Discovering April (2 page)

It isn’t until I hear a slight murmur from the boys across the yard that my confidence spikes and I pretty much saunter the rest of the way to the building. I’m about to reach for the door when I feel arms wrap around my waist and guide me around the building. Surprised, I gasp and spin around. I have to release my fist when I see it’s only Hunter. As a college student you hear some things – a girl always has to be prepared. I’ve started carrying mace in my purse at all times.

“Hunter, what the hell! You nearly scared the crap outta me!”

“I just had to talk to you before class, I’m really sorry.” His eyes glance down like he can’t make eye contact with me, but I watch as they take in my silky smooth legs.

“You’re sorry? That’s all you’ve got? Hunter, I saw you pull out your phone for her number…”

“No, I’m telling you, I was just checking the time!” He runs his fingers through his dark hair as his even darker blue eyes plead with me. He licks his lips before starting again. “I’m sorry April, I’m sorry I hurt you. It wasn’t my intention at all. You know I only have eyes for you.”

At that I’m putty in his hands; actually, I was putty when he licked his lips. I love his lips. They are pouty and welcoming all at the same time, like little cushions made only for my lips. I glance down now, unable to look him in the eye, knowing full well I’m about to cave yet again.

“A?” he questions, linking his finger under my chin and drawing my face back up to his. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, but—”

Before I can utter another word, his lips are on mine. He pushes me back against the brick building and I lose all control. My hands wrap around his neck and draw him close, and his mouth explores mine with such passion, it’s as if it’s our first time. By the time his kisses lead their way down my neck, I have to gasp for breath. I wish it were like this all the time. Sometimes, I think the only reason we fight is so we can make up afterward. It’s a horrible, fleeting thought that evaporates the moment I feel his hands reaching up my dress, his fingers hooking into my panties. I picture him slipping them off gently, but instead he rips them to shreds. They fall to the floor before he lifts me up against the wall to put an end to this fight once and for all.

I’m sitting in class a little while later. I keep crossing and uncrossing my legs, trying to find a comfortable position without any underwear on. I can’t help but feel so naked; one gust of wind and my lady parts will be on display for the entire school. My psychology professor is once again blabbing about theories being proven and then unproven. It gets a little monotonous, so instead I find myself daydreaming about what happened earlier. My eyes wander to the window and I’m blankly staring out, daydreaming. A glimmer from some kind of tool is reflecting on my face, making my eyes focus. Across the width of the football field below appears to be a construction site. I had heard they were building more dorms; I had even put my name on the list. I don’t think I can afford to live on my own anymore. I’d have to worry about a place to live after graduation, but that’s like a year and a half from now. It’s not the hammer that makes me lean in closer, it’s the strong back attached to it, the hands that are expertly wrapped around it, the dirty carpenter pants and those boots… it’s Jared, my neighbor.

I don’t know why I find this piece of information fascinating. It’s no secret that after Jared’s parents died he dropped out to take over his father’s business, Hoffman Construction. This was junior year of high school. But for some reason, seeing him here on campus intrigues me. I wonder if he regrets it; I wonder if he longs to be here in a classroom like me. I also imagine what he could have become if he had. I mean, taking over an entire business at sixteen is amazing – imagine what he could have done with more education! My thoughts are interrupted as I watch him lean back against the wooden scaffolding. He turns around, wiping sweat off his face, and glances up to my window. I quickly divert my attention back to the teacher.
How did he know I was looking at him?

Ten minutes later, I chance a second look. They say curiosity killed the cat. I wonder what that cat was looking at, and was it as interesting as this? I study the construction crew as they joke around with one another on the bed of a pickup truck. It’s funny; they all look like brothers even though it’s obvious they don’t have the same parents. But just by observing them you can tell that they are closer than normal coworkers. Jared smacks one of them on the back and says something that makes them all stand up. He then turns to pick up a long wood plank, carrying it tucked under one arm like it weighs nothing less than a pillow.

I watch as he places the timber down and another worker comes up behind him and starts tacking in the nails. I’m amazed as I continue my obvious gawking. They seem to have a system going. Jared’s in charge; the brother with the long hair pinned back is second in command; and a guy twice the size of the rest with muscles the size of my head is obviously the brut strength. There are a few others, and a skinny younger kid looks to be interning or something because he just seems to follow everyone else along. In the past few minutes I’ve watched the teenager drop just about every tool on his tool belt.

“April?”

“Mmmm.”

“Would you mind answering the question?” My teacher’s voice suddenly snaps me back to attention.

My heart stops, I feel all the eyes on me and I turn beet red. “I’m sorry, what was the question again?”

“Yes, I noticed you were a little distracted.” She nods towards the window.

I duck my head, trying to hide the heat in my cheeks.

The entire class snickers before she saves me. “Jessica, please tell April what the rest of the class is discussing.”

Whew
! I need to be slicker.

THE DAY GOES BY in a blur of psychology, algebra, and forensics. Leaving the brick prison behind me, I step out into the blaring sunshine and take a deep calming breath. I feel the sun radiating into my pale skin and I’m happy for this summer to begin. I have so many plans, so many things I want to do before I begin my junior year.

“A!” I hear called from across the hill.

My eyes squint and I see Hunter standing over by the picnic tables with his friends. Ugh. They can be funny and cool to hang out with, but sometimes I wish I wasn’t always the only girl. Let me rephrase: I wish I wasn’t the only girl that isn’t sneaking out in the wee hours of the morning. I take my time walking across the courtyard to them, enjoying the warm rays of sunshine. It was a long winter and I don’t think there will be enough sun to thaw me out from it all. Try watching a skinny little girl like me trying to shovel three feet of snow by myself! It’s one of the downsides of owning a house and living alone.

“A, Todd is having an end of school party Friday, after finals,” he tells me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. But the way he does it doesn’t seem to be affectionate; it’s more like claiming his territory.

“Oh, really?” I know he’s already told Todd we’d be going so I have to pretend like I’m excited. I don’t know why I’m always trying to get his stupid friends to like me.

“Yea, so I told him to count us in!” He squeezes my shoulders, bringing me closer to him.

“Awesome!” I fake a smile and genuine enthusiasm.

I’M STILL DEBATING WHETHER I should fake an illness to get out of that stupid party this weekend while I stock the shelves at work. I’ve been working at the coffeehouse pretty much since the second day they opened. I remember it like it was yesterday: I was sitting at the long table in the back with a pile of applications. Jack, the owner with the shaggy blonde hair and light blue green eyes – like the water at my parent’s beach house – leaned over and said some wisecrack joke about him guessing I was looking for a job. A few minutes of conversation later, he actually offered me one. I think it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. He opens and I come in after school to take over and close up. He’s always lenient if I need a day off or get backed up with schoolwork. I love the shop itself, too. It’s small and homey because it’s the only one in the small town of Angelica, New York. They tend to get pretty busy sometimes but Jack’s never really needed to hire someone else because I’m always willing to work overtime. Truth is, I could use the money.

Hunter never seems to understand this. He’s always getting on my case for working too much. But he doesn’t understand the concept of working for a living. He’s always had his parents to support him. I have no such luck. Financial aid covers my school, but books, food, and a mortgage gets to be a little much for me sometimes. It’s all on my shoulders and I’ll be damned if I admit to my parents that I’m failing – miserably. Even if it starves me, I will get these bills paid. It’s not like I could starve, anyway. Jack will always let me take home some food at the end of the day. Jack’s always looking out for me, like the older brother I never had. Seems like whenever I need something, he is there for me. He’s like my own guardian angel. I don’t know how to ever repay him, so instead I run his shop like it’s my own.

“I’ll be in the back if you need me!” Jack calls over his shoulder.

Turning the spout off, I shoot him a wave. “You got it, boss.”

Handing the coffee to the customer, I watch Jack’s back as he retreats to the hallway that leads to his office. Glancing back to the next customer, I say, “Hi, can I take your order?”

It’s the girl with the red hair. Sera, with an E. I know this only because she’s corrected me on more than one occasion. I mean, what kind of name is that, anyway?

“Caramel latte, please,” she politely orders, but I just stand there for a second, staring at her.

I think it’s her eyes. They are light, an almost translucent brown that I swear look green sometimes. She practically lives here. I know she comes every morning and I see her stop by after work, as well. On weekends, she spends the whole day in that green chair in the corner. I think this girl needs a life. I blink, realizing I’m staring at her for longer than normal

“Coming right up!” I quip, turning around to grab a cup.

I start up the espresso machine. She waits patiently for me, glancing around the shop. After I’ve added the whipped cream, I hand it to her and take her money. She smiles at me and even though it makes me smile back slightly, I recover quickly and nod. There’s something about this strange girl that makes me want to be friends with her.
Ugh
, I think, shaking my head. I need to get back to work. I do happen to notice her settle into the green chair in the corner and open up her lap top before I turn to start stocking shelves.

I hear the bell chime with an incoming customer. I climb to my feet only to see Hunter and his friends barreling into the shop, screaming and hooting.

“Wooo! Best game ever!”

“Did you see that three-pointer Hunts threw?”

“Guys, guys let’s fill the little lady in,” Hunter yells over all of them as they crowd around the counter.

I hate it when he brings his friends into the shop. They are so loud and obnoxious. I mean, this is a coffee shop! People are trying to do work here! That, plus the fact that it’s just embarrassing that I know them.

“Oh, April you should have seen it—it was a buzzer beater!” Todd yells from behind a few guys.

“What can I say?” Hunter shrugs with a smug smirk on his face. Humility is not one of his stronger points.

“What can I get you guys?” I’m trying to get them out of here as fast as I can.

A few guys yell things over each other, but I hear nothing because Hunter leans in, his hair slick with sweat, his cheeks flushed. “What time do you get outta work?”

“10, same as always.” I swear I have to tell him things a million times. Sometimes, I wonder if he listens to anything I have to say.

“Wanna
hang
out?” His eyebrows quirk up when he says ‘hang’ and I know what that means.

“OOOOh, Hunt’s trying to get it on!!” One boy in the crowd snickers and the rest start a series of hoots before they start gyrating their hips in a provocative manner. Others are just humping the air in a manner I have no words for.