These Starcrossed Lives of Ours (14 page)

Ian

“You sure you wanna do this, Rosenthal?”

A straight country road created a divide between the large plots of tilled farmland on the left and the overgrown, blooming woods on the right. The entire earth had a yellow glow to it, and watching it bounce off the hood of Ron’s Eagle Talon
made me shake in excitement. I couldn’t wait to put my foot to the gas pedal.

“If I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this I wouldn’t have come,” I said, and I fastened my seatbelt. “Where’s the finish?”

“Old oak tree, same as always. You can always back out now,” he said,
expecting me to cop out.
As if.

“Ron, just get in the car so Ian can kick your butt again and we can all go home,” Kara said, rolling her eyes. She was twirling a strand of hair around her finger and acting completely bored. She hates cars.

“Hey, I don’t know. Ron might win this time,” Michael said, staring at the hood of Ron’s car. Ron added quite a few new updates to his Mustang. I would know, because he wouldn’t shut up about it on the phone the night before.

“I don’t care what he put in there.
I’ve seen Ian drive. He’s the best.” I turned in my seat to beam up at Christie, who smiled back. Ron simply rolled his eyes, but I ignored him. Racing’s the one thing I’m good at, and everybody knows it. And Ron had to be taught that again for what had to be the millionth time.

“Please be careful,” Christie said, leaning inside the car window. “This makes me nervous.”

“I don’t see why it should, since I’m such an amazing driver,” I said with a laugh.

“You’re not invincible. If he does have a chance, just let him win so we don’t have to do this again.”

“Never.” I smiled and put my sunglasses down. “Don’t close your eyes, you might miss me.”

“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes with a chuckle. She stepped back and held up a red flag, waiting to start the race. “Ready?” she shouted to Ron.

“You ready to see your boyfriend get smoke in his face?” Ron asked, sliding in his car.

“He’s not my boyfriend, but I’m ready for you to shut up,” she said, laughing once more.

“What the hell, I’ll root for the underdog,” Kara said, shrugging.

“Yes!” Ron’s fist pounded the air. “I’ve convinced the skeptic!”

“Go Ron,” Kara chanted in a monotonous, dry tone. I revved my engine a few times and that’s when the entire world stopped. It was just me and my car. 

Tires squealed and smoke flew everywhere as we took off. The back end shifted and I quickly straightened the Talon out so she was flying down the gravel, sending rocks scattering. Ron and I were neck and neck, until for one reason or another I realized that he was pulling away from me. I pushed my accelerator to climb up to ninety but I still couldn’t catch him. What did he put in that thing to make it so fast?

I wasn’t willing to lose. I pushed the accelerator down to the floor, steadying the vehicle and nearly losing control.

A car was up ahead. I was the one who chose to drive on the wrong side of the road, so it was coming straight at me. Ron automatically slowed down but I was going too fast to throw on my breaks. I lightly let up, and watched as the car ahead blared on its horn as I grew closer and closer. Just in the nick of time I swerved in front of Ron and watched as the car passed, my heart beating wildly. I passed the finish line just before Ron and then slowed down, turning the vehicle around and heading back to the group cockily.

The minute I was out of my car, Christie started attacking me.

“You idiot!” she said, pounding me repeatedly with her fists. “I told you to be safe and you nearly collide...”

“Christie, Christine,” I said, grabbing her wrists and laughing. “It’s okay. I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

“Something could’ve,” she said, giving me a harsh glare. “You could’ve gotten killed.”

“I didn’t know you cared so much,” I said softly. She blushed lightly and looked away.

Meanwhile, Michael and Kara were both looking at me like I’d preformed a miracle, unable to believe that I’d just barely escaped death.

“Wow,” Ron said, gasping for air and looking around. “That was crazy, huh? Sorry that the car almost hit you.” Then he paused. “Though if you’d have let me pass, it would’ve been a lot safer.”

“Safety’s never been my priority when it comes to kicking your butt,” I said. Christie pulled away from me and stomped over to the Talon, muttering under her breath.

“Next time, Ian,” Ron said, shaking my hand, and everyone groaned. “I almost had you.”

“You did Ron,” I smiled at him. I’d let him race me as many times as he pleased, just so I could get the rush.

“Glad you liked it. After all, that’s about as much action as you’re gonna get, Super Virgin,” Ron laughed. Christie’s face turned to stone and I gnashed my teeth as I said, “Cut it out Ron.”

“I’m just teasing. It’s okay if I wear this shirt around you, right?” he asked, pointing to his Hooters t-shirt. “Don’t wanna offend you or anything.”

“Your mouth’s almost as big as your head, Ron,” Kara said, jumping to my defense. “So are we heading back to the party now? I’m starved.”

At the mention of food Ron ran back to his car and said, “I’ll meet you guys there. I haven’t eaten in days!”

“You mean two hours?” Kara asked.

“Yep.”

“Hold on, we’re coming with you,” Kara said, grabbing Michael’s arm and pulling him over to the Mustang, glancing back at Christie and I. Michael gave her a confused look but she forced him into the passenger’s seat and then takes the back, waving goodbye. The minute they’re down the road I turned to Christie, who is pointedly ignoring me.

“Oh come on Christine,” I said. “This is who I am. I can’t help it.”

“Yes you can. If you’d have gotten hit by that car, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

“For real?” I said. My heart felt like it was doing somersaults.

“I do care about you. What would I do in that apartment all by myself?” she asked, shaking her head.

“You’re pretty good at taking care of yourself,” I said, shrugging. “Who said I’m not up for another race?”

“Ian, you’re impossible!” She grabbed my wrists and pinned me against the car. Without a second’s hesitation I grabbed her arms and spun her around so she was the one pinned, unable to move. “Was that really a good idea?” I whispered in her ear, shaking my head. She tried to struggle away, but for all of Christine’s temper she doesn’t have the brute to back up her threats.

Didn’t stop her from trying. “Keep it up Ian, and one of these days I’m going to kick your ass,” she muttered.

“Yeah. Right. You just tried.” I let her squirm out of my tight grip, still smirking.

She brushed back her hair, a pink tinge filling her cheeks. We both got back in the car, and she asks, “So we’re heading back to the party?”

“Yep. But I’m just warning you, everyone’s going to gossip about why we’re arriving later than the others.”

“I’ll just tell them you drove slow.”

“Sure, like they’re going to believe that.” I floored it. Christie was thrown back into the seat as gravel goes flying. The smell of burnt tires flies into the air and I inhaled deeply, loving the smell. In seconds we were at sixty and flying along the road, heading north away from town and into the more rural parts of Manchester. 

Christie leaned forward and turned the radio up. I gave a wild whoop as she let the sound pump out of the stereos loudly, dancing in her seat to the music.

The sun was bright as ever, casting a glow upon the evergreens and the oaks. A weeping willow sways carefully in the breeze and lambs, cows and goats all grazed in pastures by big red barns.

“You know what Ian?” she said, and I spared a glance at her. “It’s a stupid question, but I wonder what it’d be like to fly.”

“You’re about to find out,” I said, and I pushed the accelerator to ninety. She let out a loud cry, enjoying the speed, and her screams made me go faster. Soon we’re nearing one hundred and I couldn’t concentrate on anything but the road, couldn’t feel anything except the steering wheel on my hands and the vibrations of the motor. When Christie started laughing, I began applying the break slowly.

She let out an aw of disappointment, turning down the radio. “Why’d you do that for?” she said, glancing over at me.

I didn’t answer until we were at fifty-five. “You’re in the car, Christine. I’m not risking your life just for a thrill. That’s for when I’m by myself.”

“You better not,” she said, reaching over to slap me on the shoulder.

“I have my limits too, and they’re here when you’re with me.”

“Obviously,” she said grumpily.

“You’re not seriously still pissed about the whole Super Virgin thing, are you?” I ask. She didn’t answer and I said, “Oh come on Christine. It’s just Ron. He doesn’t mean it.”

“That’s not fair to you. He’s your friend. He shouldn’t make you the butt of a joke just because he lost the race.”

“Being a virgin isn’t a bad thing, it just feels like it,” I told her. “I’ll find the right girl someday.”

“Well, next time Ron makes fun of you, tell him that you’re sorry that you have your life together and nobody else does. You’re special. You deserve better than all that,” she said.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. “It doesn’t bother me. Really.” I chuckled at her messy hair. “But nobody’s going to think I’m a virgin anymore if you don’t fix your hair. It’s all over the place.”

She adjusted her ponytail hastily, avoiding my eyes. I turned carefully back into the party, where everyone was already back to having a blast.

“You better hurry to grab some food,” I told Christie. “Whatever you don’t eat, Ron will definitely finish off.”

We grabbed plates and walked over to where Kara, Ron and Michael were sitting. When Kara was nearly done Ron leaned over and asked, “Are you gonna eat that?”

“Touch my food and you die,” Kara said, not even giving him a second glance. Ron dropped his head and asked, “Not even a little bite of that pie?”

“I’ll shove the whole thing in your pie
hole
, and laugh,” she said deviously.

“Well, then maybe I’ll pin you down and sit on you.”

Kara’s eyes crinkled. “And maybe I’d like that.”

Ron’s whole face lit up. “Really?”

“No!” With her hands, Kara took a bit of barbecue sauce and smeared it all over the side of Ron’s cheek.

“Ugh!” Ron said, standing up and holding a hand to his saucy face. “Kara, you’re such a little kid!”

“You’re welcome. Now get out of my face,” she said, happily returning to her dinner as Ron stomped away.

“Why do you have to be so mean to him, Kara?” Michael said. Kara raised a saucy hand, and he went quiet.

Christine

A couple hours after we ate, Ron said, “Who wants to jump in the lake? It’s freaking hot out.”

Shouts of approval surrounded us and all the guys started heading towards the lake. Ian turned to me and said, “Are you still upset about what Ron said to me earlier? I’m really sorry about that. Ron’s a good guy but he can be a bit of an ass.”

“It’s no big deal,” I told him, waving it off. “You’re the one he said it to. But if you’re not mad, I’m not either.”

“I’m glad.” He glanced over to a crowd of girls on the beach. “Do you mind if I go swimming? Kara’s over there if you want to talk to her, unless you want to come with me?”

“Nah, I’ll go soak up some sun. You go, I’ll come in soon.” I started towards a group of women standing nearby, my throat tightening. Could I fit into this party without Ian by my side? I took a deep breath and entered the group casually. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Nice swimsuit,” a girl said, looking at me with approval. “Very cute.”

“Thanks,” I smiled. “Kara picked it out.”

“It’s no big deal hun,” Kara said, taking a sip of her drink. “I knew you’d love it.”

“Where’d you get it from? It looks like a Hot Topic suit,” a woman with black hair chipped in.

“Spencer’s. Everything was on sale,” Kara said.

The talking dissolves into a menagerie of discussing various stylists and the best places to shop in Ann Arbor. I relaxed. I knew the city like the back of my hand, and growing up there I knew places the others didn’t. As far as I could tell, I was fitting in great.

“You’re pretty cool Christie,” a girl named Sonja said. “It’s awesome that you know A2 so well. Maybe you, me, Ian and Ron can all go out on a double date sometime.”

“You’re with Ron?” I asked, amazed.

“Yes, he’s mine,” she said, rolling her eyes. “And he’s a real pain. But he can be a real big sweetheart.”

“Hey Kara, we’re gonna go in the water! You want to come?” The girls all looked at her eagerly.

“Actually, I was going to take Christie on the paddleboat, if that’s okay,” she said, turning to me.

“Sure.” I followed Kara to the boat, a little leery. I wasn’t the best swimmer, but as I glanced over to where Ian was splashing some of his buddies, I sighed. I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines. I got in the paddleboat and proceeded to cling to the sides as Kara paddled us farther and farther away from shore.

“So let me ask you a question. Why
aren’t
you and Ian dating yet?” Kara asked when we were out in the middle of the lake, putting the oars to the side and waiting for me to answer.

“It seems like that’s the question on everybody’s minds here,” I said in disapproval. “Just because he’s a guy and I’m a girl and we’re living together doesn’t mean we automatically have to be a couple.”

“I know that. But you guys have chemistry. I can see it when you’re together. Would you ever consider...?”

“We wouldn’t work out,” I said simply, shrugging.

“I know he likes you, Christie. I just don’t know if you like him back.”

“You can’t tell?” Relief flooded me.

“You’re a very hard person to read. You sort of shut yourself off to people. I just wanted to know if you have an interest. He is my best friend, after all. I wanna make sure he doesn’t get his hopes up.” She crossed her legs and looked at me.

“We’re just too different.” I looked at my reflection on the lake, watching the ripples float by. I was too different from everyone in this world. Relationships just led to more pain than I was willing to risk.

“What’s so different? What are you afraid of?”

I was silent for a second. “Ian has so much faith, especially in people. It’s good to have faith in God and to believe, but in this world you have to fend for yourself. Power is everything and money is everything. I don’t want him to know the truth by hanging out with me. I’m not...a good person.” I sighed.

“That’s not true at all, Christie. You are good,” she insisted, grabbing my hands.

“No, I’m not.” I pulled away and stared into the water. “You can’t understand the mistakes I’ve made. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I sighed. “And neither would Ian.”

“Ian’s good hearted, but he’s not oblivious. He’s just ridiculously optimistic,” Kara snorted. “You can’t keep that man down.”

“I know. But some things we don’t agree on, and that’ll just get in the way.”

“Ian doesn’t...well you know he’s...” she struggled to supply an answer. “Okay. I’m sure no matter what you’ve done, Ian would still like you regardless.”

“Fat chance,” I scoffed. Faith’s eyes were staring up at me from the water, accusing me. I looked away, into Kara’s eyes.

“He really, really likes you Christie,” Kara said. “He’s told me over and over. He just doesn’t know how to break your shell. Maybe you just need to do some deep digging and forgive yourself to realize that everything you’ve ever wanted is right in front of you.”

Deep digging sounded really tiring. “Whatever’s right or wrong doesn’t matter to me. I just don’t want Ian to get hurt.”

“So you do care about him.”

“Yes.” I looked deeper into the lake. “But I don’t know if he has my heart.”

“You and Ian would make a really cute couple,” she said, dangling her fingertips in the water. “And it’s easy to tell he’s crazy about you.”

Was he? Or was I just somebody else to help, a project like Tessica said?

“Well, I know one thing,” Kara said, starting to paddle back. “You’ve got Tessica terrified, and no other girl I’ve known has ever managed to do that.”

“It didn’t seem like it the other day.”

“You got her attention. If she thought Ian was just using you she would have left you alone.”

The thought that I had Tessica scared that I was going to take Ian away from her was sort of empowering. But at the same time, it also hurt me. I had nothing left to give anyone, much less a good soul such as Ian’s. The bitterness and hard times had molded me into a creature without feeling. Romance and its partner, love, held no interest for me. Hell, I hadn’t been able to feel much of anything for anyone since Annabelle left. I was a shell of a human being. I would never be able to love again. I was destined to live my life out alone, and even though it was sad that thought failed to frighten or sorrow me.             

The minute I got off the paddleboat Ian ran up to me, but instead of the usual smile I was expecting, a deep frown was embedded on his face. “Are you alright?” I asked.

“Get dressed,” Ian told me, throwing me my clothes and sliding a shirt on himself, hair still wet from the lake.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused. Ian would never want to leave a party this early. What was the big hurry?

“Another child’s gone missing,” Ian said, choking on the words. “A little girl named Nolane. We have to get back into town and try to find her.”

“Are you serious?” My mouth dropped open.

“I’m not kidding. Get in the truck.” Ian grabs my hand and practically drags me to the vehicle. As I look behind me the party is quickly dissolving. News has already gotten around.

“Where was she last seen?” I asked, turning to him.

“Chi-Bro Park. She was playing with four other kids and then she disappeared out of nowhere. She can’t have gotten far.”

“Drop me off near the grocery store. I’ll start looking there,” I told him.

“I don’t want you going alone. Two kids disappearing? It’s obvious that someone is taking them. These people are dangerous. We have to stick together,” Ian growled.

“I can take care of myself, Ian! We can cover more ground by ourselves, you in the car and me on foot. What does she look like?”

“Eight years old, brown hair and brown eyes, dark skin. She’s wearing a pink dress,” he grumbled quickly.  He screeched to a stop at Manchester Market and said, “Christie, I’d be more comfortable if...”

“Call my cell phone in an hour if you haven’t found her!” I said, slamming the truck door shut and he sped away. I started searching. The parking lot was deserted...save for a red sedan that had a long scratch down the middle of the hood.

I hissed. That was Landon’s car. What the hell was he doing here again? It couldn’t mean anything good. I walked into the store and began heading into the frozen section. As I crossed into the next aisle, a few figures caught my eye.

I Froze in place.

“This town is only so big. Christie has nowhere to hide,” Annabelle muttered, and my heart stopped. I pressed myself up against a glass door, holding my breath.

“Annabelle we have to go,” Landon whined, and I caught a bit of apprehension in his voice. “They’re going to find us soon.”

“Shut up!” Everything is quiet. There’s footsteps, and I could hear her walk closer and closer to the exact spot I stood. If she caught me, it was all over. Nobody in this store was going to be able to stop her from killing me on the spot.

“Annabelle!” Landon whined again. I heard her spin on her heels and hiss, “Oh fine! Just so I don’t have to hear your bitching. Let’s get out of here. You two.” I know she’s turning to the other people with her. “She’s not here. Sweep the area. I want you to find her. We’ll be back to pick you up later, but I don’t want any phone calls unless
she’s been found.
Understood?”

I don’t wait to hear their responses. As fast as I can, I bolt past the cash registers and out the main door. I run across the parking lot, running faster than I ever have up Main Street and back to Ian’s.