The Key to the Oleander

Chapter Two - Athena

The only thing I want to do right now is call Amber and tell her, "No, he isn't bald. He's hot as fuck."

His parents look the same as they did all those years ago, just older. I stare down at my food on my plate and toy my fork around it, the silence couldn't be any more awkward.

I take a glance at him through my lashes. He's looking down at his plate as well, his fluffy black hair blocks the view of his eyes. He seemed to be a bit over six feet when he walked in, though my eyes aren't a ruler so I couldn't be sure. He's dressed in a black tuxedo. I wouldn't doubt that his parents made him wear him.

I thought I'd be awkward and uncomfortable around him but for some reason, his presence feels way too familiar and comfortable.

"So... how old are you now, Athena?" Mrs. Romano, Ace's mother asks with a smile, breaking the awkward silence. I can't help but admire her beauty. I can tell she is the source of his eyes, they look the exact same. She has brown curly hair that falls down a little past her shoulders, as his father is where he gets his hair.

"I'm nineteen." I reply, trying to sound as polite as I can.

"Lovely, Ace is only about a year older than you. He's twenty." She sounds pleased. I smile before taking a small bite of my steak.

"Is your daughter pure?" I almost choke on my food at Mr. Romano's question. His mother sends a glare his way, but his father doesn't show an ounce of regret.

"Yes she is, right, Athena?" My father looks at me, sternly.

"Um, yes. Yes, I am." I answer quickly, trying my best not to sound too awkward. His mother gives me an apologetic smile. My hands begin to shake slightly. I look forward to and see Ace looking down at my hands so I quickly pull them under the table and look anywhere but in his direction.

The rest of the dinner is spent in even worse awkward silence. Once everyone is finished, my parents and his stand up and shake hands.

"Why don't I take you guys to my office so we can talk business, they can get to know each other while we're away." My father offers. His parents agree and quickly follow them down the hallway. My father glances at me, tilting his head slightly towards Ace.

"So..." I begin, but it goes nowhere. He rolls his eyes. Annoyance sparks within me, and I can tell in him as well.

"Look, I don't want this any more than you do. But can you at least try not to be a dick?" He widens his eyes in surprise at my outburst, but before either of us can say something, my phone begins to ring.

I pick it up and when I see the caller ID, I feel the color drain out of my face. Shit, it's Cole.

Cole, my, well, I wouldn't call him my boyfriend, but I have been seeing him secretly for a little under a year. My parents would never approve of him, and that is why I haven't told a single soul, not even Amber. I can't risk them finding out.

I stand up and take a few steps away from the table before accepting the call. "What?" I whisper.

"I was wondering if you'd like to meet me at the usual place tonight?" The usual place as in on the hill near the woods almost half a mile from my house.

I look over at Ace and see him looking at me, raising one of his eyebrows. I turn back around, and reply, "Yeah, sure. Right now?" I tap my foot anxiously.

"Yes, if that's alright with you." I bite my lip knowing that my parents would kill me if they found out I left Ace alone.

"Yeah, it's alright." Life's not fun without any risk, right? Yeah, I'm totally dead.

"Okay, meet you there in forty." He hangs up. I slowly make my way back to the table.

"So... I'm going to go. Can you tell them I felt sick, yep? Thank you!" I leave before he can answer.