Keep it Secret (17 page)

Shaking the thoughts from my
head, I chug the liquid until it pushed me into a drunken stupor,
helping me forget feeling crappy about my pathetic life, as I drank
my phone rang in my ear disrupting Styx’s
Renegade
that was now
playing.

“Ollo?” I howled…I was
drunkity drunk drunk.

“Ava?” The familiar
masculine voice asked.

“Yuppers!”

“Umm, hey it’s
Reggie.”

“Helloooo, Reggie.” Reggie
laughed. He’s laughing at me, well that’s not very nice, is
it?

“Are you drunk?”

“Aren’t you
per…percept...perceptive.” Ooh-wee, I was drunk.

“Okaaay? Are you coming down
tonight?”

“Mmm nope! I’m done with ya,
Rrreggie. I’m closed, no more penis for me.” I grumbled looking at
my phone trying to figure out why my music stopped
playing.

“You’re kidding me right?
Hell would freeze over before you kept your legs
closed.”

“Ha. Ha! Don’t get all
butthurt because I’mnotletting you hititanymore. Get over yourself,
lose mynumber ash-hole!” I hung up before he could respond. Styx
resumed in my ear. Yay! My music was back. Before the song was done
I closed my eyes drifting off to never, never land feeling happily
numb.

Vanessa

After Ava left the bathroom I
replayed what Daddy told me in his office. What was Ava doing that
was so major that it needed professional intervention? My stomach
flipped at the possibilities. Maybe it’s best if I let my
imagination loose in a video game instead of Ava’s demons. The
disaster of a morning was soon forgotten as I alternated between
playing
Call of Duty
and
Skyrim
.
Spending the entire day on my game console it wasn’t long before
5:30 came around. My nerves resurfaced, as it was now time to start
getting ready. Ridiculously, giddy I paced to Ava’s room for some
wardrobe assistance hoping that would somehow cheer her up. After
knocking with no answer, I got worried. Slowly, I opened her
bedroom door the smell of alcohol flooded my nose, to my surprise
she was passed out on her bed with a half empty bottle of tequila
on the nightstand. This was perhaps one of those things she was
seeking help for. Was it possible to be an alcoholic at this age? I
mean how did she manage to get enough alcohol to be one? She’s not
twenty-one yet. Quietly, I walked over to a small closet on the
opposite side of the room grabbing a white quilt. Covering my
cousin with the blanket I brushed a black silky strand of hair from
her face tucking it behind her ear.

“What are you doing, Ava?” I
whispered into the air. Ava murmured something in her sleep as she
shifted in the bed. Before walking out of her room I looked back at
the person I knew like a sister, now I wasn’t sure who I was
looking at.

The hot water felt awesome. I
hummed and sang the very few words I knew from
Breathe
by Michelle Branch.
Breeeaaathhh
…something,
something, something
everything is
alriggght.
By my interpretation of the
second chorus I was squeaky-clean ready to fry my hair with hot
air. Brushing my hair with one hand and the dryer in the other, I
secretly wished the sound of the blowing air would wake Ava up. She
needed a lecture or two and I was more than willing to give it to
her. Unfortunately, by the time I was finished she was snoring. I
could hear her deep slumber echo into the bathroom. She was knocked
out I guess that’s what half a bottle of tequila will do to you.
Instead of thinking about Ava, I should start to get ready for my
date. Since this was an actual date, I figured a little makeup
would be all right, Mother would not approve but since she wasn't
here…what momma doesn't know won’t kill her. Now, to figure out
what I should wear. My closet that was the size of a dorm room was
enough to be the envy of any girl. I was lucky. Inside everything
was color coordinated divided into sections according to the
season. Walking to the summer selection I pushed the hung clothing
about, trying to make up my mind. After trying on several different
outfits my closet looked like it exploded designer clothes. At this
point I was ready to call Gabriel and cancel, but then I saw it. It
was placed on the floor with the rest of the rejects. I must have
not even noticed it was in the closet and thrown it on the floor
with the others. It was a lime green summer dress with thin straps.
I took a white half sleeve cardigan off the hanger grabbing my
favorite tan colored strappy sandals to complete my look. By the
time I was done, it was 6:55. I took one more look in the mirror
before leaving grabbing my red cross-body bag. Midway down the
stairs, the doorbell rang.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

I’m going to barf. Daddy
came out of the den holding his finger up for me to wait where I
was as Daddy opened the door he stepped aside, asking Gabriel to
come in.

“It’s good to finally meet
you in person, Gabriel. I’ve heard you're quite the athlete.” Daddy
praised as he shook Gabriel’s hand.

“Thank you, sir. I do all
right. I’m hoping to get scouted this year.” Gabriel replied. Even
from behind he looked good. Gabriel wore khaki fitted shorts that
went down to his knees, white fitted polo and cream-colored
loafers. His hair was parted on the side like always.

“Are you going to stand
there all day and just stare at the boy? Or are you going to come
down and say hello?” Daddy called to me. I instantly felt my cheeks
burn just as Gabriel turned around to face me.

Jeez thanks Dad!

“Wow, you look great.”
Gabriel ignored my tomato face instead paid me a sweet compliment.
I slowly walked down the stairs afraid I might trip and fall on my
face, which could very well happen. I tried really hard not to hang
my head low in embarrassment Daddy chuckled because he could see
right through me. He was enjoying this a little too
much.

“Have her back by ten, all
right son?”

“Yes, sir, absolutely.”
Gabriel replied.

“Keep your cell phone on at
all times, Princess.”

“Of course, Daddy.” I said
giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Gabriel led me outside
opening the passenger door to his black Mercedes. I took off my
purse before climbing in the car making sure to tuck in my dress
with both hands. When Gabriel got in the car I tried to calm my
nerves, the close proximity to him was enough to break out into a
sweating fit.

“You really do look
beautiful.” He said. I blushed of course like the idiot that I
am.

“Thank you.” I replied. He
smiled wide before starting the car.

The theater was packed with
moviegoers, a lot of which were kids from school. While at the
ticket booth I spotted Talon, he waved ‘hi’ but made no attempt to
come over. Once inside Gabriel bought us a bucket of popcorn and
two drinks. We made small talk as we waited for the movie to start
I was still pretty nervous but was getting more comfortable by the
minute. We agreed on a raunchy comedy about a group of college
students going on a road trip.

“I’m surprised you wanted to
see this particular movie.” He said. I threw a halfway popped
kernel in my mouth.

“Why? Because it’s filled
with sexual content and situations?” I smiled.

“Uh, sort of, I never pegged
you for a girl who liked this type of movie.”

“It’s all fake, it’s not
real life. I find it hilarious to be totally honest.” Gabriel
smiled directing his attention back to the screen. After the movie,
we made our way to a very popular Italian restaurant in town. It
might sound crazy, having a half Italian cousin and all, but I
wasn’t the biggest fan of Italian food. I don't know why, maybe all
the tomato that’s used or the spices? I didn’t have the heart to
disappoint Gabriel so I stayed quiet. Looking at the menus, Gabriel
asked what I thought of the movie.

“I thought it was
hysterical, what about you?”

“Yeah, it was pretty funny,
but some of the stuff was pretty raunchy, don't you
think?”

“Well, that’s what made it
funny, silly.” I responded looking back at the menu.

“See, that baffles me.” He
said puzzled.

“Why is that?”

“You’re so…such
a—”

“Goody two shoes?” I said
cutting him off.

“That’s not a bad thing.
Vanessa.” He replied sincerely. Which made my fondness for him grow
even stronger.

“Just because I live my life
a particular way doesn't mean I look down at other people that live
their lives differently than mine. I thought the movie was
hilarious, would I engage in the acts they participated in?
Absolutely not, pasta salad looks good, what are you getting?” I
looked up to find Gabriel staring at me, my thoughts of Italian
salads disappeared. Now, I was thinking how to make my skin change
back to its normal tone and not a cherry red.

“What?” I asked
shyly.

“Nothing, you really
surprise me, is all.” He smiled looking down at his menu for the
first time since taking a seat. After placing our order, I asked
Gabriel about the different wrestling techniques he used. He
explained and I pretended to know what he was talking about. Soon
enough our food was placed in front of us.

“What did you do all day?” I
asked sipping on my lemon water. Gabriel started to choke on his
food, taking a napkin he coughed into it.

“Are you okay? Here, drink
some water.” I said pushing the glass in his direction. He took a
sip of water clearing his throat before speaking.

“Ahem, sorry that went down
the wrong pipe.” He replied sounding a little
embarrassed.

“I hung out with my mom,
what did you do?”

“Nothing really, just played
video game—” I cut myself short mumbling the last of my sentence,
my eyes widened, instantly I looked down at my plate. Oh my God,
he's going to think I’m such a nerd. What kind of girl plays video
games all day?

“Played…what?” He
inquired.

Should I lie? What can I
respond with that sounds like video games?

Nothing sounds like video
games
.

How about rodeo
frames?

How is that going to make
sense?

Bah! I sound like a loony
having a full on debate with myself.

“Video games.” I whisper
taking a drink of my water again.

“Did you say video
games?”

“Um, yes?” I
replied.

“Nice, what do you play?”
Well, that was unexpected.

“I love to play any RPG and
first person shooting games.”

“RPG?” He asked.

“Role playing
game.”

“Oh, I see, that’s cool,
I’ve never met a girl that likes video games. Don't tell me you
like comic books too?” He asked, it sounded like he's teasing me,
like there’s no way I would. Boy was he mistaking.

“Oh, of course not.” I said
trying to sound sure of myself. I guess being a girl gamer was
cool, comic book geek, not so much.

“Wait, you do?” Gabriel’s
voice rose a bit from shock.

“Yes?” Ugh, get a good look
at him while you still can Vanessa, he won’t want to hang out with
you again.

“Wow, how is that possible,
you're like every guy dream come true. Wait, don't tell me you're
like really into football too?” I giggled, feeling a warm sensation
in my stomach.

You’re like every guys dream
come true
. I hope I’m his dream come
true.

“Unfortunately, no, all that
entails sports and the outside is Ava’s department, I’m an indoor
type of person.”

Gabriel nodded as he
continued to eat his food his mood shifted a little throwing me
off. But it quickly faded as he finished his bite.

Odd.

“How’s your salad?” He
asked.

“Oh, delicious, how’s your
pasta?”

“Delicious.”

Belly full of salad and
Gabriel butterflies, we walked towards the promenade. After walking
around for some time, we stopped by an ice cream shop and shared a
cup of chocolate ice cream, two spoons of course.

“So, you and Talon have two
classes with Ava?” I asked taking a spoonful of ice
cream.

“Yeah, and Mallory, they
seem to be hitting it off pretty well.”

“Mallory Richards?” I asked.
He nodded with a mouth full of ice cream. Well, how about that,
Mother had been try to force a friendship with Mallory because of
Mallory’s “status” but we never got along. It could have possibly
been that we were both fighting for the title of
Valedictorian.

On the way home both Gabriel
and I were quiet, I was a ball of knots. How do these things end?
Was it required to kiss or could I get away with just a hug. It
sounded ridiculous, me being seventeen years old with no form of
experience with boys but I was sheltered pretty much all my life
and the thought of kissing a boy scared the bejesus out of me,
especially one that looked like Gabriel.