Puzzle Pieces

As I stood at my locker, gathering my books for Chemistry, my best friend Cara Hamilton went on about an upcoming math test. She practically yelled as the crowds of students found their way to and from class. We still had half a semester to go before winter break, but I was already counting down the days. Between English, Algebra, Chemistry, Debate, and Cheer, I couldn’t wait for the easier schedule I have for next semester. “Oh no,” Cara said with an eye roll. I turned in her direction as my boyfriend, Xavier Sullivan, made his way towards us. “Care bear, be nice,” I said with a laugh. She shook her head, her medium length, wavy, blonde hair whipped as she did. She was a little shorter, but just as thin as me. She had light tan skin from being outdoors practicing new cheer routines. She was the captain of the cheer squad, so she had to make sure to always have new material. She had hazel eyes that changed depending on her mood or what she wore. Right now they looked green because of the green laced tank top she was wearing. We’ve been friends since the first grade. Though she shook her head, I know she’s partly kidding. “Hmm…I don’t know Annabel. Maybe date someone who isn’t a jerk and I will,” she said, turning away from us. Xavier and Cara couldn’t stand each other, which at times made it difficult for me. I’ve been with Xavier two years and the whole time she’s asked me why I date him. She says she’s being protective, but she hasn’t liked him since he accidentally poured chocolate milk on her new shoes in the fifth grade. Well, she’s convinced it wasn’t an accident, but who knows? “Shhhh,” I shushed her, making her roll her eyes again. “He’ll hear you.” “I don’t care. I hope he does.” Xavier reached us and wrapped his arms around me. The muscular stiffness of his arms and chest made the perfect cocoon. I nestled my face in the knitting of his maroon sweater and smelled the sweet aroma of his cologne. “Are you sure I can’t come over tonight? I wanted to spend your birthday with you,” Xavier said, with his arms around me. “I wish,” I sighed, “But my mom wants it to be just the family. Since she’s been working a lot she wants a quiet night.” “Yeah, I can’t be there either,” Cara said with a puppy dog pout. I didn’t know if it was because she was actually upset, or she was finding a way to mock Xavier. Either way, she earned an eye roll before he raised an eyebrow. “And? How does that affect me?” Xavier asked, throwing attitude at her. “If I can’t be there, neither can you, lover boy,” Cara said with a giggle before walking down the still crowded hallway. People chatted in groups around other lockers. Some just made their way up and down the hall with an armful of books. “So what if Cara can’t? I wanted to spend time with you. I had plans, you know?” Xavier said, bringing his voice down. It wasn’t quite a whisper, but deeper and lower like he had a secret he wanted to share. “Plans? “Yeah, I figured after dinner, we could maybe watch a movie, spend some time cuddling. I was going to bring over some candles and just see where the night takes us,” he said with a slow grin spreading across his face. Ah. See. His secret. I slowly shook my head, raising an eyebrow. “Xavier, stop. Even if my mom didn’t want it to be just me, her, and Noah, you know I’m not ready,” I said, watching him drop his head. “Annabel, I’m not trying to rush you. It’s been two years and I’ve waited. But it’s not just about that for me. I love you,” he said before bringing his face down to mind. “Whenever you’re ready, it’ll be special, but just so I know, how long do you expect me to wait?” The intensity of his eyes burning into mine made me want to look away. My face got hot and my cheeks burned. “Until I’m ready. I don’t know. I don’t have a specific time frame for you, sorry,” I said and it came out with a little bit of a bite. I pushed out of his arms and shook my head before turning to walk away. Xavier caught my arm and brought me back into his chest. “Annabel, wait. I’m sorry. Don’t get mad. I’m just upset about not being able to come over is all,” he cooed as he rubbed my back. “That’s fine, but I don’t like feeling like I’m being rushed. Respect my choice to wait.” “You know I do. I’m sorry. Maybe your mom wouldn’t mind if just I came over. It’ll still be a quiet night in,” he said persuasively. I laughed at him and shook my head. “Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Besides, I also have to study because I think Cara mentioned there’s a math test coming up.” “This is frustrating. I can’t even spend some alone time with my girlfriend on her birthday.” “Well, we’re alone now and great news about birthday’s, they’re all day long” I said with a smile. He let out a grunt and shook his head. “We’re not alone, but happy birthday Annabel,” he said before kissing my forehead. He released me after the kiss and walked down the hallway alone. So I guess you’re not going to spend time with me and walk me to class? When I got home, Noah sat awkwardly in the arm chair. It could have been an electric chair with the face he had. He stared at me without blinking as soon as I walked through the door. “What’s with you?” I asked, closing the door behind me. “Mom’s making us go out.” “I thought she said a quiet night in? This woman. Does she ever make up her mind?” “I heard that!” mom said, coming into the living room. She still wore her navy pant suit, but she let her hair down from the usual updo she has for work. “How about, ‘Thanks mom! I’d love to go out and have dinner with you!’? No?” She asked, raising an eyebrow and looking from me to Noah in the chair. “Look guys, sixteen is a big year. I got done with work early today so that we can go to dinner, so that’s what we’re going to do. Go on and get dressed so we can go.” “Hopefully not anywhere nice, Noah won’t fit in” I said, walking up the stairs to my room. “Bite me.” “Guys! Guys! Be nice to each other once. It’s your birthday,” My mom said with her hands on her hips. “Don’t remind me,” Noah called over his shoulder. “That you were born?” “That I shared a womb with her,” he said louder before closing his door. “Or that I shared a space with you!” I called out from the top of the stairs. “Oh I give up!” My mom called as I closed my door. "Make a wish, and blow out the candle," my mom said, handing Noah and I each a cupcake. The small flame danced on the pink and white swirl of wax. I let out a soft breath, putting an end to the dance. Mom turned the light on with a big smile on her face. She came to us, clapping and putting an arm around us. "Sixteen years old! Where did the time go?" “Mom, don't get weepy," Noah said, l*****g the icing off his cupcake.            "Oh hush! I can be weepy all I want. My babies are growing up."            "And that's my cue to go to my room,” Noah said, stuffing the rest of the cupcake in his mouth as he got up from the table. “See ya!" he called over his shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen.            "Yeah, and I have homework," I said, getting up from the table with my cupcake. “Wait, Annabel,” mom said, stopping me before walking away. “Honey, not trying to sound too much like Steel Magnolias, but, sixteen is a big year. This is the start of a new chapter in life. Appreciate the moment you’re in and if there’s anything that may be too big, remember that I’m here, okay?” “Got it, mom. Thanks” I said, giving her a quick hug. Once I’m in my room, I put my cupcake on my nightstand and gathered my books with me in bed. I hated studying, but if I wanted to stay on the cheer squad, I needed to maintain a certain GPA. That meant I needed to study and get good grades. After studying imaginary numbers, I turned my lamp off and snuggled with my pillow under the blanket. I stand alone in a musty, black, space. Goose pimples spread all over my body. I squinted through the darkness, trying to make out anything. My body shivers like a small tremor and I clutch my arms around myself. Classical music plays in the distance. Finally, my eyes focus as the soft moonlight came through some nearly broken boards across a window. Where am I? This isn’t my room. My bed has been replaced by a single twin mattress on the ground covered in black and brown spots. Barely there white lace curtains hung above the boarded window. A dim candle-like light surrounded the nearly closed door.            As I took a step towards the door, the hardwood floor creaked beneath me."Shh! Be quiet or he'll hear you," a small voice hissed at me from a dark corner in the room.            I froze in place. Where did she come from? A young girl, looking about ten years old, stares at me, but doesn’t move. She has dark hair and dark eyes. She is practically embroidered into the wall the way she clings to it. Has she been here the whole time?            "What? Who?" I asked, keeping my voice low. I kneeled down slowly, making sure not to make the floor creek again.            "The bad man," she answered with a small cry. Chills ran up my spine. My stomach dropped and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. A hard lump rose in my throat, making my mouth dry. Her eyes were wide and her bottom lip was twitching, threatening she was about to cry. I took a slow breath before asking a question I didn’t want to know the answer to. "What bad man?"