Updated and Edited 16/06/12.
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Chapter Three
“Jane Eyre? Since when do you read classics, Vi?” I looked up from the armchair I was sitting in to see my Mum looking at me from the couch where she was watching the evening news on the T.V.
“You sure you're feeling all right, love? Maybe you're coming down with something,” Dad said when he walked into the room from the kitchen with a glass of milk for Toby. He stopped by me and placed his hand on my forehead, as though to check my temperature.
“Oh, you two are so hilarious,” I said sarcastically, whilst both my parents chuckled. My Dad handed over to milk to Toby, who was sitting on the floor, playing with his toy cars and then went and joined my mother on the couch. As he sat down, my Mum placed her hand on my Dad's knee and he held on to it. Whenever I looked at my parents, I always thought they were made for each other. They had been married since they were in their early twenties and even after all these years, they were still happy and content with one another.
“So what gives, Vi? Why the classics? You were reading Austen last week and now it's Bronte's turn?”
“I just thought I'd give the adventure stories a rest for now, Dad. Nothing serious as an illness,” I joked and he smiled at me. I went back to reading and I soon found that I couldn't help but agree with the note that was placed in the book. Jane Eyre was better than Wuthering Heights, or at least I thought so.
Strange, who would have thought I would be agreeing with a stranger that I had never met before. We had made a lot of progress with Wuthering Heights in English, but me being me, I had already finished the book. I had liked it a lot, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand why the heroine would give up her supposedly 'undying love' just for leisurely comforts. In fact, she reminded me a little of the girls in school. They would give up happiness, just so they could fit into the popular crowd. It was almost like selling yourself out, lying to yourself. I know I couldn't do that. If reading as many books as I did classified me as a geek in the high school social hierarchy, then a geek I was, through and through.
It wasn't long before Mum had literally dragged my brother to bed and when she came back, it looked like she would do the same with me. I looked at the clock and I hadn't realised how late it had gotten. I caught my Dad's eye and he just laughed. This, for both my parents, wasn't an unusual thing, and from the look on my Mum's face, I could tell she was tempted to hide my book, like she used to do when I was younger, when I refused to sleep until I had finished the whole book. After all, sleep could wait; there was always time for sleep later.
I got up and kissed both my parents and they did the same to me. Mum had made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water, so Dad clearly took his opportunity to speak while she was out of ear shot.
“Don't stay up to late, love,” he said trying to look stern, but failing as I could see his blues eyes sparkling and the corners of his mouth pulling up.
“Okay, Pops,” I joked, while kissing him again. He chuckled and ruffled my hair. He would always indulge me like this. After all, it was Dad who had encouraged me to read so much at a young age, and it was Dad who would sometimes give me back the book Mum had taken away from me. A part of me knew that Mum also knew about this, but she never let on or said anything. From the look on her face last year at the parent/teacher evening at school, I secretly thought she was glad I turned out the way I did, especially when compared to other teenage girls.
As I was getting ready for bed, a part of me thought she would probably have a heart attack if I started taking an interest in guys who weren't fictional characters.
*****
Work was busy, as was usually the case at Jinx café. It was packed full of students from school, which was annoying. It was bad enough I had see them and interact with them at school, but now I had to do it in my free time? Life was so unfair sometimes. The only upside was that I had an hour until my break and then I could relax for a while, which by then, most of the people who were here, would have gone by then.
I was pulled out of my blissful daydream by someone coughing to get my attention. I looked up from the counter and saw what seemed to be my perpetual stalker.
“Hi, what can I get you?” I asked in my most friendly voice, pushing back my resent towards this person. If I was nice, he might leave a good tip.
“Hey, I didn't know you worked here?” Joe's face lit up as though Christmas had come early. Well, it was only a few weeks away.
“Yeah,” I smiled a little. “So, what can I get you?” I asked again, hoping against hope he would just order something to go. But, since the world had recently turned against me, he didn't.
“Umm, two lattes and one hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles.” He looked at me with a mocking face when he put in this last order. I didn't respond. Jinx café was renowned for its hot chocolates in the entire town; even I loved it. But then again, I wasn't one for caffeinated drinks either. I took his order down on a little note pad. I looked up to see that Joe was still standing there, with the money in his hand. I took it and gave back his change.
“You can go and sit down. I'll bring it over,” I told him, not looking him directly in the eyes. I knew if I engaged myself with him, he wouldn't leave me alone.
“Oh, sure,” he looked a little unsure, but it didn't bother me. The guy just didn't seem to take a hint. But then neither did the rest of them. As I was filling the order, I couldn't help but wonder why he was so persistent. I wouldn't call myself unattractive, but I was hardly the prettiest of girls at our school. My dark hair was always the same, worn down and around my shoulders. My hazel eyes were ordinary compared to Julie's vibrant green or even Callie's bright blue. And more importantly, I was reserved and shy. When did they become qualities that guy's were so interested in? it seemed like yesterday that they preferred more outgoing personalities.
I took the drinks over to the table Joe was at with some other guys. When I came closer, I recognised one of them as Trey and the other as some guy from the football team.
“Who's got what?” I asked them.
“I've got the coffee,” said the guy whose name I didn't know, nor cared to find out.
“So have I,” said Joe, raising his hands to help me with the drink, as though I needed the help. Instead, he very nearly knocked it over, but luckily he didn't.
“That leaves me with the hot chocolate,” Trey said, smiling slightly, as I gave him his drink. I smiled back at him before I turned to walk away. As I was retreating, I heard some of their conversation.
“Dude, that's such a girl drink,” said the guy with no name.
“Have you even tasted the hot chocolate here? It's really good. You wouldn't be saying that if you if you did.” I heard Trey defend his choice in beverages.
“Pfft, whatever.”
Witty comeback, I thought to myself. Definitely not a guy I want to know.
As the hour passed by, I filled other people's orders and smiled whilst making small talk with regular customers. All the while, I noticed that Joe kept shooting me sly looks every now and then. It was beginning to worry me; I had no idea how to shake him off.
My break rolled around sooner than expected and as I was settling into my time alone, Steve, the manager, told me I could leave early as the rush was dying down. I thanked him and pulled out my phone to call my Dad, who was going to pick me up, as my car was at the garage being serviced. He said he wouldn't be long, so I gathered my things and waited outside on a bench, with the warm breeze playing with hair, all the while trying to figure out the mysterious Mr. Rochester.
“Hey Viola, you okay?” I looked up and saw that Trey was standing before me. Behind him was Joe but the other guy wasn't with them.
“Oh, yes. I'm just waiting for my ride.”
“Okay.” He smiled once hearing this. I couldn't help but return it. I could feel my cheeks warming slightly, but thankfully, they didn't explode in colour. I didn't think either of them noticed.
“You know, if you wanted you could catch a ride with us, you know... if you wanted?” Joe asked me, coming to stand next to Trey. It suddenly occurred to me that he might suffer from hearing problems. Did I not just mention I was getting a ride?
“No, I said I was getting a ride. From my Dad,” I added a little forcefully. From the corner of my eye, I swear I could have seen Trey's lips twitch a little, as though amused. It was probably a trick of the light, I concluded.
“Oh, well umm...” Whatever he was going to say, if he was going to say anything that is, wasn't voiced, as a car pulled up right next the curb, not far from the bench I was sitting at.
“Sorry I'm late, love. You weren't waiting long, were you?” My Dad said, as he leaned out of the open window. He always did this; apologised for being late, even if he wasn't. I suppose he didn't like the idea of leaving me waiting for too long. Another thing to prove he liked to indulge me.
“No, not long at all Dad.”
I got up from the bench and grabbed my bag and book. I looked up at the two guys standing before me, and before I could catch either of their eyes, I turned and made way over to the passenger seat. As I was moving, Dad finally noticed there were two guys hovering nearby his only daughter. To anyone else, it might have seemed that he wasn't bothered, but I could tell from the slight frown creasing his brow, that he was. Then it suddenly smoothed out.
“Trey! Long time no see, son!” My Dad smiled at him. Trey walked over and shook my Dad's hand that was coming out of the open window. I was already seated and had just done up my seat belt.
“It's good to see you, sir. It's been a while,” he laughed easily, as though having a friendly chat with an old friend. Both my parents were very easy to like, and since Trey knew them, I suppose it was exactly like that.
“How's your Dad?”
“He's good. Been a little busy helping Uncle Ed with the store, but otherwise fine.”
“Great. Well, tell him I said hello. Well have to catch up some time.”
“Will do sir. Have good night.” They smiled at each other, before my Dad set about to drive off towards home. Before he took off, I could see Joe looking slightly put out. I just silently thanked my luck, that Dad came when he did.
On the way home, I told Dad how Trey had just come in with some friends and when they came outside, he asked if I was okay. My Dad nodded at this, probably silently praising his good manners.
Over dinner, I couldn't help but wonder why everything seemed to be changing. It was odd. I had suddenly come to the attention of someone I didn't like or want to know, I had been noticed by someone whom I didn't know and was leaving books for me to read. One thing I did know for sure, senior year wouldn't be dull, in any way, shape or form.
*****