Draven

By Friday, I was ready to call it quits at the Pearson residence. They’d already done enough for me and I’d more than overstayed my welcome. Despite loving the normalcy of it, I knew that I couldn’t stay there forever. Total loss of freedom wasn’t something I was ready for, and things had become distant between Jenny and me.

There was like this dark, lingering cloud over us. 

We went back to the regular tutoring sessions, but she was different. Since I’d gotten sick, I had tried so hard to be better, at least towards her. Yet, she still had this stick up her ass.

It was like she was waiting for me flip out, and there was no way I could. Not after everything that her family had done for me. She was the last person I wanted to treat badly. The vibe between us was off, and I needed some time with my friends. Some time to just let loose and not worry about the things I said or did, just some time to be me for a change. 

Not that I was faking or anything, but all that structure was killing me. 

I waited by Jenny’s car after my last class on Friday to tell her my plans. She was going home without me, and I’d pick my things up on Sunday. I had to get back to the apartment. I’d miss the food, and T.V., and clean clothes, but it wasn’t smart for me to get used to those things anyway. I’d learned a long time ago not to get comfortable. When you do, that’s when things go to shit.

Jenny and Lo made their way over to the car. They walked side by side, and I wondered how the two prettiest girls in the school weren’t the most popular. They were oblivious to the fact that every guy around stared as they walked by. It was a waste of perfectly good bodies. 

“Hey,” I said when they reached me.

“Hi Draven,” Lo replied. I could hear the sexy come-hither tone in her voice, and I gave her a good once over. She never hid the fact that she was attracted to me, and if she hadn’t been Jenny’s best friend and such a goodie-two-shoes, then I would’ve had that girl a long time ago. Hell, I’d have Jenny in a second if there were no strings attached. 

“I’m catching a ride with Jett. We’ve got some plans tonight.” I gauged her reaction, but got nothing. “I’ll be over Sunday to get my stuff.”

And there was the look I’d been waiting for.

“You’re going back home?” She questioned, but it felt more like a loaded statement.

“Yeah.”

She turned to Lo and said, “Can you give us a minute?”

“I can call you later,” Lo replied. 

“Okay,” she told her and waited for her to be out of earshot. “You want to explain to me what’s going on?” Her eyes narrowed in my direction.

“You’re cute when you’re mad,” I grinned, knowing all too well that I was walking a thin line with her. Her big blue eyes squinted harder with a scowl.

“I’m being serious.” She sighed heavily. “You can’t just up and leave.”

“I’m pretty sure I can.”

“But why? Why would you want to go back?” She opened her car door and threw her backpack inside. 

“It’s my home.” It’s not like I lived with her. “And don’t you dare say, Home Is Where The Heart Is. That is so fucking lame. Plus we both know I don’t have a heart.” I beamed. She was always so serious, and I loved messing with her.

She shook her head like she definitely had something else she wanted to say. “I don’t get it.” 

I watched her as she flipped her head over and tied her up in a knot on top of her head. 

“What’s not to get?” I shrugged and heard Jett call out my name. “We’ve got stuff to do tonight. I’ve got to go.” I nodded my head toward Jett’s car. “I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Draven wait,” she called out, and I turned around.

“Take me out with you tonight?”

What? 

I cocked my head to the side. Surely, I couldn’t have heard her right.

Taking three long strides, I stood directly in front of her. I was close enough that if I whispered she’d hear me just fine. 

“You suddenly want to walk on the wild side?” Her breath hitched and she backed up just a tiny bit. “Not sure you can handle it.” I gave her a sly grin.

The thrill of just getting a rise out of her was worth every dirty thought in my mind. I wanted to run my fingers down the length of her long neck, and tear that tee shirt right off of her. 

And just when I thought I had her all figured out she whispered. “Try me.”

Hot damn.

I tipped my head at her, a smirk rising on my lips. “I’ll pick you up at seven.” 

***

“Why the hell aren’t you going? We had plans man.” Jett was bailing on me last minute. We were supposed to pick up Jenny in twenty minutes, and all of a sudden he just can’t go. 

“I can’t. Something came up.” 

My gas tank was on empty, and so was my wallet. I was counting on his ride. 

“Can you at least drop me off at Jenny’s?” I asked. We’d just have to take her car.

“Yeah, come on,” he answered. I couldn’t tell what was up with him, but I had a feeling she had legs for days. He wouldn’t ditch me otherwise. 

When we pulled up in Jenny’s driveway, she was waiting outside. She was sitting on the trunk of her car looking at her phone, not paying any attention to the world around her. It was nothing new. 

Her blonde hair was in a braid over her shoulder, and she was wearing a shirt that bared her shoulder. She looked good sitting up there.

I flicked Jett off as he backed out of the driveway, leaving me standing there. I wouldn’t let him live this one down. 

When she looked up at me, she raised her brows. “We have to take your car,” I told her. “It’s just you and me.”

“Where’s he going?” She pointed to the street.

“Probably to bury himself inside some leggy blonde.” I answered honestly.

“Glad I asked,” she scoffed. 

She wanted in my world for a night, and that’s just what I was planning to give her. 

“Why were you sitting out here?” I looked around at the barely lit driveway. 

“I told Mom I was going out with Lo, and I’d be back later.”

“Lying to the parents already. You turning bad, Jenny?” 

She rolled her eyes. “Just get in the car.”

When she turned around I noticed that the bottom of her shorts were a little shorter than usual. 

Nice.

 She started the car, and backed out of the driveway. “Where we going?” She asked. Both of her hands gripped the steering wheel with enough force to turn her knuckles white. 

“To hell, if I have anything to do with it.” I laughed and she glanced over at me with a weird look on her face. “You worried yet?”

“No,” she shook her head. But I could tell that she was scared to death. She could lie to herself all she wanted, but that frightened look on her face answered my question for me. 

This was going to be a fun night.