The Special Girl Read online

  Ava asks, “Why didn’t you just go with that hotty, Zack? He like you!” Brendan pipes up, “Who is Zack?” “He is a gorgeous, tattooed, motorcycle-riding math genius that is totally into Maura!” Ava belts out. We all laugh at her long-winded description. “Wait! What?” Liam asks. “Motorcycle?” Brandan asks. “Tattoos?” Liam echoes. Me and Ava crack up at them. “Mom and dad already met him and saw his motorcycle,” I answer. “He is just a classmate that helped me with my calculus class.” “Yeah right! He was more than that! She gets excited at the mention of his name. And he was into her! You should have seen how he looked at her!” Ava adds. I just roll my eyes.

  Chapter 8

  Zack

  After school on Friday, I meet Max at the construction site. We work until 7pm. After work, I go home and shower. The guys, Lindsey and Piper come over and we drink beer and play pool. While we play pool, Piper says, “Your girlfriend was in the salon today.” I realize she is looking at me. “Girlfriend?” I ask. “Yeah, bitchy conceited Maura!” she responds. Lindsey flinches at the description. “You don’t know her. She isn’t conceited nor a bitch!” I say. “Funny you didn’t dispute the girlfriend part though,” Max snorts. Turning towards him, “And she is not my girlfriend!” I add annoyed.

  “Why are you guys so judgmental and assuming? Why can’t I talk to a girl that doesn’t have a tattoo or piercing?” I look at Piper. “And why can’t I talk to a girl and not be screwing her?” I ask Max. “She is not the girl you think she is. Leave her alone! Maybe she thinks you are a bitch, because you can be you know!” I yell at Piper. Piper put down her pool stick and runs up the stairs and out the back door. Aidan and Lindsey run after her.

  Benny says, “Those girls have tortured her and Lindsey for years! You can’t blame her for being mad.” “I get it dude, but Maura isn’t like that. At least she isn’t any more. Ask Lindsey. She told me Maura stuck up for her when that bitch Lana messed with her in gym class. She went against them and helped Linds,” I tell him. Max smirks, “You sure this isn’t about wanting to fuck her? I mean you know I get it man!” “No fucking way. I haven’t done anything with her. I just have spent some time with her, and she isn’t so bad. It’s that simple,” I huff out.

  Max and Benny leave after that. Later, Lindsey texts me. Lindsey: Don’t worry. Piper is just pissed because you rejected her. She feels like you ditched her for Maura. I will talk to her. Zack: Thanks, Linds! I go to bed and lie awake for hours thinking. All this trouble for a girl I don’t even know how I feel about or where I stand in her eyes. Would she stand up for me to her friends? I honestly don’t know.

  I work with Max all day Saturday. We finish the job on Saturday and have Sunday off. Max asks me if I want to head to the beach for the day on Sunday. I agree. It sounds like a good idea. Aidan drives me, Max and Benny to the beach. On the way there, he tells us about what happened after he ran after Piper on Friday night.

  “I ran after her because I drove the girls and I didn’t want her to walk home,” he explains. “Piper was saying that she told Maura to stop playing games with you, Zack, when she saw her at the salon and Maura made it sound like something was actually going on between you two. Piper is obviously still pissed that you rejected her last week in your basement. Now she believes you dissed her for Maura, whom she hates!” he clarifies. “And get this! She had me drop her off at Benny’s tattoo shop. Linds told me she has something going with Mick. Isn’t he like 25?” he asks.

  I just shake my head. Typical Piper! This is why I don’t want to screw around with her anymore. Or is it something more? Why did Maura taunt Piper with the thought that me and her were involved? Does she think we are? I don’t think so. She is probably spending the weekend with that douche, Cameron right now! I hope Piper talks to me again. She better be careful getting mixed up with Mick the tattoo artist. That dude gets around!

  We walk on the boardwalk for a bit. We stop and get food and check out bikini-clad girls along the way. But we attract a lot of attention. We are a ghastly crew. People stare at us as we walk along. Benny stops me and points to the beach. I see the same assholes we were talking about earlier. Maura’s group of snobs, the popular group. But I see everyone but Maura. Even Cameron is there. Where could she be? Maybe she is up here on the boardwalk. I look at every blonde I see and no Maura. That is weird. Why isn’t she with them?

  The next day at school, they play the video newspaper in homeroom. They do a story on the prom. In the video they show the king and queen of the prom, Cameron and Maura. She looks so incredibly gorgeous. I can’t take my eyes off the screen. Then in the video, Cameron holds her close and kisses her! He actually kisses her! I don’t know why this surprises me. They probably kissed a lot that night. They probably did more than just kiss! She’s obviously into him. He is her kind of guy. He is clean cut, plays sports and is voted prom king to her queen. They are meant to be together. She probably was just trying to piss Piper off when she spoke to her. She doesn’t want me. She just wanted to pass calculus.

  Maura

  Since my so-called friends revealed their true selves to me on Friday night, I skipped the beach weekend we had planned. I spend the weekend with my family instead. I tell my parents an edited version of the events of prom night. We have a great weekend together. My brothers even stick around the entire weekend to show me support no doubt. I am very lucky to have all of them. Even though I am looking forward to a fresh start at college, I will miss spending time with my family.

  Monday at school is awkward. The video of me being crowned with Cameron as prom king and queen is shown in homeroom. The video illustrates just how handsy he was with me. He is holding me and even kissing me like he owns me. I am disgusted that he felt entitled to me and that somehow, I owed him. The more I think about it, the more I realize, Mason treated me the same way. He felt like I was his property to do with as he pleased and discard me when he was finished.

  My now ex-friends avoid me as much as I avoid them. They look away when we pass in the hall and I sit off by myself in lunch. I can do this for a few more weeks. No big deal, right? Lindsey walks up to me at lunch and asks if I am okay. “Yes. Thank you,” I answer. She looks at me curiously and asks, “Why aren’t you sitting with your friends?” I snort, “They aren’t real friends. I’d rather be alone than spend any more time with those assholes!” She laughs, “Really?” I smile at her, “Yeah really.” “I usually sit by myself too. None of my friends are in this lunch. It’s not so bad, I do homework, read or just play on my phone,” she offers. I move my stuff over on the table and motion to her, “You are welcome to join me.” She hesitates and then sits down. Conversation eludes us for a bit until I ask her about what she does after school. She begins to tell me about her job at her uncle’s car parts store. We laugh as she tells me funny stories about the guys she works with. Before I know it, the bell rings and lunch is over. We part with plans to pick up tomorrow at lunch again.

  I finish my day in cooking class. I am actually excited to see Zack. I haven’t seen him in three days. I actually miss him. When I walk into class, Mia and Cameron are talking and laughing, maybe even flirting. Mia is really putting in some effort, hair flipping, touching his arm and giggling at his every word. Trust me, he is not that entertaining. He is probably trying to let me know that there are plenty of girls willing to give it up to him. But I am not one of them! Mia would probably do whatever he wants, so maybe he should pursue that.

  Just then, Zack walks in and takes his place next to me at the table. I look at him eagerly and smile. I could use a real friend right now. But he doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead he keeps his head down and I catch him stealing glances of me as Mrs. Lingle gives us instructions for today’s assignment. I’m not sure what has him acting this way.

  When she ends her instruction, the class starts to come alive as students retrieve their needed supplies and ingredients. Cameron and Mia resume their flirty behavior in much louder voices, I’m assuming for my benefit. Zack notices
and looks over to them and finally looks at me questioningly. “What is up with that?” he asks nodding towards them. “Are you okay?” he adds. “Of course, never been better,” I grin. He looks completely confused. “Aren’t you and he together?” he questions. “No! We have never been together and never will either.” He ponders this. “But I saw you guys kiss and look like a couple in that prom video,” he reasons. “Don’t believe everything you see,” I smirk. He smiles and points at me, “Likewise!” He must be referring to me when I assumed, he and Piper were dating. I respond, “Touché!” And we both laugh. I look up still laughing and see Cameron watching us.

  After class I head home and then to work. My shift is busy at first and then slows to a crawl. We presently have two tables going. I hear the door open and a loud rowdy crowd enters. Cassie seats them and I grab menus and head over. As I glance their way, I realize it is a group of the last people I want to see, Lana, Mia, Sara, Cameron, Bryce and Dean. “What’s up Maura?” Dean chin lifts. “Hello,” I say solemnly as I hand them menus. Lana looks pleased with herself as she give me a fake smile. “Can I get anyone a drink?” I ask. They rattle off their drink orders.

  As I make my way from their table to the beverage service area, I can hear the laughing. They are so immature that they came here to make me feel uncomfortable and snicker at me while at work, where they know I have to take it. They are pathetic! Cassie soon catches on to what is transpiring. She comes over to where I am preparing their drinks and says, “I will take over this table for you. I need you to go in the kitchen and wipe down the menus for me.” She smiles and winks. I smile back at her gratefully and leave for the kitchen.

  I wipe down the menus while chatting with Maggie, the cook. Cassie enters the kitchen with a tray of dirty glasses about twenty minutes later. “They left,” she says. “As soon as they realized you weren’t available for their ridicule, they said they changed their mind and left without ordering anything else,” she complains. “That black-haired girl is a piece of work!” she adds. “Yeah that’s Lana,” I offer. Cassie looks at me sympathetically and says, “Maura, you are a great kid, you can definitely do better than those imbeciles.” Maggie laughs and pats me on the back.

  Zack

  During my 5th period gym class, our gym teacher asks me and Aidan to retrieve a table she needs from the cafeteria for a lesson. We oblige her and take off towards the cafeteria. When we enter the cafeteria, Aidan, with his eyebrows raised, nudges me and points. I follow his direction and see Lindsey and Maura sitting across from each other and engaging in a pleasant conversation. They are laughing while discussing something. I am frozen in place by the sight.

  When I look back at Aidan, he shrugs his shoulders and says, “Come on man, let’s get that table.” We grab the folded table from the other side of the cafeteria, and I notice a table with most of the popular crowd crammed around it. That asshole, Cameron is gawking at me. I keep my eyes on him just as long. It’s like a challenge from him, a stare down if you will. Finally, I shrug my shoulders and mouth, “What, you want some of this” while motioning to my chest and narrowing my eyes. Not surprisingly, he slaps one of his cronies on the back to bring his attention to this and get him involved. None of them can handle a conflict on their own.

  Aidan, aware of the situation, taps me on the chest with the back of his hand and says, “Not now. We got two weeks left, don’t mess that up!” He is right. I give the asshole and his loser friends one last glare and turn to walk away. As I turn, I notice both Maura and Lindsey watching me. Maura looks a little concerned. I give them a wave and leave with Aidan.

  When I get to lunch, Aidan relays the story from last period to Max, Benny and our friend Trey. “What the fuck dude, light his ass up!” is of course Max’s response. The rest of the guys laugh as Piper strolls up the table. “Light up who’s ass?” she asks. Benny, still laughing responds, “Cameron Loomis.” “Why? What happened?” she asks. Aidan tells her the story. “Why are you going to fight her boyfriend Zack! That’s just nuts! She obviously is with him! Anyone that watched the video from the prom in homeroom knows that! Just forget about her!” “What are you talking about Piper?” I say. “This has nothing to do with Maura. It was between me and him!” “What happened to the Zack I knew? He wouldn’t give two shits about a stuck-up cheerleader! I don’t know you anymore!” she huffs and storms away.

  “What is with you and the prom queen?” Benny asks. “You into her?” I wince at the thought of having this conversation right now. “She’s okay. Like I said before, she isn’t so bad. She definitely isn’t like those others,” I assert. Aidan pipes up, “She was sitting with Linds at lunch last period. Me and Zack saw them.” “What? With Linds? Really?” Max says in surprise. “Yes, she was! See even Lindsey likes her. She already told me that the other day,” I inform them. “I think she forgot to tell Piper!” Benny laughs. We all start to laugh as we nod in agreement.

  When I walk into cooking class at the end of the day, I expect to be hassled by Cameron and his clan. However, he mostly ignores me and to my surprise, he doesn’t even look at Maura. “What’s going on between you and Cameron?” she asks. “Nothing really. I’m just sick of that fucker!” I answer. “He needs to be brought down a peg or two. I may just be the one to do it…. if Max doesn’t beat me to it!” I laugh out. “Why isn’t he talking to you? He isn’t even looking at you,” I point out. “Oh, he won’t be talking to me anytime soon!” she says. “Why? You two looked pretty chummy at the prom, prom queen!” he says. She huffs, “Not my choice. He had different ideas than me and I had to set him straight.” I am instantly intrigued, “And how did you set him straight?” “I had to slap him!” she smiles. “What? Really?” I ask. “Well maybe you already knocked him down. We won’t have to do it after all!” I say laughing. She smiles in agreement.

  After class, Cameron and that girl Mia leave quickly, followed closely by their other friends. I wait for Maura and walk out with her. As we enter the hallway, their entire group is there glaring at us. She seems to tense up and I put my hand on her lower back and guide her out of the building into the parking lot. “Are you alright?” I ask her. She nods yes but she looks like she is holding back tears. I stop her, put my hand on her chin and tilt her head up to look at me. “Did he hurt you?” I say murderously. “Because if he did, I will kill him right now!” I roar. “No. I didn’t let it get that far. It’s okay. I just want to get out of here right now,” she cries. I hold her to my chest as she whimpers. “Come with me,” I say as I lead her to my bike. I put the helmet on her and get on the bike. She climbs on behind me and I take off.

  Chapter 9

  Maura

  Zack drives us to a small two-story house and pulls up the driveway. He stops in front of the detached garage and parks the bike. He slides off the bike, guiding me with him. He takes my helmet off and brings me to a side door. “Is this your house?” I ask. “Yeah come in,” he says holding my hand. When we enter into the tidy kitchen, he lets my hand go. He puts his bag on the counter and tells me to take a seat. He apologizes for not having fresh baked treats on hand like my house but offers me a soda as I chuckle. I take it and he motions for me to follow him to the basement.

  The basement is obviously his domain. We take a seat on the couch and he asks me to tell him what happened at the prom. I tell him the entire story of the events of that night. He takes in a deep breath and swallows hard. “I’m so sorry that happened to you Maura,” he says sincerely. “I wish I was there with you to stop him and those mean ass girls from treating you so poorly,” he says regretfully. I giggle through my tears, “If you were there with me, the entire school would have been talking about that!” “Not to mention you would have had to wear a tux!” I say with another snort trying to picture that. He leans into me and smiles, “I’ll have you know I wore a tux when my mom got remarried.” “Do you have pictures? I would really like to see evidence of that,” I beg. “Maybe,” he laughs.

  We continue this banter
for a bit. When there is a lull, he says, “You looked absolutely beautiful.” I look into his eyes and tell him shyly, “Thank you.” He holds my face with two hands and stares into my soul as he says, “You are absolutely beautiful.” He continues to look at me a moment and then he presses his lips to mine. He sucks in my lower lip and I never want him to stop. He pulls me closer while continuing to kiss me deeper like I hold his last breath. His tongue pushes through to gain entry into my mouth. Our tongues tangle and he tastes like mint and Sprite. His taste is utterly delectable. He pulls me onto his lap as he continues to devour my mouth. I have never been kissed so passionately before. We continue kissing like this for what seems like hours. When we finally break apart, he keeps my gaze as we lie side by side on the couch, with me wrapped up in his strong arms.

  “Why haven’t we done that before?” I ask. “Because I didn’t think you felt the same as I did,” he says honestly. “I didn’t think you would be interested in me,” I admit. “I am,” he says as he playfully bites my nose. “Let’s not dwell on that stuff and enjoy this moment,” he offers. We lie wrapped in each other’s arms until we fall asleep. I wake to the sound of my text notification. Ding, ding, ding. I pull away enough from Zack to pull my phone from the pocket of my shorts. Zack begins to stir. I look at my phone and see it’s 6:30 and my mom is texting asking if I’m okay since I didn’t come home for dinner and haven’t called. I text back that I’m sorry I missed dinner but I’m fine and at a friend’s house. She texts back: Zack? Really! How did she know? Then she texts: Ava is asking. I answer: Maybe, be home later, Love you!