I'm His Lover

Friday. 7 o'clock. Advanced Calculus. This is where I am right now. I haven't been paying attention in class. I know how to do this, so when I draw in my smallish sketchbook, I let my mind wander.

I began to think about the summer. I would backpack around Europe during that summer. I would meet new people, make new friends, and maybe even fall in love. I also began to think about what I'd do at school.

My dad said that my inheritance is a small business that I can do whatever I want with. I got it when I am 21. I'm 17 and almost 18 now. Ha, funny! I talked about The Sound of Music. Anyway, I'll be 18 in less than two weeks, which is about how much time I have left in my senior year of high school. Yes, you're right. My birthday is also my graduation.

"Ms. Romero, Ms. Romero. Ms. Romero!" Mr. Martian says to me, and he shouts the last part.

I look up at him and quickly close my sketchbook. "Yes?" I'm not sure, but I'm going to ask.

"Did you learn anything?" Please. I heard him talk about our plans for the week on Monday. Also, he never changes the homework, so I think I'm safe.

"Yes. It's on pages 10–12 of our workbook, plus problems 5 and 6." You can see that I remember everything. When I was 5, my mom was packing up everything she owned while wearing a navy blue sweater. I remember that she called Miss Kay from down the street and asked her to come watch me until my dad got home. I remember starting up her car and seeing it leave the driveway. I still remember the tears she made me cry when she left. I remember that when she left, she made my dad cry. I'll never forget the last time she put me to bed. I don't forget, but sometimes I wish I could.

"Oh. So, that's that." He made his way back to the front of the classroom. "Class dismissed. "Yes, at last. Freedom.

I ran out of the classroom, to my locker, and then out the door to my big maroon truck. When I get home, I take off my stuffy uniform and put on some comfy sweats.

I get started on my homework. When I'm done with math, which is easier to say than calculus, I move on to English. I finish the outline for a research paper, but since the paper wasn't due until Wednesday, I stop working on it. My best friend Charlie called me. I say no and switch to FaceTime.

"Hey! What's happening?" I ask. Charlie lives in a state other than his own. When he was 15, he moved. We stayed friends and talked every day at the same time. This wasn't on time.

"Nothing," he says, pausing and turning his back on the camera. I feel like he's sad or something. "Accept the fact that I'll be staying with you for a week!"

My eyes get big. "How dare you! I swear you must be kidding!" He is not at all sad.

"I'm not joking. Honest." He raises his hands so I can see them and puts one hand over his heart.

"When are you going to leave?" I ask

"About 1 minute later. be there by 12 o'clock." Oh no, 5 hours.

"Ok. Well let you go. I'm so excited to see you!" My grin is very big.

"So are you, Yanna." We get off the phone, and I go to the kitchen to find something to do until dinner.

As I walk to the kitchen, my dad sends me a text message.

Dad: I'll be late getting home. Make sure you give Charlie a good time.

Yanna: Ok dad. What do you have in mind? Staying up late?

Dad: I'm going to play cards with the boys.

Yanna: Don't do anything stupid dad.

Dad: I won't. Love you Yanna!

Yanna: You too dad

Since I won't be eating dinner with my dad, I got some chicken and Mac and cheese ready after our short text conversation. I made the choice to eat it early. When Charlie gets here, I might have something else. I'm not sure yet.

When everything is ready, I take it all to the living room and put on my favorite movie, Spider-Man Homecoming. After the movie and dinner, I start watching Captain America. I go to sleep, and then I hear my phone ring. I looked at it, and it says Charlie.

"Hello?" I'm still a little sleepy and don't know much right now.

"Did you fall asleep?" He asks.

"What. No. Where do you live?" I change the subject and rub my eyes and ask.

"I'm at the front door." I startle awake and run to the door. When I open the door, I scream and run into Charlie's arms. "Hi to you as well." He says hugging me back.

"I'm really glad to see you!" I put my face right into the bend of his neck.

"I agree, Yanna. Now can we get some sleep? I had to go a long way "He puts me down, then we go inside and go to bed.

I got up late the next morning. I didn't think I would wake up early, but I didn't think I would wake up at noon, either. I woke up a long time after my dad left, so I didn't see him. I woke up and started making breakfast even though Charlie was still sleeping next to me. Well, lunch is a better word.

I found a note from my dad when I got down the stairs. It said "Yanna, I'm coming home early. We have people coming over. Tonight, I'll have Marlee cook. There will be a business partner and his son. I think you should be good. Love you, see you later. -Dad"

I said out loud, "Great."

"What's the big deal?" I jumped when I heard Charlie come into the kitchen and say something. I gave the note to him. He gives it a quick glance and says, "Oh, come on, maybe it's not so bad. He might be someone you like."

"Oh I bet." I say this in jest. The child of a wealthy man. Who gets everything he wants. I'm sure that's also what he's thinking about me."

"He might be different," you know. He gives a shrug.

I don't care about what he says and keep making eggs and bacon.

I looked at the time a little while after we watched Captain America from the beginning again. "Shoot. I should start preparing. You too should. Keep track of everything?"

"Yep. See you at 10 o'clock." He talked back.

"More like 20 for me. This is very hard to do." I show where my face is. We both laugh, and then we both head for the showers. Just so you know, there are separate showers.

I guess it takes me more like 30 minutes to get ready. Dad just came home, and he seems to be upset. "You ok dad?" As he comes back into the living room wearing jeans and a nice polo, I ask him.

I'm so glad this isn't one of those dinners where I have to wear a dress. Not because I don't like dresses, though. I just don't like them. Most of the time, they're uncomfortable, itchy, and not very useful. Still, there are times when I like them.

"Yes I'm fine. Soon, they should be here." The doorbell rang in less than a second.

"I'll get it." I said as I went to the door. When I open the door, I see a man about the same age as my dad and a younger man who looks to be around 21 or 22. "Hi. Welcome. I'm Yanna, come on in." My words make it seem like I'm a robot.

I just can't stop looking at the boy. He looks great. When he looks at me, his icy blue eyes look right into my soul, which makes me catch my breath. I shouldn't feel that way about him. That's not possible.

My dad and Charlie are in the living room, so I bring the guests there. "It's great to see you again, John. We're glad you came." My dad stands up to shake hands with his sons and himself. Can I buy you something to drink before dinner?"

"I'll have a single malt. If you'd like. Mark anything?" John answers. Mark. like that name.

"No, thanks. I'm fine." He says. His voice is deep and strong. Just like his body. He has strong arms and a good jaw.

I sit down in the chair next to where Mark is sitting on the couch. "So, Mark, how are you liking college?" My dad asks. I can tell that he's still worried about something.

"I'm glad I only have one more test to take before I graduate." He says this as he looks at my dad and then at me. He smiles and turns around. Even the small act of kindness makes me blush. Why is this guy bothering me?

"So, you're in your last year of college?" I ask. My guess was pretty close to the truth. He had to be 21 or 22.

"Yes. Monday is my last test." He says.

"Lucky. I have two more weeks to go before I graduate."

"I know." Mark looks over to me and winks. My question is, "Why?" I can see my dad tensing up and getting that nervous look back out of the corner of my eye. Marlee comes into the living room just in time to tell us that dinner is ready.

Mark and I both get ahead. John and my dad went back to talk about something else. Even though I can't hear it very well, I can tell it's angry.

The rest of the dinner goes as planned. Small talk about my plans for the future. It's fun for Charlie to talk to Mark. Dad and John mostly talk to each other, so I'm mostly left alone.

I'm dying for a reason to get out of here. "I'm going to wash the dishes." I say. I really enjoy doing the dishes.

"Honey, you don't have to." Dad says as he looks at me. Ok, so he wants to talk to me right when I want to leave.

"It's ok. I'd like to. You've met me." John just smiles — more like smirks — and Mark just looks a little confused. Charlie knows too much about me to do anything. I go to the kitchen and start washing dishes.

Mark comes in after about 20 minutes, when I'm drying the last plate. He says, "Hey."

I'm facing him now. "Hi. How did the food taste?" I ask. I try to chat with people. He's just standing there making me feel scared. But I don't let it show.

"It went well. This is one of my favorite meals." More small talk with simple answers for small talk.

"Good." I turn around and walk toward the cabinet. I can feel something behind me. I don't jump or jerk, I just act normally. I'm good at not reacting and not showing how scared I am.

Mark grabs me around the waist as I reach up to put away a plate. Before I do, he says to me, "So you're the lucky girl I'm going to marry." What! I drop my plate out of shock and confusion.

"What!" I yell. "What the hell makes you think I'll marry you?" "You didn't hear about the bet, did you?" He asks. His eyes are kind of big. "No. What gamble?" I ask, ruffling my hair with my fingers.

"Wow, your dad didn't tell you." He doesn't give an answer. Dad, Charlie, and John walk into the kitchen.

"Dad, what bet does he mean?" I ask. I'm mad, upset, and confused.

"Honey, come on. Let's go to the living room and talk."

I asked myself, "About what?" No matter what it is, this can't be good.