The Things Left Unsaid

The ride was long and uneventful. He didn't say a single thing the whole ride but I caught him studying me a few times and I just steamed and looked away. Seriously, who did he think was to be so rude?

When we arrived at the lake I exited the car quickly, smelling the bonfire immediately. Jenna was already there, talking with Brian, the captain of the football team on the hood of her bright red car by. They looked like they were arguing and she spoke to him, pointing towards the billow of black smoke closer to the shore. When she saw us she simply turned from him and waved us over, leaving a slightly annoyed football player to stand beside the car. She jogged over and casted a quick glance at Tyler whom was still staring at me with narrowed eyes shadowed from beneath his hat.

“So, how'd it go with Ty?” she asked with a mischievous smile on her lips, “He's pretty cute, you're lucky I let you have him I've been getting quite bored with Brian.” she said with a dry tone as she inspected her fingernails.

“Wait, what do you mean 'let me have him'? He's a jerk. You can have him. Maybe I'll take Brian if you're done with him.” I meant it as a joke but her eyes darkened in warning, “I'm joking, I mean, Brian's totally not my type.” he totally is, “And, well, thanks for trying with Tyler, he's like, nice...” he's like... so not. “But I'd like to look around more. I mean, that's what a party is for-right?”

Jenna brightened into her peppery cheery act once more, “Oh, I know, I was joking too-I mean, if me and Brian did break up you could totally date him.” which really means I could totally not. “And if Ty isn't for you, that's okay. There are plenty of other fine boys here.” though she spoke to me her eyes gored into Tyler behind me, a hungry look in their eyes. I nodded and gave her my farewell, leaving her with the great brute and Brian steaming from the side of Jenna's car.

The party was at a popular hangout of my school. It was far from anything else except a couple farms but close enough we all had time to sneak up here and be back before dawn. There was a small makeshift parking lot (actually just a small, flattened field) with a little pathway down towards the beach. Not that we were near any ocean, but our little pond had a nice rocky shore that was the closest thing we had to a beach. There was a huge bonfire pit scorched black with constant fires from constant parties on this spot. It was kind of thrilling to think of all the memories made by this fireside. My lips tightened when I thought of only a few of the possible memories made. Around the bonfire were several logs used as benches, plus some people were smart enough to bring lawn and patio chairs so it could seat over fifty people. Now that might not seem much, but together in a small area, it was the whole world to us. The party had already started and people were dancing to the small boom box that blasted country music almost as loud as a real band. Beer bottles, cups and discarded litter were everywhere you could walk. No one much cared about keeping tidy since no one's parents were coming home. Most of the waste ended up in the fire at the end, or some people from the eco committee at school would pick it up and have about a five hour's highway side pickup in only thirty minutes. Anyway, now everyone was alive and sticking it to the man.

There was only one 'bench' not taken up by... couples (ugh). I sat down propped my head up with my arm on my knee, my eyes already getting heavy. I had an early bedtime; I liked my sleep! Who doesn't? So I was already yawning by midnight. There was another guy on the other side of the bench, he was alone, which suggested he was single, and pretty cute. He had on a plain black hoodie with WCH symbol and jeans, his shoulders were broad and he had a football player look to him. His hair was light brown and messy, spiked up everywhere around his dark green eyes and beaming smile as he laughed at a joke one of his buddy's had said. He turned to me, catching my gaze and I looked away awkwardly and began to fidget with my necklace which I realized was my broken one, just a plain leather string. It used to have a mini dream catcher on it but it broke in half. I frowned but I felt a hand on my knee and nearly jumped out of my skin. It was the guy that had seen, though now he sat beside me, I jumped back and held his hands out.

“Whoa! I come in peace.” he called with a friendly smile, “I'm Jason.”

“Sally.” I said, leaning back cautiously. No guy ever 'just decided' to talk to me. I wasn’t exactly overly pretty or popular; I just tried to hold my own.

“Yeah, you're that new girl from... New York?” he asked, tilting his head an inch to the right.

“Close, Ontario.” I replied with an awkward smile.

“Canada, eh?” he asked with a smirk, “Adorable.” he moved closer to me. “Me? I'm a farm boy, born and raised up in Kansas-like Superman.” he moved even closer to me.

“Y...yeah... Um... I think I'm gonna...” I turned away and tried to get up.

“Oh, come on'. Don't leave me.” he gave a cute puppy pout and tugged me back down. I landed beside him with a thud. He moved so close our hips touched. “I haven't seen you at any of these parties yet-but I've seen ya 'round school forever. Where ya been all this time?” his enchanting green eyes glowed bright and seemed to almost hypnotise me.

“Um, uh... well... I'm busy...” I tried to move away but I didn't seem to be able to break eye contact.

“Oh, I bet you are.” he moved towards me, almost seeming to lunge. I couldn’t help but let him, it was like I was frozen solid. His lips met mine and we kissed, long and hard. I couldn’t say it was a bad kiss, but something felt wrong. Very wrong; his breath tasted of beer and I figured he had consumed a little too much alcohol. I managed to pull away for a moment, my voice muffled and forced.

“Jason, stop. Stop. Get off!” I tried to push him off but he didn't even flinch. He just pushed harder and again I felt myself being unable to get away.

“You heard the girl. Back. Off.” a deep voice sounded behind me. I felt a hand grab my shirt and pull me off the log, I fell off and onto the feet of my savior. I looked up into dark blue eyes glowing from under jet black hair. Tyler. I scrambled away so I was sitting alone in the sand with the two testosterone intoxicated males glaring at each other like dominating wolves battling for alpha. Tyler loomed over the half-startled Jason and I could have sworn I heard a growl. Jason flicked his head up, gaining his posture once more with narrowed eyes.

“Fine; I wouldn't want you to do anything rash, now would I?” he left and stalked off into the shadows towards the parking lot.

Tyler turned to me, his eyes narrowed. “You should be more careful.” he said darkly and pivoted towards the stony beach to stand by the edge of the water. I gulped and turned away, a strange feeling fluttering in my chest. I thought maybe I should go up to him and thank him, but thought better of it.

I circled around the group for a while, too fearful to sit down again for another... incident. I fiddled with my empty necklace for a while, feeling the soft leather against my fingers and thumb while gazing absently in the fire. I liked to do that. Just think. It was relaxing just to sit and think, but terrible for hearing someone approach.

“Sorry 'bout Jason. He's pretty new to the team, but I didn't think he was the type to chug down beer so quick. Seriously, he seemed to be pretty controlled on the field.” It was Brian. I turned and my breath left me. He truly was a special specimen. Like Tyler (to be brutally honest) he had the broad shoulders of a football player and dirty blonde hair covering his sparkling brown eyes. He wore a white hoodie, jeans and a friendly smile. Not only was he incredibly good-looking, he was as sweet as honey. It's too bad only bumble bees were attracted to him, AKA, the popular blondes. He'd never like me... would he?

I only gaped at him for a few seconds, (maybe a few dozen, time seems to stop when I look at him) then it registered, “Oh.” I said in a quiet voice. “You saw that?” I said, my face turning redder than a cartoon kettle. Who else had seen me and Jason locking lips?

Brian shrugged, “Yeah, I was gonna help you out but the MIB got there first.” he said with a light laugh, though his eyes were narrowed with a hint of a bitter tone to the end. He obviously didn't like Tyler.

I shrugged; I couldn't say Tyler was the worst guy in the world. I mean, he did help me, for nothing in return, but I couldn't shake the uncomfortable car ride. It was as if... something was missing, something left unsaid. I tossed the thought aside. “I wish you had saved me. Tyler's not exactly the kind of guy I want to get personal with.”

“Apparently we're the first.” he jerked his head towards the bonfire where Jenna was leaning into Tyler, giggling and obviously flirting with him.

“I thought you two were exclusive?” I asked with my eyebrows high.

“No, I broke up with her just after you two left the parking lot. I saw her look at that pretty boy that way. We've been heading that way for months and I'm sure she's cheating on me. Today I just decided enough was enough.” He gave a small defeated sigh. He obviously had cared for her, I mean, they had been dating forever. I put my hand on his wrist in attempt to comfort him. He looked up with soft eyes and my heart quivered.

“Besides.” he said, his voice quiet and tender. “I like someone new.” My lips twitched, wanting to burst into a smile and my insides danced with joy. “You don’t think maybe sometime we can… go out? Somewhere a little more... private than this?” he asked, “Like... The coffee shop in Rockwood?” he asked hopefully. Rockwood was the largest of the towns, mostly consisting of stores and such. It also had the largest market in the county, so local fresh produce was an easy sell.

“What about Jenna?” I asked; I couldn't upset her, even if I did date Brian, she could make my life hell.

“She doesn't have to know. We'll be discreet, I promise.” he winked and I nearly fainted.

“Okay.” I said a little too quickly, probably due to my dizziness. He smiled warmly and shrugged, jogging towards a group of buddies. I was that a little jump of joy I saw? No, it couldn't possibly be... I beamed and turned towards the shore.

This day was amazing, I mean, I got a date with the CAPTAIN OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM. I found myself glowing with confidence.

I walked towards the rocky beach and saw Tyler; he seemed to break loose from Jenna. I couldn't help but feel a swell of respect, most guys melted at her eye contact, but her stroking his arm? That was supposed to be fatal. While drunk on happiness I decided to thank him for the saving and stuff, so I began to approach him and called, “Hey, Tyler!” wait a second... was that a second set of footsteps? No, it must have been me... Tyler turned and his eyes grew large and for the first time I saw them close up. They were a glowing bright blue, with the same hypnotizing essence that seemed oddly familiar. I stood there like an idiot as he approached me, not even noticing his mortal terror and warning as he screamed my name.

The last thing I remember was two hands, one on my mouth and one at the base of my neck and a sharp pain. I didn't even have the chance to scream.