by B. N. Hale
27 Dates
Volume 4: The Magic Date
By B.N. Hale
Text Copyright © 2018 B.N. Hale
All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Excerpt from Volume 5
Author Bio
Chapter 1
“You’re fidgeting again,” Jackson said.
Reed sighed. “Sorry.”
He was sitting in the living room, ostensibly doing homework. Jackson and his girlfriend sat at the kitchen table, Shelby helping Jackson with his trig homework. With an effort Reed put the pencil down so he wouldn’t keep tapping his book.
“You should call Kate,” Shelby said.
“It’s not like that,” he said.
“But it can be,” she said.
“Shelby’s right,” Jackson said. “This whole week you’ve been fidgeting like a squirrel on speed.”
“That’s not true,” Reed protested.
Jackson stabbed a finger at him. “Yesterday it took you an hour to eat dinner.”
“It wasn’t that long.”
“It’s called fast food for a reason,” Jackson said.
Reed began gathering his books. “I need to get to class.”
“When will you admit you like her?” Shelby asked.
Reed stuffed books into his bag. “You know my rules.”
“Rules change,” Shelby said. “Or did you think you’d do this dating game forever.”
“I’ll see you guys later,” Reed said, and walked to the door.
Foregoing the jacket, he stepped outside and strode to his car. He climbed into the seat but for a moment just stared at the wheel. Was Shelby right? Did he like Kate that much? He grimaced as another name came to mind.
Aura.
Burying the memories before they could resurface, he jammed the keys into the ignition and turned. Then he backed out of the driveway and made his way to Main Street. Distracted, he nearly hit the curb, and he forced himself to slow down.
It was Thursday morning and traffic was light. Their house was just a few blocks from campus, close enough to bike or walk on the frequent occasions when his Camry decided to take a day off. The belt squealed as he turned into the parking lot next to the psychology building and turned the car off. Then he reached for his bag, but his hand stopped when he noticed a splash of paint on the seat.
A soft smile spread on his face and he reached out to touch the paint. The color war had been one of his favorite activities, but he couldn’t tell what he’d enjoyed more, the day . . . or the date.
He leaned back in his seat with a sigh, wondering if he should end things with Kate before they got more serious. He’d planned their first date like any other, yet never expected such attraction. Her beauty, her intelligence, her subtle courage, all commanded attention.
Leaving his car behind, he trudged to the building and made his way to class. He was early, and only one other student sat in the front row. Taking his usual seat in the middle, Reed pulled out his notebook and pencil and then stared at the map of the brain hanging from the front wall.
The room was large and sloped to the professor’s desk at the base. A white board and a projector screen dominated the front wall, while the other walls contained posters of brain hemispheres and chemistry diagrams.
After sixty seconds he noticed the other student glancing his way, a look of irritation on her face. Then he realized he was taping his pencil again, the sound reverberating throughout the silent room.
“Sorry,” he said.
The girl grunted and returned her attention to her book. Another classmate came in, and then another. Reed nodded to the one he knew but kept his attention on the white board at the front of the room. He glanced at the clock, but only five minutes had passed.
After going on so many dates he’d grown accustomed to letting go, even if he liked the girl. He’d been attracted to some of the girls he’d taken out, but he’d always been able to stifle that attraction—for all except Kate.
What about her was so vexing? What about her demanded attention? If he could find the answer, perhaps he could suppress the desire. Once he did that, he could enjoy their challenge for what it was, a game.
But was that what he wanted?
He stared at the white board without seeing it, his thoughts on Kate’s smile after the color war. Brighter than the colors plastered across her skin, it had conveyed excitement and mischief, a unique sense of adventure.
He imagined ending the dating game, of simply calling Kate and saying he was done. His inability to give an explanation would leave her hurt, but it would be done, and he would never see her again . . .
The very thought caused him to grimace, the prospect of never seeing Kate—let alone hurting her—drawing the scowl to his lips. He’d known the competition would be dangerous, but never considered just how dangerous. Perhaps the question wasn’t if he should retreat from Kate, but if he could.
Other students entered the class and it quickly filled as the hour approached. Then the professor entered and greeted them on her way to her desk. There was still five minutes to class and she liked to review her lesson prior to beginning. Accustomed to her schedule, the other students finished retrieving their books and sending last minute texts before pocketing their phones.
Then another person entered the room. Dressed in a full cloak and pointed hat, he wore nice clothes and an orange and red scarf around his neck. A smattering of laughter drew Reed from his thoughts and he turned to watch the newcomer walk to the front of the classroom.
The resemblance to Harry Potter was uncanny, eliciting titters and stifled laughter. He even had a wand in his hand. Smiling and nodding to the students, he made his way to the front, finally drawing the professor’s attention.
“Young man,” she asked. “Is there something you need?”
“No, thank you professor,” he said in a British accent
He reached the front of the room and withdrew a pole and a black cloth, which he hung on top of the white board. More laughter ensued as the students glanced between the confused professor and the wizard. She rose to her feet, her voice gaining an edge.
“This is my classroom,” she said. “And you are interrupting.”
He glanced at the clock. “Not for three minutes, professor. I’ll be done by then.” Without waiting for a response, he turned to the class and spoke like they were at a show. “I come to deliver a message, but it is to one, rather than all. I trust the chosen one will understand its meaning.” He then pointed his wand at the cloth hanging over the board.
“Wordium Revealium!”
With a stylish flourish he ripped the cloth down from the board, revealing the letters now written there. At no point had he touched the board or put a hand behind the cloth—nevertheless, the text was there in bold lettering.
Any magic you can do, I can do better.
March 29th
6:00
K
Reed laughed, the sound tinged with admiration. The wizard gave a bow amidst applause and whistles and then departed. Many glances were cast about as Reed’s classmates sought to identify who was the intended recipient. Reed just sat in his seat, staring at the letters until the annoyed professor erased them.
As the professor droned on about brain chemistry and behavior, he couldn’t extinguish the smile on his face. He still didn’t know what to do with Kate, but the prospect of another date sent excitement burning in his chest. She’d sent the invitation.
And he would answer.
Chapter 2
Reed drove home in an ex
citement induced euphoria. Kate had asked him out. And she’d done so with all the creativity and cleverness he could hope for. Jackson and Shelby were sitting at the table. Both turned at his entrance, and both looked smug. Reed shut the door and put down his bag before turning on them.
“We had a visitor in class today,” Reed said. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“It’s possible we received a request regarding your class schedule,” Jackson said, scrunching his face up as if attempting to remember.
Shelby tried to suppress a smile and failed spectacularly. “I hear some think psychology is magic.”
“Just whose side are you on?” Reed asked.
They exchanged a look and chorused in unison. “Kate!”
“Traitors,” Reed muttered.
They dissolved into laughter. Although he feigned anger, Reed was actually grateful for their betrayal. Kate would not have been able to pull off such a clever date invitation without assistance, and to be on the receiving end was exhilarating.
Over the next week he tried to stay focused on his classes, but Kate dominated his thoughts. When it was his turn to ask he’d made a point not to call, and told himself it was for her benefit. After all, he couldn’t afford to give her the wrong idea.
But as much as he tried to convince himself that it was for her, he’d refrained from calling out of fear. What was rapidly becoming an unspoken tradition of not calling left him feeling decidedly unsettled, and he frequently found himself staring at his phone, wondering if she’d call.
Despite his conflicting thoughts he looked forward to the following Thursday. He’d received no further contact from Kate since the invitation and had no idea what to expect on the date. Although he was tempted to anticipate and come prepared, he realized he could inadvertently ruin her plans.
He laughed at himself when he realized he was thinking so much about Kate that he’d all but forgotten other dates. Several were still on the calendar but only one between the invitation and the date.
The girl’s name was Willow. She was on the dance team, so he took her dancing. It was a different location than where Kate had shown him, a place he felt reluctant to share with someone else, but he frequently thought of Kate. The moment Willow realized he could dance, her perspective changed, and she was clearly attracted to him. When he declined her invitation to come into her house after the date ended, she was disappointed, but all he felt was relief. He drove home wondering just how much Kate had changed his life.
The rest of the week passed in a blur, and by the time Thursday night rolled around he struggled to keep his excitement in check. Jackson took notice of his fidgeting and provided a constant flow of comments about Kate. Giving up on doing homework, Reed threw a ball of paper at Jackson and went to get ready.
“Don’t fall in love with her!” Jackson called brightly.
“I won’t,” he cast over his shoulder.
He shut the door on his room and sank onto his bed. It had been three years since Aura, but the ache had yet to subside, and he’d begun to wonder if it ever would. He’d never spoken to anyone about what had happened, and only his sister knew the whole truth.
He reached into his wallet and pulled out the picture he hid in the back pocket. Holding it aloft, he looked at Aura’s smiling face. He stared at it until he could no longer bear the regret, and then returned it to his wallet.
Vacillating between regret, worry, and excitement, he stood and got ready for the evening. Choosing jeans and a comfortable button up shirt, he brushed his teeth and then stepped into the living room.
Mercifully, Jackson was occupied preparing his nightly bowl of cereal, and Reed took the chance to slip to the door and depart. Jackson called out as he left but Reed pretended he didn’t hear. Shutting the door, he sat on the stoop.
It had begun to rain, the storm bringing sheets of water upon Boulder. Rivulets of rain coursed down the driveway to merge with the current in the gutter, the sound a soft patter that filled the street. The door opened behind him and Jackson sat next to him. He didn’t speak, and instead munched on his cereal in silence.
“You’re a loud chewer,” Reed said. “Did you know that?”
He snorted and spoke through a mouth of Golden Grahams. “Shelby may have mentioned it.”
Reed grunted. “She is always honest.”
Jackson continued to chew, the sound matching the rain. They sat watching the storm for several minutes but neither moved. When it became clear Jackson was not going to leave, Reed threw him a look.
“Is there something you need?”
“Can’t a friend enjoy the rain with a friend?”
“No.”
Jackson glanced his way and shrugged. “Normally you’re excited about a date, but you’re acting like me after I lose a game.”
“I’m fine.”
Jackson waited a moment and then looked his way. “Just make sure you don’t hurt this one,” he said.
“I’m not going to hurt Kate,” he said, a little heated.
“Good,” Jackson said, unperturbed. “Because it’s the ones we truly care about that we hurt the most.”
“Did you get that on a fortune cookie?” Reed asked.
“Maybe,” Jackson said. “Look, you’re the best dater I’ve ever known, but we both know you keep your distance. You need to be careful with this one, or you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.”
Reed released a long breath, his anger dissipating. “Do you think I should end the challenge?”
“Of course not,” he said with a bark of laughter. “I think you’ve found the one you’ve been looking for.”
“I wasn’t looking for anyone.”
“I know,” Jackson said. “But you’ve still found her.”
Reed raised an eyebrow. “Since when have you been the dating master?”
“Since I had a fortune cookie,” he said.
Reed grinned. “I’ll try to be careful.”
“Good,” he said. “And can you pick up more cereal? We’re out.”
“What kind of person eats cereal for dinner every day?”
“The kind with taste,” he said, shoveling another spoonful into his mouth.
A car appeared at the end of the street and Reed recognized it as Kate’s. Rising, he waved to let her know she didn’t need to come to the door in the rain and then turned to Jackson. His roommate was also on his feet and now leaned against the porch post.
“Have a good time,” he said.
“I will,” Reed said, and then added, “And thanks.”
Just as Kate’s car came to a stop, Reed jumped off the porch and raced through the rain to the passenger door. Pulling it open, he stepped into the car and shut the door. Then he turned to Kate, his words dying on his lips.
Dressed in a black robe and a scarf of blue and bronze, Kate also had a pointed hat on her head. She smiled as she endured his scrutiny. Then she reached to the back seat and retrieved a robe, scarf, and hat for him.
“Just where are we going?” Reed asked.
“Didn’t you guess?” Kate asked, her green eyes shimmering with delight.
Reed examined the black cloak and then the red and yellow scarf. Although he’d only seen a few of the movies, he recognized the clothing as belonging to Gryffindor. Wrapping the scarf around his neck, he held the hat aloft.
“Harry Potter?”
Her smiled widened. “You’re a wizard, Reed.”
Chapter 3
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words,” Reed said fervently.
“When I turned twelve I stayed awake all night waiting for my owl,” she said. “I was heartbroken when it didn’t arrive.”
“Little kid problems,” he lamented.
They shared a grin, and he stole a look while her attention was on the streetlight. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement and excitement, and he suddenly realized the concerns of the last two weeks were gone. The moment he’d stepped i
nto the car his worries had evaporated.
He stole another look and realized that right now the reasons didn’t matter. He may not have made his choice, but in this moment, all he wanted was an evening with Kate. Resolving not to think about Aura the rest of the night, he turned to face her.
“How did you ever get your wizard friend to do your invitation?”
“He is Brittney’s ex,” Kate said.
“And he agreed to do her a favor?”
“Not at first,” she said. “But then Brittney unleashed Ember, and he didn’t last long.”
Reed smiled at the image of the diminutive redhead berating the poor guy until he agreed. He may have been a wizard, but no amount of magic would protect him from Ember. Still, he appeared to have enjoyed the opportunity to perform a trick.
“He was flawless,” he said. “Did you like planning the invitation?”
“Enormously,” she admitted. “Although it was difficult coming up with ideas. The best person to ask was the one person I couldn’t.”
“Perhaps,” he said. “But you did pretty well on your own.”
“You think so?” she asked.
He heard a trace of nervousness in her voice and smiled. “Like I said, flawless.”
She smiled. “I’m still getting used to creative dating. It’s fun, but it takes more time than I thought.”
“It gets easier,” he said.
“Does that mean it was hard for you at first?”
“It was,” he said.
“What was your first date like?”
“I was sixteen—”
“So late?” she asked with a smile. “I assumed you started dating in grade school.”
“I was actually pretty shy until late in high school,” he said. “I also had enough acne my face looked like the surface of Mars.”
“Really?” she asked. “You look great now.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
She laughed. “Seriously. I think the word Marta used to describe you was ‘dreamy.’”
He raised an eyebrow. “I think that’s a bit much.”