Ask No Questions (No Regrets Series Book 1), page 6
Eight
Last night hasn’t been as bad as I worked it up to be. Talia and Alexis were nice, and once I got changed into dry clothes, we spent the rest of the night hanging out around the fire and I was able to relax and observe without being put on the spot again.
I wanted to tell Brandon, but the kitchen was empty. I saw a mass on the couch and thought he was sleeping until I noticed the blond hair sticking out from the blanket.
I shrieked as I jumped back, assuming the sleeping stranger was either a murderer or robber. It made sense at the time when my heart was racing and my body was deciding between the fight or flight response. I compromised between the two. I ran to the kitchen to grab the nearest knife and held it to my chest as I waited for the stranger to move.
Slowly the lump stirred and sat up facing me. His face showed signs of sleep, and he stared me down with a glare. For what? He grumbled something at me, but I only caught, “Who are you?”
He has the audacity to ask me who I was, in my own home. Who was this guy? I answered him as I slowly sidestepped toward Brandon’s room. I didn’t want to spook him, but I wanted my brother to kick this guy out. “I’m Aubrey.”
“Aubrey?”
“Who are you? And why are you on my couch?”
“Your couch?”
“Yes, I live here!”
“You live here?”
“Stop repeating me and tell me who you are!” I held the knife in front of me ready for this crazy to come at me.
“Why is everyone yelling?” Finally, Brandon decided to make an entrance. I turned to find him dragging his feet into the living the room rubbing his face with one hand and holding his glasses in the other. I looked at him, realizing he must be completely blind without them on, otherwise he would be freaking out too.
“Who is on our couch?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you Carter was meeting me over at the office to do some work late last night. You must have been asleep when we got here since I didn’t see you, and he stayed the night rather than driving back south."
Carter sat up on the couch, and I noticed he didn’t have a shirt on. "Dude, you didn't mention you were seeing anyone, let alone that some hot chick moved in with you!"
"Carter, calm down! I told you my sister was going to be moving in with me. This is Aubrey. Aubrey, you have now had the misfortune of meeting Carter, my business partner."
"You said your little sister was moving in. You did not mention that she’s…"
"Stop talking! Aubrey is seventeen and way out of your league, so keep your hands, even your eyes, off of her."
Feeling more courageous now that Brandon was with me, I glared down at him. "Yeah, like he has a chance with me. When was the last time you showered? You look like a bum, and your grossness is all over my new pillows and blanket!”
Carter looked around him like he was seeing the new additions for the first time. “Oh, you did this? Hmmm, it looks nice. About time Brandon got some color in here.”
I laughed despite myself, but it was nice having someone else confirm what I told Brandon yesterday. One compliment on my décor, and I felt myself softening toward him. I was easily bought, apparently.
“Thanks. I thought so too. He put up a fight, but I obviously won. Seriously though, what did you two do last night? You both look awful.”
“We went out.”
I looked at Brandon with my eyebrows raised. “Out? I didn’t know you did ‘out’. I thought you were a boring computer guy.”
“I let Carter drag me out every once in a while.”
Huh. I eyed both of them before I put the knife back in the kitchen. When he walked over to the couch and turned on the TV, Carter gave me a smile, and I narrowed my eyes at him before turning and making myself breakfast.
Carter sauntered in and started the coffee machine. I eyed him as I ate, watching as he helped himself to everything he needed without having to ask where things were. He was about the same height as Brandon but much broader.
“You’re one of the partners?”
He turned and leaned against the edge of the counter in just a pair of gym shorts giving me a full view of his ripped stomach.
“Yeah, I helped with the first app.”
I stared at him, trying to remember if we met. “I don’t remember you at the graduation.”
“That’s because I didn’t graduate with Brandon. I was there, but I didn’t participate in the celebrations. I still had homework to do.”
“And he’s still not done,” Brandon added as he joined us, taking a mug out of the cabinet and pouring himself some coffee.
“Almost,” Carter shot back, holding the creamer out of Brandon’s reach.
“What?” I looked between them.
“I’m two years younger than him, but I joined his team my freshman year.”
If he was two years younger, that made him nineteen.
“He’s a protege, or at least he was. What do they call the gifted children when they eventually average out?” my brother teased.
Carter ignored him. “I graduated high school at sixteen and got accepted to CU for programming. I helped build the app as a part of our class, but we clicked and the two of us were the only ones that didn’t want to throw away our money on fancy cars or trips.”
I knew the story, but I guess I assumed they were the same age.
“He’s only got one semester left. Then he’ll be working with me full time.” Brandon finally snatched the creamer and poured it into his mug.
Nineteen?
I knew that shouldn’t matter to me. He was my brother’s friend, business partner, and nearly graduated with college. None of that changed how attractive he was and the way I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
Tuesday morning, I picked Mckayla up early for school so she could help me find the office and register before the first bell rang.
I had the top down and music blasting as we pulled into the student lot. If there was anything that could put me in a good mood and calm me down before my first day, it was my beautiful car, good music, and Mckayla by my side. I wasn’t alone in this. For the first time, I had someone I trusted to have my back.
Bay View High was different than my large brick three-story school in Chicago. There was a sprawling lawn in front of the main building with “Bay View High School: Home of the Pirates” painted on the front and hallways leading away from a center courtyard behind the front office.
A middle-aged woman sitting behind the counter greeted us as we walked into the office. "Hello, Ms. Page. Did you have a good break?”
“Hi, Mrs. M. I did, thank you! This is my cousin, Aubrey. She transferred here from Chicago.”
“Oh right! Ms. Tate. We received your transcript, and your guidance counselor is waiting for you in her office to set up your schedule. Just go on in, girls."
We started down the hall, and Mckayla said “thanks” over her shoulder before guiding me through another hall to an office with a giant poster of Wonder Woman on the open door. I knocked as we entered, and another middle-aged woman greeted us with a wide smile. She had a dirty blonde bob and a kind face.
"Come on in and have a seat. Nice to see you, Mckayla." She turned to me, still smiling. "And you must be Aubrey Tate! I’m Mrs. Finn. I must say, I was excited to meet you after reading through your transcript. It seems that we have gained quite the student with you. Your previous school even included letters of recommendation from several teachers, your coach, and headmistress. I'm very impressed. I hope you find that our school lives up to your standard."
Wow, I was not expecting that. I left without mentioning to any of them where I was going or why. I didn’t even think about asking for recommendations.
“How nice of them. I’m looking forward to starting here, though." I tried to sound as polite as possible.
"That is just the attitude we need around here. Now, have you thought about what classes you want to take? I’ve done my best to match up your old schedule, but you have two elective periods you need to decide on."
I glanced at Mckayla and saw her give a little nod of encouragement. "I know since I'm coming in at the last minute my options are limited, but I was wondering if I could join the yearbook staff and maybe the dance team?"
"The yearbook staff seems like a great option for you with the experience you have from your old school. Dance team isn't an option, though, since tryouts are held at the end of the previous school year so the team can practice over the summer. Although, we can put you in one of the dance classes so Coach Sandra can get to know you. Maybe you can try out for the annual dance showcase."
I had figured there was a slim chance of joining, but this just meant I would have to find a studio fast to keep up with training.
"That sounds good. Thanks for all of your help!"
"Of course, it was my pleasure.” She clicked around on her laptop then glanced back up at me. “Let me just print out your schedule, and you two can be on your way. If there are any problems, don't hesitate to come in and talk to me."
She smiled at us as she handed me the schedule, and we left her office. Once we were out of the main office and into the center courtyard, Mckayla asked to see what classes I got.
"Geez, overachiever! Didn't anyone ever tell you high school is meant to be easy?" She laughed and hip bumped me before taking a seat at one of the picnic tables. "All right, let's see if you have any classes with us... Algebra II, nope. Dance, oh, our friend Cassie is in there with you. She's really nice. I'll try to introduce you two before then. AP English, have fun with that one. I think Talia is in that class, though! AP US History, Alexis is in there with you. Yearbook with me, yay! I'm so glad she let you in there! Chemistry, nada! Well at least you have some classes with us, and you'll make friends really fast too. Let’s go find the girls and Cassie so you’ll know someone in dance."
We wandered around the courtyard, then to the lawn in front of the school before we found Alexis and Talia talking to a petite brunette. We walked over to them, and Mckayla introduced me.
"Hey, guys. We were just looking for you, Cassie! This is my cousin, Aubrey. She just transferred here, and she's in your dance class. There! You guys are officially friends now!"
Cassie laughed and smiled at me. "Nice to meet you, Aubrey. I've heard all about you and the parties. Sorry, I couldn't make it to either of them. I was in Aspen with my family. I'm glad you're in my class though, we always need partners for warm ups so we can team up."
The bell rang and people slowly began making their way toward the buildings and we filed in with them. The girls dropped me off at the math hall, and Cassie promised she would meet me by the gym to show me where the dance room was. When they were gone, I looked at the door leading into my class, dreading starting everyday with math—my worst subject.
Giving up, I ambled into the room and noticed other people talking to each other before separating to seats on opposite sides of the room. Unless people didn't sit with their friends at this school, there must be some assigned arrangement. I looked at my schedule to check the teacher's name before approaching him.
"Hi, Mr. Cox, I'm Aubrey Tate. Today's my first day. Is there..."
Without looking up from the paper he was reading, he interrupted me. "We will be changing the seating chart. They just don't know it yet. Stand by the door, and I will assign everyone."
I walked back, hoping not all my teachers would treat me like a child and waited.
When the bell rang, signifying the start of class, Mr. Cox stood and asked everyone to gather their things and come to the front of the class to wait for their new seats. There was a chorus of groans, but they obeyed. He went through the roll and had us sit in alphabetical order. How original. I waited as the desks filled, glancing at the few students that remained at the front of the class with me—a common drawback to a last name late in the alphabet. Finally, he called my name, and I took a seat in the row closest to the door and halfway back. I took out a notebook and pen and waited for Mr. Cox to begin. He stood with a stack of papers in his hand.
"This is your syllabus for the semester. We will begin instruction tomorrow. You have the rest of the class to use how you wish. Just keep the noise level down, please."
Seriously? After his odd display of power, I expected him to be a strict teacher, but he just blew off the rest of the fifty-minute class.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around. I was face to face with a Polynesian god. Was everyone that lived here gorgeous? He had smooth brown skin and short black hair, but what I noticed first was his huge friendly smile, like he was constantly on the verge of breaking out into laughter. The second thing I noticed when I could pull my eyes off of his face was how small the desk seemed compared to him. He was all muscle, and I could tell he was tall. He spoke before I could finish taking inventory of his looks.
"Are you the new girl?"
"I don't know. I'm sure there's more than one new girl."
"Nah, you're the only one that has brown hair and a hot bod."
I was caught off guard by his bluntness. "Excuse me?"
"Everyone has been talking about you and Mckayla’s party. I was bummed I missed out, especially when word got out you're so hot."
I had no idea how to reply to any of the things he was saying. "Thanks?"
"Yeah, I mean Hawai'i was fun, but I wanted to get back sooner to meet the girl everyone has been talking about. I'm Mike, by the way."
"Aubrey." I smiled at him. I didn’t love the way he chose to describe me but having him compliment me made me giddier than it should. So much for avoiding the guys and focusing on myself. One smile from this guy, and I was suddenly very glad I moved here.
The cute, blond guy sitting next to me leaned over to us. "You're the infamous partier, Aubrey?"
"Yeah, Nick, this is her, but back off. I have dibs!"
Nick turned and threw a glare at him. "Whatever, Mike.” Turning back to me, a smile lit up his face. “It's nice to meet you, Aubrey. I wish I could have come the other night, but I was still on vacation with the family in Costa Rica until last night. I heard I missed a great party, though."
Did everyone go on extravagant vacations here? Mom and Neil travelled often, but rarely brought me and Peyton with them. Was that normal? It didn't seem to be the case here, but they usually went with their friends who also left their kids behind.
"If she has another one, I'll make sure she lets everyone know. Hopefully more people will be in town."
"I have a better idea, give me your phone." Nick held out his hand. I pulled it from my bag and hesitated before giving it over. I didn't want to get in trouble with Mr. Cox, but he seemed to be trying his best to ignore the class with his head lowered behind his laptop.
Nick handed it back to me after a moment. I looked down and saw a new contact.
"Future Husband, really? I expected you to come up with something more original."
I laughed, and Mike reached forward and grabbed my phone before I could react. After a second, he handed it back with a smile.
"Mike ‘The Babe’ Thomas? You both need to use your imagination more."
Other guys around us noticed what we were doing, and before I knew it, my phone was being passed around the class. A few girls saved their numbers waving and smiling at me, but almost every guy gave me their number. When I got it back, I laughed at the names saved in my phone. "You guys realize I don't have the majority of your real names. How do I know who I'm talking to?"
Nick leaned toward me. "That's half the fun." He winked and leaned back in his seat.
A girl that had been sitting on the other side of the room came toward me with a determined look on her face. "So you’re the one all the guys are talking about? Personally, I don’t get what all the fuss is about.” She made no attempt to cover up the fact she was sizing me up.
“So, what—or who—did you do over the break to get all of their attention?” She leaned forward, putting her hands on my desk, clearly trying to intimidate me
It took a moment for me to understand what she was insinuating, but Mike spoke up before I could say anything back to her. "Get over yourself, Sydney. Aubrey here happens to be nice, pretty, and throws great parties. All things you know nothing about. Leave her alone and go back to your seat and play with your makeup or something."
She looked like she just got smacked. "Whatever, Mike! My CD came out over the break and I invited everyone to the release party in LA and no one is making a big deal about that. Why are you guys freaking out about some dumb party put on by a nobody?"
"Because no one cares about your crappy CD your daddy paid to have produced. Get over yourself." He leaned back and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Evidently, this girl saw me as a threat, and when I looked around me, I realized the majority of the guys around me looked ready to take her on. Hmmm… these guys were super protective of a girl they didn't know and were pretty awful to this Sydney girl. I almost felt bad for her, but she seemed like she had spent years building her reputation.
She stood facing the class. “You’ll all come crawling back to beg for forgiveness when I have invites to the big parties and award shows in LA. We’ll see then who really matters.” She glared at me, then the guys one last time before walking back to her chair where two blondes were waiting to console her.
When the bell finally rang, I gathered my things and followed Mike out the door. He smiled back at me and stopped to let me catch up to him.
"What class do you have next?"
"Dance. I think that's by the gym, right?"
"Yeah, it is. I'll head over there with you."
As we weaved our way through the crowd of the math hall and back to the courtyard, he told me about the football team and his trip to Hawai'i. I didn't even notice we were standing in front of the gym until I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Cassie coming our way.
"Hey, Mike, you move fast. Second period hasn't even started yet, and word is going around you staked a claim on Aubrey."
