Skipping Forward Page 5
“Yeah, but I realized on the way over that I never officially asked you.”
“Then, yes, officially speaking.”
“All right my girlfriend, let’s get this party started. Is it just going to be you and me?”
“Yep. Mom and Dad are having a scary movie night and Maddox already left to go trick-or-treating with his friends. Autumn was going to come but she got stuck having to take her brother trick-or-treating.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get settled in our chairs before we start getting customers.”
“Customers? We aren't selling anything.” I laughed. “They’re trick-or-treaters.”
“What tricks are they doing?”
“I’m not sure. Hopefully, none.”
“Then, that name doesn’t fit them.”
I sighed. “Fine. We’ll just call them treaters.”
As we sat at our table, our first treater walked up with her mom. She had to be no older than three and was dressed as an adorable princess with the brightest blue eyes. The girl fearfully eyed the spiders and vampires when her mom lifted her up.
“It’s okay. They’re not real.” I smiled encouragingly at her and stood to pass her some candy.
The girl took it with the cutest smile and thanked us before she moved on to the next house.
“She was so cute,” Rhett said. “This is going to be fun.”
“You like kids?”
“Yeah. Why are you surprised about that?”
“I don’t know, but it’s not a bad thing.”
“Good.”
I liked this side of Rhett. I’d never seen him around kids before but he was sweet with each one that came up to us. I helped, but he stole the show. That was until a familiar voice spoke from behind a creepy zombie mask.
“Maddox? Is that you?” I asked.
He lifted up his mask so we could see his face. “How did you guess that?”
“Um, I’m your sister and know your voice.”
“Right. So, can I have some candy?”
“You aren’t supposed to stop at your own house.”
“Why not? We hit up Danny’s house.”
Danny nodded his head in response. At least, I was assuming it was Danny behind the mask.
Rhett interrupted us by handing Maddox some candy. “Only the best for Molly’s brother.”
“Are you sucking up?” Maddox questioned.
“I might be.”
“Well, I like it. Thanks, Rhett. Bye, Molly.”
We waved at Maddox and his friends as they left. They really looked like the walking dead and the younger kids moved around them out of fear.
“Sucking up to the brother?” I mocked.
“Heck yeah. I have to get in good with him.”
We shared a sweet kiss and continued to hand out candy until the treaters thinned.
~*~
School the Monday after Halloween was so strange. Word about Rhett and I becoming official spread like wildfire. The two of us were the talk of the school and it was crazy that one guy could get so much recognition.
I cringed when Alec took the seat next to me.
“So, since you’re dating my boy Rhett, that means you should come to my next party. This Friday actually.” Alec smirked.
I was flabbergasted. “No rude comments? You’re personally inviting me to your party?”
“Yeah, sorry about before, but you have a buy in now so I’m giving you the opportunity to move up the social ladder. It’s up to you to take me up on the offer or not.”
I shifted awkwardly in my seat, but didn't respond and he didn’t say anything else either. Those were the only words he could spare me.
Miranda on the other hand was very talkative in second hour.
“You can sit with us at lunch if you want since you’re totally in thanks to Rhett. That boy is so hot and has the muscles to be a football player.” Miranda drooled. “Do you know why he won’t join the team.”
I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her to stop checking out my man. I wasn’t a jealous person and knew I was being irrational since Rhett picked me.
Instead of telling her to shove off and take the popular table with her, I settled for, “No idea. Not his thing I guess.”
“Pity.” Her lips shifted into a pout. “I would’ve loved to see him in our school’s jersey. You know he used to play for his previous school. Does he ever talk about it to you?”
“Nope, he sure doesn’t. Not his thing I guess.”
Can I be anymore awkward?
“Pity.”
Was that her only response?
“Is this nail polish too bright?” she asked and held up her fingers for me to see her pink nails.
“I don’t think so, but I’m not the expert on nails.”
“That’s obvious,” she scoffed. “You should let me paint your nails at lunch and you could use a little more makeup.”
“I’m okay. Thanks for the offer though.” I was proud of myself for still being polite instead of biting her fake face off.
She shrugged and blew a bubble of her gum. “Your loss.”
On the way to third hour, she talked about the miracles of makeup and nail polish, but I wasn’t really listening. My feet quickened and I couldn’t get to class fast enough.
Lunch came a little quicker after my first two classes were over. Rhett met me in the lunch line and gave me a kiss.
“I’m going to sit with Alec at lunch today if that’s okay. He wants to talk to me about some ideas for his party this Friday and probably wants to try to get me to join the team again,” Rhett explained. “You’re welcome to join me.”
“No thanks. I’ll go sit with Autumn, but you go ahead. I just want to know one thing first.”
“What’s that?”
“Why are you friends with him if all he does is complain about you not being on the team?”
“There’s more to him than just that. He really isn’t all that bad. It’s more of a front since he’s the quarterback of the football team. I have the ability to overlook his attitude though.”
“Why don’t you join the team if you used to play? Why not now?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it here. Maybe some other time.”
The strain in his voice made me drop the subject and we parted ways after we grabbed our burgers.
“Rhett’s not joining us today?” Autumn asked when I sat at our picnic table.
“Not today.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
I frowned. “Why should it? Just because we’re going out doesn’t mean he isn’t allowed to have other friends.”
“But Alec treats you like garbage.”
“So? There has to be some reason Rhett likes him and I’m not going to fault him for that. He still cares about me even though we don’t hang out every second of the day.”
“All right, I’ll drop the subject.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Seven
Friday night came and Rhett went to the party at Alec’s, but promised to spend Saturday and Sunday with me. I trusted him enough to know he wouldn’t cheat on me but Autumn thought otherwise.
“I’m just saying that you need to rein him in a little,” her voice flittered through the phone.
“I don’t own him, Autumn. He can go to a party if he wants. I’m not going to tell him ‘no’.”
“I would.”
“Well, I’m not you, so can we please change the subject?”
“Of course, girlie. I’m sorry if I’m being a stickler, but I’m just trying to look out for you. I’m worried he’s going to hurt you.”
“Worry not. We’re fine. Now, do you have anything exciting planned for this weekend.”
“Not really since my girlfriend has been stolen. I might catch up on my to-be-read pile and relax this weekend.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I might pick up a book tonight too.”
“I guess I’ll start my weekend now. Until tomo
rrow, darling.”
“Until tomorrow,” I replied.
I chose a werewolf book I’d been wanting to read and leafed through it until it was time for dinner.
“Dad, why haven’t you started working on your Nova? Maybe I could help you. It could be a father-son project. What do you say?” Maddox asked through his food.
“Maybe one of these days.” Dad sighed. “Things have been so busy at work that I don’t have the spare time.”
Maddox looked disappointed, so Dad added, “But I’ll order the parts and we can get to it when I have the time.”
“Awesome,” Maddox cheered.
“How are you and Rhett doing, sweetie?” Mom looked at me expectantly. “Where’s he tonight?”
“We’re doing good. He’s hanging out with his friends,” I answered.
“I’m glad you aren’t like your mom. She wouldn’t let me do anything for the longest time.”
Mom threw a fry at Dad in response.
“Really?” Maddox’s mouth had dropped open and gave us a full view of his half-chewed food.
“Maddox, you really need to swallow before you talk,” Mom chided.
“Yes, ma’am.” Maddox closed his mouth and didn’t speak until his plate had been cleared. “Want to go play some games after this?”
“I guess the book I was reading can wait for another day. Let’s go.”
“How about we play a shooting game tonight?” Maddox suggested when we reached his room.
“I’m down for whatever.”
He popped in his army game and we began shooting at the enemies. We played for a good hour when metal swirled around me.
I blinked and wasn’t in Maddox’s room anymore. Instead, I was sitting in front of Rhett. After I looked around frantically, I determined that we were in my favorite coffee shop.
“What’s wrong?” Rhett didn’t wait for the answer and must’ve read my mind. “You skipped time?”
“What day is it?”
“It’s our Thanksgiving holiday. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving actually. I was just telling you that my parents were going to be in town and I was going to spend it with them.”
“Thanksgiving? That means I skipped a whole three weeks without even being nervous. We’re obviously still dating, so that’s good, but what else did I miss?”
“Actually, we’ve been working on how to keep you from skipping.”
“Are you serious? That’s the weirdest thing ever.”
“You’re telling me. Here I thought we’d been making progress when you don’t even recall it even happening. Instead of going to a movie night like planned, I think we should go back to the park for an emergency session.”
“The park?”
“Yeah, you said the fountain there helped you focus better.”
“I did?”
“Well, sort of you. I don’t know what to call it.”
“A serious problem.” I put my face in my palms.
“It’ll all work out. I’ll catch you up on what you missed.”
I followed him to his car with a dark cloud hanging over my head. This was getting out of hand.
Rhett drove us to the park and escorted me to the fountain.
“I’m going to pretend like this is the first time we’re doing this since it sort of is,” he explained. “Close your eyes and focus on the water dripping in the background and the wind that’s rustling the leaves. It’s peaceful and that’s the type of peace you need to keep from time skipping. You need to focus on the now. Don’t fear missing out on life or else you will accidentally.”
“But I wasn’t even nervous about playing games with Maddox when I skipped. Explain that.” I opened my eyes to gauge his expression.
“I can’t, Molly. All I can do is continue helping you control it from here on out.”
“You’re right.”
So, I listened to Rhett and took in the tranquil sounds around me. That would be my key to not skipping. Hopefully.
Chapter Eight
I spent Thanksgiving the same way as I did every year. The family would get together at Gran’s house and I would indulge on gumbo, dirty rice, and roast. I usually skipped out on the turkey and cranberry. I wasn’t a turkey fan. Rhett spent the day with his family, but made a point to call me that morning to say ‘Happy Thanksgiving’.
After we fell into a routine, the days flew. December passed by so fast it was like a blur. Rhett didn’t go to any more parties and spent his free time with me. Maddox and I still played video games when the moment called. I didn’t skip at all during December and I was starting to get the hang of remaining calm no matter the situation.
Today was Christmas and I was overjoyed that Rhett was coming over to spend the day with my family. Mom and I had prepared an over-portioned lunch and it felt like Thanksgiving all over again. My eyes examined the presents under the tree every time I passed by it. We were waiting to exchange gifts for after we ate and when Rhett was here, but I was eager to see what I would get this year.
The doorbell rang. Right on time. Mom and I had just finished setting the table. Dad’s voice carried into the dining room as he greeted Rhett. I smoothed out the light pink dress I was wearing right before Rhett entered the room.
He grinned and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful and the food smells amazing.”
“I hope you’re ready for some home cooked chicken and dumplings.” Mom welcomed him with a hug. “And if you don’t like that, we also have some rolls, a roast, and some mashed potatoes.”
“Wow that’s a lot of food.” Rhett whistled. “Is it just going to be us five?”
“We usually celebrate it with the whole family, but today it’s just going to be us,” Dad answered.
“Molly, dear, will you go let your brother know we’re ready to eat?” Mom asked.
“Of course.” My hand squeezed Rhett’s before I left to retrieve Maddox.
He was still sleeping and I was so tempted to throw ice water on him, but I settled for making really loud, obnoxious noises. Maddox tossed and turned after placing a pillow over his head, but I continued to be annoying. It wasn’t until Maddox fell out of the bed, tangled in his blanket, that I stopped. My noises were replaced with laugher.
“Get up, dork. It’s Christmas,” I exclaimed and ruffled his hair.
“Oh right. Mind helping me?” He smiled sweetly from the ground.
“Nah. I think you can handle it. Don’t take too long though because lunch is done and we’re going to eat without you.”
“It’s already lunch time?” he called as I was strolling out.
“Yep, lazy butt,” I yelled back.
Rhett was already sitting at the table and holding a conversation with my dad by the time I returned.
“Is he coming, sweetie?” Mom asked when she didn’t see Maddox behind me.
“He should be down in a minute. He was still sleeping,” I answered.
“That boy.” She shook her head. “He probably stayed up late playing one of the games your Aunt Berty got him.”
We celebrated Christmas Eve with Mom’s side of the family last night. Aunt Berty gave me the new tablet that I wanted and gave Maddox five new video games. I told him I would play them tonight with him after we got back from Rhett’s. The good thing about Aunt Berty not having children was that she spoiled us rotten. She even got Rhett a gift card to a local restaurant. Since he was with his family last night, Aunt Berty gave it to me to pass on to him.
I pulled the gift card from under my napkin and handed it to Rhett. He took it with a smile.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a gift card from Aunt Berty. She wanted me to wink when I gave it to you and tell you that it’s also a gift for me because she fully expects you to take me to that restaurant.”
Rhett chortled. “I think I like your Aunt Berty already.”
“I’m sure you’ll meet her soon,” I commented.
“One of her cats got sick so she’s been tending to it
. Otherwise you guys probably would’ve already met,” Mom added.
“She’s your typical crazy cat lady,” Dad whispered to Rhett.
“Hey, I got in trouble when I said that,” I called him out.
“Well, I’m the dad so I’m allowed to.” Dad stuck out his tongue and that was where I got my childish nature from.
“Excuse me mister, put that tongue back in your mouth,” Mom ordered and Dad pulled his tongue back in with a guilty smile. “Don’t look at me like that. Take back what you said about my sister.”
“I’m sorry and she isn’t a crazy cat lady. She just likes cats.”
“That’s better,” Mom approved.
Maddox chose that moment to come down and we were all laughing at Dad.
“What did I miss?” he questioned and yawned.
“Everything. We already ate and opened gifts,” I teased.
Maddox stared at the table for a full thirty seconds and said, “Why is there so much food? Did Mom go overboard again?”
We all looked at him and burst into a fit of laughter. He raised his eyebrows at us, which only made us crack up more.
“We were waiting for you to eat, Maddox. Now, come sit so we can pray and dig in. I’m starving.” Mom rubbed her belly to emphasize her words.
Maddox muttered incoherently under his breath and took his seat. We all held hands, said a quick prayer, and dug into our food. After our bellies were stuffed, we gathered around the Christmas tree.
The way we handled the presents was that each person handed out theirs and we would open them together. I always went first because it was hard enough for me to wait until Christmas to give them their gifts let alone thirty more minutes. It was torturous having to keep their presents a secret and not give it to them.
After I passed them out, I watched as the presents were opened. Mom got a new Disney purse that she’d been wanting. Dad got a new watch. Maddox received a gift card to his favorite game store since I figured someone else would buy him the games, like Aunt Berty. Last was Rhett. I watched him with butterflies in my stomach and felt my instinct wanting to time skip. His eyes lit up when he pulled out the MP3 player I bought him. He glanced up at me and beamed.
“I love it. It sure will come in handy.” He pressed the buttons and looked back at me. “There’s already music on it.”