“Good. Because I’m taking Maven and it would be nice to see a familiar face in the crowd.”
Flynn punched his arm. “You are so serious all the time. It’s a dance just have fun and don’t forget to breathe. Maybe this weekend will be your big night with blondie.”
Henri dropped from the counter. “Her name is Maven. And I doubt that. And if it was, you would be the last person I told.” Suddenly, he grabbed the doorknob, stumbling into the counter.
Flynn jumped up. “What was that?”
“Just a little lightheaded, I stood up too fast.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I got to go.”
Flynn grabbed his arm. “I think you should see the doctor today. Just to make sure everything is alright.” Henri gave him a dirty look, upset he was pushing the issue again.
“Better get those umbrellas down, storm is rolling in.” He twisted the knob, taking off before Flynn could argue with him. One appointment wasn’t going to make a difference. He shook the cloudy fog from his head and hurried toward the beach.
Maven jumped at the loud boom right outside her bedroom window. She closed her book, pulling back the curtain. The rain was falling in a steady rhythm. The sun was gone and the sidewalk outside was busy collecting puddles.
Her phone chirped. She grabbed it from the nightstand and flopped down on the bed. Ever since Jake had shown up she had been in a bad mood. She didn’t want to leave her house for fear he would show up again.
Jake and Tatiana weren’t together anymore. At one time it would have been the happiest moment of her life. Because at one time she prayed they would break up and that Jake would see what he had been missing and come back to her. And somehow she would forgive him and move on. But not anymore, now she was angry.
And now there was Henri. She didn’t know exactly how he felt about her, but she knew the way he made her feel. And she wasn’t willing to accept Jake’s crummy attempt at getting her back any longer. Henri had shown her that nice guys did exist. And she didn’t want to go back to Jake after meeting someone like Henri.
She pushed the button on her phone.
Raining like cats and dogs. I’m down at the beach sitting under that tree we first sat under. Care to join me?
It was Henri.
She stared off, debating on going or staying put. Jake couldn’t get to her from her room.
You could come here.
But this is such better scenery. I can’t believe you don’t like watching thunderstorms.
I do. I guess I’m a bit down today, Henri.
That’s a perfect reason to watch the storm with me. Cheer up, buttercup, there is always sunshine after the rain. :)
Maven burst into tears. She dropped down on her bed, clutching her pillow. The phone sliding to the floor, it chirped again.
She gathered her calm and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Lifting the phone from the floor, she gently wiped at her eyes with one hand while reading the text with the other.
Sorry you’re having a bad day. Hope it gets better. If you change your mind I’ll be down by the water.
That’s all it took. She wasn’t going to leave Henri alone because of her own selfish sadness. She slipped into her favorite yellow sundress, shoving on her sandals and hustled down the stairs.
Maggie peeked her head out from behind the magazine she was reading. “Henri I assume.”
Maven ignored her.
***
He was lying in the grass, hands behind his head just enjoying the roll of thunder that echoed every minute or so. The rain made the warmth turn into an oppressive fog. She was soaked by the time she plopped down beside him.
“Lie down and watch the sky, it’s great.” Henri told her from his spot in the grass.
Maven dropped down, rubbing the rainwater from her forehead. She looked up at the dreary skies.
“Now just listen,” Henri said. He took hold of her hand squeezing it. “Close your eyes and listen, its heaven.” A loud snap of thunder sounded in the distance sounding more like danger than heaven to her, but she did as he said, closing her eyes, the coolness in the air making her unpleasantly cold underneath her damp sundress.
“I’ve always liked listening to thunderstorms. I saw the tree out in our front yard get struck by lightning, talk about a rush.” He was his usual self while Maven felt a bit dark and depressed and it was hard to hide it. “Seeing nature so up close and personal, it’s exciting.”
Maven sat up. She pushed her wet hair behind her ear. Henri sat up too.
“Most people don’t compare thunderstorms to heaven.” She said out loud, watching the sky erupt in flashes of illumination, the wind an incessant brush across her face.
“The ones that enjoy thunderstorms do.” He looked at her, her expression blank. She was far away, lost in thought. He just didn’t know what of.
“You said you were a bit down today, why’s that?”
Maven finally looked at him. He looked anxious suddenly. Not his usual self. And this made her feel bad.
“Is it me?” Henri searched her eyes. “Or is it Jake Summit?”
She dropped her gaze at the sound of Jake’s name. “I don’t know.”
“Sure you do.”
Maven shook her head.
“You’re confused and that’s perfectly understandable.”
“I’m not confused, Henri.” She insisted. She dropped back into the grass letting out a sigh. She wondered if now was the time to tell him just how much she liked him, or if it was better to keep that to herself.
“You and Jake have a history. A long one.” He told her. “You and I both have a right to know if you still have feelings for Jake now that he is single.”
Maven shot up again from the grass. Henri was taking it all the wrong way. This had nothing to do with Jake. She didn’t want to figure anything out. She wanted to tell Henri just how much she cared about him and how sad she was at the thought of losing him now that she was so attached to him. That it hurt to wake up every day wondering if he was still going to be around and if so, how long.
Or how every night before she went to bed she wished she could just pick up the phone and speak the words her heart wanted to shout from the rooftops, that he was the most amazing boy she ever met. But she was afraid to burden him with that.
Henri expected her to say something. To tell him he wasn’t right in saying what he said. To confirm that Jake was the last thing on her mind and that the idea of ever feeling anything for that guy would never happen. She deserved better than Jake.
He wanted her to look at him with those big blue eyes and tell him she only thought about him anymore, to say anything.
“That’s not it,” Maven said. She frowned, biting at her nails.
Henri stood. Maven stared up at him. “What are you doing, Henri?”
“I’m going to head home.” He offered her his hand to help her up.