The Heir Page 17

  “You said that.”

  “Still true.” Then the bell rang. I jumped and clutched his shirt in my hands, shoving my face in his chest. I wanted to stay there forever. I didn’t want to move. The electric charge that flooded through me was pulsating from where we had touched. I pulled away.

  “Sorry,” I said, letting go of his shirt and trying to smooth over the wrinkles my hands had caused.

  “Don’t say sorry,” he said, grasping my hand where I tried to smooth the wrinkles out. “I am not sorry.”

  I tried to clear my brain. “I have to go to class now.” I started walking, thinking of a million different things. Most of them revolved around Shad’s comforting presence and words. But, as I turned down the hall, a picture of Ryker’s sad and hurt face popped into my head, and it wouldn’t go away.

  I had a hard time focusing in my classes that day. It was difficult to think of anything but the two boys who had become my world. Ryker was my best friend, but he seemed to be pulling away from me in so many different ways. Ryker was hiding things from me and was having random outbursts of anger. Then there was Shad. He sent my heart in a flutter and made my knees week. But even more than that, he was kind and sweet, and being around him made me feel like I was circling the sun. I needed him in my life; I knew it to my very core.

  As the day dragged on, I tried to distract myself. Math was the only class that seemed to pull me a little out of my funk. I blamed that on Shad.

  I wiggled my pencil while watching Shad work on a problem.

  “So, Shad, what do you like to do?” He held up a ruler he used to make a chart as I spoke.

  “I enjoy reading.” He looked at me questioning, “Why?”

  “Oh come on, there has to be something else, other than reading and roses.” I paused before continuing, “Anything with your guardian?”

  “We should probably get to work, or we will never finish this,” he replied, as he lifted up my paper and placed his hand over it.

  “I want to know more about you, Shad,” I spoke softly, almost as if I didn’t want him to hear, which let’s be honest was true.

  “I want to know you, too, Emma, but Math is a hard time to divulge secrets, is it not?” he smiled.

  “I just need to talk right now, if you don’t mind, as friends?” I leaned back in worry and disappointment, and then looked at my paper.

  “I miss my mother and father and my younger sister. I wish I could see them again,” he said quickly, not looking me in the eyes.

  “Where are they?” I asked.

  “They are in their home, and I am in mine now.”

  “Could they not take care of you or something?”

  “No, nothing like that—”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Emma, I will never lie to you, but do you think we can save this topic for another time?” He looked around the room, and I nodded.

  “I am sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

  He took my hand and rubbed it gently. “It isn’t a problem—really. I want to tell you. It is just a rather complicated story.” He looked at me, his eyes soaking with the sadness.

  “After my parents—” I whispered, wanting to ease his pain. I looked at him, “I thought I could never be really happy again. I thought I deserved to die, too, but then—” I gulped, trying to hold back tears.

  “Oh, Emma,” his voice broke in the middle of my name as if he was in agony with me.

  “It’s getting better, but it still is sometimes—lonely and sad, and I miss them all the time. The nightmares have stopped for a little while now. I am grateful for that. But their absence, it haunts me. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and I am so sorry that you miss your family, so sorry that you can’t be with them when you know they are still alive. I can’t even imagine that.”

  “Emma—”

  “I am sorry, Shad. I just—you are right. Now is not the time.”

  He nodded, squeezing my hand again. I cleared my throat. “Pain does fade with time. I will always miss my family as I am sure you will, too; however, it does get less painfully acute—with time.”

  I nodded. Time. Time seemed to be the remedy for most things. As I thought of time, all I could think of was that watch which my dad had worn on his wrist and the splatters of blood that had dripped onto its face. I could see it, and it made my stomach churn. I shook my head, trying hard to not get sucked into that memory. Time? Was it a friend or a foe? I was not sure yet, but I did hope that it would heal me as everyone seemed to believe it could.

  “So this equation—” I asked, gulping, refocusing on math in an effort to clear the nightmare from my brain. As I watched him explain an equation to me for the second time, I could not help but think about what I had told him. I had just let him in. He was the first person I ever told about my parents, that they died, well, other than Mary and Ryker. I had never said those words to someone else, and it stung. It also felt freeing, as if I wasn’t alone—it felt like I could accept it, perhaps someday.

  That next day, I did not see Ryker or Shad for the entire day. At lunch, I listened as Sam talked to Ash and I about football. I really did not know much about the sport, which was surprising because Ryker loved football. I watched as Sam flirted with Ash, and it made me smile. I wondered if Sam would ever just go on and ask her to homecoming already. I mean, was it so hard?

  After school, Shad showed up beside me as I waited in the parking lot for Mary. It was the day Mary, Ash, and I were going to the mall to find dresses for homecoming.

  “Wow, how odd to see you here,” I said, not looking at him.

  “I go to school here.”

  “Not today, it would seem”

  He stood in front of me. “Are you upset?”

  “No,” I lied, turning away from him.

  “You are upset. Why?”

  “Because I didn’t see you all day after math yesterday and then all of today. I didn’t know where you were.”

  “Emma Warren, were you worried about me?” The small smile that crept up his face made my insides flip, but I tried to control my face, so I was still glaring at him.

  “Next time could you text me?”

  He nodded. “Would you like a ride?”

  “No, I have one,” I said, lifting up my chin in defiance.

  “You have one?” He looked around as if he would see the person I was riding with.

  “Yep,” I answered with a smile.

  “Who, Emma?”

  “Well, Mary is picking me up; she took the afternoon off to take me shopping,” I said with a smile.

  “Shopping? Sounds fun—” He said, shrugging his shoulders. I hit his shoulder with mine.

  “Yes, when it is homecoming dress shopping.” His face looked like it was in some sort of shock, and I was worried. Had we not decided on going together after all? Was that a dream? Did he not ask me? “What’s wrong?” I asked as his face changed to some sort of amazed look.

  “So you really will go with me?”

  “Yes, I said I would.” He grabbed me and spun me around, and I was not expecting that reaction from him. I giggled and squealed in surprise.

  “This is wonderful. I am so very much looking forward to escorting you to the homecoming dance, Emma.” He put me down, back on earth, even though it didn’t matter because with him, I always felt as if I were in the clouds.

  “You have a funny way of talking sometimes,” I said, giving him a playful smirk.

  “I do?” he asked, surprised.

  “Yes, so proper and formal. I like it a lot.”

  “I guess, I am glad you approve,” he beamed at me as he walked to his car and waved goodbye. Mary pulled up soon after Shad had walked to his car; she giggled as she got out and gave me the biggest hug.

  “I am so excited. I really need a girl’s day—with my girl! Where is Ash?”

  “She just texted. She will be here soon.” After I got into the car, Ash came running from school with a huge smile on her f
ace.

  “I am so excited! Thanks for letting me come.”

  “Of course,” I said, happy that she was with us.

  The mall was crowded. I should not have been surprised by that, but I was. I also hated that I was in a mall at all. The stores, with their glass display boxes and pretty, thought-out designs inside them, showcasing the season’s hottest fashion trends, made me feel a little dizzy. I tried not to roll my eyes as Mary took me to a rather bustling shop near the end of the mall. Ash followed close behind.

  “Here we are!” she whispered in my ear. The excitement in her voice was almost catching. I smiled, and we waited in the line for a good half hour before it was our turn to peruse the dresses and stand in front of the mirror. I knew what I had in mind, and was curious to see what Mary would suggest.

  “I don’t really have a budget. I think I will just make something I already have work,” Ash was saying to Mary as we looked through dresses.

  “Oh, your parents won’t give you some help?” I watched as Ash’s face turned red, and I was surprised because she always seemed so confident.

  “Uh, they are my foster parents, and the money they get doesn’t really cover extras.”

  “Oh, I see,” Mary said, looking at me. I shrugged my shoulders because I didn’t know; I had not known that Ash was living with foster parents. Was that boy then who came to see her a foster brother? I felt guilty like I was truly the worst friend in the world for not knowing something like that. In a few minutes, Ash spotted a hot pink dress that made her squeal. I hid the urge to cover my ears.

  “Okay, I may not have the money for this, but I am so trying it on!” She hugged it to her chest, and Mary smiled.

  I walked through the rows and rows of prom dresses: some short, some long, and some even had trains. I touched the fabrics until one caught my eye. Mary was doing the same but was having more success. As I reached the end of a long row still with only one in hand, Mary smiled.

  “Well, let's get started with some of my choices here.” We made our way into a dressing room. Ash had a handful of all pink dresses in her hand and a huge smile on her face.

  Ash would come out, and every single time, she looked like a goddess. Pink was definitely her color, and I wished she could buy one of those dresses. Mary helped me get into a green mermaid-like dress. It was a tube top that hugged my hips and flared out at the bottom, and the shimmery fabric was beautiful, and Ash gazed at me in awe. I wasn't so sure I wanted to go bare-shouldered. I kept my opinions to myself because when I stepped out in said mermaid number, Mary gushed. I walked back into the dressing room, flipping through the dresses and found a silver-blue dress. The fabric was shiny, and it had sleeves. I zipped the dress on myself and stood in front of the mirror. The dress was a very light blue; the fabric seemed to catch sparkles in the light as I moved. It was a full skirt like I wanted, and the bodice was laced up in the back. The sleeves were quarter length, and as I stood and looked at myself and took myself in with that square neckline and pretty, slim-fitted waist, I felt beautiful. I loved how elegant it made me look. I spun and allowed myself a giggle as I did so. Finally, I stepped out of the dressing room to show Mary and Ash. I stood on the platform before both of them and a few mirrors, and they both gasped,

  “THIS IS THE ONE!” Ash nearly shouted. “Emma you look breathtaking!” She jumped to her feet.

  “I love it, Mary. I think Ash is right. This is the one.”

  Mary nodded and smiled. We handed the other dresses to the sales lady, and I watched Ash’s face fall as she handed her pink dresses to the lady.

  “I didn’t find one,” she said softly.

  “Yes, you did, honey.” Mary said, looking at my friend. Ash’s face looked confused. “Which one was your favorite?” I kind of wanted to pull Mary away and tell her this wasn’t making her sadness any easier.

  “I loved this one, with the sparkles and top.” She brushed her hands over a powder-pink dress, and I remembered that it looked stunning on her.

  “Yes, that’s the one then.” Mary took that pink dress and my blue dress and made her way to the register.

  “What is happening?” Ash asked as we followed Mary.

  “You are getting a dress,” I smiled, realizing Mary’s plan and loving her all the more for it.

  “What? There is no way. That is way too much money.”

  “It’s her money; she can do what she wants with it,” I shrugged.

  “You—she—you guys, I do not deserve this,” I saw her purple-blue eyes gloss over with tears, and I pulled her into a hug.

  “You probably already know, because everyone at school knows, but my parents died last year. I don’t know all you have been through, but I know what it is like to not have parents, and trust me, your parents would want you to be happy.”

  “Why do you think that?” she asked

  “You are amazing. I am sure they know it.”

  “Most people just assume that I had drug addict parents or parents who ended up in jail. No one ever guesses that they died. Thank you.”

  I nodded and smiled and walked to Mary who held out our dresses to us.

  Ash didn’t stop thanking us until we dropped her off that night, and I loved how excited she was. After we dropped Ash off, I turned to Mary.

  “Thank you so much, Mary.”

  “Of course, Emma. It was my pleasure; you are going to be knock-outs.”

  “I mean Ash, too. Her parents died, and she—“

  “I was glad to do it. I like her. She is a sweet girl, and she makes my girl happy. I am grateful for her, for being in your life.” She turned on the radio, and I was alone with my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and texted Shad.

  Emma: The color is a light blue.

  Shad: Color?

  Emma: My dress, usually the date matches.

  Shad: Oh, yes, of course. Perfect, I am on it.

  He sent a smiley face, and I sent one back. It was real. I was really going to homecoming, and I was really going with Shad.

  We drove through the city, and I listened as Mary chatted with me about the flower shop and her clients. She paused in speaking as the light turned red at an intersection.

  “Emma, I have something to talk with you about,” she said nervously, drumming her hand on the steering wheel, which was so unlike her.

  “What is it?” I asked, looking at her face. She wore sunglasses, so I could not see her eyes or her expression, but I knew it had to be about something serious. The light turned green, and she started driving again.

  “It is about—” She stopped and shook her head. “No, the thing is, I think we need ice cream,” she smiled at me, and I nodded, confused about what she wanted to say. But, I knew Mary, and if it was really important, she would tell me eventually. She always did. Right then, I had a double chocolate chip ice cream calling my name.

  After we got home, I hung up my new dress in my closet and stared at it for a while. I could not believe that it was my life—that I was really going to homecoming. I closed the closet doors and sat on my bed.

  “So blue, huh?” I turned around and saw Shad, standing outside my window. I jumped and fell off the bed, startled. Shad pulled himself through my window and walked over to me.

  “Are you alright? I did not mean to scare you,” he said with a playful smile.

  “Oh, my heck, Shad, how did you get up there?” I held my chest, trying to steady my breathing.

  “I climbed a tree,” he motioned to the tree outside my window, acting as if it wasn't out of the ordinary to climb a tree to see me. His clothes were the usual uniform he chose for himself, and he looked as perfect as ever, and I just, like always, was in awe of everything that was him.

  “So, how long were you sitting there, stalking me?” I folded my arms across my chest.

  “I just climbed up when I spoke; I promise. I am not a creep.” He put his hand on his chest as if swearing it.

  I laughed.

  “So, how did dress shopping go?” he
asked, walking over to my dresser.

  “Really well.”

  He picked up a picture on my dresser, the one of Ryker and me the year prior, on one of our family summer vacations. “You and Ryker are so close,” he said, brushing the glass with his finger.

  “Yes, he is my best friend after all.”

  “I am sure he enjoyed being in your life for all this time. I myself have never had such a friend,” Shad replied, putting the picture frame back on my dresser, facing me. Then I noticed it—took him in. His pants were his usual slacks that fit him rather snug, and beautifully I might add, but a little wrinkled. His shirt was untucked, just like the other day, but it, too, was wrinkled, and the collar of his shirt was messed up. His hair was not pulled back from his face in its usual style, and as I looked into his eyes, I noticed that he looked sad. I ached. It was as if his sadness was mine, and I wanted to take it from him, know what hurt him.

  “Really, you didn’t have anyone, not even when you were younger?”

  He shook his head. “My family was always so busy; I didn’t have time to make real friends. I was often watched by other people, too, while my parents, uh—worked.” He walked to the side table by my bed and touched my lamp. The jewels hanging off the shade shook at his touch.

  “That sounds awful,” I replied, keeping my eyes on him.

  “Yes, it was not the greatest childhood, that is for sure. I value our friendship, Emma. I really do.” He looked at me; then his eyes locked on mine.

  “I value our friendship also,” I said, feeling a little nervous that friendship was all he would ever want from me.

  “Thank you.” His eyes locking on mine caused me to get lost inside of them. “I should probably go. I just wanted to—” he cut himself off, and I knew he just wanted to see me. I could almost feel it as the song played between us. “And I could not wait until tomorrow.”

  “Are you okay, Shad?” I asked, moving to him as he walked to the window. The song started playing in my head louder, and I tried to not focus on it so that I could hear Shad—but it was so loud.