Chapter 2
"Vincent"
It was a quiet trip. My dad and I normally don't have much to talk about after the first half hour. Typical questions like "how's your mother?", "are you going out with anyone?", "what are your plans once you go back home?" and "what music do you want to listen to?" kind of run out during small talk; other things like the weather don't really interest me so I just half smile or nod, sometimes both. We got to his house faster than usual; that light blue, 2 story house. I got sick every time I saw this color, it made me feel far away from home. I'm not sure if it was a way for my mind to say "I can't believe we're here again" or just a brain recognition issue. Either way, it annoyed me.
"We're here" my dad said as he grinned.
"Yeah" I smiled back and did my best to sound exited.
"Ok, go inside and I'll go get the neighbors! They really want to meet you" for some reason, when he said this last words he faced forward and looked like he was in pain, then he got off the car.
"Dad, I told you, you don't have to do this" I screamed, but it was too late, he left me in the car and rushed two houses down our block.
I started grabbing my things from the back seat. When I reached for the door I felt it open by itself, I thought it was my dad, but for my surprise, it was a boy. I looked up, he smiled at me and said "Hello" I was completely stunned by his smile, and how incredibly beautiful he was, and most of all, the much resemblance to the boy in the bus; same color eyes, same facial expression, it freaked me out to be honest.
"Hi, I'm…"
"Sarah, right?" he interrupted me
"Yes, umm… I'm sorry I don't know your name" I couldn't help but smiling.
"I'm Vincent, I live next door…"
I had my mouth sort of open while I stared at him, but hopefully not looking too obvious. No wonder why my dad gave me the heads up about the neighbors, still, I didn't expect him to know my name and be so polite beside the fact of being totally gorgeous. I made an odd face and managed to say "Thank you", then he smiled wide and took my bags to help me get inside. While we walked to the door we were quiet – thank God for that, I wasn't really thinking so it was best I didn't talk.
"S, let me help you with that" my dad shouted, there were two people coming behind him.
"I'm ok dad, just open the door please?"
My dad gave Vincent a weird look, I found it funny because he had been the one who got me convinced of the neighbors being the best people in the world, and now he acted almost as if he didn't want me to get so close to him. After he opened the door he took the bags from Vincent and told the guests to go inside and sit in the living room. I ran upstairs and changed into more comfortable clothes, my dad rushed up to his room as well. After I settled –more like threw my bags on my bed- I started walking across the hallway to go downstairs, and passed through my dad's room, he was talking on the phone, but it sounded more like arguing. I slowed down and hid behind his door to try to find out what was the discussion about.
"I don't think I can do it" he said, he sounded mad. After a long pause he sat in the edge of his bed and grabbed his face repeatedly. "What if it doesn't turn out well? What are they risks we are taking here?" Since I'm not very good at hiding I sneezed and he heard me, I straighten up to make it look like I was just walking down the hall. He peeked outside and smiled at me, then he told me to wait for him downstairs and closed the door.
I was annoyed for not knowing what he was talking about, what had he meant by risks? What is it that he doesn't want to do? I forgot about everything when Vincent caught up with me in the stairs, I didn't notice I had ran out of stairs until I almost tripped and he grabbed me from behind. It surprised me because I didn't see him anywhere near the stairs.
"This happens to you a lot, huh" he said smiling.
"Sorta" I said wary.
He smiled again, that amazing smile that was driving me crazy. I wished he could just kiss me and get it over with, it was killing me. When I finished saying these words he let go a giggle, I blushed, I thought I'd said those words out loud, but I'm sure I didn't. What was he laughing about? I looked back at him and he went serious, then he let go of me.
"Sorry, just… be careful" he said looking forward as he straightened himself up.
"It's… ok. Are you ok?" I said, trying not to cry when I felt his arms weren't around me anymore. He looked at me and said "I'm fine", and then walked to the living room.
When I got there, his parents were waiting for us. They looked so beautiful too. Their eyes had the same color as Vincent's. It was such an odd color. I couldn't imagine a person having it, much less a whole family. I sat down in the little armchair by the window. Vincent was sitting next to his dad and his mom. They introduced themselves after a minute.
"I'm Benjamin Greene, and this is my wife Charlotte" he said politely pointing at her. They both smiled at me. "I believe you've met our son, Vincent, Hanna, our daughter, will be home soon, she's about your age, you guys might use the company." he smiled broadly.
"Hi" I smiled "I think there's not much I can say that my dad hasn't talked about already" they laughed, I probably guessed right.
"Indeed" Benjamin said letting out a snort, "You're all he talks about"
"Your father is a very kind man, we are glad to have him as our neighbor" Charlotte said.
"So what are you going to do tonight?" Vincent asked, looking straight into my eyes, I needed someone to pinch me.
"Vincent, let her rest today, you could always do something tomorrow son" Benjamin said.
"It's ok Mr. Greene, I would like to get some air tonight anyway" I tried not to sound desperate about wanting to do something with Vincent. "I'd just stay in the computer all day if I had nothing else to do" this last part was actually pretty true.
"Oh please call me Ben, and well, as you'd like" he smiled again. His smile was so welcoming, so warm and familiar. It was almost like if he'd known me forever.
My dad came down the stairs at last and smiled when he saw we already had plans for tonight. Again, not a very happy smile if you ask me. He looked uncomfortable.
"Well let's get something to eat, what would you like S?" my dad didn't know me enough, I can't pick stuff.
"Whatever is closer dad, I don't mind"
"Ok so let's get going then" he turned to the Greene's "You guys are coming hopefully, right?"
"We apologize, Leo. We already ate, but count on us for tomorrow" Ben said as he was getting up.
"Ok, I guess we do need to catch up, I'll see you tomorrow though"
"Sure my friend, have a good night" Ben and Charlotte smiled, and they walked towards the door, Vincent stayed behind.
"So I'll see you tonight?" he asked me in a really low voice.
"Sure… I'll knock when I get home" I looked down trying to focus on the words instead of his face.
"Don't worry, I'll come get you" he smiled pleased and then leaned over to kiss my cheek. Maybe he had heard me before after all, but that wasn't the kind of kiss I wanted. After I thought of this, he let go another giggle – what are the odds for that to happen again? He got serious, and whispered the word "Tonight" in my ear, and then he left. I felt like I was about to collapse in the floor, partly because it seemed like he could read my mind or something.
After the Greene's left my dad grabbed his coat and handed me a scarf, it was kind of cold tonight.
"Ready to go?" he asked with a kinder voice than the one he'd used a few moments ago.
"Sure" I smiled.
He took my hand and led me to the car. I walked slowly because I really can't multitask and I was already thinking about Vincent. There was no way he could be that perfect, I already doubted he was even human. His smell was so inviting, his eyes kept flashing in my memory, his voice buzzing in my ear. It was like a fantasy. I kept thinking about him while my dad was driving to the Dinner, I kept seeing him in my head, so perfectly, I could almost touch him. My dad looked at me and noticed I was completely out of it. He reached out to touch me, but I barely felt it, my thoughts were so gathered around every detail in Vincent's face that I didn't even feel like blinking, just in case the image would go away. He let go of me quickly, and looked forward with a serious face.
"So what did you think of the neighbors?"
"They are... very, umm… kind" I said, fighting a smile when the word "kind" reminded me of Vincent's smile. "You're lucky to live close to them"
"Yeah, well... they are not staying for long you know"
"Oh, how is that?" I panicked at the idea of not seeing Vincent every two weeks.
"They travel a lot, so they are just passing by"
"Well, that's good I guess…" the bitterness in my voice was so thick it could be cut with a kitchen knife.
"What about Vincent?" he asked.
"What about him?"
"Do you like him?"
"He seems like a pretty good guy" I said, fighting another smile "Might be good to be around him"
"Well, as long as you think of all the pros and cons, you know" he looked at me, and I noticed he hadn't meant to say that.
"What do you mean pros and cons?"
"Nothing, never mind, I was just thinking out loud…" he paused for a second "I mean, I am your dad and I worry about you"
"I know that, I just don't know why you are worried about Vincent" I smiled now, remembering how he talked to me about him over the phone yesterday.
"He's a great kid, just don't rush into anything"
"Dad, I just met him, who's rushing?!"
"Just, keep that in mind before you jump into any decisions" he looked forward; the road was getting a bit dark now.
So that was two out of two, both my parents were losing it. My mom kept talking about not having enough time, and now my dad, was talking about not jumping into decisions about I had met 30 minutes ago. What was that all about?
The Dinner looked familiar. We pulled in and the waitress came outside to say hi to us. So I had been there before. My dad told her to get us a table and to get the "surprise" ready. I looked at him and prayed the surprise wasn't for me, I didn't really need anything and I didn't want to make my dad spend money on useless things.
"Well baby, I hope you're hungry" he put his arm around me and walked me in. We gave the same waitress out coats and then sat at our table, and there it was; a tiny, rectangular box with a red bow on top.
"Dad, what is that? It's not for me right? I've told you not to get me things"
"It is for you, and I guess I don't pay attention sometimes. Open it"
I sat down and stared at the box, trying to figure out what might be inside. A bracelet, perhaps, or a necklace? I knew there was only one way to find out, so I reached my hand for it, and for my surprise it was pretty light. I untied the bow and peeked at my dad's stunned expression, it was actually funny so I let out a giggle, I shook my head no, and took off the top of the box. It was a car key. I stared at it with confusion; I think I felt my jaw fall open.
"So, want to see it?" my dad said, amused by my reaction.
"It?"
"Your car, honey!"
This was so unreal; my dad had gotten me a car. My birthday had just passed but he gave me a gift car that I had already used. I was in awe.
"Dad, I can't believe you did this" he lifted me up my seat and walked me outside again.
"I had to give you something for you to come visit me more often!"
"Amazing solution" we both started laughing and then he pointed at the parking spot next to the one we parked in. A shiny but relatively old, dark looking, and awesome Volvo was parked there.
"A Volvo?! You got me a Volvo?!" my mouth hung open one more time and I ran towards the driver side door.
"All yours, it was actually pretty cheap, it's an 82, little younger than you but it will do"
"I love it dad, thank you!" I smiled so wide that my cheeks hurt with the cold and for the first time since I can remember I felt an urge to hug him. He smiled back at me and said a whisper-like "You're welcome" then he told me to go back inside so we could eat dinner.
"So tell me, have you given thought to College?"
"I told my mom I wanted to start on January. I think it would do me good to have a few months off from school"
"And what did she say?"
"She said it was ok as long as I made up for the lost time" I laughed
"Where are you planning to go? You have a scholarship, don't you?"
"Yes, I…haven't applied anywhere yet" The phrase came out wary, I was expecting him to flip out at the thought of me not getting ready for college, but he didn't.
"Well, as long as you start it, better late than never." He didn't look my way when he said it, which made me think if he was mad at the idea, but then again, he seemed to be enjoying his steak.
"So you don't mind that I haven't picked a college yet?"
"I think you have your reasons, hopefully you know what you're doing"
I shrugged and continued with my spaghetti, it tasted funny, so I only ate half. I was, however, oddly thirsty; I drank about 4 glasses of water in less than an hour. My dad picked up on it.
"Are you hung-over sweetie?" my dad said letting out a laugh.
"Funny dad, you know I hate drinking. And I actually don't know why I'm so thirsty" the rest of the dinner was quiet, until he finished his dish and got up.
"Let me know when you're ready, I'll go get the check and your coat"
"Ok"
My dad walked up to the counter, he was eager tonight, his mood was calm and he was clearly proud for getting me that car. I enjoyed watching it; I smiled when he walked back. Once I was done with my food I suddenly remembered about my "date" waiting for me when I got back home. It was only 9pm so I thought I could stay up late since it was only Friday. I got exited but kept in mind that I might not be lucky enough for Vincent to be thinking about me as much as I was thinking about him, or that maybe he had forgotten. Maybe his parents were acting just like my dad and would not want him to go out with me tonight. My mind became a blur and I felt my dad's hand on mine, I think he said "Let's go". When he grabbed my hand he looked at me with a really strange look, like if I had said something about Vincent that he was hoping I wouldn't have said. I looked back at him and tried to think back and hear me saying something, but all I recalled was saying "Ok".
"You still want to go out with the Vincent kid?"
"What?" I tried to play it like I didn't know what he was talking about. He looked down; once again I felt that guilt in his voice, like he hadn't meant to say that either. He tried to change his tone.
"I mean… tonight, he asked you out, didn't he?"
"Oh, yes. I don't know it's a little bit late and cold" who was I kidding; I wanted to, so much!
"Well, maybe he could just come over"
That was completely embarrassing, I would rather not seeing him at all than having my dad sneak around on us, not that we would be doing anything worth sneaking around, but it was still embarrassing.
"No, dad, it's fine. Maybe I'll just go with him to get some coffee" I paused. "If anything, but I don't know"
"Whatever you rather do"
"Thanks dad"
We walked outside and he opened the door of my new car, I was almost too excited to drive. And with Vincent on my head now I was lucky I would have to drive bellow 40mph.
"Stay behind me" my dad said as he closed the driver's door.
I started the engine, it was smooth, I fell in love with the car in an instant. As expected my dad drove home even slower, I understood, and I was actually grateful because this town is pretty dark at night.
The inside of the car was a dark grey, as the outside of the car once I was able to see it closely. It wasn't leather but it was just as smooth, the dashboard was a little dusty, the windshield had a tiny crack in the bottom right side. To me it was just perfect. Much better than anything I could've afforded on my own. I was so grateful for my "I-don't-know-why" present. We got home quick after a couple of cars honked at us. My dad apparently forgot that even though Shelby is small there are still other people driving. We both pulled up in the drive way. I got off the car at almost the same time as him, he looked satisfied.
"Made it safe" he said when he got off his car. After I nodded I looked next door, the lights were still on and it subconsciously made me smile.
"Are you coming?" my dad asked, when he saw my reaction. I didn't like the fact of Vincent having me with my heart on my sleeve, being so transparent was completely new to me.
"Of course dad, I was just…" I had no idea what to say after that so while I tried to make up an excuse he just smiled and walked to the door.
It was pretty cold tonight; I was really waiting for an opportunity to go drink some hot chocolate or coffee. I still went up to my room and threw myself in the bed. I kept thinking about Vincent, and I got a little saddened at that fact that he really had forgotten about going out tonight. I had too high expectations. My computer came to mind so I took it out of one of my bags and played some music. About half an hour later, the phone rang. Of course my dad beat me to get it, I heard him yell from his room "S, it's for you" and I automatically blushed. I went downstairs to the kitchen to get it.
"Hello?"
"Do you still want to go out?" Vincent's voice was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard, even through a phone, it was hard to say no, in the case I didn't want to go, that is, but of course I wanted to.
"Sure, now?" I still didn't want to sound desperate.
"I'm outside"
My face must've looked pretty much like when my dad told me about the car earlier today. I went to get a coat and tell my dad I was going out.
"Don't get home too late S"
"I won't dad, don't worry"
I walked towards the door, and to be honest I was pretty scared of opening it. My hands shaking, my lips getting dryer by the minute, it was hard to act not nervous, but still, I managed to open the door. And there he was, wearing a grey sweater and a thin scarf; I wondered if he wasn't cold.
"Nice car" he said
"I just got it, well my dad…"
"I know, he told the whole town about it" he interrupted me and laughed.
"That doesn't surprise me" I said also laughing.
"Shall we?" he reached out his hand to take me to his car; a 09', red Mustang convertible that made my Volvo look like a toy.
"Is that your car?" I said trying to make sense of what I was looking at.
"It's my sister's, mine is a little too much for Shelby" he said smiling at me. I blushed, and started thinking about what type of car might his be if this was the appropriate one for Shelby. He grabbed my hand and led me to the passenger's seat. He politely opened the door and closed it softly once I was in, then smoothly walked around the front of the car to the driver's seat.
"How long has it been since the last time you came here?" he said when he sat down and started and engine.
"It's been about a month really, I always come here, can't seem to get used to it though"
He pulled out of the driveway and started driving north. "Well, Shelby is a little small of a town, I don't like it either" he said and then sighed "So tell me; do you have a boyfriend back home?"
The head-rush after hearing those words was such that I struggled to answer. "Umm, no. I don't"
"And why is that?" he looked at me with an amused expression, I hoped it was what he wanted to hear, I blushed again.
"I'm not really the social type, I rather just be with my friends" I said wary.
"Good, so I'm a friend" he turned to look at me with a very inviting smile; thank God he couldn't read my thoughts.
"Yeah" I couldn't help but smile back. "Where are we going?"
"Don't worry, it's a surprise" he said as he faced forward
"A surprise…" I said, and even to myself I sounded freaked out.
"What? You don't like surprises?" he giggled
"It's alright, it's just that today looks like a surprise-full day" I said smiling. I saw the mile meter go up to 110mph. "Is it good to drive so fast at night?!" I said looking back and forth between the rode and his face.
"It's the only way to drive a Mustang, besides I'm a very good driver, never been on an accident, never gotten a ticket either" he met my scared gaze, soothing me somehow.
"Oh, well it's still very fast!"
He laughed and "slowed" down to 80mph. It got kind of quiet after that, I started panicking at the thought of having offended him. I tried talking to him but I didn't want to sound insecure –like I probably was going to sound. When I was about to speak he reached out to grab my hand.
"What are you thinking about?" he said holding my hand now.
"I'm… not really thinking about anything" I said. I lied of course, I was thinking about how my heart was speeding at the touch of his skin, he was cold, and it felt like he was so strong somehow, but his touch was so delicate.
"Really?" he said
"Yes, I'm blank" I tried to sound as convincing as possible, he let go of my hand and turn left in a pretty dark open area, then he stopped the car. "Well, this is a part of Shelby I didn't know"
"It's not Shelby anymore" he said laughing "It's Fort Wayne "
"Whoa! How did we even get here so fast?" my mouth hung open
"We didn't, time just goes by faster when you're having fun" he looked at me and smiled. I looked like I had been stung by a bee; his voice was incredible, it was so perfect, he was so perfect.
"True, so this was the surprise?" I said smiling back at him.
"No"
"It isn't?"
"No, you have to wait a few minutes"
I was completely confused; we were in the middle of nowhere, next to a lake; the only thing I could see in the other side of where we were was a bunch of lights and music, some kind of massive party, but what was the surprise about? Was he going to ask me to marry him? Or was he going to kill me right in the spot? They were both pretty extreme and complicated assumptions but I had nothing to work with. He grabbed my hand again and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" I said widening my eyes
"Do you trust me?" he said
"Umm, yes, I guess"
"Listen Sarah" he said looking straight into my eyes "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, I've heard so much about you and now that I met you it's like everything I wanted, except it's been multiplied by a few hundreds, I would never, ever hurt you"
I couldn't believe my ears, I know my dad overdoes talking about me but I'm not that much of an interesting or desirable person, I'm average, what could've made him want me?
"Do you even know who you are?" he said smiling now
"Well, I'm Sa…"
"Look!" he interrupted me and pointed to his right. The sky got suddenly illuminated by more fireworks than I could count. They were coming from the other side of the lake; I wondered if had anything to do with it.
"Did you do that?" I asked
"No, today is the Three Rivers Festival, I thought it would be a good idea to bring you here, the fireworks they use are just so beautiful." He looked straight at me when he got to the word "beautiful" then he smiled that amazing smirk smile of his. "And this only happens once a year"
"It's incredible, I'd never seen so many fireworks before" I couldn't help but looking at the fireworks but I also wanted to look at Vincent. "So why me?" I said without looking away from the fireworks.
"Because it's you. You're unique; I can't get enough of it"
"But you just met me"
"I feel like I've known you my whole life" he paused and held my hand "Don't you feel the same?"
I was completely unaware of what I was doing, I felt like my whole body was shaking and I just wanted to shout yes. "I think…" he cut me off putting a finger on my mouth, then he pulled me closer to him and leaned forward, like to kiss me. My stomach jumped, my brain stopped functioning and my heart almost got out of my chest. All of the sudden my phone rang making me flinch away from Vincent. It was, of course, my father.
"Hello?" I said after picking up. My dad went off about not being home yet and I told him I was just drinking some coffee with Vincent. He told me to be back home in an hour, and that tomorrow I would be able to spend the whole day with Vincent. I was annoyed by the thought of my kiss being interrupted but I figured if he really wanted to kiss me, he would try more than once.
"We have to go back" I told Vincent with a frown
"Ok" he laughed. "Nice timing"
I laughed "I know, but he wants me to be home in an hour"
"Ok" he said still smiling, he just seemed so amused of being around me, it was frustrating not to know what he was thinking.
Vincent grabbed my hand again and took me to the car; it was sort of hard to see in the dark. And I played along so he thought I really couldn't see anything. On the way home we passed by a coffee shop and got a cup of coffee so my dad would believe the coffee story. I hated having to lie to him but I don't think he would be too happy if he found out where I really was.
When we finally got home I got the feeling that he would try to kiss me again, but he didn't. He just walked me to the door and stared at me until my dad opened.
"Hi Mr. Steven, sorry for keeping Sarah out so late" he said
"It's ok Vincent, she just must be tired today, she hasn't unpacked yet, and I also want to spend some time with her"
"I understand Mr. Steven"
"Great then, I'll see you son" my dad finished the conversation
"Goodnight sir" he turned to look at me and kissed me in the check. "Goodnight Sarah" he smiled smirk and I of course blushed. The presence of my dad didn't help when he smiled at me like that. I saw him get in the car and park the car a few houses down.
"Dad, you didn't have to be so rude"
"I wasn't rude, all I said was true!"
"Well, ok since I'm so tired, I better go up and sleep, night dad"
"Night S, hope you sleep well"
"You too" I screamed at him from upstairs and closed the door.