The Crescent (5 page)

“Hi. I need to sign in.” His voice strained. The dark brown hair of his bangs barely brushed above his eyebrows, accentuating his perfectly fair skin. He was almost six feet tall, but wasn’t imposing. His hazel green eyes were just a few shades darker than my own, although he would never know that with my blue contacts blocking them. He looked briefly at Courtney behind the desk and then drew his concentrated gaze back to me, stopping a breath from escaping my lips.

“I’m Brandon.” He slid his hand flat on the counter like it was too heavy for him to lift and then held it out to me.

“Hi, I’m Lacey.” It seemed so easy of an introduction, at least for me. I anxiously extended my hand to interlink with his. Warmth rushed through my body as his touch transported us to another place. The world dropped away leaving only Brandon and I. He leaned forward; my breath staggered as he rubbed his cheek against mine. His lips perfectly molded to mine; in that moment my world felt… complete. My knees went limp as I struggled to support myself and maintain the connection with him. My hand still firmly gripped into Brandon’s as he backed away locking eyes with me. His other hand brushed just under my eye.

Remember.
His lips barely moved.

“Hey, are you ok?” The world suddenly snapped like a rubber band against my brain. I looked around dazed, the office, the counter, my hand in Brandon’s- all still intact.

“OH I’m sorry.” I yanked my arm back recklessly hitting my hand on the edge of the counter when I misjudged how close I was to it. Stinging pain vibrated through my palm, up my wrist and into my elbow. I grasped my hand tightly as I tried not to grimace over the throbbing pain.

“Where is the class again?” Brandon seemed completely unaffected.

“Sorry, she’s in our
special ed
classes.” Courtney grabbed his class schedule. I was actually thankful, she didn’t realize she saved me from a lot of embarrassment. I listened to their muffled voices, unable to tell anything they were saying as I walked sleepily back to the desk and settled into the chair.

Courtney flirted and flipped her hair back and forth in front of Brandon’s face. I smiled to myself when he leaned back from the counter and put distance between himself and her. He shifted his eyes to me a few times, but never did say anything further. I carefully examined my hand; there were no marks and no indication of what had just happened. When Alex touched me, I imagined kissing him; but this was so different. This was…
real.
The taste of his mouth on my lips was sweet, like a freshly opened pack of bubble gum.

Brandon caught my eyes once more and then left the office. “It’s times like those that I SERIOUSLY doubt that you and Alex have even met before. Are you always this stupid around guys?”

Ignoring her I stayed securely seated in the chair. She thumped her high dollar sandal on the floor a few times expecting me to move, but when I didn’t she sat on the desk. Mrs. Stone came back into the office and I asked to go to the Nurse; I was still light headed and dizzy, not to mention incredibly confused by the taste of his lips that still lingered on mine.

I stayed in the Nurse’s office much longer than I had anticipated. By fourth period I was feeling somewhat normal again. I dropped my books off at my locker and headed into Mr. Thompson’s classroom.

“Wow, you look… awful.” Jillian didn’t sugar coat… anything.

“Yeah, thanks.” I kept my head down; it felt like a million partiers were dancing around on my brain. Even the light stung my eyes. “Can I borrow your cell?” I asked Jillian.

“Why? What’s up?” She pulled her phone from her bag and handed it to me under the table so the teacher couldn’t see. Even though class hadn’t started, cell phones were not allowed.

“I want to text my Aunt and let her know I’m going home after class. I’m not feeling so hot.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I can do? Wanna ride home?” Alex loomed over the table. He smelt… sour. I leaned back and fought the urge to gag.

“No, I’m fine. I think I’m getting sick.” I swallowed hard trying to keep myself from throwing up.

“Well, the offer stands for a ride. I saw you walking out of school yesterday. Don’t have any afternoon classes?” Alex’s words echoed in the distance. His brown eyes grew deeper with concern when I didn’t answer.

“I don’t think she got much sleep last night. She volunteers at the clinic with her Aunt and they had a dog come in that had been hit by a car…” Jillian’s voice trailed off. Beads of sweat collected in my hairline and on my neck.
THUD THUD THUD-
my heart pounded in my chest and through the rest of my body. Then another, much louder, more painful
THUD
- my head smacked harshly onto the desk.

“Well you better figure out who it is and take care of them before they become an issue.” My eyes strained like they had been shut for days as I fluttered them open to the sound of voices. A stinging pain vibrated my forehead. The last thing I remember was passing out. My father and mother’s voice muffled by my closed door; I could hear part of what my father said, but there was another, much stronger voice in the hallway.

“If they’ve already made contact, then the time has already started.”

“Don’t be stupid, they wouldn’t have already approached her. It’s only the first week of her senior year. You are over reacting. She is probably just sick.” As I lifted slightly from the bed, I tried my best not to alert them.

“You haven’t noticed the changes? Look, we are glad you are here to help but…” then the floor creaked under my weight. The voices outside went silent. I sat back on the bed just as my mother opened the door.

“Honey, you’re awake!” Her eyes were red.

“Why were you crying?” I whispered as she sat next to me.

“I’ve…” She hesitated and looked at my father. “I was just worried about you.”

“What were you guys talking about?” I asked bluntly. My father wouldn’t look me in the eye. Then the source of the third voice came into view- Alex.

“How are you feeling?” He strode into my room, not looking the least bit out of place. “You scared the crap out of me. First we were talking… the next thing I knew…” He motioned with his arm mimicking falling and smacked one hand into the other. “I’m sure your head hurts like hell.”

“What are you doing here?” Not that I didn’t want him here, but I was devastatingly aware that he was how I got home… in my passed out state.

“He was nice enough to bring you home. It’s good to finally meet one of your boyfriends. We were starting to wonder if we ever would.” My mother’s eager tone embarrassed me. I couldn’t look at Alex.

I leaned into her shoulder and mumbled. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Ok I guess that’s my queue to go. Ummm…” Alex hesitated, he sounded nervous. Guys like Alex don’t get nervous or at least I didn’t think so. “Do you want me to get your homework tomorrow?” Homework? Was he for real?

“No, I’ll be back at school tomorrow. This is just a bug… it’ll pass.” I wished I could convince myself. Then again, maybe another day at home would be a good idea; I’m sure I’d have a big fat bruise from my desk and head colliding.

Alex shoved both of his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. The room grew silent and filled with tension.

“Ok, well…” Mom stood swiftly and grabbed dad’s hand. “We will just give you two a minute.”

Alex waited until they were both out of the room to come and sit on the bed next to me. There was plenty of room, but he still sat close enough that my thigh and his touched each other. The strange smell from earlier overtook my senses and I just wished it would stop. I wouldn’t want to throw up if he tried to make a move right now.

“I hope you are ok. I mean you did freak me out.” Alex pulled one of my hands into his. Images from the first time he held my hand flooded my mind and I could see his full lips overtaking mine. My overactive imagination had us both ripping off our clothes with my parents downstairs.

My skin grew hot as he rubbed circles with his fingers on the back of my hand. “I’ve never passed out like that before. I think I didn’t get enough sleep.” I barely concentrated on my words. I just hoped I made sense right now.

“Maybe you should lie back down?” He said in a much deeper voice that made my heart race, but not in a good way.

“I think I’d like to shower first.” I didn’t want to embarrass myself anymore today and if I was reading his signals wrong, this could turn into a catastrophe.

The room went silent again for a few seconds when Alex’s powerful hand pulled my chin up to look him in the eyes. “I’m throwing a party at my house tomorrow night. Will you come?”

My breathing strained, I barely choked out, “Yes.” My mind scrambled over every imagined encounter I’ve had about him since the day we met. His hands, lips, eyes, chiseled back, arms, every part of his body rushed through my mind and not in that order.

Alex grinned, “You know, this whole asking you out thing would be easier on me if I knew you were truly oblivious to how beautiful you are.” STOP. That’s pretty much what my mind, heart, and lungs did. He just called me beautiful.

“Are you messing with me?” I hesitated, almost losing my nerve for what I wanted to say next. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered… actually… I’m a little floored. Why would you want to ask me out?”

Alex’s smile overtook his face and he looked down at the ground half laughing as he said, “Ok, so you
are
oblivious.” He rubbed one finger down my cheek, across my jaw line and then rested it on my lips. He slowly licked his bottom lip; if I was sick before, I’m not remembering that now.

I swear I hallucinated his head and body lean towards mine, it couldn’t be happening. My eyes grew wide as the reality hit me, his full inviting lips softly pressed against mine.
Lacey you idiot! You’re eyes are supposed to be closed now.
My head screamed. I obeyed squeezing them shut tightly as his hands claimed either side of my face and the world stopped turning. His tongue brushed with mine, the overwhelming smell from earlier intensified and I shrugged it off, praying that I didn’t get sick right now. Alex’s hand trailed down my face and neck to slide across my collarbone. My head was full of incoherent thoughts as I barely breathed in and out.

I pulled away from him. My mind won the battle; my body cursed me.

“Sorry.” Alex’s skin turned a fantastic shade of pink. “I didn’t mean…” He paused and took in a deep breath. “So, tomorrow?” All I could do was nod my head yes.

A few hours later, after my stomach was no longer churning and the taste of Alex’s kiss was gone, I picked up the phone to call Jillian. I slid into my favorite t-shirt and lounge pants and let Grant in from the backyard.

“Hey girl.” I started talking before I was fully up the stairs, Grant moving slowly behind me.

“OK- I want to hear all about it! Alex INSISTED on bringing you home!”

“I know! He met my parents and invited me to a party at his house tomorrow.”

“Seriously? He asked you out?” Jillian’s voice trembled through the phone.

“Yeah…” Grant strained to get on the bed. “Hold on Jill. Grant?” I ran my hand across his head. “Are you ok boy?”

“What’s wrong with your monster?” Jillian said.

“I’m not sure, he’s just moving slowly.”

“Did you stop feeding him the hamburger and rice?”

“Yeah, yesterday.”
Jillian started laughing, “Then he is probably starving.”

Determined to make him feel better, I headed back down to the kitchen and pulled out some hamburger. Surprisingly, my parents had gone to dinner together and I had the house all to myself.

“So I didn’t tell you, but Alex kissed me.” I said as I watched the hamburger rotate in the microwave.

“Oh my god!” Jillian’s voice higher now. I started laughing. “You have to tell me everything! Tongue? No Tongue? Long? Short? Hard or Soft?”

“Ok Ok.” I poured the hamburger into the bowl with the rice and set it on the floor. “He told me that I was beautiful and said that I must be oblivious to it. Then suddenly his hand was on my cheek and his lips… it was amazing.” I hesitated; Grant wasn’t eating. “Grant you need to eat boy.” Instead the dog came over and laid his head in my lap.

“Will you stop talking to the dog and tell me about the kiss!”

“Sorry, Grant must have a bug like I had earlier. Come on.” I walked Grant back up the stairs to my room and claimed my normal spot on the bed as he gingerly pulled himself next to me. “Ok, so where was I?”

“How was it? Did you feel weak in the knees?”

“Yeah, well, sort of. His tongue was really smooth. I swear the world stopped spinning.” I giggled at my own admission. I still hadn’t told her about my interlude with Brandon. “I felt like I was going to get sick though. It was strange.”

“What? A guy like Alex is kissing you and you get…
sick?
”

“Yeah. Strange but I just… he smelled funny to me.”

“Like RANK?”

“No- just… wrong. I can’t explain it. I think it is just this bug I’m fighting. I told him I’d go to his party.”

“Do you think he would mind if I come too?”

I hesitated. “I’ll ask him in class tomorrow.”

“Don’t you think it’s going to be strange seeing him in class? I mean, after he kissed you and asked you out?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Brandon flashed in my mind. I had seen him less than five minutes and somehow he clouded my memories. Grant groaned and stretched putting most of his body across my legs. “You know, this morning this guy was in the office…”

“
ANOTHER
one?” Jillian laughed. “Stacking ‘em up aren’t you?”

“It wasn’t like that. I just… he…” How do you tell your best friend that you kissed someone without kissing them?

“Ok so are you going to finish the story or is it like a fill in the blank type Mad-Lib story?”

I searched for an explanation that wouldn’t make me sound nuts. “It was strange. I dreamed that I kissed him.”

“When you passed out? Who? The guy this morning or Alex? I’m confused.” She rambled off in her hyper-
I’m going to Disneyland
voice.