by G. K. DeRosa
“All I know is that he better have a pretty good explanation. After all, I was having fun!”
Celeste dropped Natalie off at her house and headed back home. She suddenly felt exhausted. The bizarre evening had really drained her emotionally, and she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
What did Roman mean when he said Patrick could hurt me and that he wasn’t what he seemed to be?
Celeste’s head reeled with questions as she got into bed and turned off the lights. She thought she would never get any rest, but moments after her head hit the pillow she fell into a deep sleep with Rocky snuggled up next to her.
Meanwhile, outside her window a dark falcon perched in the oak tree, keeping watch over her until daylight.
Chapter 7
When Celeste headed to school the next morning, she found Brian sitting on her front steps.
“Walk with me to school?” He held out his arm for her.
Celeste hooked her arm through his and recounted yesterday’s events (as was the norm when they hadn’t seen each other for a day), the warm sun shining down on them as they walked. She decided to exclude the part about Roman’s strange behavior and focused instead on the shopping and prom portion of her evening.
“Natalie’s costume is great. She is going to look so cute in it!” She gave Brian a sidelong glance. “What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it that much. I mean, a suit is a suit, whether it’s the 20’s or the 80’s, right?”
Celeste laughed. “You better come up with something good. Natalie is really excited about prom, and she’s put a lot of time and effort into it. Actually, I was supposed to ask you if you’d help out with decorating the gym on Thursday night. Natalie already dragged me into it, so I think it’s only fair that you help too.”
“Sure, Cel, anything for you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
As they walked under the familiar archway of St. Alice High School, Celeste’s phone rang. She signaled for Brian to keep going and stopped to answer when she saw the caller I.D. read Nico.
“Good morning beautiful!” Nico’s chipper voice filled the air.
“Unless you are calling with an explanation, I don’t really have time to talk, I’m about to walk into first period.” For some reason, she was still annoyed at him.
“I know, I’m sorry Celeste. I just wanted to check up on you and see how you were doing. Can we grab a coffee or something this afternoon?”
“Sure, I guess we could do that.”
“Okay great, I’ll pick you up from school then. See you later.”
Celeste tried to focus on Mr. Wilson’s lecture on the Vietnam War, but her mind kept wandering. This was her last week in high school. Prom was in just a couple of days, then final exams, her birthday, graduation, and her life as a high school student would be over. She really wished that her dad could be here to see her graduate and head off to college. He had gone to NYU too, and she was sure that he would be thrilled that she was following in his footsteps.
The shrill blast of the fire alarm echoed through the building, interrupting her thoughts. She followed her classmates filing out of their classrooms like they had practiced hundreds of times during mandatory fire drills.
As they marched outside and met in their designated areas to await further instructions, something at the edge of the woods behind the school caught her attention. She squinted to focus better and could have sworn she saw Patrick. His bright auburn hair stood out against the dark foliage of evergreens, and he was wearing the same tan leather jacket from the night before. He was staring in her direction. She looked around searching for Natalie to confirm her suspicions, but when she looked back at the woods Patrick—or whoever it was—was gone.
When the final bell rang, Celeste grabbed her backpack and hurried through the crowd. Outside, Nico sat in his fire engine red BMW M5, waiting for her with a gleaming smile and radio blaring. It was hard for her to stay mad at him; he just had such a way about him. As she got into the car, he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek, and they sped off to the café.
The café was filled with the pungent aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans, and Celeste’s stomach gurgled in anticipation as they waited in line. After the barista handed them their frothy cappuccinos, they retreated to a comfy sofa in the corner to talk.
“So about last night,” began Nico uncomfortably, “I’m sorry Roman overreacted the way he did. He can be a little overprotective at times. I guess it’s a side effect of being the big brother-slash-father figure of the family.”
Celeste blew on her steaming mocha latte and took a careful sip. “That seemed like something way more than simple overprotectiveness. Does he know Patrick or something?”
“Not exactly…but he knows guys like Patrick. The type who would come into a small town diner and prey on innocent high school girls with alcohol.” Nico barely looked at her as he spoke.
She arched an incredulous brow. “I know we’re pretty sheltered in Oak Bluffs, but that’s what Roman meant when he said that Patrick could hurt me?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“It seemed much more personal than that.”
“I’m really sorry if he frightened you. My brother does have a flair for the dramatic at times.”
Celeste furrowed her brows at Nico, still unconvinced. “I think his paranoia is rubbing off on me because I thought I saw Patrick today at school.”
“What?” he asked, almost choking on his hot coffee.
“I’m not one hundred percent sure it was him, because he was pretty far away. I must have been imagining things. Why would he be at my school?”
“That is strange. I know you girls are hot and all, but – ”
“Oh stop!” Celeste giggled and threw a sugar packet at Nico’s face.
As Nico drove Celeste home, she thought about last night and the desperate look in Roman’s face when he had told her to leave. Somehow Nico’s explanation just didn’t ring true. She decided to let it go for now, but she resolved to find out what was really going on one way or another.
“Celeste thinks she saw Patrick at her school today,” announced Nico as he walked in the house.
“What?” Roman dropped the book he had been reading and sat up. “Damn it - he should be long gone by now.” He stood abruptly, clenching his fist.
“She wasn’t sure it was him, but to be safe, we better keep an eye on her.”
“I always do,” Roman murmured.
“I hate lying to her.”
“I know, but it’s better for her not to know anything yet. The less she knows the safer she will be for now. Besides, Stellan said her eighteenth birthday is next week, and once we confirm she’s been chosen as the next Guardian, nothing will be the same for her ever again.”
Chapter 8
Celeste climbed down the ladder, streamers in her hands and turned to Brian. “Your turn.”
He chuckled and grabbed the decorations. Members of the prom committee were scattered around the gym hanging decorations and candle-lit chandeliers while setting up poker tables and vintage slot machines. Natalie directed all of the activity, hastily twirling a feather boa while determining the exact location of the DJ booth in relation to the dance floor. By the time they were finished they had succeeded in transforming the gym into an extravagant Roaring Twenties Casino.
“Nat, you really went all out, this place looks amazing!” said Celeste, taking a step back to take it all in.
“I couldn’t have done it without the two of you. Thank you so much!” She hugged Celeste and Brian. A sneaky look crossed Natalie’s face. “I just have one more favor to ask of you, Celeste.”
“Sure, anything.”
“I’ve picked out the perfect date for you to take to prom. Just don’t say no, okay?”
Celeste shot a quick glance at Brian and caught a surprised look in his sea-green eyes, then she turned back to Natalie. “Okay. Who is it?”
; A mischievous grin split her lips. “Duh, Nico!”
“Why Nico?”
“Why not? He’s new in town, and Dani Lynn said that he had mentioned how he had never gone to his own prom, and how much fun it would be to come to ours. And anyway, I promised you I’d make sure you had the perfect date to match your outfit, and they don’t get much hotter than him.”
“Isn’t he like twenty-something?” interjected Brian. “Why would he want to go to a senior prom?”
She twirled her boa around her finger. “You are obviously underestimating my talents in creating this epic night. I’ve heard that all of Oak Bluffs is talking about it, so it totally makes sense that he would want to come.”
“Right…” he said, shaking his head.
“Come on Celeste, why wouldn’t you take him? He’s fun and super hot! Imagine how amazing your prom pictures will turn out? I see it as a win-win for all.”
Celeste could feel Brian’s eyes on her, awaiting her decision. There was no way she was getting out of this one. “As always I feel like there is no point in trying to argue, so I guess I’ll just save us all some time and give in now.”
“Yes! This is going to be the best prom ever!” squealed Natalie.
Later that evening, Celeste waited impatiently as her mom put the final touches on her hair. “You look so beautiful!” her mom exclaimed as she lowered the curling iron and spun her around in the chair to face the mirror. “Sometimes I wish I still had long hair,” she said wistfully as she looked at her own weary reflection.
Celeste examined herself in the mirror and smiled. Her golden-blonde hair was curling just right, and the dress that Natalie had picked out was quite flattering on her. Even her boring hazel eyes seemed to stand out with the smoky eye shadow Natalie had convinced her to buy.
“And you were right—my pearls are the perfect match for your dress.” Mrs. Wilder placed the necklace on her daughter and reaching under her hair closed the clasp tightly. “I’m so happy I got to see you all dressed up before your senior prom. I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed; it seems like just yesterday your father and I were bringing you home from the hospital.”
“Mom, don’t do it, please don’t cry or else I will start to and then I’ll have to redo my makeup all over again.”
“Okay, okay I’ll stop. I just can’t get over how grown up you are. I still can’t believe you’re going to be eighteen next week.”
“Me neither, I can’t wait!”
“You know, eighteen is a pretty big deal. You’re going to be an adult now. You may find yourself having to make some important decisions soon.”
“I know that Mom, and anyway I already decided where I’m going to college so I think I’m pretty set.”
“Right, of course.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “So when is this date of yours going to be here? I’m looking forward to meeting him.” She paused and twirled at lock of Celeste’s hair, sweeping the curl behind her shoulder. “Although I am very surprised Brian didn’t ask you to go with him.”
“Oh Mom, I already told you Natalie talked me into taking Nico. He’s new in town and needed a date to the dance, that’s all. And as for Brian, we’ll have to go into that another day.” Celeste looked at herself in the mirror one more time before heading downstairs.
The elegant white limo pulled up in the driveway and Celeste raced outside. Brian walked over as Celeste was saying goodnight to her mother on the front porch.
“Brian, you look so handsome! Hold on let me get a picture of the two of you.” Mrs. Wilder grabbed the camera from the entrance table.
“Do you like the suit? Natalie picked it out.” He grinned and struck a modeling pose as her mom snapped away a couple of shots.
“Let me guess – you two are going as Bonnie and Clyde?” Celeste chuckled.
As they posed for the camera, Natalie and Nico came up the walkway to join them.
“Good! Now I can take pictures of all of you together.” Celeste’s mom beamed as she focused the camera.
“Don’t mind my mom guys, she’s a little snap-happy tonight,” announced Celeste.
Nico stepped forward, extending his hand with his usual charm and sophistication. “Good evening, Mrs. Wilder, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nico Constantin, and it is my pleasure to escort your daughter to the dance this evening.” He was impeccably dressed with a black and white pinstriped three-piece suit and red rose in his lapel.
Even Mrs. Wilder couldn’t help but succumb to his charms as she grinned from ear to ear shaking his outstretched hand. She followed with a not-too-discreet wink and a thumbs-up to Celeste. “Very nice to meet you, Nico. You kids have fun tonight, and don’t stay out too late!”
Nico held the door open for Celeste as Natalie and Brian climbed over their friends trying to find a spot inside the limo. Celeste peeked inside and saw her rowdy classmates, drinks in hand, and found she needed a deep breath to steady herself. Nico must have sensed her hesitation and flashed her a smile, placing a reassuring hand on her back. She took a breath and climbed in.
As Nico led her into the candle-lit gym, Celeste truly felt like she had stepped back in time to a casino in the 1920’s. She looked around in fascination as the sights and sounds assaulted her senses. The poker tables were filled with gangsters and flappers in colorful roaring twenties attire. Even the DJ was decked out in a vintage mobster suit complete with fedora and black and white wing tipped shoes. There was something magical in the air.
“Can I get you some moonshine, doll?” asked Nico.
“Okay daddy-o, that would be just swell,” Celeste responded in her best 1920’s slang.
Nico and Brian went off in search of beverages, leaving Natalie and Celeste to admire the crowd.
“Doesn’t Brian look so hot in his suit?” asked Nat, her face lit up in a huge smile.
“Oh yes, he looks quite dapper. And I love your beret!” she said. “I’ll even admit that you were right. Bringing Nico was a really good idea. I think this is going to be an amazing night.”
“I think you’re totally right!” She tilted her beret to the side. “So was it me or did I see you flirting with Nico in the limo?”
“You’re so bad Natalie!”
“What? I was just curious. You two looked pretty friendly.”
“I don’t know. I like Nico, I really do, but there is something about Roman that I just can’t explain.”
Natalie rolled her eyes in mock disapproval. “Maybe it’s his incredible looks and the intense way he stares at you.”
“I think it’s more than that.” She laughed. In all honesty Celeste had no clue what it was about Roman that had her so smitten.
Nico and Brian returned with a bright red punch, and with a quick glance around the room Nico pulled a flask out of his jacket pocket and poured a touch of vodka into each of their cups.
“Cheers!” they all said in unison.
As Celeste had suspected, Nico was a natural born dancer. He was the perfect partner, twirling, dipping, and even picking her up off of her feet once or twice. Celeste laughed breathlessly as Nico led her around the dance floor like a pro. Time flew by as the DJ played hit after hit. During one of her twirls, she glanced around the room and caught sight of Brian sitting alone on the bleachers staring at her.
“Hey Nico, let’s take a break for a second, I need to catch my breath,” she said.
“Of course, do you want me to get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m okay. I’ll get it. Here comes Natalie, why don’t you dance with her for a bit?”
Natalie happily accepted Nico’s extended hand, and Celeste walked over to Brian. “Hey, how’s it going? Why aren’t you dancing?”
“I just needed a break. Natalie had to make her rounds so I snuck off to sit down for a bit.” He shrugged. “But I’m all good. You still owe me that dance.”
Celeste nodded, and they made their way back to the dance floor. A slow song came on, the lights dimmed and a romantic
mood pervaded as dozens of couples swayed slowly to the music. Brian wrapped his arm around Celeste’s waist, pulling her close. She always felt so comfortable dancing with Brian. It was like slipping into a warm snuggly blanket on a cool winter’s night. He was quiet at first, and she enjoyed the comfortable silence that came from a long-established friendship.
His gaze lowered, his eyes searching hers. “You look like you’re having a lot of fun out there.”
“Yeah, I really am actually.”
“I’m really happy to see you like this. I don’t remember the last time you had so much fun.”
She paused when she noticed a dismal tone in his voice. “Then why don’t you look happy?”
“Huh? I don’t?”
She looked up at him questioningly with big brown eyes.
“I don’t know Cel, I guess I just always thought that I would be the one to make you feel like that again.”
It was like someone had just poured a large bucket of ice water over her head. She waited for a few seconds to collect her thoughts before answering. “Brian, you know that you’re the one that has gotten me through some of the worst years of my life. I never would have survived losing my dad without you. What we have is so special to me, and I never want to lose you as my best friend.”
“You’ll never lose me, Cel. I’ll always be here for you, I promise.” He pulled her close to him.
Tears welled up and her throat began to tighten. She pulled away quickly and excused herself to make a run to the ladies room.
Under the bright fluorescent lights of the bathroom, Celeste dabbed at her eyes in the mirror, and reapplied some lip-gloss. As much as she tried to deny it, it seemed that Natalie had been right.
Does Brian really have feelings for me?
She shrugged off the thought, pulled herself together, and headed back to the dance. As she walked through the quiet hallway, she footsteps sounded behind her. She spun around and found herself face to face with Patrick. “Oh geez, you scared me. What are you doing here?”