by C. J. Abedi
I had to backtrack. And quickly. From this day forward I needed to keep Caroline surrounded and protected. I needed to let her know that, despite my actions, I had grown to care.
When I looked back up and across the room, I realized that the game suddenly had a new player and I had a monumental challenge before me. How had I missed it? Caroline was now holding Teddy’s hand as he guided her through the crowd. I couldn’t believe my eyes. How did this happen? When did this happen?
I wanted to wring his neck. I wanted to march over to him and rip his hand away from hers. If we had been in the Fae court I would have done exactly that. And no one would have even blinked an eye. It took all my willpower to stay where I was. What was she doing? My heart began pounding ferociously in my chest. The blood began to rush through my veins. I took a step forward. Then stopped. Took a deep breath. I could not act like a lunatic.
And that’s when she looked over.
It was almost as if she sensed my growing anxiety.
I silently pleaded with her. Please, Caroline. Please let me in. I won’t hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I watched her eyes widen for a moment as if she heard my silent pledge to her.
I mouthed the word “hello” and slowly lifted my hand and waved. I would not let her break my eye contact.
Let go of his hand.
Please just let go.
C
I slowly turned my head in the direction Teddy was looking in and found Devilyn staring straight at me. His look was intense. Really intense.
Again, I felt as if he silently spoke to me. My imagination had to be running away with itself again. Whatever it was, I could not break his gaze. For a second I thought he’d even called out to me. Or maybe that’s what I hoped.
But after a moment, he just smiled and waved.
I nodded my head in acknowledgement and felt the heat rising up my face. I don’t know why I always reacted like a lovesick child around him. I turned my head and felt a sudden flush. For a second, there I was again, imagining things that were not a reality.
“I need a drink,” I told Teddy quickly as I turned my gaze away.
Teddy laughed and squeezed my hand as he pushed his way to the kitchen. I was almost relieved. We had seen each other, said our hellos from across the room, and now I could spend the rest of the evening avoiding him at all costs. I began to plan my evening. For the first half hour I could hide in the corner of the kitchen. The next, I could wander outside and stand in a dark area of the balcony. After three or four strategic moves, the evening was sure to be done, and Teddy would drive me home, and I would be home free.
We walked into Jordana’s large and expansive kitchen. There was a whole spread of food laid out on the granite island countertop. Underneath it were sizeable oval shaped metal buckets filled with ice and various drinks. A giant bowl of punch was on the countertop as well.
“I guess I’ll have the punch,” I said as Teddy grabbed a plastic cup and was about to pour for me.
“You don’t think it’s spiked, do you?” I asked suspiciously.
“It’s not. It’s a mixer,” Erika said as she grabbed a plastic cup and poured herself some punch as well. “It’s delicious. You’ll love it. Promise.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” Teddy poured some in my cup and handed it over to me. I smiled back in appreciation.
Erika held out her cup toward me.
“Cheers.”
“Cheers,” I said, taking a long sip of my drink. I wondered why I had ever thought Erika was not a nice person. She had given me two pieces of advice this evening. The make-up and now the punch.
Erika smiled, “Well, have fun tonight!”
“Thanks. You too.” I watched as Erika walked off. “This is great punch,” I said turning to Teddy. “You should try some too.”
“Nah. I just want a soda,” Teddy replied. “Punch is a girly drink.”
“Suit yourself.”
I shrugged and watched as Teddy bent down to search through the cans. And that was when she appeared. I think my mouth dropped open. It was almost as if she came out of thin air. She walked seductively over to Teddy. She was a few inches shorter than him—over six feet. And her body was one that girls had to envy. I couldn’t help but stare at her amazing beauty and watch as she carefully and methodically ran her long and well-manicured fingers down his back.
It had to be her.
She had the same magnificent eyes as her brother, only his were darker and more ominous. She was radiant. Just like him. Emanating grace and sophistication. Leaving me feeling beyond inadequate.
She smiled at me and reached out her hand.
“You must be Caroline.”
“I am. And you must be Tatiana,” I replied with a smile. Teddy certainly had wonderful taste.
Teddy stood up and turned to face the object of his affection.
“I was beginning to think that you weren’t coming,” he said to her with a smile.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Tatiana replied as she rubbed her hands up and down Teddy’s arm. Teddy couldn’t take his eyes off her. But then again, neither could I. She had the kind of beauty that you just wanted to watch.
“What can I get you to drink?” Teddy asked her.
She looked down at my hands, and her eyes narrowed for a second on my almost empty cup of punch. I motioned toward the punch bowl, “It’s amazing. You should try some,” I told her.
Tatiana studied me for a second and then smiled.
“Sure. Why not?”
“Girly drinks,” Teddy said as he rolled his eyes.
I giggled. Suddenly feeling warm and a bit lightheaded.
“Is it hot in here?” I asked Tatiana.
She smiled as she watched me. “It’s not so bad.”
Teddy grabbed a plastic cup and poured Tatiana some punch, and I decided to try and make small talk.
“So how do you like Manteo High?”
“I’m dying to hear this answer.”
I instantly recognized his voice and drew in a long breath. It was him. Standing right behind me. The man who had been endlessly haunting me for months.
I almost didn’t want to turn around.
Almost.
“Hi Caroline,” he said as I slowly turned to face him. I had to look up because he was standing so close. Without breaking my gaze he said, “Teddy.”
I couldn’t talk, so I just smiled. The heat in the room I realized was getting to me.
“Devilyn, are you intentionally trying to ruin my evening?” Tatiana asked, obviously irritated
“I don’t think anything could ruin your evening,” he said as he reached down to grab a drink.
“Soda?”
“Thanks, but I already have one,” I replied, showing him the cup of punch in my hand. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t look very happy.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re drinking?”
“Punch,” I told him. “I don’t drink.”
“You do tonight,” Tatiana told me as she took a long sip of the punch. “This is spiked.”
Teddy started to laugh. The look on my face must have been priceless. Erika. Sweet Erika.
“It’s not funny,” I said as I put the cup down. Devilyn instantly handed me a bottle of water.
“It is actually because you only had one cup,” Teddy said with a smile. Tatiana leaned into Teddy to get his attention. He was instantly riveted.
“Do you feel okay?” Devilyn asked with concern as he searched my face. I could feel the blush coming on.
“Just hot.”
“You are,” Devilyn said quietly. So quietly that I only heard. I looked up at him in shock. Was I drunk? I had an excuse now. I had just consumed a cup of spiked punch. It was a total possibility.
Devilyn smiled down at me.
“I’m glad you only had a cup.”
“Thanks for saving me.”
And th
en to my utter surprise he lifted my chin so I could stare into his eyes. The look he gave me was intense.
“I will always save you, Caroline.”
It sounded like a promise. Or an oath.
Either way, I didn’t know what to say back.
He let go of my chin and took a tiny step closer to me. He was invading my space. I wasn’t sure why he was standing around, or why he was staring at me like he owned me. Or why he started to smile. I wished he would wipe the smug grin off his face, or even better let us all in on what was going on inside his head.
I decided to act indifferent and move away from him. I started to undo the top of the water bottle, but before I could, Devilyn had it in his hands, opened it, and it was back in mine.
“Thanks.” He nodded as I took a few more steps away from him.
“I’m surprised you came tonight,” he said as he took a few steps closer to me, eliminating all the breathing room I had established. “This party doesn’t really feel like your scene.”
“That ideology appears to be a running theme,” I mumbled under my breath.
“I have to plead guilty to that,” Teddy interrupted as Tatiana leaned into him. “I practically had to drag her here. Trust me, it wasn’t pretty.”
“That makes sense,” Devilyn replied evenly.
“Are you not a party girl?” Tatiana asked smiling charmingly as she batted her lashes. I couldn’t believe how long they were. And she didn’t have any mascara on. Lucky girl.
“Of course,” I lied defensively.
“You are the furthest thing from that,” Devilyn retorted.
“I meant to say no, not really,” I covered lamely.
“Bookworm?” Tatiana stated.
“I wouldn’t say that either,” I said as I silently prayed the topic of conversation would change quickly, “I guess I’m just more of a—”
“Homebody,” Devilyn finished.
“Not really,” I defended myself. “I go out.”
“No, no I get it,” Tatiana said lifting her hand, “I mean I would be too, if I didn’t have to share my home with him,” she chuckled as she drew Teddy away from us and off onto the dance floor.
And then there were two.
I was nervous. Warm again. Light headed, for sure. I looked away from him as I took a sip of my water. He was staring again.
I knew it.
Could feel it.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe the alcohol had given me the courage I needed, or maybe I just wanted to fight with him. Nice Devilyn was far more dangerous than mean, arrogant Devilyn.
“What is wrong with you?” I asked him suddenly. Irritated beyond reason.
“What are you talking about?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was invited.”
“Not at the party. In here. In this kitchen. With me. I don’t understand.” There it was, out in the open. I waited for him to reply with some embarrassing let down.
“I like being around you.”
My heart slammed against my chest. He leaned down toward me.
“But I have a question for you.”
I waited unable to break his gaze.
“Why are you wearing so much makeup? Are you looking for attention?” he asked curiously.
The question felt like a slap in the face.
“I’m not looking for anyone’s attention Devilyn.” I turned to leave and was stopped when he grabbed my arm. He pulled me close.
“What I meant to say is that you normally have a very natural look, and tonight you don’t look like yourself.”
“Sorry if my looks offend you. I’ll be sure to stay far away from you tonight so that you don’t need to worry about my appearance, or lack thereof,” I said in a huff as I tried to move away from him. But he wouldn’t let me.
He took a long breath as if he was trying to gain his composure.
“Caroline, don’t walk away. What I was saying came out all wrong. What I meant to say is that, you look beautiful. Stunning, actually.” I stopped breathing. Was I imagining this? Devilyn thought I looked stunning?
“And I just don’t understand why you aren’t at home. I mean, these kinds of parties can get out of control, and you really should be home. Teddy should never have brought you here.”
If I lived to be a hundred I’d never understand him. I said as much a moment later, “I don’t understand you. I don’t understand what you want from me.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. He looked…pained.
“Tell me,” I whispered.
When he opened his eyes they were bright with something I had never seen but recognized instinctively. He leaned into me. I moved close to him. Our lips were inches apart. All the noise in the party disappeared. It was just the two of us together.
Alone.
As I searched his eyes, they seemed to change into something different. Something almost not human. They glowed with a light that I had never seen. I was entranced because I knew he was letting me in. If possible I took a small step closer to him.
“Caroline.”
Before he could say more Jordana rushed over and hugged him from behind, pulling him away from me. The air around me went from hot to cold.
“Hi Caroline,” Jordana said with a sarcastic smile. “You promised me a dance, Devilyn. I’ve been waiting all night.”
“Jordana—” he began.
It was my moment to escape, and I used it.
“Go dance with her, Devilyn. I’ll see you both later,” I managed with a smile as I quickly walked away and tried to gain control.
I looked around the party and knew that I would be spending the rest of the evening entirely alone. A welcoming proposition considering the state of my emotions. I needed to clear my head. Breathe alone. Try and understand what had just transpired.
I pushed my way through the crowd and out the French doors that led outside. I was craving the fresh air. For a second I thought about going home, but then I remembered that Teddy drove. I could always walk, I thought. It would take me a while, but I could certainly use the time alone. I looked down and realized the idea was ludicrous. Bad idea in these shoes.
I took a deep breath and glanced at my watch. We had only been there for less than twenty minutes. If I went home now, my parents would think that there was something entirely wrong with me, and they would be so disappointed. And worse yet, I didn’t want to ruin Teddy’s night. This was his moment, if anything, and I wanted it for him. He deserved it.
I looked around the yard and saw a set of swings. I walked over to them, the perfect escape. I grabbed a hold of the long chain and took a seat on the black leather chair and slowly began swaying back and forth.
The stars were out in their amazing glory. The sky was almost completely black, and the tiny lights above created the most incredible scene. Despite my immediate surroundings and the uncomfortable encounter I had just had, it was a glorious night.
“Why are you sitting out here by yourself?”
I was surprised to see Brian Baker standing above me with a drink in hand.
“I was just getting some fresh air. It was a bit stuffy in there.”
He took a seat on the swing next to me and offered me a sip of his drink.
“No thanks,” I said as I shook my head. “Why aren’t you inside?”
“I needed some fresh air, too,” he began. “And I think the only person who’s really enjoying this party is Jordana,” he said, mildly irritated.
“She does seem to be having a good time,” I smiled, looking back at the house. I wondered if they were sharing that dance.
“So what’s your story?” he asked interrupting my thoughts. “I’ve never heard about you dating anyone.”
“That’s because I never really have.”
“That surprises me.”
I shrugged.
“Come on, I’m sure you’ve noticed how everyone has been lookin
g at you.”
I stared at him in complete and utter disbelief.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s got to be the beer talking.”
“I mean it,” he sounded sincere. “Jordana’s new boytoy has been spending more time looking at you than at his girlfriend.”
“You mean Devilyn?”
“Yeah, Devilyn.” He said his name as if he was diseased.
“We’re working on a history project together.”
Brian studied me for a moment. I could feel my cheeks getting red.
“Come on. He’d have to be blind not to think you’re hot.”
My heart dropped again. I didn’t know what to say. Brian sat down in the swing and started to sway back and forth.
“Don’t be so surprised. You’re a good looking girl.”
“Thanks,” I said lamely.
Brian took another sip.
“I just don’t know what the big deal about him is.” I decided it wouldn’t be wise of me to answer Brian. He continued on with his rant, saving me from having to say a word. “So what if he’s rich and attractive? There’s something wrong with him.”
I looked over at Brian when he said that.
“What do you mean?”
He looked me in the eye.
“I know this sounds crazy, and I know that you’re gonna think that I’m jealous or something—”
“I won’t,” I promised.
Brian looked down at his drink and shrugged his shoulders.
“I get that he’s standoffish and that’s attractive to a lot of girls, but there’s something else about him. I can’t put my finger on it, but I will.”
Goosebumps ran up my arms when he said those words.
“What do you mean?”
“Sometimes… sometimes after we practice for football I just watch him,” Brian whispered as he looked around to make sure no one could hear him. “His eyes, Caroline. His eyes, they’re dark. And he, he’s always by himself. Always in control. It’s not normal.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“And on the field—” Brian shook his head and laughed to himself as if he couldn’t believe he was actually sharing this information with me. “It’s like he flies through the air. Glides or something. He always knows where to pass a ball. It’s almost like he’s ten steps ahead of us. And it’s not normal. And it’s not drugs ‘cause I know what that’s like. And this is different. Really different.”