Emerge: The Awakening

by Melissa A. Craven

  TWO

  Allie’s feet pounded against the hard packed dirt as she ran along the secluded trail, the sound of Saint Saeën’s Aquarium loud in her ears. It was still the middle of the night for most people, but she didn’t sleep much these days. She liked her new home on Kelleys Island, but the whole move to Cleveland, Ohio reeked of unanswered questions. Questions she knew not to ask.

  Today was her first day at the prestigious Cliffton Academy, and she wasn’t looking forward to it. She’d changed schools often enough to know what to expect, and she hadn’t suffered from new school nerves in years. She just didn’t know if she had it in her to start over again.

  Gavin would want me to try. She’d picked up the phone a dozen times in the last week, but never finished dialing before she chickened out. She didn’t know what to say to him. In her mind, that door was closed. He was in the past, and as much as she missed him, she knew they both needed to move on. Calling him would only prolong their misery.

  As the song changed to Pavane, Allie heard heavy footsteps echoing behind her. She had company. Another runner following at a discrete distance. He was curious and incredibly annoyed with her—if her instincts were right—which they almost always were.

  She continued along the path, increasing her pace, but the footsteps grew louder as he left the trail to crash through the woods.

  So much for my nice quiet morning.

  She felt dizzy. Her head swam and her ears filled with a rush of white noise.

  Should’ve had breakfast before I left.

  Allie ran faster, hoping to push through the nausea. She looked over her shoulder expecting to catch a glimpse of him, but she crashed into something hard instead. She toppled to the ground with a loud screech.

  “Dammit! Watch where you’re going!” a gruff voice sounded in her ear.

  “Sorry!”

  “Your knee is crushing my spine, sweetheart.”

  “Crap! Sorry!” She scrambled to her feet and reached to help him up.

  His hand was warm and his grip, firm and confident. Allie waited for him to pull away with the flustered reaction she’d come to expect, but it never happened. She was completely thrown by his lack of response to her touch.

  She met his steely gaze and her breath hitched in her throat. He towered over her—but almost everyone did. He was angry, but only one thought came to her mind.

  Friend.

  “Didn’t mean to scare you.” His cold demeanor faded along with his gruff tone. He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from hers. “I tried to call out before I got too close, but either your hearing sucks or your music was freakishly loud.”

  “Probably both,” she laughed nervously.

  Don’t be a dork, Allie! She tended to fall apart in awkward social situations.

  “Aidan McBrien.” He offered his hand like he was eager for the excuse to touch her again. “I live just up the beach. New to the city, right?”

  “Um, yeah.” She nodded, distracted by the way his hand closed around hers so easily. He seemed relaxed and had an easygoing, friendly tone, but his body language said otherwise. He stared at their joined hands, fascinated by the contact. Their eyes met again, and they both smiled. The tension between them evaporated in that instant.

  Something in Aidan’s eyes set her at ease. She couldn’t stop staring, distracted by the mesmerizing tattoos crossing his bare chest and arms. They reminded her of hieroglyphs and cuneiform markings, like a work in progress. A story only half told. The artist in her wanted to examine them more thoroughly, but the girl in her wanted to trace them with her fingertips.

  “And you are?” he prodded. His mischievous smile was enough to send her into more nervous stuttering.

  “Oh! Um, Alexis Carmichael.” She blushed. “But I prefer Allie.”

  “Nice to meet you. Sorry I scared you. Bad habit of mine.”

  “No damage done.”

  Aidan was clearly distracted as they walked along the path together in a comfortable silence. There was a faint light in the sky now, and she was able to study his features more closely. He was frowning as if perplexed. His longish, dark brown hair tumbled into his face and his warm brown eyes were alight with confusion and curiosity, and something else—like hope.

  “What brings you to Kelleys Island, Lex?” he asked. She didn’t correct his use of the hated nickname. He could call her whatever he liked.

  “Parents’ new jobs. The usual.”

  “You know it’s not generally considered very polite to show up unannounced.” He smiled. “But I won’t hold it against you, although your parents should check in with mine. My father is Greggory McBrien and my mother is Naeemah El Sadawii.” He announced it like they were celebrities.

  “So your parents aren’t married?” was the only thing Allie could think to say.

  “Of course they are.”

  “Oh, your mom didn’t change her last name? That’s seriously cool.”

  “Yeah…she’d like to think so.” He seemed bewildered, staring at her like she had three heads.

  “Will you be going to Cliffton Academy?” he rushed to change the subject.

  “Yes, today’s my first day.”

  “That’s why you’re out here running at the crack of dawn? Nerves getting to you?”

  “Not really, I’ve done this a hundred times,” she said. “I guess I’m just trying to psych myself up for it again. Sometimes it’s just easier to crawl back into my nice comfortable shell and keep to myself, you know?”

  “I believe I do.” He smirked. “But at least there will be one friendly face in the crowd. I’ll introduce you to my sister and our friends.”

  This is actually going well! It was kind of amazing how at ease they were together. They were almost back to her house now, and she didn’t want to leave. She was eager to spend time with him, eager to touch him, to see if he really was as unaffected by her as he seemed.

  “Sorry about before.” He motioned back to the path behind them, running his fingers through his hair anxiously. He obviously wanted to linger as well.

  “Sorry for crushing your spine.”

  “You’re little, it’s okay.” His face lit up with an impish grin.

  Allie stumbled over the uneven cobblestones and Aidan reached out to steady her. She felt the heat of his touch first, and then a swell of rage quickly followed.

  “You want to keep that hand?” she snarled, surprising herself with her response as she whirled around to face him.

  “Whoa! Sorry about that, I was just—” he threw his hands up and took an uncertain step back.

  “Aidan, I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” Her breath came in short startled gasps.

  Now he thinks I’m totally neurotic. Good job, Allie! Her cheeks flushed scarlet.

  “No damage done.” He winked, giving her words back to her. “You’re certainly different, aren’t you, Lex?”

  “I don’t know. Is that good-different, or I-should-come-with-a-warning-label-different?” she laughed, marveling at how easy it was to be herself with him.

  Aidan took a step closer. His nearness made her heart skip as she caught his earthy male scent of cologne and sweat mixed with a hint of mint.

  He leaned in, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, his fingertips lingering along her jaw. For one insane moment, she thought he might kiss her and she almost swallowed her tongue.

  “I’m going to go out on a limb and say both.” His hand fell to her shoulder. “See you at school.” His fingers ran down the length of her arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind.

  He left her gaping as he jogged off toward the cliffs in the distance.

  That was so weird. She rubbed her arm where her skin was still warm and tingly from his touch. Aidan seemed strong and confident, and not the least bit intimidated by her. They were wary of each other, but underneath the shock, there was something amazing between them. She was eager to find out just exactly what that was.

  <><><>

  Alli
e sat in a corner booth, enjoying her last few moments of solitude. She took the early ferryboat into the city, but when she arrived at the impressive Art Deco gates of Cliffton Academy, she wimped out and ducked into a coffee shop on the next block. She had a meeting with the headmistress soon, but was determined to put it off as long as possible.

  From her vantage point, she watched the students among the businessmen and women shuffling down Saint Claire Avenue. Everyone in a Cliffton uniform appeared to be the silver spoon type.

  This place is so not me.

  “Aidan!” She heard an insipid giggle drift in from the noisy street. “When are you going to take me for a ride in your BMW?”

  “Sorry, sweetheart, I wrapped it around a tree a few weeks ago.”

  Allie watched the exchange. Aidan was very different. He even sounded different, arrogant and full of himself.

  “Hasn’t your dad bought you a new one yet?”

  “I’m afraid I am grounded and at the mercy of my sister for transportation for the foreseeable future.”

  “Well, maybe I can take you for a ride in my little Mercedes sometime?”

  “Sure, maybe.” He walked into the shop with the girl on his arm. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Allie, like he expected her to be exactly where he found her. He beamed his incredible smile at her and took a step toward her table.

  “Aidan!” Another polished and coiffed brunette practically lit up for him.

  “Hey, sweetheart.” He gave her a forced smile; completely unlike the one he’d just given Allie.

  That is not the guy I met this morning.

  She watched him approach the counter with an arm around each girl. His laughter was strained and he looked uncomfortable.

  He has absolutely no idea who he is. She frowned. Friends, Allie. Nothing more.

  “Brianna. I’m sorry, I just don’t date Cliffton girls.” She heard a pleasant voice behind her.

  “Vincent, why not?” The stunning blond pouted her perfectly painted lips.

  “I’m not the Cliffton type.”

  He was kind, but firm in his rejection. He was also the first person Allie had seen in a school uniform that didn’t have “trust fund brat” stamped across his forehead. He moved confidently and was totally at ease with himself.

  And that is a guy who knows exactly who he is. He was so much more approachable. Not as intense.

  Safe.

  “Vince! Coffee’s getting cold!”

  Allie turned to see a petite girl with beautiful, waist length blond hair waiting for him.

  “Thanks, Kayla!” He jogged to catch up with his friend.

  “Hey, Lex.” Aidan left his collection of girls at the counter to slip into the booth beside her. There was something strange about his behavior, like he was hiding behind a mask that hadn’t been there this morning.

  “You know, I really hate that name.” This was fake Aidan, and she wasn’t sure she liked him.

  “It suits you.”

  “I prefer Allie.”

  “Aidan? Come on! Stop flirting with everything in a skirt and let’s go!”

  Allie felt her head spinning from all the noise. It was like everyone was speaking at top volume.

  “This screaming harpy is my big sister, Sasha.”

  She looked up into the kind blue eyes of a tall, caramel skinned Haitian girl who belonged on a runway somewhere.

  “You were serious?” The girl rolled her eyes, her outrageously curly hair bouncing.

  “Adopted sister,” he amended, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

  “I thought he made you up to screw with me.” Sasha beamed a bright smile as she slipped into the booth—taking the seat furthest from Allie.

  “Who’re your parents? Did they check in—?”

  “Sasha, don’t you have coffees to order?” He cut her off with a warning glare.

  Yeah, I don’t like this Aidan. He’s an ass.

  “Fine, hog the new girl,” she huffed in her subtle Haitian-French accent. “You’re a junior, right? I’ll see you in class later? We’ll talk?”

  “Sure.” Allie liked the sister. She kept her distance the way most people did, but she also seemed willing and eager to overlook the awkward chasm between them. It reminded her of the way Gavin tried so hard to befriend her when they first met.

  “She talks too much.” Aidan watched his sister move to the counter with her friends. “But she’s awesome. Just don’t tell her I said that.” He winked.

  The mask was gone and the real Aidan was back. Allie couldn’t keep up.

  “The tall, dark, quiet one over there is my best friend, Quinn. He’s a senior. He’s been around Sasha too long, so he doesn’t talk much. The short, pale, hungry looking one, ordering half the bakery, is his little brother, Graham. He is the most genuinely kind person I know. You’ll love him.”

  “I take it at least one of them is adopted?” She noted the ethnic differences between the brothers.

  “They both are.”

  “So am I!” She smiled.

  “Interesting coincidence,” he said dryly.

  “The cute Asian girl with Graham is our friend, Chloe. She’s the only one of us not adopted.” His smile was sincere and full of love for his friends, but there was some sadness there too, as if he saw himself as an outsider.

  Allie observed them from a distance. They were a close group, sharing the kind of deep friendship that came from growing up together. It was the one thing she’d always wanted, but never had. She felt like she was staring at her future. A future she wanted very badly, but was afraid it would disappear the moment she felt like she belonged.

  <><><>

  CHAPTER

  THREE

  “Alexis Ann Mareé Carmichael! Get back in this house right now!” Lily shouted from the terrace balcony of Allie’s bedroom.

  “Crap! Four named. That can’t be good.” She wandered through the mass of rooms and stairs of the rambling old church until she finally found her room. She hadn’t come the same way twice since they arrived. The church-house was great, especially the bell tower that was now her bedroom suite, but the guesthouse across the gardens was a bit much considering they didn’t know anyone. Her parents were so wonderfully weird. No cul-de-sac with granite countertops and white picket fences for The Carmichael’s. They were far too unique for such normalcies.

  “We need those ‘you are here’ maps.” Allie scowled as she drifted into her bedroom, but Lily glowered right back at her.

  “Jeez, what’d I do this time?” She flopped onto the bed.

  “We haven’t been in this house two weeks and you’ve already painted your walls?”

  “I paint when I’m stressed, Ma. It helps me think.”

  “Is it school?” Lily instantly made the switch to mom-mode. “I thought your first week went well?”

  “No, Ma, school’s fine. I’m still just really confused about this move. It’s different.”

  “We always intended to come back home, and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt like we had to take it. I’m just sorry it was so sudden.”

  “So we’re really just ignoring the mad-dash across the planet in the middle of the night? The guns? The fact that you yourself were surprised when Dad announced we were coming here?”

  “Honey, you need to focus on making a life here.” She expertly skated over the taboo subject. “I was so proud of you in Sydney. It was wonderful to see you come out of your shell. I’ve always hated how our jobs have kept us on the move so much, but—”

  “Don’t, Mom,” she sighed. “You can’t keep calling what we do ‘moving.’”

  “That’s all behind us,” she said firmly. “I promise this is our home now.”

  “Until next time,” Allie muttered.

  “Have you had time to check out the beach?” Lily changed the subject.

  “Yeah, I did some investigating last night. The beaches here are weird. And it smells funny.” She made a face at her mother.

&n
bsp; “I’ll miss the ocean too, but it’ll feel like home in no time,” Lily promised. “You should go exploring, get familiar with the island. I loved it here when I was a kid.”

  “I don’t know, something’s off about this place, Ma.”

  “Alright, Allie-girl. Dinner will be ready in an hour. I trust you don’t need a GPS to find the kitchen?” she laughed as she left the room.

  Allie headed up to her rooftop garden where the grass and wildflowers grew tall in a haphazard kind of way. A small weathered deck at the center was raised just enough to maximize the view of the city across the Lake Erie bay.

  Who knew they had islands in Cleveland? She leaned over the parapet to gaze at the skyline in the distance.

  She fiddled with her necklace, a nervous habit. Lily had given her the glittery, coal-black pendant a few years ago. It was a family heirloom, and as their adopted daughter, Allie treasured it more than anything she owned.

  She tugged at her necklace now, feeling anxious and uncertain about everything. She wanted to believe this really would be their permanent home, but it was hard to accept. The way they left Sydney, only to arrive on Kelleys Island—to this house, like this fabricated, perfect life had been waiting for them all along. It was just too easy.

  Then there was Aidan and his friends. She was curious about them and the way they accepted her so readily, but Aidan was especially intriguing. He was totally comfortable with her. Even with Gavin, it was always like he had to power through his hesitation, like it was some unpleasant thing he had to deal with if he wanted to be with her. With Aidan, there was no uneasiness—something she’d never experienced before. But there was something else there too. She liked him more than she cared to admit. Their initial attraction to each other was intense, and Allie knew she wasn’t ready for that. But if anyone was truly capable of being her friend, it was Aidan, and if she was truly honest with herself, she was desperate to explore that possibility. She could not face the lonely life she’d learned to accept before Gavin. Not now, when she knew what it was like to have real friends. She refused to go back.

  Allie was determined to connect with Aidan. The real Aidan. If he could put his mask away long enough to let her in.