Solo (9 page)

"Oh, when Dad calls, tell him hello and I love him. I'll e-mail him when I get back tonight."

"Okay," she waved.

I'm free.
I ran up the mountain hoping I could find that small, secluded meadow. I figured if I concentrated on that, it would keep my mind off the drama with Lucas.

A light breeze lifted my hair and I inhaled the fresh morning. Running to upbeat and energizing dance tunes seemed to get me up the mountain faster. The treetops swayed in the wind, dancing along with the music in my ears. The mountain beckoned to me, drawing me into its magic. Getting an early start had been a great idea. I was completely and blissfully alone.

I figured I would start at the overlook I'd found a few days earlier. It had the best view of the valley. Also, landmarks would be easier to find.

I made it to the overlook and retrieved my map and pen. I marked the tiny meadow on my map. My Dad had taught me how to read a map when I was ten. We'd lived in Colorado at the time and hiked during the summer.

Climbing on top of a boulder, I painstakingly mapped out my course. I marked every unique object: tall trees, discolored trees, curves on the road, sawmill in the distance. By the time I was done, my map looked like one you would see at a theme park or zoo. I even went so far as to write, "You Are Here," on it.

I took off my hoodie and wrapped it around my waist and started toward my goal. Initially, I wanted to run, but decided walking would be wiser. That way, I could count the many curves, bends, and twists in the road I'd marked on the map. The last thing I wanted was to bypass the area I thought would bring me closest to the meadow.

I stopped and looked at my directions when I rounded what I thought was the last bend. I was almost down the entire mountain. I knew the clearing was near the river, east of this curve.

Before I entered the wood line, I placed my map and iPod in my backpack, grabbed the neon pink chalk, and put my hoodie on. Glancing to make sure no one was around, I stepped off the road and into the forest.

One by one, I marked the trees with a two-inch bright pink 'X' at eye level. It was time consuming, but I heard my dad's voice in my ear; "Safety first."

Staying straight on course, I listened for the river. The occasional sound of a snapped branch would send echoes through the woods. Each time I turned to see if I was being followed. My imagination started to get the best of me and I began having second thoughts about searching for the meadow.

I looked at the sky to clear my mind. The sunshine peeking through the leaves comforted me and I continued my quest. Finally, an opening in the trees came into view. I'd made it through the forest. To my surprise, the tiny meadow was the size of a football field. The grass looked untouched. I'd assumed it would be tall, but it was barely past my ankles. I didn't see any 'no trespassing' signs, so I stepped into my own little bubble of solitude. I'd found my personal sanctuary.

Strolling to a spot in the middle of the field, I spread my blanket out, bunched up my hoodie for a pillow, and lay down. The sun warmed me. I closed my eyes and listened to—nothing—only peace and quiet.

I glanced at the time on my cell phone and realized it had been almost three hours since I'd left my grandparents' house. There was only one bar showing on the phone. I strolled around the field trying to get better reception. At the edge of the forest, near the river, I picked up three bars. I dialed Mom, hoping she wasn't worried.

"Eliana, I was starting to think you'd forgotten to check in."

"No, I waited for a good place to stop."

"So, how is it up there?"

I looked around the field. "It's beautiful and the trails lead to wonderful views."

"Well, call back in a few hours," she insisted.

"Don't worry, I'll call. Love ya."

"I love you, too. Bye."

Now, Mom was pacified and I had a few hours before my next call. I returned to my blanket, pulled out my sandwich and water and settled back to read
Pride and Prejudice
. I read until I got an itch to dance.

After stretching for a few minutes, I put my iPod on. Classical music seemed to fit the scenery. Selecting track three, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath waiting for the music to start. My movements flowed with the rhythm of the instruments. My leaps were high and I effortlessly landed on the ball of my foot, sending me into clean pirouettes. It felt like I'd never stopped dancing. I lost myself in the music and the freedom of the field. Whenever the song intensified, so did my movements. What a rush! The song slowed and so did I. Sweat poured and I inhaled trying to catch my breath. Every emotion came rushing at me all at once. I bent over and my tears flowed. I missed my dad and my friends back home. I missed my freedom to dance openly. I was afraid to let Casey and Lucas get to know the real me.

Then my sadness turned to anger. I couldn't understand why Sasha disliked me so much. I hated that I couldn't be myself without worrying how she would retaliate and I didn't know what to think of Lucas. What kind of guy asks a girl to hang out with him when he's on a date? The only word that came to mind was "player."

I turned on my hip-hop play list, selected my favorite track, and I pushed play. I stepped slowly forward until the tempo picked up. My movements matched the forcefulness of the tune. I made quick, controlled moves that would put a certain cheer squad's dance routine to shame. The fast pace let me work out my frustrations. A violent surge of discontent flowed through me. I spun and took off running, building enough speed to make three mid air back flips, landing with precision each time.

Looking at the sky, I wiped my wet cheeks with the back of my hands. "Oh, that's what I needed."

I ran back to the blanket and grabbed my cell phone to call Mom. I wanted to be a little early to make up for my late call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, just checking in."

"Okay, call back in a few hours."

"Okay, Mom. Bye for now."

"Bye, honey."

I sat on my blanket and ate my apple. The rest of the afternoon I distracted myself by listening to music and periodically dancing. Around four o'clock, I decided it was time to pack up. I had found my oasis, an outlet for my emotions. It would be my reward for enduring school and all the dreadful moments yet to come.

I turned off my iPod and followed my marked trees. I tried to plan when I could come back. I knew it would take me about an hour to get here from my grandparents' house. If I left right after school, I could enjoy my haven for a few hours.

When I reached the forest line, I listened for cars before stepping onto the road. I didn't want anyone seeing me. I took off running.
What a perfect day
.

* * *

 "I didn't expect you to be home this early," Mom said, surprised. It looks like you got a little sun. Your cheeks are pink."

"Really, I didn't think I'd get burnt in April."

"The sun is closer because you're high in the mountains.

"Oh, I didn't think of that. Well, I'm going to take a shower to make sure no hitchhikers came back with me," I laughed.

When I looked in the mirror, I was shocked. I hadn't felt the burning because of the cooler temperature and the breeze. After my shower, I could feel heat radiating from my skin. "Ouch," I grumbled, while slathering on aloe vera.

Mental note: pack sunscreen next time.

I spent the rest of the night frequently applying lotion. I called my friend Kelly. There was no answer. I should have known better; it was Saturday night. My friends would be at Tremors, our favorite under-eighteen club.

I sent my dad an e-mail and kept it lighthearted. I told him about the nature hike and running in the mountains, leaving out the field I'd discovered. I told him about my date with Mom and the restaurant we'd gone to. I ended my e-mail by promising to take good care of Mom while he was gone. I told him I loved and missed him more than he could imagine.

What should I do now?
I closed my laptop and put more lotion on. I looked at the clock. It was nine.
This is pathetic.
I plopped on my bed and counted specks of glitter on the ceiling. I hadn't stayed home on a Saturday night in a long, long time. It's funny how fast things can change.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. Casey never called. I spent the day hiding from the sun and applying aloe vera every thirty minutes. The most exciting part of my day was watching television in the living room with Gramps—well, I watched, he slept.

After my breakdown in the meadow, I knew I'd found a way to survive the next two months of school. I decided the best way to get through was to be polite, but keep to myself. I wouldn't encourage anyone to befriend me, especially Lucas Andrews, a.k.a. 'The Player'. After that, I would have the freedom of summer.

I was eager to begin my new daily routine. The next morning, I hung out with Casey, but at lunchtime, I sat under a tree listening to music and reading more of
Pride and Prejudice.
I noticed Lucas with his friends, including Rachel, at one of the picnic tables across the courtyard. Throughout the day, I avoided Sasha. When I went to study hall, I expected to see Lucas, but he was nowhere in sight, which made it easier to get my homework done. I found that my day went smoother not having to sit for an hour with him only a few feet away.

This has been an easy day,
I thought, on my way to my car. When I got home, I went straight to my room to change and then made a quick appearance in the kitchen during teatime. I kissed Mom's cheek and headed out the door hollering, "Be back soon!"

I jogged to the curve that took me to my haven. Looking to make sure no one was around I slipped past the tree line and followed my tree markings. When I reached my spot, I spent the next few hours dancing and tumbling.

At five thirty, I made my way out of the forest, careful to check for traffic before exiting the tree line. I ran to my grandparents' home, changed my clothes, ate dinner, cleaned the kitchen, watched the evening news with gramps, and said good night for the evening. When I went to bed, I grinned because my day had gone so well. I'd figured out a way to get through the rest of the year.

The next few days followed the same routine. Avoiding Sasha was getting easier and Casey kept me entertained during our classes together. At lunch, I'd sometimes see Lucas, but he wasn't in study hall. The weather had been lovely and sunny for over a week, so I enjoyed my haven everyday after school. Everything was going
so
well.

Friday morning, I awoke to dark gray clouds. While I dressed for school I listened to the weather channel to get the seven day forecast. The announcer said rain and wind would last throughout the weekend and into next week.

"That sucks."

"What's wrong?" Mom heard me.

"Oh, the weather." I started to feel depressed.

"Well, you know what they say, April showers bring May flowers."

"I know, but I wanted to hike this weekend."

"You've been hiking a lot lately; it might be a good idea to take a break." She put her arm around my shoulders. "Why don't you call your friends and go shopping or something."

"Yeah, maybe." I kissed her cheek and walked out the door.

"Bye, honey."

The raindrops started falling when I drove into the school parking lot. I watched the other students run between the buildings and pulled my hood over my head, but it didn't help. My long thick hair wouldn't fit underneath. When I reached an overhang, I took my hood off and pulled my hair into a ponytail.
Another bad hair day.
I watched the rain pour and realized I'd have to eat lunch inside. How could I avoid Sasha's table?

Like normal, Casey waited at my locker wearing a super-sized smile. Unbelievably, her smile got bigger. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself.

"Good morning, Eliana."

"Hey, what's up with the grin?" I opened my locker and hung up my wet hoodie.

"So, Jack asked me to the prom yesterday after baseball practice," she blurted.

"Wow, that's great." I tried to match her enthusiasm. "I didn't realize you liked him."

"Oh, we've been flirting back and forth for most of the year." Casey's ear-to-ear grin wouldn't go away. "I'd hoped he'd ask me, but I wasn't sure."

"I'm happy for you. When's prom?" I tried to look interested.

"In about four weeks."

"I'm sure you'll have a great time. I can't wait to see the pictures."

On our way to class, I started thinking about my friends in California. I really missed them. I kept thinking that if I were there, I'd be going to prom, too. Half my friends were juniors or seniors and one of my guy friends would have asked me.

At lunch, I bought a peach and a bottle of water. I figured I'd roam the halls so Sasha wouldn't be tempted to harass me. I walked to the large common area near the office where all the bulletin boards were located. I ate my peach while I read information about upcoming activities. There was a spring talent show flyer with a signup sheet, softball and baseball game schedules, and the junior-senior prom flyer.