My Sister's Keeper

Chapter 6

The ladies returned to the table and the men stood up for them to get back to their seats. Nora was very aware of the closeness of Spencer. She could even smell him. He smelled sooooo good and Nora was feeling like maybe she should have some more of that wine to calm her nerves again. Things started to go back to normal, and Nora chalked up the encounter as merely coincidental. He was just being helpful because he didn’t dare touch her again. They finished off the dessert and the bottle of wine, got their jackets and headed back to the car.

Nora and Josie were giggling like crazy and commenting on the feel of the leather back seats. Nora asked to be dropped off at her house for her curfew. And since they came to Josie’s first Remi escorted her up the steps and Nora was watching approvingly as he gave Josie a kiss on her hand. Spencer went to sit in the back with Nora so she wouldn’t feel alone he had said. Nora was very aware of him again. He smelled so good. He looked so good. She was hot all over. His hand rested beside her thigh and she bout jumped out of her skin as she pictured that hand sliding up her dress. They were giving coy shy looks at each other.

Next up was her house. The familiar average cookie cutter white house came into view and Nora held her breathe for a moment. Remi parked and Spencer held open the door of the car for Nora to get out. She was very aware of the feel of their fingers interlaced all the way up her steps to her front door.

“I am so glad that you actually came out with me tonight, Nora. I have had the best time.”

“I have had a blast. I am glad I came too.”

“I don’t think that I told you, but you look incredible tonight. Like something out of dream.”

She was speechless she just looked up into those piercing blue grey eyes. He pulled back a piece of hair that had fallen loose from her braid and placed it ever so slowly behind her ear. His hand and eyes slid down from there to the base of her neck and he bit his lip. He then looked Nora up and down and his pupils dilated, looking ravenous.

He leaned into her and put one arm over her head against the wall and moving his other hand to her back pulled Nora up to meet his lips. He gave her the softest kiss on the lips and then he left. Nora almost fell from the loss of his presence.

She finally opened her eyes and watched him walk down the steps as he brushed his fingers through his hair and then put them in his pocket. She let out a breath that she didn’t know she had been holding. He got in the passenger seat beside Remi, and they drove off into the night leaving Nora alone under her porch light panting and wondering if the kiss between her and THE Spencer James had actually just happened.

Nora went to put her hand on the doorknob but the door burst open suddenly almost coming off its hinges and her dad was there in the doorway with a look of death. She was not going to let her dad ruin this for her though. The SPENCER JAMES had just kissed her. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that could even be a possibility.

She looked at her dad and squared her shoulders ready for the confrontation. He went to say something but must had seen something in her eyes because he just kissed her forehead and told her that he better not hurt her and spun on his heels and went to his room.

Nora was on cloud nine, but there was definitely a feeling that she could not shake. Guilt was surging through her probably amplified by all the wine she had drank. Nora found herself in Isla’s room unaware of how she had got there. She threw herself onto the bed and grabbed the diary from its home in the pillowcase and skimmed to the beginning.

August 1

Dear Diary,

The school year has just begun, and it is accustomed that I, Isla Quinn get a new diary for the new year. so, a little about me. I am now a freshman in the halls of Monterey High School, GO BEARS!!! I am on the JV Varsity cheerleading team, but I am working super hard and practicing with my sister Elenora every day to earn my spot on the Varsity cheer squad with her. She is the best teacher, I know she will make cheer captain, and I want to make her proud. This year I have AP English and Math so that is probably going to kick my butt, considering the debate team and beta club are going to take up a lot of my time. But I am determined to start my high school career right if I am going to be a doctor. Any who I’ll catch up soon.

Isla E. Quinn

Tears were streaming down Nora’s face. Her sister just wanted to make her proud and she had so much potential. Nora really hated thinking of her in the past tense, but it was starting to dawn on her that her sister may never be coming home. So, she let herself cry those tears and have those feelings. Better to get them out here and now, she had to be strong.

“I was always beyond proud of you Isla. Always. Jealous even. I’ll learn to live for you. I promise.” And then she closed her eyes.

Nora and her dad stared at those double doors. Neither one the least bit anxious to pull them open. They got a call of a body 2 counties over of a young girl that needed identified. Felix finally opened the door and said, “come on sweetie let’s get this over with.” The examiner was waiting for them next to a table with a white sheet over a small frame. It could be Isla; it was the right size. The examiner said, “I’m going to pull this sheet down here in a second, when you are ready at least that is so let me know.” “Just do it.” Felix choked out. They both inhaled when she pulled the sheet down. And on a sob, they just held each other. It wasn’t Isla.