“We tried to warn you that she was right behind you, but you weren’t listening,” Lily thought to me.
Oh, great. This was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now. I had no interest in having some sort of showdown with Savannah over Justin. But, at the same time, I was tired of feeling like I was doing something wrong if I so much as talked to him. He was my friend after all.
I looked in her cold, hard eyes, narrowed into hateful slits. She wanted a fight – I could feel it. Ooooh, could I ever feel it. She’d been humiliated by Justin and was looking to make someone pay—someone other than him.
I was the perfect target.
“Who were you talking about? Who doesn’t he like?” she repeated. Daring me. Challenging me.
“No one,” I replied. “We weren’t talking about anyone you know.” Now was not the time or place to discuss this.
She flipped her golden mane back and lifted her chin haughtily. “Oh, I highly doubt that. There isn’t anyone at this school that I don’t know, except maybe you.” Her lips twisted as she pronounced the last word, as if it left a nasty taste in her mouth.
Was I supposed to introduce myself?
Sophie stepped forward. “Savannah, this is Calista. She’s new and she’s cool so just leave her alone.”
Savannah laughed. “Isn’t that adorable, having your little friend speak up for you like that. So touching.” Mia and Zoe tittered behind her.
Now it was Lily’s turn. She moved beside me, and returned Savannah’s cold glare with one of her own. “Savannah, is there something we can do for you? I don’t mean to be rude, but you did just sort of butt into our conversation here. Was there something you needed?” Her face was innocent, but her eyes locked on to Savannah’s.
Savannah’s expression shifted slightly; her confrontational look was replaced by a calculating one. “No, I just wanted to say hello to our new friend here. Welcome to our school, Calista. I really do hope you like it here,” she said with a phony smile. She flung her hair and spun on her heel, her minions close behind.
“That welcome sounded more like a threat,” I thought to Sophie and Lily, not trusting myself to speak out loud.
“That’s just Savannah,” Sophie thought back. “She just has to mark her territory and let everyone know who’s boss. She’ll forget about you soon enough.”
I hoped Sophie was right, but something told me she wasn’t.
Chapter 16. New Light
That evening at dinner, my father had been more surprised at my glasses-free appearance than I’d hoped. He’d scrutinized my face, and commented how much I resembled my mother.
“Why’re your eyes so blue now?” he’d asked me.
“The lenses are tinted,” I lied. “It helps with the focus.”
He’d just grunted and changed the subject. I felt how it hurt him to think of my mother, and it made me sad. I didn’t want to cause him any pain. Hopefully he’d get used to the new me soon.
Back in the safety of my room, I sat down in front of the mirror, my mother’s photo album open beside me. I flipped to the pages where she seemed to be about my age, and compared our images. There was definitely more of a resemblance now. Other than our hair, our coloring and features looked very similar. This made me feel good.
After a long soak in the tub, I rummaged through my dresser drawers and found some running pants and a long sleeved t-shirt. I placed them next to my tennis shoes and set the alarm for six am – just before sunrise.
I awoke seconds before the alarm sounded, and quickly rolled over to turn it off. I didn’t want the memory of my lovely dream-filled night with Nicholas marred by the jarring screech.
He’d found me again, in the same grove, and as usual he held me close and whispered loving words in my ears as he lightly kissed my face. But for the first time, I wondered about this magical oasis where we always met. Although it was definitely the kind of gloriously enchanted island that dreams are made of, I wondered how I’d come to think of it in the first place. It was certainly nowhere I had ever been, or even seen in a picture or a movie or anywhere. It was completely unique— otherworldly and ethereal in its unparalleled beauty.
Maybe I’d designed it in my mind because it was the most perfect place to be with someone as miraculous as Nicholas. Perhaps, since I felt like I was in heaven when I was with him, my consciousness had projected that sensation in my dreams.
Whatever it was, and for whatever reason, it was beyond perfect. A new word needed to be invented to describe a place and an experience so flawless and so sublime in every way.
After indulging in my reverie as long as I could, I bounded out of bed. I changed into the clothes I’d set out the night before, and pulled my hair into a high ponytail. Energy coursed through my veins as I made my way down the steps toward the water.
The sun was just starting to cast its light through the morning fog, and the cool misty air clung to my face. I did some light stretches on the sand, bending and twisting and breathing in the damp ocean air.
After several minutes, my limbs loose and my body warm, I started off down the shore. My legs strained against the yielding sand and my heart pumped rapidly. Still, I pressed on until I fell into a nice, easy rhythm of breathing and movement.
Within moments I knew why I’d decided to do this, why my body craved it so much. I was alive, free and energized. I felt stronger than I ever had before—as if every cell of my body had awakened for the very first time. Everything in me felt connected—my eyes, lungs, heart, arms, and legs— they all worked in harmony to push me harder and faster. The more I ran the better I felt.
The closer I got to the pier, the more signs of life I saw. It was still too early for the daily Boardwalk festivities, and the rides weren’t moving yet. But there were early morning surfers hoping to catch some waves, people walking their dogs along the shore, and joggers with iPods stretching and loping on the sand.
I neared a small group of people. A man bent over to tie his shoe.
And behind him, stood Nicholas.
I screeched to a halt. My heart leaped, but when I blinked, he was gone. The whole thing was over in less than half a second. I blinked several more times and glanced around.
Nicholas was just here! I know he was! I saw him!
But after several long moments, it was clear I was mistaken. Or completely delusional. I shook my head, silently berating myself for being so obsessed with him. It was one thing to dream of him…I couldn’t really control that. But if I started thinking I was seeing him…Hello loony bin!
I’d just started up a slow jog again when I heard a familiar voice calling me. “Calista...? Hey, Calista!” I turned and saw Justin emerging from the water. He was wearing a wetsuit and carrying a surfboard under one arm. His face was lit up in an adorable smile, his delight at running into me unmistakable.
“Hey!” His eyes widened as he drew closer. “What’re you doing here? Oh, wow, those contacts make a huge difference! Your eyes are gorgeous!”
“Thanks,” I huffed, still trying to catch my breath. I was winded from my run, but it was seeing Nicholas’s face that really took my breath away. Now I felt like I couldn’t get my lungs to work properly.
I glanced at Justin’s easy grin. His sun-bleached locks framed his face in wet tendrils, his tanned face glowing from his early morning swim. I could only imagine what I looked like—standing here all hot and sweaty, panting like a dog. Then I realized that I didn’t really care.
“Just going for a run before school starts,” I managed to get out.
“You live around here?” he asked, and casually unzipped the back of his wetsuit.
I nodded, pointing back the way I came. “Yeah, back there, the white house on the bluff.” He squinted for a moment, and then gave a low whistle. He was visibly impressed. “Wow, that’s some house—I’ve noticed it from the water.”
I paced in circles, shaking out my arms and legs. “You live around here, too?”
He stuck his surfboard in the sand
and picked up a towel to dry off his hair. “Nah,” he replied rubbing his head. “I live about fifteen minutes inland. I drive out here most mornings, though, when there are good breaks by the pier.”
“You have your own car?”
“Yup, just last month. That’s my Jeep over there.” He pointed to a black roadster in the parking lot. “Got it for my birthday. I think my dad was happier than I was—no more bugging him to take me out to the coast every morning.” He laughed, flashing his bleached-out teeth.
“Cool. You’re lucky,” I said. Maybe I should think about getting a driver’s license. I’d never seen any point before, but now…
“Hey, maybe you’d want to hang out sometime. You know, hit up a movie or go into town or something. Or maybe the Boardwalk one night…whatever…” His voice died away in a shy mumble.
Wow. Now I knew what it meant to be put on the spot. The overwhelming rush of anxiety flooding from him was masked perfectly behind his shy grin. He was so terrified I would reject him, but I’d never know it just by looking at him.
I gave my flower bracelet a stealthy, dirty glare. Obviously this thing didn’t work on Justin; if anything, I felt him stronger than usual.
“Umm..,” I hemmed uncomfortably, “that’s really nice of you to ask, and I would if I could, but my dad is really strict about me going out alone with boys. I’m not allowed to date until I’m seventeen.” I was surprised at how easily the lie slid off my tongue. The truth was, I had no idea how my father would feel about it, and I’d never been forbidden to date anyone. Of course, the situation had never presented itself before now.
His face fell. “Oh, well, what about a group thing? Some of my friends and I are throwing a bonfire party here at the pier this weekend. You could come with Sophie and Lily and just hang out if you wanted to. That wouldn’t really be a date.”
“Sounds like fun. I’ll talk to them and see what they say,” I said with a noncommittal smile. “But I gotta get going now. It’s a long ways back, and I need to get ready for school.”
“I can give you a lift if you need one,” he said, nodding toward his jeep.
I laughed. “That kinda defeats the whole purpose of me running, doesn’t it?”
He shrugged and peeled his arms out of his wetsuit, exposing his perfectly sculpted, deeply bronzed chest. I sucked in my breath again, but this time from the surprise at seeing Justin’s unexpectedly sexy torso. Hello, abs!
I must be really, really, really crazy...
I hastily said goodbye and headed toward the house. Even though my back was to Justin, I felt his eyes on me for a long time after I sprinted away.
*****
Sweaty and breathless, I was approaching the path leading up to Ana’s when I was jolted by a familiar sound. I turned to see a barking dog playfully sprinting along the water’s edge. Max!
I froze. Was it possible…?
Max spotted me and eagerly bounded in my direction.
“Hi, buddy!” I greeted him. He bounced around me, wagging his tail furiously. My stomach knotted up as I scanned the shore. “Where’s…”
“MAX! Come ‘ere boy!” a voice called. I looked up to see a young boy with dark hair running toward us.
“Sorry about that,” he said as he approached me. “He gets super excited sometimes.” He reached out and grabbed Max’s collar.
“Oh, it’s okay,” I reassured him, as I bent down to pat Max affectionately. “He and I are old friends.”
“Yeah, it seems like he likes you,” the boy said.
“We played together a few weeks ago,” I told him. “He was here with Nicholas…”
“You know Uncle Nicky?” he asked with a big grin.
Uncle Nicky? “Um, yeah, well, we’d just met and were throwing the ball to Max for a while.” I felt a little foolish explaining myself to a young boy. “He’s your uncle?”
“Nah, I just call him that cuz he’s older and I’ve known him my whole life. I’m Joey,” he said, sticking out his little hand. I almost laughed; he seemed so grown up and polite for his age.
I shook his hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Joey. I’m Calista. Nicholas told me all about you.”
Joey was noticeably pleased. “Oh yeah? What’d he say about me?”
“He said that you took very good care of Max for him, and that you love him as much as he does.”
“That’s true,” he said proudly. “Max is my best friend. We play together every day.”
I noticed Joey held the same soggy tennis ball that Nicholas had when we met. “May I?” I asked, holding out my hand.
“Sure,” Joey replied, “My arm is getting tired anyway.” He rubbed his shoulder. I tossed the ball out in the water a few times, savoring the feeling of being closer to Nicholas by doing so.
When it was time for me to leave, Joey waved and said, “I’ll tell Uncle Nicky we saw you!”
And before I could say anything, he ran away.
Chapter 17. Two Hearts
Later that week, Sophie and I were headed to history class when we heard a loud voice behind us.
“Yes, I guess she’s some sort of charity case. Her dad is some sort of illiterate, dimwit janitor for this rich old lady, who’s senile or something, and they conned the poor old woman into getting her admitted here.” This was followed by shocked laughter. My blood ran cold. The voice belonged to Savannah, and she was obviously talking about me.
“From what I heard,” Savannah continued, her voice unnaturally loud, “her mother was some drug addict street whore who killed herself. Can’t blame her really…being married to some low-class, red-neck hick hillbilly and having a hideously ugly child who’s obviously retarded or something.”
For a brief moment, my shock at Savannah’s vicious words rendered me nearly immobile. Then, suddenly, I was overcome with a blinding rage. I spun toward her, eyes bulging, my hand clenched ready to punch her in the face.
Sophie grabbed my arm. “Don’t,” she hissed as she dug her fingers in deep. “That’s just what she wants—to get a reaction. Just ignore her.”
I jerked my arm away and inwardly fumed. “HOW DARE SHE! What gives her the right to talk about me like that? What is her problem?!”
“She’s demented and insecure,” Sophie thought to me, as we stalked away from Savannah and her cronies. “Justin told some guys that he asked you to the bonfire, and Savannah heard about it. So now she’s on the warpath.”
“Good Lord. I swear I should just kiss him right in front of her…would serve her right!” I thought furiously.
I looked up and saw Lily hurrying toward us. “You look upset. What happened?” she asked us silently as we continued down the hall.
I was too angry to think straight, so Sophie filled her in. “Savannah was talking trash trying to hurt Calista’s feelings. It was all untrue, but it was cruel nonetheless. Unbelievably mean even for her.”
Lily made a face and turned to me. “I’m sorry she was like that to you, but Sophie is right – she’s just trying to get under your skin because she’s jealous. Don’t let her get to you.” She patted my back reassuringly.
My heart was pounding, and my stomach was in knots. “What she said about my father…and Ana…and my mother,” I muttered through clenched teeth.
“We should totally cast a silencing spell on her. You know, make her lips permanently seal together or something,” Sophie said. Then, looking at Lily’s glare she mumbled, “What? You know you wanna.”
“Just try not to think about her,” Lily suggested as we walked into class.
I tried following Lily’s advice, but Savannah’s words kept ringing through my head. I was still angry several hours later when we broke for lunch. Sophie, Lily and I were sitting by the fountains picking at our food when Savannah walked up to us, her posse in tow.
“So, I heard that Justin asked you to the bonfire on Saturday,” she said with a smirk.
“Savannah, we’re just friends…there is nothing going on between us. You don’t n
eed to worry—” I began.
“Oh, I’m not worried.” She gave a haughty sneer. “He only asked you to go because everyone knows what a slut you are, and you’ll put out for anybody who asks. Your job is to provide the entertainment.” There was laughter from the girls behind her.
I felt the color drain from my face. I’d never before wanted to physically hurt another human being the way I wanted to hurt Savannah now. I dropped my sandwich and clenched my fists.
“Don’t react!” was shouted in my mind. With my ears, I heard Sophie ask innocently, “Gee, Sav, what’s that huge thing on your face?” And as her question formed, so did an extremely large and very angry-looking boil right in the middle of Savannah’s forehead.
“What are you talking about?” she snapped, and reluctantly raised a hand up to her face. Her eyes widened, and she gasped.
“Better have that thing checked out,” Lily offered helpfully. “It looks pretty infected.”
Sophie and Lily struggled to keep straight faces, but I was still too stunned by the whole situation to even flinch.
Savannah turned to her friends. “Why didn’t you guys say anything?” she demanded angrily and quickly stomped toward the bathrooms. A minute later we heard her screech, and Sophie and Lily collapsed with laughter.
“Oh, that was a good one, Sophie,” Lily chortled.
“Thanks. It felt good,” she replied.
They both turned to me. “You okay, Callie?” Lily asked.
“She’s just so hateful. What did I ever do…?”
“Nothing. Forget her,” Sophie interjected, “what about what I did?” She smiled gleefully.
“Can’t you get in trouble for that?” I asked. “Of course it was awesome, but won’t it be obvious what happened?”
“Nah,” she scoffed. “Teenagers get zits all the time. She’s just really unlucky she happened to get a big whopper that will take a long time to clear up.” She dissolved in giggles again.
I allowed myself a bittersweet smile. While it was funny to imagine Savannah’s horror at discovering the newly formed growth on her face, it didn’t lessen the hurt of her attacks.
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