Chapter 43
ϕVeraϕ
It was pretty quiet during the ride to the local fair grounds where this banquet thing was. Zak seemed lost in thought and I didn't quite know what to say. We were sort of both tossed into this situation and for some reason it felt awkward. Not as comforting as I thought it would be at the moment. I wondered if it was because I was so dressy that I didn't even look like myself. Dad seemed to be in good spirits though. He really enjoyed going to these events to meet new catch up with old friends, but in this case he would be meeting new people. I think that is something that I looked up to my father for. Despite his tough words and actions sometimes, he was quite the social butterfly who had a gift for gab. A trait that wasn't exactly passed to me.
"Try to have fun Vera." Dad said. Glancing up at his reflection looking back at me from the rear view mirror, I nodded. We all got out of the car and walked through the large, opened steel gates to the fair grounds. There were multiple buildings I saw, but the one on the far right was lit up and decorated. Well, with stringed Christmas lights and bargain, bulk balloons. Folding chairs and tables had been laid out, complete with plain white, plastic tablecloths, votive candles as center pieces paired with gaudy beads and mirrored bases. The plates were faux crystal plastic, as was the "silverware". The air was unusually chilly against my face when we walked fully into the building as the air conditioner was on in a back room, probably the kitchen area as the scent of pulled pork and beer tickled at my nose. Zak must have noticed it too, because his brow furrowed in a look of displeasure.
"Hello and welcome!" A man in uniform came over to greet us. We seemed to be one of the first families to arrive.
"Good to meet you! We are the Smirnov's, I'm Damien, my lovely wife Annie, my beautiful daughter Vera, and our very close family friend Zak." My dad introduced us all.
"Welcome into town! We all have heard about the family who moved into the old Marquardt place, good to match it with some faces! I'm Robert, my wife Cynthia is in the back cooking, please do enjoy yourselves. As you can see, we here are pretty laid back. Really this is just an excuse to get many people from town together and have a little fun." Robert smiled at us. He seemed nice enough, which was a welcomed relief.
"We look forward to it! Thank you." My mother said.
"My children will be coming later, Miss Vera and Zak, you will have plenty of young whipersnappers your age here to mingle with soon. I'm sure you don't want to sit around and listen to us old fogies chat!" Robert laughed heartily and I smiled a little.
"No trouble at all sir." Zak said. He had been looking around, his eyes stopping on some of the gentlemen around. I leaned over a little and touched his arm.
"Do you see something?" I asked softly.
"No, just recognize a few people is all." He said.
"Oh, right, I should have known that it would be a possibility of you running into old acquaintances." I said.
"Feel free to get any drinks you want! Open bar for everyone of age though of course!" Robert said to the group. I felt like my father and him would make for fast friends.
"That sounds good actually, should we go and get some lemonade Vera?" Zak asked.
"Yes, lets." I answered and followed him to a serving table with a few drink choices in punch bowls were. More family's were starting to arrive, and the place was starting to steadily fill up. I saw mom and dad save us some seats for dinner as they sat down with Robert.
"Here you go." Zak handed me a plastic cup filled with lemonade.
"Thank you," I took the cup and smiled. "It's nice to see Dad in his element." I added.
"He likes these kinds of things doesn't he?"
"He does. But I'm just, well..." I hesitated.
"You're what?" Zak asked.
"He's going to have to go back sometime soon. I feel like he does this yo make some friends yes, but it's more so for Mom and I, so he knows there are people around to help support us while he is away." I explained.
"He loves you both. He just wants to know you're safe and well taken care of." Zak said.
"I know. And it's not that I think it's a bad thing. It reminds me that he doesn't take the time out for himself like this very often. I mumble and grown about these events, but I know it helps him a lot." I said. Zak was silent for a moment and I looked over and up at him. He smiled softly back at me.
"You're a good daughter Vera." He said.
"I hope so." I practically whispered. I turned back around to head back to the table and then spotted something that made my stomach drop. "What is she doing here?!" I sneered.
"Hm?" Zak looked to where my eyes were fixed and sighed. In a short, tight pink dress and far too much mascara, stood Addy. Her black, stiletto heels clicked loudly as she went over to my parents. I rushed over there and when she saw me, her eyes widened in surprise for a quick second, then she clicked her tongue.
"Vera." She said.
"Addy." I responded with an equally irritated tone.
"I quite forgot your name though, Zane was it?" She looked over my shoulder to where Zak was.
"Hello Addy. It was Zak by the way." He said.
"Ah so you've met? Good good! Our families are off to a brilliant start yes?!" Robert laughed and picked up his bottle of beer and swigged.
"Seems that way." I said.
"Have you also met Hayden?" Robert asked and then waved to someone behind us to come this way. Zak and I both turned to see a boy with high brows and cheekbones walking to us. His raven hair and russet eyes made him handsomely mysterious.A light, smooth complexion made him look older than us, maybe even passing as 22. His eyes darted to Zak, as if assessing his stature and features. Then they landed on me, taking a bit more time to look me over.
"Hello father." He said with a sweet smile.
"This is my son Hayden. He graduated two years ago, although you'll find he is still well known at the school." Robert boasted.
"It's a pleasure." He out stretched his hand toward Zak, who took it.
"I'm Zak, Nice to meet you." He said. Then, I reached out my hand to also politely shake it, but instead Hayden took my hand gently and brought it to his lips, softly kissed it, then gingerly dropped my hand.
"Uh, V-Vera." I clumsily said. The faint sensation of his lips on my hand lingered, making my ears and cheeks warm. I heard a loud huff and knew Addy wasn't pleased with her brothers actions.
"Dinner is almost done. Shall we all prepare ourselves?" Hayden slyly smiled at my reaction and I nodded.
"Excellent idea m'boy!" Robert stood up and my parents followed suit. Addy brushed past me and walked with her brother ahead of us to line up for the buffet style dinner, whispering quickly in her brothers ear. He didn't seem to react to what she was telling him, basically brushing her, and his white jacket off. Once we got our food and sat back down Addy sat directly across from me, next to Hayden. Addy did nothing to hide her glare from me as she ate with a despise covered face. Her brother on the other hand kept stealing looks at me and I pretended not to notice his piercing gaze. Zak nudged me when we both got done eating.
"You ok?" He asked.
"I am, but come with me to the bathroom? Well, not in to it but to it..." I chuckled nervously and he laughed quietly.
"Yeah." He stood up and we excused ourselves. Once we were out of earshot I let out a big breath I had been holding.
"Can you believe that?" I said.
"It was a shocker. Go figure your dad makes buddies with your arch nemesis's father." He patted my head carefully so he wouldn't dent any curls.
"I'd like him more if he didn't drink." I said sourly.
"I'll be here." Zak said and then I blinked. Oh yeah, bathroom. I went in and did what I had to, taking a few breaths to prepare myself once more, then exited. I saw Zak leaning against the wall, a hand on his head.
"Zak? Are you ok? What's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, it's just I, uh..." His face was turning pink and I blinked, unable to get a grasp on what he was saying.
"Zak?" I asked again.
"I'm fine, just a little dizzy, nothing that some, some lemonade won't fix." He waved it off and quickly strode over to the drinks, gulping down two small glasses worth by the time I caught up to him.
"For goodness sake Zak, please stay hydrated!" I puffed out my cheeks.
"I will, don't worry..." He looked over my shoulder and he nodded at someone. Turning a bit, I saw it was Robert and my father, motioning Zak over to them. Zak went over and dad clasped a hand on his shoulder and introduced him to someone. I decided it was a bit warm in here now that music was playing and there was dancing going on. I slipped out the back entrance and took in some fresh air.
"Hey." A voice startled me and I snapped my head to the left to see Hayden cooly leaning against the metal siding of the building. It was starting to get dark out, and the glowing end of his cigarette gave his slightly cloaked face a sinister glow when he took a drag. Pushing off the wall he came over and offered me the cigarette, which I declined. "How about a beer?" He reached behind one of the bushes we were near and showed me a bottle.
"No thanks." I said. He smirked.
"Ah, a good, pure girl yeah?" He said. I was left speechless and nervously frozen in place. "You're the girl my sister almost killed? And then you threatened her when she picked on your friend?" He asked. I just stared at him, my eyes burning from not blinking. He suddenly laughed and crossed his arms. "You have some nerve doing that to little Addy, I like that." He took a step closer and brushed his hand against my cheek. "Why don't we get out of here? Have a little fun with me angel, I'll turn you into a devil by the time I'm done with you." He brought his hands to my hips and I smacked them away.
"Excuse me." I heard a dark voice from the door to go back inside. Hayden's expression turned bleak and he smoothly walked inside without skipping a beat. "Vera, you're alright yes?" Zak asked, slowly coming up to me. I smiled a little.
"I am now." I said and hugged him. Any fear I had before melted away and I felt myself relax for the first time that evening. He hugged me back and then put his hands on my shoulders, looking down at me.
“Try not to be alone with that creep from now on. I get it that he’s that dark, bad boy type, but don’t do it, he’s dangerous.” He said.
“I promise I won’t.” I said softly.
“Remember I want to make sure you're safe. I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you. And trouble has a knack of finding you.” Zak frowned, but it made me smile.
“That’s how I came across you then.” I laughed and Zak rolled his eyes as he tried not to laugh. I reached up and rested my hands on his shoulders. “Dance with me?” I asked. Zak eyes widened slightly.
“I, um, I mean, alright…” He stuttered and looked down at his feet.
“We don’t have to waltz.” I chuckled and put his hands on my waist. “You have danced with a girl before, right?” I asked.
“Well, a couple times, but it was different.” He said. We swayed naturally back and forth as we talked.
“Different how?” I asked out loud. He avoided my eyes and mumbled.
“It just was. I’m kinda nervous now.” He practically whispered.
“You don’t need to be nervous. Actually, I’m a little nervous too, dancing with such a handsome man.” I blushed and chuckled a little to cover up my embarrassment.
“Y-You look stunning tonight, so anyone would be shy around you. Well, if they had any shame anyway…” He said. My heart bloomed and felt warm with happiness. His earnest sweetness meant so much more to me than a cocky seducer.
“Thank you Zak. Really, this is the best I've felt all evening.” I smiled widely up at him and he smiled back. His lips looked soft and smooth.
“Um, we are going to head out you two, I mean, if you’re ready…” We both jumped at the unexpected voice from the doorway. Mom was standing there, grinning. Zak and I quickly let each other go and nodded.
“Oh yeah, lets go.” I said and followed Mom. We all got into the car and headed home. I was thankful that we were done with this fiasco. I hoped that Dad becoming friends with Addy and Hayden’s father wouldn’t come back to bite Zak and I later.
