CHAPTER 1 New Boy Toy

“There’s a new guy working in the bakery,” says Annabell as she begins to put a hunk of Salami in the Meat Slicer. “Darlene said he’s totally hot, but kind of creepy. He doesn’t talk much I guess.”

“Really…” I say dryly. “Like Mike the Milkman creepy or like mysterious creepy?”

“Mysterious creepy,” Annabell replies. She takes the slices of Salami and puts it on the scale at the Deli counter. Happy with the weight, she begins to package what looks like a pound of Salami. She hands the meat over the counter to a woman on the other side. “Can I get you anything else tonight Ma’am?”

“No thank you,” the woman says and tosses Annabell a satisfied smile. She then walks away, pushing a basket full of fruits and vegetables toward the check out lines.

“I guess his name is Nikolaz with a ‘Z’,” Annabell states. “I wonder how old he is and if he’s available.”

“Annabell!” I exclaim with a laugh. “Don’t even think about it. He’s new leave the poor guy alone for a little while at least.”

“Relax,” Annabell laughs. “I’m going steady with Doug. I meant for you. He’d be perfect, neither of you two talk much.” Annabell laughs again.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I say. “I’m really not looking for a boyfriend right now. I’m trying to focus more on my schoolwork you know that. Between work, school, and my violin lessons, I have no time for boys.”

“I know Sable, but I thought it would be fun for you to get out for a little while,” Annabell explains. “You’re always working or studying or practicing that damn violin. You should have some fun for once.”

“Playing the violin is fun,” I argue. “Besides we’re graduating in six months. I have to hurry and decide on what college I want to attend.”

“Honey you’ve got six months,” says a familiar voice. I look over the counter to see Darlene standing there. “You have enough time to decide on a college. Annabell is right. You need to get out of the house and come hang out with us for once.” I roll my eyes.

“Alright you guys win,” I say. “I have a day off of work tomorrow. We can go see a movie or something.”

“Forget movies!” Darlene exclaims and tucks a strand of black wavy hair back under her blue Grocery Plus hat. “You’re coming with us to Alicia’s party. Anyways, I need a ride home tonight because my brother is being an ass.”

“Alright,” Annabell says. “I’ll drive you home. Just let me hurry up and wash the outside of those windows to the counter. Damn little kids and their finger prints.” We all laugh.

“It’s 10:30 already?” I question. “Wow time flies. Good thing I already covered up the salads and stuff. I guess I should mop the floor now huh?” I grab the broom and begin to sweep dirt and garbage into a pile as Annabell wipes the outside windows to the counters with window cleaner. I then sweep the dirt and trash up into a dustpan and empty it into a garbage can. Finally I fill a small bucket full of warm water and soap and begin to mop the floor.

When I finish it’s about 10:50p.m. and Annabell and Darlene have already left for home. I turn the Deli’s lights off then walk toward the front of the store to punch out. Eventually I make it outside to the parking lot. The cool night air hits me instantly. I walk a few feet over to the payphone and put two quarters into the machine.

I dial my sister’s cell phone number and wait for her to answer. “Hello?” she asks after three rings.

“Hey Saige, it’s Sable can you come pick me up tonight?” I ask. Saige sighs into the phone. “Sorry, but no Sable. I’m at Evan’s studying. I thought you normally walk home anyway.”

“I do, but after last night I don’t really want to walk tonight,” I explain. “But whatever I’ll just walk. See this is why I never ask you for anything. If you guys have to put a picture of me on the back of a milk carton it’s your fault.”

“Oh Sable,” Saige laughs. “You’ll be fine. Ask Annabelle for a ride or something.”

“She already left,” I say. “I’ll just walk I guess. See you at home.”

“Bye,” Saige says then hangs up the phone. I hang up the payphone and turn around. I nearly scream when I see someone standing right next to me.

“Shit!” I exclaim. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Sorry,” the person says. I look up to see a guy wearing a pair of tight fitting black jeans and a black tee shirt tucked under a slightly snug black jacket. A white belt with a silver cross is tucked through the belt loops of his jeans and he’s wearing a couple of silver necklaces. One necklace looks like a silver sword with a snake wrapped around it. He is also wearing silver bracelets with skulls on them around each wrist.

The sleeves to his jacket are pulled up a few inches on both arms and I can slightly see tattoo designs going up from his wrists. His hair is mostly black with a little bit of blond that is spiked like a faux hawk. There’s a small patch of facial hair under his bottom lip in a small two-centimeter sized square. His eyes are lightly lined with black eyeliner and to me the guy looks like he had just walked off of the cover of a rock magazine.

“I really didn’t mean to scare you,” the guy says. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I reply, nearly falling in love with his smooth voice and chocolaty brown eyes. I quickly look away from him feeling awkward. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asks. I nod then lean against the wall to the grocery store. “You work in the deli don’t you?” I look back up at his face.

“Um… Yeah,” I reply.

“I saw you mopping the floors,” he says. “I also saw you making subs. I bought one on my lunch break because they looked delicious and they were.”

“Uh thanks I guess,” I say feeling awkward again. The guy then laughs slightly.

“Sorry,” he says. “I’m not really good with starting conversations. You must think I’m weird huh?”

“You’re no weirder than anyone else in this city I suppose,” I reply with a small smile.

“I guess I should fit right in then,” the guy says. “Do you go to the high school?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that,” I reply. “I don’t know you.”

“Oh…” he says nervously. “I just moved here, so I guess no one really knows me.”

“Oh…” I say. “Are you the new guy who works in the bakery?” He nods. “Oh. So are you going to go to the high school?”

“I’m sorry,” he mocks. “I can’t answer that because I don’t know you.” I smile.

“Okay,” I laugh. “My name’s Sable and yes I go to the high school. What’s your name?”

“Nikolaz,” he replies. “And yes I’m going to go to the high school. I start next Monday as a senior. Is the school any good?”

“It’s like any other high school I guess,” I reply. “There are the numerous cliques and various annoying kids who like to show off. There are maybe a few strict teachers, but nothing too bad. So you’re a senior? I am too.”

“Cool,” Nikolaz says. “Maybe I’ll be in some of your classes. At least then I can say that I kind of know someone.”

“Yeah,” I say. “Well I really must get going. It’s late and I have to walk home. I’ll see you later.”

“It’s like eleven-o’clock,” Nikolaz says. “You’re going to walk home this late at night?”

“I have no choice,” I reply. “I don’t have a car yet and my twin sister refuses to pick me up. I’ll be fine. I usually walk home this late anyways.”

“Well I have a car,” Nikolaz states. “I could drive you home if you want. I mean if you trust me enough to drive you home.” I look up at his face and he smiles slightly. I can sense honesty in those brown eyes so I decide to take him up on his offer.

“You know what,” I say. “That would be great actually.”

“All right,” he says. “Wait here. I’ll pull up with the car so you don’t drop anything.” I watch as Nikolaz walks away into the darkness. He seems to fade into the shadows like some king of darkness. He’s actually quite attractive with his “Bad Boy” looks and mysterious edge of generosity. He gets inside a sleek dark blue 1995 Thunderbird and drives back toward me. He pulls up next to the curb and opens the passenger door from the inside.

“Thanks,” I say as I begin to get inside the car. “This is really nice of you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replies. “And it’s no problem really. Besides, you shouldn’t be walking out here by yourself this late at night. So which way’s your house?”

“Do you know where the high school is?” I ask. Nikolaz nods. “Well I live across the street from the back of the school.”

“That close to hell huh?” he jokes. I laugh a little and nod. We pull out of the parking lot and begin to drive in the direction of the high school. “Do you want to listen to some music or anything?”

“I don’t know,” I reply. “It won’t bother me if you want to turn it on.”

“Oh no,” he says. “You just looked a little bored. Also silence sort of makes me nervous. So uh… Did you mention something about having a twin sister? Are you two identical or fraternal?”

“Identical,” I say. “Her name’s Saige. We’re nothing alike though. Typical huh? She’s really into boys and sports and well, I’m into music and theater and getting really good grades… Not that her grades are bad or anything, but she just doesn’t like to study as much as I do.” I look over at Nikolaz. His eyes are focused on the road and he seems to be really concentrating on driving. He then suddenly looks over at me and smiles. His teeth are perfectly straight and white. I blush then look away again. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No,” he replies. “I’m an only child. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have an identical twin though.” We turn onto my street and Nikolaz slows the car down. “Tell me when we get to your house.”

“It’s at the end of this block on the corner,” I say. “It’s on the right. The big red brick house, you can’t miss it.”

“Okay,” he says. We eventually get to my driveway and Nikolaz pulls the car up next to my sister’s red Jeep.

“Well thanks again,” I say and gather my things.

“You’re welcome again,” he says.

“Good night,” I say and smile at him. I then open the passenger door and get out of the car.

“Good night,” Nikolaz says and smiles back. “If you ever need another ride just ask.”

“Alright,” I say then gently close the door. I walk up the cement stairs to my porch and turn the knob. I glance one last time at Nikolaz as he pulls out of the driveway. Darlene was right, he is really gorgeous. I walk inside my house and head straight for my bedroom.

I quickly change out of my work clothes and into my pajamas. Then I go back down stairs to the living room where my twin sister is lying on the couch with her phone practically attached to her ear.

“All right bye Evan,” Saige says then hangs up her phone. She then looks at me. “Who was that?”

“Who was who?” I ask.

“Who was that who drove you home?” she asks. “I’ve never seen that car before.”

“Oh,” I say. “Well his name is Nikolaz and he’s new to the city. He works in the bakery and he’s starting school on Monday as a senior.”

“Is he cute?” Saige asks with a smile.

“He’s gorgeous!” I exclaim excitedly.

“Wow!” Saige exclaims. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you get excited over a guy. So did you get a number or anything?”

“No,” I reply. “But he said that if I ever needed a ride home again to just ask.”

“You’re so lame,” Saige says and rolls her eyes. Then she gets up and walks up stairs. I sigh then go into the bathroom to brush my teeth. After I brush my teeth I head back up stairs to my bedroom and go to sleep.

~*~*~*~

“You got a ride with him?” Darlene asks with a wide grin. “See, he’s hot isn’t he? You should ask him out or something.”

“I don’t know,” I reply and take a sip of my caramel latte. “I’m not good with guys. I’ve never even had a boyfriend before.”

“So,” Darlene says. “Just be yourself. So… Ready for Alicia’s party tonight?”

“Not really,” I reply. “This is going to be my first high school party. What the hell am I going to wear? I don’t have any cool party clothes.” I take another sip of my latte just as Nikolaz walks into the café. His brown eyes quickly meet mine and he smiles. I suddenly blush and try to hide it from Darlene.

“Who are you blushing at?” she asks. She turns around to see where my attention has gone. Her eyes lock onto Nikolaz then she turns back around and smiles. “Now’s your chance. You should go ask him to the party.”

“No!” I exclaim. “I can’t, I’ll be too nervous.” Darlene all of a sudden stands up and pulls me out of my chair. “Oh Darlene, come on!” She pushes me in Nikolaz’s direction and I nearly fall into him.

“Whoa!” Nikolaz laughs. “You okay there?” I smile awkwardly, not knowing what to say to him at first.

“Hi,” I finally say in a girlie I-gotta-crush sort of tone.

“Hi,” he says with a small laugh. “What’s up?”

“Nothing really,” I reply. “I just wanted to say Hi.”

“Are you sure? Just Hi?”

No! “Yeah, just Hi.”

“Not even how’s it going? Just a single Hi?”

“Okay… Well then, what’s up?” I ask, trying not to smile too much.

“Well, not too much,” he smiles. “Just wanted some coffee.”

“Oh,” I say. “Well, I was thinking. Some people from school are throwing this party and I thought that since you didn’t know anyone you could maybe come with me. You know, to meet some people.”

“When is it?” Nikolaz asks.

“Tonight,” I reply. “Would you like to go?”

“Yeah,” he says. “Of course I’d like to go with you.” I can feel my cheeks get hot again and a wide grin spreads across my face.

“All right,” I say nervously. “Do you remember where I live?” He nods. “Okay, meet me at my house around 9:30ish. The party starts at ten.”

“Okay,” he says and smiles at me again. “I’ll see you then beautiful.” I stare at him, dumbfounded for a moment. A guy has never, in my life, called me beautiful. Well, I’m mistaken, there was this time where I was thought to be Saige, but that doesn’t really count.

“Yeah, later,” I say quickly before I puke from being so overwhelmed with that last compliment.

“Bye,” he says then I turn around and walk back toward Darlene as fast as possible.

“So did you ask him?” Darlene asks as soon as I sit back down.

“Yeah, I did,” I reply.

“What’d he say?”

“He said yes. Then he said ‘I’ll see you then beautiful’ and I had to walk away before I became any more nauseous.” Darlene grins.

“See, he’s totally into you,” she says.