Beneath the Dark

Chapter sixteen: Through the night

  “Eirie, come here,” I heard mother calling my name, shit how was I going to explain this.  I looked around to try to cover Cecily with something and found a blanket.  Throwing the blanket over her I sat back and whistled trying to seem as normal as possible.  Then mom entered the room looking at me with disbelief.

“I called you, why didn’t you come and why are you whistling?” she said with a strange look.

“Oh just to past the time and sorry I must have been in a daze or something, I didn’t hear you is all.”  There was movement under the blanket and I heard Cecily whisper my name shit!

“What was that and why is your hand under that blanket?” mother took a step closer staring at me with a curious look.

“No reason, you must be hearing things,” I dismissed the thought with a wave of my hand.  Mother sighed and pulled the covers off of Cecily and jumped back startled.

“What is Cecily doing in your room, with your shirt on, explain.”  She said crossing her arms over her chest.  I sighed and sat up straighter.

“I was on my way back from Valerie’s and…”

“Why would you go to see her?” she added disapprovingly

“That’s not the point, anyway I stopped at the park to get some fresh air and think and I saw Cecily laying on the park bench in the cold.  It had started to drizzle and I wasn’t sure if she was okay or not so I ran to her calling her name but she wouldn’t answer, scared that she had passed out I shook her and kept calling her name till she woke up.  She looked like she had been crying and I was worried so I made her get up and come to my car. I put the heater on and made her change her clothes so she wouldn’t get sick then we came back here and she put on that clean shirt and went to sleep.”

 “Why didn’t you just take her home?”

“She didn’t want to go home, she was so emotional after her mom kicked her cousin Jordan out talking about she can’t abandon him and they are all he has.  I just couldn’t make her go back seeing her like that; it was just too hard for me to handle.” I sighed pushing my hair out of my face.

“You really do care about her don’t you? I’ve never seen you act like this with anyone Eirie.”

“I just feel bad for her; I heard some things from her friend Jasmine and to know she went through it, I just don’t want anything else to happen you know?”

“I knew I raised you right,” mother said kissing my check.  “Oh did you ask her about Thanksgiving?”

“Yeah, she said she would come.”

“Awesome! But honestly Eirie I really think you should consider taking Cecily as your date to the annual ball.  With her on your arm you will impress all your father’s associates; you know one day you will inherit the business it’s good to make a good impression now.”

“I know mother, what do you think I’m trying to do?  I don’t want to mess this up, that’s why I can’t risk bringing Valerie even though her dads in business with father.”

“Have you had sex with her?”

“I am not answering that question.”

“I will take that as a yes, all I know is you need to forget about this Valerie girl and focus on school, the family business and getting Cecily.  I want you two to eventually get married, understood?”

“God sometimes I think you live to provide me with an endless supply of migraines.”  I massaged my temples trying to relieve the pressure.

“I love you too dear, oh also I’m leaving out early to meet your father tomorrow and Frank and Lisa have the day off  so it’s just you and Cecily, be good,” mother winked at me and walked out as abruptly as she had came in.  God that woman was impossible sometimes.  It’s probably the reason why Annalisa went off to college instead of staying here.  I looked over at Cecily how peaceful she looked, the way her hair flopped over her eyes.  I felt a smile break out over my face but I settled my mouth back into its straight line.  Mother could tell me what to do but she couldn’t tell me who to love, but I continued to wonder what it would be like to kiss her lips.  I squeezed her hand a bit tighter it never hurt to be anyone’s friend.  I laid my head next to hers and thought until my body felt weightless and my eyes closed.

~*~

    I woke up to an empty bed looking around, I didn’t see Cecily anywhere.  I walked across the hall, she wasn’t there.  Checked the library, she wasn’t there either.  I walked downstairs and found her making her way towards the kitchen.

“Hello Frank, Lisa, Mrs. Vivian?” she whispered, I placed my hand on her shoulder and she spun around; I could see the fear in her eyes.

“Oh my god, what the hell are you doing sneaking around your own house?  Don’t ever do that again you scared me half to death!”  I pulled her in feeling guilty for scaring her; I put my hand on the small of her back to secure her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“It-it-it-it’s alright, thank you for letting me spend the night,” she seemed nervous struggling over the simple words.

“You’re welcome,” her eyes were twinkling and I had the urge to kiss her gnawing at me.  I pulled her in and lowered my lips to hers.  At first she didn’t react and I almost pulled away but she grabbed my hand and insisting for me to go on.  Her lips were soft and her skin smooth, I felt all my senses intensify and I backed off confused by the thoughts in my head.

“Get dressed I’ll take you home.”  After she got dressed I dropped her off in front of her house.

“Thanks for everything Eirie,”

“Sure thing sunshine, I know you’ll miss my touch.”

“Don’t be so full of yourself,” she said but her face turned a dark shade of red. 

“Well the color of your face tells me I’m right,” she opened the car door and stepped out.

“You always have to ruin every good moment we have!”

“That’s my job princess,” I said and winked at her.  She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“I don’t remember giving you permission to call me princess did I? Just go home I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“Bye your highness,” she slammed the door behind her and didn’t look back; I started the car for home still trying to sort out my thoughts.