Colliding Skies

by Debbie Zaken

  His face was still impassive, but his cobalt eyes thundered. “You knew it was me practically from the start. I could tell by the things you said and did.”

  I rubbed my forehead, while confusion led to shock, and finally a strange sense of relief. “Yeah. Deep down inside, I knew. I felt you everywhere I went. But I could never find you. So I kept telling myself that it was all in my head. That I was going crazy.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “You thought you were losing your mind?”

  “There were other things I saw. Strange things.” I hesitated, afraid to go on.

  “The dreams?”

  My tongue felt gritty in my mouth. “You know about the dreams, too?”

  “Of course. I was there,” he stated.

  “Whoa! What?” I held up my hands in front of me. “That was real?”

  “Yes, and no. They were dreams. Your dreams. That you pulled me into.” He shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You are not crazy, Skye. Everything you experienced…I think I have a theory that explains it.”

  Anger whirled inside me like a tornado, raising the sting of Taylor’s rebuff to the surface with it. “You have a theory? I asked you in one of my dreams if you were following me and instead of explaining, you developed a theory.” I blinked back bitter tears. “And what is your theory? Because up till now, mine was that I needed to be locked up in a mental institution.”

  He winced. His face, inscrutable before, twisted with shame. “When I saw you the first time— alone in the park, angling your telescope — I was curious about you. But that was it. I never expected to see you again. Definitely not at the State Dinner. The moment I saw you, this strange urge to pull you just came over me. I fought it, but I could not suppress it. So I accidentally drew your energy to me. I think in doing so, something connected us in a way I am not sure how to break. I cannot explain your ability to pull me into your dreams any other way.”

  I dug my fingers into my temples, my head spinning faster than my mind could make sense of it all. “So the hallucinations at the State Dinner, that was you pulling my energy? What does that even mean?”

  “All living organisms on your planet produce electrical fields. Humans in particular generate very strong biofields. That is what I pulled, your energy, or aura as those of you who delve in the mystical call it.”

  “My aura? That’s insane. ”

  “When you ran out of the tent, I went to look for you. I wanted to explain. And then I found you there with that poor, confused man and I thought your life was in danger. After the State Dinner, all I could think about was you. But it was only when I took you home from the coffee shop that I began following you.”

  I stared at him hard. “You saw everything I did, heard everything I said?” Every moment with Taylor, every conversation, every kiss, every fight. Ethan had been there, pulling me away from Taylor, messing with my mind. My face burned with anger and humiliation.

  He cleared his throat. “You are upset. You have every right to be. What I did…stalking, I believe you call it— it was all very wrong. Had I only seen you once, you would have been just another Earthling. An intelligent one, an interesting one, but one I would have forgotten about. But seeing you again…You collided into me like an asteroid. Deviated my orbit.” He shook his head. “When I started following you, I thought that if I could just understand my feelings for you, I could find a way to break the connection. Then you started pulling me into your dreams.”

  My head snapped up. “I pulled you into my dreams. Literally.” Hot tears spilled, as Ethan’s words sunk in. I wiped them away with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. “What parts of the dreams were real and what was my imagination?”

  “The place, the scenery. That was imaginary. But everything else inside the dream— what we said and did, that was real.”

  I replayed the dreams in my head—our conversations, the caresses, the kisses that were never fulfilled. It had all been real. “In the dream, when I asked you if you were following me, you said we’d both found a way to be together. That’s what you meant, isn’t it? Me pulling you into my dream. That was my way to be with you.”

  His gaze intensified. “The notion that I could offer you anything, that this could somehow work, is beyond ludicrous. But if there is the slightest chance, as inconceivable as it all is, I would like to try.”

  I sat very still, as the teardrops ran down my cheeks. Part of me wanted to punch him for getting in between Taylor and me. The other part wanted to throw myself into his arms.

  Ethan’s face darkened. “I would understand if you do not. I will respect your decision. I will leave you alone—find a way to break the connection between us.”

  I rubbed my eyes. It would be easy to blame Ethan, but I was the one who had messed things up with Taylor. By falling for Ethan in my dreams, I’d fallen for him in real life. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my speeding heart. “And if I don’t want to break the connection?” My voice cracked.

  He stared at me, his brows wrinkling. “Are you sure, Skye?”

  This time my voice didn’t waiver. “I want to be with you. I just thought you didn’t want to be with me. But to know that you might feel something for me... ”

  He took a sharp intake of breath and the blue lightning strikes in his eyes roared to life. “Feel something? Skye, you must understand. This is not in our nature. In that sense, we are different from you. We do not experience emotions the way you do. The magnitude of feelings I have for you…it is all very foreign to me and rather alarming at times.”

  “Wait, so you don’t have emotions? You don’t feel happiness, anger or love?” That didn’t quite seem like the Ethan I’d seen until now.

  “No. We do feel, just not with the same intensity as you. Our emotions are not above our reason, as is the case with humans.” He gave me a faint smile. “You have no idea how disconcerting it is when all your life has been ruled by logic and reason, and along comes this bright, beautiful Earthling girl who turns your very own sky upside down.”

  I laughed through the few tears that spilled down. “You think that’s disconcerting? Try being followed by an incredibly attractive alien that you’re in a dreamlationship with.”

  His smile widened to show that perfect little indentation on his chin. “I enjoyed being in your dreams. It was just disappointing to get yanked out every time I tried to kiss you. Why do you think that was?”

  Guilt. My confused feelings for Taylor, probably. But before I could dwell on it too much, Ethan drew closer. Taking me completely by surprise, he ran one finger down my cheek to catch a single teardrop. Mouth agape, I gazed at him as soft electric pulses tickled my face.

  He stared at the drop with an almost fascinated look. “You really are an interesting species. Your emotions are so strong.” Doubt darkened his face. “You should take some time to think about it. This will not be easy, Skye. There will be obstacles and a great deal of opposition. I am sure you’ve seen the news. Not everyone is happy about us being here. And I doubt your parents will readily accept this.”

  The rays of the late afternoon sun shimmered on the water, while I considered what would happen once the world found out about our relationship. There was very little gray area when it came to the Celeians. People were on one of two camps: the pro-alien, who sought to work with the Celeians, and the anti-alien, who called to send them home. It would be a media frenzy.

  They’ll throw bricks at my house, protest on our front lawn.

  I shrugged the thought off. “I don’t care what people think. It won’t change how I feel.”

  His jaw clenched. “There will be opposition from our side, too. Our emotional bonds are not as strong as yours. As a species, our significantly long life-span has corroded those ties. The Magistrate will not understand so easily.”

  “Who’s the Magistrate?”

  “It is a council. Abigail sits on it.”

  “Are you on it, too?”

  “No.” He paused again,
a dark cloud covering his face. “Think it through, Skye. We are not staying on your planet forever.”

  His leaving was not something I’d considered before. But then again, I’d never really considered us a possibility until now. I shook my head. Whatever time we had together, I wasn’t going to waste it thinking. “I think my subconscious has done enough thinking. I’m the one who’s been pulling you into my dreams. I want to be with you, Ethan.”

  He let out a soft breath and stared at the setting sun. “We should go. It is getting late. Everyone is going to start wondering where you are.” He got up, shook the grass of his jeans, and for the first time offered me his hand.

  I stared at his palm and then at him in surprise. He arched an eyebrow and gave me an impish smile. “Take it. It is okay.”

  I hesitated for a second, smiled and then placed my hand in his. I jumped at the strong jolt that shot through me when our skin made contact. It wore off and my hand felt warm in his. I gazed up at him mystified.

  He grinned. “Tomorrow. I will explain it all tomorrow.”

  THE MOMENT WE pulled onto the main road my phone started buzzing like mad. So many missed calls and texts from Emily, Mom…and Taylor.

  Something was wrong and one quick glance at Emily’s last text confirmed my suspicion.

  Taylor found out you left with Celeian hottie and flipped his lid. And your mom just called looking for you.

  With shaky hands, I read Taylor’s texts. The first one summed it all up:

  What the fuck!

  “Is everything okay?” Ethan cast a worried look my way.

  “Not really. I think I might be grounded for life.”

  “Your parents found out.”

  I pressed my fingers to my now throbbing forehead, my chin dropping to my chest. My best strategy was to get the full story from Emily first. She picked up on the first ring.

  “Oh thank God, Skye! I was so worried. I thought something happened to you. I called, I texted.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I had no service. Your texts just came in now. What happened?”

  “Oh, the drama that ensued after you left.” Emily’s voice soared. “Turns out Julia saw you leaving with Mr. Alien Roman God and went straight to tell Taylor.”

  “What? Why would she do that?” She and Taylor had looked pretty cozy walking down the hall together. It didn’t seem like she needed to rat me out to seal the deal.

  “I guess she thought this would score her points with Taylor. According to Lucas, she’s had her eye on him for a while. Says she tried making a move on Taylor before you two were dating, but he wasn’t into it. Sorry, Skye. I had no clue.”

  All those times Julia had sat with Taylor and me at lunch, I hadn’t seen it either. Seeing them together had been an unexpected blow. “Don’t apologize, Em. Just tell me what happened.”

  “So I was by my car talking to Lucas about five minutes after you left, when Taylor came running to us like a madman. He asked me where you were. So I made something up, having no idea Julia had already told him.”

  An uneasy knot tightened around my stomach. “What happened next?”

  Emily barked a cynical laugh. “Let’s just say Julia’s planned sort of backfired. He told me to stop lying and insisted I tell him where you were and who’d you’d gone with. When I told him I didn’t know… he lost it. Skye, when I tell you he was furious, it’s an understatement.

  “When he started yelling at me, demanding that I tell him the truth, Lucas tried to calm him down. But he wouldn’t stop. He was in my face, like literally. So Lucas stepped in between us, saying something about picking on someone his own size. Then he and Taylor got into it. For a minute there, it really looked like they were going to fight. I mean, a crowd started gathering around us waiting for those two to go at it. Luckily, Mr. Vazquez and Coach Foster broke it up before things went too far. After that, Taylor just ran off. I was too shaken to drive, so Lucas took me home.”

  I pressed my eyes closed, remembering the anger I’d seen on Taylor’s face the night of the party. He’d been hurt then too. But he was with Julia now. So why had he lashed out at Emily?

  “Em, I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah, it’s okay. No big deal. I guess Taylor going ballistic like that caught me off guard. I’m just glad Lucas was there. But Skye, you should talk to him. Like today. He’s going to do something crazy if you don’t.”

  My gaze sank to my jeans. Taylor had been the one to break it off. The one who hadn’t talked to me in a week. So why had he flipped out like that? But even if I was with Ethan now, both Taylor and I needed some closure. I gave my head a shake. I had more serious matters to think about now. “Okay. But what about my mom? She knows I’m not with you?”

  “Yeah, I think Taylor must’ve called your house. I don’t know what he told her, but when she called here looking for you, Lucas and I had gone to get my car from school. My mom, of course, told her you were never here.”

  I glanced at Ethan, wondering if his mind powers worked on mothers. “I’m in real trouble, Em. Sorry for dragging you into this mess.”

  “What kind of bestie would I be if I didn’t take some heat for you? I’m just glad you’re safe. I was really starting to regret letting you go with him.”

  “No, I’m fine. More than fine, actually.” I cast a timid smile in Ethan’s direction.

  “Oh…So I take it you’ve resolved some of those complications?” She teased.

  “Yeah, you could say that.” The goofy grin on my face didn’t go unnoticed by Ethan because he smiled back. “Listen, I’m almost home. I’ll call you later.”

  If I’m not locked up in my room for the rest of my life.

  Ethan parked the car a few houses down from mine. His gaze shifted to me, grimacing. “How bad is it?”

  “Oh, pretty bad. My mom is either going to kill me or imprison me for life.”

  His lips twitched upward. “Well, lucky for us I can easily prevent either one of those things from happening. But I doubt we will need such extreme measures.” At the puzzled look on my face, his smile became secretive. “Tomorrow…All mysteries will be revealed tomorrow.”

  I sulked as reality sunk in.

  “Yeah, about that… I don’t think you understand just how much trouble I’m in. I went AWOL on my mom today. I’m pretty sure that’s grounds for major punishment in her book. The only way we’re going to see each other tomorrow is in my dreams.”

  And after my parents find out about Ethan, I’m probably going to be pulling him into my dreams from within the walls of a convent, or a padded cell.

  “No, it is you who does not understand,” Ethan replied. “Your parents cannot keep me from seeing you. They can lock you up in a twenty-foot tower in the middle of the wilderness with no staircase, doors or windows and I could still get you out. So slipping you out of your house tomorrow night? Child’s play.”

  The wicked grin playing on his lips sent my heart racing.

  So worth sneaking around behind my parents’ back for.

  I cleared my throat, and tapped my fingers on my lap. The red door of my house had never looked so threatening.

  “You are nervous.” He caught my eye.

  “A little.”

  More than a little. I was downright chicken when it came to facing the fury that could be Mom.

  I took a deep breathe. “But it doesn’t matter. Nothing they do can keep me away from you. And since I can zap you into my dreams…”

  He smiled and traced my cheek with the back of his hand. I quivered under his touch. I breathed in deep trying to hide the effect he had on me. But something about his amused grin told me he saw through it.

  “I will not be far, if you need me. But I promise to give you your privacy. I will not listen to your conversations.” His hand paused on my cheek as his gaze drew me in. “Regardless of whom you have them with.”

  The tantalizing heat that glided up my neck at his touch suddenly left a cold shudder trailing on my spine when I understo
od he was referring to Taylor.

  “Midnight tomorrow,” he said. “I will wait for you under your window.”

  “Okay, but I still don’t know—”

  “Shh…” He pressed a finger to my lips. “Everything will be fine. No more worrying.” His eyes lingered on my mouth as he caressed my bottom lip. Little waves of minty energy filled my lungs, running like soft currents down my chin and across my cheeks. He leaned in closer, his breathe electrifying and warm against my skin. With bated breath and lids closed, I waited for him to close the distance between us. And then, I felt him lurch back. I opened my eyes and found him leaning back in his seat, the sapphire currents in his eyes dim and a dark look straining his features.

  “Skye…” He let out a sigh. I still want you to think about what you could be risking by being with me. You probably should not tell anyone until you have fully thought this through.”

  I stared at him as I fought the wave of disappointment washing over me. He had been about to kiss me. Why had he changed his mind? I took a deep breath, and when I had collected my senses, I nodded.

  Once out of the car, I began the long, hard walk to my hour of judgment. I hadn’t even closed the front door when I heard Mom’s frantic voice calling from the living room.

  “Skye? Is that you?”

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Oh, thank God!” She ran to me and pulled me into her arms, almost knocking the breath out of me. The force of that single gesture conveyed the fear and panic that coursed through her. But when she released me, her hazel eyes flamed with anger. “Don’t ‘Hi, Mom’ me, young lady. Where on earth have you been? I’ve been worried sick!”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to worry you,” I mumbled in guilt.

  “You didn’t mean to worry me? You lied to me! You told me you were going to Emily’s and then you disappeared. No one knew where you were for hours. Not Emily, not Taylor. You didn’t answer your phone. Do you know how scared I was? The kind of things that went through my mind?”

  “I’m really sorry. I just… had to do something and I didn’t have signal. I had no idea you were looking for me. If I had, I would’ve called. I swear.”