I dumped my armful of food on top the counter and smiled brightly at the woman behind the register who looked less than enthused as she rang up my items.
“We also got gas on pump twelve.” I handed her the cash and shoved the change deep in my pocket before heading back out into the bright day.
But the day seemed a little more dim and as I walked toward Kaden, who was leaning against the side of his car, I realized that I still had the oversized glasses on my face.
“Oh my God,” I whisper yelled as I reached him.
“What?”
“Get in the car! Get in the car!” I hurried to my side as he hung up the gas pump and slid into the driver’s seat.
“You seriously need to slow down on the energy drinks,” he teased as we drove up the ramp onto the highway.
“It’s not that.” I turned to face him with my legs tucked underneath my body. “Notice anything different?”
“You look like a bug?”
“Ugh,” I smacked his arm playfully. “An outlaw.”
“No, I’m pretty sure you look like a bug. Maybe a grasshopper.”
“Damn it, Kaden.” I pulled the glasses from my face and held them out. “I stole these!”
“You what?” The car swerved and I quickly buckled my seatbelt.
“Not on purpose. I forgot I had them on. Some boy had told me I looked cute… but that’s not the point. The point is, it was easy. No one even noticed. We can just take whatever we need. It will be so much fun!”
“First of all,” he took the glasses from my hand. “No. We aren’t going to steal things. I have money. I worked hard for it and those people you just stole from, they worked hard for what they have too.”
I stuck out my bottom lip as I listened to him scold me. “Are you going to make me take them back? I really like them.”
He looked over the glasses in his hand before he smiled and gave them back to me. “No. You do look too damn cute in them. But no more.” He wagged his finger at me and I drug my own finger in an x motion across my chest.
“Cross my heart,” I promised.
“Hope to die?” He continued the rhyme as I slid my legs out from under me and propped my feet up on the dashboard.
I grabbed a bag of chips and opened them, shoving one in my mouth before holding the bag over to Kaden for him to take one. He did, shoving the whole thing in his mouth.
“So, who was this boy who was flirting with you? Want me to go back and kick his ass?”
I looked over at Kaden whose tone was playful but he wasn’t smiling. Was he jealous?
I shrugged as I took another bite of my chip. “Nah… I kind of liked it.”
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as the radio blared some old song about getting high. I felt high on life… and caffeine. It was the best I’d ever felt.
“Have you ever been down to New Orleans?” Kaden asked, turning down his music, which he never did willingly.
“Nah. My dad kept promising to take us but we never had time. What about you?” I looked over to Kaden, who seemed to be lost in an old memory.
“Yeah. It’s a… it’s kind of wild. I’m not sure how you’re going to fit in.”
“Oh my God, Kaden. Are you serious? You’re trying to tell me that in a place known for its debauchery and acceptance of the eccentric, that me, plain Lila Jane will be shunned as an outcast?”
“No… great speech but no. I’m just worried seeing all them titties might impose on your feminine sensibilities.”
“Well,” I cleared my throat as I felt my skin heat from embarrassment. “I wouldn’t have expected you to notice, but I have titties, as you so eloquently put it. So I don’t find them all that shocking.”
It was Kaden who was turning a hilarious shade of red now as he adjusted in his seat, clearly not expecting me to respond the way I had. But this was me living and I wasn’t worried about what anyone thought of me. It was nice to say what was on my mind.
“Oh, I noticed.”
It took all I had not to let my burst of laughter break free.
“I think maybe you should try to get some sleep,” he said as he turned the radio back up.
I sighed as I tucked my arm under my head and let my eyes fall closed, anxious to wake up in the city that care forgot.
THIRTEEN
KADEN
August 7, 2015
I couldn’t help but watch Lila as she slept, so peaceful without the weight of the world on her shoulders. She thought this was all in fun and she trusted me to keep her safe. I hoped I was able to live up to what she needed, but part of me was terrified I couldn’t. I didn’t have the best track record in that department.
I had no idea what we were going to do when we got down to New Orleans, and I was fine with that when it was just me. I could sleep in my car if I needed to, but Lila would need some place safe.
I watched the exit signs fly by as we made our way closer to the city. Every off-ramp we passed, I had to talk myself out of pulling off and calling her parents. Maybe if I begged for their forgiveness now, they wouldn’t have me thrown in jail for kidnapping.
She stirred, her mouth tugging down into a frown as she readjusted herself. She definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep in my car for more than one night.
Her eyes fluttered open and I quickly looked back out the windshield.
“Hey,” she whispered as she yawned, bowing her back as she stretched.
“Hey.”
Her eyes read the highway signs. “We’re almost there.”
“Not much longer. Are you hungry?”
Her hand went to her stomach as she nodded her head. I quickly made my way to the right lane and pulled off at the next exit.
“You’re being weird.”
Pulling into the Raymond’s Drive Thru, I turned down the radio and waited for the car in front of us to finish their order.
“I’m just thinking,” I admitted.
“About what?”
I inched the car forward, not sure how much I could say to her without her getting upset. I knew this was some sort of fun escape for her but her father wasn’t going to forgive me. I glanced into the rearview mirror and my eyes settled on the purpling cut that marred my cheekbone.
“I thought maybe we could spend the night down here and see some of the sites, then I can bring you back.”
“Bring me back?”
“Well, we can’t stay down here forever.”
“Yeah, but you said me, not us. Are you not going to stay at Daven’s?”
“I already told you I can’t.” I pulled forward to place my order, offering me a small reprieve from Lila’s inquisition.
I ordered us each a breakfast sandwich and pulled up to the first window to pay.
“Kaden, I don’t want to go back.”
“You have to go back Lila,” I replied as I smiled up at the worker in the window and handed her some cash.
“No.”
“You have to.” I took my change and pulled to the next window to wait for my food.
“Why are you doing this?” She sounded so wounded and it killed me that I was hurting her.
“I don’t expect you to understand.” I took our bag of food and pulled back out of the parking lot, wishing I’d never opened my mouth. I should have turned around while she was sleeping and we’d be damn near home by now.
“Oh, here we go again. I can’t understand anything. Well, I understand a lot more than you think, Kaden. I’m not an idiot. I know you’re hurting and you think everything is your fault. I also know how very wrong you are about that and if you would just shut up and stop blaming yourself, you might actually be happy for once.” She was yelling and as much as I wanted to interject, I was half afraid to. She was standing up for herself and I wanted to see that side of her.
“You’re right,” I agreed as I held out her sandwich. She hesitated before taking it from my hand.
“I’m right?”
“Yup.”
“So
that’s it. You just agree with me. You’re not gonna tell me I’m too young to know better or whatever?”
“Nope. Who the hell am I to tell you what you know?”
She eyed me suspiciously before taking a bite of her sandwich. “That’s right.” All the fight had left her words.
***
August 7, 2015
Somehow the air felt even thicker in New Orleans like the sin was hanging in a dense cloud around us. What would a few more lies hurt?
The French Quarter[37] was alive, even in the early hours of the afternoon. Tourists were out shopping and those who’d appeared to have been partying for days were stumbling down the sidewalks with drinks in hand.
Lila’s face lit up as she took in the scenery. Even though Mardi Gras [38]was in February, the city seemed to never take a day off.
“Do you see that guy?” Her palm was flat against the passenger window like a child eyeing a puppy in a store.
I glanced over at the man who was completely spray painted silver, frozen like a statue and working for tips. I wondered if I would have to do something like that to earn money when my funds ran out.
“Can we go over there?” She turned to face me, her eyes wide.
“Sure. We have to find a place to park first.” I forced a smile and when she turned away, I let it fall.
I was really beginning to like her, even though I’d never admit that to her. It was going to be hard to let her go. She was the first person, in as long as I could remember, that seemed to want to really know about me and be around me.
I drove around the French Quarter and found a place that we could park without having to pay an arm and a leg. The weather was beautiful so I wasn’t worried about having to walk.
I took my guitar and placed it in the trunk so no one would be tempted to break one any of my windows before locking up and heading down the street.
Lila’s eyes danced over the old buildings, each drowning in its own history.
“What do you want to see first?” I asked her as her smile spread.
“Jackson Square?”
“Boring.”
She made a face as she thought it over for a moment. “The French Market?”
“Come on, Lila. You’re in The Big Easy.”
“Ugh. Fine. Let’s go get bourbon faced on Shit Street,” she groaned as I looped my arm around her neck.
“Now you’re talking!”
***
August 7, 2015
The streets were still packed from the Satchmo SummerFest[39] that had just ended a few days ago. Jazz music seemed to play from every direction and the parties flowed from inside of the clubs out into the streets where people drank freely. Our arrival also coincided with the last days of the Southern Decadence Festival[40] so rainbow flags flew proudly.
I grabbed Lila’s hand to keep her from getting lost in the crowd as we navigated our way down the road.
“I want some beads,” Lila squealed, pointing to a woman who had about twenty of the costume necklaces around her neck.
I cringed at the thought of innocent Lila flashing her chest to gawking strangers. “I’ll buy you some. They sell them in these stores. I think I’ve been in enough fights this week and I don’t want to have to kick anyone’s ass for looking at your chest.” I tugged her inside a small shop that was lined with racks of t-shirts and hats. The wall was covered in decorative beads, some larger than my head.
“It’s my chest. I can let them look at my boobs if I want,” she grumbled.
“No. See, you’re a minor so you don’t get to make that call.”
“You’re a minor too.”
“I’m seventeen. Since I am older than you, I’m in charge.”
“Oh, great. You’re as bad as my dad.”
“Normally I’d be pissed that you’re comparing me to a guy who punched me in the face and you happen to hate, but I can’t blame him for being overprotective. I’d never forgive myself if I let something happen to you.”
Lila smirked at my comment as she slid her fingers over the different necklaces with her free hand, inspecting each one. The smaller, plain ones were sold in sets but the more ornate were sold individually and were much more expensive. I’d have to be careful with my money if I wanted us to be able to make it more than a few days here but when her eyes landed on a string of faux pearls, I knew I’d have to get them for her, regardless of the cost.
“These are beautiful!”
I smiled, getting lost in her excitement. There was something about her ability to turn any situation into something positive that was contagious.
“They’d look good on you,” I agreed as I slid the strand from the hanger and held them up. Lila had a classic look about her and I could picture her donning a string of real pearls in the pretty white dress she had worn yesterday. As much as it had annoyed me at first because it was a glaring reminder that she came from a charmed life that I could never give anyone, I realized that it suited her. She didn’t need to try to fit in because even in a paper sack, Lila would always stand out and that was something she hated now, but later would love about herself.
“What?’ Lila glanced down the front of herself before looking back at me with confusion.
“Huh?” I shook my head, realizing I’d been lost in thought.
“You were staring at me like I had something on my face and you were trying not to laugh at me.” She frowned as she put her hand on her hip.
“You thought I was staring at you because I wanted to make fun of you?” I chuckled but it only compounded her confusion. “Sometimes it really amazes me how different you really are.”
“You’re a jerk,” she snapped as she turned to storm out of the store.
“Lila,” I called after her as I tried to navigate through the tight space that was filling with tourists. “Wait!” I stepped out onto the street, my eyes searching the mass of people but Lila was nowhere to be found. “Fuck.” I began shoving through the crowd as I called out her name, growing more desperate by the second when I couldn’t locate her.
I’d always felt alone and I was okay with that but after hanging out with Lila, I realized I didn’t want to feel that way anymore. My calls became frantic as I desperately tried to find her. “Lila!”
“What?” Her voice called out from behind me. I spun around to see Lila with her arms folded across her chest and a scowl on her face. She was pissed but I couldn’t help but smile, relieved that she was okay.
“Jesus, I thought I’d lost you.” I hadn’t realized how much I enjoyed having her by my side until that moment.
“I’m surprised you even noticed I was gone,” she sneered.
“Lila, I wasn’t laughing at you. I promise.”
“Did you-” She reached down and took the necklace I clutched in my hand. “You stole the necklace?”
“Shit! Shh…” I put my finger over her lips to keep her quiet and was rewarded with a smile before her tongue darted out and licked me.
“I guess we’re both outlaws now.” I took the tag from the necklace and slid it over her head, pulling her long hair out from under it. As my fingers skimmed the back of her neck she shivered and my eyes dropped to her lips. She did the same and I felt myself being pulled to her, leaning in infinitesimally as I thought about what it would be like to press my mouth against hers.
But fate had other plans and just went I felt like I may have the courage to kiss her, some asshole stumbled into her side, spilling a cup of his Hurricane drink down the front of her shirt.
“Shit!” She jumped as he apologized profusely but I wanted to hit him for ruining the moment for us. He offered up several strands of beads from his own collection around his neck, but Lila just bit her lip and declined as her fingers went to her single strand of pearls around her neck.
I was grinning like an idiot because her only wanting the beads I’d given her felt like she was saying she might like me too.
FOURTEEN
LILA JANE
August 7,
2015
“Do you think it’s ruined?” I asked Kaden because I had no idea what else to say. My eyes kept going to the thin cut across his bottom lip. I wondered if he kissed me if it would hurt. I wondered if he’d care.
“No,” he whispered.
My stomach fluttered as I tried to hold my sticky, damp shirt from my chest. I smelled like a brewery, which made me fit right in with the crowd.
“At least, let me buy you a drink,” the man said as he watched our interaction.
“Sure. Fine,” I mumbled, my eyes never leaving Kaden’s. The guy disappeared but we didn’t move, lost in the sea of people but it was like none of them existed. Countless novels replayed in my head as I thought about the different ways I would write out this scene. That’s normally how I lived my life, vicariously through the characters. But now I had the chance to actually experience something if I just had the guts to make that move.
“Here,” the man who’d spilled his drink was back at my side holding a large plastic drinking cup filled with a vibrant red beverage and two straws poking out of the top.
“Oh, thanks.” I took the drink and nodded before taking a sip. Kaden told the guy not to worry about it and he finally went on his way, leaving us to ourselves. I was suddenly very aware that my tank top was now partially see-through and as I held it pulled out, Kaden had one heck of a view from above, but his eyes never left my face and somehow that felt more intimate.
“Want my shirt?” He asked and picturing him without clothing was causing my whole body to heat up in response. I must have been the shade of a lobster by now. Before I could answer, he grabbed the neck of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He held it out to me and I took it, trying not to stare at his chest or the jagged scar that left a jagged line across his ribs.
I took the shirt, thanking him as I slid it over my head, inhaling deeply as I pulled it down. I kept my arms inside and slid off my tanktop before pushing my arms through the sleeves.
“Perfect,” he said with a laugh as he took in the sight of me in his oversized shirt.