Coming home from high school , I found Damen waiting for me on the
steps of the porch. His smile instantly dispels clouds and doubts. One question, however, bothers me. I am sure I did not tell the caretaker of the residence his name.
Did they let you in?
He stands up and scrubs his designer black jeans before following me inside.
A little charm and a big car works every time. You had a good day ?
I am aware of breaking the rule of prudence
Basic – never invite a stranger into your home, even if it’s your potential boyfriend.
I sneak a look at him. I’m tempted to tell him nonsense,
because no matter how diligently he nods his head, I’m sure he’s not listening to me. He looks distant, preoccupied.
Oh, what a routine! The replacement swore never to come back and Mrs. Machado made me swear never to come back either…
I go to the kitchen, open the fridge and offer him a
bottle of water, which he refuses, preferring to sip his red drink.
And you ? What did you do ?
A drive, a little surfing, and then I waited for the bell to ring to find you.
If you had come to class, you wouldn’t have had to wait, you know.
I’ll try to think about it tomorrow.
Leaning against the bar, I nervously play with the cap of my bottle, uncomfortable at the idea of finding myself alone with him in this big empty house, with so many unanswered questions, without knowing where to start.
We’re going to the pool ? I say, hoping the fresh air will do me good.
He shakes his head no.
Shall we go up to your room instead?
How do you know she’s upstairs? He bursts out laughing.
That’s usually the case, right?
I’m torn between letting things take their course and finding a polite way to kick him out.
He takes my hand.
Come on, I don’t bite, I assure you.
Her smile is so irresistible, her hand so soft… I
surprise them going up the stairs, praying that Riley isn’t there. But barely have we reached the top when she tumbles
like an avalanche.
Ever, sorry! I’m sorry ! I really didn’t want to get upset with… Oops!
She stops abruptly and stares at us in turn with eyes as round as Frisbees.
I continue on my way, as if nothing had happened, crossing my fingers that she will have the good idea to disappear. And not to come back until much later.
Looks like you left your TV on, Damen observes as he enters the game room.
Meanwhile, despite my furious glances, Riley
trots next to him, looking at him from head to toe, both thumbs in the air to show his enthusiastic approval.
As much as I beg her with my eyes, she turns a deaf ear and slumps on the sofa, her feet on Damen’s lap.
I rush into the bathroom, furious that she didn’t get the message and went off on a tangent. Besides, I know that, from one minute to the next, she is capable of committing something crazy that I could never explain. I take off my sweatshirt and
hurried to do a basic wash, brushing my teeth with one hand, applying deodorant with the other, and spitting out the
toothpaste while putting on a clean white t-shirt. I then undo my ponytail, put on lip balm, a drop of
perfume, and rushes back out to find Riley inspecting Damen’s ears.
Come to the balcony. The view is incredible, I say as a diversion.
He shakes his head and pats the cushion.
Later.
Riley jumps for joy.
He is there, sitting innocently on a sofa where he thinks he is
alone, while this tingling in the ear, this itchy knee, this draft in the neck are the result of the charming attentions of my little sister.
I give Riley a pointed look and turn on my heel, hoping that this time she’ll be smart enough to follow me.
Oh, I forgot my water bottle in the bathroom. Damen gets up.
Leave it, I’ll go.
He walks between the coffee table and the couch, carefully avoiding Riley’s legs. She gives me a startled look, which I return, and poof! She disappeared.
On his return, Damen passes me the bottle and walks resolutely where, two minutes earlier, he had taken care to avoid the obstacle.
What is it ? He questions, noticing my stunned look.
I respond casually and focus on the TV, telling myself it’s a coincidence. There can be no other explanation.
I would love to know how you do it!
Curled up on a deck chair by the pool, we
just devoured a pizza, well, especially me, because Damen eats more like a model than a boy. The type to peck, nitpick, play with the food, swallow a mini bite, take a bite… In fact, he mostly drank his red stuff.
How I do what ? he asks, chin resting on my shoulder, arms around my waist.
All ! You never do your homework, and yet you know the answers. All you have to do is grab a paintbrush, dip it
in paint, and there you have it, in three strokes of the spoon you make us a Picasso more successful than the original! And in sports? You are
bad ? Poorly coordinated? Come on ! Tell me !
Let’s see… he whispers in my ear. I do not have
never been very good at baseball. On the other hand, I am a world-class footballer and am pretty good on a surfboard, I think.
In music, then. Don’t you have ears?
Give me a guitar, a piano, a violin, even a saxophone, and you’ll see.
Okay, so what is your weak point? Everyone is bad at at least one thing! Tell me what you can’t do. He tightens his embrace.
Why do you want to know this and lose your illusions about me?
Because I hate feeling so pale and
skinny next to you. I’m bad at so many things… I wish there was at least one thing you couldn’t do, either.
You’re not worthless, he retorts seriously, his nose in my hair.
I’m holding on. I want to know, I need something to make him more human, even just a little bit.
Just one thing, please. Even if you have to lie, it’s for a good cause, for my morale.
I try to turn around to look at him, but he stops me from moving and places a light kiss on my ear.
Do you really want to know?
I nod my head, my heart races, my blood beats in my temples like an electric current.
I’m bad at love.
I look thoughtfully at the barbecue pit without really understanding. I wanted him to answer me, obviously, but not in such a serious tone.
Um… do you want to clarify? I say with a nervous chuckle, because this time I’m not too sure I want a
answer.
I fear it has something to do with Drina, a subject I prefer to avoid.
He hugs me tightly, breathing slow and deep. He
stays still for so long that I feel like he’s never going to respond.
I always end up… disappointing, he says enigmatically, refusing to say more.
I pull away to look him in the face.
But you’re only seventeen. So how many disappointments does that mean, exactly?
Come take a swim, he evades.
This boy is really great: he always has a swimsuit in his trunk.
Eh yes ! We’re in California, you never know when you might need it,” he explains with a disarming smile. I also have a diving suit. Do you think I should go get her?
I swim where the water is deepest.
I can not tell. Up to you.
He approaches the edge and pretends to dip the tip of his toe.
Ban on testing, you have to jump!
Am I allowed to dive?
You have the right to do whatever you want: a bomb, a dish, anything!
He performs a magnificent angel’s leap before resurfacing next to me.
Awesome ! he appreciates.
Her hair is slicked back, her skin shines brightly, and tiny drops are caught in her eyelashes. I have
I feel like he’s going to kiss me, but suddenly he dives back in and moves away.
I take a deep breath, swallow my pride and follow him.
Ah, it’s better that way, he said, taking me in his arms. My toes barely touch the bottom of the pool.
For what ? Are you afraid when you don’t have a foothold?
No, I was talking about your outfit. You should dress like that more often.
My skin is milky in my white bikini, and I’m trying hard not to
not feel too shabby next to his muscular, tanned body.
It’s much better than your jeans and your hoodies, believe me!
I purse my lips, not really knowing what to say.
But hey, you know what you have to do, right?
I stare at him. There was something about the way he said that, like he wanted to say more. As if he knew the secret reason for my clothing choices.
This will protect you from the wrath of Stacia and Honor, he adds with a smile. They don’t really like competition. He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear and caresses my cheek.
I remember him charming Stacia with his white roses, I think of our encounter this morning, of the threat that Stacia would
will not fail to put it into effect. We stare at each other for several minutes, to the point that my mood darkens and I walk away.
But Damen rushes after me.
Ever, as far as I’m concerned, there has never been any competition.
I put my head under the water and swim towards the ladder. I have to hurry if I want to tell him his fact, because as soon as he approaches, inexplicably, the words evaporate.
My hands and my voice are shaking. I wish I could stop
this scene and go back to our beautiful romantic evening. At the same time, I need to tell him the truth, whatever the consequences.
I’m never sure of anything with you! You’re constantly blowing hot and cold! It’s true, what! You … me
contemplate as if… as now, you see, and then boom, the next moment, you are completely glued to Stacia.
I watch it come out of the water, dripping, so beautiful that it takes my breath away.
He closes his eyes with a sigh, opens them again, takes a step forward and hugs me to force me to turn around. I finally gave in.
Ever, I… I never meant to hurt you. Sincerely. Never. I never wanted to hurt you. And I’m sorry if you feel like I played with your feelings. I told you, I’m not very good at this sort of thing.
He smiles, runs his hand through my wet hair and comes out
a red tulip.
I contemplate his broad shoulders, his chiseled chest, his stomach
muscular and his hands empty. No sleeves or pockets to hide your tulips. Just her half-naked body in her dripping swimsuit, and that tulip in her hand.
I barely dare to breathe. I may be ignorant, but I know very well that this flower did not come out of my ear.
How are you doing ?
Damen holds me tighter against him.
How I do what ?
I try to fight the exquisite feeling of his hands on my skin, the warmth that makes me dizzy.
Roses, tulips, all that…
It is magic…
I step aside and wrap myself in a towel. I wonder in
what story I got myself into and if there is still time to get out of it.
Can’t you be serious for two minutes?
I’m very serious, he murmurs, putting his t-shirt back on before collecting his keys.
Shivering in my wet towel, I watch him head
towards the gate and wave at me over his shoulder.
Sabine is home, he says before disappearing into the night.
