Page 59 of The Heir

We drove through the city, and I listened as Mary chatted with me about the flower shop and her clients. She paused in her speech as the light turned red at an intersection.

“Emma, I have something to talk about with you,” she said, nervously drumming her hand on the steering wheel, which was unlike her.

“What is it?” I asked, looking at her face. The light turned green, and she started driving again.

“It's about—” She stopped and shook her head. “No, the thing is, I think we need ice cream.” She smiled at me, and I nodded, confused about what it was she wanted to say. But, I knew Mary, and if it was really important, she would tell me, eventually. She always did. Right then, I had a double chocolate chip ice cream calling my name.

After we got home, I hung up my new dress in my closet and stared at it for a while. I could not believe my life—that I was really going to Homecoming. I closed the closet doors and sat down on my bed.

“So, blue, huh?” I turned around, and there stood Shad, just outside my window. I jumped and fell off the bed, startled. Shad pulled himself through my window and walked over to me.

“Are you alright? I did not mean to scare you,” he said with a playful smile.

“Oh, my heck, Shad; how did you get up there?” I held my chest, trying to steady my breathing.

“I climbed the tree. It is sort of a skill many members of my family possess.” He motioned to the tree outside my window, acting as if it wasn't out of the ordinary to climb a tree to see me. His clothes were the usual uniform he chose for himself, and helooked as perfect as ever, and I, just like always, was in awe of everything that washim.

“Is this another hobby? Tree climbing?” I asked.

“Perhaps, but I will not do it again if it scares you. I didn't mean to do that, only surprise you.”

“So, how long were you there?” I folded my arms across my chest.

“I just climbed up when I spoke; I promise. I am not a creep.” He put his hand on his chest as if swearing it.

I laughed.

“So, how did dress shopping go?” he asked, walking over to my dresser.

“Really well.”

He picked up a picture on my dresser, the one of Ryker and me the year prior, on one of our family summer vacations. “You and Ryker are so close,” he said, brushing the glass with his finger.

“Yes, we used to be.”

“I am sure he enjoyed being in your life for all this time. I, myself, have never had such a friend,” Shad replied, putting the picture frame back on my dresser, facing me. Then I noticed it—took him in. His pants were his usual slacks that fit him rather snug, and beautifully, I might add, but a little wrinkled. His shirt was untucked, just like the other day, but it, too, was wrinkled, and the collar of his shirt was messed up. As I looked into his eyes, I noticed a change there, a deeper sadness. I ached. It was as if his pain was mine, and I wanted to take it from him–know what had hurt him.

“Really, you didn’t have anyone, not even when you were younger?” I asked.

He shook his head. “My family was always so busy; I didn’t have time to make real friends. I was often watched by other people, too, while my parents, uh—worked.” He walked to theside table by my bed and touched my lamp. The jewels hanging off the shade shook at his touch.

“That sounds awful,” I replied, keeping my eyes on him.

“Yes, it was not the greatest childhood, that is for sure. I value our friendship, Emma. I really do.” He looked at me; then his eyes locked onto mine.

“I value our friendship, also,” I said, feeling a little nervous thatfriendshipwas all he would ever want from me.

“Thank you.” His eyes, fixed on mine, mesmerized me. “I should probably go. I just wanted to—” he cut himself off, and I knew he just wanted to see me. I could almost feel it as the song played between us. “And I could not wait until tomorrow.”

“Are you okay, Shad?” I asked, moving to him as he walked to the window. The song started playing in my head, even louder, and I tried not to focus on it so that I could hear Shad—but it was so loud.

“I am just thinking too much about my family today, and that makes me feel a little down.”

I reached out and fixed his collar, and I felt his breath on my cheek.

“There, now you seem more yourself.”

He smiled a sad smile. “Thank you, Emma.” The look in his sad, golden eyes made me want to cry. How could I heal his pain like he always had for me? I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight.

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