by Ashley Drake
He walked right up to us on the dance floor, for all to see. "May I cut in?" He asked.
"Sure. Way to make an entrance. Very cool." Luke said and patted Daniel on the back.
"Thanks." Daniel said while still watching me. He held out his hand and I took it. The electricity was stronger than I have ever felt it before.
"Very cool indeed." I murmured. He pulled me in close to him and we started dancing. We were still just looking at each other. I couldn't hold my mask any longer so I dropped it to my side.
I saw his eyes narrow for a brief second before he finally spoke. "You stopped my heart the moment I walked in. You are devastatingly beautiful."
My mouth suddenly became very dry. "Thank you”. I laid my head on his shoulder and breathed in his freshly showered scent. I could tell our spotlight was over when people started joining us on the dance floor. The song ended, but thankfully, the next song was a slow one also.
Daniel lowered his head to my ear. "I'm so sorry I let you down. Please forgive me. I did everything I could to try to get here on time."
I looked up at him and wrapped my arms around his neck as we continued to sway to the music. "You're here. That's all that matters." I was well aware of his arms around my waist. I never felt safer or more elated than right now.
"No, I ruined your night." He said evenly. His eyes were smoldering. Is he that mad at himself for being late? I tried to say that his being here has made this the best party ever, but he kept talking. "My parents found out this morning that they needed to stay in Oklahoma for another day. So I talked them into letting me keep my ticket for today’s flight and they took me to the airport. My stop in Atlanta was only supposed to be an hour. It ended up being almost three. I finally got to Charlotte, grabbed my bag and found Dad's car. Then I had a flat tire on the interstate. I made it home without any other delays. I took a shower and got here as quick as I could. I worried that you were here thinking that I broke my promise to you."
All for me. He did all that for me. My heart filled with such...love! I think I'm falling in love with this sweet, honest, caring, handsome guy dancing with me. "That is the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me. I can't tell you how much that means to me."
Daniel looked relieved, yet still so serious. "I had tonight all planned out for you."
"How many times do I have to tell you that it's ok?" I gave him a reassuring smile.
"I just... I just wanted you to have the night you dreamed of." For the first time he looked away from me and took a deep breath. I waited for his eyes to meet mine again. "When I read your diary, there was a part in there where you wrote how you wanted your sweet sixteen to be just like in the movies. I never forgot that. I wanted tonight to be perfect."
I sent up a prayer of thanks for sending Daniel to me. This makes up for all the years I felt like I had been cursed with this gift. "Daniel, I don't know what to say. You are amazing." I tried to clear the fog covering my brain. "This, right here, is perfect. The words you have said, perfect. The way you looked at me when you walked in, perfect. You being here is not only perfect, but the best gift I could have ever asked for."
"We'll see about that." He said while pulling away from me. "Come with me." He took my hand and lead me off the dance floor.
We passed Jaycee and Mike. "Hey Chief. Glad you made it, and that entrance, very hot." Jaycee said.
"Thanks." Was all Daniel said while still walking. I looked back at Jaycee, and she gave me a wink.
We didn't stop until we made our way to the side exit. Daniel opened the door for me. There was a small concrete patio with built in benches on two sides. Carol and Mom added a portable, tent like, gazebo, just in case it rained. The canopy was lit up with the same small white lights as inside.
"Look how beautiful." I said, talking about the lights and decoration.
Daniel didn’t take his eyes off me. "I see." I knew he was talking about me, and I could feel my cheeks blush. I know it sounds cheesy, but I did say I wanted cheesy on my birthday.
"Umm, do you want to sit?" He nervously asked me.
We were standing toe to toe and he was still holding my hand. So I absolutely did not want to move. "No, I'm good right here."
He smiled and reached for my other hand. "I have something I want to say to you. It's not all going to make sense at first, but it will. So just hear me out ok?"
My ears started a faint ring, yet it didn't feel like a warning of something bad to come. The ringing actually added to the anticipation. "Ok." I said.
He gave me a dimple showing smile. "I want to start by saying that I still have plans on telling you my secret very soon but I need to explain something first. When we first met I was instantly drawn to you. It was a connection I have never felt before. Not just to your beauty but to your, I guess for lack of a better word, your soul."
"Is that what you meant when you said good to know it's not just me?" I couldn't help but ask.
"You remember that?" He looked shocked.
"Vividly."
"Yes, I could tell by your eyes that you felt it too."
"Are you sure it wasn't because I was rambling and acting like a complete and total dork?"
"Well, there's that." He teased. "I'm kidding. I thought you were very charming. So, when I found out about your gift, I didn't know if it was me that was drawn to you or our.....," he paused, "energy being brought together. Hannah, that's why I have been hesitant about us. But you don't know how many times I wanted to hold you close and beg you to be mine."
My head was spinning with complete joy. If I don't get ahold of myself, I'm going to be like those fainting goats from YouTube in about ten seconds. Breathe, Hannah. I felt better after taking a couple slow, deep breathes.
Daniel slowly ran the back of his hand down the side of my face. "The more time I spent with you it became more difficult to resist making excuses to be with you, or talk to you, or touch you. That's why I'm forever tucking that one strand of hair behind your ear. I was pretty sure I knew what was drawing me to you. But tonight, when I saw you on the dance floor, I was certain. It wasn't the energy, it was my heart. Then it melted when I held you while we danced."
I was wrong before when I told myself I was falling in love with Daniel. I'm full blown, head over heels, crazy in love with him.
Chapter 18
"I have something for you." He put his hand in his pocket.
"Daniel, you didn't have to get me anything. You being here is my present."
He pulled out a small white box and handed it to me. "My A~li~si helped me pick it out, and she had it blessed."
I took the box and slowly opened it. "Oh Daniel, its exquisite!" Lying in the small cloud of cotton was a necklace. It was a silver chain holding a beautiful round amethyst. "I love it!"
"It's an amulet. It will protect you and keep evil at bay. Let me put it on for you." He carefully took the necklace and opened the clasp. Instead of turning around, I stood there so he would have to reach around me to fasten it. It could have been my imagination, but I think he took his time. "There." He said, stepping back. "Your dad gave me the idea."
"That's right, I had asked him if he knew of anything that would help me." I could feel the weight of the amulet on my chest. It felt warm and solid, and for some reason that was comforting to me. "Thank you so much! You really shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did." I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
He nestled his face beside my ear. "You are so very welcome." This time his breath on my neck wasn't the only thing I felt. Starting behind my ear, he lightly kissed me. When he didn't feel any resistance from me, he kissed me again, a little lower down my neck this time.
Without thinking, my fingers went up the back of his neck into his silky hair. I have wanted to do that since the day I laid eyes on him.
Then it all happened so fast. Later, I will replay this moment in my head over and over again in slow motion. He pulled back and held my face in his hands. For just a split
second he looked into my eyes. He must have seen in them the answer he was looking for, because he pulled me into a kiss. Of course, because of every other time we have made physical contact, I expected the zap of our connection, but this time was more intense. The instant our lips touched, I saw fireworks exploding behind my eyelids. I had a thought, somewhere in the far back corner of my mind. It was more like a tiny voice that was telling me that my entire future will be able to be traced back to this moment. It was hard to process that, because the rest of my thoughts were on the hot lips I was currently attached to. And those lips were tender and soft.
He slowly ran his tongue across my lips. I knew what he was asking. I have never French kissed before. But I refused to worry about being awkward, or that I might do it all wrong. I was enjoying this fairy tale he has given me. I let my mouth open and felt his tongue slowly enter. He tasted like cinnamon. It was a new sensation, I liked it. This was worth the wait.
I was starting to get the hang of it, when the side door swung open. It was my mom! She's going to kill me. Then she's gonna kill Daniel, after she tortures him first. I wonder, since it protects against evil, if my amulet can protect me from Mom?
"There you are." She watched us jump back from each other. "Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just going to let you know it's time for the cake. I'm going to go find Jaycee, meet me inside."
What? When is she going to start flipping out? "Ok Mom." I said as though I was five and just got caught eating cookies before bed. Mom turned to walk back inside. Wait, did she just smirk? I'm sure she is going to want to hear all about it later, but for now, I'm off the hook.
"Your Mom took that well." Daniel seemed just as shocked as I was.
"I know. I was waiting on her to blow a fuse or something. But she always said she remembers being young and...” I almost said in love, "...dating. I guess she really does. We should get back inside." I said reluctantly.
Daniel went to open the door for me then paused. "Maybe they can wait a few more seconds." And pulled me into another, toe curling kiss.
We ate cake, opened presents, and danced till our feet hurt. Daniel is an excellent dancer, both fast and slow. Jacob and Chase showed off their dance moves and even talked Kayla into giving it a try. Jacob has turned out to be really good for Kayla. She is coming out of her shell little by little. My parents even left the kitchen long enough to show us how to line dance to the Electric Slide and Achy Breaky Heart. Apparently, Miley Cyrus' dad was popular at one time. Who knew?
I was on my way to find a chair so I could take my shoes off, when Daniel came running up to me, he grabbed me up and twirled me around. "What was that for?" I giggled.
"I wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday. So, happy sixteenth birthday Hannah Marie Price." He put me down and gave me a quick kiss.
"Thank you. Is it midnight already? Time has flown by."
"How long can we stay here? I would really like to talk to you."
"I don't know, but I will ask."
The crowd thinned out quickly, and while Jaycee and I were saying our thank you and goodbyes to everyone as they left, we concocted a plan. We headed for the kitchen to find our parents. They were sitting at a table drinking coffee and talking parent stuff.
"Hello our wonderful, loving, and good looking for their age, parents." Jaycee greeted, in the way only she can.
"Spill it. What do you want?" Carol asked.
"We were wondering if we could hang out here for a little while longer." Jaycee asked sweetly.
I jumped in. "We will do all the cleanup. Chase, Mike and Jacob had already promised to stick around to help. So they will be with us, and Phoebe, Kayla and Jaycee are spending the night with me anyways.”
"We will make sure everything is locked up. And Daniel can take us girls to Hannah's house, so Mike can take Jacob and Chase home." Jaycee said.
"Sounds like you have everything figured out." Mom said. She looked at Dad then to Carol. "How about this? You kids can hang out while Carol, John, your Dad and I clean, load everything up, and take it to the house. Then we will come back and get you girls."
"But," Dad added, "tomorrow you have to wash our cars." I can't believe he wants me to wash cars on my birthday. But it's worth it if I get to spend more time with Daniel.
I looked at Jaycee. "Deal." We said in unison.
I pulled Jaycee to the side before joining the others. "I will tell you all about it when we get to my house. But for now, will you just tell everyone that Daniel and I are not being antisocial, we're just going outside to talk?
"What's that code for?" She arched her eyebrow.
"Gutter brain." I said, laughing.
Daniel and I went out the same side door we did earlier. This time we sat down on the concrete bench. "I promised you that I would tell you my secret. I feel like the time is right." He unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt and pulled out a chain. "See this?" The chain was silver, like mine, but the stone was turquoise. "This is my amulet. It blocks most things supernatural from me. This is why you can't read me." He waited for that to sink in.
I touched the stone. "It's beautiful. But is that your secret?"
"It's just the beginning. I told you about my 9th Great Grandfather and his ability." He stopped and ran his hand through his hair.
"Are you trying to tell me that you are a shape shifter?"
"No, but what would you think if I was?" He was testing me.
"I would think that's way cooler than my gift."
"That shape shifting ability has transformed, or morphed or whatever you want to call it, through each generation. Hannah," he paused and took my hand. It almost felt like he was trying to keep me from running away, "I can communicate with animals." The words came out like one long exhale.
That was not what I was expecting. Was I freaked? No, not really. "You talk to them?"
"Yes." He was watching me intently.
"Like Dr. Doolittle?" I asked in awe.
He laughed and looked a little less stressed. "Not quite. Like you, I too can see images of their thoughts, but I can also give them images." He squeezed my hand. "Tell me what you are thinking."
"I'm thinking that you are gonna be the best veterinarian ever. And how much I'm going to get on your nerves every time we see a dog or cat or squirrel, because you know I will be constantly asking you what they are thinking."
"You believe me, and you're ok with this?" He seemed to be in awe as well.
"Of course." I remembered our field trip. "Hey, is that why you were acting kinda weird when we were watching the bears at Grandfather Mountain?"
"When everyone saw the bears watching me, I was afraid that I had drawn too much attention to myself. Seeing them brought back memories, and I guess I let my guard down."
"What kind of memories?" I asked.
"When I turned seven, my parents bought me a husky for my birthday. I named him Kona. From the minute he was placed in my arms, I started seeing these pictures, small things at first. Like I would see our front yard and I would know he needed to go out. Or I would see his bowl, so I would feed him. Kona would do everything I imagined him doing. He would roll over, sit, shake, and even go fetch the paper, without me saying a word. Long story short, my mom caught on and called my A~li~si for advice. They decided that during my spring break, I would go stay with my Grandparents. So they could teach me to understand, and learn to use, my gift." I watched Daniel stand up and start pacing as he got deeper into his story. "My Grandparents decided to take me camping. Their theory was that it would be better to have me around wild animals that were not use to interacting with humans. This way they could truly see what my power was, and try to predict what it could grow into. I remember that first night I got so frustrated. After setting up the tents, my Grandfather announced that it was time to get started. I thought this meant we were going to go find mountain lions, or snakes or something dangerous to talk to. Imagine my disappointment when we started off with fish, insects, frogs and
lizards. To make matters worse, I wasn't even able communicate with any of them. Grandfather said that we had learned a lot that night. That now we know my gift was limited to mammals. That didn't help my pride. So I went to sleep pouting, and woke up the same way. My Grandparents were still asleep in their tent. I got the bright idea that I was going to find an animal that I could talk to and bring it back to the campsite, so I wandered off on my own. I don't remember how long I was walking before I came up on them, two black bear cubs, brother and sister. They took to me quickly and wanted to play. They were showing me images of catching fish and wrestling around in the grass. I heard her before I saw her. At first a loud snort, then the growl." I could feel my body tense up. At this point Daniel wasn't even looking at me. He was staring off into the darkness. I'm sure he was watching that day play out in his mind. "I turned around just in time to see the mama bear charging for me. I tried to talk to her, but it all happened so quickly. That's when I found out I had another power. I'm also telekinetic. While trying to use my mind to talk to her, I was also thinking how I needed to get her away from me. I was able to move her back about a foot or so when she attacked. It was just enough so that I ended up in the hospital, instead of a grave."
"Oh my gosh, Daniel." I stood up and went to hug him. "You were only seven. You must have been so afraid."
He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. "My grandparents found me and took me to the hospital where I was rushed into surgery. I wasn't able to go back to school for two months. By that point there was no use, I had already missed too many days, and had to repeat the second grade. That's why I avoided your questions of my being held back."
Whoa, I thought as I looked up at the handsome face of the guy who could talk to animals and move things with his mind, that is just freakin awesome. But what a horrible way for him to find out. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
"Remember your pool party, and I told you I couldn't go?"
"Yes, I was disappointed."