There was a slight possibility I would run in to Andrew tonight, as he did have a Tuesday night class, but I doubted it since we were in different buildings. That was a relief with the way things had gone so far today.
The day passed by rather quickly as I cleaned out my closet, deciding to donate some clothes to the women’s shelter. Ryan had asked me to volunteer this upcoming Saturday, and I didn’t want to show up empty handed.
Opening up to Andrew about my mother was the beginning of my healing, which made it possible for me to even consider going through some old boxes in the basement. The fact that it would benefit women at the shelter was also helpful. I found a few nostalgic items that I decided keep, but the rest could be donated. My mother was never going to wear her clothes again, but at the time of her death, I refused to let go of any of her belongings. There were still boxes I was unable to open due to their contents—contents I couldn’t bring myself to look at yet.
I headed out to the garage to grab the unmarked box that I had stored my mother’s pictures in, deciding it was a good time to put them back out—if not for myself—than for my father’s sake. Maybe this would be what we both needed to really heal.
After meticulously placing each picture back where it had been, I remembered the golden colored book that I had taken to California with me. It had been my mother’s favorite book. She enjoyed mythology, which was what I happened to be studying in Andrew’s class. I swiftly ran upstairs. Retrieving the remaining piece of luggage that I purposely left unpacked when I had arrived back home, I pulled out the book and placed it on my shelf. I planned on staying home for a while—so it would stay here, where it belonged.
After returning the book to its rightful place, it was time to get ready for school. I jumped in the shower. As I headed out the door, I grabbed a quick snack.
Touching the screen on my phone, I checked the time, as I had decided to wait out in the parking lot to see if Ryan was actually going to show up for class this evening. It wasn’t long before he pulled up in his old truck, spewing a trail of exhaust smoke.
I stood, leaning up against my car, gazing in his direction. He slid out of the truck.
“Hey,” he smiled.
“You’re in trouble,” I joked.
“Oh no, what did I do?” he asked grinning widely.
“Skipping school is bad and forbidden.”
“I’m guilty,” he admitted playfully.
“What were you up to?”
“Didn’t you get my million calls and messages?” he asked confused.
“No.” I replied. My new infatuation with Andrew must have temporarily blocked out reality.
“Weird.” His forehead creased. “So how was your weekend?” he asked cheerfully.
“Same ole same ole,” I lied—but it was necessary—Ryan despised Andrew.
“Me, too.”
“Did you work?”
“Yep.”
“Speaking of work, did you still want me to volunteer this Saturday?” I asked hopeful.
“Of course.” He nudged his shoulder against my arm.
“I did some cleaning around the house today, and I have a couple boxes of clothing that I’d like to donate. Would that help?”
“Sure,” he smiled. “You’re pretty trendy, so I’m sure they will enjoy the selection.”
“Oh please, I’m not that trendy. It’s been awhile since I did any shopping,” I half-smiled. “Actually, some of it’s my mom’s.” My voice dropped ever so slightly.
“Oh.”
“I didn’t go through all of her stuff, but it doesn’t make sense to keep the clothes when others can use them.”
“That’s sure nice of you, Haley,” he said softly.
Ryan swung his long arm over my head as he reached for the glass door leading into the Literature building. The smell of school, which was hard to describe—kind of a mixture between pencil shavings and new carpet—filled the air as we walked inside. Ryan’s hand lightly brushed mine as we proceeded down the hall, but I didn’t feel any sparks, as I had with Andrew.
My feelings for Ryan were very different than my feelings for Andrew. Ryan was definitely in the friend category, but I still wasn’t decided where Andrew fit in. However, I was definitely certain it wasn’t in the same category as Ryan. We stopped in front of my Literature class. Ryan shot me an uncomfortable glance.
“What?”
“Please don’t be mad,” he begged anxiously.
“Mad about what?”
“Umm…I ran in to Stacey and Kelly the other day, and they mentioned seeing you at the bookstore the other night,” he explained nervously.
My face dropped, and I was certain he immediately realized it. “Yes they did.”
“Were you there with Andrew?”
“Yes. I was sitting with Andrew, but I didn’t go there with him,” I clarified. “We just sort of ran in to each other.”
“Is there something going on between you two?”
“No,” I answered slightly irritated.
“Don’t be upset, I was just wondering.”
“I’m not upset with you, but the fact that everyone in this town is so worried about what everyone else is doing.” I rolled my eyes.
“This is Boulder, and you aren’t just any girl.”
“I’m a normal girl,” I insisted.
“You wish,” he smiled.
“Ryan, there’s absolutely nothing special about me.”
“Haley, please, you’re wrong about that, and everyone around here knows it.”
“Well, I better get going,” I said, grabbing the doorknob, wishing to cut our conversation short.
“See you after class?”
“Yep, see you then,” I smiled, pushing open the classroom door.
I kept glancing at the clock every few minutes, as I sat through an excruciatingly long discussion of the book we just read. Like me, most of the other students were dumbfounded as to why this was a reading choice, but I just assumed Mrs. Langley, my Literature teacher, was dreaming of an affair with a mysterious stranger.
She assigned our new reading material, which seemed more appropriate for the class, and let us go forty-five minutes early, which was highly unusual. After waiting for the other students to file out first, I eventually made my way out into the hall. I glanced over at the bench where Ryan usually sat, as his teacher typically let out early, but it was empty.
An obnoxious laugh burst out from behind the adjacent wall. I turned my head to see what was happening. To my horror and shock, Camilla Callaway, Ryan’s ex-girlfriend and my biggest rival in high school, was standing up against the wall outside of his classroom laughing with an unfamiliar girl. There was no way I was waiting for Ryan now, she was someone I did not want to run in to. I searched for the nearest exit.
7
Calamity
My heart pounded as I snuck out the second story double door of the Literature building, figuring it was safer to take the outside stairs to the parking lot. I looked over at the History building and thought about Andrew, but decided against heading there, fearing I might seem too eager.
We did, after all, have plans tomorrow night, and the time apart might be good to clear my mind of all immoral thoughts—the ones that had been swirling in my head since Saturday. There was a light, cold mist in the air that lightly wetted my face. I nearly slipped walking down the stairs as I had worn a pair of boots that apparently did not have much traction.
An unusually warm, but familiar, hand caught my arm before I could tumble down the concrete stairs, surely injuring myself. Sparks emitted from his hand and throughout my body. There was no doubt to whom the hand belonged.
“Andrew,” I smiled, widely, elated to see his captivating face once more.
“A little slippery out tonight,” he commented, grinning lightly.
“You always catch me at my worst moments.”
He popped open a large, black umbrella and held it over us. “I like to believe I’m just luc
ky enough to be in the right place at the right time,” he smiled.
“I’m not quite sure lucky is the word you’re looking for,” I laughed. “Maybe cursed is a better choice.”
“No, I still believe lucky is the word.”
“Did everything go smoothly with your brother?” I asked, remembering back to his earlier comment on Saturday about his relationship with his siblings.
“Oh, yeah, it did.”
“That’s good,” I smiled anxiously–hoping that tonight’s ending would be different than last night’s.
“How did class go tonight?”
“Boring, but at least we’re done with that book.”
“Good, well not for the boring part, but that you’re happy.”
“How was your class?”
“Also boring, the same old tales of ancient battles between Gods that despised one another,” he sighed, as he stared off into the distance.
“Even though they aren’t real, they’re still more interesting than a married woman having an affair,” I scoffed.
He looked back down at me. His lips parted as if he was about to speak, but he immediately stopped, pressing them firmly together. His face appeared pained, but only momentarily. “Any plans tonight?” he asked, now smiling again.
“Nope.”
“Did you eat before you came to school tonight?”
“No, actually I didn’t.” I smiled at the anticipation of spending more time with him.
“So would you like to go out to dinner?” he asked hopeful.
“Hold on a second,” I smiled, as I tilted my head toward him—waiting for a second.
He stood there with a blank look on his face. “Hold on for what?”
“I was waiting to see if your phone would ring,” I teased playfully.
“Oh,” he smiled. “Not a chance tonight—if my phone rings, I’m not answering,” he winked.
I liked the sound of that—just the two of us alone with no distractions—except for my inner struggle.
“I’ll take you anywhere you desire,” he offered graciously.
There were quite a few places I would prefer to go, but my earlier conversation with Ryan came to mind. If Boulder residents were beginning to talk about a chance meeting that I had with Andrew at the bookstore, then seeing us out together again at a restaurant would surely cause further gossip. I was more concerned about Andrew than myself, considering he was my professor and it might affect his job or reputation.
“There are several places that come to mind, but I think somewhere quiet and further out of town would be best,” I suggested anxiously, hoping he took no offense.
“Are you afraid someone might see us together?”
“I don’t want to get you in any trouble with the university,” I said softly.
“Haley, I told you teaching is merely a distraction. I would resign if they gave me any problems.”
“My company is not worth your job.”
“I beg to differ,” he smiled.
“The girls can be horribly mean and rude around here, and I don’t want them causing you any trouble,” I insisted. Our encounter at the bookstore immediately came to mind.
“If it puts your mind at ease, we can dine somewhere outside of town. As long as we can be together, I don’t mind the setting.”
My heart fluttered. No, it more than fluttered—it raced. Attractive men had come my way before, but none of them had ever been so gracious and alluring. Our bodies were only inches away from one another’s, but even without touching, I could feel the warmth his body emitted.
“There’s an old diner about twenty miles outside of town on highway two eighty-seven,” I suggested.
“Sounds like a quiet, cozy place.”
“It is. I’ve been there several times,” I assured, trying to calm myself.
“A place you and your father go?”
“No. I go there alone sometimes to gather my thoughts.”
“Oh, Haley, you shouldn’t be out there alone.” He flashed a look of concern. “It could be dangerous,” he warned gently.
“I have mace,” I responded confidently.
“I don’t think that guarantees complete safety. Mace may stop one person, but not several,” he advised.
We began our descent down the concrete stairs. I held onto the cold, metal railing, careful not to have a repeat of earlier and go tumbling down the stairs, especially in front of him. He continued to hold the large umbrella over our heads as we walked alongside one another. His skin glowed ever so slightly, leading me to worry once more—not about his golden glow, but about my mind creating such an illusion in order to protect itself.
I was confident that within time, my mind would stop creating these delusions once I truly healed. Braden had nothing to do with healing any longer. Eventually, I would have to face my mother’s death head on, so I could be happy again—truly happy.
He held his passenger side door open for me. I guess I hadn’t really thought about how we were going to travel to the diner, but I figured I would have driven since I knew the way. However he insisted on driving. Nervously, I slid into the seat, feeling the cool, black leather beneath me and exhaled deeply. My door shut, and he slid inside the driver’s seat rather quickly.
“Nice car,” I smiled, as I examined the interior.
“Thanks.”
“I’m assuming you like fast cars?”
“Yes, even this one isn’t fast enough,” he smirked.
“I know a little about cars, since my father owns a dealership, and I’m pretty sure there isn’t a faster car than this one.”
“Jack Helms, right?”
“Yes, that’s my dad. How did you know his first name?”
“I’ve seen his commercials,” he smiled.
“Oh, god,” I moaned.
“He’s quite entertaining.”
“Something like that,” I grumbled.
“It’s too bad he doesn’t sell foreign.”
“Why’s that?”
“I would’ve purchased a car from him.”
“Not big on American cars?”
“They’re all right, I guess. But this has a V-12 engine and lots of power. I can’t find that in an American car,” he grinned widely.
“No, you definitely can’t.”
There was a brief moment of silence as we headed out from the university. The smooth ride of his car could put a person to sleep if they weren’t as exhilarated as I was to be so close to him once again. I frantically racked my brain for topics to fill the time and avoid any awkward silences.
“So did you get a chance to read your book?”
“The reincarnation one?” he clarified.
“Yes.”
“Yeah, but nothing scientific, just speculative jargon and a few alleged experiences.”
“Yeah, it was a little disappointing, but it made for good reading at the time,” I said softly.
He lightly touched my hand with his—my body tingled throughout.
“What other books do you enjoy reading?” he asked curiously.
“I can’t tell you, you’ll laugh,” I blushed.
“I won’t laugh,” he promised.
“Just those silly vampire romance novels.”
“You like vampires?”
“No, but I like the love stories,” I admitted shamefully.
“So you still believe in love?”
“Oh, yes, very much so, but just not sure if it’ll ever happen to me.”
“You’re preposterous,” he said lightly. “Love will happen for you. Remember what I said, your heart has to be available in order to receive it,” he reminded.
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about,” I sighed. “What if I never heal from her death?”
“You will,” he said softly. “You will.”
“I hope so.”
“So is it just the love story or something else that you’re fond of in these novels?” he asked, continuing.
“Maybe it�
�s the danger of their love. He craves not only her love, but also her blood. And still, he denies everything he is to be with her.”
“Is that what you desire?”
“Well, yes, but obviously vampires don’t exist, and I doubt any human male could love so deeply that they would give up everything for the one they loved.”
A weird expression spread across his face, but it was difficult to tell what he might be thinking.
“What about immortality?” he asked uneasily. “Would you choose that?”
“If there was a possibility of immortality, I don’t know. I mean, on one hand, it would be nice to live forever, but what if heaven is real, and I miss the opportunity of seeing my mother again?” I pondered.
“Immortality seems like a curse, but could be bearable if the one you loved was with you for eternity,” he smiled softly as he stared out the windshield.
It was hard not to stare, as his eyes seemed to sparkle even more brilliantly than ever before. I wasn’t sure if it was the illumination from the dashboard or if somehow my delusions were becoming more powerful.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked, interrupting my apparent stare.
“No.” I shook my head. “Why?”
“You keep flashing a suspicious look my way,” he grinned.
He had noticed. “Oh, it’s nothing…just hallucinations, I think.” I bit my lower lip as I anxiously answered.
“I thought you said you were alcohol and drug free,” he smirked, referring back to our conversation at Woody’s.
“I am. I don’t use drugs,” I promised.
“Then what are you hallucinating about?”
“It’s nothing, really,” I said, desperately not wanting him to think I was crazy.
“No, it’s something,” he smiled. “You have been flashing these same, unusual looks since Saturday at the bookstore.”
My stomach knotted. “I-it’s just your eyes.” My voice cracked.
“Oh, that again,” he said.
“Sorry, it’s just me.”
“What do my eyes look like to you?” he asked, continuing to entertain my ridiculous delusions.
“Like sparkling gemstones,” I uttered without thinking.
“Gemstones,” he muttered, keeping his eyes on the road.
Discern (Discern Saga, Book #1) Page 10