Blooming Hearts: Scarred Hearts Prequel Read online

But here I was, grinning ear to ear, because she left me a gift. Two chocolate cupcakes with orange icing for Halloween, I guessed. My heart did a little flutter, so I shut it up by stuffing half the first one in my mouth. Crumbs fell to the floor, but I didn’t care. I finished them off, then raced up the stairs and hoped she wasn’t in her classroom yet.

  Weaving through the crowd, I turned the corner and saw her going into the bathroom. Shit. Aimlessly, I strolled to the coke machine and grabbed a random drink, then headed to the water fountain and took a long sip. I heard her laugh before I saw her.

  She was with the dark haired loud girl whose name I couldn’t remember. They came out of the bathroom giggling and her eyes caught mine. She smiled widely and gave a little wave, so I winked.

  “Did you leave me cupcakes?” I asked. I nodded to Daphne, not wanting to be rude, then turned my attention back to Francesca.

  She blushed, the cutest damned thing ever. “Uh huh.”

  “Thank you,” I grinned. I rubbed my stomach. “They were so good.”

  “I thought you might like them,” she said softly.

  We parted ways then and I didn’t get to see her again. Her smile when she saw me was enough to hold me over.

  Cade invited me to a party.

  My heart raced and palms grew damp with sweat. He sat there beside me, looking all cute in his leather jacket as he nervously ran his hands through his hair. I gulped, not sure what to do or say at this point.

  “So, yeah,” he said for the fifth time. “It’s after the basketball game if you wanna swing by. Or I could take you. Come get you. You know what I mean.”

  Oh my God. “I’ll have to ask my parents.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Why couldn’t I form words?

  “Cool,” he nodded. “Ok. I hope you can.” He awkwardly patted my knee, gave me a stomach clenching grin, and got up to leave.

  “Me too,” I whispered as he walked off.

  That was on Monday. I haven’t seen him since. Cade Kelling was so infuriating sometimes. He hadn’t asked for my number, hadn’t told me how to let him know if I was going. I’d gone to the basketball game, something I absolutely hated, but he’d ignored me for the most part. Hanging out with his older buddies, laughing and talking to them while I sat awkwardly next to Daphne and attempted to concentrate on the game.

  “He’s a jerk,” she muttered.

  “He’s with friends,” I said. It wasn’t an excuse in my mind, but I realized how lame it sounded.

  “Ok? And you aren’t friends?”

  “Daph,” I said.

  He walked by at that moment, giving me the guy head nod for what’s up and winking. My stomach fluttered and my heart raced. I grinned in his direction, lifting my hand for a small wave.

  “Oh my God,” Daphne groaned. “You’re killing me, Franny.”

  Slapping her on the arm, I hissed, “Shut up! Don’t call me Franny.”

  She stood then, stretching her arms above her head. “I’m leaving. I can’t do this Cade watching any longer.”

  “Bye,” I called as she sauntered away. A girl from class was nearby, so I scooted down the bleacher and said hey. I didn’t feel like as much as a loser being close to another human being. The game ended, I thought we won, and it was time to call my mom to come get me. Heading outside to the payphones, I dialed the house number and let her know to come get me. Leaning against the wall, I waited in the dimmed light.

  “Francesca,” Cade called loudly.

  “Hey,” I said.

  He broke away from his group, mirroring my position and bumping my shoulder. “What’s up?”

  “Waiting for my mom,” I said. “You getting ready for your party?”

  “Yeah, we’re about to go. You coming?”

  “I didn’t think you really wanted me to. You didn’t mention it again,” I said. God, did I sound as desperate as I thought I did?

  “Of course I meant it. Do you think your parents will let you?”

  “I told my mom about it….” My stomach was doing summersaults at this point. Would she let me go? Would I get to go to a party with Cade? Just as my mind spun with questions, my mom pulled up. “Speaking of.”

  He grinned. “Go ask her. I’ll wait.”

  I walked over, cautious to not look too excited about it by going too quickly. Bending, I waved and she rolled down the window.

  “What’s going on, honey?” she asked.

  “Remember that party I told you about?” I squealed.

  She looked around me, seeing Cade standing a few feet behind me. She gave me a knowing look and nodded. I’d told her all about Cade, gushing about him more than I cared to admit. She gave great advice and listened better than any of my friends did.

  “He just asked if I was going. What do I do?”

  “Do you want to go?” she questioned.

  “Yeah, but I don’t know anyone. He practically ignored me during the game because he was his friends,” I admitted sadly.

  She furrowed her brows. “It’s up to you. I trust you, if you want to go, but by the looks of the group coming up to him, it’s going to be a wild party. Probably drinking and stuff going on.”

  “Can I tell him you said no?” I asked.

  She smiled reassuringly and shook her head. “Of course.”

  Inhaling deeply, I turned and walked back to Cade. “Hey, my mom said I can’t. I’m sorry.” I hated lying, I hated feeling scared, I hated being shy. This heavy feeling on my chest was overwhelming. Why did everything terrify me? Why couldn’t I just suck it up and go?

  “Hey, that’s alright!” he said. He gave me a hug, wrapping his arms around me so tightly I could feel every inch of his chest pressed into mine. His arms were warm and snug around my shoulders. He smelled so good. His hair soft as it tickled my face. “I’ll see you Monday. Maybe you can help me with algebra since you’re so smart and all.”

  “I would love to help you with your math, Cade. Let me know and we’ll work something out.” I bid him goodbye, watching him from the side mirror as mom drove away.

  He glanced after me, a look I couldn’t decipher on his face, before going back to his group of friends.

  School assemblies were known for being boring. The day before our Thanksgiving break, we had a two hour assembly that was required for an attendance grade. I dreaded it. They always dimmed the lights, so I couldn’t even read. As I slammed my locker shut, I was greeted with Cade’s grinning face. My heart fluttered and I returned his smile.

  “Heya, wanna sit together?” he asked, sliding into step with me.

  I nodded. “Sure.” We walked the hall together. I tried my best to not notice the stares, and the whispers from the girls that wanted him. I didn’t know why he was so dead-set on being my friend, but I knew people didn’t like it. I was constantly interrogated on whether we were dating or not. I always said not…though I secretly longed for it to be yes.

  We sat near the back. My palms sweated, knowing in mere seconds, I would be sitting in the back of a dark auditorium with the one and only Cade Kelling. I fidgeted with my purse, moving it from my lap to my feet and then to my lap again. I saw his sidelong glances and I knew he could tell I was nervous.

  So much for playing it cool.

  The lights dimmed, and he leaned down, whispering, “Hey, wanna cut? We already sat through roll call. If we run for it, we can get out the side door. All the teachers are in here…they’ll never know.”

  My heart rate sped up. “Skip school, Cade?” I was shocked. I’d never even considered skipping school, and I never would…not on my own. But the thought of being alone with Cade in his car…going somewhere with him without all the watchful eyes…it was tempting.

  “It’ll be ok, I’ll make sure you don’t get caught,” he assured me, nodding his head and sneaking down the aisle.

  I hesitated, then I saw his eager face, and his bright blue eyes that seemed to be glowing and peering into my soul. I quietly stood, careful to not make any noise, and met him
right outside the room. We made a mad dash for the nearest side door, and he held it open so I could escape first. I ran to the nearest tree, hiding behind it as I waited for him. He strutted up, walking casually like nothing was out of the ordinary, and snickered at my hiding.

  “Really, Francesca?” he chuckled. “You’ve never ditched before?”

  I shook my head, frantically scanning the area for any authoritative figures. I heard him laughing and glared. “Don’t. This was your idea. Now lead the way to your car so I can breathe again,” I hissed.

  He laughed again, holding his hand out to mine. I placed mine in it, staring as he locked our fingers together. The storm it created in my stomach was like a hurricane, and I prayed I wouldn’t barf on him. He hurried me down the parking lot, ushering me into his vehicle. It smelled like Big Red cinnamon gum. I buckled, nervously fidgeting as he took me to a waffle diner in the next town. The car ride was almost too much for my fast beating heart. I wondered if he could hear it. Being so close to him, smelling his gum, his woodsy, male scent that turned me on more than I wanted to admit. It drove me crazy. I kept stealing glances at him as he drove. His face was pure perfection, looking like that of a model that graced a billboard. His dark hair swooped in all the right places, looking like he didn’t really fix it, but it was obvious he did. His chin was hard and chiseled, his nose long and defined. His lips…his lips were my favorite. He was forever in a pouty position, his bottom lip puffy and looking oh-so-delectable. When he smiled, they showed off his brilliant set of white teeth.

  “Francesca?” he said, humor evident in his gaze.

  “Yeah?” I said, almost breathlessly.

  He raised his brows, his lips turning in a smirk. “We’re here….” he said, gesturing widely with his hands.

  “Oh,” I chuckled. “Right…sorry. I was just thinking about how much trouble I’ll be in if my parents find out,” I lied.

  One brow raised higher, and he laughed loudly. “Alright, don’t worry about it. Just tell them the bad boy you are friends with made you do it.”

  “You aren’t a bad boy,” I stated.

  “Yes I am,” he said softly, his fingers reaching to caress my cheek. “You really shouldn’t even talk to me. I’m gonna end up corrupting you.”

  Shocked, I stared at him. “Don’t talk about yourself that way, Cade.”

  His fingers lingered a few more seconds, then he rushed out to open my door. We walked inside, sitting at a booth in the corner nearest the windows. My fingers slipped as I picked up the menu, and his arm shot out to catch it. He smiled at me knowingly, his fingers lingering against mine.

  “Do I make you nervous?” he questioned.

  “Of course not. Why would you make me nervous, Cade?”

  “That’s what I’m wondering,” he said, his lips giving me a wicked grin.

  My stomach turned over, and I breathed deeply. I managed to order and get through the meal without making a complete fool of myself, though I was quite sure he knew I had a crush on him. I couldn’t help but watch as he ate, the careful way he cut his food, the odd way he folded his napkin in squares. I wanted to know everything about him, everything that made him tick. And I wanted to know if he felt the same way about me.

  He drove to my house, though I didn’t tell him where I lived. I looked at him questioningly. “Cade? How do you know where I live?”

  He blushed. Cade Kelling actually blushed. “I looked it up.”

  “Why?”

  “Oh, dammit, Francesca, no. I’m not a stalker or anything. Please don’t think that…I just want to know you is all,” he admitted, running his long fingers through his silky hair. I longed to run my own through it.

  “You do?” I asked, not stopping the ridiculous grin from taking over my face.

  He nodded, reaching for my leg like he had the first time we talked. He squeezed my knee, winking at me. My heart may have stopped. He hopped out, once again opening my door, and pulled me in for a tight hug. My body molded into his perfectly, and I leaned in, placing my head on his shoulder. I sighed when he released me, missing his touch the moment it was gone.

  “Thanks, Cade.”

  “Anytime, Francesca. Anything for you.”

  I always skipped school after a break. Sometimes a day, sometimes a few. My dad worked dawn to sunset, and my mom would forever think of me as her baby. It was senior year and I just didn’t want to go to school. The only downside was I missed seeing Francesca.

  So sometimes on the days I skipped, I drove to the parking lot when school let out to catch a glimpse of Francesca. My parking spot was at the end of the lot and most teachers wouldn’t notice if I was there or not. It was stupid, some whipped shit to do, but no one knew. I claimed I had to get my little brother, the golden child with straight A’s even though he had football practice and clubs most days after school. My friends were a bunch of potheads and partiers, so they didn’t care. They never thought twice about what I said, they only cared about their next hit.

  On this particular day, it was cold and spitting snow. I spotted her on the sidewalk, walking toward the bus with her coat wrapped around her tightly. Without thinking, I called her name and waved her over. “Do you need a ride?” I asked when she got close enough to hear me.

  She had a hat on with cat ears on the top. Her cheeks were rosy from the wind and she smiled as the ends of her hair whipped around her mouth. “Really?”

  “Yeah, get in,” I said.

  “You weren’t in school today, were you?” she asked.

  Busted. “Nah, I wasn’t feeling good,” I lied.

  She snapped her seatbelt into place. “Then why are you here now?” Her voice was concerned, the worry was etched on her face.

  “My parents wanted me to come get my brother, Cason.”

  “Where is he?” she asked. She looked around and glanced at me questioningly when I put the car in drive.

  Why did she have to think of everything? “They forgot he has to lift weights today with the team. He plays football.”

  “I know. He’s in one of my classes,” she said.

  Jealousy shot through me. “Yeah? He’s a cool guy, huh?”

  “Yeah, he’s nice. Kinda quiet.”

  “Not like me at all.”

  She grinned, then lowered her face slightly. She looked so beautiful. “Not really.”

  “I’m just gonna take you on home. No need to go sit and wait for the bus, ok?”

  “Thank you, Cade.”

  The ride was awkward, full of tension and silence. My palms were wet with sweat and my mind was clouded with thoughts and questions to ask her, but none would come out of my mouth. Why couldn’t I talk around her? Why did she make my mouth dry? Being around her was the scariest thing I’d ever experienced.

  And I’d done some stupid shit, so scary wasn’t new to me.

  When we arrived in her driveway, I jumped from the car and to her door. Opening it, I took her bag and held my hand out for her. She carefully took it, grinning and blushing when our fingers touched.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. She took her bag and hefted it over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re feeling better?”

  It took me a minute before I remembered my lie and I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll see ya.”

  She stopped at the door and turned, giving me a wave before disappearing inside. My heart fluttered. Why did she make that happen?

  I walked in the library because I saw Francesca make a mad dash for the room not five minutes before. I could sense something was off with her. I didn’t know what was wrong…but something definitely was. One of those snotty girls in her class made a passing remark about my girlfriend being too sensitive as I headed in. Good thing I could control my temper in school. “Bitch,” I called after her.

  Opening the door, I hurried in and trailed along the edges of the aisles, searching for her. Sniffling caught my attention and I hurried back to the sound. She was sitting against the bookcase, knees drawn up
, head buried in her arms.

  “Francesca,” I said, laying a hand on her back.

  Her head snapped up as she wiped snot and tears from her face. Even when she was bawling her eyes out, she was the most gorgeous girl I’d ever laid eyes on. “Cade.” She looked shocked and embarrassed I was here.

  “Are you ok?” I inquired, rubbing small circles on her shoulder.

  She shook her head, a small sob escaping her throat. “Some of the girls in the bathroom…I’m so ugly, Cade. Why do you even bother?”

  I stopped moving. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Francesca, look at me,” I demanded, pulling her chin so her face was closer to mine. “You are beautiful…no, you’re gorgeous. Girls are bitches and they get jealous. Now, I don’t know what all they said, and I don’t care. Don’t let them do this to you. I ‘bother’ because you are amazing, smart, and funny. You brighten my day. It’s killing me, seeing you so torn up.” I pulled her into me, running my fingers over her hair, and holding her close. She smelled like flowers, so sweet and sultry.

  Her sobs finally lessened. She leaned her head back, peering up at me with her doe eyes. “Cade, thank you.” Her hand reached up, ever so lightly touching my cheek.

  The lightning that shot through my body changed my life forever. That was the day I fell in love with Francesca Taymon. “Anything for you, Francesca.” Standing, I held my hand out for her to take. “Let’s go. You need to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry,” she said while getting up.

  “No,” I said sternly. “You never eat. I don’t care what people think of you, you have to eat. You’re not fat and you need food to survive. Let’s go get something and take it outside.”

  Her eyes were wide and she nodded. “Ok.”

  I didn’t mean to be so demanding, but she scared the shit out of me not ever eating. Not once had I seen her with a meal during lunch. Not once. She wasn’t fat, but she was curvy and I knew those little bitches in her class made fun of her for it. It had to be the reason she didn’t eat.

  Not anymore. I wouldn’t allow it.