Enigma

by Aimee Ash

  “Tell me what your mother meant when she said that you and Seb will have to learn to live together to stay alive?”

  Jack sat next to me, and my heart pounded as I anticipated his answer.

  “There’s no easy way to tell you this, Kate.”

  “Just say it. Whatever it is, I can handle it.” I placed my hand over his and listened to his heavy breathing.

  “If I die, Seb will die, too.”

  I couldn’t believe it; Sebastian’s curse had backfired. I needed air. I stood up, walked over to the French doors, and threw them open, stumbling onto the patio.

  “Kate, you have to understand that when you break my heart, Seb will die too.”

  I felt disoriented. Now I was responsible for two people and would eventually kill them. My knees buckled as I struggled to breathe, and Jack caught me.

  Suddenly, what had once felt so right began to feel so incredibly wrong.

  CHAPTER 16

  I hadn’t slept well and when I woke up, I had a terrible migraine. I’d been thinking about Sebastian attending Long Beach University with me and Jack. He was double-majoring in Art and English Literature like me, and would probably be in some of my classes, which would infuriate Jack.

  I threw my bag over my shoulder and headed downstairs to the kitchen, where my mother and Heather were sitting at the table with a selection of herbal teas, which smelled putrid. I grabbed some breakfast and hoped to eat without an interrogation from them, but I knew they’d be itching to quiz me.

  Heather took a sip of her tea. “Kate, how was dinner with your boyfriend’s family? They seem very private and I must say that the parents look a little odd—country-like. Did you get any gossip?”

  “No, there’s nothing to tell, really.”

  “So, tell us what they’re like. Are they poorer than us?”

  Giving myself time to think of an answer, I stuffed a large piece of pancake into my mouth.

  “Darling, were they nice to you?” my mother asked. “Did they have hired help? Oh, did they use real silverware? What did they serve for dessert? You know I can always tell what a family is like by what dessert they choose.”

  I took another bite, wondering how my mother became so shamelessly tactless, and thought about how I would answer her barrage of questions.

  “Yes, Mom, they were very nice. They’re a lovely family. Very different from ours. Yes, they had hired help, but they don’t have a regular staff; they find it unnecessary. They used real silverware and we had ice cream with meringue and fresh strawberries for dessert. Now, can I eat my breakfast in peace?”

  So I embellished the truth, but she’d never know.

  “Well, their standards are obviously a lot lower than ours if they served ice cream for dessert. Very cheap! I feel offended for you, Kate. I suppose they did at least have fresh strawberries, although I doubt they were organic.”

  “What’s the difference between organic and non-organic strawberries, Mom?” I asked.

  “Oh, Kate, I do wonder where you came from,” my mother said.

  I was used to my mother’s bitchy nature, and had learned over the last few years to let her comments go through one ear and out the other. I ate the last piece of pancake and walked out of the kitchen, enjoying my mother’s disappointment over my not revealing anything sordid about Jack’s family.

  When I got outside, I waited by my car for Jack, and as he approached me, thunder raged in his eyes. “Get in the car, Kate,” he said, throwing himself into the front passenger’s seat and playing with the stereo. “Hurry up will you?”

  As I placed my bag in the back seat, I heard footsteps and turned around. Sebastian was leaving his house and I realized that he was the source of Jack’s bad mood. But it seemed wrong to drive off without Sebastian when we were all going to the same place. Ignoring Jack, I waved and shouted, “How are you feeling Sebastian? Are you nervous about starting college?” Seb walked over to me and I leaned against the trunk.

  “What are you doing, Kate? We have to go!” Jack yelled. I felt like Jack was a ticking time bomb.

  Sebastian smiled. “Thanks for asking, Kate. I’m feeling great, but a little nervous about college, although I’m looking forward to being with you guys.”

  Jack leapt out of the car. “Don’t think for a second that you’ll be hovering around us! You can make your own friends and leave us alone.”

  Sebastian looked disheartened. “Jack, all I’m doing is talking to Kate. She called me over.” He looked at me. “Sorry Kate, I think it’s best if I go.”

  “Yeah, you do that,” he said, getting back into the car.

  “Thanks for being polite, Kate. Nice car by the way. Let me grab my bike and I’ll follow you to school.”

  “You’re bike’s awesome.”

  “If you want to go for a ride sometime, just let me know.”

  “Thanks.”

  Sebastian walked away and just as I was about to get into the car, Jack leapt out again and grabbed Sebastian by his neck. Sebastian didn’t even attempt to fight him off.

  “Jack, stop it! What’s wrong with you?”

  Sebastian looked surprised by his brother’s reaction.

  “Stay away from Kate!” Jack said. “Don’t even look at her, Seb!” Jack released his grip and Sebastian fixed his collar and picked up his bag.

  “What do you think I’m going to do to her, Jack?”

  There was a hint of purple emerging in Jack’s eyes and I began to panic.

  “I don’t trust you!” Jack shouted.

  “I shouldn’t trust you, Jack. But I’m giving you another chance.”

  “You ruined my life, Sebastian! Why’d you come back?”

  “I’m not going to drag up the past, Jack, but you should’ve listened to Mom and stayed away from Kate. But you couldn’t do that, could you? Because you’re selfish, and now you’ve ruined both our lives!”

  I held Jack’s arm.

  “It was already too late. We’re meant to be together,” Jack said.

  Sebastian looked at me and shook his head; his green eyes were woeful.

  “I’m in love with Kate and she’s in love with me. She knows all about the curse you’ve tainted us with, and we’ll deal with whatever happens, together. So whatever trouble you intend on bringing us, know that nothing will tear us apart!”

  “Please, stop this. Let’s go,” I said, and walked back to the car. Jack followed me.

  “You’re unbelievable, Jack. How could you be so selfish when you’re ruining Kate’s life?” Sebastian called out. “And Kate, whatever you think you feel for Jack, it isn’t real. The curse is influencing your feelings. You two are like magnets drawn to each other in a perfect fantasy. Jack, you knew that the girl you fell in love with would suffer, and you’re delusional if you believe she loves you.”

  “Get out of here!” Jack yelled out of the window, and I saw him tightening his fists.

  Sebastian walked away shaking his head, and I drove off before Jack had the chance to get out of the car.

  After the eventful morning, I was late for class. It had taken me ages to calm Jack down. Luckily, there was a slide show presentation on the history of art, so I snuck into an empty seat. As I pulled out my notebook, my pen fell on the floor. Before I had a chance to retrieve it, someone picked it up for me. I whispered “Thank you,” and recognized the ring on the person’s hand. I looked up and saw Sebastian sitting next to me.

  Feeling awkward, I thought of how Jack would feel if he saw me sitting next to his brother, but I smiled, trying to be polite. Then I scanned the room for another available seat, but they were all taken. Sebastian must have seen how edgy I was acting.

  “Relax, Kate. I only passed you a pen. The last time I checked, that wasn’t a crime.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh quietly. Sebastian was grinning and his smile was mesmerizing. After a while, I felt comfortable next to him as we sat taking notes. When class was over and everyone bolted out of the room, I opened my bag an
d reached for my cell.

  “Checking to see if your boyfriend texted you?”

  “Actually, I’m checking the time,” I lied. I didn’t think it was a good idea to engage in a conversation with Sebastian; Jack wouldn’t like it.

  “Well, why don’t you just ask me? It’s 11.45am.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you were wearing a watch,” I said.

  “I don’t wear a watch and I don’t have a phone,” he casually replied.

  “Then how do you know the time?”

  “Well, it’s now 11.47am. I’m always aware of the time. I’m like a not-so-human clock. Go ahead and check your phone,” he said.

  I couldn’t believe that he’d be able to know the time, so I went ahead and checked my phone. He was right; it was 11:47am. I was stunned. Jack hadn’t told me that he had this gift.

  Sebastian laughed.

  “How do you do that?” I asked.

  “It’s amazing really. First, I start by lifting my head and slowly looking around the room, and then I find a clock.” He laughed again, and I couldn’t help laughing with him.

  “So what’s the food in the cafeteria like?” Sebastian asked.

  “Edible, I guess.”

  “Well, I’m off to find out. I’ll see you around.”

  When Sebastian left the room, I sat alone, intrigued by him, and wishing that I could get to know him better. But then I felt guilty, like I was somehow betraying Jack. Then, I realized that I was supposed to be meeting Jack in front of the cafeteria. I grabbed my bag and ran out of the classroom, hoping that Sebastian wouldn’t bump into his brother; Jack was probably still in a foul mood after their earlier disagreement.

  With Jack in my sights, I ran over to him and gave him a hug. He threw his arms around me and kissed my forehead. From the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian talking to a group of doe-eyed girls, but it didn’t look like he’d been the one to initiate conversation; the girls were obviously standing in his way.

  “Just look at him lapping up all the attention he can get,” Jack said. He pulled me in front of him and wrapped his arms around me.

  “He’s just talking.”

  “Kate, you don’t know my brother like I do.”

  There was an awkward silence between us.

  “Why don’t we find somewhere off-campus to have lunch?” I asked.

  “No. I’m not going to let my brother run me out of school.”

  Sebastian looked up and waved at us. I smiled and waved back. Jack put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me away.

  “Jack, what are you doing?”

  “I don’t want you getting friendly with Seb. We need to keep our distance.”

  “Well, that’s going to be difficult; he’s in my art and English classes.”

  Jack tensed up and looked over at his brother, who was still fighting off the girls around him.

  “That’s so typical of him. He probably had this all planned.”

  “How would he have known ahead of time that I’d be in his classes?”

  “Kate, please stay away from my brother as much as you possibly can. Take my warning seriously, please.”

  “I’ll try,” I said, half-heartedly.

  A girl pushed through the crowd passing out pink flyers. I took one and I read it.

  Beach Party Tonight

  8.00pm

  Bring your own beer!

  I hadn’t been to a party in ages and had heard that beach parties in Long Beach were awesome. I looked excitedly at Jack and he told me that he would pick me up at seven-thirty.

  After dinner, I ran straight to my bedroom, remembering the party dresses that I’d bought. I grabbed them from my closet, laid them on my bed, and studied them, thinking about which one would look the sexiest. I chose the short, thigh-high, emerald-green dress, which was low-cut enough to be sexy, but not trashy. There were tiny, silver sequins around the haltered neck, which sparkled beautifully. I shimmied into the dress and slipped on a pair of black flip-flops. After applying my makeup, I put on my emerald earrings and a matching diamante bracelet.

  I took one last look in the mirror and couldn’t help smiling at the woman I saw. I tiptoed downstairs without my parents seeing me, and Tobias quietly opened the front door for me. I smiled, appreciating his discretion, and I noticed that he was in an unusually good mood.

  Jack was waiting outside and I could tell that he liked my outfit. He handed me a bottle of beer and held my other hand, appearing very relaxed.

  I loved the relaxed Jack.

  CHAPTER 17

  The beach was crowded and it looked like everyone was having a good time. Someone had constructed a raging fire on the sand and the ocean was calmer than it had been in days. Girls paraded around in bikinis and couples frolicked in the water. Jack was on his third beer and was becoming quite loud. I was only on my second and felt fine.

  Taking a step back, I watched Jack joking around with his football friends and the cheerleaders. Jack was now captain of the team and everyone was celebrating his new title. Someone handed him a beer and Jack waved it in the air, making some kind of slurred toast.

  “How long has he been acting like that?”

  Startled, I turned around and stared into Sebastian’s green eyes. He was the last person I had expected to see.

  “What do you mean? Acting like what? He’s just having fun, Sebastian,” I said defensively.

  “Kate, you don’t understand. Alcohol affects us differently than it affects humans.”

  I hated the way Jack and Sebastian separated themselves from humans, like they were from another planet.

  “I’m guessing Jack didn’t tell you that,” Sebastian continued, looking worried.

  “What do you mean alcohol affects you differently?”

  Sebastian sighed. “One alcoholic drink affects us like we’ve drunk at least three. How many has Jack had?”

  Panic writhed through my body. “He’s on his fourth, I think.”

  “So he’s actually on his twelfth drink, which is a disaster waiting to happen. We have to get him home.” Seb looked at me and I agreed. He was looking out for his brother and I was glad that he was with me.

  “I don’t understand why he’d allow himself to get this drunk. This isn’t like him.”

  We watched Jack drape himself over the guy next to him so that he wouldn’t fall over.

  “Kate, this is very like Jack. He’s a great guy, but there’s a lot you don’t know about him.”

  Despite Jack’s stupidity, I wanted to get him home before he did something he’d regret.

  “What are we going to do?” I asked, but Seb already looked like he was planning something. I had no idea how Jack would react to an intervention by Seb, of all people.

  “First, we need to get him away from the crowd. Then you need to take the beer from him. Tell him you want to go home.”

  “I doubt I’ll be able to get him home by myself,” I said while looking at Jack, who could barely stand on his own.

  “I’ll help you get him home. I’m not going to leave you to deal with him by yourself.”

  I was relieved by Seb’s reassurance, but I wasn’t looking forward to approaching Jack, who was singing loudly with his equally intoxicated friends. I wanted Seb to come with me, but I also knew that if he did, Jack would never listen to us.

  A girl standing close to Jack wrapped her arm around his waist. I picked up speed and Seb followed suit. When I reached Jack, he wrapped his heavy arms around me.

  “Jack, I need to go home,” I said, feeling like a sour pickle in a jar of tasty olives.

  Jack screwed up his face. “Why?” he slurred. “The party has barely even started. What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry, but I want to go home. I’m not feeling well,” I said, knowing that I’d need to be far more convincing to get him to leave.

  There was a chorus of booing from Jack’s teammates, and I looked over at Seb who shrugged his shoulders and urged me on. Finally, seeing that Jack had no
intention of moving, Seb strolled over to me.

  “Hey, Jack. Come on, let’s take Kate home,” he said calmly.

  Jack didn’t seem surprised to see his brother and smiled, pointing at Seb. “Everyone, this is my brother, Sebastian,” he announced loudly.

  There was a chorus of cheers and Seb coyly waved to everyone. The girl who had her arm around Jack’s waist turned her attention to Seb.

  “Come on! My two favorite people in the whole world are here with me! My friends are here! Let’s dance! Come on! Let’s dance!” Jack shouted. When he raised his beer bottle, the liquid spilled on my dress.

  As I wiped at my dress, I was a little annoyed. I didn’t like his teammates much and I certainly didn’t like the cheerleaders who followed them around like lost lambs. I felt like I was fighting a losing battle and looked around for Seb, who was trying to get away from the girl who had been all over Jack.

  “Jack, I don’t feel well,” I whispered in his ear.

  He ran his finger down my cheek. “Just one dance and then we’ll go,” he slurred.

  Now I was annoyed at his lack of concern for me. For all he knew, I could’ve been really sick.

  Seb looked at Jack and when he spoke, his voice was far more assertive than mine. “Come on, Jack. Let’s call it a night.”

  But assertive or not, neither of us were able to convince Jack to leave, and we couldn’t leave him at the party by himself.

  “Seb, come on! You love to dance! One dance then we’ll go home.” Jack threw his arm around his brother like they were the best of friends. Seeing them like that made me realize how close they must have been.

  Seb and I agreed to one dance and I hoped that we’d be able to drag Jack away afterward, but I wasn’t very optimistic. The music was great, and when an upbeat song played, I danced next to Seb, forgetting that I was supposed to be sick. Seb was a great dancer; he had a natural rhythm. Then, to my horror, I saw him take a bottle of beer from the girl who’d been hounding him.

  “What are you doing drinking?” I whispered in his ear. The last thing I needed was to look after two supernatural drunk guys.