angry, she couldn’t erase the feeling of guilt she had for storming out. She lay there for a moment, relishing in her suffering, and then shifted so that she could look out the window. She sat up quickly, noticing a figure dressed in all black walking across their private beach. He stopped in the middle of their property, and bent to look at something in the sand. Kate stood up and moved closer to the window, curious to find out what he was doing. The dark figure rose, holding Kate’s glass and ice cream wrapper. Kate smacked her forehead, chastising herself for leaving trash on the beach. She could have gotten herself in a great deal of trouble. Without hesitation, Kate rushed out of her room and back down the stairs, ignoring the fact that all she had on was a sports bra and striped pajama shorts.

The air outside was already hot, and it smothered Kate as she made her way across the sand. She walked quickly, eager to explain the misunderstanding. When she got closer, though, she realized that the person, who was actually a boy, didn’t look much older than she was. His raven hair was long and shaggy, and curled at the edges. He was tall with lean muscles; his olive skin was tanned. He turned to watch Kate as she moved closer, his eyes level with her own.

“I accidentally left my glass and wrapper out here this morning,” she said when she grew close enough to speak to the boy. “I’m sorry,” she added, not sure if he was someone she should apologize to. She looked into his eyes when she spoke to him, noticing their intense color. His eyes were an icy shade of cobalt, an impossible blue.

The boy handed Kate her belongings without saying anything. She stood there, slightly annoyed with his lack of words. He should at least acknowledge her apology. They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, before Kate decided that she would take the high road.

“I’m Kate,” she said, sticking her hand out.

The boy hesitated then took her hand in his own. His skin was rough and warm, his grip firm. His handshake spoke volumes, and Kate could sense his quiet confidence.

“My name is Rico,” he said at last, startling Kate. She had thought, for a moment, that he would never talk, that they would end up in an awkward battle of silence, but she had been wrong. He smiled at her then, and she noticed that his eyes crinkled at the edges. She couldn’t help but smile back.

“You know,” she warned, “this is a private beach. You shouldn’t be over here.”

“I was unaware. I apologize,” Rico said. “I’m not from around here, you see. I’m visiting family this summer and thought the beaches had public access points.”

“That’s okay,” Kate replied. “I’m not from here either. I actually just moved in yesterday. My parents and I are renting this house for the summer, maybe longer. You know, though, the people who live here year-round might not be as nice about you being on their land,” Kate stated in an attempt at friendliness.

“I understand completely, and I thank you for your concern. I think I’ll be okay, though. I can handle an old man yelling at me from his deck,” he said, a mischievous grin crawling across his features.

Kate observed Rico. He was dressed in all black, dark jeans and a faded t-shirt, and Kate thought that he could handle a great deal more than an old man yelling at him. He could probably handle a young man yelling and chasing him across the beach. Anyone could tell that he liked to cause trouble by his appearance, so why did he feel the need to chastise Kate or make fun of what he thought was concern? Kate crossed her arms across her chest, and attempted to gain some form of dignity; she was much too proud to walk away right now. “I just assumed that I would help you out since you aren’t from here,” she snapped, losing her patience.

“I thought you said that you weren’t from here either,” he retorted.

Kate threw her hands in the air, giving up for the second time that morning. Her gesture conveyed her annoyance, and what she hoped was indifference; the last thing she wanted was for Rico to think that she cared.

Rico glanced at her, a quizzical look on his face.

“What?” she demanded.

Rico just smiled and shook his head. When she stared at him, he just shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. There he was, at a loss for words again. Kate’s frustration peaked, igniting a flame of anger within her soul.

“Will you just leave my property?” she asked. She couldn’t understand why Rico made her feel so much anger, but she knew that she couldn’t let it get the best of her. She was at least reasonable enough to see that.

Naturally, Rico didn’t say anything. He turned and left, glancing behind him once more to see her watching him leave. He offered a devilish grin before disappearing over the horizon.

“Who was that boy?” Blaire asked when Kate walked into the house with her glass and ice cream wrapper.

“Some kid named Rico that liked observing the things I accidentally left on the beach,” Kate replied, holding up the objects.

“Your father and I are about to leave, honey,” Blaire interjected without really listening. “Please eat something; I left a few pancakes in the microwave for you. We should be back before dinner, so don’t eat a late lunch. We plan on going out to eat at that seafood restaurant down the street. It’ll be our housewarming dinner.”

Kate nodded, still annoyed with her mother and Rico, and walked to the microwave. She took out the blueberry pancakes, and grabbed some orange juice before sitting in front of the television. Finding a dramatic reality show about crazy teen parties, Kate settled in to eat breakfast. She could feel her mother watching her, and felt guilty about being mean. She turned around to say something, but her mother was gone, and the distant sound of the front door shutting announced her parents’ departure. Kate sat back on the cream couch, content with losing herself in the pointless drama of rich, rebellious adolescents. It would at least drown out the memories of her first morning in Florida.

Actor for Hire (The Rules, Short Story)

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