Shane and I sat silently as the "grown ups" discussed the events of the previous evening. They felt bad for Shane's friends.
"Why do you feel sorry for them?" I demanded. "They were the ones who were vindictive and spiteful towards me and Shane."
"I was a part of the original planning." Shane said looking at his plate.
"You
apologized and that means a lot to me." I stated. "They have not shown any
signs of remorse. Hell, they tried to get Shane in trouble too. Friends like
that who needs enemies."
"Mika, watch your language."
My grandmother scolded. "I feel bad for those kids because they can't see what
kind of person you really are. Maybe now they won't see you as an outsider."
"Just because I changed my hair colour and the way I dress they are going to like me better?" I grumbled. "That is really shallow."
"Mika, we are in a small town where different is not always looked upon as being a good thing. And well everyone knows about the problems that you had back home, that does not make a warm welcome for you either." Mrs. Helms said softly.
"By the way how does everyone know about my "problem"?" I demanded.
"Your stepmother made sure the whole town was aware of what kind of trouble you were." Mr. Helms said quietly. "A lot of us are open minded about such things but you are going to have a bit of a rough time when school starts."
"I knew that was coming. It was a little obvious." I smiled slightly. "I'm sure Mr. Quarterback is going to be really happy to see me." Shane laughed.
"You certainly laid the beats to him." He smiled.
"He said that he got roughed up by a group of guys from the neighbouring town." Mr. Helms stated, "certainly you couldn't have done that much damage to him."
"He deserved it." I said as I finished my dinner.
"Now, Mika you can't solve all your problems with violence." My grandmother stated.
"I know that, but he tried to force me into his truck. It was all self defence."
"Well, if I were you I would stay well away from Drew and the football team."
"And I was hoping to try out for the pep squad." I joked. Everyone laughed. "Wouldn't that be funny? Me kicking his butt with my pom poms."
"Mika, you and Shane start clearing the table." My grandmother shook her head at me. "You kids these days." Shane and I got to work clearing the table and doing the dishes.
"Mika?" Shane asked.
"Yes?"
"Why did you change your look? Was it because of last night?"
"Sort of, when I went to my room I hated what was in the mirror. I had turned into a thing, I guess I knew it all along but I really did it to get attention, and last night was more attention then I really wanted." I smiled. "Besides I am way hotter this way." I winked.
"You certainly are." Shane blurted out then turned a million shades of red.
"Pardon me?" I asked.
"Nothing." Shane stammered.
"Well to be even, you are pretty cute for a string bean." I whipped him with my towel. We were soon chasing each other around the kitchen like a couple of kids.
"Shane and Mika, what are you doing in there?" My grandmother called.
"Nothing." We replied in unison in the most innocent of voices then broke into fits of laughter. We finished the dishes and rejoined the adults in the living room.
"What were you two doing in there? Letting the cows run free?"
"We were just being kids." I smiled. Shane laughed.
"Since you two have so much energy why don't you go outside and tear around. Then the only thing that can get broken are your bones." My grandmother smiled. Shane and I got up and went outside.
"I have an idea." Shane said as he grabbed my hand and led me through the night. I was thankful for it being so dark so Shane wouldn't see how is touch was affecting me. Did I really think he was a geek a few weeks ago? I thought to myself. We ended up at an old tire swing. "Get on." He commanded.
"Ugh. I am a little old for swings." I said flatly.
"Well unfortunately there isn't a whole hell of a lot of things to do this time of night around here." Shane said quietly. "Well, if you don't want to swing how are you at climbing trees."
"What?" I asked.
"There's a tree house here and if you can climb a tree I will show it to you." Shane said.
"Fine I'll climb the freaking tree." He gave me a boost up and I soon found the entrance. "Okay I'm in." I called down. I heard Shane climbing up. He rustled around the tree house then there was a soft glow of a lantern. In the tree house there were crates used as tables and chairs, there were comic books everywhere.
"This is why I love coming here." Shane smiled. "This is a great escape from reality when you need it."
"What better way to escape then with Superman." I teased.
"So I live for comic books and wrestling." Shane smiled.
"That's all you live for." I joked.
"Pretty girls are pretty high on the list." He replied.
"But you are single." I commented.
"Well, Mika, I know we didn't get off to a great start but for some reason I have been attracted to you since I first saw you." He blurted out.
"Lies." I joked.
"I'm serious. I like you Mika and I would do anything to take last night away."
"Well I think that you have more than made up for it." I smiled. "Anyways for some reason I like you too." I blushed.
"You do?" He asked.
"I do." I smiled. He came to where I was standing and gently kissed me. It was a kiss I will remember for many lifetimes as it sent torrents of energy through me. The kiss lingered on my lips after it was broken.
"Wow." Shane was breathless.
"Helms you up there?" It was Matt.
"Go away." Shane yelled.
"I just want to talk to you, and apologize."
"Let him up." I whispered.
"Come up." Shane yelled down. Matt appeared quickly with Jeff and Amy.
"Whose the girl?" Jeff said as he eyed me up.
"Look closely." I stated.
"Forget about her." Matt said. "Look we fucked up last night and we are really sorry. We just wanted you to see what Mika was all about. How were we to know that she wouldn't ride off with Drew?"
"It was all a mistake. I should never have tried to hurt her and I will make it up to her every day." He said as he stroked my cheek.
"Mika?" Amy asked. "You look different."
"Look you guys aren't really sorry. Other wise you would be apologizing to me as well. I think it has something to do with this tree house and what you have in your little back pack." I said angrily. "You know I can't believe how you guys singled me out as being different for the way I dress and for being caught with some pot. Here you guys are with your back pack with probably stock from your parents liquor cabinet and god knows what else."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Matt asked.
"What's in the bag Matt?" Shane asked. Matt reluctantly removed the backpack and opened it up. Inside were various bottles of alcohol and a couple of joints. "Get out of here." Shane was pissed.
"We don't need you Helms." Matt was really pissed.
"Just think of what you are doing with school just around the corner. Mr. Popularity is going down." Amy giggled. "We were going to ask you to join our little party but your little girlfriend might hog everything."
"Leave." I said angrily.
"Let's find somewhere else to party." Jeff sighed.
"I can't believe you guys." Shane spat. "Ever since your mom died you two have been letting everything slide. Your life isn't over and you should start living again. Until you guys stop doing what you are doing don't bother talking to me."
"What ever Helms." Jeff called over his shoulder as he descended the tree. They left.
"What a bunch of hypocrites." I gasped.
"You're telling me." He said as he slipped his arms around me. "I meant what I said."
"Look, I would never have let you kiss me if I was still mad at you." I smiled. "Let's get out of here, I don't trust your friends."
"For the first time in my life neither do I."