Deep Blue Secret Read online

  I cast off the impulse immediately. It would lead to unnecessary worry.

  “I…I was just wondering what color you wanted to paint the living room this weekend,” I said.

  “I don’t know yet. I might go look at some paint samples this morning.”

  She went back to eating. That was it? I thought the topic would keep her talking all through breakfast.

  I nodded and focused on my food. The quicker I could finish eating, the less chance she would have to get any information out of me. I took a large bite of toast, chewing rapidly, and shoveled in some oatmeal which seemed particularly thick and hard to swallow today.

  The moment my mom’s mouth started to form a sentence, I immediately took over the conversation in hopes there wouldn’t be room left for her to ask me any questions in return.

  The minute she finished one thought, I quickly came up with something else to ask. How was yoga class? Did you enjoy riding your bike to work? Anything new at the hospital? Did you get a ride home from Dr. Jensen?

  At one point she managed to squeeze in, “What did you do yesterday?” But I was quick to respond, “Nothing out of the ordinary,” and continued on with my rampage of questions, cutting her off as needed. I barely stopped to take a breath.

  There was a good chance she was starting to wonder what was wrong with me. I continued to spout out half-cohesive phrases as I stuffed food in my mouth at a rapid pace, but my arsenal of questions was running thin.

  “So…how 'bout that wind yesterday, huh?” I resorted to talking about the weather. I still had half a slice of toast left. I shoved the whole thing in my mouth and hopped up from the table.

  “Well, I have to leave for school now,” I mumbled, mouth full. I grinned sheepishly and gave her a crumb-filled peck on the cheek.

  She raised one eyebrow, looking at me oddly and shaking her head. “O…kay. Have a good day I guess.”

  I stumbled out of the room as fast I could manage.

  As I hurried down the driveway I caught the house across the street from the corner of my eye. My legs froze at the memory of the curious feelings I had about it the night before. It was less intimidating in the light, but it was still enticing. I moved forward with interest, wanting to get a better look in the daylight.

  There was an unfamiliar car parked in front of the curb, a sleek, black sports car. I was even more intrigued. Expensive cars weren’t out of place around town but I would’ve recognized one this nice in my neighborhood before, especially in front of this house. In fact, I didn't think I'd seen any cars parked in front of this house before.

  I circled the glossy black finish, peering through the windows discreetly. It was hard to see through the dark tinted glass and I couldn’t get a good look. I walked around the back bumper. The word LOTUS sprawled across the back side in polished silver letters. I’d heard the name before but my knowledge of cars was limited. It was definitely nice though.

  My interest in the car was short-lived. Something drew me towards the house again like a magnet. I continued impulsively to the front yard and noticed a driveway behind the iron gate. It ran along the left side of the house, leading to a garage set far back from the front of the house.

  Perhaps whoever lived here normally kept their car in the garage and didn't have visitors very often. Someone was obviously home now though. Maybe I should try to go knock on the door again.

  I caught myself speculating and stopped abruptly. “No, this is going to be a normal day,” I scolded aloud.

  Great, now I’m talking to myself too, I thought. I turned back towards my faded burgundy car. It looked sad next to the impressive black one just a few yards away. Was I going crazy? All I could think about was going back to the unfamiliar house. Did I really have such little self-control?

  It was just a house. I was being ridiculous.

  I stomped up the driveway to my car and shoved the key in the ignition. This wouldn’t get the best of me. I reversed out to the street and held my hand to the side of my face, shielding my eyes from view of the dark house across the way. I shifted from reverse to drive as quickly as my free hand would maneuver and jammed my foot to the gas pedal, tires squealing down the street.

  It felt like fleeing the scene of a crime, when all I’d done was walk a few curious steps across the street. If anyone had observed my behavior, they’d send me to an institution.

  I sped down the road and barely slowed to turn the corner onto the next street. Blood pumped through my veins with heavy pulses. Once my street was out of sight my right foot stomped on the brake.

  What are you doing? Adrenalin rushed through me and I tried to calm myself. You’re just driving yourself to school. This was not normal. All I wanted was some everyday boring; a little same-old, same-old. Was that too much to ask for?

  My trusty Honda idled in the middle of the road and I hung my head on the steering wheel with a groan. The horn blared by the impact, but I didn’t care. Living inside my own body was exhausting.

  I had to collect my thoughts. My so-called normal day wasn’t starting off how I hoped.

  I sat up and took in a few exaggerated breaths. Maybe music would help to release the tension. I pulled out my MP3 player to search through the songs, looking for something mellow and calming, but not to the extent of being depressing. I listened to the first few notes of each song until I could determine if it felt right.

  Positive energy poured over me and I knew I’d found the right song. I closed my eyes allowing the notes to push away my scattered thoughts. The familiar lyrics whispered through my lips as the music filled my mind.

  I sat motionless, aside from the small movements of my mouth as I sang, until I reached the end of the song. My composure returned. I moved the gear to drive and continued to school.

  When I approached my locker I noticed Heather at the end of the hall. I couldn’t see who she was talking to at first, but the boy shifted to the side and I recognized him immediately—Justin Crane. Why would she talk to him? That was definitely not normal.

  I’d spent the last couple months trying to cut ties with Justin, to let him down easy without hurting his feelings. Ever since the first week of senior year, he’d been following me around like a lost puppy. Well, more like a Doberman. And for some reason he just wouldn’t keep his paws to himself.

  I’d slapped him so many times on our second date that my hand hurt. He would apologize with what seemed like sincerity but minutes later he would try again. I’d been blatantly obvious I disliked his behavior, but apparently he was slow at getting the hint. For months he pursued me and for months I turned him down. He was either completely dense or extremely resilient.

  Heather had been vocal about her animosity towards Justin in the past, but her eyes now smiled eagerly at him as they conversed. My knees locked at the sight and I gaped down the hall in confusion. She smiled at him sweetly and turned to my direction. I flinched, hoping they didn’t notice my gaze fixed on their exchange, and moved to pull a book out of my locker.

  Heather approached me with a satisfied gleam in her eye. “Please tell me you remembered to bring your bathing suit,” she said, sounding annoyed.

  What kind of a greeting was that? She couldn’t even say hello?

  “Well good morning to you too,” I said.

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, hi and all that.”

  “So who were you talking to just now? Was that Justin?” I had to bring it up. I needed to know if I should start up my defense for another round of fending him off. “He’s not getting his hopes up again, is he?”

  “That was him,” she said. “But we weren’t talking about you. As a matter of fact, we were talking about the two of us.”

  “The two of you? You’re messing with me, right?”

  “No, Sadie, I’m not messing with you. Is it so hard to believe a guy might be interested in me for once?”

  A lump caught in my throat. “What?”

  How could she say that?

  “No,” I
said shocked. “I mean…of course not, but…Justin? I thought you couldn’t stand him.”

  “Let’s just say he’s grown on me lately. But seriously, did you bring it?”

  “Bring what?”

  She grumbled. “Your bath-thing sui-t.” She practically spit on me as she stretched the words out.

  Great. I’d forgotten our plans to hang out after school.

  “I…sort of…” My eyes squinted, shielding me from whatever wrath might come my way.

  She answered for me, tone dry. “You forgot.”

  “I’m so sorry, Heather.”

  Her lips pursed. “You’re still coming,” she commanded. “Go home and pick up your swimsuit right after school then come straight to my house.”

  Before I could reply Heather turned her back and stormed away. She didn’t wait for me to walk with her to class.

  My gaze followed after her, confused.

  I tried to think back over the last week but I couldn’t figure why she was suddenly acting so cold to me.

  She’d mentioned not spending enough time with her lately, but I was coming over to her house today, so that wouldn’t make sense. Maybe she took forgetting my bathing suit as a sign that spending time with her wasn’t important to me, but she seemed annoyed before I even told her I forgot it. And if there was another reason she was mad, why did she still want me to come to her house today?

  I gave up and walked to class. When I entered the room I glanced in Heather’s direction. She sat talking to another student at her desk and didn’t look up from her conversation when I walked by.

  The rest of my classes passed like a typical day. I was glad to have at least one element of normalcy, finally. At lunch Heather was still distant, but she put on a façade for the sake of everyone else around us. I could sense she was irritated with me though.

  Justin walked by our table twice in fifteen minutes, staring hopefully in our direction. It felt like it was me he was ogling but maybe I was being conceited. If he really was interested in Heather now, I certainly didn’t have any qualms about it. I hoped I could make that clear to her so she would forgive me for whatever I did to upset her.

  After school I left promptly from class and didn’t stop to chit chat with friends. I wanted to be quick about retrieving my bathing suit to avoid fueling Heather’s anger. I needed to find out what was bothering her. I had to fix it.

  I sped up my street and came a few houses away from mine, nerves tensing my arms. I focused my eyes forward, away from the house across from mine. I wasn’t sure I would feel a need to wander in that direction again, but I made a conscious effort not to look just in case.

  Hopping out to the driveway, I scurried up the front yard without a pause. I ran to my room and rummaged through my bathing suits in a hurry, suddenly recalling Heather’s original request that I wear a cute bikini.

  I pulled out the bubble-gum pink bikini with lime green ties Heather picked out for me this summer. It was skimpier than the bathing suits I normally wore but she insisted I would look super cute and talked me into the purchase. I never wore it once.

  Maybe she would consider it a nice gesture if I wore it tonight. I threw it in my bag along with a towel and a change of clothes, then unclasped the watch I’d been wearing from my wrist and tossed it in my jewelry box. I didn’t need anything to cover my birthmark since I was going to be at Heather’s all night.

  Today had been on the warm side but it usually felt a little chilly in the evening, especially after getting wet. I flipped through my closet to search for a sweater. What I really wanted was the faded black one that carried the sweet scent of the mysterious boy, but I stuck to my plan of avoiding any thoughts of him. I pulled a baby blue hoodie off its hanger and rolled it up on top of my towel.

  I thought about grabbing a snack but decided it was better not to waste any more time and headed out the front door. I hurried across the stone path away from the door and couldn’t help but notice the shiny black car still parked across the street. I hummed aloud to keep my mind distracted but a slamming noise from the direction of the car broke my concentration.

  My left foot missed a beat, tripping forward. I caught my balance with my right leg and stood without moving. A man wearing a shirt and tie exited the passenger door, his dark hair mixed with strands of grey. He paced back and forth along the sidewalk.

  I couldn’t resist the temptation.

  “Excuse me,” I called.

  I shuffled down the driveway, curiosity mounting. He eyed me warily as I approached and I felt suddenly uneasy. I stopped in the street, gaping at the man.

  “Can I help you with something?” he said, tone agitated.

  “Uh, I’m just wondering if this is your house.”

  He sounded completely uninterested. “No, I’m just visiting an old friend.” He waved me away, turning his back but suddenly gestured back around. “Since you’re here, do you have the time?”

  “Sure.” I lifted my wrist to my chest reflexively, but my arm was bare.

  His eyes widened and a look of sudden interest crossed his face. I remembered the tear-shaped mark on my wrist and shot my arm down to the side.

  “That’s just a birthmark,” I said. I inched back a step, feeling awkward. “Sorry, I forgot my watch.”

  “Wait,” he said. He clutched my wrist forcefully with one hand.

  I gasped, muscles stiff. His gaze pierced mine and I couldn’t help but stare at his eyes. They were black and frightening. Something about him didn’t seem right. I felt the notion to run, but froze in place.

  He loosed his grip and straightened his stance. “I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive my brash behavior. I haven’t been around people for quite some time. I hope I didn’t scare you.” His voice became increasingly polite.

  I continued to stare at him bewildered and unmoving.

  “Really, I must apologize. I just noticed that unique mark on your arm and I was hoping to get a closer look. A birthmark you say?”

  “Yes, I was born with it.” I rubbed the red streak on my arm left by the man’s sturdy grip.

  He extended a hand in my direction. “Please, just a quick look? I promise to be gentle this time.” His wide smile was somehow disturbing. I lifted my arm nervously and flinched as he ran his finger over the smooth surface of my birthmark.

  “Well, that is something special isn’t it,” he admired. The tear-shape glinted midnight blue in the sunlight. “Do your parents also have this mark?” he asked.

  I pulled my arm away. “No. Well, my mom doesn’t. I’ve never met my father.” He raised one eyebrow and glared at me, his face calculating my response. I felt my breaths quickening with each passing second. His eyes were like a spider web of black veins.

  “Isn’t that a shame?” he finally said, his tone over-the-top sickening sweet. “But please, don’t let me keep you. I’m sure you have better things to do than chat with an old man like me.”

  Relief poured through my limbs. I forced a bleak smile and fled toward my house.

  I leapt in my car and reversed to the street. The man stared at me with a mischievous grin. I put my foot to the gas pedal and rolled by him like I was moving in slow motion. I peered back at him confused and frozen. I followed his frame in the rearview mirror until he and the black car were finally out of view.

  I drove to Heather’s house in eerie silence. I clutched the steering wheel, arm hairs standing on edge. Every few minutes I glanced in the mirror for fear I would see the black car behind me.

  The man’s disturbing expression still plagued my thoughts as I turned the corner onto Heather’s street.

  I clutched my bag as I exited my car in front of her house, examining every corner of the neighborhood with guarded movements. I took swift steps up the walkway towards the security of the front door.

  Just as I lifted my leg to the front step a roaring sound cut through my ears from a few feet away. I jumped backward and let out a scream, nerves on edge. The blaring noise went silent. />
  A familiar face popped out from the side of the house, easing my anxiety.

  “Jose, hi,” I said.

  It was Heather’s gardener. We’d spoken a few times in the past, when he’d been working out in the yard as I arrived at Heather’s house. Sometimes I would practice a little Spanish with him before going inside.

  He carried a large gardening machine strapped over his shoulder. “Sorry, did I scare you?” he asked.

  “Maybe a little,” I said. “I didn’t realize you were over there.”

  I walked towards him on the grass. “How are you?”

  “Really good,” he said. His eyes lit up. “Me and my wife, we will expect another baby soon.”

  “Wow, congratulations.”

  Before he could answer we both turned at the squeak of the front door.

  Heather stood, arms folded in the doorway. “Are you here to hang out with me or the gardener?”

  “Sorry, I better go,” I said to Jose. “Nice to see you.”

  He waved and went back to tending the yard.

  Heather crossed the polished wood floor in the entry way. “I have a little surprise for you in the family room,” she whispered. I couldn’t tell if her tone was affectionate or sarcastic. She didn’t sound as mad as earlier today, but she still wasn’t herself.

  “Can we talk for a minute?” I asked.

  She didn’t reply, but when we entered the next room, I realized what she meant by surprise.

  9. COMPETITION

  Apparently Heather invited other guests without bothering to tell me. I gave her an accusing look.

  “Nick…hi,” I said, hiding my surprise.

  Nick stood from the couch and grinned. “Hey, Sadie. Heather said you wouldn’t mind if I came to hang out with you guys.”

  It didn’t bother me to have him here, but why didn’t she tell me about it? I guessed she was just trying to play matchmaker with me as usual, probably hoping it would create an opportunity for the two of us to hook-up before our date.

  “Sure, of course.” I set my bag down and crossed the room, sitting with him on the couch. I might as well make the best of the situation. I’d wanted to feel like a normal teenager today and talking to a cute boy seemed to fall under that category.