Eden

 

“Happy birthday!” Dylan held the door open on the passenger side of his truck, a small gift bag dangling from his fingertips.

“Ohmigosh. You didn’t have to get me anything.” But I was thrilled he had.

He handed me the bag with a wounded expression. “Of course, I did.”

“Open it,” he demanded once we were both situated in the truck.

Studying the little teal bag overflowing with white tissue paper, I wondered what in the world Dylan picked out for my birthday. This wasn’t the first gift I’d ever gotten from Dylan. No, in years past he’d gotten me gifts from Barbie dolls to earrings to concert tickets (A-Mazing!).  

Dylan watched as I pulled out the tissue paper with trembling fingers. I hoped he didn’t notice. Once the paper was out of the way, I saw a small box in the bottom of the bag as well as a folded card. I picked up the card first. It was a gift card. To Sephora!

“Wow. How did you know this was my favorite place in the entire world,” I asked.

Dylan just smirked. “Are you kidding? You might have forgotten about the two hours you spent in that store over the summer when Josh and I took you to the mall, but I haven’t.”

Ha. I had forgotten about that. I’d begged them to take me to the mall when they were going to see a movie at the adjacent theater. I headed straight to Sephora and was still there two hours later when their movie was over. Neither of them could shut up about how boring that was and wondering what I could have possibly been doing in there for that long. I literally could have stayed in their all day.

“Thank you, Dylan.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. Now, open the other one.”

I took a deep breath and did just that. The box was small and white and wrapped with a silver ribbon. The ribbon fell away with a quick tug.

“Oh, Dylan. It’s beautiful,” I gasped. Nestled in a small square of cotton was a pendant hung from a delicate gold chain. The pendant was turquoise with inlaid lapis and gold. It wasn’t very big, about the size of a dime, but the colors were magnificent in the simple design. Dylan had never given me a gift like this. It seemed so personal. So intimate.

“I saw that at a kiosk in the mall when I went to get the gift certificate and I had to get it for you. I hope you like it.” He seemed nervous.

How could he think I didn’t like it?

“How could I not? It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” And it really was gorgeous. Dylan drove away from my house as I lifted the necklace from its box. Anxious to put it on, I swept my hair to one side and tried to clasp the chain. “Ugh, this hair. I can’t wait to cut it off.”

“Here, I’ll hold it.” Driving with one hand, he collected my hair in the other, holding it away from my neck.

“Thanks.” With my hair out of the way, I easily clasped the necklace. The metal felt cool against my skin. I quickly pulled down the visor and looked at it in the mirror. “I love it,” I told him glancing away from the mirror to meet his gaze.

He smiled and released my hair. “I’m glad. It looks amazing on you.”

My cheeks heated. I couldn’t believe Dylan was being so nice. I mean, as much as I wanted to hate Dylan, he was a good guy and I’ve always known he cared about me. But this- this was something different. This was exactly what has been so confusing about Dylan since Josh left and I’ve been hanging out with my brother’s best friend.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at the school. I wanted to linger in the truck with him but knew he needed to get to work and of course I needed to get to class- and Marshall. A quick stab of disappointment pierced my heart. I wondered if Marshall would even remember it was my birthday. He hadn’t mentioned it again since I’d asked him if we could go on a date.

“Have a good day, Ed,” Dylan called as I hopped down from my seat.

“I will. Hey, are you going to the game tonight,” I asked before he could drive away.

Dylan shook his head. “No. Mom and Derrick have something planned. Kind of a going away family night.”

“That sounds fun!” It made sense. I couldn’t imagine how his mom was feeling about him leaving. I bet she wanted to spend every moment with Dylan before he left.

“What about you,” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m going to watch Marshall, then we’re going to a party.”

Dylan frowned, but held back the lecture I was sure was on the tip of his tongue. “Be careful. And remember, call if you need me.”

I tried not to roll my eyes. “Thanks, dad.”

“I mean it, Ed,” he called just before I shut the door.

I waved and smiled and wished he understood that I wasn’t a little kid anymore.

Hurrying, I made my way into the school, my fingers toying with the pendant Dylan gave me. Monday was my last day getting a ride from Dylan. On Tuesday morning, mom was going to take me to get my license. As much as I couldn’t wait to drive myself around, I knew I’d miss spending first thing in the morning with Dylan.

“Happy birthday, Eden!” Allie waited at my locker, her face all smiles.

“Thanks, Al,” I replied, as Allie wrapped me in a big birthday hug.

“Sixteen. Can you believe it? When do you get to go and get your license,” she asked.

“On Tuesday.”

“That’s so crazy.” Allie shook her head. She wouldn’t turn sixteen until after Christmas.

“Just in time, too. Dylan leaves on Tuesday as well.” It sucked just saying those words.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Dylan lately,” Allie commented speculatively, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“You know I hate Dylan. He’s just been bored since Josh is gone.” I wasn’t even going to go there with Allie. It didn’t matter, anyway. He was leaving in like five days.

Allie quirked one brow like she didn’t believe me. “What about Marshall?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I like him, and we’ve been spending some time together. He wants me to go to the game and to Jared’s party.”

Allie’s eyes widened at that bit of information. “Are you sure you want to go to Jared’s? Connor said his parties are wild. He’s only going because Brittany wants to go. She’s kind of a party animal. I think he might break up with her over that. He said something about it the other day.”

I shook my head at my friend. “You need to tell that boy how you feel. Then he won’t have to go to stupid parties he doesn’t want to go to. He can just stay home and be with you.”

Allie’s face scrunched up. “I said he might break up with Brittany, not he did break up with her.”

“Potatoes, patah-toes,” I replied, waving my hand dismissively. “You know Connor. He’ll dump her and be on the prowl for his next wenchy girlfriend. But you and I both know he only dates those girls because he’s too afraid to tell you how he really feels. Just like you are too afraid to tell him you’re madly in love with his hot body.”

Allie’s face turned every shade of red until I thought her head was going to explode. “Eden, you know that’s not true! We are just friends. And just friends is what we’ll always be.”

Her voice was just too sad. “Look, Al, just friends is all you will ever be if you don’t take a chance and tell the boy how you feel. I know we’ve been over this one million and a half times, but it’s true!”

“Yeah? What about you? Don’t think I haven’t seen the looks you give Dylan Coulter when you think no one’s looking!”

Ouch.

“Fine. I’ll drop it.” The last thing I wanted to do was analyze my feelings for Dylan. And worse than worrying about my own feelings was wondering about his. How had things become so complicated in just a few short weeks?

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t poke at you on your birthday.” Her concerned expression morphed into an excited one as she pulled an envelope out of her back pocket. “I almost forgot,” she said holding the envelope out to me.

“Thanks, Al.” I accepted the card and opened it by sliding my finger under the sealed flap. “Ohmigosh, this is great!” Laughing, I read the card and each of the handwritten coupons inside. Allie had made the coupons from three by five index cards. Each card had an activity on them, all activities Allie usually complained about doing with me, like makeovers and shopping at the mall. There was even one in there for a spa day that she had already purchased for us to go together.

I threw my arms around her neck and gave her an excited hug. “Seriously, Al. This is the best gift ever!” I couldn’t wait to cash in on all the girly stuff Allie never wanted to do. Maybe I could convince her to not be such a tomboy. But I doubted it! It would be fun to try, though.

“Happy birthday, Eden!”

The first warning bell chimed, and I still hadn’t seen Marshall. I stuffed Allie’s gift into my backpack.

“I’m gonna go see if I can find Marshall.”

Allie frowned a little but nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Thanks again, Allie.” I called out as she headed down the hall toward her first period class.

I turned to see if I could find Marshall at his locker only to see him walking toward me, a broad smile on his face.

“There’s the birthday girl!” He held his arms wide, a single red rose in one hand. I walked into them and he hugged me close. “Happy birthday.” He kissed the top of my head.

“Thanks,” I mumbled against his chest.

“Here, this is for you.” He released me and held out the rose.

I brought it to my nose and breathed in. It smelled so good. “Thank you, Marshall.”

“Anything for you,” he said as he towed me down the hall. “We better get moving. Mr. Perrish said he’d give me a detention if I was late one more time this semester.”

 

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I carried Marshall’s rose with me to my classes and took every opportunity to inhale its fragrance. It was really sweet of him to have gotten it for me. Although, I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment. We’d been dating or hanging out or whatever we were doing for almost three weeks now. Didn’t that warrant something more than a $2.50 rose from the grocery store (I knew that because there was still a price tag on the plastic sleeve around the rose.). Not that I was ungrateful! I wasn’t. I just wondered what his gift said about our relationship.

After school, I went home and took a shower and redid my hair and makeup before the game. Mom and dad took me out to eat at my favorite restaurant for dinner before dropping me off at the school. They’d gotten me some accessories for the truck I was inheriting from Josh. A hot pink, furry cover for the steering wheel. A crystal to hang from the rearview mirror and a black and pink cheetah print seat cover for the driver and passenger seats. Josh had even ordered a keyring online and had it shipped. It had a bunch of charms on it, a lipstick tube, a small high heeled shoe, a pair of sunglasses, and a teddy bear holding a red heart. It was cute and so me. On top of that, mom and dad promised a trip to Syracuse to see Josh over Halloween.

Dinner was great, and I loved the gifts from my parents and Josh. I couldn’t wait to go see him in October. It surprised me how much I missed my brother, but it eased the sting of it to know I’d see him soon.

 

First and ten, do it again

Go. Fight. Win.

First and ten, do it again

Go. Fight. Win.

 

It was five minutes into the first quarter by the time I arrived at the game. We were up by a touchdown and Connor was on the field, the ball in his hand as I trudged up the steps of the bleachers. The cheerleaders, led by Connor’s girlfriend, Brittany, jumped and hollered as Connor’s pass connected with Clint Moore down the field.

I didn’t care much for football, but I definitely had a thing for the players. I’d been dragged to games since Josh was in second grade and I knew enough about the game to know when to get excited about a play and when to know the refs had made a bad call, but sometimes I’d rather just stay home and watch a rom-com with a bag of peanut butter M&M’s. Oh, well.

“Did you know Kenzie’s been tutoring Marshall?”

The words reached my ears from somewhere behind me. I probably wouldn’t have picked up on them at all except for hearing Marshall’s name. I sat down and tried to remain unobtrusive as I continued to listen to their conversation.

“Right. Tutoring,” another, more snarky, voice said.

“No. I’m serious. I guess he’s failing Math. Marshall’s never been known for his smarts,” the first voice responded.

“Still, there’s no way Marshall’s spending that much time with any girl and not getting something out of it. And I’m not talking about help with Math,” snarky girl said.

Giggling from the first girl. “I know. He’s such a player. Have you seen him with that sophomore girl?”

My face burned as I realized they were talking about me.

“Oh, yeah. Poor girl is way out of her league with Marshall.” Snarky girl wasn’t holding back. Just from her tone, it was plain how she felt about Marshall.

“Seriously. But do you really think there’s something going on with Kenzie?” giggle girl asked.

“I wouldn’t put it passed him,” snarky girl replied.

The girls moved further up the bleachers until I couldn’t hear what they were saying anymore. But they’d said enough. Tears stung my eyes and my body felt overheated even for the chill in the evening air.

Was it true? Was Marshall spending time with Kenzie? I knew who Kenzie Patterson was. She was a senior, too and really smart. I was willing to bet she’d graduate top of their class or at least second. It wasn’t surprising she was a math tutor. It was surprising that she was Marshall’s tutor and he hadn’t told me. Kenzie wasn’t a nerdy smart girl, she was a beautiful smart girl. Beautiful. Smart. Rich, too, if the car she drove was any indication. If Marshall was spending time with Kenzie, then I definitely had something to worry about.

I felt sick to my stomach. Should I go? Should I stay? Would I ask him about it? I was supposed to go with him to the party after the game. I was tempted to call Dylan but then I remembered he was out with his family tonight. And really, I shouldn’t be relying on him anyway. He would be leaving on Monday and then who would I fall back on? No one, that’s who.  I just needed to get my own act together. I could confront Marshall about Kenzie. I didn’t need to run away just because of two gossipy girls. I didn’t even know their names, for heaven’s sake.

The game went by in a blur. My mind raced with all the possibilities until I was about to explode from the tension and worry. I slowly made my way down the bleachers and up to the school to wait outside the locker room for Marshall to come out.

“Hey, Eden.” It was Connor. I glanced around for Brittany. She was usually stuck to his side with Gorilla Glue, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Good game,” I congratulated him.

He smiled. “Thanks. Happy birthday. Allie told me it’s today.”

“It is, thanks.” Connor was such a nice guy.

“Who’re you waiting for,” he asked.

“Marshall.”

Connor’s smile slipped. “Really? Are you guys a thing?”

Where had Connor been? I’ve been to two parties with Marshall where Connor was present as well.

I shrugged. “I guess. Kind of.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Marshall’s not always the nicest guy, Eden.”

This again! “He’s alright.”

Connor hesitated like he wasn’t sure what to say next but knew what he wanted to say. “Yeah, well, just watch yourself, okay?”

“Okay, Connor.” I shrugged off his warning. Everyone kept warning me about Marshall, but I hadn’t seen anything from the guy himself that worried me. Was this just a case of an undeserved bad reputation? Either way, I was tired of hearing about it.

“Okay. Well, have a good night, Eden.” Connor turned to walk away with a little wave.

“You, too, Connor.” I watched as he made his way to the little room where Allie taped ankles and bandaged cuts for the school’s athletes.

“You got a ride, Alberta,” I heard him ask from the doorway.

“Connor!” Allie hissed loud enough for me to hear. Connor just grinned but a second later I saw her hand snake out to grab him and yank him into the room.

Sighing, I wondered if any guy would ever look at me the way Connor looked at my best friend.

“Ready?”

Jumping, I grabbed at my shirt over my heart. “You scared me to death.”

Marshall grinned. “Sorry.” He was so not sorry.

“Great game,” I told him.

“Thanks. It’s your birthday. Let’s party!”

 

Looking back, I realized I should have listened to Dylan and everyone else. I should have questioned him about Kenzie when I had the chance instead of brushing it aside once my hormones got involved. I would always wonder how different things would have turned out for me if I had taken their advice and stayed far away from Marshall Simpkins.