by Wendi Wilson
“Thanks,” I croak out.
“Maybe you should go lie back down,” he says, taking the chair next to me.
“I don’t…” I trail off, gripping the sides of my head as the pain flares. “Maybe a hot shower will help.”
“Of course,” Bryce says. “Take as much time as you need. I’ll be here reading if you need anything.”
I nod my thanks and, dragging myself to my feet, I shuffle from the kitchen. I make my way to Bryce’s room and rifle through my bags to find some clothes. My hand closes around a teal strap, and I yank, untangling it from the rest of the clothes haphazardly shoved into the bag. Holding it up in front of me, I can’t repress the smile that stretches across my face. A swim sounds amazing. I can take a shower after.
I change into my swimsuit and rush from the room, my headache reduced to a dull throb beneath my excitement. I stop by the upstairs bathroom only long enough to grab a towel then skip down the stairs. I skid to a halt at the foot of the stairs and wrap the towel around my torso, covering my body from my armpits to my thighs.
I walk to the kitchen door and, shielding my body behind the wall, I lean over and peek my head through the opening. “Hey, Bryce, I’m going for a swim.”
He looks up from his book and cocks an eyebrow at me. “Okay but why are you hiding? I’ve seen you in a bathing suit before.”
I shrug. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
Bryce shakes his head with a chuckle. “See you later, Kai.”
The thought of submerging myself in the ocean quickly pushes all others from my head. I feel a pull in my gut, an irresistible urge to dive in and let the sea swallow me. The ocean has always been my happy place, my refuge, but this feels different. It feels like I might…I don’t know, explode if I don’t jump in.
As soon as my toes hit the sand, I take off in a sprint toward the breaking waves. I reach the water line in less than ten seconds. Uncontrollable laughter erupts from my gut as the cold water splashes me. I run with high knees until the water swirls around my upper thighs. I cry out, a joyous shout that escapes before I can stop it as I dive forward and plunge head-first into the icy depths.
I swim for I don’t know how long, until my lungs burn with the need for oxygen. My head breaks the surface, and I let the rest of my body float upward until I’m drifting with the tide on my back. There’s nothing better than this. Enveloped by the cool, salty water, the afternoon sun shining on my face, the call of the sea birds. It’s pure bliss.
The aspirin must have kicked in because my headache is gone. I feel amazing. I kick my legs down and spin around, treading water to gain my bearings. Bryce’s house looks like a dollhouse on the shoreline, Ms. Coraline’s sitting next to it just as small. I should get back. Bryce will be worried. I know he can’t see me this far out. I wonder if he can feel my happiness from here.
I slowly head toward land, taking my time to draw the pleasure out as long as possible. There is a tingling feeling in my toes but I ignore it. It’s probably just the cold water. I take a deep breath and duck beneath the waves.
A school of large fish with bright yellow tails darts by in a flurry of bubbles. I head back to the surface with a smile. God, I love it out here. When I break the surface, I dunk my head back to slick my hair out of my face. I feel a frown pulling down my face as I realize the tingling in my toes has now moved up to encompass my feet and ankles.
I lunge forward, suddenly eager to leave the water. Something that feels like fear is driving me, an emotion I’ve never felt in the ocean. Never. I don’t like it. I should fight it, swim in the opposite direction until it passes, but I continue toward shore. Something deep inside me is telling me I need to get out of the water. That this strange sensation in my feet is just a precursor to something larger. Something deadly.
I leave the water and trudge through the sand. Within seconds, the feeling is gone and so are my worries. I turn to look back at the waves. Shaking my head, I laugh.
“I’m so weird,” I whisper to myself.
“Kai!”
I turn toward the sound and see Bryce rushing across the beach toward me, sand flying in every direction. I move in his direction, wondering what’s happened. He pulls me into his arms as soon as he reaches me, his hands running up and down my back.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“Bryce,” I shout over his hurried questions. “Stop. I’m fine.” I pull away from him to look into his eyes. “I’m fine,” I repeat.
“You were terrified. I could feel it,” he says, scrubbing a hand across his face.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know…” I trail off, not really knowing how to explain.
“Kailani,” he says softly, using my full name, “please. Tell me what happened.”
I nod and slip my hand into his, leading him back toward his house. He stoops down and grabs my towel as we pass it. He releases my hand to drape it over my shoulders then interlaces his fingers through mine once more.
As we walk, I tell him everything. He listens without interrupting, his face thoughtful. “It was weird. I’ve never felt anything like that before,” I finish.
“Never?”
I shake my head. “No. It was probably my imagination. Once I left the water, the tingling and the fear were both gone.”
“Huh.”
That’s all he says and neither of us speaks again until we’re back inside his house. I tell him that I want to take a shower and he nods, squeezes my hand before releasing it and heads back toward to kitchen. I pick my way up the stairs and head to his room to grab some clothes.
I see my father’s watch on the bed where I left it when I changed. I don’t know why I took it off. I always wear it, even when I swim. I pick it up and lay it on the night stand next to my mother’s locket. Two mementos of two important people who are lost. It doesn’t feel right to wear one and not the other so I leave them both there and head to the bathroom for my shower.
Chapter Eighteen
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready for school.”
“You’re going to school?”
“Bryce, it’s been nice hanging out here with you all weekend but I can’t just sit here anymore. I have to keep moving forward.”
“But, I-”
“Stop,” I say, pushing my fingers against his lips. “I just want to be…normal for a few hours. I am going to school. Besides, I need to see Ana. We can search through your spell books later, okay?”
“Okay,” he says, slumping his shoulders, “but I’m going with you.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “We can walk together. No more hiding.”
He returns my smile. “No more hiding.”
Yesterday, his parents called. He told them everything. They were upset at first that he’d gotten so close to me but their anger at Ms. Coraline’s actions against him overrode their misgivings about our relationship. They are now firmly on team Brylani. I laugh at the nickname.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I say, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
It’s kind of surreal, walking through the school parking lot holding hands with Bryce Howell. I see several sets of eyes skim past us and shoot back, widening. I try to keep my embarrassment at bay but I fail miserably. Bryce squeezes my hand and I look at him.
“Why are you embarrassed? Is it because of me?”
I tug his hand to pull him to a stop. “No, of course not,” I say, my voice low. “It’s just…nobody has ever looked at me before. Like, really looked at me.” My eyes shoot from left to right. “They are all staring.”
Bryce pulls me forward, wrapping his arms around me. I bury my face into his chest as he begins to speak. “Kai, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Most of the girls are surprised to see us together, yes, but their feelings are positive. They’re impressed. The guys are just jealous that I snatched you up before they even thought to try.”
“Most of the girls
?” I ask, afraid to know the answer.
Bryce snickers and nods to his left. “Well, there are a few who aren’t very happy.”
I lift my head from his chest and glance over. Lanie Thompson and Amelia Boggs are huddled nearby, heads together, eyes shooting daggers at me. Off to their right stands Sandy Evans, looking crestfallen. I can’t stop the groan that works its way up my throat.
“Hey,” Bryce whispers, pulling away so he can meet my eyes. “I feel bad for leading them on but this is for the best. They know we’re together and I don’t have to pretend anymore. They’ll get over it.”
He entwines his fingers through mine and starts walking toward the double doors that lead inside the building. As we pass Lanie and Amelia, I stare straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact with them. I don’t need Bryce’s ability to feel the hostility rolling off of them in waves.
“Slut,” Lanie spits at me like the viper she is.
My breath catches in my throat. I’ve never been popular but I’ve never been the object of such venom before either. Bryce tightens his grip on my hand and tries to pull me forward but my feet have stopped and feel like lead. I don’t know what to do. Should I fling insults back at her? Ignore her? Or just burst into tears?
Before I can decide, a familiar and welcoming voice rings out behind me. “Who are you calling a slut, Lanie Thompson? I heard you went upstairs with some strange dude from the mainland at Amelia’s last party.”
I turn back to see Ana, feet spread apart and hair whipping in the wind like some avenging angel hell-bent on seeking vengeance. Her narrowed eyes are pinned on Lanie, daring her to make a move or say something, anything. Lanie just stares back, face red with anger but silent.
I grab Ana’s sleeve with my free hand and haul her forward. As she, Bryce, and I walk toward the steps I look over at Ana in awe. She has a self-satisfied smirk on her face. I shake my head in disbelief.
“That was awesome.”
“Thanks,” Ana responds to Bryce’s statement. “Kai, are you okay?”
I nod. “Yeah. That was just…unexpected. Thanks for sticking up for me.”
“Of course, Chica. I’ll always have your back.” She looks from me to Bryce to our joined hands. “So you guys aren’t hiding anymore?”
I can’t hide my smile. “No. No more hiding. Ms. Coraline can’t control me anymore and Bryce told his parents yesterday.”
“What do you mean? They didn’t realize when you stayed at his house?”
“Uh, well, about that.” I cast a glance at Bryce. “They’re not home.”
Ana’s eyebrows shoot up into her hairline. “You guys are staying there, alone?”
Bryce chuckles as my face blooms with color. “It’s not like that, Ana,” I whisper furiously.
“Mmm hmm,” is all she says before walking away to grab her book from her locker.
“Oh God,” I mumble.
Bryce’s laugh echoes through the hall, drawing more eyes to us. He doesn’t seem to notice as he pulls me toward him and wraps his arms around my waist. His eyes sparkle with mischief as he lowers his face toward mine. I realize he’s going to kiss me, right in front of all these students, just before his lips brush against mine.
Any embarrassment I might have experienced flies away as the pressure of his lips causes electric tingles to race down my spine. The students, the hallway…the whole school fades away and my mind goes blank. My whole world is Bryce. His lips. His arms wound tightly around me. His heartbeat pounding against mine.
Someone lets loose a loud whistle and the moment is shattered. I crash back into reality and hear students snickering all around me. I shoot a glare at Bryce, who is smiling like the cat that got the canary. At my scowl his smile widens even further, showing a row of even, white teeth.
“You did that on purpose,” I say, my voice filled with accusation.
“Of course, I did. I don’t know if you can accidentally kiss someone.”
“You know what I meant,” I say, some of the heat receding and being replaced by indignation.
The smile slips from his face. “Kai,” he says, lowering his voice so none of the people lingering nearby can hear him, “I could feel their emotions. The doubt and disbelief from the girls. The challenge from the guys. I had to show them. We belong together. You know it and I know it. Now everyone else does too.”
My anger deflates. The earnest look on his face is irresistible. There’s no point in trying. I feel the corners of my mouth tug upward. My heart swells in my chest. Everything he does, he does for me. For us.
In this whole messed up situation, with witches and spells and missing parents, he’s been my one constant. My rock. My savior. As I stand there, in the crowded hallway, swollen lips and pounding heart, I realize one thing. I love him. So much.
Bryce’s eyes go wide and he staggers back, one hand clutched to his chest. I lift a hand and take a step forward but he shakes it off and straightens. A single tear trails down his cheek as he stares at me, his face filled with wonder.
“Bryce, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
“Like what?”
I suddenly find myself being crushed against his chest. His hands are tangled in my hair and his lips are buried in my neck. Confused, I act on instinct and wrap my arms around his waist. His lips burn a trail up to my ear and he whispers, “I love you too.”
“When you come out, you come out in style.”
Ana plops down on the bench across the table from me. Opening her lunch sack, she pulls out two sandwiches and tosses me one. I nod my thanks and tear into it. She passes me a bottle of water and twisting off the cap, I drink half of it in one shot.
“Thirsty?”
“Yeah,” I say, taking a deep breath after my long drink. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I have been drinking water by the gallons and I’m still always thirsty.”
“Huh. Anyway, you want to tell me about that little show you and Bryce put on in the hallway this morning?”
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Kailani!”
“Okay. Fine. Bryce wanted to make sure there was no question about our relationship.”
“Oh, there’s definitely no question. A lot of gossip but no doubt that the two of you are a couple.”
I toy with the water cap, spinning it on the picnic table. The early afternoon sun warms my back as thoughts of Bryce do the same for my insides. My heart skips a beat as I think of his urgent words whispered against my ear in a thick voice.
“Bryce told me he loves me.”
“What? He did?” I nod and she continues, “When? This morning?”
“Yes. In the hallway after he kissed me.”
“Did you say it back?”
I smile. “Yes.”
That isn’t exactly the truth. I never said the words but I must have been broadcasting my emotions. He felt it the second I realized I love him, so hard it knocked him backwards. At least, that’s what I’m assuming happened. We haven’t actually talked about it.
“Wow,” Ana says, pulling me from my thoughts. “That’s…amazing. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
Her face drops. “Have you heard from your mom?”
“No,” I say, frowning.
“What exactly happened?”
“Ana, I want to tell you everything, and I will, just not here. Can you come to Bryce’s house after school?”
“Yeah, I think so. Will Bryce be okay with that?”
“Okay with what?”
Bryce slides onto the bench next to me and stretches his arm across my shoulders. My face burns with a hot blush. I don’t know how to act around him or what to say. His arm drops to my hip and he scoots me toward him, pressing his lips to my cheek.
“Okay with me coming over to your house after school.”
“Um, I don’t-”
“Bryce,” I cut him off. “I need to
talk to her. I need to tell her what’s going on.”
He stares at me hard. “Are you sure?”
“We can trust her. She’s my best friend.”
Ana’s head swivels back and forth between us as we talk. “Are you in the witness protection program or something?”
“Something like that,” Bryce says without taking his eyes from mine.
“Please.”
Making a decision, he nods. “Okay. We’ll tell her everything.”
I smile and press my lips against his. “Thank you.”
“Well, now I’m intrigued,” Ana says, taking a bite of her sandwich.
I laugh and take another long swig of my water. I’m so blessed. I have the greatest best friend in the world, and I have Bryce. My boyfriend. Whom I love. Who loves me back. Despite all the terrible things that have happened, I feel lucky. And I have a feeling I’m going to need all the luck I can get.
Chapter Nineteen
“Are you high?”
“Ana-”
“Because you must be high,” she says, not letting me get a word in edgewise, “if you think I’m going to believe this…” Pausing, she rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “Okay, maybe I could believe Ms. Coraline is a witch.”
“Ana. Stop.”
“No. I don’t know what kind of con you two have going on here but I don’t buy it. And frankly, I’m a little pissed you’re trying to rook me into it.”
“Invisibilia.”
I turn my head at the sound of Bryce’s voice just in time to see him vanish. My heartbeat stutters even though I know the spell. It’s the same one he used on us at the library. A gasp from my left draws my attention. Ana is as white as a ghost, staring at the chair Bryce was…is sitting in.
“Resurgo.”
Ana’s eyes bulge and I look back toward Bryce, who has reappeared right where he was. He smiles at me and I return it, knowing that was just what Ana needed to lose her skepticism. I turn back to her.
“See? We’re not making this up, Ana.”
“B-but…”
“I know this must be a shock,” Bryce says in calm, measured tones.