First Kiss Read online

  "What's that?" Mary shouts from her room.

  "I ordered some pizza, Mary, it's fine," he shouts back.

  "You sleeping here?" she wheezes angrily.

  "Maybe," he shouts again.

  I don’t know what to think. We've known each other for two days.

  It’s all crazy. He comes back in with the pizza after a few minutes.

  He tosses it on the bed and leaves the room again. My mouth waters as the smell of the pizza fills my room. He comes back after a few more minutes with plates, paper towels, and two cans of Coke. He tosses it all on my bed and pulls the laptop to him.

  "Do you have the Wi-Fi?"

  I frown, "No. Just dial up.” Who says the Wi-Fi?

  He pinches the bridge of his nose and nods, "Okay, I don’t know what that means, but I can probably get the Wi-Fi from your neighbors.” He types, and after a couple seconds, he smiles, "Ha. Got it. Brandon showed me how to get it at the library. Very useful."

  I sort of like that he is as bad at technology as I am. I don’t feel as weird around him about it. Lune always makes fun of me.

  We sit on the bed with pizza and soda, and watch something called He's Just Not That Into You. I cry harder than I laugh and discover a million things I didn’t know about boys. One being, that when they like you, they will always find a way to make your love happen. I glance over at the boy taking a plate of food to Mary and shake my head. He is exactly like the good guys in the movie.

  Chapter Four

  Mrs. Hamilton meets me at the front door to the school. She looks funny—cut off from me, like she doesn’t even know who I am. She folds her arms and speaks with no emotions at all. “Here are your grades, Lynnie, for your courses. You passed.”

  I look down at the paper, “But I never even took my finals yet.”

  She smiles but it’s hollow, “I know, but they were allowed to base it on your work. You got A’s. You should be happy with that. Any college will let you transfer with these for credits.” She passes me the paper, but when I put my hand out, she drops it. I pick it up. She offers me another fake smile, “Sorry.”

  I look past her at the front door, “Why are you meeting me outside?”

  She shakes her head, “We don’t think it’s a good idea for you to work here. We all agree that you should probably just find another job. Or head out of town now.”

  I nod. Sam is in the hospital still and I am the Lake monster. “Okay.” I wrap my arms around myself and turn to walk down the stairs.

  “Good luck, Lynnie. If you ever need a reference, I would be happy to give one. I think in a new town you would probably do fine, if no one knew about your situation.”

  I don’t look back, I walk home. When I get inside, Mary gives me a disdainful look, but she doesn’t touch me. I walk up to my room and curl up on my bed.

  I hate myself. I hate everything. I glance at the scissors on my desk and think the worst thought I have ever had. I close my eyes and imagine Rosie’s face. She wouldn’t have wanted me to give up so easily, and yet, she wouldn’t have understood how bad it could really get. She was so young when she died. Worst of all, I can't even wish she were here with me, because I would never want her to know what this is like.

  I wish Lune would come and see me, but I know she thinks I am a monster. I wish Bash had walked me to school instead of agreeing to see me there.

  I lay there and wish it were just over—everything. I close my eyes and pray for death.

  Two days later and I cannot get over Sam. I know I can’t leave the house without wondering if he has died. No one has come to see me. No one has talked to me. Lune hasn’t even tried. I have a terrible feeling that Sam has died, and soon the villagers will come with pitchforks and demand my life for his. I will gladly give it.

  The days turn to nights and then days again. My mind floats as I stare at the ceiling, moving only for food and water. I lay in bed, waiting for Mary to come and kill me or let the townsfolk do it. Unfortunately, Bastion has scared her badly enough that she avoids me.

  I get up when I can’t stand myself anymore and walk down the stairs. The old habit of looking out for Mary has died inside of me. I don’t care if she does push me down the stairs. When I get into the kitchen, I notice how clean it is. The house looks different—smells different too. I grab a glass of water and ignore my aching belly. I have barely eaten in days.

  Mary isn’t there.

  I walk to the front door, assuming she is in the garden. She isn’t, but a bright, shiny red car is at the front gate. I look around for the owner, but I don’t see anyone, not even angry townsfolk.

  I glance around, confused. When I turn back to walk into the house, Mary is there, suddenly. She smiles at me, but I can see the wickedness in her eyes.

  She nods at the car, “You like my new car?”

  I narrow my eyes, “How did you afford that? You can't even buy food.”

  She crosses her arms and I notice she is wearing normal clothes. No muumuu. She has on a light blouse and a skirt. They look new and she has her hair brushed. Is that lip gloss? I scowl at her but she gives me a wider grin, “Well, I discovered a certain someone has been hoarding her money in the floorboards. A little birdie told me how much you had saved.”

  My stomach falls.

  I push past her and run for my room.

  I push the bed and look at the spot on the carpet where a cut has been made. It is pulled back, revealing the floorboards. I drop to my knees, and with trembling hands, lift the old board. There, in the hole is an empty plastic baggie. I can see all the bills are gone. My savings are gone. She must have taken it when I was at the school the other day. I feel instantly dizzy.

  “You sneaky little bitch. You thought I would never find out how much money you were really making? To think I let you stay here with me and this is the thanks I get. I’ve been beyond broke taking care of you. You are a sponge and you suck the life out of everything you touch. I used to have a beautiful garden and now look at it. You are evil. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get rid of you.”

  I see red.

  I scream as I turn and run to her. I grab her face and plant the biggest kiss I can on her lips, “I LOVE YOU, MARY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!” My first kiss is with an evil old woman.

  She pushes me back. Her face contorts into the vile thing it usually is around me. I see it then, she has fear in her eyes. “You have five minutes to get the hell out of my house, demon spawn. You’re over eighteen now; I don’t have to let you stay with me. I don’t care what the townspeople say.” She turns and runs away from me, leaving me to cry alone.

  I don’t need five minutes to grab anything. I have nothing of value but a small bag of clothes. But I need five minutes to say goodbye to my sister.

  I sit on the window ledge and sigh, “Rosie, I love you! I should have saved you.” I hate myself more today. I look down at the floor, “I never should have gone. I will always regret that. I love you, little sister.” A tear drops from my eyes, splashing on the sill. I close my eyes and wait for it but she doesn’t come. I don’t get the feeling, at all. I hate that this could be the last time I feel her. I will her to come to me and say goodbye but she doesn’t come. Maybe she never did come, maybe it was always my imagination.

  I get up, grabbing my small bag, and leave the room forever. I don’t look back. I walk down the stairs and leave through the front door. I walk out of the gate and past the car I bought for Mary with my blood, sweat, and tears.

  A single teardrop forms in my eye and trails down my cheek, splashing onto the broken cement. I don’t look back.

  My heart doesn’t take me to Lune or Sarah. I walk to Brandon’s dad’s store, where Brandon is outside washing some buckets. When he sees me, he looks sad, maybe feeling sorry for me. I imagine it’s more like he’s dreading talking to me. He nods, “Hey, Lynnie.”

  “Hey. Uhm, is Bastion here?”

  He shakes his head, “No. He left yesterday. Really suddenly. He tried to come a
nd say bye to you, but Mary wouldn’t let him in. Said he even tried your window but he couldn’t get past Mary. He found a place to live for the summer, in the city. More his speed, ya know? Plus, he can stay there when he goes to college at the end of the summer. He seemed really bummed that he had to go, but he said he didn’t want to miss his chance.”

  I feel like I am dying inside. I don’t know what bothers me more—the fact I am homeless, or that I never got to say goodbye to him, a boy I met less than a week ago. I am an idiot.

  I nod, “Thanks. If you hear from him, can you tell him goodbye for me?”

  He nods once, “You leaving?”

  I almost cry when I nod, but I keep it together, "I have to."

  He scowls, "Haven't you heard? Sam’s fine. It wasn’t you, Lynnie. That stupid old curse is nonsense. No one with half a brain cell thought it was you. His mom found sesame seeds in his food. They tested him and he’s deathly allergic. They used to make his lips tingle before when we were kids, but I guess the allergy got worse. It wasn’t you. Sam knows it wasn’t you. He actually was hoping you would come and see him. I tried calling but Mary wouldn’t put you on. She's in a real mood lately, huh?”

  I could kiss him but I don’t. I would hate to nearly kill him too. I just smile, taking a huge breath, “Thank you for telling me that. I don’t think it changes anything though. The rest of the town still thinks it’s me and you know it.”

  “They’re idiots. You know what this place is like. It’s why we all leave.” He stands there, looking lost when he sees I’m not agreeing with him. “Where are you gonna go?”

  I shake my head, “I don’t know. I need to find a job.”

  A man walking out of the store gives me an odd look. He smiles, “Did I hear ya right? Do you need a job? I’ve actually just come looking for someone to work at the mansion I work at.” He walks towards me but glances back at Brandon over his shoulder. Brandon doesn’t seem to be paying attention to me or the man.

  I sigh and nod.

  He points at his fancy black car with dark windows, “I’m just about to head back there now. The owner is looking for a maid. Told me to post this flyer to see if we couldn’t find one. Just moved in and need some help getting it back in shape.” He holds out a flyer. It has an address, a phone number, and help wanted in bold lettering at the top.

  Brandon sighs and starts washing the buckets again, “You really think leaving is a good idea, Lynnie? I think you should find somewhere to stay and get a job here. Someone will hire you. My dad probably would.”

  “I doubt it.” I say to Brandon. I look at the flyer and the man holding it one more time. “Yeah, okay.” My stomach aches and the wind pushes against me.

  Brandon gets up, “What? I just think it's a bad idea. I think you should stay here.”

  I shake my head, “Brandon, are your parents going to let me stay with you? Mary kicked me out. She took all my savings and bought a car. I have nowhere to go, and I don’t even have five dollars to get a sandwich. I have no money for New York now. I need a real summer job and preferably one with room and board.”

  He looks pained, “Go to Lune’s.”

  “For what? She hasn’t even tried to talk to me in almost a week. She believes it was me.” I look at the man, “I need to go now.” He looks at Brandon, as if he is checking to make sure it’s okay for me to go. Brandon puts his head down to the buckets again, “You should think this through.”

  “In the meantime, I think this is a good idea.” I ignore them both and go climb into the back seat of the car, "See ya later."

  Brandon continues to look down, muttering something. I look away from him and stare at the headrest as I close the door. It feels like the wrong choice, but I don’t see another. Not an immediate fix like this is. This is an instant job. I need a bed and food. I need to earn back my savings.

  The man gets into the car, “I’m Lance, the driver. The master hired me out of Portland yesterday.” He reaches back, offering me his hand. His face is old and weathered. He makes me uneasy but the flyer was too random to be faked. I stare down at it and then back at him.

  I take his hand, shaking it lightly, “I’m Erralynn Lake.” Did he say master?

  “Nice to meet you.” He nods. He has no idea what that name means. He doesn’t know me.

  He starts the car, and as he drives away, I watch Brandon through the tinted glass. He doesn’t wave goodbye. He doesn’t even look up to watch me go. I wave, but I don’t know if he can see me.

  We drive up the hill to the estate houses on the lakeside. My family’s homestead is up here. It is a haunted old mansion now. No one has lived there in ages. So to say I am stunned and slightly scared when he takes the turn into the old Lachlan mansion, would be a huge understatement. The estate was my family’s home up until fifty years ago. My grandfather lost the house gambling, right before he died. He left Mary to raise their small kids alone, destitute and bitter. It really is no wonder she is as mean as she is. The curse has been awful for her—both her sons and her husband have died. She and I are all that is left of the Lachlan family.

  When he gets halfway down the scary driveway, I shudder. I always hated it here. I have only been here a handful of times, but I have always thought it was the kind of driveway you don’t go down unless you have to. I look out the back window, wondering if it’s too late to run back to Mary’s and beg her to take me back.

  “Creepy, huh?” Lance asks.

  I nod, “Creepy.”

  He is older, maybe fifty and skinny. His face suits the driveway, kind of scary. He pulls up to the mansion and parks. The place doesn’t look much better than it did the last time I saw it, when I was ten and my mother brought me to see it.

  Maybe Lance does know me. Maybe he’s one of the crazy townspeople who has come to sacrifice me at the Lachlan mansion. I shudder when I open the door, ready to run. The wind pushes on it, like it’s trying to tell me not to get out of the car. Lance comes and grabs the door, “Windy here on the hill.” He holds on to the driver’s hat on his head. He doesn’t know the half of it, when it comes to the wind.

  I climb out, gripping my bag, and follow him to the front door. A lady in a maid’s uniform answers the door, giving me a sweet but uncertain look. Lance points to her, “This is Heidi. She runs the house for Master Monstreau.” A young boy, maybe ten years old, peeks around the side of her shoulder, as if hiding from me. It’s not the first time someone has. He has dark hair like hers and dark eyes. Heidi gives me a kind smile, “This is Tim, my son.”

  I smile, “Hi. I’m Erralynn Lake.”

  None of them bat an eyelash, they are clearly not from here. The name Lake doesn’t make them uneasy. They seem more surprised I am here. It makes me uncomfortable, and I can’t help but wonder if I have been lured here. I am ready to run when she steps aside, welcoming me to the house. Lance nods at Tim, “Come help with the things I bought; I have them in the back. We have to hurry before it gets dark.”

  They all seem normal, weirdly normal.

  Tim bounds to the black car with him. Heidi laughs, walking inside, guiding me in too. She seems friendly. The mansion is dark and frightening. It doesn’t look like anyone lives here, and yet, they are. I glance around at it all, taking it in. I have no memories of the house, inside. I remember the outside only. We had come when I was a small girl and walked the grounds. My mother had seemed to be looking for something. She never spoke much about it and Mary refused to come here at all. I do a slow circle, crunching the leaves on the floor under my feet. “How long have you been here?”

  “Er . . . uhm, we just arrived. He inherited it a few months ago.” She sighs, “We are in the process of moving everything in and cleaning. It’s a terrible mess.”

  “I can see that.” The leaves from the winter are scattered around on the floor and everything has cobwebs and filth. “So where do I start?”

  She points to the stairs, “If you go upstairs, Alex will show you to your room and get you outfitted i
n a uniform.”

  I give her a look, “Uniform? We have to wear that?”

  She nods, blushing slightly, “We do.” If I had to guess, I would say she is around the same age as Lance. She has grey hair that’s pulled up into a proper French bun and laugh lines around her eyes. She looks like a pleasant person, someone who is always sweet. Like Lune’s mom. Someone who has joy in their life, like she smiles a lot. I trust her and I have no idea why. I stifle a yawn and glance back at the door.

  “You look beat. Are you all right?”

  I nod at her, “I am pretty tired.” I want to just tell her everything that has happened, but I don’t even know where to start. My brain starts at hundreds of years ago . . .

  “Just so you know, I let everyone pick a meal each week. I bet I can guess yours. You look like a roast hen sort of girl to me.”

  I scowl, “Hen? Oh, you mean chicken—yes. That’s my favorite.”

  She smiles, “I knew. What other kinds of food do you like to eat?”

  I shrug, “Everything, I guess.” It is the benefit of having a rotten childhood—you are beaten down so badly, you will eat anything that is served to you. Except liver, I still hate liver.

  She chuckles, “Take a nap and when you’re ready, come down and help. No use in working if you’re falling asleep.”

  I don’t even know why I agree—why I don’t run from the house. Why did I even take the job in the first place? I just nod, "I think a nap is a good idea. I am exhausted." I don’t know where it came from, but I am.

  "Just go up the stairs with Alex and let him show you to a bed."

  As if in a trance, I turn and glance at the stairs to see a guy about my age. I have no reaction to him. My exhaustion is getting worse and the guy looks about as impressed as I feel. He has dark hair and very tanned skin. He looks rugged and strong and vaguely familiar. He doesn’t smile. He gives me an annoyed look actually, like helping me to my room is a burden. He nods, “Let’s go.”

  Heidi calls after him, “Thank you!”

  He ignores her and turns and walks to the right at the top of the stairs. I climb the massive set of stairs and follow him right. The wind is there, pushing me and the dry leaves to the right. It doesn’t want me to go left.