Crystal Falls - Heather Lawhun (black male authors .txt) 📗

close to, allows someone else into their life.”
“I don’t like it.” He said as some tears escaped from his eyes. I hugged him.
“I know.” That’s all I could say. I can’t imagine how he feels or what he’s going through. He hugged me back and I let him cry. I comforted him as much as I could. I got him to calm down.
“Can we go watch the movie now?” I chuckled.
“Yes, we can go watch the movie now.” We got up and stretched.
“Emi?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.” David said smiling. I smiled back.
“You’re welcome. So what do you want to watch?”
“Whatever’s playing.” He said shrugging. I chuckled. Then we walked to the movie theater. It was a little crowded, but we got in okay. I’m glad that David talked to me. I feel like I’ve gotten closer to him. Oh and I did find out what his favorite kind of candy is: Reese’s cups. Now, I have to figure out Adrian’s. David and I had a great time together. We decided on a scary movie. There was this one guy who sat in front of us and he’s on the football team and he screamed like a little girl. You would think he screamed at the part with the chainsaw dude, but he didn’t. He screamed at the part where the main characters ran into a dead end and a cat jumped out. David and I laughed our heads off about it after the movie. We walked home and Adrian and Rori were still gone, so we had dinner and that’s when Adrian and Rori came home.

Chapter 10

I found myself trying to sneak back into the house, like I used to any time I worked later than four or hung out with anyone on the rare occasions I had friends. The only one I really miss is Rachelle. I was so lost in thoughts of Rachelle that I tripped on the steps to the house. Adrian caught me and laughed. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were a klutz. I’m just curious how you manage to dance with this bad of balance issues.” IT would have hurt my feelings if I hadn’t heard the joke in his voice.
“Sorry.” I mumbled. “Just thinking.”
“What about?” He asked taking my hand.
“An old friend. She’s been the one girl who I’ve always talked to and I haven’t got the chance to talk to her since I moved here.”
“You can call her when we get in then.” He said smiling. I smiled back. Adrian is so sweet. I have no idea how I got so lucky but that gives me an idea. I knew how I was gonna make David accept me and Adrian. I ran in and immediately called Rachelle. She answered immediately.
“Rori?” I could tell she had been waiting anxiously for me to call. I’d promised to call as soon as I got here, so I was about a week late.
“Hey Rachelle. Sorry I haven’t checked in. Mom caused trouble, so I’m staying with some really nice people.”
“That’s great, Rori! But how will I stay over this summer if you aren’t with your mom? Much as I hate her, she was oblivious. I always stay with you. It’s a tradition!”
“Relax! I’ll talk to Isaac. He is uber amazing and I’m almost positive he’ll let you stay here. If not, I’ll save my money and put you up in a motel. A nice one at that. I’m teaching ballet for fifteen dollars an hour per kid. I start tonight, so I have to go. I’ll call you back tomorrow.” Then I went and got dressed for ballet. I hadn’t practiced since Monday, so I did some warm-ups and basic moves just to limber up. I was in the middle of a pirouette when I saw Adrian in the doorway. I stopped and he clapped. I blushed, got my purse, and he took me to work. They gave me a class of ten girls. That’s three hundred a week! I decided to work on toes today. You can’t start ballet until you can get the toes down. The girls were working on that when I saw a little girl standing outside. She looked a lot like me when I was little.
My old ballet instructor taught me for free because I hadn’t had the money for ballet at that age. She had passed away before I got to pay her back, so maybe this was my chance. “Take five girls, I’ll be right back.” I said as I went to talk to the little girl. The closer I got the more I saw neglect written all over her. “Hey sweetie.” I said. She squeaked and started to back away. I found some skittles in my purse. “Here.” I said. She looked at them longingly and I walked a little closer and gave them to her. “I’m Rori, what’s your name?”
“Lily.” She whispered eating her candy.
“Where’s your mommy?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” She muttered crying. “My daddy takes care of me but he lost his job. Now I can’t take ballet even though he promised. He told me to stay away from here but I can’t! I really like ballet.”
“Can you come in and watch while I teach. Or better yet, I can find you an outfit and you can start practicing.” We found some warm-up clothes, but no tutus. She quickly caught on to the walking on her toes and I couldn’t even tell it hurt her until she took off the ballet shoes and I saw her toes bleeding. The shoes had been my first pair. I took them with me for good luck. After practice I saw her dad look upset.
“I’m sorry ma’am, I don’t have any money. I will pay you as soon as possible.” He said.
“Don’t worry about it. Just let me teach Lily every Friday, for free.”
“What if I have to work, Lily?” He asked his daughter.
“I can watch her. Please sir, just let me teach her. I’ll even buy her ballet outfits and equipment.”
“Okay, I applied at a bunch of jobs today. As soon as I get money, I’ll start paying you, though.” And so we went to the mall with my first paycheck and bought Lily her own shoes, tutus, and some work-out clothes.
“Okay, she’s all set.” I said, smiling. Lily and her dad went hoe and I wetn to the park and met Adrian. Then we went home and slept.

Chapter 11

FF>> Monday
David was in a good mood on Monday morning and didn’t brood on what Adrian and Rori did Friday night. Adrian got suspicious, buts didn’t say anything. I chuckled. Isaac was acting weird this morning. I asked him why, but all he told me was that he met someone who owned some company that had something to do with books and swimming. He said that she, yes she, offered him a job and he told her that he’d think about it. He said it was a good paying job and that if he worked there, then he’d bring in twice the money he does now, even with the two jobs put together. I told him he should take the job, but you know, I never asked him for the girl’s name. It makes me wonder sometimes. “Uh Emi?” Rori asked.
“Yes?”
“I have a friend, Rachelle, and she always comes and stays the summer with me. So I was wondering if it was okay.” I smiled.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll talk to Isaac tomorrow morning.” She nodded smiling back.
“Thank you!”
“No problem.” I drove us all to school and Rori told us about her Rachelle. She sounded really happy when she talked about Rachelle, the happiest I seen her since she moved here. David was even interested in her. Interesting… Adrian seemed to think so too.
Isaac’s P.O.V (The day he met Eva)
I’m at the bookstore shelving books. I constantly think about Emi and the others. Thinking of them keeps me motivated. “Um, excuse me.”
“Yes?” I said looking up from what I was doing. I stopped dead in my tracks. What I saw was probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. In front of me stood a girl, about 5’5 with baby blue eyes, and red hair.
“I’m looking for a book catalog, so I can order books and I’ve looked everywhere for one, but I can’t seem to find one.” She had one of those voices that’s music to your ears. I finally found my voice and said,
“Well, you’re at the right place.” I said smiling. If Emi, Adrian, and David were here, they’d be laughing their butts off. I almost rolled my eyes; almost. “My name is Isaac by the way.” I said as I went behind the countertop.
“Eva.” She said blushing a little. I bent down and looked through the drawers in the countertop.
“So what do you do for a living?”
“I run a big company that sells books.”
“What’s it called?”
“S and B Smith Shop.”
“What do S and B stand for?”
“Swimming and Books.”
“That’s interesting.” I said with a weird look on my face. She laughed.
“Unfortunately, we’re running low on employees.”
“How much is the pay?” I asked interested.
“Seven twenty-five an hour.” Wow that’s a really good deal. I’d definitely bring in more money than I’ve been bringing in.
“What’s the scheduling like?”
“Day shifts start five-thirty a.m. and end at four-thirty and night shifts start at four-thirty p.m. and end at five-thirty a.m.” That works for me. “Why? Are you considering on employing there?” She asked smiling. I chuckled.
“Yes, I’m working two jobs to support my siblings and I don’t get to see them very often. So I’ve been looking for a better paying job.”
“That’s understandable, but where’s your parents?”
“They died in a plane crash.” I said sadly.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked.” She said freaking out. I chuckled.
“It’s fine, really.” She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“So what are your siblings’ names?”
“The oldest of them is Emi, then the other two, who are twins, are Adrian and David. We also have another person who stays there, Rori. She’s our neighbor’s daughter.”
“Why is staying at your house.”
“All I’m gonna say is that her parents aren’t the greatest.” She nodded. “So, what about your parents?”
“They died when I was fifteen.”
“Sorry.” I said feeling bad.
“Don’t be. It’s only fair, because I asked about yours first.” I chuckled.
“So we’re even now.” She smiled.
“That’s right.” I got her the book catalog and she left me her phone number and directions to her company. That day had to be the best day ever.
Emi’s P.O.V
I had to stay for practice at school. I’m just glad David is in a better mood. I’ll have to tell Isaac about Rachelle tomorrow morning. I hope he takes that job. I miss him so much. I know I’m not the only one, but it’s hard when it’s just me and David and Adrian. We have to clean the house and make sure there’s food in the house every week. I know it’s hard for Isaac too. He spends most of the money on the house and food and the rest goes to gas and stuff for David, Adrian, and I. He doesn’t have much for himself. That’s why I try to make money, so that he can have some for himself. I went home after practice, had dinner, and then we all went to bed. I was exhausted from practice.

Chapter 12

I overslept this morning and no one bothered to wake me up. It was 9:30 when I woke up, so I rushed around, hoping not to miss