Devil's Three-way

The sun came brightly, radiating through the window. It was still early but my internal clock said it was time to rise. Maybe it was the excitement of my eighteenth birthday, yesterday. It hadn’t been anything special but we were together as a family, that was enough for me.      I looked to my crème colored walls and stretched under the soft fluffy blanket that calmed my raging teenage emotions, so often. I looked over to the clock as I stretched, flexing my fingers, trying to touch the illuminating glow spilling across my bed. I wanted to snuggle back in and fall into a nap, but I knew better since I was the only one home. I’d be late for school if I did.     Getting out of bed and grabbing my robe, I made my way to the bathroom down the hall. Stripping my long nightgown off over my head, I turned on the hot water and regulated the temperature before stepping in. Steam bubbled out of the glass doors making me smile, knowing I’d be more myself after I was clean. I stepped into the hot water and allowed it to flow over me before grabbing the bar of soap and wash cloth. I lathered myself up and blew the excess bubbles around the cubical glass shower, giggling to myself. I lathered my hair before rinsing completely and stepping out. I grabbed my towel, drying quickly before downing my robe and heading back to my room.     My muscles felt good after the hot shower but they seemed to vibrate inside me. It wasn’t a tired or strained feeling. I chalked it up to “growing pains,” just like my mom had said I’d go through when I was younger. I dried my hair and got dressed. Simple jeans and t-shirt, my go to. I brushed my red curly hair, leaving it down my back to do its own thing. Stretching my legs and putting on my socks and black tennis shoes, I headed downstairs to the kitchen.      Softly padding down the wooden stairs, not to quickly it was still morning. I knew no one was home, so I wasn’t in a rush anyway. Mom worked night shift at the local clinic, she wouldn’t be home until almost 9. Dad left after my “party” for a business trip saying he couldn’t miss his little girl becoming an adult! I chuckled to myself, “adult” like we mature in a day or over-night. Then again, my parents never missed my birthday, even though we didn’t have an actual party that I could remember, ever! Mom and dad always managed to get the day of, off to spend with me. It made my heart smile, like an internal hug.     The kitchen was done in mostly apple red with black appliances. Even though mom wasn’t much of a cook lately, she was proud of her kitchen. I looked on the island in the middle, a pop-tart and note. I retrieved it and grinned, mom always left me notes- morning inspiration she called it. I shook my head and picked up the white paper, unfolding it.               No coffee. It’s bad for you.       I laughed to myself as I grabbed a Keurig cup, placing it in the machine, pressing the button for a large cup. I just couldn’t be myself without coffee. I tried the delectable “Elixir of the Gods” at thirteen. Since then, mom has monitored me, not that I listened. “It will stunt your growth!” she would always crowed. I grabbed my creamer from the fridge and patiently waited as it flowed into my cup puffing steam. I tossed the pop-tart back in the box under the cabinet, who likes flavored cardboard first thing in the morning. Before grabbing my cup of java, I shook my arms and ultimately my whole body. Trying to relieve the vibrating that sizzled throughout my bones and muscles.     I added my creamer and sipped lightly, it was still hot. “Mmm...” I murmured as I slid into the stool at the island. I did enjoy my peaceful mornings. I felt the warm liquid caress my itchy throat, that was odd. Suddenly I remembered I forgot my phone in my room, on charge. Taking my time, another sip then sitting my cup down, I headed back up to my room. I grabbed my phone and checked for messages. Mom messaged saying she would be late this morning, not that it mattered I would already be at school. Dad messaged saying he made it to the hotel at 4 this morning. And Kyle wishing me a happy late birthday!     I grinned thinking of Kyle, we’d been best friends as long as I could remember. Our parents were college friends and ended up in the same town after. Kyle’s dad, was all business and managed most things in our town. While Kyle’s mom, mostly supported her husband and our community in what-ever way she could. She’d always smile at me saying, “I just know you and Kyle will be together forever!” She’d giggle at me as I confirmed we were still just friends. Then she’d hug me snuggly and say something along the lines of, “You never know what the future holds Rennie dear!”     I messaged mom and dad letting them know their messages came through but more importantly I was up for school. I messaged Kyle next, “You up dummy?” I wasn’t really expecting a reply. Kyle didn’t usually make it out of bed until 7:45am. I trotted back downstairs and into the kitchen. Taking my seat at the island with my warm liquid ambrosia. It only took a couple minutes for my phone to ding! Kyle replied back.         “Yeah, training this morning. You coming?”     I almost choked, Kyle training? What was he talking about, he was the laziest person I knew! My phone dinged again.         “**Trying** Trying this morning. You coming?”     “LoL, coming where you goof?” I shook my head. Was he still half asleep? Probably. He really wasn’t a morning person either. My phone dinged.         “School.”     Yeah, he was starting to wake up finally. I laughed took the last drink of my coffee and replied.         “Yeah, of course.” As soon as the message was sent, my phone dinged again.         “Picking you up, be there in ten. Have coffee!”     I laughed and got Kyle’s specific cup out of the cabinet, preparing it for him so he could press the button as soon as he walked in. Definitely wasn’t a morning person. I sighed to myself... Ten minutes... That didn’t make sense, Kyle lived twenty-five minutes away. I shook my head, maybe he found a new route, but I couldn’t think of one. Shrugging it off I gathered my bookbag and jacket, dragging it into the kitchen island. I grabbed a bottle of water and went to unlock the door so he wouldn’t have to knock. Finally I settled back onto my stool and waited, sipping my water contently.     In no time, Kyle was stumbling through the door looking a bit rough for wear. He tagged the button on the coffee maker as he plopped beside me, sliding me a medium sized box with an orange ribbon. “Morning Ren! Happy Belated Birthday!” He grabbed me and hugged me tightly to him, he kissed my forehead and grinned. “I’ve been waiting a week to give that to you!” He seemed giddy.         “A week? Really...” I pulled away from him slightly and gave him a sideways glance. “Yesterday was my birthday. Couldn’t you have given it to me the day before if you were so excited?”         “Well yeah, but you wouldn’t have waited to open it.” Kyle said matter-of-factly. “And I wanted to be here when you did.”         “Awww... You’re such a softy!” I grinned and lightly slapped at his chest. Pausing I pushed his chest slightly, “Buddy, you’re getting buff!”     I could see the pride on Kyle’s face as his chest puffed out slightly, a blush forming on his tan cheeks. His blue eyes sparkled, “I’ve a... I’ve been working out.” His eyes fell slightly from mine.         “I’ve been thinking about taking up jogging.” I confessed. “I just feel like my body is vibrating with all this energy lately!” I got up to grab his coffee from the machine and placed it in front of him on the counter.         “You, jogging?” Kyle laughed as he picked up his coffee. “That will be the day.” My mouth dropped. “You’re an asshat!” I glared at him before sitting back on my stool. I mean I wasn’t athletic and I was probably a little over weight, but this wasn’t even about my size. It was about having so much energy my normal routine just wasn’t cutting it. Then again, I was more of a bookworm than a fun in the sun kind of dame. “Well there goes my confidence for the day!” I laughed.         “What did I say?” Kyle looked at me worried and then his face changed, “I’m not calling you fat.” His tone sharpened along with his facial expression. His hand reached out for my arm, “I think your perfect.” His eyes met mine and suddenly his expression changed with a devilish grin as he pulled his arm back without touching me. “But you are pretty damn clumsy.”         “Yeah. Asshat.” I muttered, giggling. I picked up the box with the orange ribbon. “So, what did you get me bestie?”       Kyle grimaced at “bestie” it never failed, making me chuckled to myself. “Open it Ren!” I could hear the excitement in his voice. “I think I did good. Mom thought so too.” If Kyle’s mom had anything to do with my gift, it was most likely some kind of jewlery. She was always finding me necklaces, telling what every stones purpose was. Amethyst for intuition and balance. Hematite for courage, inner strength and grounding. Fluorite for renewal, harmony, and energizing. I found her more endearing than odd, but the woman was relentless when it came to Kyle and me. All through growing up, you could just feel the love radiating off of her. Somehow, she just knew I was meant to be in Kyle’s life.         “Oh, you updating my bling?” I jested.         Kyle half-grinned, “Something like that.”     Now I was worried. As much as I loved Kyle, he was my best friend. Just my best friend. Don’t get me wrong, when everything in my life was going wrong... Kyle was the only person I wanted to be around. Not that it was ever a major problem, I’d never really had a boyfriend before. My parents were still together. I made good grades. I didn’t get in much trouble and other than Kyle, I didn’t have many friends. Making it natural to go to him. He’d always been there for me. He was my brother from another mother, at times. “So, you have waited a week, huh?” I toyed with the gift box in my hands, I loved teasing him. His face tightened and he pressed his lips together, I could tell he was trying not to smile. “So.. you could wait until after school, it wouldn’t hurt ya!” I sat the box down in front of me letting my fingers play in the orange ribbon. Orange is my favorite color, Kyle knew. I tapped the top of the box, “So you’ve been working out?”  I knew Kyle’s dad had him enrolled in classes for fighting since he was five but, these were serious muscles I’d felt. Not the toned and sleek Kyle I was accustomed to.     He grinned again, “Yeah, got to look good for my lady.” His eyes sparkled with a wink. “Are you really gonna make me wait until after school?” He toyed with his coffee cup, looking down at his hands, pouting softly.         “Well you did insult me, after I made you coffee.” I said dryly.         “I did not insult you.” He said stiffly. “I just meant your clumsy. And that’s okay.” He gritted his teeth a little. “I told you that I think your perfect. What more do you want woman?”         I cracked a grin, “Only the moon and stars, BESTIE!” I grabbed my gift and jumped up from my stool. “We are going to be late.” I tried to walk past him for the door, but he grabbed me by the waist. “Ren, I’m not just your..” He swallowed hard, “Bestie am I?” His voice sounded strained, but soft on my ear as he tugged me against him. “You’ve always been my bestie.” I chuckled trying to wiggle out of his much stronger arms that I realized at that very moment. After trying for a minute and feeling his muscles stiffen around me, I sighed hard. “We are going to be late.” “Yeah, I’m okay with that.” Kyle said rubbing his cheek against my red hair. The way he was nestling me, it was going to look like I rubbed a balloon in my hair! “Seriously though Ren, just think about it.” I felt his lips on the back of my head, his arms relaxed, letting his hands fall to my hips. “You going to open your gift?” “Yes. After school.” I said, noticing his fingertips on the skin above my jean waist ban. Suddenly he spun me around to face him. “Fine, afterschool.” His eyes met mine, “Then your mine.” He almost growled but released me. He grabbed my bookbag then stepped toward the door opening it for me.  Did he just growl?  It had been happening more and more lately. I noticed it a little over a year ago. It was like he changed over a month span. He wasn’t as carefree anymore. Things seemed so much more serious to him. We still found time for each other but not like it was before. Deep down he was the same old Kyle though, just a little more aggressive and protective. The stages of puberty, Am I right? I grabbed our coffee cups and set them in the sink. Grabbing my phone I headed to the door but I didn’t look up at Kyle's face. I listened for the door to close before I let my head drift up into the light. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was still shining brightly overhead, not a cloud in the sky. I smiled to myself before continuing to Kyle's hunter green Chevy Colorado. Before I could reach the door, he already had it open, waiting for me. I gave him a soft smile as I climbed in. He placed my bookbag at my feet softly, which couldn’t have been easy. It felt like it weighed a ton on my shoulders! I reached over and opened his door as he came around, out of habit. He smiled through the window, his eyes meeting mine. I quickly sat back in my seat and grabbed my seat belt pulling it around me. The drive was quiet, but I caught Kyle peeking at me more than once, I could feel some tension in the cab of the truck. I turned on the radio, we always listened to the local station of a morning. Today the dial was set differently, odd. He reached up and switched a few things around bumping his hand against mine before hitting the right button. Finally, the familiar sounds came through the speakers, I relaxed back into my seat placing my arm on the rest. I let my fingers tap to the beat as my head bobbed along. By the time we pulled into the school parking lot, I forgot about the tension that had been between us. “Another day.” I blurted. “It is.” Kyle said turning off the engine. “But it’s a new day.” With that I got out of the truck and grabbed my bookbag before closing the door. I sighed heavily, noticing the teenagers gathered in the outside commons area. “And we are not late.” He said taking my bag and hoisting it over his shoulder. This was normal Kyle, every day of school since he’d gotten his license. He was always a gentleman not letting me carry hardly anything when he was around. I shook my head getting lost in thoughts as we proceeded to the entrance. Lost in thought, I stumbled catching myself at the last second pulling off yet another Rennie maneuver for the books. “You alright?” Kyle’s arm came around my waist, making sure I was stable again. “Yeah, of course.” I stepped out of his reach. “Just clumsy, I guess.” “Okay. Well I can’t walk you to class today. Some stuff I gotta take care of.  I’ll see you at lunch though?” Kyle said as we walked into the building. Not really hearing   I wound my way through the people to my locker. “Mmhmm.. Yeah.”  I was thinking more about first period and how my brain just didn’t work until at least ten in the morning. Kyle sat my bookbag down as I fiddled with the lock. “I’ll see you at lunch.” He placed his hand on the small of my back briefly then he was gone.  I took a minute to myself, pulling out books from my bag and arranging them in my locker. Kyle seemed different this morning. He was more touchy-feely than usual. I didn’t mind, he was my best friend. Then it dawned on me, his words... “I’m not just your bestie, am I?” Oh this was new! I mean I had definitely looked at Kyle this way before. At the time he said he didn’t, I let it go. I loved Kyle, but did he want more than to be my best friend or was he just joking? Growing up together, we always had a connection. But I wasn’t sure it was a love  connection on both sides... I relinquished that thought and placed him in the best ‘friend zone.’ It kind of hurt but in the long run, it didn’t ruin our friendship either. I closed my locker and spun the dial. Even though it was a beautiful day, classes passed slow. I fumbled through just like any other day. But I couldn’t get Kyle out of my mind. Was he serious? Did I need to reevaluate our friendship? Why couldn’t he have noticed me before today? What has really gotten into him. Did his mom pressure him into this? These were all questions I was going to have to find answers to. Sighing heavily, I dragged myself back to my locker.