Chapter 12
Ifinishedmy test rather quickly and moved on to my paper which took up the bulk of my time. After an hour spent on an analyzation of the character developments within Chbosky'sPerks of Being a Wallflower, I decided I had depressed myself enough. I shut the laptop after saving the pages and cracked the sore muscles in my neck. I was thankful that my teacher had allowed the class to choose books that we were all interested in rather than force us to write something about Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe. They were great writers, yes, but so overdone. If I read one more obnoxiously complex play or horror-stricken poem, I wouldvomit.
Stretching, I rose from Texas' bed and headed for the hallway. Cleo continued to sleep on Texas' pillow. I tiptoed down the hallway, intending to sneak up on Bellamy and Texas. I imagined their faces when I jumped and screamed. Carl, from work, had caught me doing my side work enough, zoned out, and scared the crap out of me multiple times. I tried not to think about how comfortable I had become with the guys that I was doingthis.
I reached the corner of the hallway, and just beyond were the living room and the kitchen. I peeked around and saw the back of Bellamy's jeans. They were in the kitchen. Before I could jump out, though, I heard one of them say my name. I couldn't tell who spoke, it was whispered so low, but the hushed voice had me thinking that they were trying to stay quiet, to keep me from hearing. Without intending to, my tiptoeing had a new purpose. I sidled back, my spine pressed to thewall.
"–should've asked Marv's cousin or his sister, maybe another girl from Iris," Texas was saying. "She's going to need to go in with him tomorrow night and I'm not sure she should. It'sdangerous."
Bellamy's low rumble replied. "His sister isn't old enough to attend one of these parties and I've only met Quinn once or twice, but even I know she'd rather cut off her own ear than be forced into another socialite gathering. From what Marv says, she gets forced into it enough. Another Iris girl would have been preferable." I frowned. It sounded like they were referring to a party. Was I going to one? I looked down at my old clothes. "But we were looking to add to the team anyway. She works with us. Marv likes her. I likeher."
"I don't know if she works with us, yet." My head turned at the bite in Texas' words. Did he not want me around? He seemed nice enough. He was even willing to give me information and phones. Had he changed his mind? "I haven't gotten to spend any time withher."
"Neither have I," Bellamysaid.
"You at least got to have contact with her at the school. You were her first contact on behalf ofIris."
"Do you want me to head out?" Bellamy didn't sound like he wanted to. The offer was given gruffly. "I can head over to the construction site or call Marv and ask if he or his parents needhelp."
There was a pause where silence reigned. It could have been Texas considering his offer. In truth, however, I pictured his face pinched with guilt. These guys cared about each other. I knew he would never intentionally push Bellamy out of his own home. At least, I hopednot.
"No," he finally said. "No, don't do that. I'll be fine. She'll have to work with me at some point. It doesn'tmatter."
A thousand thoughts swept through my mind. Were they fighting over working with me? What was this about aparty?
I crept back, sliding along the floor until I got to Texas' bedroom door. I opened it and closed it to alert them that I would be coming in. Almost guiltily, they jumped at attention, scrambling to get into the living room before I got there. Standing in the doorway with my hands clasped behind me, I rocked back on my heels as though I was unsure of entering, as though I hadn't just been eavesdropping onthem.
"Hey," Bellamy spoke first. "Youdone?"
I nodded. "Justfinished."
"Cool, lunch is ready. I was just about to come getyou."
Sure, I thought, but I didn'tcomment.
We sat in the living room, and each ate a bowl of chili with a side of cornbread. I had never tasted anything so delicious. I wolfed down the food and was done before either of them had finished half. They stared as I got up, rinsed my dishes in their sink, and placed them in theirdishwasher.
"Do you think she even breathed between bites?" Texasasked.
"I don't know about breathing, but she sure inhaled that food," Bellamyreplied.
I ignored their teasing. "What else are we doing today?" Would they tell me about the party? The slightly angry, betrayed part of me dared them to lie tome.
Bellamy popped up from his seat on the couch. "Shopping," hesaid.
My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open in surprise. It was the furthest thing from what I had expected him tosay.
"Shopping?" Iclarified.
Texas was the one who replied. "Yes, shopping. Marv wants to take you. We're allgoing."
"Why shopping?" I looked down at my clothes. I didn't needmore.
Texas winked. "It's asurprise."
I stiffened. A party kind of surprise? I didn't ask, though. Within the next twenty minutes Texas had finished his food while Bellamy rinsed his dishes and went about the same routine that I had. I waited in the front hall, leaning against the wall, while they rushed around the apartment, grabbing shoes, turning out the lights, and all of the various other things people usually did before goingout.
"Ready?" Bellamy asked as Texas came skidding around the corner, this time dressed in a tight pair of jeans cinched at the waist with a brown belt, and a dark t-shirt with a pair of converse completing thelook.