Shadows Lost: A Shadows Story, #3

By M J Rutter

Mistakes. We've all made them. We can either let them ruin us or learn to live with them.

Andi Harper is a successful author; something she always dreamed of. So, why isn't she happy? When she ends a relationship that was doomed to fail, her best friend, Mike, offers her a way to make a fresh start.

 

Memories, both good and bad, have kept her from her hometown, Sulphur, Oklahoma, for twelve years. She'd vowed never to return to the place where she'd left her heart, but limited options leave her no choice.

 

When she comes face to face with her biggest mistake, her ex, Laine Thomas, she never expected that returning home would restart a fire she should never have put out.

But Karma is a vengeful creature, and she's about to wake Andi up. Will Andi cope when she learns that life isn't one of her bestsellers and that the girl may never get the guy after all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M J Rutter
• Release date: Sep 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386915706

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

GLORY DAYS

Okay, Andi, truth or dare? Mike, my best friend, gleamed; his blue eyes sparkled in the flames of the flickering fire.

Mike, I think we are a little old for this sort of game. I frowned.

Humor me, Andi. I drove two hours to be here with you tonight.

Okay, I sighed, truth. I sipped at my glass of warm white wine and winced at its bitterness.

Who was your first true love? He grinned. He knew very well who it was. I rolled my eyes.

I’ve changed my mind, I’ll take a dare. I sighed.

Okay. I dare you to come home.

Mike, I sat forward, you know I can’t. He looked upset as I stood. I am going to find something else to drink; this is the worst wine I have ever tasted.

Talk about evading the question. He groaned.

You are supposed to be cheering me up, you know, not driving me further into depression. I smiled slightly and headed for the kitchen. My floor was freezing under my bare feet, and I shuddered with the cold as I walked away from the warmth of the fire.

The early March wind blew against the house, howling through my back door and bashing my wind chimes against the back of the house. It was warm that day, but the spring nights were still chilly enough for a fire.

When I returned he was removing his shoes. I only have Vodka.

That’s fine. You know light drinks make for a better hangover. He replied as I sat beside him on the sofa. I poured out two shots and handed one to him.

Here’s to never believing another lying, two-faced, pig of a man again. I said, raising my glass.

Hey! He almost coughed up his drink.

Sorry… present company excluded. Then my eyes filled again with hot acidic tears. Why do I always find the assholes? I sniffed.

I think you look for them, Andi. You knew he was married. He put his arm across my shoulder. I glared at him. Look, it is a well-known fact that most men who have affairs never leave their wives. Grason Novak was no exception to the rule. Come here. I fell back into his warm shoulder and snuggled into his body. We are not all bad, Andi. You just seem to find the ones that are. If I try to warn you in any way, you tell me to butt out, so I stay out of it and wait for the call, then I come running with a bottle and a shoulder to cry on, leaving my veterinary practice and my life to be here for you, my best friend.

I do appreciate it, Mike, I sniffed again, wiping away my tears. That’s it. I am through with men. I am going to spend the rest of my life alone, I sat forward and drank down my shot.

What a waste, he sighed. I stared into his eyes, cold and deep blue, as they glistened in the light of the fire and his brown curly hair that needed a cut, falling in wavy bangs across his forehead. I pictured him the day we first met… dressed in faded blue jeans, a blue striped shirt, and huge sunglasses, as he stood at the end of my drive way. His hair was much longer then, and he had a mouth full of bubble gum.

My mother moved us from Tyler in Texas to Sulphur, Oklahoma in the summer of 1982. Now Texas was hot, most of the year in fact. If we got a winter at all we were lucky, but Oklahoma was unbearably hot, thick with humidity and mosquitoes were everywhere. The trees were a darker shade of green and I detested everything about it.

The divorce had been bitter with my father moving in at Tracy Clark’s house just after Christmas and suddenly deciding that we, my little brother Denny and I, didn’t exist. Denny almost died that December and my father didn’t seem to care enough to come back. I hated my mother for throwing him out in the first place though.

If she hadn’t, he would still be with us and I would not have had to move to this Deadville type town in the middle of nowhere. She had managed to transfer to a new job in this tiny town, tiny compared to Tyler. I hated it simply because it wasn’t Tyler. I wanted to be able to see my grandparents whenever I wanted to and the few friends I did have, trusted. Why should I be punished because my parents couldn’t stand to live in the same town anymore? We had done nothing wrong and for that I was not going to make it easy on my mother.

Our new house was only a year or so old; the whole complex was built to attract the city workers from Oklahoma City, sort of like a suburb only in a smaller town. Close enough to commute without the high living cost of city prices. Anyway, it was grey with white shutters, the same as all the other houses on Marble Towers, and my mother’s new job was selling these houses to city slickers.

Only a few were already lived in and that included ours, situated at the end of the street, backing onto a construction site where twenty more houses were being added. Denny loved it as soon as she stopped the car. The moving men had already begun to off load the truck and I leant against her station wagon glaring up at our new home. The sun burned down on my hair and stung my eyes and with the annoyingly loud noise from that site I wondered if I would ever get used to it.

I took a deep breath and went inside. The walls were all the same color, a light cream, plain and boring. As we entered into the hall the house opened up; there was a kitchen come living room come dining room area. All open planned and it echoed with the black tiled floor and glass doors that ran across the back of the house. Behind the house there were some woods and the sun warmed up the room making it feel stuffy. I grimaced as I looked around; I didn’t like the way the openness made me feel so vulnerable, I looked at my mom.

We’re getting drapes for the doors. She explained. Don’t worry. Come and see your rooms. She led us up the stairs which wound around the wall in a spiral and made me feel quite sick. There are four bedrooms, okay. Denny yours is in here. She opened a door and his room was painted freshly with a coat of light blue. He smiled and went into his room. You get your own bathroom, Andi.

I do? I smiled.

Oh, yeah, didn’t I tell you that? She asked. She had her blonde hair pinned up and her mascara was way too thick for that time of day.

No mom, you didn’t. I frowned. Either she kept it a surprise or she didn’t know herself. Still I was somewhat pleased to hear this after sharing with Denny for eleven years.

My room ran the width of the house; it was huge. At one end there were doors that opened up to a small balcony that looked out over the back yard. The room was amazing. I gazed over at the green trees as they gently swayed in the soft breeze.

Along the south wall of the room ran a row of mirrored closet doors. I gazed at my reflection and sighed. I hated how I looked boring and insignificant. My long brown hair looked dull and needed a cut and I hated my dark brown eyes. They were my father’s eyes and it only made me miss him more. My skinny arms peeped out from the sleeves of my striped t-shirt and my jeans hung baggy off my waist; for a boy I looked cool, for a girl I looked a mess.

So, the room was bigger than my old one and amazing; maybe it wasn’t going to be as bad as I first thought. I still missed my grandmother and my father, though there would be no chance of him coming back now we had moved.

I couldn’t forgive my mother for giving up on their marriage so easily. Surely Denny and I were worth fighting for. Her dark roots in her blonde hair needed bleaching badly and her dusty blue eyes were tired. I could see sadness in them, yet I felt she could have forgiven him for our sakes.

What do you think? she asked, looking for some small sign of approval.

It’s okay, I replied vaguely.

Well as long as it is… okay. She frowned and left the room. I glared at the pile of boxes marked ‘Andi’s Stuff’. They all needed un-packing and I guessed I had all weekend to do it. So, I took my basketball from one of the boxes and went down to the side of our house where a basketball hoop had been left behind by the previous tenants.

I threw the ball a couple of times to no avail; I couldn’t get the ball close to it. I tried again.

You’re not lining it up right. A voice said from behind.

So, I shrugged and launched again. I was usually pretty good at hoops. Who made you an expert? I turned. He stood in faded blue jeans and a blue striped shirt. His brown hair was wispy, resting on his shoulders and fell in front of his face, but he had a friendly smile, which he flashed briefly when I turned.

I used to be friends with the Olson’s. They lived here for a while and I played baskets all the time with them. He explained.

Whoopee doo! I snapped and launched the ball again.

Sorry. I was only being friendly. He sighed and turned to walk away.

What’s your name? I asked panicking, I didn’t know anyone yet.

I’m Mike, Mike Tanner. I live right across the street. He pointed over at the house with a white convertible beetle on the drive.

Cool car.

That’s my sister’s; she lets me drive it sometimes.

Yeah, right, I frowned disbelieving him. He screwed his face up in the sun as he removed his sun glasses. I’m Andi. I said pushing my hair back over my ear, my only nervous trait.

Where are you from? he then asked.

Texas, I replied proudly.

Cool, he nodded. Well, I gotta go, he turned, see ya.

Yeah, I sighed and threw the ball into the open garage. It bounced against some boxes.

I’m uh… heading into town. There’s a burger joint called Randy’s, wanna come? I could show you around.

Let me tell my mother. I replied and ran in the house. She was emptying boxes in the kitchen. Mom, a kid across the street has offered to show me around, is it alright if I go?

Sure, she smiled. See, I told you that you would make new friends.

Yeah, I nodded and left.

I hardly knew this kid let alone be able to call him a friend. Although, before we got to town, I knew a lot more about him. His mom was called Carol and his dad was also called Mike, he had an older sister Shelby and two younger brothers Richard and Mark. Mark was the same age as Denny. He told me all about the school and how he was invited to a lot of parties because of his cool sister. Then after a few questions about my family he asked what my father did, I didn’t lie, but I didn’t tell him that he had left us because he didn’t love us anymore. Mike was almost a stranger; I couldn’t divulge that sort of information to him yet.

The town was tiny compared to Tyler. There were a few stores, a small library, a town hall and a couple of schools. One of which was to be mine, Sulphur Junior High. On the main street there was a diner called Randy’s and another restaurant called Sandy’s. He said there were a few more places, but you needed a car to get to them.

We headed across the street to Randy’s and ordered a coke at the counter before sitting in a booth near the window. We continued talking and I explained how I was upset about leaving my friends back in Tyler especially Chris Wilkinson; he was my best friend. I preferred to hang out with boys and the only girl I ever befriended was Tracy and now my dad lived with her, so we would never be friends again.

Oh, that’s just great. He announced suddenly and sunk into his seat.

Three boys entered Randy’s the tallest had short brown hair and bulging brown eyes. He had a gap in is front teeth and chewed on a tooth pick. The second was shorter and stockier; his eyes were also brown, but smaller and almost hidden under his bull terrier shaped face. The smallest of the boys had long wavy hair which was red; he had freckles and very thin lips.

Well, well, well. What do we have here? The largest of the boys asked us. The Fag has got himself a girlfriend?

Yeah, Fag. Where’d you get her, the dog pound? The chubby kid added.

Who are you calling a dog? I snapped.

Well, if the collar fits. He smiled.

Woof. The red head snarled.

At least he’s got a girlfriend, I ranted. I mean, what have you got? Nothing! You are just a bunch of idiots who couldn’t get a girl if you tried. So, unless you can better that, I suggest you leave. I could feel my face warm and my spine tingle with rage.

Ooh… you better put her on a leash man. The tall kid smiled.

Just leave, Shane, Mike sighed.

Or what? They warned and leaned in closer to us.

Or…. I stood, I will take you outside and show you how to get your ass kicked by a girl.

You think you’re so tough. He grinned.

I have hit bigger and better than you. I retorted, See, I am new in town and the only reason we moved here was because I have such a bad rep back in Tyler, that no school will let me in. I am guessing you’ll be in my class, right? They all looked at each other, In that case, shut your traps up and I won’t tell the whole school how I beat y’all up. The place is empty. There are no witnesses to state otherwise. He just looked at me then at Mike.

You’ll keep. Shane warned and left closely followed by the other two.

Thanks a lot, Mike snapped, you have just made my life a whole lot worse.

You let those creeps get to you? I asked in disbelief; I had stuck up for him.

I don’t have a choice, okay? Shane Marx makes my life a living hell and you have just given him everything he needs to end it.

He is a jerk, Mike. He won’t touch you, believe me. I assured.

Yeah, well he has a lot more friends than you do right now. He then stood, Look, I gotta go, just don’t get me anymore beatings, okay?

Mike. I stood and chased after him. The guy at the counter said our cokes were ready, so I had to pay for them and by the time I got outside Mike was nowhere to be seen. It was already late in the afternoon and he had left me alone, stranded in a diner, in a town in the middle of nowhere.

I walked around for ages, the sun began to set and when I finally got home I was incensed with Mike. How could he do that to me? I know I upset him, but he could have at least brought me home. My mom was furious with him for leaving me to find my way home. I felt so angry that I couldn’t even eat my dinner and went to bed early to try and bury my temper.

I woke to the mouthwatering smell of pancakes; my mom knew the way to my heart by way of my stomach. As I dressed I glared at my flat chest reflection with a grimace. Considering I was a Texan, I had no tan. I hated the sun and stayed inside as much as I could, so my pale arms and brown ponytail rarely saw the sunshine or changed color at all. I hadn’t eaten properly for two days and I didn’t realize how hungry I truly was until I started eating. The orange juice was cold and sweet and the pancakes, warm and fluffy, soaked in maple syrup.

Denny sat in front of the TV with his usual bowl of dry cereal. He didn’t like milk and ate his cereal dry; it took him ages to eat that stuff.

He had bad nightmares again last night. Mom explained as she poured her coffee. It must be the new house. She yawned, I was up with him almost all night.

He’ll settle down, Mom. I reassured her. Denny started to have nightmares after Dad left and some nights I would hear him scream; it got so bad at one stage mom began having him sleep in with her.

This is why we had to move, Andi. I couldn’t take another night of him screaming like that. I’d hoped the new surroundings would take his mind off uh…you know. She grimaced and sat beside me. How are the pancakes?

Delightful. I replied and as I took another bite, the front door bell rang and she went to answer it.

Uh… Hi, Ma’am… uh…I mean, Andi’s mom, I heard Mike say nervously.

Mrs. Harper. She corrected him.

I’m Mike Tanner from across the street. I wiped my mouth with a napkin and drank the rest of my juice.

Oh, so you are the one who left my daughter to find her way home? she asked sternly.

Uh… yeah, about that… I am so sorry, Mrs. Harper, I truly am. My mom said I had to come and apologize, so please tell Andi I am sorry.

You can tell her yourself. She told him.

Are you sure? I didn’t think you’d let me near her.

Mike, she’s a big girl, just don’t leave her on her own again.

Thank you, Ma’am, I won’t. He promised.

Andi, it’s for you. Mom said in the back of her throat, sounding so serious. He followed her to the kitchen area.

Hi Andi, Mike said cautiously. I am real sorry about yesterday; will you give me a chance to make it up to you?

That depends. I sighed.

E.T. is playing at the Metro, and I would like to take you to see it by way of an apology.

I have to help my mom un-pack. I lied.

No, you don’t honey, she said from behind him. In fact, I was going to ask if you could take Denny out. I can’t get anything done with him around the house. She muttered.

I could take my two brothers too. Mike added.

You have brothers? My mom asked with an elated smile.

Yes, Richard and Mark, I think Mark is the same age as Denny, eleven?

You hear that, Denny? Mike has a brother your age. She beamed.

Cool. Denny sighed and kept his eyes on the TV.

Isn’t it, like, a PG? I asked placing my plate in the sink.

My sister Shelby is coming too. She’ll get us tickets.

Okay, is that alright, Mom? It might scare Denny a little bit.

I saw Jaws 2, Denny called out. An Alien is not real.

I guess we’re going then, I smiled.

The movie was okay, I suppose for an alien movie, although it was quite sad. Shelby looked beautiful, her blonde hair fell wavy like a waterfall to her waist and her light blue eyes sparkled in the sun; everything was ‘cool’ to her, and she smelled so good. I loved her perfume and I wanted to be her.

Nature had been cruel to me and all my development stopped when my dad left. So for me to see this girl three years older than me and looking that good made me a little envious, but in a nice way. She invited us to their house for the rest of the afternoon as Richard, Mark and Denny were getting on great. Mark looked like Mike only younger and Richard looked like Shelby and their mom, Carol. Her hair was a lighter blonde, but not as long as Shelby’s. She called my mom to tell her she would give us dinner and made a huge bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce.

After dinner I helped Mike do the dishes and then we went up to his room. Denny had disappeared into Mark and Richard’s room; they had a brand new games console and he was not ready to go home. Carol said not to worry about it so I didn’t; it was nice to see some new faces and a normal home life. I sat on his bed and gazed at his posters of the Dukes of Hazard and the Hulk.

Shelby is taking me to a party tonight. It’s a senior party, which is cool considering we need to make as many friends as we can before next summer. I frowned, Hazing. Shelby’s boyfriend Storm, his brother was beaten black and blue by some bad-ass seniors. I don’t want to go through that.

No, I frowned. High school was approaching fast and it scared me.

So, do you want to?

What? I shook my head; I had drifted into a daydream again.

Do you wanna come to the party with me…us? he asked.

No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I frowned again.

Why?

For one thing, my mom will not let me go to a party on a Sunday night. Plus, I have nothing that looks remotely like party clothes, so thanks, but no thanks.

Andi, you look fine. I gazed down at my faded blue jeans as Shelby knocked on his door.

We’ll leave about seven thirty, okay, Mike? she asked.

Sure. He shrugged his shoulders.

You’re coming, Andi, aren’t you? Shelby asked me.

No. I shook my head.

I will ask your mom, she’ll let you go with me, plus you would love it. I could do your hair.

She says she has nothing to wear. Mike added. I flushed bright red.

No problem. She smiled, Come and look through my clothes, I am sure we’ll find something for you. She lifted my hand and pulled me to her room instructing Mike to change his shirt. Here, I think this will highlight your eyes. She handed me a light blue shirt. You can use my bathroom if you like. I left her and changed into the shirt. Now if I had boobs it would have fit me, but it didn’t and I looked ridiculous. It took ages for me to gain the courage to leave that bathroom. When I did I awkwardly tugged at the bottom of the shirt.

Let me show you a little trick to turn what you have into something more. She grinned, lighting up her face.

That would work if I had something in the first place. I chortled. She tied a knot in the front and it did look better. I then sat on her bed as she put a braid in my hair.

Storm is going tonight. She smiled, her bangles jingled as her hands moved.

Your boyfriend, I confirmed.

Yes. She smiled, He is amazing. Actually he has a little brother about your age.

Storm, is that a hippy name? I tried to avoid the brother although I was now slightly intrigued.

I think so. Their parents travelled all around South America. Storm was born in Chile and his little brother was born in Brazil. Storm, sorta talks like it’s still the seventies, but he is so gorgeous and I love him so much.

Cool. I nodded.

I am gonna get Storm to bring him tonight. She grinned, I think you are going to like him.

What’s his name? I asked. I mean it had to be outrageous.

Laine. Or not. He is a freshman this year, and so cute. She gushed.

He might not like me. I frowned at my reflection as she finished the braid and fastened a tiny rubber band around it.

Of course he will like you. Anyone would melt into those eyes, Andi. Have a little confidence in yourself. I blushed again. I spoke to your mom; she came over to check on Denny and she is fine with you coming as long as I get you home by eleven. She explained. When are you fourteen?

September sixteenth, I replied.

Laine is fifteen in December. You two will be perfect for each other, I just know it. She nodded and then dabbed a little lip gloss on my lips and I said goodbye to Denny. Mike’s mom said she would take him home later and I think my mom was grateful for the break.

Here I was, in the middle of nowhere and about to go to my first party ever. A senior party, in which, I was about to meet a boy. My hands shook as we walked up the street and my heart pounded in my chest. Mike said that I looked nice, I didn’t feel nice, in fact, I felt a little exposed with the knotted shirt tied around my middle. It’s definitely not a feeling I enjoyed. I got on well with boys, but as friends.

To actually go out with a boy, that was something else. The sun was still warm as it began to descend in a lavender sky while the night crickets began to sing reminding me a little of Texas. I tried to take my mind off everything that was about to happen, the party, new people, Laine. I thought about my dad living with Tracy, being a dad to her now and not me, wondering if he ever gave me a second thought.

Those last few months at school were harsh; I have no idea how I survived them. I had to go to school with her and I hated her for stealing my dad. So, if this ended badly it would all be her fault, I decided.

This is much better than that wine. Mike yawned stretching his arms up.

Yeah, well you brought it. I snickered.

I got the call and grabbed the first thing I found, but I didn’t realize it was that bad. He explained and took out a cigarette. Do you mind? I only smoke when I drink.

No, you go ahead. I shook my head. He offered one to me and I wrinkled my nose; I hadn’t smoked for years and was not about to start again, broken hearted or not. I drank my shot and poured another, remembering that night, the very first time I laid eyes on Laine Thomas.

We could hear the music thumping as we walked towards the house. Outside a couple of boys with long hair were sharing a cigarette and drinking beer. I didn’t even think that alcohol would be involved. I had never drunk; my Dad did enough to put me off for life. He used to fight with my mom when he was drunk. Shelby opened the door and the music burst into our faces with a cloud of smoke and the stench of booze.

Stick by me. Mike yelled in my ear as we tried to move through the crowds.

I kept my eyes on Shelby and followed her toward the back of the house. Joan Jet and the Blackhearts song, ‘I love Rock and Roll’ played loudly as we moved slowly through all of the kids. Suddenly, a tall dark haired boy tapped Shelby on the shoulder; she spun around, threw her arms around him and kissed him. I looked away slightly embarrassed. Shelby then pulled me by the arm through to the kitchen and we found a space near the stove. The music didn’t seem as loud there either.

Storm, this is Andi, she’s the one I told you about. She grinned proudly.

Oh, yeah. Hi there, Cosmic Babe. He smiled, she wasn’t kidding about the seventies thing. He had huge blue eyes and a mop of brown curls that fell all over his face.

Hey, I replied shyly.

My little brother will be here in a sec, okay? I nodded feeling even more nervous now.

Mike found a few friends and stood talking to them, I watched as they handed him a beer, without thinking he opened it and drank some. I was shocked to say the least, he was thirteen and drinking beer. I clasped my hands together, they felt clammy, but it stopped them shaking.

Here you are. Storm said gazing over my shoulder. Laine, this is Andi. I turned and he stood there, this gorgeous boy with huge blue eyes and blond, wavy hair. He smiled showing his perfect, white teeth and dimples around his mouth.

Hey, he said with a deep husky voice.

Hey, I replied and bit my lip with nerves, the lip gloss tasted of cherry.

So, you just moved here then? he asked. The music was so loud I could hardly hear him.

Yeah, I replied and was knocked forward by some reveler I bumped into him. Sorry, I blushed.

Hey, watch it. Storm called out.

Sorry, man. The reveler replied and disappeared through the crowds.

Do you wanna find somewhere we can talk? Laine asked. He wore a silver cross on a thin leather chain around his neck and had a freckle just above it, I couldn’t help staring. He lifted two bottles of coke.

Sure. I shrugged trying to act cool.

Shelby gave me a huge smile as we left the kitchen and headed for the stairs. We sat at the top where we could at least breathe and hear ourselves think. He smiled as he sat on the top step,

That’s better. He said handing me a bottle of coke.

Yeah, I agreed as I sat a step down from him. Thanks. That’s when I noticed his clothes. He wore a white shirt and black jeans. He had a brown leather strap around his tanned wrist and smelled of good aftershave.

So, where are you from? he asked.

Tyler, in Texas.

Oh, a Texan eh, he smiled admiringly; his eyes sparkled every time he smiled. I was melting slowly and wondered if he could see how much I blushed. So, can I ask why you moved here?

My mom got a new job. I replied.

Cool, he nodded, and you’re in Junior High?

Yeah, the last year, I smiled, not wise to move to a new school when you are that close to the end I know, but I didn’t have a choice.

We go where they tell us to, right? He smiled wryly, I nodded yes, I start High School September and I can’t wait.

Really? I asked, a high school boy.

Yeah, no more beatings, he admitted.

Oh yeah, Mike said… I began.

Did he now? He grimaced pursing his lips. Storm had a word and they have left me alone, but you can’t help wondering if they are waitin’ for you.

No, I guess not. I sighed then added, You’d think it would be outlawed, wouldn’t you?

Yeah, I think it is in some states anyway, he nodded and sipped his drink. Mike almost fell up the stairs in front of us. He giggled and staggered to his feet.

Hey guys, this is the best party ever. He grinned stupidly, his eyes were huge and he held another can of beer in his hand.

You might wanna slow down on the booze man; your mom will kill you. Laine warned.

Yeah well, she won’t find out if no one tells her. He said glaring at Laine and stumbled on up the stairs.

Shall we get out of here? Laine then asked. The smoke is making my eyes sting.

Okay. I stood and as I walked down the stairs he put his warm hand into mine, almost taking my breath away. A smile rose to my lips and I didn’t think it would ever stop. We went outside and walked around the side of the huge house.

Eventually we found some swings in the back yard. The deep blue, velvet sky twinkled above with the diamond stars and the toe nail shaped moon reflected in the water of the swimming pool.

We sat on the swings in silence for a while; listening to the sounds of the party and the rippling water of the pool. I sat there almost shaking because I felt so nervous. He was like a dream boy, like a movie star right off a poster from my bedroom wall. Could this have really been happening to me? I mean he must have liked me or he would never have taken my hand. Or maybe that was because he wanted to make sure I didn’t fall and he was just being nice.

So, do you like Sulphur? he asked suddenly breaking the awkward silence that had built between us. I thought for a few moments before answering.

It’s okay, from what I have seen. I haven’t even unpacked yet. I began rocking the swing back and forth slightly.

I love that accent, it’s so cool He grinned.

You have an accent too you know. I replied smartly.

Yeah, but yours is pretty. I couldn’t reply to that. So, look, I am just gonna say this because if I don’t I will regret it all night. I like you Andi, a lot. Would you consider maybe going out sometime with me?

What, like on a date? I asked elated. He did like me; I tried not to smile too much.

Yeah, he smiled.

Okay, I nodded; I attempted to hide my excitement, although I have never been on a date before, so I don’t know what you are supposed to do.

I’m no expert. He smiled, Can I have your number so I can call you?

You could, but I don’t know it yet, the phone is getting switched on Tuesday I think. I explained.

That’s okay, you can give it to Shelby and she’ll pass it on.

Sure. I nodded. I wanted to scream, to skip around, but we began to talk about our families, and it calmed me down a lot. He told me of his two sisters and two brothers, Lightening was in the army and Storm was a senior in high school. His older sisters were called Rainbow and Summer. Are you the only one without a weather name? I asked. His name did seem pretty normal compared to his siblings.

Uh… no, he frowned, I use my middle name because I hate my first name. He confessed.

Which is?

I can’t tell you. He looked away, I think he was embarrassed.

I won’t laugh or anything, it can’t be that bad. I assured. He thought for a few moments.

Promise me that you won’t tell Mike, if he ever found out the truth… He gazed into my eyes.

Laine, I won’t tell him, I promise. I affirmed. He then thought for a few more moments before grimacing and then finally he said,

It’s Winter, okay?

Winter, there is nothing wrong with that. I swallowed.

Yeah, right, he spat. My Dad has a hell of a lot to answer for.

But it is unique.

Mmm, yeah, he smiled wryly.

Well, I like it, anything is better than Andrea. I admitted.

I like Andi, it suits you. He proclaimed.

Why couldn’t they choose something like I don’t know, Lin or Sarah? I like Jamey too? Why Andrea of all the names to call a baby? What’s the ugliest name we can give our daughter? Oh I know, Andrea. I went on. He smiled again.

Mine still beats yours, Winter Laine Alexander Thomas at your service. I thought about it, it was kinda funny.

I see, I smiled, It could be worse. I added.

Oh really, what could be worse than that?

Well Snowy, or Frosty, that’s bad, or Hailstone, I’d like to meet someone with that name. I smiled.

You have a wicked sense of humor, Andi. He chuckled.

Sorry. I replied.

Don’t be, I like it. He smiled and I melted again.

We talked the evening away, I had so many questions. His life seemed much more interesting compared to mine, mundane and boring. At least he had been out of America which was more than I had done. Before I knew it, Shelby stood at the back door to the house and calling me to go home. I didn’t want to go; I wanted to talk to Laine all night. He seemed so easy to talk to; I could have told him almost anything. He walked with me out to the front of the house where Shelby and a drunken Mike were waiting with Storm.

Storm’s going to give us a ride home. Shelby said. So you two get to spend a little longer together.

Can I walk Andi home? Laine asked glaring into the car. Mike’s head was swaying, We’ll meet you at your house, Shelby. He added.

I am sure it will be fine, it’s only like ten. She said smiling at me.

If that’s alright with you? he asked me.

Of course it’s alright I shrugged my shoulders trying to not look too keen. Of course I wanted him to walk me home.

I’ll wait for you at Shelby’s, man. Storm called from the car as we walked down the street. Laine’s hair looked almost silver in the moon light as he walked at my side. With his hands jammed into his jean pockets.

Do you like music? he asked.

I live for music. I replied and folded my arms across my chest.

So, who are you listening to right now?

Aerosmith, I love rock music, I like British bands too like David Bowie and The Jam.

Cool, that Paul Weller guy is a genius. He added.

I know, I agreed, so what about you, what do you like?

I uh, I actually like classical music, I mean, rock is cool too, but I love music you can just listen to, no words or loud guitar solos to distract you.

I would never have guessed you were into that, I replied, I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it, just a guy, in his teens, you know.

I know, he smiled again. I play the piano, I have done since I was four, so I guess that would help towards my appetite for the classics. I like old movies and Shakespeare too, so I am nowhere near your average teenager.

Wow, I smiled, I am so boring compared to you.

I find that hard to believe. Do you like to read? he asked.

Yes, anything, all books really, I love reading, I have just finished ‘Little Women’ again, I kinda relate to Jo I guess. I am just about to start ‘Wuthering Heights’ even though I know it’s extremely sad. I nodded. Uh… I can also throw a mean basket and I like to run. That is it I’m afraid I shrugged.

Wuthering Heights, he smiled, I have never read that, I will now. I need to know what makes my girl’s mind tick.

Your… your girl? I frowned slightly, excited by the prospect. I nervously pushed my hair over the back of my burning ears.

If that’s what you want, I mean, I have never asked a girl out properly before so…

You are asking me out? My faced burned, I was so grateful it was dark.

I guess I am. I don’t think I have ever met anyone like you. He stopped walking and turned to me, he took my quivering hand and with my heart thumping in my chest he gazed into my eyes. I have only just met you, Andi and all I want is to be with you, does that sound psychotic?

No, I managed, completely dumbstruck.

So, how about we go on that date real soon and see how things work out? He smiled.

Are you asking me or suggesting? I frowned.

I am asking you to go on a date with me tomorrow night. He confirmed. I gazed into his eyes, they sparkled like stars. That is if you want to, I mean, I …

No… I mean, sure, of course I want to, I smiled, it’s just my mom.

I understand. What if I came over tomorrow and I can meet your mom? She might let you go out with me once she’s met me. He explained. Then he frowned, You didn’t answer my question.

What question? I asked, confused.

Will you go out with me? Not just on a date, I am asking you to be my girlfriend. Was he for real? I could feel my face burn again; I gazed into his eyes,

Okay, I smiled, yes. He then leaned his face closer and I kept perfectly still as he gently pressed his lips to mine, I almost exploded. I mean, wow, my first kiss, and I floated the rest of the way home. Hand in hand we reached the end of my driveway; Mike was waiting at his front door.

We have a spy. Laine muttered.

He just promised my mom I’d get home safely. I explained and watched as he went inside closing the door behind him. So, what time can I tell my mom you are coming over?

That depends on what time you’d like me to come over. He smiled.

Well, is ten too early?

No, not early at all, I ride Seb until nine so that would be perfect. He smiled again. Our eyes met and I beamed too, he was like an angel sent from heaven. What’s on your mind?

Am I dreaming or is this real, because when things are this good or too good to be true, they usually are, he grinned admiringly at my reply, it’s kinda corny, I know.

No, actually it’s kinda sweet. What can I do to prove this isn’t a dream? he asked lifting my hand.

I don’t know, pinch me?

I am not going to pinch you, how about this? He leaned in and kissed me again. Even better this time. As he pulled back he asked, Convinced yet?

No, I smiled and we kissed again.

Laine, will you get your scrawny butt in this car now? Storm called out making us both jump. He looked over at his brother and grimaced, Come on, man.

I have to go. He said reluctantly.

I will see you tomorrow then. I nodded.

Yes you will. He affirmed pecked my cheek and ran across to Storm’s car. I watched as they drove off leaving Shelby on the curb.

So, I can take it things went well with you two? Shelby enquired.

Yes you can. I replied. He is just, wow.

I told you, didn’t I? She hugged me and we walked to my front door.

Is Mike alright? I asked, I didn’t even say goodnight to him.

Oh yeah, but I guess he won’t be up early tomorrow. She replied, So, are you guys going on a date?

He actually asked me to be his girlfriend. I nodded and grinned.

That little stud. I can tell you he will treat you right, Andi and you should hear him play the piano, he’s amazing, their sister Rain is at Julliard. She linked her arm in mine and we walked up towards the house.

Wow. I gasped, That’s impressive.

They all have weird names, but boy they are a great family. My mom opened the front door with a smile; we both thanked Shelby a hundred times before I floated up to my room.

After I took a much needed shower as I stank of smoke; she came into my room and sat on my bed.

Aren’t you going to dry your hair first?