Chapter 4
The drive to Paul's house was uncomfortably quiet. I'm sure Paul would just love to talk with me, but I had no idea what to talk to him about. It was like being on a bad date where the quiet, shy girl goes out with the preppy jock. The two parties just didn't have anything in common and therefore made conversation difficult.
Not that Paul and I were on a date, heaven forbid. I was just making a comparison.
Trying to talk to Paul is in no way like talking to Jesse. I mean, it's so easy to talk to Jesse. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating it a bit. Okay, it's a freaking hyperbole to say talking with Jesse is easy. It's not like he is ever in the mood for talking much, and when he is, our conversations are usually about the Other World or physics or something boring like that.
What I guess I'm trying to say is that when I talk to Jesse, I'm not afraid of saying anything. I can just talk to him about whatever and he won't criticize me or laugh at me. But that's possibly because he doesn't always fully listen to what I say anyways.
And talking to Paul is certainly not like talking to CeeCee or Adam, not in the least. With them I can joke around about everyone and everything without worrying that my words will be twisted around the school the next day.
As I sit here in Paul's car watching the Carmel scenery pass beside me, I think about what I could say to him. I can't tell him what a slut Kelly looked like this morning, the way I could say to CeeCee. I can't tell him how incredibly happy I was when Jesse kissed me… and how incredibly sad I feel now that he seems to be ignoring me. I can't tell him how nice his hair looks as it swoops across his face, or how strong his hands look gripping the steering wheel, or how hot he looks in his new outfit…
Oh God! What on Earth am I THINKING? THIS IS PAUL SLATER, Suze, remember? He tried to off you and Jesse just a few months ago? He's an evil, presumptuous, satanic being… that happens to look very nice in Calvin Klien. ARG! I growled to myself in disgust.
"What was that?" Paul suddenly asked, sounding shaken. I looked at his eyes, which were half looking at the road, half focusing on my answer.
"What was what?" I asked confused.
"That noise, it sounded like an unusual growl, what was it?" I was silent for a long time, so Paul focused his attention back to the road. I moaned silently to myself. Why did Paul have to hear me make that unattractive growling sound? Hopefully he hasn't figured out that it's me…
I gazed around as Paul smoothly pulled up into a driveway that fronted a very large house. Woah. Somebody sure has money in the bank, or at least his parents do. I looked across the length of the house. It sure was big, big enough that nobody could hear me scream if Paul were to hurt me. Or take advantage of me. Or something. I gulped and remained in the car as Paul stepped out.
"Coming Suze?" Paul walked over to my door and opened it for me, how nice of him. I hesitated for a bit. Did I really want to do this? Go into Paul's house, with Paul? There were several reasons I shouldn't, but several reasons I should. I looked at him with his suave stance, his sure smile, and his impending eyes.
"Yeah, I'm coming." I got out of the car and walked next to him as he walked towards the house. I began to feel unnecessarily nervous as we entered his house. Everything looked modern, high tech, expensive. I looked around the house for any other occupants but I didn't see or hear any.
"Where is everyone?" I asked Paul, referring to his family, the ones I had met last summer at the Resort Hotel where I had worked as a child-care provider. Okay, so I worked as a babysitter, but hey, the tips were good and the work was pretty easy. Except for the fact that I met Paul and… well, you know. My story just kind of works in a circle.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that the family didn't move up here with me. My Grandpa Slater lives here, but he's sort of ill, so I volunteered to move up here with him and care for him. Plus, I get the added bonus of living near you." He held my chin and tilted my head, but I stopped him from doing anything else and pulled away.
"Well that was nice of you, I guess." I quipped. Well, it was nice of him to be helping his Grandfather, I'm sure the guy needs some company…
"Mr. Slater, good afternoon. I'm just off to give your Grandfather his afternoon medicine." Suddenly, a young nurse appeared from around the corner. He looked at me. "Hello, miss." I smiled to the attendant.
"Hi." I offered kindly.
What? So Paul had people in the house to care for his Grandfather? Well, so much for nice. Paul wasn't interested in helping others, not in the least. Well, except for possibly me, apparently.
I glared at Paul, who was nodding to the nurse.
"Fine, I'll see you later." With that, Paul dragged me off towards another section of the house.
"Bye!" I said to the nurse politely.
In the kitchen, where Paul had taken me, I let loose.
"So much for you helping people out, Paul. It seems that you have your work taken care of for you." I huffed and sat down on one of the steel stools set around the island. Paul leaned across the structure to convince me otherwise.
"Suze, come on, I can't be here all day with the guy, I need some assistance. Besides, if I had to watch him 24/7 I could never see you." He smiled.
How Romantic.
Not.
I groaned. "Paul, that's ridiculous. But whatever, shouldn't we be, um, working?" I looked at him anxiously.
Paul ignored me and proceeded to the fridge where he removed a tray of cheeses and meats that you usually see at parties. Well, some party this was. I narrowed my eyes.
"Paul?"
He set the platter down on the counter and looked at me. "Fine, are you ready to work Miss Susannah?" His question threw me off. Only Jesse has ever called me that, and on the odd occasion, my mom. But still, it irked me to hear him say that.
"Don't ever call me that. Never, ever call me Susannah." I snapped coldly at him. Paul was, unfortunately, very patient with my tone. He seemed to get that I wasn't 100 thrilled to be here.
"That's alright with me, Suze." He walked over to another counter and picked up a file. "Today I suggest that we start with some basic material. Nothing to in-depth, but it will get you used to the idea of shifting."
I looked at him. That file was just… there. Like he had put it there this morning, knowing I was coming. I stared at him, and then began to think about what he had just said.
Shifting.
"Wait, what?" I asked confused.
Paul strode back over the island where I was seated, his legs moving in perfect model rhythm. As he sat down next to me I started to feel hot. Was I getting sick, or did Paul just exude some sort of… hotness? His arm brushed against mine as he opened the file carefully. I looked frantically around the room which was composed of mainly steel items. Thank goodness, there were no soft areas on which he could comfortably, um, touch me.
Relaxed, I opened my mouth a bit to ask my question again, but then I remembered something so irrelevant, but yet important.
Television. Well, sort of. It's not like I ever get a chance to really watch TV, me being a Mediator and all. But one night when my family was out Jesse and I sat on the couch flipping through channels. Well, we couldn't really go out or anything, now could we? And Jesse wasn't to keen apparently on any physical affection or anything of that nature so I just turned on the tube and Jesse watched with me.
Anyways, I happened to catch a clip of this new show and I remember that one of the characters, the skinny young one, was having an affair with her gardener and the DID IT on her dining room table…
OH MY GOD! NO! What if Paul gets the idea to, to, YOU KNOW?
"Suze, did you hear anything I just said?" Paul looked at me and I stared back, breathing heavily.
"Um, sorry, no I didn't I, I think I'm catching a fever or something I should be going…" I panted heavily gazing away from Paul.
"You do look a little flushed but…" Paul eyed me warily. "Are you sure you're really sick, or are you just unsure about being here?" He smirked and toyed with a strand of my hair. I backed away, nearly falling off the chair and wrinkling my skirt.
"What? No, Paul I really think…"
"I really think that you think I'm gonna put the moves on you." Paul said, steadying my chair. "Which is really weird of you. I thought that you liked Jesse, I thought he was your undying passion Suze." Paul clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"Yes, I really do like Jesse, thanks for caring." I told Paul blandly.
"Well, if that's so true then why are you getting so worked up over the fact that I might, but I won't, kiss you? Or do something more? If you truly liked El Jesso then you wouldn't even think about doing stuff with me, okay? So really, you don't like Jesse as much as you say you do, you'd much rather do something with other people…"
"NO WAY!" I shrieked at Paul. "No possible way that I like you more then I like Jesse. It's because I like Jesse so much that I'm worried about me being here because…"
"Because you know that you might feel the urge to do something with me?" Paul optioned, reaching for my hand. This was too much, I got off my chair and stomped my foot on the tiled floor for effect.
"Paul, take me home, now. No questions, no persuasions. Just take me home. Lesson's over."
I picked up my purse and headed away from the kitchen. When Paul didn't follow, I retreated back.
"Now, Paul."
He grinned. "Alright, I'll take you home, but only because I have the satisfaction of being right." He jingled his keys and whistled joyfully. Filled with furry, I followed him, mumbling ungrateful words as I walked.
The drive back went quicker, but maybe that's because I spent the whole trip thinking about negative aspects of Paul.
"Bye." I said coldly as I got out of his car and ran towards my door; I didn't look back at him. I didn't want to hear or see him any more today.
I darted straight to my room without encountering any family members, thank goodness. I didn't need any tormenting questions.
I opened the door to my room with a welcoming sense and headed straight for my bed when I got there. Ahh… so comfortable. I lay there for a few moments just happy to be here, away from everyone and everything.
"Querida?"
JESSE!
I looked over the windowsill where he so often materializes and smiled.
"Hi Jesse." I looked at him longingly, his face looked so concerned and contrite I just wanted to kiss it…
Take that Paul. I want Jesse, and only Jesse. I don't need you at all.
"You look shaken, Susannah, is something wrong?" Jesse remained where he had been, he didn't move over to where I was laying. Why didn't he come? I needed consoling, I had a hard day at school and a horrible experience at Paul's house… but I couldn't tell Jesse about Paul. Not yet.
"Uh… school was just sort of, tiring. You know first day back and all." I smiled warmly at Jesse, wordlessly asking him to come over here and… kiss me. Why is he being so stubborn?
"Oh, that's too bad." Too bad. How thoughtful of Jesse to say so.
"Um, yes. Yes it is." I toyed with my comforter and waited for Jesse to say something more.
"Supper!" A voice called from downstairs. It was Andy, calling the family for our daily supper gathering.
"I guess you should go." Jesse advised.
"Yes, I guess." I looked over at the window again, but Jesse was gone.
Why can't I turn Jesse on the way I seemingly turn on Paul? Do I have some vibe that attracts sleazy men, but completely turns off respectful gentlemen?
I'm so glad.