Chapter Five

Jeanie sat in the library pouring over the history books for information. She wanted to make it up to Bee for yesterday by doing some research of her own. She figured a good place to start would be the history section in the Library. If the Cube had come here a long time ago as Bee believed, then it was possible human's might have already found it.

She also had her laptop out on the table opened to several search engines. She wasn't having any more luck than she had with looking up possessed cars. Magical Cubes had been a bust. State of the art Technology hadn't really given her anything concrete. If Human's had found the Cube, then they had done a good job of keeping other people from finding out about it.

Jeanie turned to another history book, flipping through the pages. There was a segment on a man named Captain Archibald Witwicky who led an exploration of the Arctic in 1897. There was a small paragraph about him going blind and ranting about visions of the future.

Turning to her computer, Jeanie typed in the Captain's name searching for more information other than the small paragraph that she found in the history book. She went onto Wikipedia, reading about how he found a 'devil man' beneath the ice. Jeanie saved the page to her favorites, hoping to read more at home about it. Maybe even have Bee look into it, if she found it at all promising. It was probably just some nut, but so far it was the only thing she had stumbled across worthwhile.

Jeanie jotted his name down and the dates the book said he had made his so called discovery. She rolled her head side to side working out the kink forming in her neck.

Ugh, she groaned and reached up to massage the spot that ached. Her eyes lifted to glance at the clock on the far wall. She had another thirty minutes before Bee was supposed to pick her up. She had promised him a quick ride before she was due back home. What her parent's didn't know couldn't hurt them, right? As far as they knew, she was in the public library till they closed looking up research for a school project. She was getting pretty good at lying to them. Not that she was proud of this fact, but it is what it is.

Jeanie wondered for a moment if the public library might have more books on American history, but she shook her head. She really hated going to the public library and avoided it if she could. It was always packed and the air had a strange stale taste to it. She tried to avoid going there at all costs. If she didn't find any more information though, she might have to break down and go across the street anyway.

Turning her head back to the book she had been reading, Jeanie didn't notice the person who stopped in front of the window next to her and peered inside. She jotted down some more information on Archibald, before moving on to the next chapter. She'd look him up more of him later when she had more time. She needed to make use of her time in the library while she had it. Mrs. Billis closed the library at four, which was the time Jeanie had told Bee to meet her outside the school.

She'd told him she had to stay after school and finish up a report in the library. Jeanie was hoping to surprise him, if she found any information on the Cube, so she hadn't felt too badly on lying to him that morning. Bee hadn't seemed to mind, but in fact he might have even seemed excited. Jeanie flipped through the pages of her book, her mind caught up in her research that at first she didn't notice the sound of chair's legs scrapping across carpet. It wasn't until the table shook from the force of someone sitting down across from her that she realized someone had joined her at the table.

A little annoyed, since there were plenty of vacant tables all throughout the library, Jeanie lifted her head to glare at the person. She balked though, at the sight of the boy sitting in the chair staring at her. He seemed really familiar to her, but that was not what startled her so much. It was the fact that a boy willingly sat with her in the library. She didn't really know any boys from her school, let alone know them well enough for them to seek out her attention. The boy was sitting sideways in his chair, with his head turned towards her and his bright blue eyes stared unblinkingly at her. It was a little unnerving.

"Uh hi," Jeanie said slowly, not really sure if she should even acknowledge him. He was really starting to freak her out. A flush spread out across her cheeks, when the corner of his lips quirked up into a faint smile. It was then though, that she suddenly recognized him.

"Wait I know you," she said her eyes squinting at him as she considered where she'd seen him before. Yep, the same unblinking stare, even the same clothes- Ew that is kind of gross. "You're that guy from the coffee shop yesterday-"

He nodded his head, the smile spreading out across his face. He had really straight teeth. Wow, she thought. He's got a really nice smile. He seemed pleased that she remembered him.

"Have we met before," Jeanie asked him. She leaned back in her seat, her research forgotten momentarily by the distraction.

He raised his hand and indicated with a shake of his hand, that they somewhat met before.

"Don't you talk," she asked him a bit rudely. It was kind of annoying that he was just sitting there not saying anything. She'd never met a guy so quiet in her life. Guys her age were loud and obnoxious, as they high fived and shouted at each other. They belched in each other's faces and were just plain disgusting.

Again he shook his head to answer her question. The smile faded a little from his face. Jeanie felt her face burn with embarrassment. Nice, she thought acidly to herself. Way to be Jeanie, insult the guy before you even get to know him.

"Sorry," Jeanie muttered, her eyes shifting out the window to avoid his unwavering stare. He had yet to look away from her, since he sat down. What the hell did he find so interesting, she wanted to know. Do I have food in my teeth? That would be just her luck.

He only shrugged his shoulders as if it didn't bother him any. There was something strangely familiar about this boy. She just couldn't place it. And not just from the coffee shop either.

"So um-, are you new here, in town I mean," she asked him.

He nodded his head to the question.

Talk about a one sided conversation, she mused at first, only to reprimanded herself for her crude thoughts. She never pegged herself to be prejudice towards someone else's misfortune. But then she'd never met someone who couldn't talk before now. She hardly talked herself, so to be the one doing all the talking; it was kind of awkward for her.

"Uh, that's cool," she managed, her eyes looking at him and then looking away quickly. There was a moment of silence between them that was really awkward. She felt like she should say something, but didn't know what would make this situation any easier.

Jeanie made a show of grabbing her pen and writing something down in her notes. She tried to pretend that she was busy reading, but couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It didn't help that every time she glanced up, she would catch him in the act of looking away from her. After writing, 'why the hell is he just staring at me', for the fifth time between note takings, Jeanie gave up on it. Tossing her pen aside in disgust, she sat back in her seat and turned her attention back to him.

For once he wasn't staring at her, but seemed to be trying to read her writing upside down. Flushing, Jeanie slammed the book shut, causing him to look up at her with a startled expression. Letting her temper get the best of her, Jeanie said, "Look, I'm a little confused. Why are you sitting with me?"

She didn't plan to come across as such a bitch, but he was just sitting there staring at her. It was driving her crazy. A good solid twenty minutes had passed since he sat down and not once had she been successful at purging him from her thoughts. What did he want from her?

And I don't even know his name damn it!

The boy pointed to her then to himself. When she just stared at him, he did the gesture again. It made just as much sense to her the second time. "You and me what," she asked annoyed. She had work to do and he was wasting her time with charades. Tearing out a page from her notebook, Jeanie slid it and the pen towards him.

"Write it out please," she asked him. She watched him pick up the pen and stare at it.

Okay, that's really odd, she thought to herself. He's acting like he's never seen a pen before. Taking the pen, he slid the paper closer to him. He pressed the tip of the pen to the paper and wrote out five words, before sliding the paper back to her.

I want to be friends.

Jeanie slowly lifted her head up to look at him. How odd- Not once in her life had she ever been considered friendly. She blamed it on being home schooled most of her life. Growing up with no friends had made her a comfortable loner. It had taken Amber and Lin nearly four months in the ninth grade before they even said hi to her at lunch. This guy saw her once in a coffee shop and wanted to be her friend?

Jeanie gave him a funny look, but before she could say anything Mrs. Billis informed them that it was time to pack up. Jeanie leaned back in her seat, a little disappointed that she didn't get any more work done. Looking at the book she had been looking through, she decided on taking it with her. Closing it, she gathered her supplies and stuffed them into her back pack. She shut off her computer and stuffed it into her computer bag; she always kept it in when she had to bring it with her to school.

Jeanie looked over at the boy, her lips pursed together. He wasn't staring at her for once, but instead was staring at the paper. She looked down, rereading the question he had written down. She looked back at the boy. He seemed sad. His shoulders had slumped and he no longer seemed as sure of himself as he had when he first sat down. While it was nice to put a guy in his place every once and while, she felt like she had kicked a puppy by the hurt look on his face.

Biting her bottom lip, she came to a decision once again, without really thinking it through. Bee was really becoming a bad influence on her, she realized. She never made such impulsive choices until he came driving into her life. As if sensing her stare, the boy looked up from the paper to look up at her.

"That would be cool," she said to him, watching as his shocked expression, slowly grew into a smile, one that had her heart skipping a beat within her chest. Was it even possible for someone to be that gorgeous, she wondered? There should be some kind of law that says you can't look that good.

Jeanie held out her hand, as the boy stood from the table. He took her hand in his, his eyes staring at their clasped hands as she shook it. "I'm Jeanie Mathews," she introduced herself to him.

Before the boy could say or perhaps write his name down for her, Mrs. Billis stopped at their table. "Jeanie, it's time to go," the Librarian said, her eyes flitting between the two of them. She looked down at the books splayed out over the table. "Are you checking these books out?"

Jeanie pulled her hand free and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. She looked down at her mess. "Just this one," she said and lifted the history book she had been reading.

Mrs. Billis led her to the counter, where she checked out the book. As she left the library, Jeanie glanced over at the table she had been sitting at. Her mess was still strewn about the table, but the boy was nowhere in sight. She would just have to get his name the next time she saw him then.

With a shake of her head, Jeanie turned back to the librarian. "Thanks Mrs. Billis, see you tomorrow," she said. Mrs. Billis waved, and Jeanie followed a group of giggling girls out of the Library.

Jeanie walked down the hall to the open doors that lead out of the main office of her high school. The school was made up of several buildings spread out across the grounds. The Main Office was in the Center, along with the Art building. Walking outside, Jeanie followed the pathway, walking around a small section that was decorated with a large weeping willow tree and flower beds. During the summer it was really pretty. Right now, the flowers had yet to bloom, so it seemed pretty bland, but in a few weeks it would be breath taking.

The parking lot was just beyond it and it wasn't until the giggling group of schoolgirls was out of ear shot, that Jeanie heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She paid it little mind, since there was always several students that had to stay after school to retake tests and such. She soon reached the sidewalk that lined the edge of the parking lot. Her eyes searched the almost barren lot to find Bee parked in the far corner waiting for her. She smiled, letting out a small sigh. She hoped they could go for a quick drive before she had to go home. Her mom had given her a curfew of no later than five thirty, so they had about an hour before she would have to be home.

When Jeanie stopped to take a moment and stare at Bee from across the lot, the footsteps behind her stopped as well. Frowning, Jeanie turned to look behind her. Seeing Jake standing just a few feet behind her, had her heart leaping up into her throat. She turned back around, ducking her head some hoping that he just might ignore her this one time, if she didn't draw his attention to her. She stepped off the curb, taking a step out on the lot, when a hand fell onto her shoulder.

Jeanie whirled around startled. Jake stood there now, just an arm's length from her. How had he gotten so close without her hearing him?

"What do you want," she demanded, sounding defensive. The spike in her heartbeat had her feeling panicked.

"Man you're jumpy," he said with a laugh. Jake pulled his hand away when she shrugged it off. He scowled at her, his face scrunching up as he held in his anger. His hands dropped to his sides and they tightened into fists. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Jeanie stared at his fists for a moment, before looking back up to his face. "So talk," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.

His scowl darkened, his eyes narrowing some as he glared at her. "You think you're just too good for everyone now," he blurted out.

Jeanie took a step back her eyes widening in confusion. "What are you talking about?" she asked him.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," he snapped at her, his voice trembling with the rage he was holding in. She could hear it in his voice and in the way his hands shook as he clenched and unclenched them into fists. "Ever since you started hanging out with those two bitches, you've completely changed."

Jeanie gaped at him, unable to hide her shock as he continued to rage at her. Where is all this coming from?

"Now you're seeing that stupid kid from the coffee shop and you think you're so cool now that you have that damn car," he said jerking his head in the direction of Bee.

Jeanie couldn't help herself. She looked over at Bee and then turned her eyes back to Jake. "Jake what the hell," she asked completely flabbergasted. "I haven't changed at all. You're the one who started hanging out with that creep, Mikey and stopped hanging out with me. You're the one who started making fun of my hair and calling me names."

Feeling her temper rise the more she spoke, she raised her hand and poked him in the chest, forcing him to take a step back from her. "You're the one who started fighting with kids at school and terrorizing me in the hallways when I started going to school," she argued with him. Her voice was rising with each word she spoke. "I had no friends, I didn't know anyone here and you made my life a living hell. Thanks to Amber and Lin, I was finally able to go to school without being afraid of what you might say or do to me!"

Jake's face twisted into a snarl, his lips curling. He shoved her back, pushing her back off the curb. She stumbled, dropping her bags. Her temper dissipated instantly, the fear returning strong and she cowered away from him. Jake advance on her, his hands tightened into fists as he stalked her out into the parking lot.

Where was another student or a teacher when she needed one? The look in Jake's eyes truly terrified her. Before she could move further away from him, he grabbed the front of her shirt, pulling her towards him. She yelped, her eyes widening, but instead of hitting her like she expected, he forced his mouth over hers. Jeanie froze, shock leaving her vulnerable, as Jake used his other hand to grab her ass and press her closer to his body. She could feel the hard length of him pressing into her hip and his hand cupped her ass in a not so gentle manner.

Jake had either taken her shock as acceptance for the kiss, or he was just taking advantage of it as he angled his head over hers. He kissed her with a bruising force. Jeanie screamed against his mouth, her hands coming up to push against his chest, but it only pissed him off more. The hand that he had used to grab her shirt, reached up, and grabbed her by the jaw, his fingers biting into her skin as he forced her head to bend backwards. Jeanie cried out from the pain, allowing him access as he forced his tongue into her mouth.

Enraged, Jeanie bit down, sinking her teeth into his tongue. She managed to draw blood and only released the hold she had on him, when he screamed and pushed her away from him. Jeanie stumbled back, falling to the parking lot, gasping. She spat, spitting out blood onto the ground, and shuddered at the taste it left in her mouth. Reaching up, Jeanie wiped at her mouth, wanting to get rid of the feeling of his lips on hers. Her face was tender and there was blood on her hand when she looked at it.

"You bitch," Jake raged and Jeanie lifted her head just as Jake started towards her.

She flinched back, her arms rising to protect herself. To her surprise, the attack never came. Jeanie peered out from behind her arms to check and found that Jake had pulled himself short. He was staring at her, with an expression on his face that she couldn't read.

He straightened, just as a fist slammed into his face and he collapsed to the ground from the unexpected blow. Jeanie looked over, wondering who would try to take on Jake. Jake was a pretty big guy, and maybe only a couple of guys from the football team might be a bit bigger than him, but even they wouldn't try and take him on. Jake just had that kind of reputation.

Jeanie found the boy from the library standing there in front of her. He stood there, breathing heavily, with his face flushed and his hands clenched as if in a rage of his own. His eyes nearly glowed as they stared Jake down, as if daring him to get up and fight back. Jake however was still stunned, lying on the ground with a bruise already forming along his jaw. Apparently, the boy had quite the punch, since Jake seemed to be in no shape of getting up right away.

The boy straightened and he turned towards her. He held out his hand to her and Jeanie stared at it for a long moment. His back was to Jake, like he didn't even find the other boy as a threat to him at all. Slowly, Jeanie lifted her hand and placed it into his. She let him pull her to her feet. She stood there in front of him, before she looked over at Jake again.

Jake was clutching his face and Jeanie wondered if maybe his jaw was more than just bruised. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth from the wound she had made when she bit his tongue. He was glaring at her, but the intensity of it, was dampened by the pained expression on his face. He slowly got up, his hand never leaving his face. He spat a mouth full of blood at their feet, before he turned and walked back towards the school's main office, where he was probably going to see the school Nurse, or maybe to use the pay phone inside to call Mikey. Not that it really mattered what he was doing, so as long as he left them alone.

A gentle touch to her face had her flinching. The boy had reached up to wipe away at something on her cheek. He pulled his hand back, staring at the clear liquid on the tip of his thumb. Tears? Jeanie reached up, feeling her swollen cheeks and the tear tracks that she hadn't even been aware of. Great, she thought. She probably looked like a complete mess.

More tears filled her eyes as she thought about what had happened to her. What the hell is going on, she wanted to know. When had her life become so distorted? Jeanie wiped at her face, wiping away at the tears that continued to fall.

"Th-thank you," she stammered, her bottom lip trembling. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to keep her emotions at bay. She did not want break down in front of this boy. Maybe at home once she was in her bed. That way no one would see her fall apart.

Jeanie turned her back to him, looking for her bags. She found her backpack and computer bag near the curb. She walked towards them, grabbing one bag. Before she could get the other one, the boy picked it up for her. He nodded his head to the Camaro across the lot and started towards the car. Jeanie allowed him to lead her towards Bee.

It should have bothered her that he knew that the car was hers, but she couldn't bring herself to care. It was taking all of her energy to remain calm. He opened the passenger side door for her then. Jeanie slid into the seat, feeling the vinyl seat cushion her sore body. She dropped her bag on the floor at her feet and just stared blankly at the dashboard. The driver side door opened and the boy slid into the seat. He reached over and started the car by turning the key in the ignition.

For once the radio remained silent, but Jeanie hardly noticed. Instead she leaned back into the seat, her eyes moving to stare out the window. The boy shifted the car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. He drove down the road, maneuvering through the traffic with ease.

As they left the city limits, Jeanie sat up a little in her seat. She looked over at the boy with a frown. "Where are we going," she asked him. She wasn't too worried. A part of her knew that Bee wouldn't allow some stranger to kidnap her, but also, it seemed kind of strange, for someone to rescue her from Jake only to kidnap her themselves.

The boy next to her shrugged his shoulders at her question. His hands tightened on the steering wheel and his eyes squinted at the road in front of them. It wasn't much longer, before the car turned off the main road onto another road. This one she knew would take them straight to the beach.

The car pulled up to the end of the parking lot. A rope tied to stumps along the end kept cars from going any further. The boy parked the car, leaving the engine running. Jeanie sat in the passenger seat for a moment, just staring out at the scenery before her. It was beautiful. The ocean waves lapped at the beach, getting higher and higher with each wave that came in with the tide. A seagull flew pass, flying to the flock that had made a home to the enclosed island that sat just off the coast.

Without a word, Jeanie opened the door and climbed out of the car. She breathed in the smell of the salt water and closed her eyes against the bright rays of the sun that reflected off the water. The breeze in the air dried her tears and for a moment she could forget what had just happened. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times.

"Wow Bee it's beautiful," she whispered. She shut the passenger side door and rounded in front of the car. She stood in front of him, staring out at the ocean. Bee pushed forward, gently bumping her on the back of her legs. Startled, she fell backwards, landing on his hood.

"Hey," she said meekly looking back at him. Her hands were splayed across the hood where they had landed to keep her from falling all the way. "What was that for?"

Bee nudged her again when she tried to stand back up.

"Okay, okay," she said, giving up. She pushed herself up till she was leaning back against the windshield. Beneath her the engine hummed, the car still running. The driver side door opened then and Jeanie turned her head to look over at the boy. She had almost forgotten he was there. He probably thought she was crazy, talking to her car, but again she couldn't bring herself to care. At the moment though, she didn't really want to be alone. She wasn't ready to face what happened to her by herself just yet.

"Would- would you like to join me," she asked, not realizing that the look she gave him was actually pleading him to not leave her.

Silently, the boy shut the door and walked around to the front of the car. He climbed up onto the hood, scooting back, but he didn't lean back into the windshield like she was doing. Jeanie stared at his back, studying the lines she could see beneath the yellow shirt he wore. Absently, she reached up to trace a line with her fingers, causing the boy to flinch and look back at her startled.

Jeanie stared with wide eyes at him. "I-I'm sorry," she said embarrassed.

She had thought maybe he had been wearing something under the shirt. To her surprise, it had been him under the shirt she had been feeling up. She had actually felt the muscles twitch beneath her fingertips, quivering just slightly from the caress.

Jeanie pulled her hand back, feeling a flush creep up into her cheeks. She turned her gaze to the sky, trying not the think about the boy sitting next to her. He was staring at her now, seeming curious. She also tried not the think about the toned muscles under the yellow shirt. Instead, she found her thoughts falling onto what had happened back at the school. The silence between them became unbearable. Jeanie feared what the boy might be thinking, if he also thought about what happened back at the school. For some reason, she didn't want him to think that she went around kissing guys.

"When we were younger, Jake and I used to be friend," Jeanie found herself saying. Her eyes glanced briefly over at the boy to see if he was listening. He was studying her, he expression unreadable. He didn't seem to object to her breaking the silence so she pushed on. "We thought we would be friends forever. He was my first and only friend for a long time, so I believed we would be friends forever. He stole my first kiss back then." At the memory of it, Jeanie touched her fingers to her lips. "We were like seven, but he said that I was his girlfriend and that we should do things that girlfriends and boyfriends do. We were too young to really know what that entailed, which was probably a good thing." A small sigh escaped her and she dropped her hand away. "Not long after that, he started acting weird around me. As time went on, things just got worse."

Jeanie glanced over at the boy again. He appeared to be listening. She found it strange how easy it was to talk to him, when she hardly knew him. It was almost like talking with Bee. He just sat there and listened to her. These were things she hadn't even shared with Amber and Lin.

"I don't know what got into him today," she admitted. She moved her hand away from her face and clenched it into a fist at her side. "Why would he do that? He's never gone that far before. My god, what would have happened if you hadn't come along and stopped him?"

Tears filled her eyes and she squeezed them shut not wanting them to fall. When the boy took hold of her hand and uncurled her fingers from the first she had made, she opened her eyes to look at him. He held her hand in his and slowly linked their fingers together, before giving her hand a light squeeze. She stared at their hands, comparing his larger hand to her smaller one. His skin was so much darker than hers. Her skin was pale, because it wouldn't tan, no matter how many hours she spent out in the sun. Come summer, her skin will be red and swollen, since all she did was burn when she was out in the sun too long. His skin on the other hand was almost golden all over. Maybe it's not a tan, she thought, thinking for a moment whether he had tan lines or not under his clothes. She felt her cheeks redden at her train of thought.

"Kiss me out of the bearded barley, nightly, beside the green, green grass. Swing, swing, swing the spinning step, I'll wear those shoes and you will wear that dress."

Jeanie jolted, a startled gasp escaping her when the car's radio started playing music. She tried to sit up, but the hand she used to push herself up with slipped and she fell back down against the windshield. The back of her head hit the car and she grunted from the pain. Without thinking she jerked her other hand back to feel her head, forgetting that the boy was still holding it.

"Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight, lead me out on the moonlit floor, lift your open hand, strike up the band and make the fireflies dance, silver moon's sparkling, so kiss me."

Not expecting the move, the boy was jerked forward, falling against her. Jeanie froze, her eyes widening at the face just inches from her own. She could feel the warmth from his breath, ghosting across her lips. She breathed in, catching the smell of light cologne, nothing too strong and a hint of pepper mint, maybe toothpaste or a tick tack? Jeanie searched his face, seeing a slight flush to his cheeks as his eyes looked away from her.

"Kiss me, kiss me, down by the broken tree house, swing me upon its hanging tire, bring, bring, bring your flowered hat, we'll take the trail on your father's map."

As the song played, the boy's eyes darted down to look at her mouth. Jeanie wasn't sure what it was that made her do it. It could have been a number of things. The need to get the feel of Jake's lips off hers, to act on the warm feeling that was making her stomach flutter as if it was full of butterflies, or maybe even the song Bee was playing from the radio. She leaned forward, slowly, as if to give the boy a chance to back away. Her eyes were trained on his lips like she was afraid she might miss if she looked away. She was just a breath away, her eyes half lidded and then his lips were touching hers.

It was nothing like the bruising kiss, Jake's had forced on her back at the school parking lot, and it was nothing like the innocent kiss they shared when they were children. It was something in between. It stole her breath away, as her lips parted beneath his. She felt herself leaning back against the windshield, the boy following her. The hand that still held hers, never let go as it pressed her hand back against the window next to her head, his fingers still linked with hers. She felt his grip flex against hers and then she felt his other hand touching the side of her face, cupping her cheek gently.

Jeanie sighed against his lips, her face tilting upwards as if to allow him better access. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered harder, causing heat to pool deep within her belly. She felt flushed and excited as his lips parted over hers. She felt his tongue taste her lips. It was nothing like the forceful exploration Jake had done to her, instead when her mouth opened beneath his, his tongue slipped in, tasting and exploring her mouth as if to memorize her taste. Jeanie groaned into the kiss, unable to hold it back. Her free hand was gripping at the back of his shirt, feeling the muscles underneath quivering at her touch.

A sound escaped him, the first noise he had made since she met him and Jeanie would admit it only excited her more. That for once he couldn't remain quiet and she wanted to see if he would make that noise again. Working her hand down, she slid it up under his shirt, her fingers grazing his skin, feeling the tight muscles that lined his back. She briefly wondered what his chest might feel like against her fingertips.

The boy gasped, his mouth tearing away from her when she slid her hand to the front of him, flattening her hand across one side of his chest. Jeanie opened her eyes to see the boy breathing just as heavily as she was. She could see and feel his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. She studied his face. His eyes were closed with an almost pained expression on his face. That's strange, had she hurt him somehow?

When he opened his eyes, his stare bore down on her, causing liquid heat to course straight to her core. His eyes had darkened and the usually bright blue shade was almost black as he stared at her. His eyes searched her face and Jeanie wondered briefly what he was looking for.

At that moment, the car started playing a new song over the radio.

"Oh her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining. Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying, she's so beautiful and I tell her every day."

Jeanie licked her lips nervously and to her delight, she watched as his eyes dart down to her lips to follow the movement. Slowly he leaned down, flattening himself carefully down on top of her. It didn't bother her that her arm was trapped between them. She was too busy holding her breath, waiting to see if he might kiss her again. It should have bothered her that she craved his touch, even though she hardly knew him. But her body reacted to his touch as if it knew it so well. It responded to his touch and to the way he stared at her.

"Yea, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me and it's so, it's so, sad baby, she don't see what I see but every time she asks me do I look okay, I say when I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change, 'cause you're amazing, just the way you are. And when you smile, the whole world stops and stare for a while 'cause girl you're amazing just the way you are."

He leaned in, his nose bumping hers. His eyes closed for a moment as he drew in a breath. As he exhaled, his eyes opened to lock her stare with his. He leaned in slowly, taking her bottom lip gently between his teeth, the whole time his eyes held hers. Jeanie forgot how to breathe.

"Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she'd let me, her laugh, her laugh, she hates it but I think it's so sexy, she's so beautiful and I tell her every day."

He released her bottom lip only to kiss her. Jeanie shuddered, the breath she had been holding releasing as he kissed her again. Jeanie whimpered against his mouth, the hand that held his, gripped it tighter, trying to convey that she needed more. More of what, she couldn't tell.

Surprisingly, he seemed to know exactly what she needed. He shifted his weight above hers and her hand was set free. She gripped the back of his hair, tangling her fingers through the blonde locks. Now she understood, Amber and Lin's obsession with boys. If any of the boys they had dated could kiss like this, she could see why all of the big fuss. He knew exactly how to build the heat inside her till she was nearly boiling. He didn't even have to really touch her. It was nothing like the movies where the guy was pawing at the girl's chest and she's squirming and panting beneath him.

All he did was kiss her, his hands gentle as he caressed her cheek, her neck, her side. She was already squirming and panting beneath him, her body arching up into his. It probably helped with Bee's engine humming directly beneath her, causing her skin to tingle and her body quiver at the slightest touch. What would it feel like if he went further?

The alarm on her cellphone had her gasping as the phone vibrated in her pocket. The pair pulled apart as if scorched. At first Jeanie just laid there breathing heavily as she stared up at the boy who was leaning over her. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had been considering on doing.

Oh god, she breathed, trying to steady her racing heart. Okay, okay, calm down, don't make this awkward.

Swallowing, Jeanie murmured an apology and dug out her phone from her front pocket. The boy, whom she just remembered she had no name for rolled to lie on the hood of the car next to her. Okay this is so awkward, and I haven't said anything to mess it up yet. Oh god, what do I say?

Jeanie flipped her phone open and saw that it was nearly five thirty. Ugh, her parents would freak if she was home late.

"Crap it's late," she said beneath her breath. She looked around them to see that it was getting late. The sun was working its way down to the horizon. The sky was a wash of pinks, oranges and purples. "I'm sorry I need to get home."

Jeanie slid down the hood of the car, her feet touching the gravel. The boy followed suit. He straightened and turned towards her. Jeanie looked up at him, noting how much taller he was than her. Not as tall as Jake, since Jake seemed to tower over everyone, but this boy was probably a good couple of inches taller than her.

He didn't ask, not that he could have, she knew, but he didn't exactly give her any warning either. Instead he just cupped her face with his hands and kissed her. Nothing like the two passionate kisses they shared moments before. It was just a sweet chaste kiss, of his lips touching hers, before he pulled back. His hand slid down the side of her, taking hold of her hand and he led her to the passenger side door.

Jeanie found herself a bit confused and a little flustered as he opened the passenger door for her and helped her inside. He shut the door and rounded the front of the car to the driver side.

The whole ride home, Jeanie stared at the dashboard, feeling torn inside.

Again her mind wandered to her earlier thoughts. When the hell had her life become so turned upside down? When had things become so complicated? Had they always been like this and she just never noticed it?

Jeanie sighed as they pulled into her driveway. As he climbed out of the car and rounded to her side, he opened the door for her. As he helped her to her feet, something finally occurred to her. "Hey wait," she said looking around them. "How did you know where I lived?"

She looked up at him. The boy flashed her a mischievous smile that had her stomach doing summersaults and shrugged his shoulders. Okay not exactly an answer, but what did she really expect from a boy who couldn't speak?

Shaking it off, Jeanie asked, "Do you need a ride home?"

The boy shook his head and walked her to the door. He took a step back staring up at her on the front porch steps. She really should be trying to figure out why such a good looking guy like him was doing kissing her on the hood of her car and walking her to her front door like a gentleman. Things like this did not happen to her. But she was too tired to question it and she really didn't want to ruin the night. While it might have started off bad, the day had ended really, really nicely.

"Thank you," she said, a small smile curling the corner of her lips.

The boy smiled back and his bangs fell forward into his face. He sighed, blowing up at the strands that blocked his view, causing Jeanie's smile to widen. She bit her bottom lip, wanting to ask him a question, but a little nervous by the answer. Swallowing her nervousness, she blurted it out anyway before she could lose her nerve. "Will I see you again?"

The boy nodded his head, another smile appearing. He climbed the steps, joining her on the porch. He cupped her face with his hands, his thumb brushing gently under her eye. He leaned forward his lips hesitating over her. She wondered if maybe he craved her kisses as much as she craved his. Taking the initiative, Jeanie moved closer and kissed him.

It lingered for a moment, but far too soon he was pulling away. Jeanie had to force herself to turn to the door. She looked back as she turned the handle. "See ya," she called. The boy waved and Jeanie let herself into the house.

Outside, the boy stood on the steps, his hand touching his lips as he stared at the closed door. With a small sigh he turned away and as he climbed down the steps, the holoform faded from sight. Bee sat in the driveway, wondering what had gotten into him. And what was this strange tightness he felt in his spark when he thought about Jeanie?

He lifted his attention to the bedroom window above him. The light turned on and Jeanie walked to the window. She peered outside searching. Bee watched as a small pout formed on her lips as she pulled back in. She stopped though, peering back out. "Good night Bee," she called gently and she waved. Bee flashed his lights to let her know he heard.

Jeanie left the window and the light in her room turned off. Bee let out a sigh, as he sank back on his tires. He sat out on the driveway lost in his thoughts as the sky grew dark and the stars slowly appeared. It wasn't until the light turned back on in Jeanie's room as she changed to get ready for bed that he felt himself truly relax. As the light turned off again, he could hear the springs in her bed creak as she lay down.

Bee started playing Enter Sandman, by Metallica over the radio and they both fell asleep listening to the song.

OoOoO

You have my heart
And we'll never be worlds apart
Maybe in magazines
But you'll still be my star
Baby, 'cause in the dark
You can't see shiny cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because
When the sun shines, we'll shine together
Told you I'd be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out 'til the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella

Umbrella, Rihanna

OoOoO

AN: So its been a while.. Sorry about that. Hopefully this chapter is worth some of that wait . Tell me if you loved/liked/hated it.

Inky out