Orchard

8

When I got to the school, I went straight to hag's class to get my phone. "May I have my phone back?" I asked in my fakest sweet voice. "Oh Celeste, of course." She said, and handed me my phone. I scurried out of the class and heard her say, "Make sure it's away when you come back for class!"

I sat down in the bathroom stall, the very last stall at the end. I was angry with Demitri but I really wanted to see what he had texted me, I thought in some way it would repair my thoughts about him. I closed my eyes and flipped open the phone. 3 unread texts and a voicemail from "Handsome." Seeing that made me upset, I wanted to slap myself for leaving him alone outside. I opened the first text.

Celeste, are you okay? I didn't see you after class.

And then the second text.

Did you ditch again? You left me behind :(

..Last text

I miss you. I'm really worried, I hope you're okay. I'm assuming you went home after school. I'll stop by tonight.

I read "I miss you." over and over, I'm pretty sure everyone in the bathroom thought I was taking a long shit. I wasn't sure how we could possibly miss each other after we'd met yesterday morning. Maybe it's "love at first sight" but I'm not Juliet and he isn't Romeo, anyway I don't really believe in that. But I found myself missing him. So I sent a text:

I miss you too, Demitri.

Now I had to listen to the voicemail. I put the phone up to my ear, and heard the robotic voice. "You have one new message."

Hi Celeste, I thought maybe you didn't notice your texts but I guess you don't have your phone. I hope you're alright, oh and I'll be there tonight.

he stopped talking for a moment and I heard muffled voices in the background, it didn't sound like English. Or French. Suddenly his voice became clearer.

No mom, no. No mom I will not help you spy on people! No!

Then the voicemail ended. The other language in the background sounded weird, I figured it was Russian. Demitri still hadn't texted back so I got off the toilet and went back out in the hall. The bell was about to ring. I looked around, hoping to see him but he was no where to be found.

The first 3 classes passed by. No response from Demitri. I didn't know where to go at lunch, I tried to call Talia but she didn't pick up. I felt hopeless and alone and it was all my fault. I wished Demitri could read my mind right now and realize that I need him. I half expected him to be behind me, and say "You need me?" in his deep, raspy whisper. So I turned around.

He wasn't there.

I decided to wander outside once again for lunch. I constantly checked my phone, hoping for a response from him. Still nothing. I sighed and sat down on a brick fence near the school. I was looking down at my feet, dangling over the edge of the red bricks, and suddenly I heard the voice that made my heart flutter. "Celeste."

I looked up, and Demitri was infront of me. "Hello," I said. He gestured for me to hop down from the wall, and I did. Then he put his arms around my waist, and pulled me close. I could feel his breath on my neck, as he whispered, "I missed you too." He started kissing my neck and I felt my legs go weak. It was like I was never mad at him, just one glimpse of him again and everything was resolved. "Wait." I said, "I'm sorry for earlier, but you must know, I still don't believe in that stuff. Please don't bring it up again."

He stopped kissing me. "It's hard to not bring up the truth," He said, looking me straight in the eyes. He let go of my waist, and he turned away. "How can I prove it to you?" He asked, facing the other direction. I don't want to hear any more of it, I thought. I just want you to stop being crazy, I want you to kiss me. He looked over his shoulder at me, "I don't want to kiss you if you're not gonna believe me, Celeste." He said, grinning. He turned around and looked at me, "So, are you ready to believe?"

I was pretty much in shock. I just stared up at him, his perfect jaw, soft black hair, and piercing blue eyes. "Okay, try me." I said finally. He grabbed me and set me back on the fence, "You're gonna want to sit down for this." He said, smirking. "Are you going to read my palm?" I teased. "Oh god no that's all bullshit don't believe those people." He said with disgust, and added "Just think of anything."

You. All I can do is think of you, Demitri. He smiled, and he looked at me with warmth in his eyes, "Celeste you're so romantic when you speak to me through thoughts." He laughed. I blushed, I mean I didn't believe he was actually hearing my conscience so I told the truth. I had to think of something deranged and out there so there was no possible way to guess.

All that came to my mind was pickles. "What the hell Celeste?" He started laughing really hard, "Are you hungry? Because I'll get you some pickles if you want!" He looked at me with such sincerity that I almost shat myself right then and there on the fence. I didn't want him reading my mind, it was the only thing I could keep private from everyone. Except him, I guess.

"So you believe me? I can tell." He said, "okay, NOW you can get that kiss." He smirked and then opened my legs so he could stand between them while I was on the fence. "I- I believe you" I stuttered, and he leaned in and we kissed, a deep passionate kiss. I can't describe how perfect it was, just completely amazing. "Now let's get you a pickle."

"I don't really want a pickle, Demitri!" I smiled. He's eyes lit up like he just remembered something, "Oh! You're coming over my house for lunch. I told my parents and everything," He said, and laced his fingers between mine. "Alright," I agreed to it.

It turns out Demitri had moved into the big, creepy looking house down the block from

mine. The thing looked like something out of a horror movie, like you would walk in and a vampire family would greet you. I guess I'm walking into a weird psychic family's house. When we got to the door step, Demitri let go of my hand and knocked, with this huge knocker that was gold and shaped like a lions head. Creepy.

A voice sounded from the inside in Russian I suppose. "She says come in," Demitri said smiling at me, and he took my hand and opened the door. His mom was sitting on their black leather couch with a cat that resembled a mini-leopard in her lap. She looked just like Demitri, jet black hair, pale skin, and deep ocean-like eyes. But when she stood, she was very short unlike Demitri who was practically a giant. "Hello, you very beautiful!" She to me in a thick accent. Demitri blushed, "Is the food ready? We kinda have to hurry and get back to school soon."

"Oh yes, food is ready," His mom replied. She headed towards the kitchen then doubled back, "My name is Irina." She said, reaching out her hand, "You are Celeste, no?" She said, tilting her head. I looked over at Demitri then back to Irina. "Yes, that's my name," I said, and I shook her hand. She lead us back to the kitchen which was enormous, it had beautifully restored graphite counters and all stainless steal appliances. "We renovated it a bit," Demitri said, nudging my shoulder. Past the kitchen was the dining room with a long, elegant dark-wood table. The seats had velvety red cushions on them. Is he this rich?

We sat down at the table and Irina brought over a plate of fried chicken. I had to suppress laughing, I was honestly expecting something all ritzy which would match this table. Demitri said something in Russian and I looked at him with confused eyes. "Now you know how I feel when you speak French!" is all he said.

Irina sat on the far end of the table. She didn't partake in our fried chicken, which Demirti practically devoured. "So, Celeste. You from here?" she's asked me. "Yes, Mrs. Azarov, I am."

"Please, call me Irina" She said shortly. I was expecting a drill of questions but after that she looked at me silently. "Your mother, she crazy, no?"

I looked over at Demitri, was he telling his mom all of this? He shrugged at me in response. "I sorry," Irina continued, "Demtiri must told you we have... a gift."

I coughed on a piece of fried chicken, "Um- well yes he did." Except he forgot to mention the part that you also had it, but I hadn't even been thinking about my mom.