Take My Breath Away

  Chapter 25 Izzy

  Cathy's mom was really suspicious when Melanie showed up in Tink's old pickup. I have to admit, she didn't look like the pickup type. With Cathy's help, I was able to convince her mom that everything was cool, that I had a place to stay and that Melanie was more than old enough to be responsible for me. It didn't help that Melanie stayed in the truck, but knowing what she did, I think Cathy was glad. In the end, Mrs. Hall let me go—what choice did she have?

  Melanie and I had agreed to stay at her place, since neither of us was absolutely certain that the Faulkner house on Lambs Knoll wasn't being watched. It would make school a little more challenging if the weather was bad, but there was only two more months and then school would be out for the summer. We even found a nice crop of trees near the road where I could hide the truck. All things considered, I was grateful that Benjamin had sent Melanie and even happier to have one of my kind as company.

  "So, school in the morning?" Melanie asked.

  "Yeah, I hope."

  "Nervous about the principal?"

  "From her perspective I must seem like a very troubled girl, from an extremely dysfunctional family."

  "You're not anymore. Just be honest, without the details."

  "I'm not thinking she's going to buy my vampire parents have gone to protect me from a crazed biker gang."

  "Ah, ah, ah, without the detail. You're staying with your sister—me—while your parents are away working out their problems."

  "That makes it sound like—"

  "Exactly, and it wouldn't be proper to ask any more than that. Let me see," Melanie added, grasping my jaw and turning my head from side-to-side. "Perfect," she concluded looking into my eyes, measuring their shade of gold no doubt. She opened the door and we went inside.

  "You must miss Nathan."

  "I do, but he and Tink had to try to find Buford and Ward."

  "You make it sound like we're getting the entire family together."

  Melanie patted my cheek. "Nothing for you to worry about."

  We got caught up while I did my makeup work. It really was incredible, how in such a short time, Benjamin had been able to learn so much from me. He was intrigued and concerned about Cathy's gift, but thankful she had been able to help. Although I couldn't help feel like Melanie was keeping something from me, there was no point in fretting over it, she was very good at diversion. Before we knew it, the sky began to brighten.

  "I see you're back to your, shall we say, sultry look," Melanie said as I came out of her bedroom in black jeans and a gray long-sleeved tee shirt.

  "I've got enough on my plate, I don't need any girl drama, especially today."

  She smiled, and then winked. "Good choice. Do you want me to come with you?"

  "You'd do that?" I puzzled.

  "Oh, I didn't mean—just as far as the truck."

  "I'll be fine."

  "Don't forget your make up work."

  "Right." I grabbed the folder Cathy's mom had given me off the mantel. Well, I guess here goes."

  Melanie walked me to the door. "Good luck, although with your charm, I doubt you'll need it."

  "Thanks."

  Melanie closed the door and I made the short two-mile run to the pickup. I had to be careful not to get drenched as I peeled away the dew soaked branches we'd used to cover the truck, but I managed. The road was quiet, so I backed out and headed for school.

  I arrived before Jason, which was the plan. I knew he was worried, and would be supportive, but I didn't want him to have to deal with the possibility that this might go badly. I hesitated before getting out of the truck, Ms. Moore might have already made up her mind and there might be absolutely nothing I could do about it. I was halfway across the parking lot when I saw Jason's Jeep come over the hill. He was early. I was inside before he could see me.

  "Oh!" Mrs. Hall said. "You startled me."

  "Sorry."

  "I'm afraid Ms. Moore isn't here yet."

  I glanced out the window toward the parking lot. Jason laid his hand on the hood of the pickup and then started toward the school.

  "Do you think she'd mind if I waited in her office?"

  Mrs. Hall glanced out the window. "No, I think under the circumstances that would be fine."

  "Thanks."

  Mrs. Hall closed the door behind me as Jason entered the office.

  "Oh, hey, Mrs. Hall."

  "Good morning, Jason."

  "Is she—"

  "Yes, Izzy is in—"

  "Good morning, Jason, Mrs. Hall," Ms. Moore said.

  "Izzy is waiting in your office," Mrs. Hall said.

  "I was thinking maybe I could—"

  "Jason," Ms. Moore said, "the school is not open yet. I think it would be best for everyone concerned if you waited out front with the other students."

  "Yeah, sure." I could hear the disappointment in his voice. He was really worried.

  The door opened. "Ah, there you are, Ms. Faulkner. Give me just a minute and we can get started." She put the things she was carrying away and then sat down behind her desk. After fumbling with some papers, she pulled out a folder from her center drawer and then opened it up on the desk. "Well then, it seems you have a legitimate excuse for your absence. I do hope you're feeling better, but I'm more concerned about the big picture."

  "I have my make up work." I set the folder on the corner of her desk.

  There was no audible sound, but from her body language, Ms. Moore sighed. She attempted a smile, but it was strained. "I'm sure you'll get an 'A' on all of it." She thought for a minute before continuing. "Izzy, last time I missed the trouble signs, I can't pretend I don't see them this time. I think it is probably best if we involve social services. They are good, caring people."

  Don't panic I told myself, remember what Melanie said. "You should know something, before you do that."

  "Alright." Ms. Moore leaned forward in her chair.

  "I'm staying with my sister now, so my parents can work on some family problems."

  "I see, but I'm still not convinced they are providing you the support you need."

  "If you would have said that last semester I probably would have agreed, but deep down I know what they're doing they're doing for me. Sure, we've had some problems, my mysterious adoption, running away to find my birth mother, all of that, but I belong with them, I know I belong with them." I was getting defensive, angry. "If you can't see that—" I stood. "I'm smart enough, I don't need school."

  "Please sit down, Izzy."

  "I'm sorry, we've just been through so much. Getting kicked out of school—taken away from them, I don't know how—"

  Ms. Moore paused, to calm the situation. She was really good at her job. "What does you father do for a living?"

  "He's and artist."

  "And you mother?"

  "She stays at home."

  "I see."

  "Oh, we aren't hurting for money if that's what you're thinking. My dad's done quite well in the past and his art is more of a hobby than a source of income."

  "He must be where you get your talent." She looked me over. "I see you're wearing black again."

  "There's so much drama with the girls, I just don't need any more to deal with. You heard what they called me? 'Emo gone runway.' I just can't deal with that, not now."

  "Well, it sounds like you've made a good choice, at least for now. I know high school girls can be insensitive." She slid the papers on her desk back into the folder with my name.

  I braced myself for what I was sure would be bad news. What choice did she have, parents missing in action, delinquent, runaway student.

  "How are you and Jason doing?"

  "I suppose you heard what the kids are saying—I'm pregnant? I'm not—I wouldn't—Jason and I haven't and won't, he respects me for that."

  She smiled. Maybe there was still hope. "Mrs. Whitaker certainly has nice things to say about you and she took full responsibility for not getting in touch with the school during your illness
."

  "Really?"

  "You seem surprised."

  "It's just—well, I don't think she approves of my relationship with Jason."

  "Well, she's gone though a rough time herself, I imagine she can empathize with you."

  "I never really thought about it like that, I guess you have a point."

  "I'm glad to see things are improving at home and that you have someone close to look after you. You certainly seem to be acting in a very mature manner when it comes to your relationship with Jason. These are good signs."

  "But?"

  She got up and walked around to my side of her desk. "We missed the trouble signs the first time, I was lacks with you dropping by once a week, so this time I think we need to make our visits mandatory. I would like to see you three times a week for the remainder of the school year. Do you think your sister would agree to that?"

  "I'm sure."

  "Do you have a problem with coming in before class?"

  "No, I'm up early anyway."

  She walked back around to her side of the desk and then flipped through her calendar. "I'm going to mark you in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I'd like for us to spend at least half an hour together."

  "Sure, that would be nice."

  "Excellent. Like I told you before, I don't like to lose. See Mrs. Hall for a note."

  "Thanks." I got up and headed for the door.

  "Drop by after class, I'll have a letter for your sister."

  "Yes Ma'am, and thanks, I won't let you down, I promise."

  "Don't let yourself down," she corrected.

  Jason was pacing in the hallway when I got out of Ms. Moore's office. He looked so worried as I waited for my note from Mrs. Hall. Finally I was able to join him.

  "Hey," he said, wrapping his arm around me, "you look great."

  "Not disappointed?"

  "Runway gone Emo," he joked.

  I laughed half heartedly. "Guess that should turn some heads."

  Ms. Moore was watching us from her doorway as we turned to head toward class. This time though, we didn't over react. Jason waved with his free hand, and I smiled. Best of all, she smiled back. She hadn't forgotten what it was like to be a teenager.

  "Seriously?" Lisa droned as she walked by with her friends.

  "Hey," Jason shot back, with an edge of anger in his voice.

  "Let it go," I said, tugging at his arm. "It's not worth it."

  "You sure?"

  "It's you and me, I don't care about anything else—well at least at school."

  Jason's smile was infectious. He leaned down for a kiss.

  "Hello, we're in school." I nodded toward the Vice Principal who was standing at the corner up ahead.

  "Right."

  Jason walked me to class, and like before, everything just fell back into place. Sure, there were the sideways glances, and whispers, but even those had died down by lunch. Alex sat with Jason and I at the outsider's table, but it was weird not having Cathy with us. Other than that, it was like old times. Jason met me outside of class after the final bell. He had baseball practice, but I promised to wait for him. Ms. Moore glanced my way when she left for the day. I was pretty sure she saw me even though she didn't return my wave. I opened the letter she'd written to Melanie again. It was simple enough, just verifying that she approved of my meeting with her three days a week. She also offered her support if Melanie needed any assistance. She really was a nice person.

  I met Jason after practice like we'd planned, like we'd done all through football season. It was wonderful being with him, just talking and joking around. The days were longer now, so that posed a new problem—more probing stares from the people who were out. We stayed in the school parking lot, which opened us up to the judgmental stares from the jogging crowd, but it was better than the scowls from the soccer moms.

  Once baseball season ended, we got to spend more time together. We added walks through the park and a few weekend hikes up in the mountains. It was fun testing his endurance. I don't think he realized it, but he was going to be in great shape for football season. This was the last weekend before school let out and despite his mom's objections we'd decided to take a break from studying for finals and head up to the lake at Greenbrier State Park. It didn't take much convincing, so we went around through the woods to the far side of the lake where we could be alone. Being together was amazing. We splashed in the lake, although the water was still cold for Jason, and then lay in the sun to warm up. Kissing, Jason with his shirt off, the outdoors, a perfect afternoon.

  "So, I should probably tell you something," Jason said.

  "Okay." His tone made me think I wasn't going to like whatever it was.

  "So, with summer coming and all, I got a job."

  "That's great."

  "Yeah, well, before you get all happy about it, there's something you should know." He propped himself up on his elbows so he could see my face. "I'm going to have to work nights and on Saturdays."

  "Oh."

  "I know it sucks, heck I'd just as soon spend the whole summer in your arms, but well, Mom insisted I get a job. She said it would look good on my college applications, but I think she had an ulterior motive."

  "Well, I agree, about the college applications. You need to plan for the future."

  He laughed, and then rolled up against me. His kiss was as warm and loving as ever. He broke the kiss, brushed back my hair and stared deep into my eyes. "So what is our future?"

  I wasn't ready for that. "I don't have a future, Jason. I'm stuck like this, forever."

  "You're wrong, that's the perfect future."

  "No it's not." I got up, annoyed with the turn in the conversation. "I'll never contribute to society, hold a job, or have a family. All my existence will do is keep the deer population in check."

  "That's funny."

  I spun around and leered at him.

  "Okay," he recanted, "maybe not so funny." He got up and took me in his arms. "I'm just thinking that your future would be better with me in it don't you think? Okay, so that sounded totally conceded, but you know what I mean."

  "I do, and that's not going to happen, ever." I pulled him tighter and kissed him. "I love you Jason. You're my whole world, and that makes what you ask impossible." I kissed him again. "We should go, the park's going to close soon."

  We dropped the subject, but the trip home was silent for the most part. It seemed no matter what I did, he was never going to understand that this was not an existence I would wish on anyone, particularly for someone that I loved.