Forks Page 18

  “Nunya,” Kirk said.

  “Nunya,” I repeated, unscrewing the lid.

  “Yeah, nunya business,” he laughed, really hard.

  “Stop it,” Jason warned. “I told you not to.” He scowled at Kirk who didn’t seem the least bit fazed.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Kirk pulled back the piece of paper Jason had moved earlier, grabbed a pen, and wrote something down.

  “So how’s it going?” I asked Jason, trying to ignore Kirk. I took a sip of my water and put back on the lid.

  “It’s good,” Jason said sounding nervous. “You get all caught up with what you missed?”

  “Um, yeah…well, kind of. I’ll have a lot of homework to do this weekend.” I made a face.

  “Well if you need any help, you can always give me a call.” He wrote his number down on a piece of paper and handed it out to me.

  “Thanks, I will… I mean, I will, if I need help.” I shoved his number in my pocket.

  Kirk grunted and muttered something under his breath.

  “Cool,” Jason said and took a too big of bite of pizza. He could barely shut his mouth.

  Kirk balled up the piece of paper and threw it across the table at Jason.

  Jason batted it away and the ball of paper rolled under the table. “Kirk, tell Amber what you told me,” he said, chewing with his mouth open.

  “What?” Kirk widened his eyes, acting oblivious.

  “You know,” Jason prompted, “about the girl you like from Thriftway.”

  “Oh, her.” Kirk shrugged. “There’s not much to tell.”

  “Dude you are so lying.” Jason dropped his pizza on a paper plate. “What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing,” Kirk snapped. He pulled the paper off his straw and wadded it up, then flicked it across the table.

  “So, tell her,” Jason said and lifted his can of soda and took a drink.

  “What about the girl at Thriftway?” I asked.

  Kirk swung his head around and looked at me with narrowed eyes. “What’d you want to know?”

  “Um, nothing really,” I lied and unwrapped my sandwich.

  “Come on, Amber, just ask him.” Jason took a swig of his soda.

  I stalled and smoothed out the wax paper from my sandwich. “I was just wondering what happened to her, it’s not that big of a deal.”

  “If it isn’t a big deal then why do you even care what happened to Sandy?” Kirk asked… venom in his voice.

  Sandy? My stomach flopped and my heart rate sped up. I somehow knew that was who Jason had been talking about earlier. I wanted to ask him which Roth brother was dating her but didn’t know how to go about it. Kirk didn’t seem very forthcoming.

  “Come on Kirk, don’t be a jerk,” Jason said and then laughed. “Kirk the jerk,” he laughed harder.

  “Keep it up Jason,” he warned.

  “Get over it Kirk,” Jason snapped. “Just spit it out.”

  “Fine,” Kirk exhaled and turned. He gave me his full attention. There was something about his demeanor that set my nerves on edge.

  He lifted his brow. “Let me guess, you want to know which Roth brother is dating my girl Sandy?” He gave me a smug look. “Is that right?”

  “Um, not really,” I lied. “I was just wondering where she’s been.”

  “You two friends?” he asked, with a look of disbelief.

  “No,” I said and shook my head. “I’ve talked to her a few times though.”

  “Hmm…” He seemed to contemplate my answer. “Well, there’s not much to say. I asked her out and she said no.” He shrugged indifferently.

  “She is really pretty,” I said, trying to get on his good side. Mom said you catch more bees with honey than vinegar. “I can see why you asked her out.”

  “She’s more than pretty,” he scoffed, giving me another one of his looks, which were getting on my nerves. “She’s hot and you’re …not.” He snickered meanly.

  Donkeyhole! My face flamed.

  “Kirk!” Jason snapped. “He’s just kidding,” he assured me, and gave me a sympathetic look. “You’re hot too… just in a different way.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. “He’s right, she is hot.” I wrapped back up my sandwich and put it in the bag. My appetite officially shot.

  “You think she’s hot too?” Kirk asked looking bewildered by my honesty.

  “Of course,” I said, picking up my apple. I twisted the stem. With each turn, I silently said a name—Viktor and then Vincent. The stem broke in the middle. I stared down at the broken stem. Well that didn’t help in the least.

  “Hmmm,” Kirk murmured, and stacked his books back on top of each other. He turned toward me. “I did ask her out but one of the Roth’s came in and …”

  I hung on his every word, not because I really wanted to know but because I somehow needed to know.

  “The truth is…” he hesitated, looking dejected. “ I don’t really know which one she is seeing.”

  “You don’t?” I couldn’t mask my surprise.

  “Nah, it’s hard to tell.” He shrugged.

  “Why’s that?” I set the apple down.

  “They both show up when she’s working.”

  “Are you sure they’re not just buying groceries?” I asked hopefully.

  “I doubt that.” He gave me an indignant look. “Besides she’s friends with Viola.”

  “Viola?” I asked and took a sip of my water, wondering how she made it into the conversation. She was the last person I wanted to talk about.

  “Yeah, she’s their sister,” Jason cut in, his mouth full of pizza.

  I choked on my water, coughing. “Viola is their sister?” If I wasn’t already sitting down I would have probably face planted on the floor.

  “You should see your face,” Kirk taunted, laughing. “Guess you didn’t know that did you?” He seemed a little too pleased.

  “No, can’t say that I did.” I stared down at the floor afraid at what my face would reveal if I looked at him. I spotted the balled up paper, put my foot over the top, and dragged it back under me.

  “Don’t you notice the resemblance?” asked Jason. He picked off his can tab and flicked it over at Kirk who had his fingers propped on the table like a football field goal.

  He missed.

  “Now that you mention it, she does look a lot like Viktor but not Vincent.”

  “Yeah,” Kirk piped in. “That’s because she’s Viktor’s twin.” He chuckled, shaking his head, giving me a look like I was stupid.

  “What about Vincent? Isn’t he our age too?”

  They both looked at each other and laughed.

  They were getting on my nerves.

  Jason smashed his soda can on the table. “Vincent, he’s …”

  “Jason,” Kirk said in a warning tone.

  “I’m not saying anything,” he defended and rolled his eyes.

  “You better not.” Kirk gave him a death stare.

  I didn’t get it. I looked between the two of them. Obviously they both knew something, but neither one was going to tell me—at least not while the other was here. I would just have to ask Jason when Kirk left…

  As if on cue, the warning bell rang.

  Kirk climbed out off the bench. “Well it’s been real and it’s been fun but I wouldn’t say it’s been real fun. Ha!” he laughed. “Get it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Kirk we get it,” Jason said. “How could we not. We’re not stupid.” He rolled his eyes.

  “Could have fooled me,” Kirk said and looked directly at me. I suddenly wanted to kick his shin. Jason was right… Kirk is a jerk.

  Jason looked at me. “Amber, just ignore him, I always do.” He cut Kirk a smug look.

  “I gotta go,” Kirk said and looked pointedly at me. “I’ll see you Amber.”

  A shiver of dread washed over me. “Yeah, not if I see you first,” I muttered.

  Jason laughed obnoxiously. “She got you Kirk.”

  Kirk’s lips twitched like he wanted
to laugh. “We’ll see,” he said. He grabbed his bag and walked away.

  “Sorry, Amber,” Jason said. “I don’t know what his problem is.”

  “It’s not your fault,” I told him, and balled up my lunch.

  “Here,” he said lifting his tray. “Let me get rid of your trash and then we can walk to class together.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I set my bag on his tray. Once his back was turned, I reached under the table, grabbed the paper, and stuffed it in my messenger bag.

  My heart was pounding by the time he made his way back to me.

  “You ready?”

  “Yep,” I said and hoisted my bag on my shoulder. I followed him out of the cafeteria making a vow to myself, to eat in my car for now on.

  I suffered through English and had to take a make-up exam. Jason moved into the chair behind me and I could feel him pulling on my hair every so often. I turned once but he pretended like he wasn’t touching me. Both Viktor and Viola were absent from class. I couldn’t help but wonder if they both were sick with the flu I had. Obviously, I didn’t miss Viola, especially the kickfest she like to have on the back of my chair.

  “Ms. Davis, here is the rest of the work you need to makeup.” Ms. Campbell tossed a folder on my desk.

  “Okay. Thanks,” I said, glancing inside. “When is it due?”

  “I’ll give you until Monday,” she said. “Here’s your paper,” she said and laid it down on my desk. I flipped it over. It had an A+ on it and it said good work. I couldn’t stop my surprise from showing.

  “That was a good paper you both wrote.” She nodded her head at me and scuttled back across the room.

  “Wow, she actually gave you a compliment,” Jason whispered, sounding as shocked as I felt. His fingers were back in my hair and I tried to move forward but he held on. Giving up, I pulled out some Red Hots and popped them in my mouth.

  Jason groaned behind me and let go of my hair. When I turned, he was leaning away with his hand over his face.

  Weird.

  I ate a few more Red Hots before the final bell rang. Shoving my books and folder full of homework into my bag, I stood. “So,” I exhaled. “You want to walk out together?” I asked, pulling my bag on my shoulder.

  “Nah,” he said. “I gotta, um, do something.” He looked green.

  “Jason, are you feeling all right?” I asked.

  “Yep,” he said, waving his hand in front of his face.

  “All right, I’ll see you.”

  “Yeah, see you,” he coughed out.

  I left before he got sick. Maybe he was getting the flu too…or more likely food poisoning from the nasty Pizza he ate at lunch.

  thirty

  Somehow, I ended up in the parking lot at Thriftway. I wasn’t sure why I went…well that wasn’t exactly true. I wanted to see if Sandy was working. I wanted to try to find out who she was dating.

  Instead of lugging my bag into the store, I just pulled out my wallet and shoved it in my pocket. When I climbed out of the car, the sun was still shining. Enjoying the moment, I stood there and let the rays warm my face. There weren’t too many people out and the parking lot had very few cars in it. It was weird. When it rained, everyone was out and now that it was nice no one was out. Shrugging, I walked into the store.

  It was like a ghost town inside. Grabbing up a small hand basket, I walked around and tried to figure out what we might need at home. The smell of fresh baked goods drew me to the bakery section. I spotted some pecan sticky buns and dropped them in the basket for Mom…they were her favorites. I grabbed a loaf of bread too and some more protein bars and then headed off to the register. On an end cap there were Red Hots and I tossed a few in my basket too. I was addicted to them now. They were great at keeping me powered up through school.

  Heading to the register, I noticed once again Sandy wasn’t there but Clarke was. His greasy plastered to his head and he was sporting a few more very angry pimples. They looked like they hurt. I would have suggested he use some peroxide and Neosporin but he didn’t seem to be in a receptive mood.

  He looked up at me, his blue eyes bloodshot. “Do you want to donate a dollar to …oh screw it,” he muttered and threw the Red Hots in the bag. Hitting the register button a few times the drawer dinged open.

  “How’s it going?” I gave him a small smile, trying to figure out how to ask him about Sandy.

  “It’s going,” he said. “That’ll be eleven dollars and forty three cents.”

  “I’m going to charge it.”

  He waited.

  “So,” I hedged, “are you the only one here today?”

  “Yeah.” He looked over his shoulder then back at me. “Unless you see someone I don’t?” He smirked.

  “No, I don’t see anyone,” I laughed and pulled out my wallet, taking longer than necessary. “I was just wondering where Sandy is?”

  “God, not you too,” he grumbled, and shoved his hand through his hair.

  “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “You will be,” he muttered angrily.

  “What was that?”

  “Why’d you want to know?” His brow hitched up a notch.

  “Um, just curious,” I flustered. “She’s usually here.”

  “Yeah, she is, but not today… obviously.” He blinked at me and gave me a look like I was stupid. I couldn’t really blame him for that. It was a stupid question.

  “Oh,” I said and slid my credit card through the little machine.

  “Sorry,” he exhaled and shook his head. “She bailed and now I have to work double shifts to cover for her.”

  “That sucks,” I tried to sympathize.

  “Yeah, it does.” He slammed the drawer shut and ripped off my receipt. “I’m not sure why you’re looking for her but if I were you, I’d stop.”His eyes flickered.

  “I was just curious,” I tried to cover.

  “You and the rest of the world apparently,” he sighed.

  “Oh really, who might that be?” I asked stupidly.

  “Who isn’t looking for her is the better question.” He gave me a scathing look.

  “Oh.” Dangit. This was not working out the way I wanted it to. I plodded onward, “Do you know Sandy well?”

  “Yep.” He gave me a cursory glance and scratched his head.

  “Oh-kay,” I said slowly and put my receipt in my wallet and shoved it back in my pocket. I reached out to grab my bag.

  He pulled it just out of my reach. “When you see your friend again,” he said, “tell him I’m on to him… understand?”

  “What friend?” My stomach clenched.

  He gave me a look of disbelief. “You don’t know who I’m talking about?”

  “No.” He handed me my bag. I grabbed hold but he wouldn’t let go. “

  “You better watch your back or you’ll be M.I.A. just like my sister.”

  “Sandy is your sister?” I couldn’t hide my shock.

  He laughed but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, can’t you see the resemblance,” he deadpanned.

  “Um…” I looked at his face. His eyes were the same color and he had full lips too except they looked good on Sandy and a little freaky on him. I guessed they could be related. “Yeah, I do.”

  He shook his head and looked me over. “You know, I was wondering about you…and I can’t decide…”

  “What can’t you decide?”

  “I can’t decide if you’re really clueless or just stupid,” he said meanly.

  “Well, thanks.” I jerked the bag from his hand. This time he let go and I rushed toward the door.

  “I’m betting on stupid,” he called out after me.

  I ran outside, all the way to my car. Only when I was inside did I take a full breath.

  When I got home Ken’s squad car was in the driveway. I grabbed my groceries and headed inside. “Hey,” I called as soon as I walked in the door.

  Ken turned from the sofa as did my mom.

  “Amber, sweethe
art, look who’s here,” Mom beamed, sounding breathless. Ken’s hair was sticking up and I could only imagine what they were doing.

  “Hey Ken,” I called from the doorway.

  “He brought steaks for dinner,” she called after me.

  “Awesome,” I said, making my way toward the kitchen to unload the groceries.

  “Amber, I brought another magazine for you, too,” Ken said, sliding his hand through his hair.

  “Wow, thanks, Ken.” I stopped and lifted up the latest issue of Cosmopolitan and off the hall table and tucked it under my arm. I figured I would slip off to my room and read it to give Mom and Ken some alone time.

  “What’s in the bags?” Mom asked, sitting up fully.

  “Oh, just a couple things from the store,” I said. “I got you some sticky buns too, they looked really good.”

  “Oh, thanks honey.” Mom adjusted her blouse.

  I hurried into the kitchen and unloaded the groceries. Opening up the refrigerator, I looked inside and there were three good-sized steaks marinating in a glass casserole pan.

  “Yum!” Ken was an awesome cook. My stomach rumbled. I could smell something in the oven and peeked inside. There were three potatoes, wrapped in foil. I grabbed a small bag of chips out of the cupboard along with a can of soda to tide me over until dinner and headed out of the kitchen.

  “Steaks look great, Ken,” I called as I passed, making my way to the stairs.

  “Where are you off to?” Ken asked.

  I paused. “I have some homework to catch up on and some light reading.” I smiled and waved the magazine in the air.

  “You haven’t read that issue have you?”

  “Nah, not this one…” I glanced at the cover. “Thanks again.”

  He smiled the act lighting up his face. “Good.”

  “Ken,” Mom said, moving closer. He glanced at her and said something. She shook her head back and forth. That was my cue to get out of dodge. “Well, I’m off…”

  “Okay honey.”

  “How are you feeling?” Ken turned toward me more fully, his expression expectant.

  Mom let out an exaggerated sigh and fell back against the cushions.

  “Ah, good,” I said, shifting uneasily. I could tell Mom wanted some more alone time with him.