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

“Great. I pick you up at six and we can grab a bite to eat before the movie starts.” he stood up to leave, but turned back when he reached the door. “Umm what kind of movies do you like?” I shrugged.

“Mostly action and horror.” I answered and he surprised me by throwing his head back with a loud laugh. “What’s so funny?” I asked a little indignantly.

“Nothing my kind of girl. I was afraid you would say a romantic comedy.” he said between chuckles. I ignored the ‘my kind of girl’ comment and wrinkled my nose.

“I hate chick flicks.” he laughed again and waved as he walked out. I laid back down on my bed but this time it was in contemplation instead of misery.

The next morning I told Sara and Koner about going to the movies with Zeke. Sara squealed and Kristi sulked. It didn’t matter how many times I told them it wasn’t a date Sara still treated it like it was. For two days I was stuck listening to her excited babble. I tried escaping out the back door once, but Koner was already out there hiding. I gave him a pleading look, but he just grimaced in sympathy, and pointed back to the door. I groaned and went back in to deal with Sara’s fussing some more.

Finally it was time for me to get dressed and go. I didn’t want to change my clothes, but Sara insisted that, even though we weren’t calling it a date, I wear something nice. I settled with my dark blue shirt and a jacket that Sara provided. She wanted me to wear my boots, but I put my foot down.

Six o’clock came and went. I waited in the living room for him to show up, but at seven thirty I gave up and heated up a plate of left over dinner. I couldn’t stand the looks of sympathy Sara kept giving me so I went upstairs to take a shower. I sat down in my window seat and looked outside. I was about to close the curtain and open my book when a movement caught my eye. Zeke’s car was pulling into his driveway. I watched as he and his friends got out laughing. They walked inside and I sighed. Well at least they were having fun.

About five minutes later I heard the front door open and close. I looked up from my book and looked out my window again. Koner was walking down the street to Zeke’s. I watched as he knocked on the door. Rob answered with a smile, but as Koner talked his smile faltered and then disappeared. I put my face in my hands. Could the humiliation get any worse.

I looked back up to see Rob with a scowl turn to call into the house. A minute later Zeke walked out onto the porch. The light was perfect for me to see his face, and he was smiling. Until he took in the expression on the two men’s faces. Then his expression turned to worry.

I saw him say something, and Rob answered him. His expression turned to worry, and then dawning realization, and finally horror.

Zeke

I was confused when my dad called me out onto the porch. When I saw Koner I smiled in greeting, but he just glared at me. I looked at my dad and his face was red with anger.

“What’s going on?” I asked with a touch of worry. My dad crossed his arms.

“Did you forget to do something today?” he asked quietly. I hated it when he was quiet. It meant that he wasn’t just angry he was disappointed. I thought back to everything I had done that day. It had been a slow day so I went bowling with the guys. Then we caught a movie. I froze. I remembered. I was supposed to take Rayne to the movies tonight. God how could I have forgotten her? I worked so hard to figure out a way to get her to go. And after she told me that story. It obviously meant a lot for her to tell me, and I knew it wasn’t easy for her. I rubbed my face and ran my hands through my hair.

“How mad is she?” I asked Koner preparing for the worst. He shook his head.

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t say anything. She waited for about two hours and then just went up to her room.” I sighed and dropped my shoulders.

“How could you stand her up like this?” my dad asked. I shook my head and spread my hands.

“I don’t know I just forgot.”

“You forgot?” Koner asked with raised eyebrows. He looked like he was ready to beat me within an inch of my life, and I would have let him. I felt like such an ass.

Frank and Will came out to see what was going on. I had left an unfinished game of poker going inside.

“What’s going on?” Will asked uneasily feeling the tension.

“I was supposed to take Rayne to the movies tonight. I forgot.” I answered. Will looked at me in horror and Frank smacked me on the back of the head. I turned back to Koner pleading and ready to beg on my knees.

“Can you tell her I’m sorry?” I asked.

“No. You’re on your own with this one. You are going to have to face her yourself. And she doesn’t strike me as easily forgiving.” he turned and headed back to his house. Sara stood in the doorway glaring at me. My dad shook his head at me and went back inside. Frank and Will followed him but I stayed outside for a few more minutes. I looked up at Rayne’s window, and saw the curtain flutter just a few seconds before the light turned off.

I went back in to see the guys gathering their things to leave. They each glared at me as they walked out. I was going to catch hell for this from everyone. It didn’t really bother me we would be back on good terms by Monday. But I didn’t know what I was going to say to Rayne. If she would even talk to me after this.

My dad walked back into the room and leaned against the wall.

“First you ruin things by offending and then attacking her a few days ago. Then you promise to take her out and you forget?”

“Yes dad I know. I feel bad enough as it is.”

“Not as bad as she feels I bet. She took a big risk trusting you with part of her past. A past that she keeps buried as much as possible. Then you ruin it. You do realize that it‘s only been a few weeks since she realized that her father forgot about her right?” I groaned. I hadn’t even thought about that. She never talked about it and I didn’t dare mention it.

“I know! It wasn’t on purpose. I got caught up with the guys. I was really looking forward to getting her out.”

“Well now you’re going to have to work three times as hard as before. You really messed up and I guarantee she will make you pay for it. If she’s even willing to allow you back into her life.” he walked away and I sighed. He was right. I really, really messed up this time. I was worried that she actually would write me off for this. It seemed like something she would do. She had enough trust issues she didn’t need to be constantly worried about me.

At school on Monday she had reverted to acting like I didn’t exist. I even acted like I didn’t know how to do my physics problems, but it didn’t do any good. Thanks to her I not only got a better grade, but I actually understood the material.

I walked into the cafeteria with the guys, but instead of sitting at our table, I stood next to hers. I knew she wouldn’t be sitting with us today. When I parted with them Will gave me slap on the back.

“Get ready to grovel. She’s going to make you.”

I waited for another few minutes until she walked in. She kept her eyes on the floor like she always did, and didn’t bother to even look at the table she had been sitting at for the last week or so. She didn’t notice me until she was a few feet away. She looked up at me with a stony look, and turned on her heel to walk away.

There was a loud laugh from the next table over and I looked at them. Chase was the one laughing and Megan joined in.

“Good luck. She doesn’t forgive easily.” I ignored him and followed her out into the hall. She was walking fast and I had to jog to catch up.

“Wait!” I called. She didn’t even pause until I stopped in front of her. She gave me the same stony look.

“Don’t bother.” she tried to step around me but I blocked her way. “Get out of my way.” she said in a monotone.

“No not until you hear me out.” she crossed her arms and looked at me.

“Fine” I sighed in relief.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to forget I just got caught up.”

“That’s good. You can stop feeling guilty now.” she tried to step around me again, but I wouldn’t let her. I guess the relief was a little premature.

“Please stop. Look I know I screwed up. But at least give me a chance to make it up to you.”

“Good luck with that. I’m not a big fan of second chances.”

“I know. I really didn’t mean to make you mad.” Finally she showed some emotion. Unfortunately it didn’t look like it was in my favor.

“I wasn’t mad Zeke. I was humiliated. Do you know how much gushing I had to put up with from Sara? And then the sympathy when you didn’t show up.” she shook her head and rubbed her eyes. I felt a jolt when she said my name that confused me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’ll do anything just name.” she raised her eyebrows.

“Anything?” she asked. I nodded probably a little too enthusiastically.

“Yes anything. Anything you want. I will beg for your forgiveness on my knees in front of the entire school if you want. Just say the word.” She gave me a small smile.

“Okay” she tried to walk around me again but I had to stop her.

“Wait. What do you want me to do?” She looked thoughtful for moment.

“I‘m not sure. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” she walked past me and this time I let her. I was torn between immense happiness and great worry.

Rayne

I was reeling with Zeke’s promise to do anything I asked. He didn’t seem the type to relinquish control like that. But I was going to milk it for all I could. Although I didn’t think I could humiliate him. Not that it wouldn’t be