The Price of a Gift (The Price of Secrets Series)

by Ashley Drake

  Ashley added, "Hannah even said she gave you a hug for moral support. You must have been nervous." That made Josh blush but I thought that was the best thing she could've said. I know Daniel heard us because I could feel that he was still behind me.

  Josh finally said, "I wasn't that nervous," he laughed, "but Han does give good advice. And she was right about something else too. You are pretty, smart, and funny."

  Jaycee came to break it up. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, get a room already. Let's go."

  We went to the parking lot and waited for Cam at his SUV. Cam is Mike's older brother. He's a senior and very cute. When he finally showed up we piled into his Explorer and left. Unfortunately, Daniel didn't change his mind about joining us.

  The ride over was filled with everyone talking at once but I did pick up on Cam flirting with Jaycee. I couldn't get a feel from Mike because of all the distractions and because there were too many people in such a small confining space. But it was a different story when we got inside Yesterdays. We took up two booths back to back. I sat down beside Jaycee and ended up being behind Mike. Since I was, I decided to try to look again and see if I could decipher Mike's feelings for Jaycee. I was shocked, he was infuriated! He was replaying Cam flirting with Jaycee in the car. He feels betrayed by his brother because Cam knows Mike likes Jaycee! Right now Mike is so mad he is an open book, so easy to read.

  Jaycee looked over at me. "Your ice cream is melting." I shushed her and nodded my head in Mike's direction. Her eyes lit up. "What? What do you see?" She whispered. I was getting aggravated because I was so attuned with Mike and she was messing up my concentration.

  "Hush." Was all I responded with. She bounced in place but left me alone and turned back to talk to Phoebe, Kayla and Nick. Back in Mike's thoughts I saw the last two years of him thinking about Jaycee and by the time we left I knew just where Mike's heart was. There was just one problem...Jaycee. I was gonna have to have a long talk with her.

  My mom picked me up from Yesterdays and I asked Jaycee to ride home with me so we could talk. We barely made it in my room before Jaycee bombarded me with questions but I had to stop her.

  "Listen, what I'm about to tell you is serious. You are gonna know Mike's secret thoughts and I would not be telling you if I didn't think it was for the best. Because I think it will actually help the situation. But, you can't let on to any of this to him."

  She fell back on my bed. "Oh Lord, Hannah you're killing me. Just tell me."

  I took a deep breath and said. "You know I see images. So I am gonna put into words what wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out from what I saw. Mike is crazy over you. He has been for about two years now."

  Jaycee threw her hands in the air excited. "Yay!"

  I stopped her. "Wait, there's more. There is a problem. He is crazy over the real Jaycee. The one I know and love. Don't get me wrong, he thinks your quick wit and sarcasm is funny. He also likes that you're strong and confident but he doesn't like the front you put on when it comes to guys. He's pretty sure it's a front but not a hundred percent. He hasn't let you know he likes you because he doesn't want to be another notch on your belt. And Jaycee, he really does wonder if you have already had any real notches yet."

  That hit her hard. I saw the hurt wrote all over her face. "Hannah you know I haven't done anything. I'm just a flirt. I am still a virgin. People don't think that about me, do they?" She pleaded.

  "No, I have never heard anyone say that about you. But honey nobody else has you on their mind as much as Mike does. He is certifiably head over heels with you. He is scared of being hurt and is afraid you wouldn't feel the same if he tells you his true feelings. He doesn't want to screw up."

  Jaycee took in everything I had said. Then she calmly spoke. "Tell me what I need to do. How can I prove to him that he is not like the other guys I've dated? That I have dated them just to try and get him out of my head, and that I put on an act so I won't get hurt."

  I brushed her hair out of her face. "That. You say just what you said to me. Stop with trying to make him jealous and let him see more of the real you. Just take it slow. Come on." I stood up and took her hand and pulled her up with me.

  "Where are we going?"

  "To the park. I just happen to know that Mike and the guys are meeting there in about ten minutes to play basketball."

  Our game plan was to pretend like we accidentally ran into them. So we started on the walking tract and passed the basketball court.

  Chase was the first one to see us. "Hannah, Jaycee!" We stopped and turned to walk to them.

  "What are y'all up to?" Nick asked. I noticed Mike stayed back.

  "We decided to walk off all that ice cream." I said. ”But watching you guys try and play ball would be more entertaining."

  Chase twirled the ball on his finger and said, "Well sit down and prepare to be amazed."

  Jaycee kept quiet so I motioned for her. "Let's go watch this. They need a cheering section." They teamed up and decided to play shirts and skins. Mike was a skin. I didn't think Jaycee could be any happier. We sat on the bench and had small talk while we watched and threw out comments here and there. Jaycee's eyes never left Mike and he noticed it too, to the point that he was making mistakes in the game. When he did make a basket Jaycee would yell good shot. To help not make it so obvious, I would throw out a few ‘nice pass’ or ‘almost had it’ to all the guys.

  When Nick stole the ball from Mike Jaycee yelled, "Get your head in the game Bentley."

  Mike replied with, "I can't Mitchell."

  "That's a good sign." I said under my breath.

  Still looking at Mike, Jaycee said, "Isn't he just yummy?” He was cute, not as cute as Daniel or as tall. He was however built, I’m talking six-pack.

  During the game a group of guys from the junior and senior class passed by us to get to the lower field to play what looked to be football. I looked just to see if I knew any of them but Jaycee never turned away.

  After the game was over, shirts won by a mile, Mike walked over to us. "Were those guys going on the lower field to play football?" He asked. Which I think was a test to see what Jaycee answered with.

  And she passed with flying colors. "I didn't notice." Was her only response, but it was effective. Mike grinned and was about to say something else when my mom pulled up. We said our goodbyes. If you could make out with just your eyes, Jaycee and Mike would already be at 2nd base.

  When we got into the car I patted her leg. "You did good." I praised.

  She laid her head back against the seat and sighed, "I think I need a cold shower".

  I couldn't help but laugh. "You ain't right in the head."

  The theme of my entire day was me helping people in one way or another. So I decided I would continue that by doing some research again on Samantha. I went back to the same sites I was on before, just in case I missed something. When that didn't work I tried the census records, but without anything more than a first name it was useless. I sat back and closed my eyes, trying to think of every little detail of every dream and every visit from Samantha. I knew I was missing something. My diary! I got my book and went through all the entries that involved Samantha. Something caught my eye. The day we got an offer on the house I was outside in the sun and heard a baby crying two times. Wait, I heard it three times. I got my 2nd diary and flipped back a couple pages to when I had the dream about her drowning. Before I ended up in the water I heard a cry. I'm getting close, I can feel it. Think Hannah. What else happened? Going back to the page about tanning in the backyard, I tried to picture every step I made. I went outside. Laid down and fell asleep. I woke up to a baby crying. I flipped over to write in my diary. Stop, backup. I got a missed call from a weird number. I grabbed my phone and went through my incoming call list. There it is, 521-1902. What if that's a date? May 21, 1902! Yes that's it! I went back to my computer and put in births, female, on 05/21/1902. There were no births on that day with a Samantha as a first, middle or last name. And the only two gir
ls born on that date lived to be grandmothers. Another dead end, but I know that's a date and it's a key to something. I wrote it all down in my diary, including the fiasco with Daniel.

  Once I finished I got up to go take some ibuprofen. Lack of sleep has given me a headache. Before I could get to my door, my ears started ringing. I stopped and looked around my room. I didn't see anything but the more I was aware of my senses I could feel something was in here with me. It was a feeling I remembered all too well. Evil. The shadow was here. I closed my eyes to focus, refusing to let my fear take over. It was then that I knew what the shadow was doing here. It was spying on me. It's afraid of what I'm gonna find out about Samantha. And it, he, plans on trying to stop me. I am going to have to be more careful. Also, I need to do more frequent cleansings and I can no longer research Samantha alone. I will have to have someone with me, like Jaycee, since the living impaired never seem to come around when she's with me. I'm hoping the same goes with the shadow.

  Chapter 10

  I got out of mom's car pushing my hair back behind my ear trying to keep it out of my face. I was too tired to mess with it, so I decided to leave it down this morning. I was already regretting it.

  I leaned back into the car to grab my book bag. "Bye mom. Love ya."

  "Love you too. Are you ok?"

  "Yeah, I'm just tired." With that I closed the car door and walked up the sidewalk toward the school entrance. I was running on empty and it showed in my appearance. I had on a pair of jean shorts, a t-shirt and my converses. Usually I tried to dress to impress. To make a statement, the only statement I was making this morning was ‘I don't care how I look today'. The last couple of days was catching up with me and I was starting to feel like I was in over my head. It might be time to go to my dad for help. But I really want to prove to myself, and to him, that I can handle this on my own. Jaycee must already be in class because she wasn't at the lockers when I got there. So I hurried and opened mine so I could get my books and get to class. I wanted to talk to her before the bell rings. I always feel better after telling her about my supernatural problems. She always seems to say the right thing.

  When I opened my locker and was surprised. There was a brown bag sitting on top of my books. My first thought is that this is a prank. So I quickly looked to my left and right to see if anyone was watching. Nobody was paying me any attention so I carefully picked up the bag and looked inside. It was amazing. I pulled the wooden hoop out of the bag. It was covered in beads and feathers with the center made of circular webbing of twine. I was pretty sure I knew what it was but I read the attached note to make sure. -I can tell you haven't been sleeping. So, I made this dream catcher for you. Smudge it with sage starting from the front and work toward the back. Hang it over your bed to help you understand your dreams and to keep away the bad ones. Once it's full, take it out into the sun. Let the sun’s rays purify the dream catcher and destroy the negativity that it has captured. Then smudge again. I hope this helps. Daniel.

  This has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Daniel worried enough about me to make this with his own hands. For me. Had I not been in school I think I could have cried. The fact that he thought of me this much touched my heart in a way I have never felt before. I mean something to Daniel. Even if it is just as a friend, he cares.

  I got my books and carefully put the dream catcher back into the bag and placed it back in my locker. I grabbed a pencil and a scrap piece of paper and wrote -thank you so much. I love it. I don't know how to ever repay you. I will cherish it. I kept the paper in the palm of my hand and headed to class. Walking into the room, Daniel's was the first face I saw. I could feel my own light up in a smile. His smile looked to be one of relief. Did he really worry that I wouldn't like it? Or be upset that he gave it to me? I walked by him and slipped the note from my palm to his desk.

  I got to my seat and Jaycee brought me back to reality. "That totally looks like what is called the afterglow. Just what did you and Chief do?"

  I could feel my face flush. "Oh my gosh Jaycee get your mind out of the gutter. It’s nothing like that, and don't call him chief. I do have so much to tell you though. Can you come over after school? I really need your help."

  I floated my way through algebra on cloud nine. I met up with Jaycee at my locker.

  "Where are Phebs and Kayla?" I asked.

  "You just missed them." Jaycee mumbled while applying lip gloss. I opened my locker and showed her the dream catcher Daniel had made for me. "I can't think of a smart ass comment. That is beautiful. It must have taken a lot of skill to make it. What's that?" She was pointing at a piece of paper taped to the inside of the door.

  I pulled it off and read it out loud. "Your smile was thanks enough and your note was a bonus. Maybe we can meet up and you can tell me about what is keeping you from being able to sleep. Would you be ok with that?" I don't think I ever sighed before meeting Daniel. Now it seems that's all I do.

  Jaycee pulled my hair. "Stop with the shit eating grin before your face gets stuck like that. Did you pick up on the fact that he ended the note with a question?"

  I wasn't following her. "Yeah, so, what does that mean?"

  "It means he's wanting to keep up this little note passing, duh." My heart fluttered.

  Seriously, I'm turning into a sighing, smiling, melting bundle of mush, and I liked it. "Really? You think?" Jaycee nodded her head and smiled along with me. "By the way," I added. "You owe me about five dollars now for my jar."

  "Put it on my tab." She said as she hooked her arm through mine. "Let's go eat."

  On the way to the lunch room I asked her about her love life. "Anything new with Mike?"

  "I'm taking your advice and going slow. I talked to him today before school and he text me a little bit last night. I just don't know how much I should flirt with him. Or what to say to him, or how to act around him."

  Red flag. "Wait," I stopped walking, "Jaycee you need to be yourself. You don't ever change who you are for a guy. For anyone. Ever."

  "But you said..."

  I didn't let her finish. "I said to drop the act and be you. You're a flirt, you have opinions and a mind of your own. You are smart and funny and gorgeous. Show him that. Just don't try to make him jealous. Don't put on a front. That's what I meant."

  She smiled, "You really think I'm all that? Thanks. You're a pretty great B.F.F. And even though I know all those things are true, it's nice to hear it." She can always make me laugh.

  "And did I mention humble?" I said, pulling her toward the cafeteria.

  We found a seat at our lunch table. Our group was already there. I noticed that the two seats across from Mike were open. I wonder if he planned it that way. I let Jaycee have the seat directly across from him and I sat in the next seat beside her. I started to open my water bottle when I felt his eyes on me. I popped my head up and looked for Daniel. It didn't take me long to find him because he was walking this way. If this were a movie, this would be the slow motion scene. He walked so gracefully but with power and strength. It was a stunning combination and so enjoyable to watch.

  "Hey Daniel, I saved you a seat." It was Jacob.

  And that meant Daniel was going to be sitting diagonally from me. With my group. I was ecstatic. As he was sitting down he paused just for a split second and cut his eyes to me. And the dimples are out ladies and gentlemen! Please just let me kiss them, and those full lips, and that neck that leads to those big strong shoulders. Oh my. I think I have embarrassed myself because I could feel my face getting hot. I think he saw it too because his smile got wider as he turned to talk to Jacob. What is going on? Do they have the air conditioner off in here or something? My palms are even sweating. I handed my water bottle to Jaycee and without a word she opened it for me and handed it back. Sometimes being on the same wave length with her pays off. I know that it's useless trying to eat right now with my stomach in knots, so I just pushed my tray away. Hey, being around Daniel might help me drop those five pounds I've been
trying to lose. I sat there and just enjoyed being surrounded by my friends. Listening to their conversations, and joining in when I wanted to. Nick was talking to Daniel about their favorite sports team while stealing my French fries. All I understood was Duke Blue Devils, Tar Heels and the Panthers. I watched Jaycee and Mike talk and flirt with each other. It seems like she really heard me when I told her to be herself. They were debating which movies that were coming out were gonna be the best. Jacob was even talking to Kayla, which made me realize I had dropped the ball on that but I had an idea I was cooking up for those two. I think my party is gonna be a good place to finally get them together. Every now and then I would sneak a look at Daniel. Sometimes he would catch me looking but there were also times I caught him, which was fun.

  Nick, who was sitting across from me, brought me out of my little happy place. "So, Han, how do you feel about Josh dating Ashley?" He asked, nodding over at the next table where Josh was sitting with Ash and her crew. I saw Daniel stiffen and was waiting on my response.

  This was a great time to make sure there were no more misconceptions. "I think it's great. They're perfect for each other. Josh and I were always just meant to be friends." I made sure I finished my sentence while looking over at Daniel. I could have sworn he blushed.

  Phoebe spoke up. "Is everyone going to Hannah's pool party?" I noticed everyone said yes except Daniel. He stayed quiet.

  It was then that I heard the breathy, screeching voice behind me. "Did I hear something about a party?" It was Megan.

  Without evening turning around, Jaycee responded. With her mouth full, I might add. "No, you heard wrong. Go away."

  Megan ignored her and set her sights on Daniel. "Hi, I haven't had a chance to introduce myself. I'm Megan."

  Daniel looked at me and gave the most mischievous grin, and turned back to her. "Hi, I'm Daniel. I've heard a lot about you." I could have climbed under the table because I knew him heard about her from my diary.