by Willa Alders
“You all were great.” Sam’s date said being polite. Avery and I thanked her.
Archer’s phone went off then; he unlocked it, looked and turned the screen off. I figured it was his sister. We were all making small talk when Avery mind spoke to me.
There’s a waitress over there saying she just heard bears were walking the streets a few towns over. They’re getting closer.
I looked and mind spoke back. Are you sure?
He nodded; Yes listen Aralynn. He mind spoke back to me shaking his head.
So I did and sure enough bears were just blundering through the town just roaming the street ignoring everyone. I mind spoke again. Do you think Carmina and Caleb know yet?
Don’t know if we'll have to tell them that they are getting close to home, and you’re going to have to start training harder, and sooner. He responded sternly. I sense that it’s going to happen a lot sooner than what we realize, it’s going to be bad, really bad. Avery finished as he was trying to be tentative to his date as well.
Great I’m already training a lot, and what about you?
I’ll be training just as hard as you probably harder because I have to help train you too, and since we’re the younger two Caleb and Car are going to make sure our training is more intense.
Do you want me to give in and tell Archer I can’t tonight? I asked him.
No you remember was Orion said, and I’m not staying there. I’ll tell them we’ll be at Sam’s tonight, with Archer so we can see if he is behind this. Then you’ll meet up there at brunch tomorrow. He repeated it to me.
Do you think he is behind this? I don’t think he is.
Don’t know but don’t take your eyes off him or get side tracked. If you see the couple zero in on them, be at Sam’s by noon tomorrow. We are probably going to start training sometime soon as soon as Caleb and Carmina catch wind. Got it? He mind spoke sternly sounding like an overprotective fool again.
Yep trust me, and is there any way you can go back and see who his sister is. There is more to it than what he says. I asked because I wanted to know who would hurt him that bad.
I’ll try…..he said as Sam threw a straw wrapper at me.
“Ara, hello?” He flicked an ice cube next at me.
“Huh?” I asked puzzled.
“Dude, you got her falling for you, worse than what I thought.” Sam laughed.
“It’s mutual.” Archer said grabbing my hand under the table.
I smiled at him but I saw the couple just as he did it. Great we mention the couple and they appear I thought to myself. Instead I didn’t try to focus on them as much this time; I tried to focus on the surroundings so I would know where it was happening at first. I did overhear her voice saying “How could you?”. I tried to ignore what they were doing again but her voice was so familiar like I had heard it before. Then he spoke and it too was one that I had heard before. His was more muffled, so it was harder to make out who they were but it was the first time the movie reel characters spoke.
I tried to ignore them again and zero in again and couldn’t because the movie flickered to the scenery. Then I saw the bluffs, and instantly I knew where it was happening. It was pretty, and serene just like Sam’s bluffs. It was Sam’s bluffs behind his house or at least another setting just like that but I knew in my gut it was Sam’s bluffs and just like that, it was over. I flipped the keyboard up on my phone and texted Avery, Carmina, and Caleb that I knew now.
“It’s Sam’s bluffs or somewhere like it but I’m positive it’s Sam’s.” Send. I shut my phone. We ate and then we got up, the older ones went off leaving Archer and I walking toward the sunset.
“What’s wrong beautiful?” Archer asked wrapping his hand in mine.
“Nothing just thinking.” I smiled at him.
I was thinking that it was at Sam’s, and I knew that it was not good that I recognize voices of the couples because that meant I knew them, or at least had seen them before or heard them speak. God I was hoping it turned out to be a misfire, and it wasn’t anyone I knew. The other thing was that I knew I either had to tell him or break it off. I couldn’t allow it to hurt him too. But how……
“What about beautiful?” He asked breaking my train of thought as I got into his car.
“Just about how you answered Sam’s question.” I said as he started the car up.
“What about me feeling the same. That I’m just as into you as bad as you are for me as I am for you?” he asked.
“Yeah, are you?” I asked even though I knew he was.
“Yes I am hell you’re great, and hot and sweet, who wouldn’t be?” He smiled. “I think about being with you when I’m not. I know we haven’t been together long but I’ve fallen more than I should.” He smiled at me making my heart skip a beat.
“Same here so now what?” I smiled getting out of the car as we had stopped at a condo.
“This.” He said kissing me. Then we headed up into the condo. “It used to be my old house. Before my sister bought a different house, she did let me keep it though, and well I’d much rather bring you here than go to her house. Hope it's fine.” He smiled opening the door and flipping on the lights, as we headed to the back room.
We walked past this room he said was his old room I looked in and it had a kids theme, there was a picture of him and a girl.
“My mom.” He smiled. He walked out of the room, and when I came into the next room he had candles lit. Aw, I thought to myself.
“She was beautiful.” I smiled.
“So are you.” He said kissing me; he had his hand wrapped around my waist and another around my head.
His kissing was deep and soft it was perfect. Everything about this was perfect. He lowered me down on the bed, as my hands roamed his chest as his kissing got deeper. He slid his shirt off and lowered himself down completely on me.
“Ara I love you.” He whispered between kisses as my heart skipped a beat.
“I love you too.” I whispered pulling him closer.
“Are you sure?” he asked as his hand slid around to my neck then to my cheek.
“Yes I am positive.” I whispered taking my top off, and we went back to kissing.
It was gentle and perfect not rough at all. I got lost in him as he did me. We were engulfed in each other; our bodies and souls moving together. It was everything I wanted for my first time. It was absolutely perfect. No wonder Avery liked it, I had thought. Waited 117 years for this, it was the most perfect long wait. Because losing it to Archer was well worth it especially because I loved him and losing it to another one would not have been worth it. After a while we had laid in each other’s arms stealing small kisses.
“Sorry beautiful, if it was too soon.” He whispered as I laid there under the covers.
“No it was perfect. It was worth it.” I smiled kissing him
“Good, you’re my first, and hopefully my last.” He said kissing me back.
“My first too, and that too.” I smiled back at him.
The truth was it hurt me to lie to him because I knew that he probably wouldn’t be the last. Sad truth, I was immortal and he wasn’t he was human. I wished there was a way to make him immortal because I knew I did not want anyone as bad as Archer. No one would come close. It sent a sharp pain in my chest. I knew I couldn’t change it but for now I could enjoy the moment. The happiness I felt being there being there with him.
“I wish you could have met my mom. She would have loved you.” He said yawning.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Not now beautiful, let's save that for another day.” He said kissing my head as we fell asleep wrapped up in each other’s arms.
The next morning about nine I woke up and I didn’t even dream at all that night. I looked over trying to find Archer but he wasn’t there in the bed. So I picked up my phone, turned the screen on. I had a few texts, one from Avery, but two from Kilyn. I opened it to read it.
How was the date? Did anything happen .Kilyn’s text had said
. I smiled at the text thinking about last night, and what happened. I sent one back that said: It went well. I’ll tell you all of it tomorrow in school. Send. She responded: Oh, sounds like you did it didn’t you? She responded back shortly. Yea, I did. It was great. I gotta go talk to you 2mrw. I responded and closed my phone. I called Archer, but he didn’t answer, then I saw why. He had come into the bedroom with a duffle bag, a drink carrier with three different drinks in it, and another bag which looked like a bakery bag.
“What do you have there?” I asked sitting up and pulling the covers up around me.
“Well Sam, had Avery gather your clothes in a bag, and when you guys were up on stage Sam and I put them in the trunk just in case this happened. Well I figured this you may want a brush, toothbrush too. Then I got us breakfast some donuts, coffee, a pop, and a smoothie. Didn’t know which one you’d want.” He smiled sitting down on the bed.
I smiled back. “Did you plan this?” I asked.
“Kind of yeah with help are you mad?” He asked switching to a smiling to a fake sad look.
“No.” I answered leaning up and kissing his cheek then his lips once.
“Good.” He smiled.
“To let you know last night was amazing. “ I said biting into a donut. “You love me huh?” I asked sounding shocked.
“Yes it was, and yes I do love you beautiful. You are amazing and awesome how I could not?” He responded by taking a bite of one himself.
“Thank you Archer, for everything. I love you too but you shouldn’t love me.” I said quietly.
“It’s too late for that that Aralynn.” He said grabbing the pop. I smiled.
“Ok, so what exactly happened to your mom?” I said finishing the donut up, I wanted to know. Whatever it was, or whoever killed his mom, hurt him deeply and I wanted to know who it was.
“Eh, she was killed by someone close to my family, really close. Someone we’d least expect. But not now ok?” He asked. “As much as I would like to continue, Sam keeps texting saying he’s still having the brunch, and Caleb and Carmina will be there in a bit. He says we should be there soon. I agree we wouldn’t want to get you in trouble again. Come on beautiful.” He said as I laughed giving him a quick kiss then got up and headed into the bathroom…….
CHAPTER 7 CONTINUED ARCHER
I woke to find her next to me, laying there so peaceful, and quiet. It wasn’t a dream last night did happen and Kilyn let it. I definitely knew now more than anything I couldn’t let anything happen to her. She was my perfect reality, and I loved her. I was so happy because of last night that nothing else mattered right now.
I stretched and slid out of bed careful now to wake her. I had forgotten that my side was still sore and last night didn’t help matters that was for sure, but it was worth it. Being with her, in every way, shape and form was everything I wanted and needed. It made no difference now, but I still knew deep in my gut I still had to tell her what was going on. I had to tell her that I was not human. I had to tell her who my sister was too also.
I slid my pants on then kissed her head and got in the shower. The whole time I was in the shower I was replaying the whole thing from last night, the dinner, the first time for us both. From that point last night I knew I wanted it, and she did too. I knew I wanted her forever and I was hoping she wanted me forever as well. But for now for now I was just content on her loving me. Hopefully she still would afterwards I thought after I told her….
I got dressed and smiled at her still sound asleep as I walked outside. I lifted my arms and jetted off into the early morning sky. I could fly fast, so no one really could see me, well at least not with human eyes. I flew around for a bit still replaying last night, and what she said, and how I was going to deal with everything. Then I decided to head off to bring back some breakfast. I had flown to a bakery, landing just outside of it, in some trees; I brushed off, and headed into the bakery While I was ordering the food that I wanted Kilyn mind-spoke to me.
I texted Aralynn, and good job dear brother you’re doing well. Thank her; somehow she saved you this time. However you are not wooing her quick enough. Do it quicker.
I shook my head I thought that’s what I was trying too, it was happening just not as fast as she wanted. I shook my head and blocked my feelings from her, and then mind-spoke back:
Thanks, I’m working on it. It shouldn’t be much longer Kilyn. I shook my head.
She responded. Good do my bidding.
Then the conversation was over. Like that, I reminded myself to thank Aralynn somehow for texting Kilyn and saving me thank God Kilyn believed it. I took the food and flew back to the condo. When I walked in she was wide awake sitting with the covers pulled up around her. I gestured toward the breakfast, she took a donut out.
“What do you have there?” She asked.
“Well Sam, had Avery gather your clothes in a bag, and when you guys were up on stage Sam and I put them in the truck just in case something like this happened. I also figured you may want a brush, and tooth brush too. Then I got us breakfast some donuts, coffee, a pop, and a smoothie while I was out. I didn’t know which one you’d want.” I said smiling taking a seat on the bed.
I smiled back. “Did you plan this?” I asked.
“Kind of yeah with help are you mad?” I asked switching from a smile to a fake sad face.
“No.” She said pulling me in as she kissed my cheek then my lips. “To let you know last night was amazing. You love me huh? “She finished off as my face was merely just inches away from hers.
“Yes, I do beautiful. You’re amazing and awesome. How couldn’t I?” I smiled.
“Thank you, Archer. I love you too, but you shouldn’t love me.” She said taking a sip of the smoothie.
“Too late, Aralynn.” I said finishing up my donut and stealing a drink of the pop.
Then where I wanted to stay at, she asked a question that I was kind of waiting for her to ask.
“Ok, so what exactly happened to your mom?” She said finishing off her donut.
“Eh, she was killed by someone close to my family, really close. Someone we’d least expect. But not now ok? I asked her as my eyes drooped low.
I still couldn’t tell her or talk about who exactly killed my parents, or how she did it. But the worst of it I didn’t know why Kilyn did it and I couldn’t even begin to think about it. Especially not right now when the moment was so perfect I couldn’t ruin it with mentioning her name so I decided to change the subject.
“As much as I would like to continue, Sam keeps texting saying he’s still having the brunch, and Caleb and Carmina will be there in a bit. He says we should be there soon. I agree we wouldn’t want to get you in trouble again. Come on beautiful.” I said watching her laugh at me. I kissed her softly as she got up and headed to the bathroom….
I sat there waiting on her to get her shower and come out, so we could head to Sam’s’ because I knew being here too much longer would bring up images of my mom. It was the fact this was our old home. This house brought me back to happier times. Before everything bad happened, before the storm came, before Kilyn took her rule over me. I walked into the other room which used to be mine; I stared at the picture of my mom and me. I turned around putting it down, and decided to leave it, and see if Aralynn was almost done because I need out of there as quick as possible. Something stopped me from leaving the room, though I didn’t know what it was but it happened when I was thinking about my mom. Then a shadow figure came forth through the doorway shaping itself into a human. This was something I had never seen before, the thing twirled once, and I realized who it was. The glow was the person I was thinking about then. The glow was my….mom…
“Hi, Archer.” She said shutting the door. She looked the same as she did when she passed when I was sixteen, the first time. She was gorgeous.
“Hi.” I said blinking thinking I was staring at a ghost.
“You are, my dear son. I am something like a ghost more like a memory and an angel as
well. You see me now, but I can only let you see me during certain times. I am so sorry dear son for what your sister is doing to you. You didn’t deserve this, neither does your love.” She smiled a small sad smile at me.
Her body swayed and moved with elegance as she sat on the bed. I sat down next to her. I had seen her in my mind before, but never in human form since she passed. I wanted to know why they let her come or who let her come back now.
“My dear son, you realize that the battle is going to happen soon, you know you have to tell her my dear boy. The sooner the better, she will be sad or maybe upset but she will forgive you rather quickly. She loves you too much not too. Trust me I’ve seen it. Well not seen it but sensed it, and the aura she has it just spills out, everywhere.
I have never seen someone’s aura so strong before for someone they barely know but hers is. Her aura is so strong and powerful it’s surreal. So many colors radiating through her it’s so magnificent. I see clear red, my son you know that means that she is powerful, of course you probably already knew that or else your sister wouldn’t be insisting you do this. Not only that but red means she’s passionate and energetic. Both very good qualities she will need. The orange red around the red, points to power as well and confidence. Then there is the blue, which is sensitive and caring and loving. Then I see the most prominent of all the pink it’s so bright Archer. She is so sensitive, pure, and compassionate, and loving this relationship that no matter what you tell her she will accept you for it. She is not going to be upset long, she will forgive you and will understand why you couldn’t tell her at first. But my dear boy you will need to tell her soon.” My mom said softly touching my face.
I sat there still kind of dumbfounded that she was sitting in person next to me that I was completely unsure what to say or do.
“How do you know that mom?” I asked her as she took my hand in hers.
“I peer in my dear son from time to time, and I watch what she is going through. I know she is feeling so passionate for you that you shouldn’t need to worry. I watch over you and her.” She said squeezing my hand.