7.
It was the strangest year of my life, the time everything changed drastically. Perhaps, the one who transformed the most was myself. It was like I had been driving along a straight line for so long, the road was smooth, boring and without any bumps.
But as soon as I changed the course, the way filled with rocks that never let me go straight anymore. There were a lot of people and a series of stupid incidents that made the mess of things and changed me.
At that time I didn't know that the person who would change me the most was going to be him.
Derrick Carson.
Derrick Carson was not anything extraordinary, he was just over exaggerated by the people around him. He was easy to understand and difficult to get along with - an unlikely and complicated combination, but at that time he was known as the guy who hated everything. The list included me as well.
It was our second encounter and this time I knew who this guy was. And it was that knowledge that intimidated me the most. It was funny that I was scared of a stranger, and it was that fear which led me to explore the residental enigma called Derrick Carson.
It happened as soon as I got away from Dale.
It wasn't until I was walking feverishly towards the other side of the block that I scolded myself for crying. Why was I crying? Because Dale laughed at me again? For a moment I let myself be angry at myself; if I didn't like what he did, I should had said it. No...if I had said something, I would've looked ever weirder than I already was? Last time I did something out of spite and ego, things changed so much that I had to move all the way here.
The next moment I calmed myself down. What was I expecting? Dale had always been like this, I repeated again and again. This was the reason we were always fighting as kids. He didn't take everything seriously and thought that ninety nine percent of things that went around him were funny. Of course he would laugh! In fact, Daniel and Carmen would have laughed as well.
But I wouldn't have minded that, a small voice in my head insisted.
It was my entire fault. Why was I giving so much importance to Dale? I did have a crush on him when we were kids, but that was a long, long time ago, I was stupid, childish and filled with many fantasies. Why was it hard to admit that things had changed? Every time I talked to him, my chest started fluttering and my palms started getting sweaty. Every time I felt like my impression on him was changing, my mind started counting backwards. I had only met Lillian Fisher twice and I was already jealous of her.
Dale shouldn't have mattered.
But he did matter. He and his stupid blue eyes, and his stupid blonde hair that fell on his forehead so carelessly, and his stupid smile that made me think about him more than I wanted to.
I was always like this, getting affected by people, letting them control my feelings and influence me. And when it came to Dale, he wasn't just anyone. He was the guy whose dreams had kept me awake for many nights, who made me happy and sad at the same time and somehow, I could never let him get out of my mind.
And it got worse after coming here. Was it because he was always around me? Acting nonchalantly and being his usual careless self that managed to steal my breath away.
The thought left me feeling hollow.People passed around me giving me strange looks, like I was some sort of museum display. Great, this was the last thing I needed. More then anything, I hated being stared at by random strangers so I immediately rubbed my eyes, sniffed and started walking a little faster.
Once I was back to normal, I took a good look around myself. The tea shop that Carmen loved was closed, not that I planned to spend the next hour sipping tea. For once, I was grateful that Carmen didn't accompany me. Though I did begin to wonder how everyone was doing. Daniel was even worse than me at sports, why did he agree in the first place? He was letting Carmen influence him and it was not okay. What will I do with those two?
Wait...who was I to judge Daniel when I was letting Dale affect me like this? I was turning into a hypocrite.
Then there was Lillian, I do admitted that it wasn't good to make fun of her 'passion', but she was a push over and I had concluded that it was better for my health if I stayed away from her. Though it seemed unlikely that I could avoid her forever.
The only normal person in the group was Lee Adams, though I didn't get a chance to talk to him properly.
Ugh, it had been two weeks since I came and I was already getting headaches. Just as I was rubbing my temples the shop opposite to the tea's place got my attention.
Coffee...I needed coffee.
I crossed the road and half ran towards the shop, feeling a bit relieved that at least something normal was going on with the day.
The shop was fancy looking and a sweet aroma surrounded it. I climbed the steps in haste and almost crashed into the person standing at the door, his back on me. I didn't need to see his face to realize it was Derrick Carson — oh,Lillian's family owned this place! How could I forget?
The one with the scowl...
Why was Derrick Carson popping out everywhere nowadays? I didn't even know the guy and thanks to Carmen, I was already feeling scared of him. He had that sort of aura which warned people away before they could approach him, a mixture of intimidation and authority. On top of the impression I had in my mind, he happened to be Lillian's cousin.
And he was locking the shop.
I watched him pull out the keys and pocket them, realizing the situation. He was closing the Should I stop him? Tell him I need coffee? No, that would make me look beyond desperate, we weren't best friends that he would open it again for me. Should I greet him?
'Hey dude, I gave you that candle in the church, remember?'
What was wrong with my brain cells? I never used to think this much before talking to a person. Derrick Carson was a human being for crying out loud, sure he had a scary vibe but he won't eat me alive.
''Er...'' He turned then and took a step back, his green eyes narrowed and his face quickly changed into a scowl. The legendary scowl, I corrected myself.
''You're that girl from the church.'' He pointed out, his voice was ... normal. A little annoyed, but otherwise normal. There was no other way to describe it, and if I was being honest what he said was quite ordinary as well.
''Hi'' I replied but my voice was low and squeaky, as if I was asking him a question instead of greeting him. Under normal circumstances I would've offered him a polite smile but thanks to the double glass doors I was aware of how ridiculous my face was looking; tear tracks running down my face and my makeup gone completely wrong thanks to the crying spree earlier. With my eyes swollen like that, how creepy would a smile look?
''You want something?'' he asked, his voice was a little rougher now, ''Lillian's not here.''
''I know, she was with us just now. Um but then she said she wanted to practice some more, she was left with Daniel and the guys. Wait no, there was Carmen as well. So they left and I came here because I wasn't feeling very-'' he raised his hand, making me pause,
''What do you want?'' He half snarled,
I nearly sagged in relief, ''Coffee,'' I replied a bit too desperately, almost begging him, ''I'm having a shitty day and I NEED coffee, I don't know any other shops around here, most of them are closed anyways I-'' For a second time he raised his hand making me pause,
''I just closed.'' He sounded exhausted and pained and annoyed, like talking to me was taking all his energy. He had barley spoken a sentence and I was regretting my decision to approach him. Was this what Carmen was talking about?
''I know, I'll just go,'' I started rambling again, ''I shouldn't have interrupted you, I'm really sorry I-'' I was backing away again when my back hit the railing, making me stumble. My beg fell down on the checkered tiled floor, scattering all the contents in the process. This couldn't get any better. I groaned inwardly and bent down to collect back my things, trying to get over the awkward clumsiness.
I didn't notice that Derrick Carson has barely moved, he stood like a stone - unmoving. Well, maybe the reason was a stupid girl gathering her things and blocking his way.
''I'm sorry'' I muttered again, collecting the last ounce of dignity with my books,
''Why are you carrying four novels with stupid aliens on them with you?'' His voice surprised me yet again, I looked up to meet his questioning eyes.
''They're books,'' I stated, a little unsure of what this was about.
''I can see that, but why are you carrying four of them?'' He repeated the question, a hint of incredulity in his tone; he looked slightly dazed, staring down at the books in my hand as if they were something ridiculous.
''To read them? I usually keep books in my bag...'' I trailed off; the look on his voice was very weird, even more than my behavior. Why was it so surprising to him? Something like this once happened in my old school, my classmate Jessica saw a pile of Meg Cabot books in my locker and launched into a fifteen minute long speech, regarding how strange it was. There was nothing strange about books, but people who didn't read can never understand that. I wasn't sure if Derrick Carson was making fun of me, just like Dale or was he simply taken aback. Nevertheless, a swell of defensiveness rose in my chest, I was about to say something stupid to him when he interrupted me,
''I'll give you coffee with extra charge and don't ever come here when I am locking up.'' He instructed with a nasty tone, and whirled around to reopen the shop. I could only stare at his back. That's when I decided that maybe Carmen wasn't wrong about him, either this guy was seriously confused or there was something wrong with him. Anyway, who cared? I was getting a coffee and that's all what mattered.
Inside the shop was spacious, with several tables and booths, but with no lights on, it looked eerie. The counter was on the left side, and Derrick disappeared behind the door with the sign 'staff only', a second later the shop lit up. I sighed and sat on a chair, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.
He walked back about five minutes later, carrying a cup with him, he set it down and bent to get a cap maybe? "Do you want any sugar?" Derrick Carson asked, glancing at me from his work space,
"No, the bitter is the better." He stared at me then, probably thinking I was some freak who went around spouting stupid things when going through a sentimental phase. Or maybe it was the bad weather doing wonders on my thoughts.
He surprised me by nodding, "Good choice" he said and began making my coffee.
The good part was, our first proper encounter wasn't as awkward as seeing him on that bike yesterday. The bad part was, he never spoke another word after this. Though he scowled, he scowled a lot, as if shooing off invisible beings with his expressions.
''Thank you,'' I said once he handed me the coffee, he nodded blankly and went back to the counter. Mmmm...it smelled nice. I glanced at him every now and then; he was hunched over the space, scribbling over something.
He did have some of Lillian's features, the same sharpness of their faces, similar nose and lips, the only difference were their eyes, Derrick had nicer eyes. In fact those green eyes made him look beyond attractive. But there was something else in them, a sort of vacant feeling — blankness. Or maybe I was being over observant?
''The coffee is really nice.'' I complimented, it was true though. No matter what kinda weirdo he was, the coffee he made was delicious.
I looked up for a second and scowled (for the sixth time that day) and it was meant to remind me that this guy was probably not very interested in whatever I had to say.
I was never going to come back here again.
* * * *
On the first day of school, I found Dale sitting casually on our kitchen table, sipping orange juice. I halted on my steps, adjusting my bag strap.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
He gulped and turned to face me, his eyes going over me. I touched my face self consciously. Was it a good idea to do a little make up?
"Where are your manners Caterpillar? Say hello first. H. E. L. L. O."
"I know how to spell hello." I replied, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket and putting it in my bag,
"Ally, are you ready to go?" Mom came out from her room, dressed up for work, her white coat resting on her arm,
"Yeah, I was just leaving."
"Thanks for the juice," Dale said to mom, his tone dripping with politeness, "I will be going now."
"Why are you here anyways?" I asked again as he got off the stool and joined me,
Mom who was busy arranging some papers in her file, glanced up, "I asked Dale to show you to the bus, I am sorry honey but I am getting late." I groaned inwardly, why did she have to ask Dale to show me the bus stop? And what was up with him? He was acting way to casual, as if nothing happened yesterday. Maybe, according to him, it was nothing.
"What's with that look Caterpillar?" Dale asked when we got outside. I hadn't noticed that I was busy staring at him,
"I know where the bus stop is, its not like I am gonna get lost."
"You sound like a brat, what's with you today?",
"I just wish mom didn't treat me like a kid, she worries too much."
We turned away from the street, and I checked time on my phone and paused. I had three more missed calls from dad and one from Angela - his wife's daughter.
"We still have time." I muttered hastily and pocketed it again.
"I've been noticing something," Dale was saying on the way, his tone curious, "you never talk about your life back in Manhattan."
Dale noticed things like that? He never appeared to be the observant type. The thought made me feel giddy,
"No one asked." I replied simply,
"And you are a kind of person who only answer stuff that is asked?" I glanced at him,
"You aren't making sense. Actually, this type of talk doesn't suit you at all."
"I can be pretty serious too." He argued back and I snorted. Once again, imagining a 'serious' Dale Cattermole was like imagining Daniel reading a novel. An actual full length novel.
"C'mon I know you well Dale, you never get-"
Suddenly Dale grabbed my elbow, pulling me back from the road and making me shriek. My body hit his chest and I stumbled on him. My heart lurched in my chest and I gave him a wide eyed look. His blue eyes levelled with mine and narrowed,
"Jeez, you even forgot how to walk on a road." He spoke in a low, quiet voice. My heart was racing in my chest, either because of the abrupt situation or how close he held me. His hand was still clasped firmly around my elbow when I backed away a little. Dale kept staring at me, I wished he would stop.
"Maybe you don't know me that well Caterpiller." A second later he took a step back and grinned,
"Your bus is here. And don't close your eyes when crossing the road. If you die, I'll be the next on the list." And just like that, the jittery moment passed away like silence and we were back to normal. At least Dale was, I couldn't had been sure about myself.
He always did this, one moment he would be joking and the next he would do something to make my heart beat painfully fast in my chest. He proved me wrong as well, he did get serious.
But sometimes, I couldn't help but feel that these little abstract moments between us and his cryptic words meant something, that he did it on purpose. The thought drove me crazy.
Mindlessly, I climbed the bus and glanced back, he was gone. Inside, I was welcomed by a slim old lady who smiled at me,
"Are you Allyson White?" She asked politely,
"Yeah, nice to meet you."
She started the engine, "You can call me Glen, take any seat in the back."
There weren't too many seats in the back but a lot of unfamiliar faces. Some people were fast asleep and others were busy talking out loud obnoxiously.
In admidst of all this, someone was waving at me. I nearly sagged in relief and quickly walked over to the very last seat, joining Lee Adams.
"Hi" I whispered and leaned back against the seat,
"Hey there," he replied with a grin, "you remember me right?"
I gave him a funny look, "Of course I do, we met at the park when-"
"When Lily almost killed you." He completed for me and started laughing, I couldn't help but join in as well.
"Yeah, its not cool, being hit by a ball like that."
"Don't mind her, she likes being energetic." I nodded and then saw a book sitting on his lap.
"You're reading The lies of Locke Lamora?" I asked, piqued with sudden interest.
He handed me the book, "Yeah, I've read it six times over, it still remains awesome."
I chuckled at his enthusiasm, "Trust me, I know that feeling." I replied and turned the book over in my hands, it was pretty worn out and a few pages were on a verge of getting teared away,
"It's a good feeling, I mean having an old book with you, it looks like the book has lived." I was mumbling to myself,
"Yeah, that's the good thing about books, they don't die." Lee replied and I gave the book back,
"I love this book, its ..." I paused, searching for the correct word,
"Brilliant?" he offered,
I clapped my hands, "Exactly! It's brilliant!"
"So Allyso-"
"Ally" I corrected,
"So Ally, whose your favourite character from this book?"
"Locke Lamora," I answered quickly, "he's smart and likes playing with fire. But he's also imperfect and makes a lot of mistakes. And he is always learning something new from them."
"I think Locke is arrogant," Lee answred, "he's too caught up with his own lies that he forgets there are more people involved, like his friends. They suffer because of his mistakes and none of it could have happened if Locke was a truthful man."
I was listening keenly, hanging on every word, "But then, there wouldn't have been any story." I argued back,
"Can't answer that one," he said, scratching the back of his neck, "we will definitely complete this discussion sometime."
"Sure", I told him and for some reason, whatever he said had me thinking.
* * * *
Liked it? Hated it? Ship anyone with Allyson? Tell me your opinions!
Also, "The lies of Locke Lamora" by Scott Lynch is a great book. It's an adult fantasy and one of my absolute favourites!