Dad nodded his head. “She has a point, that's how it always starts.”
“Paul! You're not helping!” Mom hissed.
He couldn't keep his grin hidden. “What?”
Shaking her head, she turned back to me. “Look, we don't want this to get any worse than what it already is. We want you to get help so we can nip this in the bud.”
I let loose an eye roll as I wrapped my arms protectively around myself. “Yeah, that's what I thought this whole move was about. You know, uprooting me from the only home I've ever known, removing me from my friends and the life I built. Yup, all about help, but I guess the intervention has just started!”
“Oh, come on Star! You know we didn't have a choice! Do you think we liked moving this far away?” Mom spat in exasperation. “For once would you stop thinking about yourself and think about others? Your father had to take a demotion in his job to move out here! I had to leave my publisher and transfer to one closer to here! You're not the only one who had to make sacrifices!” she threw her hands wide for emphasis.
I stayed silent. I knew what they had to give up to move here. Knew how stressed and worried they were about me. Because of me. I just couldn't stop the anger from rolling in.
An electric feeling started building underneath my skin, making the air around me almost palpable with static. The darkness seemed to be laughing, mocking my attempts to remain calm, to control myself. I was coming close to being beyond freaked out. The darkness always grew before one of my 'incidents', but the energy snapping under my skin was new. It was terrifying me. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Maybe I was going crazy.
“Why would you think I'd willingly agree to this? Even if you drag me to a therapist, you can't make me talk.”
Acting with an outer calm that mocked my own barely held control, Dad studied his nail beds. “Well, you'll need a car to get back and forth to work and school. If you talk during your sessions, we'll buy you a car.”
I sank graciously to the floor, feeling like they sucker punched me in the gut. My anger was thoroughly deflated, making the darkness and energy fade. I chewed on my lip thoughtfully while staring at my scuffed up tennis shoes, thinking about their offer. I didn't want to start my new life riding the school bus or having to beg my parents to take me places. I wanted my freedom, and they were offering it to me with one hell of a catch.
I didn't think I'd have an active social life in this Podunk town, but it would be nice to be able to escape for a while. The sound of the doorbell broke into my internal debate.
I sighed in relief at the disturbance and jumped up. “I'll get it!” I called out as I ran to the door. Skidding on the slick tile, I almost fell on my butt as my hand reached for the door handle. “Fuck!” I caught myself just in time to hear Mom’s chastisement.
“Starlette Elizabeth McKinley! Language!”
I rolled my eyes as I flung open the door, scaring the pizza delivery guy at the same time.
I drank in the sight of him. He was tall, easily towering over my petite 5'6'' frame. His shoulders were broad and I could see the muscles of his arms tense when he tightened his grip on the pizza delivery bag. My eyes trailed up from his thick chest, lingering on the open collar of his shirt for a moment, taking in the dark golden color of his skin. He had a strong chin, hinting at arrogance. His thick, dark brown hair shone with golden highlights in the porch light. My eyes locked on his warm amber gaze. Flecks of gold danced within them, making me to feel like I was falling. My eyes trailed down his slim, aristocratic nose, to rest on his full lips. His teeth shone white between his lips as they moved. Shit! He's talking!
“What?” I asked, feeling myself flush to the roots of my hair.
“Uh, is this the McKinley house?” He asked, frowning at me.
Way to go Star, first hot guy you meet and you end up staring like an idiot. “Yup.” Wow, I'm so eloquent too.
“Okay, that will be twenty-six seventy-five.”
“Huh?”
His smirk caused my attention to be drawn back to his lips. “Pizza.”
“Oh! Yeah, hold on.” I quickly headed back into the living room. Dad was already reaching for his wallet with a bemused smile on his face. I sighed and held my hand out to him. “Don't ask.”
“Oh, I don't have to. We overheard your lady-like tendency in action.”
“Perfect, now my utter embarrassment is fulfilled! I can die a happy woman, knowing my greatest dream is accomplished.”
Dad's smirk flared into a full out smile. “Oh, I'm sure you have the potential for something truly epic,” he said, placing the money in my awaiting hands. I glared at him then stalked off, tempted to give him the one finger salute.
I caught the pizza guy looking around at all the boxes scattered everywhere. I think it should be illegal to have a delivery guy look like that. I frowned at him. He quickly turned his attention to me, smiling slightly. A fluttering sensation erupted in my stomach, causing me to pause. So not good.
Still frowning, I handed him the money. “You can keep the change.” He grinned again, and I noticed he had a dimple on his left cheek. I wanted to lick it. Taken aback, I wondered where in the hell that thought came from. Sure I've been attracted to guys before, but I've never had any overly sexual thoughts about them. Being seventeen and a virgin was testament to that fact. The delivery guy was busy opening the carrying bag, giving me free reign to stare at him. Great, he's going to think I'm some type of creepy stalker on top of being an idiot. I shouldn't care. Crazy plus hot guy doesn't equal anything good. Bringing myself back to the present, I reached for the pizzas.
Pizza boxes safely in hand, I moved to close the door. “Well, have a good night.” I said with a small smile.
“Yeah, you too.” Smiling in return, he turned away. I took a moment to watch him go. The backside was even more pleasing than the front. I shook my head and moved forward, my eyes glued to his retreating form. I moved with the narrowing gap of the door, trying to keep him in sight for as long as possible.
I forgot that I had the pizza boxes in my hand and jerked back when I felt them bounce against the door frame. They lost their balance and started to fall. “Shit!” I jumped forward, trying to catch them only to find myself falling forward as I tripped over the lip of the door, face first into an upended pizza box.
I thought about staying where I was, smothered to death by mozzarella cheese as I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. I huffed out a breath and almost groaned as the expulsion of air caused a cheese bubble. I felt cheese and sauce slide down my nose as I lifted my face. I sat back and rubbed the soreness out of my knee. “Are you alright?” The pizza guy asked as he crouched down beside me.
“Oh, I'm perfect. Nothing says how great a pizza is better than falling face first into it.” I wiped the residue from my face, refusing to look up at him. I cast a glare over my shoulder toward the living room as I heard Dad's bellow of laughter.
I froze as his fingertips softly touched my face.
“You've got something right here.”
I could hear the suppressed laughter in his voice. I turned and saw him holding up a slice of pepperoni, laughter lighting up his amber eyes. “Thanks.” I was trying hard not to lash out like my anger was begging me too. I picked up the boxes and stood, turning to stomp angrily through the doorway.
“Hey, I'm—”
“Have a good night!” I snarled, cutting him off by slamming the door in his face. If there was a God I prayed to never see him again. I leaned against the door, flushing with absolute embarrassment.
“Epic!” Dad yelled from the recesses of the living room. I rolled my eyes as I headed toward them with the face printed pizza.