Notice Me (4 page)

Chapter 4: Happiness
"Will you hurry up and get your butt out here already?" Anya
shouted loudly from the other side of my bathroom door. "They'll be
here any minute now!" I blatantly refused to leave the safety of my
wonderful bathroom, especially not after letting Anya pick out my
outfit.
She had my hair straightened and pulled back into a side ponytail,
my long bangs angled to the right side of my face. My makeup was
way too drastic for my liking; I usually like to keep it simple
with some lip-gloss and maybe a little mascara. But no, simple
isn't in Anya's vocabulary. I look like I was preparing to go out
on stage to perform at a freaking rock concert. Black eyeliner
lined my hazel eyes along with a thick layer of gray eye
shadow.
Anya forced me to wear a pair of her extremely short and when I say
short, I mean coochie-cutter black cargo shorts. I had to bite my
tongue from asking her if she didn't pack her little seven year old
brother's shorts by accident, that's how bad they are! They're so
short in fact that if I bend over, my cheeks will be on full
display. I have on one of her gray frilly tube tops and on my feet
are dressy black flip-flops.
Not only do I have her clothes on, but she also demanded that I
wear her strapless push up miracle bra for great cleavage. She even
tried to get me to wear the matching lacy thong, how humiliating. I
completely drew the line when it came to underwear, as I threw a
slight bitch fit. Best friend or not, I'm not sharing panties. Eww,
that's just way too gross!
Shaking my head and staring at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes
widened in revulsion as I took in my own appearance, like really?
Who in the right mind dresses like this to go kayaking? Through her
shameless flirting with Luke at the roller-skating rink last night,
Anya gladly accepted an invitation for us to join the guys kayaking
today.
Thanks so much for asking me what I think of the whole idea, note
the sarcasm here people. Some best friend she is huh? She knows I
barely have any hand-eye coordination, but yet she still agreed to
my early demise. I could see the headlines now,
'Teenage girl tragically loses life after kayak capsizes and
runs her over causing her to drown to death.
'
"Just go without me, tell them I came down with a stomach virus." I
grumbled towards the door. I was sitting on the side of my bathtub
picking at the black polish on my fingernails. Anya finally talked
me into coming out of the bathroom by pulling the guilt trip card
on me.
"C'mon Lise I really like Luke! I only have one more day here, one
more. I'm leaving tomorrow and I want to hang out with him, but I
want to hang out with my best friend too." She pleaded while
banging on the door so hard I thought she was going to break it
down.
Standing up and swinging the door open causing Anya to practically
fall forwards; I gave her the eye. "Fine, you so owe me big time!"
I huffed as I dragged myself out my room and down the steps.
"Thank you, thank you." Anya chirped happily as she skipped along
behind me. "You look so hot by the way."
We're meeting up over at Tristan's and riding over to the harbor in
Max's Chevy Suburban. How they think we’re going to shove eight
people inside a seven-seat SUV is completely beyond me. The guys
were already standing around Max's truck waiting for us when I
locked the front door behind me. It felt like all eyes was on me as
I nervously followed behind Anya, tugging uncomfortably at the hem
of my shorts. I guess I was hoping I could magically make them
longer.
“Get in the truck." I heard Tristan bark out causing Max, Gabe,
Jordan, and Sam to suddenly scatter into their seats. What the heck
was that all about? Did they always do everything Tristan told them
to? He says jump and they say how high?
Max instantly hopped into the driver's seat with Jordan next to him
in the passenger. Gabe and Sam jumped into the two seats behind
them, which left me, Tristan, Luke, and Anya in the last row.
There's no way the four of us can squeeze comfortably onto the last
row; Tristan and Luke are too massive.
Luke walked up and grabbed Anya into a hug making her squeal with
excitement. I could see love blooming on the horizon between these
two. Gag. They talked on the phone until late last night even
though they literally spent the entire time together at the rink,
then they text each other all day long.
Feeling flustered all of a sudden I turned my head to catch Tristan
biting down sexily on his bottom lip as he tried to hold back an
unrecognizable expression. "Hi." I greeted with a small wave and
slight smile as I stood a couple steps away from him. I don't know
what it is about this boy that causes me to get all hot and
bothered when I am in his presence.
Tristan stepped towards me; he was so close it'd be considered
invading my personal space. Once again there seemed to be heat
radiating off his body. This boy's hot, literally! He was dressed
in a pair of black swimming trunks, a white singlet, and white Nike
sneakers. His muscles stretching the singlet in all the right
places and proudly displaying the tattoo that went from his right
shoulder down to his elbow.
As usual, I stood there frozen unable to form any coherent words.
His words from last night were on constant replay echoing in my
mind. What did he mean it was physically impossible for him to stay
away from me? To tell you the truth it was physically impossible
for me to stop thinking about him ever since that kiss.
"You look absolutely..." Tristan articulated smoothly with a sigh.
"Amazing." A heartbreaking smile spread across his lips causing me
to smile in return. Inside I was secretly jumping up and down,
ecstatic that he noticed me and liked what he saw. "Thanks." I
mouthed quietly feeling my cheeks flush scarlet.
"You're welcome." Tristan whispered back, we were caught up in the
Moment. He was searching my face for a reaction as he inched closer
to me. Like two magnetic force fields drawn together. "Ready to
kayak?" He asked tilting his head to the side slightly; it was the
cutest gesture I've ever seen.
It made him look like one of those puppies with the big brown eyes,
that quirks its head to the side when you speak to it. What's
gotten into me? "As ready as I'll ever be." My voice mumbled
grouchily. My face scrunched up in an unhappy pout.
Tristan's hearty chuckle broke me out of my reverie, his laugh
sounding like music to my ears. It was so full of life and
happiness. "Don't look so miserable, I promise I won't let you fall
in. You and I'll be sharing a kayak." Tristan reassured as his hand
cupped the small of my back. He led me over to get into the
car.
Oh my word, we'll be sharing a kayak? Why can't I share a kayak
with Anya? At least this way I won't make a complete and utter fool
out of myself! Anya and I can look like fools together. Gabe and
Sam got out so that they could flip the seats forward allowing
Tristan and Luke to climb into the back row.
Just the two of them alone took up the entire row causing Anya and
I to look at each other in a, 'where the heck are we going to sit'
type face. She was standing on the other side of the car across
from me. "Umm maybe Anya should just drive and we'll follow you
guys." I suggested with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Get in." Tristan grunted patting his lap to show me where I could
sit. Is he for real, what is he some sort of a caveman? He wants me
to sit on his lap the entire ride to the harbor? Before I knew what
was happening, I was manhandled from behind being picked up by Gabe
and practically shoved in.
I landed ungracefully in Tristan's arms just as he flipped me
around and pulled me down into his lap. The same thing happened to
Anya. What is this some sort of kidnapping? "Are you comfortable?"
Tristan's voice came out husky; his breath tickled the side of my
neck. He pulled the seatbelt around the front and across me,
snapping it in.
I nodded my head stiffly not being able to say anything in
response. Wow is it me or did it suddenly get extremely stuffy in
this car? My heart was thumping wildly against my chest at our
close proximity. His one arm was draped across my midsection the
other on my leg.
I don't think Tristan is aware he was unconsciously rubbing my
thigh with the pad of his thumb. With each movement my heart
skipped a beat, tiny tingles jolting down to my toes. Is Tristan
aware of the havoc he's wreaking on my body? Is this how it feels
whenever a guy touches another girl? This can't be normal can
it?
I never had any experience with guys so I wouldn't know what it was
like to be kissed or hugged. Hugs from my relatives don't count for
much. Relief was the single expression that flashed to my mind when
we finally reached the harbor. We all filed out of the car and made
our way to the kayak rentals.
"You ok?" Anya asked with a knowing smile as she bumped me
playfully with her shoulder. "You look a little agitated." How the
heck would she know what I look like, she spent the entire time
laughing it up with Luke. She didn't pay me any mind, besides
throwing me a couple suggestive winks here and there.
"I'm fine." I murmured looking around. The view of the harbor from
the docks was incredible. The water seemed to stretch on forever.
There were boats lined up in a row. In the distance you could see
the ferry making it's way around the calm waters of the Muscongus
Bay, a big tourist attraction here.
"We're going to kayak out to the Marshall Point lighthouse, hang
out for a little while where we'll have lunch and then make our way
back." Tristan announced to the group as he held up a picnic basket
for show. Where the heck did he get a picnic basket? Aww, how
adorable is it that the guys packed lunch. Who would've
thought?
Tristan being the gentleman that he is helped buckle me into my
life vest. He held onto the kayak and helped me get in, telling me
to get up front and that he'd sit in the back to balance it out.
Tristan showed me how to paddle, even though my paddle barely even
touched the water. He did all the work and before we knew it we
were all at the shores of Marshall Point lighthouse.
I've only ever seen this from afar; from up close it is
breathtaking. "I figured this could be sort of like a date that is
if you want it to be." Tristan said, a bit unsure. "My way of
apologizing for yesterday." Since when does he have doubts in his
ability to get a girl to fall for him?
Max, Gabe, Sam, and Jordan ran off to explore the lighthouse taking
their sandwiches with them. Anya and Luke sat on a blanket a little
further down the beach eating and talking. Tristan led me away from
them and laid out a blanket for us to sit on.
This by far is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. We
sat down; Tristan handing me a turkey sandwich and a bottle of
raspberry flavored water. "Is that ok? I have ham here too in case
you don't like turkey." Tristan asked offering me an
alternative.
"Turkey's fine. Thanks." I answered happily. I was grateful for a
lot more than I was letting off on. Not only for the food, but also
for the newfound excitement in my life.
Looking off into the horizon, I let out a sigh of contentment. For
once in my life I wasn't invisible. I was included in things and
it's all due to this guy sitting next to me.

Chapter 5: Day of Many
Firsts
Slamming my palm down with full force onto the snooze button of my
alarm clock for the third time, I finally decided maybe I should
wake up and get ready now. Deep down inside I wanted to stay curled
up in bed under my comforter and sleep the day away. I always dread
the first day of school it's overrated.
The reunion of long lost cliques who 'oh my gosh!' haven't seen one
another in so long, when in reality it was only couple of months,
made my eyes roll to the back of my head. As if school wasn't
torturous enough, you have to sit and listen to a full day of
stories being told by the people around you in class. All they
yapped about is what they did during the summer and whom they
hooked up with, who cares? Not me!
Whoever came up with the idea that kids need to go to school five
days a week, seven hours a day is a complete moron, What's the
point of making us wake up at the crack of dawn to sit in a
classroom and listen to useless nonsense? Can anyone tell me
exactly how much of the things we learn in school end up being used
at a later time in life? In my opinion, it's only about forty
percent to be exact.
I was just being bitter, I already missed Anya. She promised that
she'd come back over and spend the weekend again. Three days in
counting, I can't wait. After hugging one another for a good ten
minutes, I finally let her get in her car and go home. All we kept
talking about was how much fun we had kayaking with the guys.
When we finished eating our sandwiches the four of us went up to
the lighthouse. We walked all the way to the top and stared out
into the Bay. Tristan said if we thought that this was a marvelous
view, then we needed to come back at nighttime when the lighthouse
lit up the entire waterfront.
When we arrived home we thanked the guys for a great time. Tristan
asked if he could get a hug goodbye and I couldn't help myself from
leaning upward to kiss him on the cheek. Upon contact with his
cheek, my lips instantly began tingling. As I pulled away from him
I ran my fingers over my lips, unused to this sensation.
I haven't seen Tristan since Sunday when we went kayaking. It
almost felt as though I was experiencing some sort of separation
anxiety disorder. Call me crazy, but my body felt lonely without
him. Maybe I'm starting to develop some sort of fatal attraction
feelings towards him.
Peeking out the window I tried the best I could to hide behind the
curtain. The last thing I needed was for him to catch me being a
psycho stalker! He'd never talk to me again. All I was trying to do
was catch a glimpse of him. Whether it was out front when he was
leaving to go somewhere or out in the backyard with the guys.
Much to my disappointment, I haven't seen a trace of him for two
full days. To say I was depressed would be an understatement. I was
borderline manic depressive pacing around my room wondering if I
possibly did something wrong. What a complete 180. One minute I
tell him to leave me alone, the next I'm wondering why he's leaving
me alone.
My Mom took off from work Monday and Tuesday to take me shopping
for school supplies and some new clothes. At least that helped in
keeping me occupied, even if it was only for a few hours. Glancing
up at my alarm clock my eyes almost popped out of their sockets,
crap! If I don't get a move on I'll be late to school.
I threw the comforter off of me as I simultaneously jumped out of
bed. See people this is what daydreaming and thinking too much gets
you, lateness. That had to be the quickest shower I took in my
entire life. Thank god I picked out my outfit before going to bed
last night; I probably had a premonition that I'd procrastinate
today.
Dressing quickly I ran down the steps to grab myself a banana and
an orange juice. Looks like breakfast will be on the go, seeing how
I have to speed walk to school since I'm running late. Not having a
license pretty much sucked; it was five minutes by car. I had the
option to ride on the cheese bus, but in all honesty I love walking
it's only fifteen minutes away.
Walking is where I get to clear my mind and do the most thinking.
By the looks of things, I have a lot to clear out of my head, like
Tristan for example. I stood frozen on the spot after turning to
head down the porch steps. Standing there in my driveway, leaning
sexily against his Lincoln Navigator, laughing at a something on
his phone was none other than Tristan.
Tristan Evans is standing in my driveway leaning sexily against his
truck. Did he mistakenly park in my driveway instead of his next
door? What's he doing here? All of a sudden my heart felt like it
was going to beat out of my chest. I tried my best to take deep
breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth.
Just like I learned from my relaxation and yoga DVD, it wasn't
working. I'm pretty sure these are the early symptoms of
hyperventilation. As if he could sense me standing there in
distress, his head lifted and his eyes focused on me. A wide grin
stretched across his lips.
"Morning." The sensual sound of his voice instantly calmed my
rapidly beating heart. How the hell did he do that?
"Wh-what're you doing here?" I asked with a
stutter
. ‘Wow, real smooth not even a good
morning in return you moron’
The little voice in my
head nagged annoyingly.
His smile didn't falter one bit; instead he just straightened
himself up and walked towards me. "I realized I didn't see you
leave for school this morning, so I figured you were running late
and decided I'd wait and give you a ride."
I was slightly confused; Tristan wanted to give me a ride in his
truck? "What do you mean you didn't see me leave for school?" Was
he sitting by the window watching or something? An embarrassed
expression came across his face; his cheeks were tinged a slight
pinkish hue. It was another one of those adorable looks on him. Was
he nervous about something?
"I uh..." He began, looking away in the opposite direction letting
out a breath. "You always leave at the same time everyday. Once I
see you walk by, I know I have at least five more minutes before I
need to get going."
At this explanation I burst out laughing. "So you're basically
telling me I'm your own personal clock?"
Tristan nodded his head slightly with a small smile. "I guess you
can say that."
"Well what about the days I missed school? What happened then?" I
questioned with curiosity.
"Those were the days I was late." Tristan admitted a bit
reluctantly. "Which is what we're going to be if we don't leave
now." He declared, opening the door signaling for me to climb in,
which I did.
I don't know why I did it, one part of my brain was telling me to
go with him. The other part was asking me, why all of a sudden does
Tristan want to offer me a ride to school? He never cared before if
I made it to school on time or not. There have been plenty of times
when I was running late for school that Tristan zoomed right past
me without a second glance. Should I confront him about it or just
take the ride and stay shut? Decisions, decisions! What's a girl to
do?
"Is something wrong?" Tristan asked glancing over at me worriedly
driving down the street towards the school. His left hand was
draped comfortably over the steering wheel while his right hand
fiddled with the radio. Not being able to bite my tongue any longer
I needed some answers and I needed them now. I know once we reach
school his groupies will swarm him so I need to act fast, four
minutes in counting.
"What're you up to?" I blurted out accusingly. "I mean you've never
even paid me any mind before, why now all of a sudden?"
Tristan took his eyes away from the road to zone in on me. I
should've looked away because of the intensity of his stare, but I
couldn't. I needed to stare into those eyes to see if he was
telling me the truth. "What'd you mean when you said it was
physically impossible for you to stay away from me? And why do all
the guys let you boss them around, I know it's not only because
you're captain of the team."
Two minutes until we reach our destination. Two minutes to try and
at least get some form of an explanation from him. "Why is it when
I'm around you I feel like, like there's some kind of static charge
between us?" I continued babbling when he didn't answer my initial
questions. "Like when you kissed me for example, I felt it all the
way down to my toes. When you touch me you send shocks through me.
It's like I can't stay away from you either. Do you have me under
some sort of voodoo spell?"
What the hell am I doing, playing fifty questions with him? I
wasn't even giving him the chance to answer before another bout of
verbal diarrhea came spewing out of my mouth. "Well?" I demanded a
little more angrily than I meant to. I turned my entire body in the
seat to face him. "Aren't you going to say something?"
Tristan turned in his seat at that exact Moment and glared at me
his eyes shining a bright silver color. I shrunk back into the seat
wishing I could disappear. For some reason he is freaking
intimidating. "We're here." Were the only words that left his
mouth. His eyes still trained on me, as he looked me over
hungrily.
I looked around to notice 'we're here' meant we arrived at school
and were sitting in the parking lot. You could instantly see his
groupies and boys fast approaching the car, I guess to give the
king his welcoming. "Thanks for the ride. See ya" I mumbled quickly
pulling the door open and hopping out all in one swift motion. I
moved quickly towards the school entrance.
I don't want to be around when they all arrive at the truck. So
much for getting any answers from him. "Lise, please don't run away
from me like that again." Tristan's voice growled lowly in my ear
as two hands gripped at my waist holding me firmly in place.
What is he doing? I refused to turn around and face him, afraid of
what I'd find looking back at me. I should have felt fear of the
way his voice had a bit of warning to it, but I didn't. Strangely
enough the sound of his voice brought the complete opposite feeling
of fear. It got me excited and made me feel alive inside.
"I'll answer every single one of your questions, just not right
now. I promise I'll explain when the time is right, ok?" Tristan
guaranteed that I understand he was serious and meant each word by
wrapping his arms around my waist and hugging me from behind.
It felt weird, but so completely right. "Ok." I answered leaning
back into him a little as I let out a sigh. The feel of his chest
against my back felt nice.
"We should go, the bell's about to ring." He said softly this time.
I felt the warmness of his lips placing a kiss on the back of my
head.
What about his friends, where did they go? Weren't they just coming
over to his truck in the parking lot? What does he mean WE should
go, go where? I know, I know I ask a lot of mental questions!
"I'm walking you to class." Tristan stated. It wasn't even a
question of whether he could or not. I didn't get an option. So far
on the first day of school, I got a ride from Tristan and he's
insisting on walking me to class. To think school didn't even begin
yet! What else is there to come?