Beautiful Bedlam, page 16
“That went well.” Noah sighed.
“You told her?” Rose gasped reading him like a book.
“I thought she knew!” he exclaimed defensively to no avail as she wacked him on the shoulder with her carefully color-coded folders.
“Noah how could you?” she shouted and hit him again before running off in the opposite direction presumably crying.
“How am I the bad guy?” he shouted after her then realized he looked like a fool screaming in the middle of a crowded hallway with everyone staring and laughing at him.
“Why are you so late to lunch?” she asked looking up at Noah, her bright green eyes sharp and intense causing him to momentarily forget the answer. He wondered if she knew the effect she had on him. She had been sitting alone at her table for a grand total of five minutes now and she could already feel everybody’s eyes on her. Or maybe it was just her being paranoid. Who knew? Either way she was grateful for Noah. He was the only real friend she had left.
“I got roped in to helping some seniors out with the winter formal dance. It’s a long story.” He chuckled coyly as he sat down. He flicked some tinsel away from his chair. Seriously, that stuff was everywhere. Courtney Cross and her team of bodacious dimwitted bubblegum thwacking monotonously nasally sounding female spawn of Lucifer had managed to bedazzle and embellish almost everything they could feast their eyes on. This year a lot of parents had complained of a lack of faith in school forcing Sharpe to shed her Grinch image and make everything look cheerful and jolly. There was even a huge Christmas tree outside the school entrance and another in the teacher’s lounge. “Some seniors, eh?” she enquired inquisitively arching her eyebrow at him. He shrugged like it was no big deal wishing she would be at least a little jealous.
“So… did you get asked to the dance? I mean…are you going?” he asked timidly and pushed his salad back and forth with his fork.
“No, nobody asked me. In case you haven’t noticed guys don’t exactly line up outside my doorstep.” She said wryly mocking herself imagining the look of horror on her father’s face if that actually happened.
“Oh come on, you know you’re beautiful.” He said without looking at her. His eyes still cast down almost afraid to acknowledge her response.
“I mean girls like you always know. How could you not?” he asked earnestly.
“Thanks, I guess?” she replied softly taken aback by his comments.
She looked at his warm kind intelligent brown eyes and soft sandy brown hair. He was no Adonis like Logan Jackson, but he was certainly no Ugly Duckling either. He was smart, charming, kind, funny and already Sienna’s friend and was hitting on her. Wait, is he hitting on me? She thought feeling confused, maybe he was being friendly, the last thing she needed was to ask him out and be rejected by her only remaining friend. Noah leaned his arm against the back of her chair. Yep, he’s definitely hitting on me. Logan could not believe his eyes. That worm, that slimy little worm. Logan Jackson had never been the kind of guy to hold a grudge. He wasn’t the sort to have an arch nemesis or a rival. All of that had always seemed petty and beneath him simply because he’d never had to fight for something in his life, he’d always gotten everything handed down to him, he had always been the favorite to win. That was until now.
Logan scowled as he heard her beautiful laugh echoing around her, the way she was so oblivious to the way Noah leered at her, the discomfort he felt when he saw his hand on her arm or back for a tad too long. It had been weeks since he’d last spoken to her and even longer since the time she actually replied back. She was frighteningly good at ignoring him, at pretending he had never existed, at avoiding him at school, at the grocery store and in parks and libraries and as awful as it sounded he didn’t want her to be happy without him and that was the honest truth.
He wanted her to feel every bit as miserable as he did because even though he was the one who had said the words, she was the one who broke up with him, she was the one who practically screamed at him to go away after he socked that scumbag abusive father of hers in the face, she was the one who rejected him over and over again…but he was the idiot who slept with her best friend that same night at the birthday bash in the woods. He was hurt, upset; sexually frustrated and so drunk he could barely walk. So it was more of a surprise to him than anyone else when he woke up next morning in his dad’s cabin in bed with Rose Matthews with absolutely no recollection of the night before. He begged Rose not to tell a soul but it was already too late and before he knew it he had lost his oldest friend. He rubbed his temples and sighed. She laughed again at something Noah said throwing her head back, her beautiful long silky dark hair shimmered and sashayed down her back. She then put a strawberry to her perfect mouth reminding him of what her lips tasted like. ‘Like I care,’ he thought miserably and unable to look away.
“Oh my God, I think Noah’s finally making a move on Sienna.” He heard Rose whisper as they all turned to look nosily.
“Haha, I wish him luck. That chicks a tough nut to crack, all the hottest ones always are.” Trent said shaking his head mumbling “poor kid” already having decided that she was sure to reject Noah. Logan wasn’t so sure. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that she might even take him up on his offer. Noah must have planned it out perfectly, when she had none of her friends with her, when she was feeling vulnerable, right in the midst of Logan and Sienna’s fight so he could weasel his way in.
“Ten bucks she rejects him.” Bethany giggled leaning back in her chair to try and get a better grasp of the conversation.
“Ten bucks he asks her to the dance. Trust me I’ve called this for years. Those two are perfect for each other!” Rose smiled knowingly.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Logan grumbled and frowned at her causing her to quiet down considerably.
“Put me down for her rejecting him!” Trent yelled. The entire table turned to hiss at him and to tell him to be quiet. Everyone was so enthralled and engrossed with Sienna’s love life and too busy calling out their bets no one seemed to notice Logan’s stony silence.
Sienna was vaguely aware of the way Noah blushed and wiped his brow with the back of his hand and the way he looked at her. The truth was she had known about Noah’s little crush on her for a few days now and didn’t know exactly how to process it. A part of her was absolutely flattered but mostly she felt confused and felt nothing towards him romantically.
“I mean I know you hate school functions. So do I, but I was thinking maybe this year… well for just this dance do you want to go as…as friends?” He asked anxiously.
“And he bottled it. My money please.” Trent chuckled amusedly and held his palm out. “No way, he didn’t ask so she didn’t reject. It doesn’t count!” Rose retorted.
Sienna sighed and looked at Noah and really saw part of herself in him. She saw that quiet forgotten girl that pined after the guy that was way out of her league and before she knew it her words came hurtling out of her mouth.
“Sure, but on one condition. Come as my date.” Sienna finished with a small smile pleased with herself for taking the first step to moving on.
“A date? Wow. I mean sure, yes! I mean yeah sure. I...I can do that.” Noah stammered and coughed in to his fist trying to hide his great big grin. He was adorable really.
Logan’s table erupted in a mixture of a mass of giggles and hysteria from the girls and outrage and shock from the guys and Bethany and money was quickly distributed before the bell rang for class.
“So I guess, I’ll see you later then. Or whenever, like if I happen to see you.” Noah stuttered still not believing his luck as he rose from his seat. He walked backwards, his face still turned towards her with the sweetest goofiest look on his face that Sienna couldn’t help but smile at that was until he waved then bowed suddenly.
“Oh crap, did I bow?” he asked her mortified at his own actions. That kid had to stop playing Dungeons and Dragons.
“Yeah, you did.” Sienna replied sympathetically.
“Oh man, I just made it really weird. I’m sorry.” He apologized despondently.
“That’s it. Stop. If we’re going to this, we need to set some ground rules, no opening doors, no holding my bag, no apologizing for no reason and definitely no bowing.”
“Yes, you’re the boss.” He said then gave her the military salute before cringing at his own actions and walking away before he could do or say anything to give further proof to her of what a nerd he was in contrast to how amazing she was. Sienna stood and gathered her belongings and began putting her novel back in to her bag wondering if she were even ready for a date.
‘It’s just one date,’ she told herself.
Besides, wasn’t she ready to have fun for once? Wasn’t it a little sad that she had never actually gone to a school function, a dance in particular since her awful dalliance with Cooper Godfrey in middle school, it was the fifth grade, she remembered it well like it were yesterday, moms swaying to 80’s love ballads in the background and the awful disco decorations the school reused every year and particularly the sight of Logan dancing with Bethany Simmons under the giant glitter ball and of course Cooper frickin’ Godfrey puking all over the fluffy pink dress her mother had stuffed her in. Happy days.
“He’s a keeper.” That smooth deep voice whispered close to her, his lips grazing her ear causing her heart to lurch to her throat and the hair to stand at the back of her neck. She sighed irritably and stepped away from Logan and began walking towards class. He followed. Naturally.
“And he’s cute too, you know in the if you squint and close your eyes and hide your face behind your hands and thank God for blindness sort of way. Mmm, yup, definitely a downgrade from your last boyfriend.” He noted wryly.
“You were never my boyfriend.” She retorted angrily which only caused him to smirk furthermore, clearly triumphant in finally getting a response out of her.
“Oh! But what about all the sweet words and hugs and kisses we shared?” he asked condescendingly and gave her his best puppy-dog face.
“You kissed me once.” She told him adamantly.
“I’m sorry. I could have sworn you kissed me back.” he said thoughtfully and grazed his thumb against his lip purposefully evoking the memory. He had a devilish gleam in those wicked black eyes and a smirk on that chiseled striking face.
“I never! I,” she paused as she noticed others looking and lowered her voice.
“You know what I’m not going to play this game. Go away, Logan. I don’t want to talk to you.” She said firmly.
“Oh, but we were having so much fun!” He moaned loudly.
“Really? As much fun as you and Rose had?” she asked flippantly and gave him a cold silent look of death before changing her seat.
“Finally ready to confront me about it? ‘Cos believe me there’s nothing you can say to me that I haven’t already said to myself.” he said ruefully finally shedding some of his bad boy lothario image and reveling the surprisingly vulnerable yet strong loveable guy inside.
“Not here.” she hissed and pushed him in to the janitor’s closet room.
“Ooh this should get interesting.” He chuckled.
“Not likely. Did you ever love Rose?”
“Of course not.” He answered bluntly wondering how this was not already so obvious. “Me and Rose were never serious. We had one stupid drunken night. It meant nothing.” He added solemnly.
“And what about all those other girls?” she asked again still pacing slowly.
“Girls?” he asked naively not wanting to dig deeper in to the ditch he’d fell in.
“I’m not stupid, of course I know about you and Courtney Cross after the homecoming game, and Trinity Smith, and of course your obvious flirtations with Bethany Simmons.” She said scowling at the end.
“Are you jealous?” he asked amusedly.
“Oh please! Of Bethany Simmons? I’d rather let wolverine give me a colonoscopy than waste my time being jealous of her.”
“They meant nothing. Absolutely nothing.” He said with absolute certainty.
“You spent so much time with them and not even one of them meant anything to you?” she asked wondering if Rose was right, if he only wanted her for one thing. She remembered the conversation she’d eventually had with her ex-best friend when she apologized but agreed that they had both grown apart and were different people then advising her not to fall for Logan because he was what everyone thought of him, a player and that Sienna wouldn’t be able to deal with promiscuity. She was right.
“Sienna what is this all about?” he frowned at her wondering how with her he was always on an emotional rollercoaster, one second he was feeling ecstatic and elated and the next rejected and interrogated. He stood close to her, too close. She followed his gaze. He was staring completely mesmerized by her lips.
“You can’t kiss me again.” She said crossing her arms defensively over her chest.
“I’m sorry, lets rewind just a few weeks ago, you kissed me back!” he said loudly.
“Keep your voice down!” she hissed, there were people in their classes not far from them.
“Oh God forbid people associate you with me Mr. Future Hugh Hefner!” he said sarcastically.
“I’m sorry I’m not Noah. I don’t have doormat written all over my forehead! Come and find me when you finally decide where we stand.” He said turning to leave.
“Rose was right about you, I should’ve just listened to her. I should never have involved myself with you! Everybody knows you’re not capable of compassion or love!” she hissed at him. He turned to look at her, at her beautiful emerald eyes filled with tears and nothing but disappointment for him.
“You’re absolutely right, you never should have involved yourself with me and you never should have kissed me back. I’m sorry that I like to have fun and go to parties and enjoy life in general. Not everyone can shut themselves off from all forms of human contact, push everyone away, and wallow in misery. We can’t all be the queen of the celibacy club.” He said harshly and quickly turned to leave so that he wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. Her jaw dropped at his cold words just as Mr. Blake opened the door.
“Blake.” Logan said with a nod as he stormed past.
“Jackson.” He replied bewilderedly.
“Sienna, do I even need to ask what that was about?” Blake asked quietly.
“It’s complicated.” She gulped and tucked her hair behind her ear miserably.
“It always is with you. Come on, let’s get you to class.” he sighed and gave her a warm tightlipped slightly amused smile as he held the door open for her.
17.
“Mom, I’m home! Where is everybody?” Sienna yelled as she threw her backpack on the floor and took her wet boots off.
“Honey, we’re in the living room. Come here.” Mrs. Rivers called. Sienna stood at the door peering in to the room curiously. Honey? Her mother never called her honey.
“Honey, you remember your cousin Candice, don’t you?” her mom cooed sweetly putting her arm around a shy awkward looking teenage girl with short ginger hair, freckles and glasses. Sienna remembered vaguely and was confused as to what she was doing here as cousin Candice lived in Idaho.
“Sure.” She replied inquiringly looking at both her parents expectantly.
“Hey Candice, I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while. How you been?” Sienna asked politely. “Your Aunt Melody passed away recently so Candice is going to stay with us just for a couple months.” Her dad quickly said slowly letting it sink in to Sienna slowly. Aunt Melody was her dad’s estranged sister whom they only saw every few years.
“At least until they can find my dad.” Candice said pushing her glasses up her nose. “Wow, Sienna you look so different.” She said looking up at Sienna’s shiny dark locks and bright green eyes.
“You look exactly the same except taller!” Sienna exclaimed. The last time they saw each other was when they were twelve years old. Sienna and Candice used to play with each other as children but now that they were both almost seventeen they felt like strangers and at a lost for words.
“I’m sorry about your mom.” She added realizing she never gave her condolences. Sienna never got along with her mother and they fought on a daily basis but she couldn’t imagine losing her mom so young.
“She’ll be sleeping with you in your room, and Annie will sleep in Meredith’s room whilst she’s away at college.” Her mom said swiftly looking up at her challengingly. Honestly, sometimes Sienna missed good old drunk mom; she was a lot more fun. Sober mom was a condescending a-hole.
“We thought it would be a good idea, you two sharing a room together, getting to know each other again! It’ll just be like old times, huh girls?” her dad smiled fondly between them acting as though he did them a favor. Sienna didn’t know what to say so she merely nodded and sprinted up the stairs to her room, hers and Candice’s room now. She didn’t understand why her parents put her in her room when they had a perfectly good guest bedroom! Candice’s suitcases were already there and half her clothes were already packed away neatly in Annie’s wardrobe.
Well, this is just super! She thought sarcastically to herself before realizing she sounded like a total bitch. Her cousin lost her mom. Sienna lost an aunt; she should be more compassionate and make Candice feel welcome. At dinner, Sienna found out that Uncle Bernard ran out on Candice shortly after the funeral and had a serious gambling problem. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Candice who had been left in the lurch, stuck with some relatives she barely knew. Tensions between Sienna and her father were still strife since that “incident”. In turned out Logan Jackson had a mean right hook and broke Phil Rivers’ nose in three different places but her daddy wasn’t no weak link himself, he managed to fracture Sienna’s wrist thus the reason she had been wearing a cast for the last couple of weeks. She was just glad it was due to come off soon so that Logan wouldn’t get so mad every time he saw it and heard her lying about falling in the shower.
