Lost in Starlight (Starlight Saga)

by Sherry Soule

  Hours later when the lunch bell rings, I can’t get out of class fast enough. Hayden is waiting in the busy corridor for me.

  “You want to go off campus today and eat?” he asks. “So we can be alone?”

  “Definitely.”

  We push down the hall and out the double-doors into the afternoon brightness. We get into his SUV and Hayden drives us to get greasy fast food. We eat outside at the cement tables under huge plastic umbrellas. The cool air brushes our skin and seagulls peck at the crumbs left on the ground.

  Hayden sips his drink, his long bangs covering his one blue eye. My pulse throbs when I look at him. He really is smoking hot.

  “See something you like, Peaches?” He has a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

  I lift one shoulder. “Maybe.”

  He smirks. “Cause I like what I’m seeing.”

  The butterflies in my stomach go wild, and for a crazy second, I want to tickle Hayden just to have an excuse to touch him and witness that incredible smile.

  I shake my head at him. “Shut the hell up.”

  “Language, Sloane,” he taunts.

  “Like yours is any better.”

  “Point taken.”

  Snatching one of Hayden’s deep-fried mushrooms, I dip it into the container of ranch dressing and pop it into my mouth. It tastes heavenly, much like the guy sitting across from me.

  Hayden blushes. “So, last night was fun.”

  “Yeah. It was certainly interesting.”

  “So…um, is that something you’d want to continue at a later date?”

  The air is sucked out from beneath that plastic umbrella in the space of a heartbeat. My mouth dries. Shifting on the bench, I formulate a response that’s a bit more intelligent than a lame, Hell, yeah!

  “That would be permissible.”

  He pushes his food aside, staring deeply into my eyes. Something fervent passes between us, like a magnetized invisible current, linking us together. His long sexy look is like a silent challenge, which makes me sort of uncomfortable, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of glancing away first. His ego might inflate even more, if that’s even possible. So instead, I gaze right back at him, until the air around us sizzles and threatens to go supernova.

  Finally, I surrender and hang my head. Damn him.

  I peek at him through my hair. “You win.”

  “Of course.” A wicked grin quirks Hayden’s lips. “We’d better head back now.”

  Throwing our leftovers in the trash, we drive back to school. Since Hayden and I both have calculus, we walk to class together. But instead of taking his usual seat near Emma, he takes the empty one beside mine again. Emma and Kaitlyn exchange a look, but don’t say anything snotty. Mrs. Brooks bustles in with a cup of steaming coffee and writes on the chalkboard.

  A piece of folded paper lands on my desk. I look over at Hayden, but he’s facing the front, tapping his pencil on the desk. I open the note and read: Still on for the movies tonight @ 7?

  I smile and scribble You betcha, and toss it back.

  Hayden and I part ways after class, but meet up again at the end of the day. He drives me home and says he’ll be back later to take me to the movies. I never even asked what was playing. Who cares?

  Classical music is blaring from my mom’s studio and machine gun fire explodes from my brother’s bedroom. As I pass by his open door, I spot Jonah slouched on a chair in his room with a controller in his hands and his eyes glued to the television.

  I make an early dinner for Jonah and me—parmesan chicken and seasoned tater tots. He only eats the tots and I wrap the leftovers and leave them in the fridge for my mom. My dad isn’t home. He flew to Los Angeles last night to interview someone about the murder trial for the article he’s writing. Back in my room, I do my homework and touch up my makeup.

  By seven o’clock, I’m overly anxious to spend the evening with Hayden. Jonah is busy playing another game when I go downstairs to sneak out and meet Hayden. In the kitchen, I write a quick note telling my mom that I’m going to the movies and leave it on the counter.

  I dash out the backdoor and hike through the wooded area behind my house. The mild heat of April weather blankets the entire island. Bright moonlight gleams on the heads of the remarkable Victorians lining the street with lawns a pretty golf course green.

  I tiptoe across someone’s yard to the main road and look both ways to make sure it’s safe before I dart out into the open. Hayden is waiting in the Range Rover with the engine running and he peels away from the curb as soon as I get inside.

  As we leave the island and drive across the bridge into Oakland, it’s like entering another world. The city is an odd combo of dangerous ghetto, but also beautiful culture, with a lot of diversity.

  On the outskirts of the city, Hayden pulls into the drive-in lot, pays the cashier in the booth, and then parks in the center, so we have a great view of the screen.

  “Is this okay?” he asks, cutting the engine and setting the parking brake. “The drive-in? ’Cause I’m not trying to be a cheap date.”

  Scary movies by starlight? Certainly the way to a horrorphile’s heart.

  I bob my head. “What’s not to like? Staying up late and watching fright flicks while we gorge ourselves on popcorn? Perfect date.”

  A naughty grin appears on Hayden’s lips. My favorite. “I’ll go get the munchies. Be right back.” He hops out and hurries to the concession stand located behind us.

  My iPhone vibrates in my purse and I fish it out. The display reads: Zach Lancaster.

  Great. What does he want?

  Reluctantly, I click open the text and my shoulders cave inwards.

  Zach: Told you to stay away from my brother, fat ass.

  Wow. Tell me how you really feel.

  I grind my teeth and my hands shake. How the hell did Zach get my phone number? I want to text back and tell him off, but the number’s blocked.

  Glancing into the side-mirror, I spot Hayden walking back with his arms full. I turn off my phone, thrust it inside my bag, and decide not to tell Hayden and ruin our night.

  I hop out and rush over to help. He opens the back door, puts the snacks on the seat, and tunes the radio to the drive-in’s station so we can listen to the movie through the car speakers. We sit in the backseat and snuggle under a blanket. The huge tub of popcorn rests on our laps with the sodas secured in the drink-holders.

  Feeling a bit insecure and trying to put the text from Zach out of my mind, I pick up a few kernels of popcorn. I hold one between my fingers and smile.

  “Catch!” I toss the popcorn into the air.

  Hayden moves his head and grasps the fluffy snack between his lips.

  “Your turn.” He picks up a piece of popcorn and tosses it upward.

  I don’t have any super skills, and the popcorn ends up lodging itself in my cleavage. Groaning inwardly, I decide to play it off with humor instead of berating the ginormous tatas.

  “You did that on purpose. Well played.”

  I reach to retrieve the stray kernel and Hayden grabs my hand. “Allow me.”

  He looks into my eyes, as if searching for permission. My heart catches in my throat. His hand reaches out and caresses my cheek, his fingertips trailing down my neck. My skin is hypersensitive, and his touch causes an electric spark to invade every nerve ending in my body. He trails one finger along the base of my throat, creating a lazy path down my chest. His breathing slows, as though he’s willing himself to stay in control. But passion blazes in his eyes once he reaches the errant kernel. Hayden quickly snatches it up and pops it into his mouth, and I giggle.

  We talk a little about the previews, but it’s really obvious that neither of us care much about what’s coming soon to a theater near us.

  I lean my head back against his shoulder, feeling all kinds of utter happiness. My nose is inches away from the skin on his neck, and I inhale his earthy, wild, complex scent. The opening credits roll, but all I can think about is sitting so clos
e to Hayden under a blanket. Alone. In the dark.

  He’s not paying much attention to the screen, either. He keeps stealing glances at my profile and puts the popcorn on the floor near his feet.

  “Your hair smells like wild cherries,” he whispers.

  Reaching out, he caresses my cheek, running his fingertips softly down to my chin, and then he gently nudges my face in the direction of his. Hayden leans closer and kisses the freckle on the right side of my mouth, then places a chaste kiss on my lips, and that’s the end. I’m no longer in control, not of my muscles, or my thoughts, or my emotions. In the electrifying instant that our lips meet my heart belongs to him alone. The kiss deepens, and a slow shudder runs through my body. He becomes bolder and his hands run through my hair, gripping my neck to cradle my head before kissing me passionately again. Electricity fills my body, and the pace of my heartbeat has no pattern. When he pulls back, we cling to each other, as though unsure exactly what it is we need from one another, but silently acknowledging it.

  Oh, my. I’m definitely going to need to rewatch the movie when it comes out on DVD.

  “What are you doing to me?” I whisper, looking up into his blazing eyes.

  Hayden clears his throat. “If I’d never met you, Sloane, I have the strangest feeling that I’d spend the rest of my life looking for someone just like you...”

  And then he kisses me again and again.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  The next day after school, I relax against my headboard, with Jinx in my lap and my Hello Kitty notebook propped up between the pillows. Leaning over as far as I can without disturbing Jinx, my fingers pluck my iPod from the dock and choose OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars,” pressing repeat so the music will play on a loop. Tunes help me think. Unhappy at being disrupted from his nap, Jinx flexes his claws into my thigh to remind me who’s boss.

  I should be studying and finishing my homework, but instead I flip to a blank page in my notebook and tap the end of my fuzzy pink pen on my chin. I need to figure out a way to get out of writing that bio and the hacker piece on Hayden for the Haven Gazette. Instead, I’m preoccupied with all the relationship secrets, the dangerous deceptions, and the raw emotions tainting my heart. Worrying all the time that his family will find out is getting tiresome. I’m not sure I can take this pretending-not-to-be-together much longer.

  Frowning, I decide to make a list.

  Pros of Dating Hayden:

  Hot as Hell

  A Gentleman

  Defender of the Innocent

  Animal Lover

  Saves Lives (Mainly Mine!)

  Good Kisser

  Likes Curvy Girls

  Cons of Dating Hayden:

  Secret Relationship

  Stuck-Up Hybrid Relatives

  Possible Shock Therapy

  No PDA at School

  Threat of Mind-Erase

  The good points far outweigh the bad, and I rub my eyes when Hayden’s gorgeous image haunts my mind. The cons are super scary, but worth the risk. Hayden’s worth the risk. He’s changed my life. Made me feel beautiful for who I am and the way I look. Taught me to be more compassionate of others by observing his selfless acts of bravery and the way he stands up to bullies. His quiet tenderness, romantic heroism, and honorable protectiveness of my well-being.

  All really great attributes. The ones that count.

  Almost as soon as I begin thinking about the other massive “dos and don’ts” for dating alien-hybrids, I realize it really doesn’t matter. Hayden makes me super happy, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

  My cell vibrates on the nightstand shocking me back to reality. Snagging my phone, I knock my notebook onto the floor and flip Jinx out of his comfy spot. The screen’s lit up with my best friend’s face. I have a quick choice to make. Hit the red “Decline” button or the green “Answer” button.

  Do I really want to keep stressing my dating situation with Hayden?

  I tap “Answer” and say, “Masterson Mortuary, you snuff ’em, and we stuff ’em.”

  “Funny.” Viola giggles. “Studying?”

  “Not really. What are you up to?”

  “One of the seniors is having a bonfire tonight at North Shore. Should be fun and I miss hanging with my bestie. Pick me up?”

  Being so wrapped up in “Hayden World,” I’ve been neglecting my best friend duties. And I’ve missed hanging with Viola, too.

  “I’ll be over in a few,” I say and hang up.

  Lifting Jinx off the bed, I give him three kisses on his cute little head. My big toe hits the notebook and I pick it up. These pages contain too many secrets. Maybe I should destroy it.

  The rational part of my brain scoffs. Why bother? Who would even believe it? I review scary movies and mock horror stories, so if anyone ever happened to read my notebook, they would just think I was making this stuff up because I want to be a screenwriter. Now that I think about it…this whole crazy story would make an epic film.

  Undecided, I tuck the notebook safely inside a zippered compartment inside my purse.

  After applying my makeup and brushing my teeth, I dash out of the house. I arrive at Viola’s modest Victorian home fifteen minutes later and honk. She comes running out and gets into the Jetta.

  “Hey, girl,” she says, buckling her seatbelt. “Ready to party?”

  “I’ll be designated driver. You can do the partying.”

  She shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

  I hit the gas and drive us over to the North Shore Beach. Through the windshield, the setting sun’s fiery rays light up the darkening sky in the horizon.

  “Do you think Hayden will be there?” Viola asks, applying dark garnet lipstick in the visor mirror.

  “He hasn’t mentioned it. Maybe I’ll call him when we get there. Are Tanisha and Raymond going?”

  “Tanisha texted me and said they’d be there in about an hour. Something about a major hair dye disaster.”

  I laugh. “What color this time?”

  “Red highlights that turned orange.”

  “Ohhh. Not good.”

  We park in the crowded lot and get out. Most of the senior class is gathered on this remote beach area and getting hammered around a huge bonfire. Bamboo tiki torches have been lit and stuck in the sand around the mingling students, along with blankets and lawn chairs situated at different angles near the roaring fire. Several ice chests filled with beer have been commandeered by the football and basketball teams, and music flows through two speakers attached to someone’s iPod. Even munchies have been provided and kids are roasting hot dogs over the open flame.

  Not one to drink myself silly, I sit on a wool blanket beside Viola and observe my classmates getting progressively drunker and dumber, while obsessing about all things Hayden, and whether or not Tama might still be on the island. And if my secret boyfriend will even show up tonight.

  Good times.

  When a plastic bowl of gummy bears comes within reach, I snag the sugary goodies and cradle it in my lap.

  Viola shakes her head. “Such a sugar junkie.”

  “You get your high, and I’ll get mine.” Grinning, I stuff a few gummies into my mouth.

  “Graduating Seniors! This is our year!” Max Phelps hollers. He’s standing in front of the bonfire and holding up a bottle of beer. “I have an idea. How about a wet T-shirt contest?”

  “Yay! Woo-hoo!” Emma and Kaitlyn cheer in response as they stumble toward him.

  Like I said, drunk and dumb.

  I roll my eyes and glance at Viola. Someone has handed her a beer and she’s chugging the foamy liquid down as if she’s been roaming the desert for days. I spot Zach in the crowd partying with his fellow teammates. His nylon basketball tank is wrinkled, and his board shorts hang low on his hips gangsta-style. Viola lowers the drink and watches Zach closely. The firelight subtly flickers over her heavy makeup and illuminates her black dress and thigh-high boots. Her dark hair is slicked back in a bun and held together by chopsticks.
r />   I nudge Viola with my shoulder. “You need a napkin? You’re drooling.”

  She flinches and shyly smiles. “What? No.”

  “Admit it. You think Zach’s hot.”

  Viola sighs. “He’s got it going on, but I’m not his type. You know, disgustingly perky and blonde?”

  “Like Emma or Kaitlyn?”

  “Exactly. But if he ever wants to visit the dark-side, I’m game.”

  I roll my eyes. “Honestly? I think he’s a major douchebag. Don’t waste your time.”

  “Why are you being such a hater? You’re all buddies with Hayden now. Maybe you can find out if Zach’s single.”

  “No way. Don’t get me involved. He’s not good enough for my bestie.” She looks over at me and I shrug. “He’s not a very nice guy and he’s always cracking fat jokes around me.”

  “That bastard!”

  I nod. “You got that right.”

  Viola slings an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t let him get to you. You’re beautiful, Sloane.”

  I grin and lean my head on her shoulder. “Damn right.”

  “So, what’s going on with you and Hayden? Anything interesting to report?”

  “Not much. We like each other, and we’ve actually become really good friends.”

  “Friends? What’s that about?” She frowns. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Sloane, and it’s more than just puppy-lust.”

  “Doesn’t matter. His family is extremely selective about who he’s allowed to date.”

  She frowns. “What? This isn’t the Victorian age! If you guys wanna be together than you should.”

  “I wish it were that easy,” I mumble.

  If Zach is here, then maybe so is his older brother. I look around for Hayden. As if my gaze is a hybrid-seeking missile, it locks onto his back. I admire those dark wash jeans that frame his perfect butt. Cute. He’s talking to a few guys on the basketball team on the other side of the bonfire. He turns as if sensing my stare and smiles at me with a wink. My heart gallops in my chest, missing some beats, unable to find a regular rhythm.

  Slapping another boy on the shoulder, he makes his way over to us. He’s stopped three times by other girls with enough liquid courage to flirt with him or try to get him to dance, but Hayden politely brushes past each one.