Deviant

  Jeremy waved his hand in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll behave. I just don’t want to let anyone close to me. I’ve always been on my own and it suits me. Then no one will miss me when I am gone.”

  I wanted to grab this boy and hug him with everything I had. “What about your family, Jeremy?”

  “I have no family. I’ve never had family. My parents didn’t want me. After living a life of foster care and hospitals, I decided it was best to keep my distance from everyone. No one wants to look after a sick kid. Nobody wants to ever get too close. And I can understand that. In fact, I’d be exactly the same.”

  I sat there in complete shock and awe of this boy. A part of me wanted to hug the life out of him, but another part of me wanted to shake him a little, too. For someone who was only fifteen-years-old, he certainly seemed to want to carry a lot of weight and responsibility on his shoulders.

  “What are you thinking about?” Jeremy asked when I was silent.

  Looking up at him, I smiled timidly. “I was just thinking about how grown-up you are for someone who’s only fifteen.”

  “So you agree with me then?”

  “I didn’t say I agreed with you. I just think you’re putting too much responsibility on your shoulders.”

  “So you don’t agree with it?”

  I shook my head. “No, Jeremy. I don’t. I’ve only known you ten minutes and I already know I want you as a friend. I don’t care about anything else but that.”

  Now it was Jeremy’s turn to shake his head. “No. You’re better off not being my friend. A friend is someone you have long-term. Someone you rely on for life. I won’t be around for long.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “I don’t know. Call it gut instinct. I’ve been fighting Leukaemia for years. I don’t think my body can take much more. It’s hard to keep on fighting. It’s hard to have the will to keep fighting.”

  Grabbing his hand, I looked into his light blue eyes. “Maybe if you let people into your life, you would want to keep fighting for them. Everybody needs somebody.”

  Jeremy’s sad face suddenly lit up with a cheeky grin. “Are you wanting to be my somebody then?”

  I shook my head and, with a smile, leaned back a little. “Not if it involves kissing you. I’ll leave that up to you and Julie to get it on.”

  I saw the glint in his eye the moment I mentioned her name. “I like me Julie.”

  I giggled a little at his reference to Ali G. “You should really tell your Julie.”

  “That’s why I’ve got you here, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “I will make it my mission to run this in Monday morning’s edition.”

  Jeremy smiled and sat back on his pillow. He saw the book underneath the Twiglets and pulled it out. “You haven’t read that, have you?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I’ve heard the film is pretty good.”

  I nodded because I had seen the film about a week ago. “It’s good. And I’ve heard the book is even better.”

  Jeremy’s expression was one of amusement. “Isn’t that the way it always goes?”

  I chuckled a little. “Yes, it normally is that way.”

  “Well, thank you for the book. I’ll start reading it later. I have nothing better to do.”

  I grimaced a little, feeling terrible that I could leave here and go back to my life. Jeremy only seemed to know this hospital ward.

  “Can I ask you something?” he asked, pulling me out of my daze.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  I spied the cheeky grin and shook my head. “No, and I’m not looking for one, either. Don’t you ever give up?”

  “I thought you didn’t want me to give up.” His eyebrow raised a little, challenging me.

  “Touché, Jeremy. Touché.”

  “So why don’t you want a boyfriend?”

  I shrugged. “It complicates matters. Besides, I have my stranger.” The minute I said it, my eyes widened. Did I really just tell this boy, whom I’d only known a few minutes, about my stranger? I must be hearing things.

  Jeremy clocked my shocked reaction and gave me a wry smile. “Your stranger?” I obviously did say that out loud.

  “I’m not sure why I just told you that. I haven’t told anyone else.”

  Opening a bag of Twiglets, Jeremy offered one to me. I took it and popped it in my mouth. “I’m trusting you with my life. Maybe you should return the favour. I promise not to say anything beyond this room.”

  I sat back in the chair and crunched into the Twiglet. I couldn’t believe I was about to tell him this. I wasn’t sure what compelled me to reveal everything to a fifteen-year-old boy I didn’t know until ten minutes ago.

  “For the past three years, I’ve had someone watching me. Someone who keeps coming into my house and moving things around.”

  Jeremy sat up. “You have a ghost in your house? That’s cool.”

  I shook my head. “No... Well, at least I think he’s real.”

  Jeremy looked confused and I couldn’t blame him. “Hold on a sec. You have some strange man coming into your house? Not only that, he’s been doing it for three years?” I nodded my head and swallowed my nervousness. “Holy shit!”

  I gasped a little. “Are you sure you should be saying things like that?”

  He looked at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, but you got to admit that is one holy shit moment?”

  I laughed. Who am I to tell him not to swear? “I suppose it is.”

  “So what do you know about him? Haven’t you ever called the rozzers?”

  I raised my eyebrow to him. “Rozzers? Have you been watching too much Top Gear?”

  He gave me a huge grin. “Well, I do have the same name as one of them.”

  “Yeah, but he says everything’s the best thing ‘in the world’. It is James May that says rozzers a lot.”

  Jeremy suddenly laughed. “You’re pretty cool. I take it you watch Top Gear?”

  I nodded. “Yes. I love it.”

  “But you’re a girl.”

  Gasping, I squealed, “And what is that supposed to mean?” Jeremy gave me that cheeky grin of his. “You’re winding me up, aren’t you?” He nodded. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “I’m not sure, but I could surely think of a few things.”

  I shook my head and made a little tsk, tsk sound under my tongue. “You stop that right now, young man.”

  Pouting a little, Jeremy looked down sheepishly. “Sorry.” I nodded triumphantly and leaned back in my chair again.

  “So, what are you going to do about this stranger of yours?” he asked, popping another Twiglet in his mouth.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s been such a huge part of my life. I don’t know where I would be without him. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s almost as if he’s become an old, comfortable shoe.”

  Jeremy snorted. “I’m not sure he would like to hear that. He’s obviously One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest certifiable.”

  I was shocked that, at only fifteen, he even knew about the movie. “And how do you know about that film?”

  “I spend lots of time just sitting around. I’ve seen lots of movies, including The Bucket List. I have my own list. It’s not long.”

  Feeling a little saddened, but intrigued, I leaned in closer. “Really? Would you mind sharing it with me?”

  Jeremy sat and pondered this for a moment. In the end, he shrugged and dug into his pyjama pocket. “I guess so,” he answered, handing it to me. “You’ve trusted me with your big secret. I guess I can trust you.” He winked as I took the piece of paper from him.

  Opening it up, I stared at the five items on the list:

  To watch as many movies as I can.

  Get David Tennant’s pictured autograph. 

  Fly in a helicopter.

  Go to Disneyland, Paris. 

  Kiss Julie.

  I stared at the list for a while before responding.
“You have one, two, and four ticked. When did you go to Disneyland, Paris?”

  Jeremy rolled his eyes a little. “I was lucky that one of the foster homes I went to had some government funding for a trip. It was a treat for eleven of us. I had a good time. At least I can say I did it.”

  “Why do you want to go in a helicopter?”

  His eyes suddenly lit up. “How many people do you know who have flown in a plane?”

  I shook my head, trying to think. “I think everyone I know has flown in a plane at some point.”

  “Okay, well, how many people do you know who have flown in a helicopter?”

  Looking away for a moment, I tried to think. “I can’t recall that I know anyone who has flown in one.”

  Jeremy nodded with a smug look. “Exactly.”

  I regarded Jeremy for a moment. “Do you know that you’re the most interesting person I have ever met?”

  Jeremy’s smug smile continued. “I take that as a compliment.”

  I smiled back at him. “It was certainly meant to be one.” Thinking it was time to change the subject, I sighed. “So, tell me about Julie. When did you meet?”

  Jeremy smiled and gazed off into the distance. “It was about five months ago. I spotted her outside McDonalds with a few of her friends. She looked beautiful. Ever since that day, we bump into one another now and then. We always say hi, but that’s about as far as it goes. Every time I turn to say more, my tongue gets all twisted in my mouth. It’s really annoying.”

  “So you’re both aware of one another then?”

  “Yes, but I think I am more aware of her then she is of me.”

  Grabbing another one of his Twiglets, I shook my head. “You can never say that for sure. She could be just as tongue-tied as you.”

  Jeremy shrugged again. “I suppose I will never know.”

  I reared back again. “Don’t say that. You never know what life will bring you, Jeremy.”

  He chuckled a little. “I know, I know. Maybe I need someone like you around. You’re apparent love of life is rather infectious. You even welcome strange men into your home. You probably occasionally even feed him.” He laughed loudly at his own joke, but then he saw I wasn’t laughing. “Holy shit. You are feeding him, aren’t you?”

  Waving my hands in front of me, I told him to shush. “Stop it, Jeremy. I only feed him cookies sometimes.”

  He was laughing harder now. “Cookies? That’s classic. He sounds like your pet.”

  Now it was my turn to shrug. “He likes cookies.”

  Jeremy slapped the bed. “Stop, stop. I think I may pass out from laughing so hard.”

  “You can’t tell anyone,” I whispered to him.

  Jeremy stopped laughing and placed a hand on his heart. “I swear I will not tell anyone.”

  I winked back. “I know you won’t.”

  *****

  I actually stayed until I was exhausted. I was having so much fun, time just seemed to run away with me. I left Jeremy, letting him know that he had me as a friend for life and I was coming to visit him often, whether he like it or not. Jeremy just smiled at me and said he would like that. I was glad he gave into me in the end. I was half-expecting a fight from him, but the promise of Twiglets every time I visited won him over in the end.

  I raced back to my flat as quickly as possible so I could prepare dinner. Ian wasn’t due for another hour, but I didn’t like to feel rushed. I liked everything planned out and ready in advance. I know Ian would approve of my last minute dashing. He always worked better under pressure and I hated him for it.

  It was a little after seven-thirty when there was a knock on the door. I rushed over, glass of red wine in hand, and took a sneaky sip before opening the door. “Ian,” I sang.

  “For me?” he asked, grabbing the wine glass and drinking it down in one gulp.

  “Ian! You’re so fucking rude.”

  Coming in for a quick kiss on the cheek, he lingered. “Do you know how hard you make me when you talk with that filthy mouth of yours?”

  Pushing him away, I scowled. “Funny enough, it only seems to be you that brings out my filthy mouth.”

  Placing his hand on his heart, he smiled. “I am honoured.” I giggled, but then he was looking in the direction of the kitchen. With a big inhale, he looked back at me. “Spaghetti Bolognaise?”

  I nodded. “Yes, and no sneaking bits when I’m not looking.” He looked back at me, shocked. “Don’t give me that look, Ian. You know full well what I’m talking about. I’ve seen you.”

  Ian waved his hand in front of him. “Oh well, what can I say? You make a mean Spag Bol, and because you’ve made it tonight, I think I may let you get lucky.” Ian winked at me, but I just rolled my eyes.

  Ian and I had been in a position several times where we could have gone all the way…so many parties and so much fooling around. I think Ian was the only man who had seen all of me without it going further than a bit of playful banter. We had been friends for so long, we knew our boundaries. We knew when to stop. I knew that whenever Ian joked about us sleeping together, it was just that. He would never take it further than the odd grope when he got drunk. And it always seemed to stem from parties when we were both drunk. It was like the running joke that whenever we were out together, it would end up with us snogging or feeling each other up. It was a strange friendship, to say the least, but it worked. We didn’t want more than what we had because we didn’t want to spoil it. We loved each other, but not in the sense that we would get married and have babies anytime soon. Although Ian had joked that if we hit thirty and neither of us had found anyone, we would get hitched. I kind of agreed because I was drunk at the time and thought it was funny. There seemed to be a running pattern.

  “So, what have you been up to the last couple of days? How did your night go last night? Did you get lucky?”

  Walking towards the kitchen, I shook my head, smiling. “I did meet someone, but it didn’t go past second base.” I poured us another glass, handing Ian his.

  “Do you know how boring that is?”

  I gasped. “Ian, who is making you dinner here?”

  He shook his head and pouted. “I’m sorry. I would just love to hear you talk about having sex with another man.”

  “Pervert!” I scolded.

  “I try my best,” he smiled cheekily.

  “So you met someone last night and you never went past second base?” I shook my head. “What about Louisa?”

  Come to think of it, she never mentioned it in her email. I think she was too excited about this party next Saturday.

  “She didn’t mention it when she emailed earlier. She was too busy screaming that she had finally gotten an invite for her and a guest to attend the mansion next Saturday.”

  Ian gaped at me, mouth wide open. “You are shitting me!” I shook my head. “Louisa got an invite to the mansion?” I nodded. “And she can bring a guest?” I nodded again. “Shit, what’s her number again? I want to go with her.”

  I sipped my wine and smiled. To be honest, I wasn’t really bothered about going myself. It seemed everyone else was fighting over an invite. If it were my choice, I would let him go, but I knew Louisa would have none of it.

  “I’m sorry, Ian. Louisa’s plus one is already taken.” I smiled cheekily at him.

  “Bitch!”

  Slapping him across the arm, I growled, “Hey, I can’t help it if she prefers me to you.”

  Ian bit his fingernails as I stirred the Bolognaise. “Maybe I should offer her oral sex. Do you think she would take me then?”

  I rolled my eyes at him and sipped my wine again. “I can’t see her going for that, to be honest.”

  “Damn!”

  “Don’t worry about it too much. I promise to tell you all about it.” I smiled.

  “You’d better. I’m dying to find out what it looks like inside and what goes on. I heard orgies go on in there.”

  I suddenly felt myself panic. “Where did you hear that?”

&
nbsp; “John.”

  My panic subsided. “John is just as sick and perverted as you are, Ian. Of course he would say something like that. He would want to twist it into something sordid.”

  Turning, I reached into the cupboard and pulled out a couple of plates. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Ian sneaking a spoonful of my sauce. “Hey, I saw that!” I scowled at him.

  “Sorry,” Ian replied, not looking sorry at all. “I just can’t help myself when you cook so well.”

  Shaking my head, I placed the plates down. “Go take a seat. It’s almost ready.” To my amazement, he did as he was asked.

  *****

  After dinner, Ian stayed for a while, laughing and joking. I told him all about my night out, and meeting Jeremy today. We watched a couple of episodes of Suits and generally “pissed about”, as he called it.

  When I could feel my eyes drooping, Ian stood up. “I can tell when I’m boring someone. I get the hint. I’m going.”

  I yawned. “I’m sorry, Ian. It’s been quite a hectic day.”

  Ian wrapped me in a hug and whispered in my ear. “We could go into the bedroom, you know. I promise I would wake you back up again.”

  Slapping him across the arm, I pushed at him back. “Ian, you better go before I kick your ass.”

  He laughed. “I’d like to see you try.”

  I took that as a challenge and raced to ram my foot up his backside. He soon moved out of the way. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I take that back.”

  “You better.”

  Picking me up, Ian gave me a genuine hug this time. “Thank you for dinner. It was fucking brilliant, as always.”

  Rubbing his arm, I smiled. “Don’t mention it. I’ll see you on Monday.”

  Ian opened the door and waved his hand. “You betcha.”

  After shutting the door, I walked towards my bedroom. I didn’t even want to think about dishes right now. I’d do those in the morning. All I wanted right now was my bed.

  When I switched on the bedside lamp on, I gasped. Sitting neatly in the middle of my bed was a flower. I didn’t know what it was, but it looked familiar. My stranger was bringing me flowers now? That was new. What was he going to do next?