Torn Read online

  Of course Scott drives to school again today. He’s all excited about some of the new boys that came out for the football team. He says they are huge and will make great linebackers.

  I listen like I care. Then we say our goodbye’s as usual.

  I’m walking down the hall with my head down in deep thought about the day before, when I get that weird feeling again. I freeze. I risk looking around to see if he’s here.

  Oh my gosh. I’m standing right behind him. What do I do? I know what I want to do. I want to go to him, and put my arms around his waist and lay my hands on his flat stomach. I want to feel my skin touching his skin. I can smell him. He smells sooo good. I wander what kind of cologne he wears? My heart is beating fast and I know my face is red from the thoughts that are racing through my mind. I have to get out of here before he sees me. I don’t want to go. I like being this close to him. I can’t make my feet move. Oh gosh, oh gosh, move, move , move, I keep telling myself.

  Camille comes up behind me and laces her arm through mine and drags me with her.

  Mike just asked me out for Friday, Camille said She’s so caught up in her own excitement that see doesn’t notice mine. Thank God.

  Really, that’s great. I tell her.. Where are you going?

  Oh, I don’t know. I hope parking she says and giggles.

  Your hopeless I tell her.

  8

  DEVIN

  I’m at my locker getting my books ready for the day when I feel her. It’s just a tingle in my stomach, but I know it’s her. I take in a few deep breaths and turn to greet her. She’s not there. Where did she go? I can’t believe I missed her.

  9

  STEPHEN

  I’m standing across the hall, leaning up against the lockers, wathcing the whole thing. I knows who Devin’s mate is and Devin doesn’t. Well, Well Well. I think to myself. I’ll just have to see if I can give old Devin some competition. He thinks he’s the only one that can be the Alpha. Well, we’ll see about that.

  I take off down the hall after her.

  I “accidentally” run into her and her friend.

  “Oh, excuse me, I’m sorry I was looking at my schedule trying to figure out where the trig class is.” He flashes a sly grin at Alex. “I’m new here and I’m having some trouble navigating my way around. Could you help me find it?” I ask Alex putting on my sexiest voice.

  “Um…..me?” she said

  “Yes you,” I said and held out my arm for her to take it. “I would be honored if you would help me. My name is Stephan by the way, what’s your name?”

  “Alex. Alexis. Alex. My friends call me Alex.” She stammered out

  “Well Alex, will you escort me to my trig class.” I ask leaning in closer to her. She turns red and looks at her friend like she not sure what to do. It’s quite amusing to see her so beside herself.

  “I’m Camille,” she said. “She’d love to” Then she nudges Alex in the back pushing her even closer to me. Her face turns red again. I have to say it’s very attractive on her.

  “Oh, okay” Alex says, she points to the door in front of her and say’s “ It’s right in front of you.”

  Camille rolls her eyes at Alex. Alex just shrugs at her and mouthed “What?”

  I look around at the room number and say, “So it is. Thank you for your help anyway Alex. I hope to see you around soon.” I’m shaking my head as I walk into trig class. I should have bumped into her sooner, I thought to myself. This is going to be fun, I like a challenge.

  10

  ALEX

  “Why’d you do that?” Camille barked

  “What?” Alex asks

  “He’s cute Alex, and he was obviously flirting with you and you just blew him off.”

  “So? What was I suppose to do? Walk around the hall all goggly eyed just to bring him back where we started?”

  “That’s what I would’ve done.” Camille said. “By the way, I’m glad to see that you didn’t wear a potato sack to school today.” Camille said laughing.

  “Well, after the fit you pitched yesterday, I was afraid not to wear one of the shirts we picked out.”

  “It got immediate results, didn’t it?” Camille asked with a little too much satisfaction.

  “Yeah, whatever.” I said. I know Camille thinks she’s wearing me down. Lord knows I’ll be getting a manicure by the end of the year.

  I make it through my first three classes with no problems. I’m nervous about lunch today. I know Camille will set with Mike today, and if Mike’s there then I bet Devin will be too.

  I’m suddenly hoping I look alright. Hoping this shirt doesn’t make me look like a slut.

  This is why I don’t date. It’s too complicated. Maybe I should just skip on lunch today. No, no if I do that then Camille will have a full interrogation waiting for me. I know I should just tell her about Devin, but she will definitely over react. I’ve never showed much interest in a boy before. She’ll be planning the wedding by the end of the week. Besides, he’s not even noticed me. How embarrassing for a crush to be one sided.

  I meet Camille at her locker

  “You ready?” I ask her

  “Yeah you? What’s wrong?” Camille asked

  “Nothing, long morning. Listen can we not make a full production at lunch today?”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “ I’m tired and I don’t feel like being embarrassed today.”

  “I’m not going to do that. Geez Alex just relax.” Camille said irritated

  “Are we going to set with Mike & his friends today?”

  “I’d like to if you don’t care. I really like mike.” Camille said.

  “Ok, just leave me out of it, would you?”

  “Ok.” Camille agreed.

  We grab our lunch and head to “our” table and sure enough there they all sat.

  We set down and Mike and Camille start making googly eyes at each other. I’m glad she’s happy. I risk a quick peek at Devin. He looks like he’s got something on his mind. He’s in deep conversation with one of the other boys. Chad I think He’s wearing a yellow t-shirt today that highlights his skin color. You can see his muscles ripple when he moves. I notice his hair makes little curls on the ends. I think about how I would like to run my fingers through it. My stomach is doing flips and my hearts pounding. I want to be close to him, smell him. Touch him. I watch his lips move as he talks to Chad. They look soft. He’s got nice full lips, pink, kissable lips. Mmmmm… I want to kiss those lips. I want to tell him that, but I can’t make my lips move. I’m trying, they won’t work.

  “Well hello beautiful,” Stephen whispers in my ear.

  I nearly have a heart attack. “You scared me to death,” I hiss at him. “Don’t sneak up on me.”

  “Sorry” Stephen said. “I just wanted to join you for lunch.”

  “Yeah, well have a seat.” I said and he slips in the chair next to me. I’m trying to catch my breath and Camille is grinning at me from ear to ear. The rest of the boys look like they want to rip his head off.

  “Hello Devin,” Stephen said. And he nods at the others. “Camille,” he said

  “What brings you around Stephen?” Devin asks not sounding too happy about it

  “Oh you know me Devin, I’m a sucker for a lady who plays hard to get.” Stephen says as he looks at me sideways smiling brightly.

  My mouth is hanging open, and I’m turning 10 shades of red now. The whole table is looking at me. I can’t believe this guy. I stand up and say “I’ve got to go” and I dart out of there before anyone can stop me. I find myself in the bathroom crying. How stupid, crying because a cute boy was flirting with me in front of the boy I like. God I’m so pathetic. They’ll all think I’m crazy now.

  I wait till lunch is over and slip into gym class at the last possible second. Hoping not to run into any of them.

  11

  DEVIN

  “Well Stephen, I see you still have a way with the ladies.” Devin said with a smirk
r />   “Why don’t you get lost.” Collin said to Stephen

  “What? I was just trying to play nice.” Stephen said in a very casual tone, sporting a mischievous grin. All the boys are glaring at him, willing him to leave. Stephen glares back to no avail so he puts up his hands in surrender and says, “Ok, Ok I’m going. I need to find Alex and apologize. She’s tough.”

  “You better leave her alone,” Camille advised. “When she’s upset she doesn’t like to be bothered.”

  “Okay, then will you please tell her I’m sorry.”

  “Sure,” Camille said, “but if you really like her you have to take it slow. She’s real shy around people. She’s totally cool once you get to know her, but until then she can be a little frigid.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” Stephen says as he leaves the table.

  “What was that all about?” Camille asked Mike.

  “He’s this jerk we went to school with before. Tell your friend to stay clear of him,” Mike said.

  “Hmmmmm….I will. I never saw her act that funny before. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She was sick after lunch yesterday and I bet she will be today.” Camille said

  Mike gives Devin a raised eyebrow. Asking the question without asking. Devin shakes his head no.

  After lunch as they were heading back to class, Mike asks, “You don’t think it’s her?”

  “No. couldn’t be.” Devin replied

  “Why not? It would explain Stephen stalking her. She’s not exactly his type. Blonde and giggly.”

  “If it was her, she would have already said something to me. She hasn’t even spoken to me.”

  “Yeah, but Camille said she was shy.”

  “I don’t know,” Devin said

  “At least talk to her and see what kind of vibe you get from her.”

  “Ok.” Devin agreed, but not really planning on it.

  12

  ALEX

  “Alex, I’m worried about you. What’s going on?” Camille asks

  “Can we talk about it later Camille. I don’t feel like it right now.”

  “Sure, but please talk to me. You know I love you and you’re my best friend. I’m worried about you.”

  “Ok after school come over to my house.”

  “Ok, by the way. Stephen said to tell you he was sorry about lunch today. And then Mike said for you to stay away from him.”

  I shrug it off. “Whatever”

  I guess I have no choice, but to tell Camille what’s going on. Maybe she can help me. After all she is the boy expert. At least she’ll know if what I’m feeling is normal or not.

  Scott has ball practice today, so I’m driving home alone. As I cross the parking lot to the car I notice someone leaning on it.

  Oh no! Who’s that and what do they want I think to myself. As I get closer, I see that it’s Stephan. He probably wants to apologize.

  “Hey,” I said as I approached the car

  “Hey,” he said. “Listen I really wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about lunch today. I didn’t mean to upset you. I really wanted to set with you.”

  “It’s okay”. I reply. “It’s me anyway. I’m shy around new people. You caught me off guard.”

  “Sorry,” Stephen said. He’s got his hands in his pockets and he’s kicking around a rock on the ground. I notice what he looks like for the first time. He has black hair. So black it shines. Blue eyes, really blue eyes. About 2 inches taller than me. Athletic build and golden skin. I can’t remember seeing that combination before. He’s very handsome. So why is he following me around?

  “I’ll see you later,” I said after a long silence

  “Oh, okay………wait would you like to go get a pizza or something with me.” He asks meeting my eyes for the first time.

  I’m standing there looking at him, getting lost in those eyes. My cheeks are getting hot and I look away. Man, my hormones have kicked into overdrive in the last two days.

  “I would love too, but Camille is coming over today.”

  “Some other time then” he asks like he’s afraid of the answer.

  “Yeah, that would be nice.”

  “Ok, bye.” He said smiling

  “Bye.” I said smiling back.

  It takes me a minute to gather myself before I start to drive home. Is this my life? Is this some kind of evil joke the spirits are playing on me? I go from not being interested in any boys from school, to drooling over two guys at once.

  It’s total chaos I hope Camille up to this.

  Camille pulls in the driveway behind me.

  “Hey, I hope you got some food. I’m starved.” Camille said. “I didn’t eat much lunch today.”

  “Why not?”

  “I was busy talking to Mike.” She sighs as she says his name.

  “I’m starved too. Come on and let’s find something.”

  We heat up a frozen pizza and grab some cokes and pile up on the sofa in the den.

  “Ok, spill the beans Alex.”

  “Ok, but let me explain everything before you say anything. And don’t say I’m crazy either. Okay?”

  “Agreed.” Camille said

  I start by telling her about the dreams. Then I break the news that Devin is the boy in those dreams. I explain to her about how I feel when I’m around him. And then I tell her that I basically have a date with Stephen.

  She’s staring at me with her mouth open. I’m getting really paranoid that she thinks I’m crazy.

  “Say something!” I said

  “Oh. My. Gosh. I can’t believe this. This is so exciting. It’s about time your hormones kicked in. I was really beginning to worry about you Alex. I was getting a little self conscious about sleeping over.”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?” I ask her

  She leans in and whispers like someone else is going to hear her. “I thought you might be … you know……gay.”

  I bust out laughing. What else am I going to do but laugh.

  “Well, you were never interested in boys that much. Lots of boys have asked you out and you turned them down. What else was I going to think?” Camille snapped.

  “How bout having a little faith in your friend.”

  “I just thought you were in denial.” Camille said

  “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  “Because you’re my best friend regardless.” Camille said

  “Okay, okay! Back to the boys.” I said. “Is this normal or not?”

  “Well, I can’t say that I dreamed about a boy before I ever met him” Camille said, “but I totally get the problem with the self control.” Camille said. “It’s not like that with every boy? You don’t feel the same attraction towards Stephen as you do Devin.” Camille stated.

  “No it’s different.” I told her

  “It’s like when I’m around Devin, I have no control over my body. I want to go to him, touch him. So bad it hurts.

  With Stephen I think it’s more like a normal crush thing.”

  “I can’t believe I’m finally get to have this conversation with you.” Camille giggles

  I smack her on the knee. “What am I going to do? You got to help me.”

  “Ok, first things first.” Camille said with a huge grin on her face. “Let me do your hair.”

  “What?”

  “Well, if you’re in the game now, you have to be a fierce competitor.” Camille explained

  “Oh lord, we are not doing my nails.” I protested.

  “No nails I swear, just hair and makeup and clothes.”Camille cringes away as she say’s the last thing knowing she’s pushing it.

  “Which one do you want?” Camille asks me

  “I don’t know. Devin hasn’t even acknowledged my existence. Looks like Stephen is my only option.”

  “Well Stephen’s not a bad option to have Alex, but I think you could have any boy you wanted.” Camille said. “Just not Mike, ok.”

  “Don’t you say a word to him either about any of this. It’s going
to be embarrassing enough if Devin doesn’t like me. But having all his friends know that I like him will be even worse.”

  “Not a word. Scouts honor.” she says holding up two fingers. Like she’s ever been a scout.

  “We’ll have Devin eating out of your hands in no time.”

  Camille was so happy. I’m finally like the sister she never had.

  13

  ALEX

  I’m standing in front of the mirror looking at an image that doesn’t belong to me. Or at least didn’t use to. My hair is down and has been straightened. I forgot how long it is. It comes down to center of my back. I have on make-up, not a lot but a very natural look. Here’s where it gets uncomfortable. I’ve got on the skinny jeans Camille picked out, and a shirt that I swear it two sizes too small, but Camille assures me it’s the style. It’s burgundy silk that hangs off one shoulder with a burgundy spaghetti strap camisole underneath. Only problem with her is she doesn’t have any boobs and mine are huge. They stand out like two beacons flashing in long lost boaters. I’ll end up smacking somebody before the day’s over. No tennis shoes, knee high boots. Brown with a heel. My feet will kill me. I can’t believe I let her talk me into this. I can do this I keep telling myself, but I have some serious doubts.