He glanced at me for a second before moving ahead.

  “That I can’t sit?”

  I laughed. “Oh, no that doesn’t surprise me at all. The fact that you listen to audiobooks does.”

  “I’m a man of mystery, what can I say.”

  I laughed, but this time he joined me. He turned the book off and switched to the radio.

  “Does your family like living here. I can already tell what your opinion is.”

  “I think so. We went to the beach together this weekend. Winnie really seemed to enjoy the water. She pitched a fit when we had to leave. Little kids love the water.”

  “How about your other sister?”

  I glanced out the window. There were a few people riding bikes on the sidewalks. There was a skateboarder doing tricks.

  “Despite her being so emotional and crazy, the moves don’t seem to bother her. She likes seeing new places. My parents gave her one of those state maps that she gets to scratch off where she’s been so to her it’s all a game.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  I shrugged.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “A little,” I responded.

  “Okay because I’m starving. Let us get something to eat.”

  I smirked. “What would you have said if I wasn’t?”

  “Oh, I still would go get food, but I would just eat in front of you.”

  I laughed and shook my head. I feel like I should’ve known that answer. We turned and headed down the road. Neighborhoods were on both sides of the road. A few pastel-colored homes poked out above the crisp green trees. Soon restaurants popped up. We reached a shopping center then Gabriel turned in and parked. Seeing the sign of a big red pepperoni with a face on it I turned to look at him.

  “You don’t get enough pizza when you work here?”

  “Surprisingly, I really don’t eat it much.”

  Gabriel unbuckled his seatbelt and got out then I followed him. As we walked across the parking lot there were a few cars in front of the store. A bell clicked as we opened the door of the store. The lighting was dim around the plastic tables. The walls were decorated with scenes from Italy, but instead of people in the morals, there were pepperoni people as tourists. There was even the Leaning Tower of Piazza with a pepperoni taking a picture with a camera. There were a couple of guys behind a counter.

  “Hey, Gabriel.” One of the guys behind the counter waved.

  “Hi, Matt. Can we have a large plain pizza and some garlic knots?”

  Gabriel pulled a chair by the front window out and sat down. It dawned on me he and I have never really been alone, alone before. We’ve been in a crowded cafeteria, a class, and even my house with my family being home. Now I sat across from Gabriel, just the two of us at the table. What did I get myself into? Bringing my hands onto the plastic tabletop I interlaced my fingers together.

  “Man, you look like you’re ready for a job interview or something. Your back is straight and everything.” Gabriel chuckled as he leaned back.

  “Sorry, I just sit upright.”

  “You’re fine.”

  A waiter came over to us. He was wearing jeans and a red shirt with the pepperoni man logo on the top part of his shirt.

  “Even on your days off, you come here Gabriel.”

  Gabriel smiled. “I like knowing where my food comes from.”

  The waiter just shook his head. He must be immune to Gabriel’s jokes.

  “I’m thinking garlic knots and a large plain pizza. Is there anything else you’d want to eat?” Gabriel looked at me.

  “Just a water.”

  “Same, I’ll take some of that H double O too.”

  The waiter shook his head as he wandered away, not even commenting. I smiled at Gabriel.

  “Why do I feel like you’re not real popular at work?”

  He shrugged. “Some people can’t handle my energy level.”

  “You’re a morning person too, aren’t you?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Nope, I’m an all-day person.”

  I covered my face with my hands.

  “Of course, you are.”

  “Just think Chief, you signed up to spend the afternoon with all of this.”

  I moved my fingers aside to see Gabriel pointing to himself.

  “I don’t know if I can handle that. Is it too late to change my mind?”

  “I think you’re up for the challenge.”

  I slammed my hands onto the tabletop and stared at Gabriel. A grin graced his face and there seemed to be a spark in his eyes.

  “How are you this optimistic all the time?”

  He shrugged and undid the paper napkin roll.

  “I don’t know. I never thought about it. This is my life and I do just that, live it. Why worry about yesterday because I can’t change any of that. Then why should I worry about my future because it’s still being written.”

  “You might be a Golden Retriever, but that was almost logical.”

  Gabriel chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry. Did you just call me a Golden Retriever?”

  I scrunched my face. “Yeah, I did. Someone at school called you that and the name sort of stuck with me.”

  “Now you have me intrigued. How am I like a Golden Retriever?”

  “You’re friendly with everyone. You are always happy and energetic.” My voice drifted off.

  He laughed. “I am like a Golden Retriever.”

  “You’re not offended?”

  “About being friendly and happy? How dare you, Blair?” Gabriel chortled.

  I sighed. “Apparently.”

  “So, now I know what kind of animal I’m like should we figure out you?”

  “This to me sounds like you aren’t taking it well.”

  Gabriel shook his head causing his brown hair to sway. “Nope, I think this is a fun lighthearted conversation. I’ll wear my fluffy badge with honor.”

  I glanced out the window before back at those grey eyes. “My family calls me Bubble Bee.”

  He smirked. “Really?”

  I nodded my head and my face warmed. “When I’m moody my mom usually tells me to put my stinger away.”

  Gabriel threw his head back and a deep laugh followed suit.

  “Oh my God that is great!” he sat back up and slammed his hands onto the table causing people to turn to watch us.

  “Ugh, I shouldn’t have told you.”

  He shook his head. “Probably not, but I’m glad you’re trusting me.”

  A big lopsided grin grew on his face. A slow smile formed on my face.

  “I can’t do anything with you.”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  “Watch out this is hot.” The guy waiter came back balancing a pizza on a silver pan and a basket in the other hand.

  A pizza was placed in the middle of the table. Steam rose in puffs above the pizza. A gust of garlic swam up to my nose as a basket of garlic knots that shined in the light was put next to the pizza.

  “A meal fit for the Gods!” Gabriel bellowed, raising his arms high in the air.

  I glanced around the restaurant before back at Gabriel. He wasn’t even looking up as he was pulling a slice off the tray. Strings of cheese were stretched to their limits as he pulled it away. Gabriel put the slice on a plate and handed it to me. Then he grabbed a second plate for himself.

  “Thank you.” I took the first plate from him.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Maybe I did need to give him another chance. Gabriel was genuine and was looking out for me. A little crazy, but his intentions were actually good.

  11

  Blair

  Walking through the front door I could hear the TV on in the living room. Kicking my shoes off I left them by the door and headed further into the house. My parents were sitting on the couch together watching a movie. I stood in the doorway when my mom turned her head and smiled.

  “How was hanging out with Gabriel?”

  I leaned against the wall. My dad grabbed the remote and lowered the volume.

  “It was good. We started at the pizza place then sat on the beach talking. He just dropped me off.”

  “That sounds nice. I’m glad you gave him a chance. He seems so nice.” My mom beamed at me.

  “Should I have spent more time with him if she was going to start dating him?” My dad asked as he stared at my mom who was curled up against him.

  My eyebrows inched closer together.

  “This wasn’t a date. Just two people hanging out as friends.”

  “That’s too bad. I like him.” My mom responded and her smile dimmed.

  “I like him a lot better if he wasn’t a boyfriend.” My dad snorted.

  “Well, on that note I’m going upstairs to finish my homework.”

  I pointed to the stairs. Turning on my heel I nearly took two steps at a time to escape any more of that conversation. Persephone’s voice was followed by Winnie’s giggles as I passed their room. The door was opened a crack and I went into mine across the hall. Closing the door, I dropped my book bag next to my dresser. I grabbed the pitcher of water that I had between my wall and bed. Sitting on the floor in the middle of my room with my legs crossed I placed the water in front of me. Closing my eyes, I took in a couple of deep breaths. I needed to clear my mind like all those yoga practices my mom tried to have me do with her. Maybe I should’ve taken that seriously.

  Straightening my back, I tried to even out my breathing. Behind my dark eyelids, I tried to envision the pitcher of water. The pitcher was a cloudy plastic material. The handle was thick with grooves. Could I move the water without my hands? Peeking one eye open at the pitcher, nothing was different. It was the same, not even a droplet floating above the rim.

  Sighing I shifted my butt. Closing my eyes, I tried again. Picturing the pitcher itself floating above the floor. That the water was holding the pitcher and not the other way around. Opening one eye my face fell. The pitcher hadn’t even moved an inch in any direction. However, all the water had risen, staying in the shape of the pitcher. Apparently being able to move water didn’t make one also telekinetic. My shoulders slumped. In a blink of an eye, the water fell onto the floor. Splattering all over and creating a dark blob on my carpet. Cursing under my breath I waved my hand so that all the water rose and was dropped back into the pitcher. Well, tonight’s practice didn’t go as I had hoped.

  Riding my bike to the beach from school, my pace was slow. I steered my bikes in waves on the sidewalk as the sun beat down on me. The air wasn’t stiff as it had been in the classrooms. Passing where my last bike broke down the grass on Mr. Gregor’s yard was still brown. There were patches of dirt in the front yard. His house did not have a single light on and there weren’t any signs of curtains opened. There he was perched though, sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch in the shade. Mr. Gregor’s face had such thick lines etched in that I could see them from the sidewalk. Turning my head straight I saw Mr. McArthur standing near the front of his yard watering some flowers at the base of a tree. His yard was a rich green color. Flowers of every color were scattered across his landscape.

  “Did you get a new bike?” Mr. McArthur asked with a wide grin on his face.

  Placing my feet down on the sidewalk I balanced the bike, my hands were still on the handlebars.

  “Yeah, my dad surprised me with a new one afterward.”

  “That was nice of him.” Mr. McArthur stopped the water from his hose.

  “It was. Thank you again for helping me that day. I was late for school, but it was nice to not show up with blood everywhere.”

  Mr. McArthur nodded his head. “Anytime. I am sure that if someone had crashed in front of your house you would have done the same thing.”

  He was giving me too much credit. I don’t think I would have done the same thing. I probably would’ve watched from the safety of the inside of my house leaving the person to bleed out in front of my house. Mr. McArthur was a better person than I was for sure.

  “Your yard looks great. Too bad Mr. Gregor hasn’t asked you to help him with his. It would probably help everyone’s house look a little better.”

  A small smile formed on Mr. McArthur’s face.

  “What makes you think he hasn’t?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Has he?”

  Mr. McArthur laughed.

  “No, you’re right he hasn’t.” Mr. McArthur glanced over to Mr. Gregor then back at me. “He swears that he was able to have grass at one point then one spring all his grass died off. That he replanted new seed, tried different water tactics, and fertilized until he thought his yard was going to glow from the chemicals. Nothing ever grew on his yard again. He says he must have bad dirt or whatever. Mr. Gregor jokes that with the luck he has whoever buys his house when he is ready to move will have a lush green yard.”

  “That almost sounds like a sense of humor coming from him.”

  Mr. McArthur chuckled. “It happens to us all at some point or another. By the way, I’m Mr. McArthur, I don’t think we’ve actually introduced ourselves.”

  He put the hose down and drew closer to me. Mr. McArthur held out his hand in my direction.

  “I’m Blair.”

  I reached over the handlebars of my bike and shook Mr. McArthur’s hand.

  “Like from the show Facts of Life?”

  “I don’t know that show,” I responded with an eyebrow raised.

  “I’m probably showing my age, ignore me. You have a strong handshake. A lot of good energy coming from you.”

  “Thanks, my dad said he wasn’t going to raise any wimps, that we had to have a handshake that meant business.”

  “Good for him. You really can tell a lot about a person with their handshakes.”

  He let go and my hand went back to the rubber grip of my handlebars. Mr. McArthur picked up his hose again.

  “That’s what he says.”

  “Where are you going on this nice day?”

  “To the beach. I figured I’d enjoy the outdoors while it was nice. I’ve been cooped up for too long in school and want to enjoy the fresh air while I can.”

  “That is smart. We’re having some great weather too. Well, I won’t hold you up any longer. Go have some fun.”

  “Thanks.” I waved off and pushed myself off using my left foot.

  There were a few other people outside working on their yards. A couple of cars were passing me, but otherwise, it was peaceful. There were birds outside singing. Some small kids playing in the front yard with their dog. I turned sharply through a side street to go east. The fresh breeze was already picking up. I smiled and pedaled harder. There wasn’t much more to go until I hit my destination. Once I did, I parked my bike at the rack and locked it up. Taking my helmet off I carried it against my hip as I jogged up the stairs to get onto the beach. Raising my hand up to my eyes I shielded the sun. The water glistened as each wave caught the light. There were a few people outside on the sand. I wouldn’t be able to practice here, but I would be able to do what I told Mr. McArthur I wanted, to enjoy the fresh air. Taking my shoes off I walked onto the sand. The grains were warm against my skin, and in between my toes. Walking further down closer to the water I dropped my helmet down and then myself. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath, as the sun’s hot beams hit my face.

  12

  Blair

  “You made a comment on my drawings, but yours are so much better.”

  I lifted my head up to see Gabriel standing over my desk. He had his books in his arms down by his side. Gabriel placed them on his desk nearby and continued to stand over me. Glancing down at my picture I barely even had registered what I was drawing. It was a girl standing sideways along some shoreline a cliff was a little bit in the distance. Her dress and hair were swept by the probable wind. Her dress was in the same older Celtic fashion as the girl in my dreams. In her hands was a small bouquet of flowers.

  “Thanks, I honestly don’t think about it.”

  “Do you have any more with you to show off?”

  I raised an eyebrow.

  “No.”

  His eyebrows scrunched together. “You mean you don’t have a sketch pad?”

  “No.”

  “Really?”

  I nodded my head with one eyebrow high questioning his line of inquiries itself.

  “Yeah, why would I lie about something so stupid?”

  “What do you do with all your drawings? I mean with the details that you put into your work it shows that this is not your first time with the craft.”

  I shrugged. “My mom has some random ones that help her with her stories. Otherwise, I don’t know, they probably ended up in the trash or lost or something.”

  “Now that, is a crime. Even your drawings don’t have any source of roots.”

  “Are you for real right now? You’re more bothered than I am about it.”

  He turned around and pulled out a black and white notebook from his stack. Gabriel handed me the notebook. The binding was black with a hand holding a pencil on the cover. When I opened it, the book was filled with plain pieces of paper, most of which were filled. The pages ranged from pirate ships, the beach, animals, and some people both cartoon in addition to realistic.

  “You’re pretty good.”

  “I just showed you a whole notebook and that’s all you have to say?”

  “What else should I be saying?”

  He took back the notebook before I continued to flip through more pages.

  “Was there a reason you took that from me?”

  His cheeks grew pink.

  “Let me see!” I grinned and leaned over the metal bar of my desk.

  Gabriel dropped his notebook back on his desk out of my reach.

  “I’m not hiding anything.”

  “Huh, then let me see that notebook again.”

  He shook his head. “Nope, I don’t want you to feel worse than you already do about not being able to look at your progress over the years.

  I smirked and sat back up. “Oh, it’s going to be like that is it?”

  Gabriel turned and sat down in his seat. “I’m at a loss about how many scattered pictures of yours are all over the country right now.”