Scarlet

 

My whole life, I’d always known I was innocent. Compared to other people my age, I knew very little about the world. My experiences were extremely limited. Sometimes, humiliatingly so.

Still, I’d never felt as helpless as I did on the flight from Paris to New York. If it wasn’t for Lucien, I wouldn’t have been let on the plane at all. I was being bumped when this handsome stranger stepped in to save the day. He shut down the gate attendant with an easy confidence. A few short minutes later, my problem was solved.

My head was still spinning after everything, and I wasn’t sure what to think. Lucien was tall and gorgeous with dark brown eyes and short black hair. His t-shirt showed off his muscular body and huge tattoo. My eyes were immediately drawn to the tattoo. It was amazing. I’d always wanted one, but I never had the guts to do it. My mother would have killed me if I ever even considered marking my body permanently. Just the thought of her wrath made my stomach churn uncomfortably.

Still, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Lucien’s arm. The tattoo was enough to keep me captivated, but his bicep didn’t hurt either. I did my best to look away, but I was drawn to him again and again.

When we boarded the plane, I was so distracted by his presence that I couldn’t get my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. Try as I might, I just couldn’t tuck it safely away. Each time I tried, it fell back down and knocked me on the head with a painful whack. I quickly became embarrassed, and when Lucien stood up to help me, I felt my cheeks flush red.

He took the bag from me easily and shoved it upward. When he moved, his body brushed against mine, and I inhaled sharply. He barely seemed to notice our contact, but it was all I could think about.

My head was instantly filled with his scent, and I felt light-headed and woozy. He smelled like lumber and testosterone. I couldn’t place where I’d smelled that smell before, but it reminded me of the woods, of being surrounded by trees and fresh air. I breathed in automatically, sucking in his scent one last time before he sat down.

I followed his lead, sliding into my seat and looking around the plane. Other passengers were boarding, and my excitement was growing. I was finally on the plane. In just a few minutes, we would take off and fly to New York! I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. That I’d really made it this far.

All the anxiety I’d felt in the airport suddenly left my body as I imagined what it would feel like to land in New York. For the hundredth time, I thought that my entire life was about to begin, and I couldn’t wait.

“So,” Lucien said beside me. “How long will you be in New York?”

“At least a year,” I said. “I’m going to help my grandmother, but I’m also finishing out my degree at NYU.”

“Oh, wow,” Lucien said sweetly. “That’s awesome. Adam and I go to school there, too.”

“Right, you mentioned that,” I said. “Do you like it?”

“It’s great,” Lucien said. “You’ll love it.”

“Well, I’m glad there will be at least one friendly face on campus,” I said. “Or two.”

I didn’t want to leave Adam out. He seemed nice enough, but my mind was completely occupied by Lucien. I’d barely noticed his friend until he introduced us in the airport. Then, I only paid attention long enough to learn his name.

Lucien smiled. “Definitely. We’ll be there to lend a hand if you need it. We’re actually in the Delta Pi fraternity, which is the most helpful frat on campus. All our members are great guys. You’ll have a lot of friends, if you need it.”

Lucien’s smile was sweet and kind. He had a way of putting me at ease without even trying. His comment about the fraternity would normally have set me on edge. If any other guy told me he was in a frat, I would have run in the opposite direction.

Even being a sheltered kid, I knew the reputation American fraternities had. They were notorious for recklessness and drunken behavior. I was eager to experience life, but I wasn’t exactly itching to partake in a frat party.

Still, I wasn’t worried at all. Lucien made Delta Pi sound like a family, not a fraternity. Everything about him made me feel relaxed and peaceful. It didn’t make sense, but I already trusted him. If my mother could have seen me, she would have lost her mind. This was her worst nightmare, but I trusted my gut. It told me Lucien was a nice guy. He was helpful and sweet, sincere and genuine. I was excited to get to know him better.

It didn’t hurt that he was unbelievably gorgeous. His tall, muscular body was a huge turn on. I’d checked out men before, but none as attractive as Lucien. Just looking at him made me blush. I couldn’t control my thoughts. When he spoke, I found myself watching his lips, wondering how soft they would feel against mine.

Lucien and I spent most of the flight lost in conversation. Adam joined us occasionally, but mostly, it was just Lucien and me. He told me all about his fraternity and how much he loved it. He was going to be president this year and he seemed so proud of himself.

His personality was infectious. I found myself laughing when he laughed, smiling when he smiled, and following every cue he gave. I felt completely swept away by him, but I wasn’t worried or afraid. If anything, I felt perfectly safe.

“Is your grandmother sick?” Lucien asked about halfway through the flight. I blinked at him and frowned, wondering why he would ask such a question. “You said you were going to New York to help your grandmother, so I just assumed. Is she ill?”

“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “She’s not sick or anything. She just lost her husband recently, and it’s been hard on her. She’s old and just doesn’t want to be alone anymore, you know? My mom wanted to come take care of her, but she couldn’t get away from work. So we decided that I’d fly out.”

“That’s really amazing of you,” Lucien said earnestly. “I don’t know any college girls who would give up their lives for their grandmother. You’re really kind, Scarlet.”

“It’s nothing,” I said with a shake of my head. “To be honest, this is as much for me as it is for her.”

“How so?” Lucien asked.

I was suspicious of his intentions, but I told myself to relax. His eyes were focused on mine, and he stared at me deeply, waiting patiently for my answer. Part of me wanted to change the subject so I wouldn’t have to admit my deepest secret, but a bigger part told me to keep talking. There was something about Lucien I couldn’t resist. He was so sincere, so kind. I couldn’t stop talking to him.

“Well,” I began. “I’m happy to help my grandmother. I really am, but I’m also excited to start a new life. I’ve been sheltered all my life. My mother homeschooled me through high school, and even when I started college, I stayed at home with her. I’ve never lived away from her, not once in my entire life. So, as happy as I am to spend time with my grandmother, I’m just as happy to be away from my mom.”

“Wow,” Lucien said with wide eyes. “That sounds rough.”

“It was,” I admitted. “And it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong. My mom was always insanely strict, but she loves me. She wasn’t mean or cruel or anything. She just wanted to protect me. She means well.”

“I’m sure she does,” Lucien said. “Moms can be overprotective that way. I guess all parents can be.”

“Are yours?” I asked.

I hoped he would say yes, so that we would have something in common. So far, I felt like we were total opposites. He seemed worldly and experienced, where I was sheltered and innocent. Everything about him contradicted everything about me. I was desperate for some connection, something that could bond us together.

“Kind of,” he said with a shrug. “They aren’t super protective, but my father expects me to follow in his footsteps. After graduation, he wants me to join the family business and work for him.”

“Is that what you want?” I asked. We’d spent most of the flight talking about me. I was eager to hear about him and his life.

He laughed. “No, not at all. Honestly, that is the last thing I want.”

“What do you want then?” I asked.

Lucien paused, his eyebrows knitted together. I could tell he was thinking about his answer, wanting to get it right.

“I don’t know,” he finally admitted. “I know that sounds silly, but it’s the truth. I really don’t know.”

“Well, that’s okay,” I said, smiling kindly. “I don’t know, either.”

“Really?” he asked. Relief crossed his face, like he was happy someone else was undecided.

“Really,” I nodded. “I’m just finishing school, and then, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“I guess we have that in common,” Lucien said.

I smiled wider and nodded. It felt good to share something with him. I suddenly felt less intimidated by his charismatic spirit. If someone as bright and lively as Lucien could be undecided about his future, then maybe I wasn’t as far behind as I thought. I was just like other people my age.

It felt nice to sit and talk with Lucien throughout the flight. Sooner than I wished, we were preparing to land in New York. I strained my neck, trying to see out the window. When I caught my first glimpse of the skyline, I felt like a child at Christmas time. My entire body vibrated with excitement.

I couldn’t wait to walk the streets of the city and lose myself in this new way of life. By the time the plane touched down, I was beyond ready for an adventure. I felt like I’d already had one, just by talking to Lucien. He was my first New York adventure, and I couldn’t wait to experience even more.

As we got off the plane, Lucien and Adam walked beside me, chatting my ear off about New York. They each told me about different restaurants and clubs I had to check out. I made a mental note to remember everything they said, but it was too much. I couldn’t possibly remember everything.

“Thanks guys,” I said with a laugh. “But I don’t think I can remember all of that.”

“Here,” Lucien said. He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to me. “Give me yours. We’ll trade numbers. That way we can keep in touch. I can show you all these places myself.”

“Sure,” I said. I took his phone and handed him mine.

Typing my number into Lucien’s phone gave me such a rush of adrenaline that I felt more awake than ever. I hadn’t slept a wink on the plane, so I should have been exhausted, but I wasn’t. Just being in Lucien’s presence was enough to keep me energized.

“Thanks,” Lucien said when I handed his phone back. He gave me mine, and I tucked it in my back pocket. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Scarlet.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I hope so.”

I watched as Lucien and Adam walked away, leaving me alone in the airport. At first, I couldn’t move. I felt cemented to the ground, just reliving everything about my flight. Then, with a smile on my face, I took my first step into New York.