Temporary Goddess

That Was Too Touchy

        “I can’t believe that Torrance had the principal force Jacek into being on the football team! That’s a whole new level of strange and controlling.” Gwyneth said while she raided her closet for the perfect outfit to wear to the game tonight.

                I watched her from her bed, waiting for her to pick out our clothes. “Yep, I can’t believe Torrance would use Jacek’s father against him like that. Horrible impudent man...”

                Gwyn pulled out a silver sparkly top and tossed it at me. “Put that on the bed. What did he say about his father?”

                I wasn’t going to put Jacek’s and his father’s business out there. “Really nothing, just said he didn’t trust him. Which is understandable, Jacek seems to hardly trust anyone.”

                “He trusts you.” She shot me a mischievous look over her shoulder.

                “What are you getting at, Gwyn?”

                She came back over to the bed with a pair of black shorts and a deep red skirt. “Exactly what I said. You two have no idea how you both look to the rest of us. You hold hands, touch, hold each other, and I swear if you two started kissing and insist that you’re not dating I’m going to blow a fuse.”

                “Really?” I shook my head at her. “Is that how we look?”

                “Yes, Cairyn. To anyone who didn’t know, you two act as if your together.” She said, placing a mocking hand on my shoulder. “Sweet, human. He held you against his chest at lunch, and not to mention he sat with you in between his legs on the bleachers. Yes, we all noticed it. So, one of you needs to ask the other out eventually. That, or you two will just common law yourselves.”

                I chuckled. “Common law? Are you comparing us to people who call themselves married for so long it just becomes true?”

                Gwyneth gave me a wink. “Yes, yes I am.”

                “I’m going to forget you even said that, and go back to what are we doing with all these clothes?” I said lifting a red sky high heeled shoe.

                Gwyneth handed me a few things. “These are for you, go get ready.”

                I rolled my eyes at her. “What’s wrong with the clothes I have on?”

                “They are nice for school, I’m going to get you nice for…”

                I shot her a look. “I swear if you’re going to say Jacek I’m going to throw this black pump at you.”

                Gwyneth laughed, and I couldn’t help the smile I had. It was nice being able to have a girlfriend. I always wondered what it was like, but I was a loner at my old school. Everyone stayed far away from me, to the point that I never dated or had anyone I could even call my friend. Gwyneth was different, and a little strange if you didn’t know her, but I wouldn’t trade her for any other girl. She was sweet, and had a soft spot for love. She has even given her all to make up for the mean things she has said or done to Hexic. Even he was melting against her kindness.

                To be honest, I was starting to think Hexic had a crush on her. I would catch him looking over to her with doe like eyes, or watching her do simple things like tie up her hair or smile. It was cute, and…what the hell did she give me to wear?

                I exited the bathroom and gave Gwyneth a raised eyebrow. “What am I wearing, babe?”

                Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “You look so good, Cairyn! That off the shoulder teal crop top and those ripped up black skinny jeans fir you perfectly while showing school spirit.”

                “I thought you didn’t care for things like that” I asked, letting out a sigh.

                She shrugged. “Oh, I don’t. I just thought the teal would go good with your skin tone.”

                I rolled my eyes at her. “Your ridiculous.”

                It was getting dark by the time we got to the school’s stadium for the Back Water Vikings football team, and it was packed already. Vehicles already filled the parking lot and as Gwyneth parked, we got out and headed for the stadium. While Gwyneth went to find Casey and Hexic, I searched for Torrance or one of the other coaches to find out what I was going to be doing. Luckily, I found Coach Butcher before Torrance and was informed that I was going to be water-boy for our team. I was so relived to find out that I didn’t have to be over with Darthwood, and with Drax. So, after getting yelled at for what I was wearing from the coach I headed onto the field to find Jacek.

                The players were warming up, and in the corner, I could see Vivian and the cheerleaders. I only had to take another few steps forward to see where Jacek was. When I found him, he looked like he was about to have a meltdown. I smiled a little when he looked over at me. The moment he went to come over to me, he was yelled at by the football coach, Geldof. I gave him a sympathetic smile before he paid attention to the coach.

                As I went over to the water station I noticed Torrance and his smug face sitting down next to the table. I glared the entire way over to him, and made sure to make a disgusted face when he glanced over.

                “Bring me a water, Castell.”

                I rolled my eyes, putting water into a paper cup and walked over to him. “Next time, get it yourself. I’m supposed to be getting water for the players, not lazy staff members.”

                Torrance took the water and shot me a wink. “Feisty little human. Are you still mad I forced your boyfriend onto the football team?”

                “Mad? No, I’m f*****g livid. You pretentious f**k, why do all of this? To get back at Jacek for something? What the hell did he ever do to you?” I asked, not caring for who heard us.

                He smiled devilishly. “That’s the wrong question to ask.”

                I scoffed at him. “What are you talking about, Torrance?”

                “The question I asked you the first time we met. You still have never answered me.” He said, leaning against the bench, slinging his arm over the back.

                With a sigh, I tried to remember. “You asked me…how I got into the school, because I was a human. I did answer you, Torrance! I told you all I did was walk, and nothing happened. Casey said if I wasn’t supposed to be here the school gates would have made me incapable of moving. What the hell else do you want from me?”

                He smiled. “I want you out of this school. Do that, and Jacek can go back to sulking around in the shadows of the school, and you can be with the people you belong with.”    

                “That’s not going to happen.”

                We both turned to see Jacek standing there with an annoyed expression on his handsome face. He held out his hand for me to take, and with a slight smile I placed mine in his before sticking my tongue out at Torrance.

                “I think it should be you leaving this school, coach. I think more people get the feeling that you don’t belong here. What happened Torrance? Was the real world too much for you? Is that why you came back to the safety of the school?” I mocked him right to his face. If he wanted to torment me, so be it, but going after Jacek was bullshit.

                Torrance was out of his seat and in my face before I realized he even moved. Jacek forced his way between us and shook his head. “Everyone is watching, Torrance.”

                He scoffed as he looked up to the people sitting in the stadium seats, then a coy smile slid onto his lips. “Your right, Jacek. Which reminds me, have you seen your father lately?”

                “You said you wouldn’t tell his father if he joined the team?” I said from behind Jacek’s strong body.

                “I did, but Coach Butcher is friends with Cordon and he might have let it slip that his shitty son is now playing for the team. But, I could be wrong?” Torrance chuckled. “It’s up to you to now, if his father is here and your close to him…well, you get the idea. Have a good game, kids.”

                With that he turned and headed off the field. When he was gone I looked up to Jacek and took a step away from him.

                “Do you think your father’s here?” I asked letting out a deep breath.

                No, I don’t, but there is always a chance I guess. He said with a slight shrug.

                I nodded, taking another sad step back. “I’ll do my best to keep away until the game is over. I don’t want you to get into anything with your dad because of me. If you need water though, please come get some.”

                Jacek opened his mouth to say something, but Coach Geldof screamed for him again. I gave him a sympathetic smile and mouthed ‘it’s okay’ before turning to go back to the water table. I watched as he went over to the coach, feeling like I was a thousand different emotions at once I sighed. All I wanted to do was make sure nothing bad was going to happen to Jacek because of me, but it was apparent that I was the one actually causing him problems. Maybe if I wasn’t here he would be okay? Was he holding back and forcing himself to do things he doesn’t want to because of me? Would he be better off?

                “Hey water-b***h, your spacing out.”

                I was shocked back to reality when I was pinched on my ass by Gunner. He grabbed a water cup off the table and chugged it down before tossing it at my face. “What the hell, Gunner? I didn’t know s**t Demi Gods like you didn’t even know how to use a trashcan.”

                He winked at me. “Don’t worry your little head, Cairyn. All night I’ll be right here making sure you know what living hell is and-“

                “Get out of my way.”

                Drax seemingly appeared out of nowhere, shoving Gunner aside and coming right for me. I shook my head at him. “Oh no, you can stay back too.”

                He raised an eyebrow. “I knew you would be here tonight.”

                “I’m here because I flipped off my P.E. teacher, otherwise I would be up there with the rest of my friends.” I said gesturing up to Gwyneth, Casey, and even Hexic.

                Drax shrugged. “You’re an interesting girl, Cairyn. The girls from my school throw themselves at me like their lives depended on it, but you don’t seem to think the same way. Is it because of your boyfriend? Is he really that special?”

                I rolled my eyes. “Why do I have to keep repeating myself about this? Jacek is not my boyfriend, and to answer your other question, yes he is. Jacek is everything I’m not. He’s quiet, yet thoughtful. Everyone says he’s cold, but he’s just reserved. There’s this pit in my stomach that knows he is one of the strongest people in the world. You’ve got nothing on him.”

                “I can see why a human would be so attracted to him. So, why hasn’t he asked you out? You’re a beautiful girl, with an amazing vibrant personality and the mouth of a sailor. Not to mention you smell like what I imagine Heaven to smell like. From what it looks is several people seem more interested in you than he is. Like me, I want you and more than just to have around. Think about it, and I’m sorry if I came off as pushy or too strong before. It’s kind of hard to be in control around you.” Drax said before leaning in to kiss my cheek, then like before he de-materialized and made his way back to his side of the field. Gunner tried to shove him when he walked by, but went right through him.

                I was too shocked for the moment, and when I came back he was nearly half-way across the field. “That was too touchy!”

                Drax smiled back at me before picking up his pace. I let out a sigh before I felt those eyes on me. With a slight groan, I glanced over casually to see Jacek staring over with that famous blank yet irritated expression over his striking face. I gulped down my mortification and let out a deep breath. I was disappointed I wasn’t able to stop Drax before he kissed my cheek, and ashamed that Jacek witnessed it all. Wait, I wonder if he heard anything?

                That thought made my hands sting. I get it. Jacek was more or less a loner and really nothing was probably going to change that. But, in the back of my mind I wondered if maybe I could get him to open up more. I really knew little about him. Jacek deflects any question about his family, and will not tell me what kind of Immortal he is. Every time I bring it up he changes the subject. Maybe he doesn’t want me to know anything personal about him.

                Feeling the strain of Jacek’s gaze, I finally looked away. I figured that he wasn’t interested in me like that. We hold hands and things, but it never seems really intimate. More like something we do because it’s comfortable. Damn, I feel stupid.