Out of the Bayou: Secrets

Six

Magnolia

I sat stunned for a minute replaying what he just asked me in my mind. The butterflies Andrew gave me from sitting so close and the smell of his masculine cologne confused me so much. My brain was churning trying to figure out the emotions I had for Andrew or Mr. Leblanc as I should call him. I didn’t know what was going on with me today, but everything in me wanted to kiss his perfect lips on his gorgeous face. You cannot fall for your teacher, I said to myself, turning my head away from his face. Suddenly, Everett intruded on those thoughts. His face was like a glass of ice water being poured on me, bringing me back to the present in time to hear Andrew speak.

“Nola, you there?”

“Umm, yeah, a walk, sounds good, as soon as I finish helping my momma outside with the set up for the boil like my dad asked.” I sputtered.

I looked up to see our parents with wide grins on their faces as they tried to avert their eyes. As if it wasn’t obvious, they were hanging on to our words even with Andrew trying to whisper. This became an unbearable situation that was becoming more and more awkward as it went on.

“Oh, Magnolia sweetie, you and Andrew can go and have fun on a little walk. I have two other strapping men here that can help me with the tables and chairs outside. Right, James?” my mom said, turning toward my dad.

“Oh, right, ya’ll two go ahead. We’ll have everything ready to eat when ya’ll get back.” My dad said, trying to not look as obvious as my mother.

Rolling my eyes, I finished up my sandwich and headed into the kitchen to pick up my things. I could hear whispers coming from the dining room and then Andrew came into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about my parents. They are really making something out of nothing. It wouldn’t be appropriate to make our friendship more. At least not for a few more months anyway.” he said, flashing a bright smile and wiggling his eyebrows.

My cheeks flushed and I froze at his words.

“It was just a joke, Nola.” Andrew laughed. “You ready?”

“Sure, let me grab a bottle of water and we can head out. Where did you want to go?” I asked him as I reached in the fridge grabbing a bottle for each of us.

“Can we take the path out to the bayou? I like sitting on the dock that your dad built.” He said almost as if he was embarrassed to admit it.

“That sounds nice.” I said as I opened the back door.

As we walked out, the feeling of someone watching came over me. I looked up to see Everett and Eli standing in the back yard staring with an odd expression at me and Andrew.

“Mr. Landry and Mr. Boudreaux, hello, good to see you.”

“Mr. Leblanc, what brings you here? Came to see flower?” Eli asked Andrew with sarcasm and a hint of disgust.

“Andrew is fine, Eli. We aren’t in school. Actually, Magnolia and I are good friends. We grew up together.” Chuckled Andrew.

“How old are you, Andrew?” asked Everett with an odd unreadable expression on his face. Eli nudged him when he realized what Everett had asked Andrew.

“I just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago.” Andrew laughed. “I was able to take a couple of classes during my senior year that went toward my college credits. I also took as many classes as I could to earn my degree early. It wasn’t easy. Then I had to petition the school board to even let me start my teaching career here. They were not happy, but eventually gave in to me on the condition of me being on a probation period. I was monitored at the beginning of the year but now they see that I excel at everything I do.” Andrew explained, giving me a sly grin as he spoke the last few words.

Everett scoffed, causing Andrew to grin even deeper.

“Oh” Eli offered, with a hint of embarrassment.

“Would you two like to come take a walk with us to the bayou?” asked Andrew.

Both of them stood silent for a second. Long enough for me to think they were going to decline, but to my utter dismay, they began walking toward us. Instant regret flashed on Andrew’s face for a moment to be swiftly covered with a smile as we started walking toward the path that led to the bayou.

We continued our walk through the trees. Andrew and I discussed the history of the neighborhood and adjoining bayou amongst ourselves. Everett and Eli listened to our conversation without adding any comments, not even sarcasm, which was surprising. I decided to bring up the book I read about the Rougarou to Andrew in hopes he would get a kick out of it like I did. I explained the details while laughing at the nonsense of the twelve items and how stupid the Rougarou or supposed werewolves must have been. As I was talking, I could feel tension in the air getting thick and I stopped myself from laughing. I looked over to see that the three of them were no longer smiling but looked deep in thought.

"Do you really believe that?" asked Everett.

"Werewolves or the Rougarou, as they are called? No." I chuckled, adding quotations with my fingers when I said Rougarou.

"I mean, do you believe that werewolves could be that stupid to not be able to count past 12." Everett said, almost sounding angry. Which became evident when he shot me the look of a thousand daggers. "It figures that you would." finishing with a snarl as he stomped away.

I scolded myself for not being able to hold a conversation. Why do I have to be socially awkward? Thankfully, we arrived at the dock and the subject changed.