Elly & Kent - The Complete Story: Includes Books 1-3 (8 page)

 
"I don't mind. I remember when I first got here. Elly and I were lost a good bit and it took us a good month to find everything."

 
Jen did her annoying head nod, "So, did you want to actually see the inside of the house?"

 
That same blush touched Kent's cheeks as he shrugged his left shoulder. "I've got to check with Elly and see if she's free, but I think it would be fun."

 
For just a second I caught the start of a frown on Jen's lips but soon it passed off to a large smile with those perfectly white, straight teeth. I wouldn't give her the chance to take up anymore of his time today. I smiled to myself as I stepped forward to break up their cozy convo, tapping Kent on his left shoulder.

 
"Hey, you two. What's up?" I pushed aside the jealousy I had been feeling momentarily and smiled softly.

 
"Elly!" Kent exclaimed with a smile. "Jen and her family moved into the large house on Clairemont! She's invited us over to see the inside!" Kent seemed really excited about the whole ordeal.

 
I glanced at Jen to confirm the invitation. "Oh?"
 

 
Jen returned the smile and shrugged, nodding, "It's the least I can do."

 
I looked back to Kent and smiled, his enthusiasm rubbing off on me. "Then we should definitely go."

 
"Sweet. I can't wait!" Kent was all smiles now as we walked towards the lunch line, which had grown rather large. "How was your second period, Elly? Mrs. Blair is just as boring and old as always. I almost fell asleep twice but Jen woke me up so I didn't get in trouble." Kent chuckled as Jen laughed.

 
Great, they already had inside jokes and shared experiences. I felt my gut twist tightly. I felt the impending doom closing in on me. This was the beginning of the end, wasn't it?

 
I shrugged. "It was gym. You know how much I love gym." I looked at Jen to see if she was holding back a teasing remark but if she was, it didn't show.
 

 
"Hey, about later, I can give you guys a ride in the convertible. It's so nice outside."

 
Kent looked at me for approval and gave a shrug of his shoulders. "It's up to Elly." He smiled. I melted. I'd do anything for him.

 
"Well, maybe you should drive over separately and me and Jen can ride together so we can get as chummy as you two have gotten. That way we won't have to bother her for a ride home and you won't have to leave your car here for someone to prank." I glanced at Jen, "Would that be okay?"

 
If Jen had other thoughts they were well hidden, her expression neutral. "Sure, Elly. Makes the most sense." Jen gave a nod of her head, her hair falling freely around her face. I wanted to stick a bobby pin in it.

 
"Sounds like a plan. We can just head over after school and then maybe you and I can snag a bite to eat after, Elly."

 
I smiled back, happy that Kent hadn't invited Jen to crash our dinner. "Can't wait."
 

 
The rest of the day went by quickly and after the last period bell rang I made my way to the parking lot. I stopped at Jen's car and looked around, waiting for her to appear. Crowds of kids were walking out of the school. Kent and Jen were walking together, they seemed rather chummy, he said something that made her laugh and she bumped her shoulder into his playfully.
 

 
I watched in horror as Frank crossed in front of them and shoulder bumped Kent hard, knocking the glasses from his face.

 
Frank was laughing hysterically as Kent and Jen stopped midstep. Kent started to bend over to pick up his glasses but Jen got to them first.

 
I clenched my jaw as I watched Jen clean the lens with her shirt. And if that wasn't bad enough she opened them and put them back on Kent's face, pausing a moment too long to look him over.

 
Kent ran to his car, probably to hide his stupid teenage boy excitement at being touched by Jen. He looked over at me standing by Jen's car patiently and yelled, "Meet you over there!"

 
His hand rose in the air as he waved to me and got into his car. I heard the squeak of his car door shutting across the parking lot.

 
Jen watched him pull out of the lot as she approached her car, then her eyes fell on me. "Why doesn't he do anything about that guy? Or anything about the other people who pick on him?"

 
I moved around to the passenger's side of the car, both hands tight on my book bag strap. "He's not a confrontational person." I smiled softly, I couldn't help but do that when I thought of him.

 
Jen studied me for a long moment as if she'd noticed something but instead of speaking about it she just opened her door and unlocked the car so I could get in. After she started the car the top slowly moved down. "So you and Kent haven't...?"

 
I got in, hoping she didn't notice her car dip under my weight, and put my book bag between my feet. I secretly said a prayer as I pulled the seat belt across my body. When it dawned on me what Jen was saying I blushed.
 

"Wha...With Kent? No!" I shook my head, furiously, hands up in the air in defense. "No, no, we're just friends. He doesn't like me like that." I looked at Jen, the blush still warm on my cheeks. "I've never done that. Never even kissed a boy. Who would I kiss, really? How about you?"

 
A sly little smile played along her lips as a finger raised to twirl one of those golden locks. "I've kissed boys before. And then some."

 
She put the car into gear finally and backed out. As we drove the wind flew over us, making it impossible to talk. We finally arrived at her mansion and saw Kent sitting in his car on the street in front of the house. He didn't look happy, nor did the police officer who was standing at his window.

 
"Uh-oh," I said quietly. I turned around in the seat to stare at Kent as we passed by.
 

 
Jen parked the car in the driveway and gracefully got out, leaving me in the car, making me feel as inconsequential as her bag in the back.

 
She approached the police officer and offered him a sugary sweet smile. "Excuse me sir, is there a problem?"

 
The officer turned to Jen, his eyes regarded her underage body quickly. "We caught this young man loitering outside this house. We ran his plates and he's not registered in this neighborhood." Kent looked extremely displeased inside his car.

 
Jen laughed, the sound thick like honey. "No sir, these are my friends and I invited them over to see the house. My parents and I just moved here. My father is Dr. Derby."

 
With a nod of his head the police officer addressed her. "Alright, ma'am. If you're sure there isn't any trouble then we'll get back on patrol."

 
Jen shook her head. "No, no trouble officer. Thank you." She lightly touched the officer on the arm and gave him a warm smile. As I watched I recognized that Jen was used to getting what she wanted. And a part of me had a very bad feeling that what she wanted was Kent.

 
"Uh-oh." I said quietly again.

 
I grabbed my bag and headed towards the commotion. I opened Ken's car door, throwing my book bag in there so I wouldn't forget it later. "Man, I wish I had a camera so I could take a picture and send it to Mama Lyle." I was grinning as I came around to witness Ken and the police officer. I made a frame with my fingers and then made a camera shutter noise.

 
"Very funny, Elly. I'd be grounded for a week even if I didn't get arrested by the cops." The frown was hanging on his lips as he got out of the car.

 
Jen waved as the police officer got into his cruiser and left. Kent was scratching at the wild chocolate brown mop of hair on his head.

 
I waved him off, trying to wipe away his bad mood. "Such a sourpuss. Perk up, Kent, we're at our future nerdy-palace!" I grinned at him and smiled sweetly to Jen, trying to show her that I was not an opponent as she wrapped her fingers around Kent's hand and pulled him up the driveway. Because I knew from experience that the prettier the high school girl, the more vicious they were...

Chapter Eight

ELLY

Jen had been getting too close. She'd had her paws all over Kent every time I turned around. It was so annoying.
Doesn't she know that he isn't into girls like her? Is he? Yeah, he probably is! Ugh! Stop it, Elly!

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and shook my head. Was this really the outfit that was going to get Kent to say yes to being my boyfriend? I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
Oh my god. This was crazy.

"This is the craziest idea you've ever had, Elly Palmer!" I yelled at myself and it only made me want to cry more than I already did.

No, I was going to do this. And tonight was the perfect night. I would just do it right away, as soon as I saw him. Yeah.

I put the finishing touches on my lips and then left my room. My mom was in the living room and stopped me just before my hand opened the door.

"Elly, don't stay out too late."

"I know, Mom. Midnight. I'll be back on time, I promise."

She smiled a half smile as she looked back at her magazine in her hands. "I know you will. You're an angel."

I wasn't sure I'd go that far. "Okay, weirdo. Love you, Mom."

"Love you too. You look nice. Tell Kent Happy Birthday for me."

I felt my cheeks blaze up. I was obvious. I ripped open the door and yelled over my shoulder, "Okay, I will."

As soon as I was on the sidewalk I let out a deep breath.
You can do this, Elly. You can do this.
Kent was on time, as usual, as he pulled up beside my house. I ran down the hill and then remembered that it was
the
night and slowed down. I opened the car door and got in. I looked across the distance of the car at him. He was smiling, inching his glasses back into place with his pointer finger. So adorable. It was do or die. I had to make my move.

I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him. My lips going to his just before he turned his face and gave me his cheek.
 

Burn. Okay, maybe I just needed to say something. I cleared my throat as I sat back in my seat. He put the car in drive and started off onto the dimly lit streets.

"Happy Birthday."
Smooth, Elly.

He grinned, "Thanks, Els. Ready for burger heaven?"

"You bet I am." I smiled as I took the opportunity to take him in. He was dressed in a faded t-shirt and jeans. He hadn't dressed up, that was for sure. But his hair was still damp and I could faintly smell something spicy and clean coming from his general direction.

"Good. I'm starving. Did you bring your appetite or did you leave it at home like you did on your birthday?"

"Don't worry. I brought it. Kent?" I swallowed hard.
Just say it, Elly! Kent, I like you. I want to be your girlfriend. We should be more than friends. Say it!

He looked at me, the same grin taunting me. "Yeah?"

"I, um..."
 

He was studying me and it was making me extremely uncomfortable.
 

"I, um..." I gasped and put my hand on the dashboard as a red light quickly approached. "Red light! RED LIGHT!"

He stomped on the brake, the car stopped just in time. The mom that was crossing the street with her two young children glared in our general direction. I looked at Kent, who was now sweating a little, and exhaled loudly. "That was close."

"Yeah. Don't know what's gotten into me. I should've been watching the road."

Instead of me? He's right! Why was he watching me? Did he know what I was going to say?

"You better quit staring at me or people will get the wrong idea."

He laughed and shook his head, "Nope. That would never happen. Everyone knows I have the coolest best friend in the world and that's you. I was staring at you because you have something under your eye."
 

I yanked down the sunshade and then the cover for the vanity mirror and stared at a big blob of mascara that had somehow come loose. "Dammit." I looked around for a tissue or a napkin but there was nothing. Had he cleaned his car?
 

I opened the glovebox and screamed when a box of condoms fell out of it and into my lap. I held them up between two fingers and tried to get them back into the glovebox.
 

"Elly, th-th-they're not opened. Just st-st-stick them back in there." He grabbed for them and then threw them into the glovebox, slamming it loudly. His cheeks were burning red along with his ears. I'd never seen him so embarrassed.

"I, um, sorry." I swiped at the glob until it was gone and then wiped my dirty finger on the bottom of my black shirt. It would blend in well enough. My mind was now stuck on the condoms. Why did he have condoms in his car? Was he expecting to use them? With Jen?

The thought made my stomach tighten with disgust. I swallowed back a little bile and cleared my throat as I put the sun visor back up. We parked in the Burger Shack's parking lot and quickly got out. Neither of us wanted to talk about what had just happened. If we were good at anything it was avoiding sticky topics.