Vacant

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

I lived relatively close the skate park, so I would expect Luke to not be late. And in fact he wasn’t, he walked up my porch step about to ring the doorbell when I stopped him half-way. I covered his mouth with my hand so he wouldn’t make a sound. Shane was inside, watching TV on the couch. I told him I would be going to Trisha’s house, a girl I suddenly made up on the spot. I said we were going to work on a project and I’d be back before mid-night. Shane just shoved me away mentally, so I silently let myself know that I succeeded.

            I placed my index finger to my lips to signal Luke to be quiet. He nodded, and as I removed my hand from his mouth, he smiled wide and laughed silently. He held his board in one hand with his helmet in the other. We walked down the porch steps, and I placed my helmet on my head. It was a two-minute walk from my house to the park, and I know it will be a silent one. Or so I thought.

            “Does big brother not want little sister to come out and play?” he joked. I laughed a little, and replied.

            “I told him I was heading to a friend’s house to do a project. If he found out I was going somewhere at night with a boy I hardly knew then he would flip.”

            “Ah, I see. Well he would have nothing to worry about. I will take care of you.” He smiled assuring me that he will, and I know he will. 

            “So, who are your friends I’m meeting tonight?” I asked. I’m nervous to meet his friends, wondering who they are and how they’ll react to seeing me. I just hope it’s no one that I know.

            “Oh, just three guys. There’s Tyler, who you already know and Kyle and Jay. They go to my school, and they usually hang out with me,” he informed. I was terrified when he said the name Kyle. Was it the Kyle that I beat at the competition? But he’s the same age as me, and he can’t be Luke’s age, there’s just no way. Unless…

            “Is this Kyle Cumberly were talking about?” I’m hoping that he doesn’t say yes, because then I’d have to leave, or hide. He would recognize me if Luke said I skated there.                                        

“Yeah, why you know him?” Dammit, I thought. Now what? Tell Luke the truth? Sometimes honesty is the best policy right?

            “Sort of…” I started. Luke turned his face toward me, and I still kept looking ahead. I know it’s rude, but I have to say this straight away, without looking at him and making me loose concentration. “You see, I do skate at the park, but not everyone knows that I’m a girl. I have to tie up my hair, wear sunglasses and a hoodie. I competed against Kyle a couple of weeks ago, and if you mention that I skate there, he’ll probably recognize me.” I finished summarizing the explanation for Luke, and he nodded silently.

            “Fair enough for me,” I look up at him, becoming lost with his features.

            “You aren’t mad or anything?” I asked, trying to sound innocent. He stopped and looked at me, and I stopped too. He gazed into my eyes, searching them. 

            “Why would I be mad at you? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I won’t bring it up if you don’t want me to. It will be okay, I promise.” The moment lasted forever, and I wish it could have stayed like that forever too. But he already started walking forward. I was glad he was the kind of guy who takes things slow, to build up the moment.

            We started walking again when I asked, “Why do you even hang out with Kyle in the first place? He’s too young for you.”

            Luke looked at me quizzically, like I asked the most stupid question on Earth.

            “How old do you think I am?” He asked, looking at me. I turned toward him, nearing the edge of the road where we would cross to the other side of the park.

            “Grade twelve, right?” He laughed out loud and stopped at the edge of the curb. He finally stopped laughing, and I’m feeling really confused.

            “Wait how old are you?” I asked.

            “I’m fifteen, like you, grade ten.” He took my hand and led me across the road. What a story that would be to Jesse.