The Patron Saint of Monsters

Chapter Five Part Two

By the time that Ian and Rebecca reached the group by the kitchen kegs Oleander had pushed herself off of her Kitchen counter perch and had stood. She downed the beer that was in her cup and said “I need some air.” Before looking over to Trent and saying “Alone.” in a tone that lead Ian to believe she was begging Trent to not follow her.

Ian felt disappointed but had hoped that she was just feeling awkward like he was, and maybe even she was uncomfortable around him for the same reason that he was uncomfortable around her. He chugged his beer for liquid courage and said, “I think I need air too, shame she wants to be alone.”

“Actually, that’s perfect. Go after Oleander, we’ll stay with Trent.” Rebecca offered.

Valerie set a hand on Trent’s chest in order to keep him from leaving. Trent sighed and rolled his eyes, Valerie was impressed by how muscular Trent felt. “Stay.” She whispered pleadingly. Trent nodded curtly and sipped his beer.

Ian traced Oleander’s steps going out the kitchen door and standing on the porch, it was dimly lit as it was under a deck. He saw Oleander sitting on swinging bench, there was a cigarette between her lips and she was patting her pockets, presumably for a lighter. Ian thanked his lucky stars that he had brought a bic along with a few of his joints. “And DARE said being a pothead won’t get me anything in life.” he thought to himself wryly.

He flicked his bic and held the flame against the white tip, Oleander looked up and scrunched her face into confusion. She pulled out the white stick and blew out the fire that was burning near her mouth. Ian blanched when he realized she had merely put a lollipop into her mouth. He blushed and mumbled, “I’m so sorry. I thought, I thought that you were smoking and needed a light. I wasn’t like trying to set you on fire.” running his hands through his hair.

Oleander burst into laughter, and then broke into a large, tooth flashing smile before setting the sucker back into her mouth. “It’s fine. I smoke alot, reasonable assumption. Wanna sit with me?”

Ian sat down next to her, he was tempted to throw an arm around her shoulders but chickened out.  “I’m a complete spaz.” He confessed self deprecatingly .

“No,” Oleander assured him, “you’re adorable.”

Ian would have much rather been described with a term more along the lines of sexy or anything more boyfriend material like, but he thought he could work with adorable. After all he had been working with far less and he was sitting next to her.  “So who is that guy?” He asked awkwardly trying to mask his unreasonable jealousy for mild curiosity.

“Trent? He’s just a childhood friend.” She clarified.

“Cool.” He nodded.

Oleander looked sideways at Ian, she couldn’t stop from noticing the resemblance he shared with Trent. She wished Rebecca had never pointed it out, it was almost as if she couldn’t stop noticing it now. Ian noticed her observation and uncomfortably asked “Is there something on my face?”

“No,” Oleander shook her head, “You just you look like,” She hesitated, not wanting to say Trent, “You look like the monster under my bed.” She finished with a mumble.

Ian laughed heartily because they were far too old to believe in things like monsters and Oleander was too smart for that and because it was obviously some joke that went over his head, he didn’t want Oleander to know that he didn’t get her joke.

“Maybe I’m the monster in your bed.” He joked back, his eyes widening the moment the words that had left his mouth registered in his brain.

“I mean I’m not. I would never. Like I’m not saying. Um.” Ian stammered.

Oleander just giggled and set her hand on his thigh, “It’s fine. You’re funny.”

Ian smiled lopsidedly and said, “You’re cute.”

Oleander smiled and ducked her head to hide her blush. “You wanna get high?” She offered. She knew that Ian smoked weed, and she hoped that if that got buzzed enough they could stop being so awkward. She was fairly certain that Valerie was right, and that Ian really did like her back.

Ian responded with an emphatic “Yes.”

“Here, I’ll go get stuff to roll a joint.” Oleander said while preparing to stand up.

Ian stopped her with a light arm on her shoulder, “No, I’ve got a spliff.” He said.

“Cool.” Oleander responded leaning back.

“But you know what they say about girls who can roll.” Ian replied while handing her the joint and the lighter, letting the lady go first because he was a gentlemen.

“What do they say?” She giggled before inhaling deeply.

She passed it to him and he sucked in the smoke, saying “They’re the best.” with his exhale.

Trent eventually could no longer stand Oleander being outside alone with Ian who he considered to be the most insufferable boy he had ever encountered. He strolled outside to find Oleander and Trent laying on the swing bench on her porch, he was on his back and Oleander was on her side draped over him. They were bantering and giggling and reeked of marijuana, Trent was enraged. He was overwhelmingly jealous. He went back inside, no longer able to bear the sight before him. He decided to do a few shots with Rebecca before sneaking into the basement, intent on smashing one of the vases he was sure the Jameson’s wouldn’t miss.

“Fucking Ian.” he growled as the glass shattered against the concrete flooring.