by Kara L. M.
James found me after school before I could board the bus. “Let me give you a ride home?” He asked. “Yes! But wait I need to get my friend.” I replied. I was elated at the idea of skipping the bus but I couldn’t leave Katie. After I found her we hopped in James’s WRX. I was all smiles as he sped down the hilly rode to my house. I knew then that I would make it through the next month and half of me and Austin’s break.
The soccer game was entertaining as expected. Laying in the sunshine was by far my favorite activity next to watching boys kick some soccer booty. Katie was admiring the players on the field and gushing on who she thought was cuter. I noticed that Zeke would make eye contact with me through the game which was odd and cute at the same time. As if he was telling me a story with his eyes about what was happening next. Right as the game ended the whole team lined up to shake hands but turned their backs to us. It was strange that they were standing there frozen until they flipped over one by one with letters on their shirts that read “Liv, Homecoming?” across their chests. I laughed out of shock as Zeke walked towards me with flowers. His smile was out of this world big. “As friends of course, Liv?” He asked as he offered the flowers to me. “Of course.” I smiled. I accepted the pink roses and gave him a hug. He was sweaty but I didn’t care. I was going to homecoming with a friend and I was unbelievably excited.
That night Katie wouldn’t stop about homecoming. I felt terrible she hadn’t been asked yet but I had a plan to talk to Zeke about one of his soccer buddies. The weekend came and I went dress shopping with Carly. She was the fashion expert and could hardly wait to dress me up. We selected several options and I made my best fashion poses. In the end I chose a strapless black long dress with fake diamonds starting at the neckline and flowing around my waist.
“So Zeke, he is cute Liv.” She smiled at me.
“Yes, were friends but I agree he is cute.”
“Well magical things happen on nights you dress up!”
“Maybe.” I hadn’t given much thought to the romantic side of things. I was honestly more thrilled to have something to do and with a good friend.
That weekend Zeke invited me and my friends to a fire in the mountains. There is nothing like roasting marshmallows under the stars. Everyone had different tactics to make their marshmallow golden but the majority ended up with their marshmallow on fire or burned. I however was the smore expert. I was smart enough to lay out the graham cracker and chocolate before my marshmallow was cooked. The smell of the pine trees made me shiver with memories of Austin. As I stared at my group of friends I knew I should be grateful, but the mountains would always make me miss him. The fire died down to coals and I shivered from the cold. Zeke offered me his hoodie and I happily accepted. I slid it over my small frame, it was large and comfy.
“Thanks Zeke.” I smiled.
“Of course, you excited for the dance?”
“Yes, I got a dress.”
“What color? I want to get a matching corsage”
“Black, but get any color you want.” I realized that black wasn’t a color of most flowers.
“Black sounds hot.” He smiled and poked my side. Suddenly I realized it may be difficult to keep Zeke in the friends zone.
My dreams of Austin had been less frequent up until our chanced meeting when I fell in the hall. Our touch must keep us connected. I will have to work hard to avoid his fingers next time we meet. I noticed him in the halls with messy curls girl and no matter how much I felt that I had moved on I didn’t like her. No one could understand Austin. I wasn't sure I even did completely but I knew our connection gave us a chance if we went for it. I tried to shake the fresh memories out of my head. Curly face seemed to be the pleaser type because she was always wrapped around Austin like his personal shadow.
The school week kept me busy with Samantha dragging me to lunch with the hot seniors in their hot cars. I became a regular to their lunch crowd and I started to enjoy the rebellious lunch hour. Zeke and I were starting to become better friends and life was perfect, except for the gaping hole in my heart. I may have had attention and friends but nothing replaced the feeling of our connection and sureness of our love. The realization of how much I still missed Austin killed the joy from the last week.
Homecoming was tonight and I was ready for the distraction. I slipped my silky dress over my body and I wondered if tonight would be the night Zeke’s friendship would cross a line. I wasn't sure I wanted it to. On one hand I was desperate to feel love again but on the other hand he is a perfect friend and I had done nothing but confuse him this summer. I couldn’t do that again.
I peeked through the blinds and watched an impressive white limo move down our long driveway. Zeke was at the door with a rose for my Mom which I thought was sweet. He was stylish and suave in tan pants, black dress shirt and pink tie. I admired the pink corsage he offered to me. He guessed right on my favorite color. I felt a slight butterfly in my stomach that reminded me how I was attracted to him in that way before. “You are beautiful Liv.” He smiled at me as he slid the corsage over my wrist. After several photos we said goodbye to my Mom and entered the limo. It was already full of his soccer buddies with their dates wearing various shades of the rainbow. I didn’t know any of the girls but I recognized a few of Zeke’s closer friends.
We devoured dinner at a steakhouse and the filet melted in my mouth. Zeke had me laughing like he always did in cooking class. I made friends with a girl next to me in a stunning blood orange dress name Kristy. She was a cheerleader and had fun personality. Once we arrived to the gym for the dance I was delighted that Kristy and I had bonded. We hit the dance floor moving around to hip hop music like a couple of fools. Zeke wasn’t shy and danced around us with some of his buddies. My memory of tonight would last forever. A permanent smile was painted on my face. The music turned slower and couples started to gravitate towards one another. Zeke grabbed my hand and waist and whipped me around. That is when I saw him; he was clinging onto messy curls who was wearing an indecent red dress. My disgust grew with my jealousy. I had to remind myself that tonight was not about him.
“You are the most beautiful girl here.” Zeke complimented. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that I was attracted to him. Every part of him was what I wanted stable, sporty, sweet and exciting with no complications of being an alien. I laughed to myself.
“What?!” He asked. “Nothing, it’s just you look hot yourself and I am having a blast, thank you.” I said. His facial expression displayed the he knew he had won the “It’s just a friend date.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. I blushed. As I glanced over his shoulder I spotted Austin staring at me around curly messes shoulder. Oops he saw the kiss. My stomach dropped. Liv it doesn't matter, he doesn’t matter I said to myself in mantra. But his ocean blue eyes were peering into my soul begging me to be in his arms. I almost floated over to him willingly when I felt Zeke’s warm cheek press against mine.
Austin quit dancing and left the gym, dragging messy curls behind him. I stared at the awkwardness as the song ended. “Let’s get out of here.” Zeke winked. The rest of the night was amusing watching the guys fix us ice cream sundaes and set up an outdoor movie. I tried to forget my interaction with Austin but his jealous eyes were still peeling away my layers. As Zeke and I cuddled I let my body relax and enjoy the moment but my brain wouldn’t shut up. Maybe Austin still likes me? That was a strange reaction for someone who is over me. A bit of triumph worked its way through me wondering if he was ready to end the break too. I started to feel guilty for Zeke who was wrapped around me like a snake. I knew I had to figure out this electric connection I had to Austin if I was ever going to move on. If I was the only human that felt it, what did that mean? Why couldn’t I forget him? The night ended without a kiss, mainly due to my awkward hug while yelling thanks. Zeke the perfect gentleman kissed my cheek and let it be.
Once I tugged all the bobby pins out of my hair I went to my computer and searched alien encounters. I had to know if this elec
tric feeling was common and what it meant for the human. He said he wanted to marry me but what would that make us, two people possibly living forever? The internet search turned up the typical encounters with alien babies in stomachs and things that were so unbelievable I gave up. I knew the shock between us wasn't coincidental. Austin said his people came to Earth to research its resources and that some of them stayed and married. Was it possible that I was a descendant from an alien that passed his gene? It was the only reasonable idea I had come up with.
I thought about my own family line. We were pretty typical except for my great, great grandfather. I decided to search our bookshelves for his diaries. He was the most intelligent in my family line. If anyone was close to being a super intelligent alien it would be him. He was the first to discover vaccines to cure epidemics. I honestly didn’t think that much of it growing up since I had heard the stories many of times. I think my Dad was trying to overshadow the alcoholic death that came with his madness. But is it possible that he was not naturally talented. That his intelligence stemmed from something non-worldly? If genetics worked the way I think they did I may be some part alien. I laughed when I realized how ridiculous that sounded. My family was so boring and I was nothing near intelligent.
I cracked open a journal dated July 1900. “This past week was a blur. I need to stop drinking the moon shine but it’s the only thing that numbs the pain.” What pain is he referring to I wondered? I know him and my Great, Great Grandma stayed together and that he didn't have any physical ailments. I flipped a bit further in. “Marcy is an angel she keeps begging me to summon Octavia but I would never leave her. Not for anything. Better to live out my years and moments as much as I can have them with her. She is my one true love.” That is strange and the name ringed in my head. Octavia was Austin’s home planet. My jaw dropped. I kept reading. “It’s been a month since I have written. I can barely focus on the page. Maybe Marcy was right. I am not me anymore.” There was little after this entry, just a bunch of crazy talk on life and theories of human disease. As I was closing the leather book I noticed a drawing in the back. It was sketched picture of a man with electricity flowing through him written next to it “Electric force within making all things possible for higher life.” I noticed some more text on then the right bottom corner, “Two electric hearts beat as one, continuing life forever.” Chills ran down my back. It was true, my Great, Great Grandfather wasn’t human and a part of me wasn’t either. I shut the book and sucked in a deep breath. Ok Liv, this is what you wanted to know right? It was but it was also difficult to process the fact that it was actually real. Once I had calmed down I opened the diary and examined the back again.
“Two electric hearts beat as one, continuing life forever.” Austin and I felt as one but could this be true? I wasn’t even half alien. Life forever rang in my ears as I became dizzy and smashed my face in the pillow. I wanted answers but now I had no idea what to do with them. I didn’t expect for my identity to be confirmed so quickly. I had researched my Great, Great Grandfather on a hunch. I wasn’t ready to accept what this meant. Three weeks ago I would have wasted no time telling Austin about this. Now I felt all kinds of emotions I didn’t understand. I still loved him. I wanted our break to work to make sure I remained Liv. I hated that he was with another girl even though I pretty much made it happen. I confirmed my DNA which now gave me and Austin a possible future, but now it was my choice and no one else’s. I may stand a chance to be with him forever, but before I choose forever I am going to choose me. Stick out this break and then decide. Was I some freaky hybrid of two different worlds that accidently collided? In some ways the answer made me want to marry him tonight and live my life, but the thought of living forever and not having a normal life terrified me. Later that night I had dreamed that I was ruling the alien planet with Austin. It felt so real that when I awoke I was surprised to be in my bed. It is still my choice, I reminded myself.
The next morning at breakfast I ate slowly still mulling over my thoughts from last night’s discovery. Instead of staying radio silent I sent Austin a short text. “One month closer.” I needed him to know I was thinking of him and of us. That even though we were taking a break I wasn’t giving up yet. With my new knowledge I felt closer to him even though he had no idea. I quickly dressed for school and had a new attitude. I had a month to figure out me and what I wanted.
James was outside my house to pick me up. It was a bit of a surprise but I was elated. He blasted rap music and sped up through the curves as if we were late. We arrived at school and I became Liv, the girl that was going to be normal to see how it is before I give it up forever for the most amazing guy in the universe. The thought of him alone had tempted me to choose him right then. But I knew I had to rule out all regret before choosing him over my human experience.
Chapter 12: A fast connection
The weekend came swiftly and my interactions with Austin were few. I did make sure to smile at him when we passed in the hallway. It took him off guard and I saw his hard eyes melt a bit. That night I was getting ready when Carly called.
“The car guys are going up to a cabin tonight. Tell your Mom you're sleeping at my house.”
“That sounds a bit sketchy!” I replied.
“Well it’s time for you to live a little.” She said. Her words were beyond perfect, I did need to live a little in order to know what I want.
“Ok, let’s do it!” I hung up.
It was rotten to lie to my Mom but I knew this was part of figuring life out. I left with Carly where we met others at the Dan’s Grocery parking lot. The car guys were all lined up. There were a few unknown girls already there. I noticed Dennis staring at me as I shut the car door. Carly and I approached James and he hugged us both. “Hey girls ready to race up Parley’s canyon?” I was curious what kind of driver Dennis was but Tyson pulled me into his car before I could think.
The ride up the dark canyon was thrilling in Tyson’s supra. The sports car only had two seats so we chatted the whole way without interruption. Tyson was into the same music as me which made the ride better. I learned that he worked at an audio shop where he installed subs in cars. We followed in a line racing through each lane up Parley’s Canyon. We exited the freeway to dark road in another canyon. We turned onto a dirt road and we had to go really slow. Once we made it to the cabin I was in awe of the star lit sky. I shut the car door and was about to follow my friends into the cabin when Dennis grabbed me by the arm. “You up for some off-roading?” He said darkly.” I was unsure what to do but Carly’s smile in the dark encouraged me to go. “Sure” I smiled back. We slid into in his WRX and before I could put my seatbelt on he started racing up the dirt trail.
The speed felt odd after riding in the supra on the dirt road at 5 mph. Dennis was a pro as he shifted and maneuvered each turn. We started to climb the mountain near the cabin as we traversed back and forth. Towards the top of the hill the road became narrow and I started to get nervous. “Dennis, you want to slow down, it’s really steep?” I asked nervously. “Liv, this is part of the fun.” He said as he nailed the gas. Suddenly the excitement of being with a cute guy racing around was starting to fade. My fear of heights was kicking in. After five minutes of white knuckle gripping to my seat belt we finally made it to the top. The view of Park City sparkled. We stepped out of the car into the cold mountain air and I shivered.
Dennis popped the trunk and grabbed a blanket. He laid it on the ground near the edge. We were staying. I didn’t know whether to be excited or concerned. I had heard rumors about Dennis but surely he has heard rumors about me. “Come here sexy.” He purred as he stretched out onto the blanket. He called me sexy, I was happy he saw me that way but then suddenly worried now that we are all alone. I walked over to the blanket and sat down.
“You know you for sure have the sexiest legs of all the girls.” He said as he dragged his fingers from my ankle to my thigh. I shivered. I was in trouble. I was attracted to Dennis but I didn’t know him. I may
be would have kissed him at some point but this was just a drive up the hill. What was he expecting? You wanted a break from Austin Liv, I thought to myself, just play it cool. “I bet you say that to all the girls you take here.” I pointed to the glory of the view. He laughed. “But this time I mean it.” The butterfly’s started in my stomach. He then grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. Our lips were sliding back and forth and I could tell he had done this often. This kiss was nothing like Zeke’s innocence or Austin’s electric pulse. This felt dirty and rushed. He bit my lip and kissed more passionately than before. Normally kissing up here with the view would be life changing but all I could think about was how much better it would be with Austin.
My thoughts of Austin had made me join in the kissing more than I would have normally allowed. I was letting myself enjoy it until he started tugging on my shirt. I kept pulling it back down but every time I would succeed he would have it up further. I was getting annoyed by the turn of things and started to push away from him to stand up but then he pulled me forcefully on top of him. “Dennis” I squealed in between a kiss. “That’s right baby, say my name.” He growled. I was furious at this point. How could any guy think he could treat me like this? I was realizing how his attraction level went from an 8 to a 0 just in these last moments. “Stop” I yelled and hit his face. But now he was angry.
He pushed me off him and the momentum hurled me to the gravel ground. My face scraped the rocks and I felt blood trickle. I was in shock at his behavior and was regretting ever feeling anything towards this boy. I expected him to notice his mistake but before I could turn my face to him to show him the damage he was already in his car turning it on. I pushed myself off the ground and he rolled down the window. “If you’re going to be such a tease you can walk back.” He sniped. My mouth dropped open as he tore down the road. Did this seriously just happen?