Haven doesn’t answer our calls, but we manage to reach Miles to invite him home after his rehearsal. He
arrives with Eric, and the four of us spend a nice evening eating, swimming in the pool and watching horror films from
bad quality. The atmosphere is so relaxed with my friends that I almost forget about Riley, Haven, Evangeline, Drina, the beach – all the events of that disastrous afternoon.
I almost manage not to notice Damen’s gaze, lost in vagueness, when he thinks he is not being observed.
And I almost manage to ignore my worry and feign calm.
Well, not exactly.
And, although I made it clear to Damen that Sabine is
away for the weekend and he can spend the night with me, he waits for me to fall asleep before slipping away discreetly.
What a relief to find him the next morning with coffee, muffins and a big smile on his face…
We try to contact Haven again, leaving him
even one or two messages on his answering machine, but no need
to be extralucid to understand that she doesn’t want to talk to us. And when I finally decide to call her house and her little brother, Austin, tells me that he hasn’t seen her, I don’t doubt his word.
After a whole day lounging by the pool, I’m about to order a pizza, but Damen takes the phone from my hand.
Tonight, I’m the one cooking dinner.
You know how to cook ?
On reflection, this isn’t surprising, since this boy can do anything.
It’s up to you to judge.
Do you need help ?
I offer my services as a form, my cooking skills being limited to boiling water and pouring milk over my cereal.
As he shakes his head, I go upstairs to shower and change while he heads to the kitchen. Coming back down, I don’t
don’t come back: the dining room table is set with Sabine’s most beautiful service, her most beautiful tablecloth, candles and a large
crystal vase filled – lo and behold – with red tulips.
Mademoiselle is served, Damen proclaims, pulling a chair over for me.
Did you prepare all this? I can not believe it.
The dishes laid out on the table look so plentiful that I wonder if we’re expecting guests.
No, it’s only for you, Damen answers the question I didn’t ask.
In my opinion ? And you, aren’t you eating?
It fills my plate with crunchy vegetables and meat
grilled to perfection, accompanied by a sauce so tasty that I give up guessing its composition.
Of course I do, but it’s especially for you that I prepared this feast. A young girl cannot live on pizza alone.
Ah good ? I said, attacking a particularly tender and juicy piece of meat.
During the meal, seeing that Damen barely touches the contents
from his plate, I take the opportunity to bombard him with questions about what I always wanted to know, but which I systematically forget to ask him as soon as he looks into mine. I
asks him about his family, his childhood, his multiple moves, his emancipation – partly out of curiosity, but also because I find it curious to be around someone whose
I ignore almost everything. As the evening wears on, I
amazes me how much we have in common. We are both orphans, even though his parents died when he was very young. Certainly, he appears to be stingy with
details, but, since I don’t like talking about myself too much either, I won’t insist.
I finish my plate and feel a gentle torpor come over me.
Where do you prefer to live, ultimately?
Here, he replies, smiling.
He barely swallowed three mouthfuls, even though he conscientiously pretended as he moved his food around on his plate.
I have difficulty believing it. Okay, Orange County is very nice, but it still doesn’t compare to the wonderful European cities he has visited.
He nods.
It’s true, I’m very happy here.
Because you weren’t in Rome, Paris, New Delhi or New York?
His eyes become clouded with sadness and are lost in the distance, while he takes a sip of his strange scarlet drink.
I point to the bottle.
By the way, what is this thing?
He holds it up in the air and swirls the liquid, which shimmers on the sides before falling to the bottom of the bottle. It looks like a cross between lightning, wine and blood.
A top secret family recipe.
I’m not sure I want to, but I’m curious.
I can taste ?
You won’t like it. It tastes like medicine. Probably because it is one.
My stomach churns and my jaw drops imagining it.
victim of a host of incurable illnesses, serious trauma and excruciating suffering – I knew well that it was too good to
be true.
He takes my hand with a burst of laughter.
Do not panic. I lack a little energy sometimes. That
helps me.
I examine the bottle, but I see neither label nor mark,
nor anything. The glass is transparent and smooth, as if made from a single piece. —And where do you buy it?
I told you, it’s a family recipe, he repeats, taking a last sip to finish the bottle.
He gets up from the table, leaving his plate half full.
Are we going to swim? You want ?
Shouldn’t we wait an hour after eating?
Don’t worry. I won’t let you drown.
Having spent most of the day in the swimming pool, we
let’s opt for the Jacuzzi. And when our fingers start to wrinkle like little prunes, we wrap ourselves in big towels and go upstairs.
Damen follows me into the bathroom. I leave my towel on the floor, he comes up behind me to take me in his arms, hugging me so tightly that our two bodies are as if welded. And
When his lips brush the back of my neck, I think that I better set the rules while my brain still functions more or less normally.
Cheeks burning, I turn and meet his amused gaze.
You can stay. Finally… I want you to stay. Really. But I’m not sure we should… uh… you see…
But what am I talking about? As if he didn’t know what
I mean. As if I hadn’t already pushed him away. And then what is my problem? Any girl normally
constituted would be ready to kill to experience a moment like this, a long romantic weekend, without parents or anyone. But no, I have to impose some stupid code of conduct – and if there was a good reason…
Damen places his index finger under my chin to force me to raise my head and look him in the face.
Ever, don’t worry, he whispers between kisses on the crook of my neck, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. We have already talked about that. I am not in a hurry. I waited so long to find you that I can wait
a little more.
Comforted by the warmth of his body snuggled against mine and his steady breathing near my ear, I instantly fall into sleep. I feared that his presence would make me too
nervous to be able to sleep, but it’s the other way around. Feeling him next to me gives me a wonderful feeling of security that calms me.
But when, at 3:45 a.m., I wake up and go
Realizing that he is no longer there, I throw off the blankets and rush to the window, believing I am reliving the episode in the cave. I scan the aisle and follow
surprised to find her car there.
Were you looking for me?
I turn around and find him in the doorway. My heart is racing, and my cheeks are burning.
Oh, uh… I woke up suddenly, and you weren’t there anymore, so I…
I purse my lips. I feel so small and ridiculous for needing him so much.
He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the bed.
I went down to have a glass of water.
I lie down next to him and mechanically put my hand in his place. The sheets are cold, as if he has been gone much longer than he claims.
When I wake up, I am alone again. Hearing a noise
ground floor, I put on my dressing gown and rush into
the staircase.
How long have you been up?
The kitchen is impeccably tidy, the dirty dishes in the
eve is gone, replaced by an assortment of donuts, rolls and cereals that don’t come from the cupboards.
Have you been up for a long time?
I’m a morning person, he explains. I put some order
before going to do two or three errands. Okay, maybe I pushed it a bit, but I didn’t know what you liked.
He walks around the bar to kiss me on the cheek. I take a sip of the squeezed orange juice he placed in front of me.
You want some ? Or do you prefer to continue fasting?
Am I fasting? he exclaims, surprised.
Oh please, I’m not blind. I do not know
no one who eats as little as you. You just drink your… your medicine and fiddle with the food. Me, on the other hand, I feel like I’m stuffing myself.
Do you prefer that? he said as he took a huge bite of donut, his jaws busy chewing the dough covered in a thick layer of icing.
I’m looking through the window. I still can’t get used to this Californian climate, this endless succession of sunny days, while winter is fast approaching.
What would you like to do today? I said. He checks his watch.
I have to go.
But Sabine isn’t coming home until this evening!
I hate the plaintive tone of my voice and the loop that begins
my stomach when Damen jingles his keys before placing a shower of small kisses on my cheek, in the crook of my ear and on my neck.
I have various things to sort out at home. Especially if you want to see me at school tomorrow.
Ah yes, high school! I said, I who had almost managed to forget my recent crisis of absenteeism and its consequences.
It’s you who attaches importance to it, he adds. If it were up to me, it would be Sunday every day.
I bite into a donut.
Yes, but suddenly the weekend would no longer be anything special.
Life would only be a long river of laziness where we would no longer have
need to work nor anything to look forward to, a long series of moments of pure hedonism. It would get boring eventually, don’t you think?
Not sure, he observes with a smile.
So, what are these mysterious things you have to do?
I would like to have a glimpse of his daily life, the
little more or less thankless tasks that keep him busy when he’s not with me.
Oh, stuff, what, he dodges. I feel like he can’t wait to leave.
May I… ?
He interrupts me without giving me time to finish my sentence and shifts from one foot to the other, as if ready to pounce.
Forget it, Ever, you’re not going to do my laundry, anyway!
I would like to know where you live. I’ve never been to someone’s emancipated house. I’m just curious, that’s all.
I try to act detached, but the result is whiny, unbearable.
Damen shakes his head, his eyes fixed on the door, as if it were a lover he was dying to join.
I know I’m overstepping the mark, that it’s time to wave the white flag and retreat, but I can’t help but risk one last attempt.
But why ?
Because it’s a mess, he says, his jaw clenched.
There is an indescribable mess in my house. I don’t want you
see that. My brand image would take a big hit. And then
I would never be able to put anything away if you were here, you would distract me.
He forces a smile, but I detect a glint of impatience in his eyes. He can’t wait to leave.
I’ll call you tonight, I promise, he said, heading towards the door.
What would you do if I decided to follow you?
I don’t recommend it, Ever.
For a split second, I wonder if he means today or if this is a thinly veiled warning for the future. Either way, the message is very clear.
Once Damen leaves, I pick up the phone to reach Haven, but I get his voicemail again, and this time I don’t bother to leave him another message. I already have some
dropped off several, after all, and it’s up to her to call me back if she feels the need. I go upstairs to take a shower and sit at my desk, determined to do my homework. But barely did I
sitting down as my thoughts begin to wander around Damen and his eccentricities, which I really can no longer ignore.
For example, how does he manage to read me then
that I can’t decipher his thoughts? And how, in seventeen brief years, did he have time to travel practically around the world and acquire a perfect mastery of painting, football, surfing, cooking, literature, of universal history, in short of almost everything that is possible and imaginable?
How does he move at lightning speed? And all these roses, these tulips that he produces at will? Not to mention that he can talk like you and me, and the next moment he sounds like Heathcliff or some other character from the Brontë sisters’ imagination. And how can I explain that he can see my sister? And the fact that he has no aura, like Drina, for that matter, about which he neglected to reveal to me the circumstances of their meeting. And his reluctance to tell me where he lives…
While we spent the night together.
Of course we just slept, but when
even ! I believe that I have the right to obtain some answers, if not all, at least to some of my
questions. And if I’m not ready to break into the school and look at Damen’s file, I know someone who is.
would be able.
Still, I should avoid involving Riley in this matter.
Especially since I don’t know how to get her to come, since I don’t have any
never felt the need before. Should we call him by his name? Light a candle ? Close your eyes while making a wish?
But all this seems to me to be the height of ridiculousness, I stand in the middle of my room, eyes closed.
Riley? Riley? I really need to talk to you. Actually, I have a favor to ask you. But if you refuse, it doesn’t matter, I
I’ll understand and I won’t blame you, because I know it’s going to seem a little fishy to you, and then I feel like an idiot, talking
all alone in my room, so if you can hear me, could you send me a sign, something?
When my radio starts blaring the Kelly Clarkson song that Riley was singing all the time, I open my eyes and she is there, in front of me, doubled over with laughter.
If you had seen yourself! Two more seconds, and you were going to close
the shutters, light a candle and take out the table, the glasses and the Scrabble letters!
I apply makeup.
It’s true. I’m completely stupid, aren’t I?
Actually, yes. So, if I understand correctly, you want to corrupt your sister by sending her to spy on your boyfriend, right?
I can not believe it.
How do you know ?
She flops down on my bed, rolling her eyes.
Do you think you’re the only one who can read people’s minds?
I wonder what she still knows about.
Because you know too?
Ava told me that. Do not get mad. I understand your fashion fantasies better these days.
What if we talked a little about yours? I said, considering her Star Wars inspired outfit.
She shrugs.
Okay, so, you want me to help you find your boyfriend, yes or
No ?
I sit on the bed next to her.
Look, I hesitate. Well, yes, I would like to, but I have qualms about asking you.
What if I told you I know?
I’d rather not know what she’s been spending her time on since our last conversation.
Did you go searching at school?
Better than that, I followed him home. I’m speechless.
But when ? How ?
Land, Ever, you think I need a license to fly
drive to get where I want? Plus, I know you’re crazy about him, which is understandable, because he’s totally cute. But do you remember the day he pretended to see me?
Obviously. How could I have forgotten it?
I was so scared that I decided to investigate.
And… ?
And… I don’t really know how to tell you… Don’t take it
not bad, but it’s a little weird. He lives in a large house on the Newport Coast side, which is already not ordinary, considering his age and everything else. Where does this money come from? Because he’s not working, that’s for sure.
I think back to our afternoon at the races but prefer to do nothing
say. “But it’s still nothing,” my sister continues. The strangest thing is that the house is completely empty. And when I say empty, it means
without any furniture, you see?
Yes, well, it’s a boy.
I wonder why I feel the need to defend him.
Okay, but this is really very, very strange. Apart from one
iPod dock mounted on the wall and a flat screen, it’s empty. And believe me, I looked everywhere. Well, except in the locked room.
I’ve seen her pass through walls dozens of times.
Since when have locked doors stopped you?
It wasn’t the door that stopped me, it was me, if you want to know. What do you think ? It’s not because I’m dead that I’m not afraid of anything anymore.
I rush to put forward justifications, like the most pathetic groupie.
It wasn’t long since he moved in. Maybe he hasn’t been able to buy furniture yet. Yes, it surely is
the explanation: he didn’t want me to accompany him so that I wouldn’t see his house in this state.
Lord, I’m even more stupid than I thought, I said to myself as I listened to myself utter such nonsense.
Riley stares at me like she’s about to come clean.
mixes the truth about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Little Mouse.
Ultimately, it might be in your interest to judge for yourself. I feel like she didn’t tell me everything.
That’s to say ?
She gets up to fix her costume in front of the mirror, and I wonder why she’s making such a mystery.
Riley? I said.
She ends up turning around.
Look, I could be wrong. After all, I don’t know anything about it, I’m just a kid. And then it’s probably unimportant, but…
But what ?
I think you’d better go yourself.
All right. How are we going there ? I said grabbing my car keys.
Do not count on me. I’m sure he can see me.
He can see me too, let me tell you. She doesn’t give in.
No, I’m not coming. But I’ll make you a plan. My sister is not very good at sketching, so she decides to make me a list of streets to take, indicating right and left turns, because I have no sense of direction.
Are you sure you don’t want to come with me? I said before going out, my bag in hand.
She nods and follows me up the stairs.
Ever?
I turn around.
You should have told me you could read minds
people. If I had known, I wouldn’t have made fun of your clothes. Sorry.
I open the front door.
Can you really read what I’m thinking?
Only when you try to tell me something, don’t
do not worry. And then I suspected that you were going to ask me to spy on him, she adds, laughing. By the way, Ever, I have to
tells you one more thing. I’ll probably be gone for a while. It’s not because I’m upset or taking revenge for who knows what, okay? I promise to come and check on you, but… I might leave for a while. I
likely to be quite busy. I feel panic overcome me.
But are you going to come back? She forces herself to smile.
Of course, I promise. Except… I don’t know when.
You’re not going to abandon me, are you? Okay, then, good luck, I said, seeing her shake her head.
I wish I could take her in my arms and squeeze her really hard to convince her to stay, but I know that’s impossible. So I get in my car and drive off.
