One Touch

23: Hummingbird

Haiti and Luna confronted me in dance class today, for whatever they accused me of. It had been ages since I talked to them, or even looked at them. It was like I’d thrown them aside when I became friends with Atlanta.

“You sit with us at lunch, but you talk to Atlanta as if we’re not even there,” Haiti said, her lips pursed. “We were very hurt.” I was pinched by remorse, not meeting her eyes.

“Seriously,” Luna added with a huff. “You ditched us for the popular kids, haven’t you? You get to dance with Caspian, and Eddie pays so much attention to you. It’s not fair. What do you have up your sleeve?”

“Pathetic,” Haiti said before I could apologize. “When was the last time we went shopping together?” If I recalled, it would be never. “When was the last time we did homework together?” Again, it was never. I gave them money and I did their work for them.

“Yeah,” Luna agreed. “I failed my math test last week. You sit with Atlanta now, so I couldn’t even copy off of your sheet.” Why did I feel like crap? These girls needed a middle finger to the face.

“We were like the three musketeers,” Haiti said softly. I wasn’t sure if she feigned that sadness or it was to make me feel ashamed. “When was the last time we called each other? Decades ago. Before you and Atlanta became BFFs.”

“If you apologize and promise to stick with us,” Luna said, “then we might give you a second chance.” A huge part of me did not want to go back to them, but the guilt ate away at me that I felt like I have to. “Come on, Eve. You don’t belong with them.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I’m so—” A hand wrapped around my upper arm and pulled me back. I looked back and saw Caspian as he pulled me into his chest. What a snoop.

“That’s fine,” he told Haiti and Luna. They made deadpan faces. “She’s doing just fine without your company, and she’s not running back to you just so you can leech her ass.”

“W-what do you mean?” Haiti said, frightened of his appeal.

Caspian gave them a menacing look, and I was on the verge of telling him to be more pleasant. “You are freeloaders. It doesn’t take rocket-science to figure that out. Don’t come near her again.”

“Hey, can you stop that?” I told him, ducking from his arm. Haiti and Luna were terrified as they apologized profusely. “He’s kidding, guys. I’m sorry about that.” Caspian jabbed my rib and I glared at him. Haiti and Luna scurried off to their dance partners, and I stormed off.

With Caspian following me, I went to Atlanta and Ronald. They were talking about the genre of music they liked and their favourite T.V shows. I wondered if they’d gone on any dates without telling Caspian or me. I wanted to spend some time with Atlanta after school today. We’d probably talk about everything then.

“How’s the dance going, Atlanta?” I asked.

Atlanta brightened at the sight of me. “Hi, Eve!” she greeted me. “I love dance class! It’s the best thing in the world and I’m getting better. Watch.” She requested Ronald to do a small demo in front of me, and I had to admit, they were great. “Ronald taught me all of it.”

“You’re a quick learner,” he told her with smile. “And dedicated.” She blushed and I put my hands on my hips.

“Or she just likes dancing with you,” I teased them. This time, Ronald was the one to blush. “You have no plans to go out with each other again?” Caspian jabbed my rib again, and I scowled. I forgot he was there.

“I don’t know…” Atlanta said slowly, peaking at Ronald. He was sure to ask her later on, now that I’d brought it up. They were so cute together, and I wanted to see more of it. On top of that, I knew it would make both of them happy.

“Eve, come over to my house after school,” Atlanta suggested, and I accepted the offer. “Yay! We’ll do something fun, like making sandwiches and watching sci-fi or painting nails.” Ah, I loved all the cheesy goodness that came with our friendship.

Caspian dragged me back to our dancing station. He was not in the greatest mood when he gave me a stern look in the eye. I wasn’t giving in so easily this time, but the more we stared, the faster my anger cooled.

“Thanks,” I said, and he asked me why. “With my friends. My former friends. I didn’t know how to tell them I didn’t want to go back. It’s just, I’ve been with them for so long I didn’t know how to decline their offer.”

“Well, I’m not thankful at all for what you did,” he said, and I was puzzled. “Why would you encourage their relationship? Atlanta and Ronald? I agreed to one date, but that doesn’t mean they can continue.”

“What is your problem?” I said. “Please, tell me. I don’t understand. Enlighten me.”

When Caspian leaned in, scrutinizing me with a dark glare. “I don’t need to explain anything to you. For once, mind your business and don’t horse around.”

“Horse around? Is that what you really think—”

“I made myself clear, didn’t I?” Caspian said, gritting his teeth. “Don’t get too clingy and do whatever you please. I’m serious. Just because you’re friends with Atlanta doesn’t give you the so-called right to help her make decisions. You get that?”

His words pierced me like thorns, and I was stunned. We were at the beginning, all over again. He was being the brother bodyguard and I was the foolish brat. It stung more now because I had feelings for him. And though it hurt my ego to say I did, I couldn’t deny it anymore. I wanted to hide the fact I had feelings for him, and him doing this made it so much easier. But it hurt.

“As you wish,” I said finally. Regret bloomed over his face but I ignored it. “Okay, let’s practice now. Don’t want to reduce your value by being a bad dance partner.” He didn’t say anything as we got into position, but his hand was tense as it held mine. Whatever. I didn’t want to think too much.

Atlanta and I went home in my car once class ended, and I told her I’d be right over once I got changed. No one was home today, but I could see the light turned on in dad’s room. It had been long since I’d seen him. I missed him.

I put on my grey Aéropostale sweater and scampered across the street to avoid getting frost bitten. Who knew autumn could be this cold? It had to be global warming.

Caspian’s car was missing on their driveway, but I flicked him from my mind as I knocked on the door. Atlanta invited me in and we went to her kitchen. She was making us sandwiches and I watched while sitting on one of the bar stools. It was like watching a chef.

“Atlanta, you’re pretty good at cooking, aren’t you?” I said. She shrugged, saying she treated it as a hobby. She gave me the sandwich and I devoured it in two minutes. “This is so good,” I said with my mouth full.

She giggled. “Thank you. I digest my food quickly so I have to eat a lot.” She had another sandwich on her plate, besides the one she was holding. “My whole family has a fast metabolism. Kind of like a hummingbird's. We tend to use up a lot of energy, so we need more than the average person.”

I sat up, interested. “That’s so cool. Is sandwiches your main course or something? You’re always having them.”

“Nah. I just like them,” she said. “We all try to eat healthy. Caspian eats junk food all the time because he needs sugar. It gives him more energy that way.” Oh. “What about you? Is food your passion?”

“Not really. I eat when I’m hungry,” I said. “But I’m always awake and energized. I can eat a single banana and run a 5k. When I was in middle school, I had a granola bar for breakfast and ranked second place in track and field.”

“That makes sense,” she said, nodding. Makes sense…what? She quickly changed the topic. “You like sports?” I used to before I focused more on my education and marks. “Ronald told me there is a football game coming up soon.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said. “There’ll be a homecoming dance after. But it’s a while from now. I bet you can’t wait to see Ronald play, though.” She playfully hit my arm, hiding her smile. “Anyway, you need help cutting the strawberries?” She had planned on making smoothies for us, and she put out all the fruits.

“You can take the green parts out,” she said, getting a cutting board and knife. “I’ll cut everything.” Atlanta had dancing fingers, and she was on fire as she started cutting those fruits. I was surprised she didn’t cut herself yet.

“Slow down, Atlanta, there’s no rush,” I said. My worst fears came true when she cut herself and a thin line of blood formed on her thumb. She began freaking out and I tore out a paper towel. “This is what happens,” I said, pressing the paper towel onto her wound. A blotch of red sunk into the paper, and my eyes widened slightly.

“I’ll go wash up,” Atlanta mumbled and left the kitchen.

I looked at the paper towel in my hands, stained with Atlanta’s blood. Whatever you’re thinking, stop. But I couldn’t stop. I had a sample of Atlanta’s blood right in my hands. Once I got this, Atlanta’s profile of samples would be done. All I would have to get were Caspian’s samples. Then I’d gain dad’s full respect. I would—

“I’m back!” Atlanta called. I hid the paper behind my back. She had a bandage wrapped around her thumb. “See? No problem. Let’s get this smoothie started.” I asked Atlanta for a Zip Lock bag and I put the crumpled paper towel in there when she wasn’t looking. How desperate could I get? A Zip Lock bag—what the hell was I thinking?

For the rest of the day, guilt devoured me as I felt the plastic press inside my hoodie pocket. We watched ‘Wall-E’ and ‘Up’, and ‘Interstellar’ following after. Atlanta was making good use of her Netflix, and she commented on how she’d marry it if it were a person. I thought that was a little extreme, but I never used Netflix so I wouldn’t know.

“Are you okay?” Atlanta asked in the middle of the movie. I nodded, telling her the movie was superb and mysterious. “I know right? Keep watching.” Gah, I wanted to hide in a hole. The longer that stupid paper towel stayed with me, the worse I felt.

At the brink of evening, the bell rang and Atlanta went to go get it. I should probably get going, too and stood up. Before I could exit her bedroom, she entered. Her eyes drooped glumly as she asked me to come downstairs.

“This is our time limit,” she mumbled. I saw Caspian at the door and understood her disappointment. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” I smiled weakly as she dragged herself upstairs. It seemed like no length of time was enough to spend time with each other. I guessed neither of us had an actual friend before.

“Talk time,” Caspian informed me. Then I was reminded of the overly protective brother standing behind me.

I turned and dryly said, "Hello to you, too."

Now, I was more aware of the Zip Lock bag in my pocket. It burned through my sweater and I wondered if the little lump was noticeable. The last thing I needed was him to get suspicious.