My Clarity
Page 6
“Where did you come from?” Dean asked, breaking me away from the uncomfortable setting.
“I’m from a small town about three hours from here.”
“Seth tells me you’re a freshman.”
“Yes.” My answer was short. I didn’t want him to ask me questions. I didn’t want to share.
“So, did you leave a boyfriend behind?”
“Yes, sort of.” I didn’t know why I hesitated.
“Oh, one of those situations.” He took a sip from his red cup.
“What do you mean ‘one of those’?” Though I was a bit offended, I hoped my tone didn’t give him that impression.
“It just sounded like you weren’t sure. You know, like I’m with someone, but I don’t know if it will last.”
I smiled in understanding. “Actually, it’s more like I’m in a relationship with this guy, but don’t know what’s going on. So, I guess you’re right on the spot.” I’m an idiot.
“Here you go. Sorry, I had to step out for a sec,” Seth said, thankfully breaking up our conversation, handing me a bottle of water. I was beginning to wonder if he was ever coming back.
“Thanks.” Unscrewing the cap, I took a sip. It felt refreshing going down my throat, cooling me from this wretched heat. With so many people in the condo, the air-conditioner did little to cool the place down.
“When do your parties usually end?” I asked, trying not to sound like a party pooper.
“Sometimes they go all night,” Seth answered. “But I’ll shoo them out earlier since tonight is your first time here.”
“No, it’s okay.” I was thankful that he would do such a thing, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to change anything because of me. “I’ll just close my door and turn off the lights. I’m so tired, I’m sure I’ll just fall asleep.” I hoped.
“Hey! You washed up and changed,” Lexy cheered, appearing suddenly, pushing aside the people in her way. “Sorry about the party. We didn’t know you were coming today.”
When I turned to her, I saw the smoker. My eyes had a mind of their own. I didn’t mean to glance his way, but his presence demanded attention. I thought the first time my heart fluttered mercilessly was due to heat, but it did it again when I looked at him. His eyes met mine longer than I wanted them to, but he broke away first. That’s when I saw the beautiful black dragon tattoo on his right arm, enclosed by a circular shape. The body of the dragon swirled, like a snake. The design was exquisite, etched on the curve of his tanned, toned bicep. It made him appear dangerous, badass; my curiosity kicked in. It was way too sexy for my eyes.
A part of me wanted to get to know him better, like why he got that particular tattoo, what it meant to him. Most people get them for sentimental reasons, like to honor a loved one. For others, it was simply for the art or to make a statement. I couldn’t help but wonder what inspired his ink. However, he seemed closed off and judgmental, not to mention he smoked. Major turn off.
I didn’t want him to catch me staring at his tattoo, so I flashed my eyes to Lexy. Trying to recall what she had said, I was almost certain she saw me staring at him since her eyes were already on me. Crap! “That’s okay,” I said, hoping I wasn’t too off on our conversation. At least if I sounded like I knew what we were talking about, I wouldn’t appear like a girl who was drooling. Was I? “I guess there was a misunderstanding,” I continued. “I thought Jimmy would’ve texted you to let you know I would be coming today.”
“No worries, hun. We are closing down the party early. As for Jimmy, he doesn’t communicate very well with me.”
“I know the feeling. But seriously, it’s okay. I don’t mind at all. Really. There is no need to kick everyone out on my account.” I was feeling terrible. I didn’t want everyone looking at me accusingly or to be known as the girl who killed the party. Wanting to disappear before they could put their words to action, I excused myself and headed to my room. As I did, I asked, “Where’s Ellie? Is she around?” Again, I thought it was strange for her not to be at her own party.
“Oh.” Lexy curled her lips slowly. “You’ll meet Ellie soon enough. I’ll stop by tomorrow before noon, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
What did she mean by “I’ll meet her soon?” I didn’t want to sound nosy my first day here, so I didn’t pursue the questions I wanted to ask. “Thanks,” I waved.
“See you in the morning,” Seth said, raising his beer bottle.
“It was nice meeting you,” Dean said next.
After I gave them each a warm smile, I peered up to see the smoker. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help myself. His existence made me feel a dangerous heat I didn’t want to feel, especially when I could sense his eyes on me. It was odd, since he also scared the crap out of me.
Maybe it was his drop-dead gorgeous grin that I observed him offer to his friends, or the fact that he seemed so mysterious. Or was it his deliciously toned body you don’t see in most guys? Whatever the reason, this feeling latched on to me, making me too aware of him. I didn’t like this feeling at all.
“Elijah,” a girl with auburn hair called, wrapping her arms around his chest—a chest any guy would want and any girl would want to touch.
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you,” she flirted in that squeaky tone I couldn’t stand.
“I’m from a small town about three hours from here.”
“Seth tells me you’re a freshman.”
“Yes.” My answer was short. I didn’t want him to ask me questions. I didn’t want to share.
“So, did you leave a boyfriend behind?”
“Yes, sort of.” I didn’t know why I hesitated.
“Oh, one of those situations.” He took a sip from his red cup.
“What do you mean ‘one of those’?” Though I was a bit offended, I hoped my tone didn’t give him that impression.
“It just sounded like you weren’t sure. You know, like I’m with someone, but I don’t know if it will last.”
I smiled in understanding. “Actually, it’s more like I’m in a relationship with this guy, but don’t know what’s going on. So, I guess you’re right on the spot.” I’m an idiot.
“Here you go. Sorry, I had to step out for a sec,” Seth said, thankfully breaking up our conversation, handing me a bottle of water. I was beginning to wonder if he was ever coming back.
“Thanks.” Unscrewing the cap, I took a sip. It felt refreshing going down my throat, cooling me from this wretched heat. With so many people in the condo, the air-conditioner did little to cool the place down.
“When do your parties usually end?” I asked, trying not to sound like a party pooper.
“Sometimes they go all night,” Seth answered. “But I’ll shoo them out earlier since tonight is your first time here.”
“No, it’s okay.” I was thankful that he would do such a thing, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to change anything because of me. “I’ll just close my door and turn off the lights. I’m so tired, I’m sure I’ll just fall asleep.” I hoped.
“Hey! You washed up and changed,” Lexy cheered, appearing suddenly, pushing aside the people in her way. “Sorry about the party. We didn’t know you were coming today.”
When I turned to her, I saw the smoker. My eyes had a mind of their own. I didn’t mean to glance his way, but his presence demanded attention. I thought the first time my heart fluttered mercilessly was due to heat, but it did it again when I looked at him. His eyes met mine longer than I wanted them to, but he broke away first. That’s when I saw the beautiful black dragon tattoo on his right arm, enclosed by a circular shape. The body of the dragon swirled, like a snake. The design was exquisite, etched on the curve of his tanned, toned bicep. It made him appear dangerous, badass; my curiosity kicked in. It was way too sexy for my eyes.
A part of me wanted to get to know him better, like why he got that particular tattoo, what it meant to him. Most people get them for sentimental reasons, like to honor a loved one. For others, it was simply for the art or to make a statement. I couldn’t help but wonder what inspired his ink. However, he seemed closed off and judgmental, not to mention he smoked. Major turn off.
I didn’t want him to catch me staring at his tattoo, so I flashed my eyes to Lexy. Trying to recall what she had said, I was almost certain she saw me staring at him since her eyes were already on me. Crap! “That’s okay,” I said, hoping I wasn’t too off on our conversation. At least if I sounded like I knew what we were talking about, I wouldn’t appear like a girl who was drooling. Was I? “I guess there was a misunderstanding,” I continued. “I thought Jimmy would’ve texted you to let you know I would be coming today.”
“No worries, hun. We are closing down the party early. As for Jimmy, he doesn’t communicate very well with me.”
“I know the feeling. But seriously, it’s okay. I don’t mind at all. Really. There is no need to kick everyone out on my account.” I was feeling terrible. I didn’t want everyone looking at me accusingly or to be known as the girl who killed the party. Wanting to disappear before they could put their words to action, I excused myself and headed to my room. As I did, I asked, “Where’s Ellie? Is she around?” Again, I thought it was strange for her not to be at her own party.
“Oh.” Lexy curled her lips slowly. “You’ll meet Ellie soon enough. I’ll stop by tomorrow before noon, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
What did she mean by “I’ll meet her soon?” I didn’t want to sound nosy my first day here, so I didn’t pursue the questions I wanted to ask. “Thanks,” I waved.
“See you in the morning,” Seth said, raising his beer bottle.
“It was nice meeting you,” Dean said next.
After I gave them each a warm smile, I peered up to see the smoker. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help myself. His existence made me feel a dangerous heat I didn’t want to feel, especially when I could sense his eyes on me. It was odd, since he also scared the crap out of me.
Maybe it was his drop-dead gorgeous grin that I observed him offer to his friends, or the fact that he seemed so mysterious. Or was it his deliciously toned body you don’t see in most guys? Whatever the reason, this feeling latched on to me, making me too aware of him. I didn’t like this feeling at all.
“Elijah,” a girl with auburn hair called, wrapping her arms around his chest—a chest any guy would want and any girl would want to touch.
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you,” she flirted in that squeaky tone I couldn’t stand.
