Soul Searcher by D.M. Richardson (novel24 .TXT) 📕

I had just got downstairs when there was a knock on the door. I went ahead and answered it. He was standing there tall and string with those wonderful sunglasses on. I let him in and led him into the dining room. He seemed a little disappointed but sat down gracefully opening his book to the right chapter.

The first hour was almost pleasant. I explained the lesson and he asked the questions he needed to. Unfortunately he didn’t want it to remain pleasant. He started weaseling personal questions into the explanation.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“That has nothing to do with physics.”

Ten minutes later.

“Have you ever had a favorite pet?” I ignored him.

“What’s your middle name?” finally I had, had enough.

“That’s it the tutoring is done for today.” I snapped my book shut and left the room. I reached the top of the stairs when I heard the front door open and close.

I took a deep breathe and set in to actually enjoy the rest of my day.

About an hour after dinner I was going to the kitchen to get a drink. I heard murmuring from Koner’s office and slowed in order to listen. I wasn’t proud of it but I had a feeling I should hear what they were saying.

“I don’t know Koner. She doesn’t respond to anything we do. I don’t understand.”

“Sweet heart you have to be patient. She’s been passed from house to house for most of her life. Of course she’s going to be distant.”

“But I’ve tried everything. I even asked Mr. Harvest what her favorite food is. She didn’t even notice that I made it for dinner tonight.”

“She probably just thought it was a coincidence. Did you see how quickly she ate it?”

“Yeah so she could get away from us quicker. I don’t get it. I mean I took her shopping and bought her clothes that she obviously like and she hasn’t worn any of it. It’s like she’s just not interested. I’m trying but I don’t think she wants to be here.”

“She’s tired. She works hard all the time. I know you’ve read her file. She’s been in bad homes before. She’s the best worker I’ve got at the shop, and not just because of the paycheck. She’s gotten straight A’s since the second grade. She never stops, and I think she stays distant, because she thinks we don’t want her. She assumes that we’re going to send her away, because that’s all that has ever happened. Mr. Harvest warned us about this remember?”

“Yes I guess I thought I could draw her out. Make her feel wanted.” I heard a shifting in movement and quickly and quietly made my way to the kitchen. I felt extremely guilty. I didn’t mean to make them feel like I didn’t want to be there. It was the best home I’ve been in before. They were both incredibly caring, and at the same time didn’t push or hover. They knew when to give me space.

I heard someone enter the kitchen just as I was putting my glass in the sink.

“Oh Rayne I didn’t know you were in here.” Sara said in surprise. There was no evidence of her previous conversation on her face. I racked my mind to find a way to make her feel better about me. I almost groaned when I came up with a solution.

“Hey Sara. Actually I was wondering if I could ask you something.”

“Sure”

“I’m terrible with the fashion thing. That’s why I haven’t been wearing the clothes you got me.” I winced slightly at the lie. I had to remind myself that it was only to make her feel better. “I was thinking that if you didn’t mind you could pick the outfits for me?” I asked in a rush. It was worth it. Her face lit up like a high powered flashlight.

“Of course I’ll go do it right now. Oh this is going to be so fun you’re going to look amazing.” I smiled as she rushed out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight I sighed and my shoulders slumped a little. I heard the door squeak slightly and straightened quickly afraid she had come back. Instead it was Koner.

“Thank you” he said softly and left without waiting for a response. I waited until I heard Sara come back down the stairs before I quietly went to my room. She had laid out the black shirt that fell of the right shoulder, and a pair of the black jeans. The strapless bra was laying next to the shirt, and the spiked heeled boots were on the floor in front the ensemble. I sighed and moved them to the back of the desk chair. Tomorrow would be akin to torture, but I was hoping it would be worth it. I took a quick shower and crawled into bed with my book.

The next morning I got up a little earlier. I braided my hair like usual then set about putting on the clothes that Sara had picked out. When I was done dressing I got out the eyeliner and eye shadow she had picked out for me. I stumbled through using them, but I had to admit the end result was astonishing.

The make up helped to pull attention away from the shadows under my eyes. The shirt left my right shoulder bare, but the way it sloped it made it look smooth and strong. It was still really tight at my stomach, but I lifted my arms and it didn’t ride up. The jeans were low rise but accentuated my hips, and the heels made my legs look more shapely. I hardly recognized the girl in the mirror.

I grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs. Since I wasn’t running late I took my time. More for the fear of losing my life in the heels than being late. I suffered through fifteen minutes of Sara gushing about how good I looked and ignoring Koner’s smirks before I decided it was time to leave.

When I entered the front door of the school there was an instant change in the atmosphere. There were people staring at me and whispering to their friends. I barely made it to my first class without having a melt down.

I walked into second hour and had a sick satisfaction when Zeke looked up at me. His mouth dropped open and his eyebrows steadily climbed towards his hair line. I sat in my seat next to his, and he removed his glasses to get a better look at me. He stared even harder at me than usual.

By lunch my feet were killing me and I relished the feeling of propping them up on a chair. The stares and whispers never stopped and my patience was wearing thin. I was trying to drown myself in my book when the tempo of the cafeteria changed. I looked up to see there was another new kid. I was about to let out a relieved sigh when I realized I knew the person.

He turned and scanned the room. I tried to shrink in my seat but he spotted me anyway. His smile was large, I used to think it was handsome, now I saw it as slimy. He walked across the cafeteria ignoring all of the drooling girls on the way. When he reached my table he grabbed the chair closest to the wall and sat down leaning back and getting comfortable.

“Wow Ray you look good. Really good. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“I wish you hadn’t, and don’t call me Ray.”

“Awe come on you’re not still sore about all that are you?” he asked waving his hand. I looked at him and from my peripheral saw Zeke and his friends watching us. Jacob was curious but the other three were tense. It seemed my intense dislike for my old friend was noticeable.

“As I recall you were the one that was sore. What are you doing here Chase?”

“You didn’t hear? Oh I guess you didn’t you’ve never been one to listen to gossip have you? I go to this school now. Moved here yesterday. Aren’t coincidences wonderful?” he said with his token smile. I wanted to smack him. He knew I didn’t believe in coincidences. He was one of the most attractive guys I’ve seen. He was tall with broad shoulders, and dark hair. He had piercing gray eyes and an easy smile. I wanted nothing more than to totally ruin his good looks.

Instead of smacking him and earning detention and even more gossip though I gathered my things. I stood to walk away but he followed me a few feet.

“What no smile or hug for your favorite ex?” he asked in a tone that was just as slimy as his smile. I turned and glared at him. We were closest to Zeke’s table and I knew they were all watching and listening intently.

“Chase”

“Yes?”

“Burn in hell.” I put as much venom in my voice as I could and I watched his smile fall slightly. Not many people would have noticed it, but it was enough for me. I turned and continued my way out of the cafeteria with confidence.

The next several days were hell. Chase was always there. He never left me alone. My only break was that he didn’t know where I worked or lived. However, he seemed to learn my class schedule and to be there in the halls when ever the classes let out. He made a point to park next to me, and he sat at the closest available table in the cafeteria. After the second day I noticed him and Sam spending a lot of time together. It made me extremely nervous. Oddly enough the only comfort I had was that every time Chase was there so was one of Zeke’s friends. Will and Frank had even taken to walking with me between classes.

I tutored Zeke every evening after dinner, and he had laid off asking me questions. Finally one night after we had finished with physics I walked him to the door. I was getting more and more comfortable around him. A mistake I knew I was making, but I figured that if I was trapped into spending time with him I might as well be comfortable doing it. We were standing on the porch and he had turned to take the stairs when he turned back suddenly.

“Can I ask you something?” He had never asked me if he could ask me something before so I nodded.

“What’s up with you and that Chase guy?” I sighed and dropped my eyes. It took me a moment to decide, but I went ahead and answered him.

“Chase went to my old school. We dated for a while but I broke up with him a few weeks before I moved. He didn’t take it very gracefully.”

“Why not?”

“Chase doesn’t get dumped. He does the dumping. He took it a little personally when I beat him to it.” Zeke nodded slightly then said good night.

The next day at school was just as bad, but I couldn’t manage to focus on what was going on. I had never been so relieved to have school be over. I went to work but Koner sent me home early because I couldn’t concentrate. Finally it was five o’clock and I walked into the diner where Jack was supposed to meet me. I scanned the room and spotted him in a back corner. He had already ordered our drinks.

I joined him at the table and he greeted me in our usual way. He grabbed my forearm and I gripped his. We sat that way for a few seconds smiling at each other. The waitress arrived and we placed our order. We talked about how everything was going with my transfer for a few minutes. It was