Home by JW Phillips

Courtney
had her hands on her hips and a look of determination on her
face.
    “That would be three twenty-five, babe.”
Courtney said with a wink.
    Trucker tossed a five at her. “I’m not your
babe,” Trucker stated.
    Julie could see his temper flair at her
unwelcome advances. Courtney handed him his change and with a small
snort, she jerked her shoulder, turning to walk away.
    Climbing into his car, he sat his cola in a
cup holder and shifted his body in her direction.
    “I’m sorry, Angel. I had no idea that she
would be in there.” His brooding eyes burnt through her.
    “It’s okay. You couldn't have known she'd be
there. Plus, you’re pretty impressive.” Julie clasped her hands
together and started twisting and untwisting her fingers.
    “You think I’m impressive?”
    “Very,” she answered, biting down on her nail
bed, bringing a drop of blood to the surface. Trucker tapped his
finger across her nail, capturing the blood droplet. She swore she
saw him taste it, but his movement was so fast she couldn’t be
sure.
    “Do I impress you?”
    “Yes,” she barely managed to say. He let out
a soft chuckle when her voice cracked.
    “That’s all that matters.” He stretched his
arm out and placed his hand around hers. The warmth coming off his
skin was shocking. Although a sinister look was still alive and
well in his eyes, she'd never felt safer.
    They rode down every back road in the county.
He quoted poetry and questioned her about every small detail of her
boring and predictable life.
    “Why do you do it? Why are you so pure?” he
asked, cutting his eyes over toward her. His voice was smooth but
rough at the same time.
    Taking in a deep breath, she answered. “It's
just how I am. I don't want to hurt my parents.”
    He nodded and considered her a moment before
asking, “But why do you care?”
    “Huh?”
    “Why do you care if you hurt your
parents?”
    “Hurting them would hurt me.”
    He paused as if sensing her discomfort. “I’m
glad you’re made that way. I think you’re very special,” he said
quietly, fidgeting with the air conditioner. He grinned and ran his
hand absent-mindedly through his dark hair.
    “Tell me more about you. What do you do for
fun? Tell me what makes Julie tick?”
    As if he put her in a trance, she started
spurting off endless facts about herself. “My favorite color is
blue. I love daylilies and how they grow wild on the side of the
road. I’ve watched Arsenic and Old Lace hundreds of times
with my granny. I like to eat potato chips with ice cream.”
    Julie went on for the longest time telling
him about herself. She couldn’t ever remember talking about herself
so much. She was certain she was boring him, and then she would get
a glance at his face to see absolute absorption in what she was
saying, so she continued. She told him all about her family, about
her parents, about her grandmother that passed away the year
before. They talked about school and their favorite subjects. The
more she talked the happier he seemed to get.
    “So we’re going to the movies?” he said,
suddenly.
    Oh crap, I forgot I told my mom that. I hope
he knows I don’t expect him to tag along. I doubt he truly wants to
spend time with my friends and me. Heck, I find it hard to believe
he still wants to spend time with just me. Furthermore, the closest
theater is in Franklin and that is a good thirty minutes away.
Though I wouldn’t mind being locked in a car with him for that
long.
    “Julie.” He snapped his fingers.
    “Oh, yeah,” she said. “You don’t have to. I
promised them I would early in the week. It’s in Franklin. I know
that is too far to drive, it’s okay.”
    “I’m going wherever you are. It’s that
simple” He took her hand in his. Her heart fluttered at that simple
gesture.
    “Do you know how to get there?” she wondered.
After all, he was new to town.
    “Yeah, that’s where I’m staying while my
house is being built. My dad has an apartment