“Mom outdid herself I see,” I murmured to no one in particular.
Standing there, I started to feel a tad overwhelmed and dizzy. I almost tripped when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to see Nikko smiling, looking good and dressed to impress. He was wearing a dark-black V-neck shirt with a pair of sandy jeans. Nikko had his ink-black hair spiked, and his unique violet blue eyes sparkled underneath the strobe lights. I thought Nikko’s eyes were so beautiful. If he didn’t get a girlfriend soon, I would so have to find him one. No one that good looking should be without someone. I bet there were people lined up and he just didn’t know it. I smiled at the thought I just had and rubbed my hands together in a sneaky way.
(I just had one of those moohaha moments. So very underhanded was what I was thinking, but, hey, just call me love doctor. Every time I thought it I just wanted to smile. Me: A love doctor! I know it was funny, right?)
“Hey there, good looking, happy birthday.”
“Well, if it isn’t my very own knight. How are you, Nikko?”
“Good now that I get to see you, Charlie.” He took my hand and spun me. Then he put his fist to his chest. “Dang, girl, you clean up,” he declared.
“I know,” I said with a smile as I did another little twirl for the fun of it. “And you, my knight, look good yourself.”
Nikko grinned and did a little twirl, too. “Only for the birthday girl would I go to this much extreme.”
“Ya right, Nikko, lay off her. Charlie girl knows how ya dress,” Tammin said as she came in for a hug.
I naturally hugged her back, glad to see both of them. I smiled, shook my head, and hugged Nikko, too. I think I must have shocked him. His face had a surprised look. I don’t know why. He had after all saved my life and freaking carried me half naked down the street back to the dance.
Nikko coughed and backed up. I frowned at him. What’s up with that?
He smiled, took his eyes off me, and asked Tammin, “So where’s Jones? I thought you would be pulling him by a leash now that you guys are an item and all. Let me just say, Tamm, how very cruel it is for me to suffer through class with two love-sick puppies. Yuck.”
I laughed at him, always witty Nikko. Never a dull moment!
“He’ll be here soon,” Tammin drawled.
As if on cue, little Simon walked over to us. He gave me a quick noncommittal hug, and then wrapped one arm around Tammin’s waist. They looked so cute together. Tammin was wearing a plaid shirt the colors of pink, purple, yellow, and indigo. It brought out her golden hair and sapphire eyes. She also had on jeans and shoes just like me. Simon had on red-brown plaid shorts, and a bright-green shirt. I do mean bright!
It brought his lime-green eyes to life. He had his “Harry Potter” glasses and a smile, with his tasseled messy brown hair. That was Simon for you. Anyway, ever since the dance Tammin and Simon had been going at it hot and heavy. I mean the whole sucking face and all. Let’s not forget who got them there, love Doctor Charlie.
And it was still funny!
Yes, I admit that maybe I helped just a little with the Tammin Jones thing. I could not take all the credit, even if I wanted to. However, I had given them a nudge, so I might be able to nudge Nikko toward someone as well.
“Charlie, you look good. Happy birthday.” Simon smiled. “Oh, here you go. Tammin and I got you something together. We hope you like it.”
“Oh, thank you, Simon, Tammin,” I replied.
They smiled and handed me the gift. I took it awkwardly smiling back. Tammin, Simon, and Nikko looked at me. I guess they wanted me to open my gift.
Great!
Well, all righty then. I opened my gift gingerly peering into the bag to find one pair of killer cowboy boots—just like the ones Tammin had on the first day I met her and a pair of lime- green socks—the color of Simon’s eyes. I was astonished. I truly did not expect anything. I felt myself giddy with joy at what my friends had gotten me.
Boots - that was so Tamm! The color of lime, that too was all Jones!
I slowly raised my head. The first threat of tears started to stream down my face. It was nothing to do with being sad. On the contrary, I was so happy! Right? Well, maybe a little sad. I’d never really had friends before, let alone the kind of friends who would care so much to buy me anything. Oh, I had friends, but we never stayed for my friends to stick as friends did. Meanwhile, my parents and I would move so much that they never threw me a party. So celebrating with my temporary friends never was on my to-do list when it came to my birthday. I mean, why would I want a party when we would soon move anyway? That’s why I was reluctant to let my mom have her way this time and throw me a party. Damn Tru’s good looks. If not for him . . . What? I’d be sitting in my room bored out of my mind that’s what! I guess I should have thanked him.
Anyhow, I liked Tammin and the gang more than any other friends I had ever made in the past, and to think that soon it would all be over and just like magic . . . Poof! Yeah we were out of there. It hurt to know that I’d soon leave them all behind, Tru, Tammin, and their friends, plus Jace and his family. So I was a little sad. And maybe I was crying. Nevertheless, this was the first time I was crying over the best and worst feelings. It was a bittersweet moment for me and I wanted to relish it all. To have people here with me celebrating something was awesome, but to know that tomorrow it could end was unfortunately sad.
“Charlie,” Simon asked. “Are you OK? Did we do anything wrong?”
I stared at Simon puzzled. Why would he think they did anything wrong? Well, duh! Of course, I was crying. That’s why he asked. I smiled my biggest, brightest smile. I wrapped one arm over Tammin’s shoulder and the other arm over Simon’s. It was kind of a s’mores hug. Tamm and Jones were my graham cracker and I was their chocolate. All that was missing was the marshmallow. I looked at Nikko and thought about completing my s’mores, but then I thought better of it. He already looked uncomfortable. No need for me to make him feel more of that.
“No. You guys, I love it. Thanks so much, ya’ll are the best,” I replied happily.
Simon and Tammin laughed, hugging me tighter. “Charlie girl,” Tammin drawled. “Ya had me so worried there. I thought ya liked the boots the first day ya looked at them, but when I saw tears in ya eyes. Well, crap. I thought, maybe she really didn’t like them boots after all.”
“No, Tammin, Simon, the gifts are simply perfect,” I said with a hint of a smile in my words. “Now I have pieces of you both.”
“Good,” Simon looked confused. “But what makes you say that?” Simon asked.
“What . . . Oh, that I have a piece of you and Tammin now?” I asked.
“Yes,” Simon and Tammin said simultaneously.
“Well, Tammin the boots are something totally countrified. I love my country girl.” I playfully jabbed her on the arm. “The socks are lime green, the color of Simon’s eyes.” I grinned. They looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had. But if they only knew that when we moved again—at least this time I would have something to remember them—then maybe they wouldn’t look at me with wide concerned eyes. All three of them shook their heads and smiled.
“Well, all this girly mushy stuff aside,” Nikko waved his hand like he was clearing the air. “I have a gift for you too, but. . . I don’t know if I want you to cry or not. Because, I’m thinking if you cry, then it’s a hell-of-a-good gift, but if you don’t, then maybe I suck at this gift giving stuff.” I looked at Tammin waiting for her to say something, or smack him on the back of the head for cursing. But she just smiled. “Anyway,” Nikko shoved a bag into my hands. He scratched the back of his head, adding, “I would rather you not cry if I have my way, so just don’t cry, OK?”
I gave Nikko my sincerest smile and nodded, taking in a deep breath. I opened the bag and cried. I couldn’t help it. In the bag was a picture of me and Nikko the night of the dance. Mom told me she lost the pictures, but now I’m guessing Nikko got them from her. The picture of us was framed in a silve
r and blue picture frame that had lines intertwining around the edges in a unique knot pattern.
Written upon the frame were big block letters: Nikko and Charlie, friends forever.
I would’ve never thought a guy other than Jones could be this softhearted. I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck forgetting how uncomfortable he was, pressing close so that I could whisper in his ear. “Knight, you are my hero. I love the gift, thank you.” My lips brushed his cheek while I was hugging him. It was supposed to be sweet, an innocent friendly gesture. However, when my lips touched his cheek, I felt a shiver run through Nikko’s body.
Awe hell!
Not the reaction I was hoping for, not at all.
I stiffened and wished I could take it back. I hoped he didn’t feel my body stiffen in his arms. I wanted desperately to pull away, but I was too afraid of what I would see in Nikko’s eyes. I truly didn’t want to see sadness, disappointment, or longing of some kind. I didn’t want him thinking of me . . . Not like that. And that shiver said he was thinking of something, but I didn’t know what. I didn’t like Nikko that way. Maybe if I acted like nothing happened then nothing would change. Nikko would still be my Nikko, funny, flirty Nikko and our friendship would remain the same. I pulled away with a smile. I punched him in the arm. I said, “I know. I know. You told me not to cry, but.” I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a girl and today I’m just emotional. Hey, you know I’ll only turn sixteen once.”
Nikko smiled that same smile he always had with me. My chest eased up.
Phew!
I was glad it worked. He didn’t know I knew something just happened. Well, I hoped he was clueless, that is. However, I could also be reading this all wrong and there was nothing there. I could have stepped on his toe, or I might smell bad to him. And I guess if not we could just play make-believe, because I wasn’t going to ask him questions about what happened when my lips grazed his cheek. Not at all!
“Hey you,” Dee said as she and Noland approached. “Happy birthday!”
“Exactly,” Noland said with a grin. “Happy sweet sixteen Charlie!”
Dee and Noland walked arm and arm, smiling at me. Noland, all in black, looked more like a burglar than some guy going to a birthday party. His golden-brown hair and amber eyes looked menacing in the strobe lights. Yeah, um, he looked deadly. Dee kinda looked the same. With a killer short strapless red dress and—oh my God, look at those shoes—they had to be four inches high at least. I didn’t see how she could walk, let alone dance.
Ouch!
Dee’s brown hair was curling out a little more than it normally did. She had red lipstick on, making her fair skin look paler than it already was. Her dark starless-night eyes had a bedazzling quality to them. I just couldn’t help but stare at both Noland and Dee. What was weirdly funny, Dee and Noland looked as if they were trying out for a gothic vampire show.
“Here,” Dee said.
She handed me an envelope that was from her and Noland. I opened it and pulled out a card.
In the front it read: Happy Birthday.
Inside the card was fifty dollars.
Sweet!
I read the one liner: You’re lucky we didn’t just get you the card, loser.
I laughed. “Thank you very much,” I said with a bemused smile on my face.
“You are more than welcome. Besides,” Noland paused and looked at Nikko. “This kid was probably driving you crazy.”
“My knight,” I said jokingly before I had a chance to stop myself. Too late I realized. Um, maybe I shouldn’t encourage Nikko. It seemed he liked me a little too much. But if I acted any different wouldn’t that make him suspicious? Ugh! Oh well, too late. I finished up saying, “He could never drive me crazy, nor could you Noland.” I put the palm of my hand on Noland’s cheek and patted it softly. Nikko punched Noland on the shoulder, gave me a wicked grin, and laughed—that’s when someone put their arms around my waist. They picked me up, swinging me in the air. All the colors and light swirled by me in a blur. When I stood, I turned to see Jolon smiling his ha-ha-ha-I-just-got-you grin.
“Happy birthday,” Jolon, Paco, and Zitkala said in unison.
Z had her long black hair up in a bun and wore a t-shirt and blue-jeans on. Now that was going comfortable. Paco’s Mohawk was spiked out to the side. He was going relaxed as well with jeans and a dark-blue shirt to emphasize his eyes. Jolon had that I-just-got-out-of- bed look. His long black hair was tousled. However, I suspected Paco did something to Jolon’s hair right before coming there, but I’d probably never know.
Jolon wore slacks and a graphic-t that read: Stop. Drop. And roll with it baby.
It was in big letters, with stick figure guys going from one move to the next. It was cute.
“Thanks, I think, but I might puke, so don’t ever do that again, J.”
“Ah, come on, Charlie. Tru said you like being picked up,” Jolon teased.
A burst of heat crept up my face. I shook my head as Tru came striding in. His long flowing black hair cascaded around his face and his mocha skin shined under the lights. Tru’s bright-green gold-specked eyes looked overwhelmingly powerful.
My fur-ball!
His whole personified essence commanded you to look at him and look I did.
Yummy!
He was an Alpha, that was for sure. He had on a white dress shirt with a checkered blue green vest over the dress shirt and a dark-blue tie. His white shirt hung out over his faded jeans, and hell, his smile was to die for.
(By golly, dying was so what I felt like doing; as long as I got to do it in his arms then yes, please kill me now).
Tru gazed around looking over our faces, judging my utmost embarrassing look and Jolon’s smirk. Tru shook his head and shoved Jolon in the shoulder saying playfully, “Stop that, man. Whatever you did, stop it now!” He grinned.
“Yeah,” Paco said. “Next time I get to pick her up.” He gave me a sly smile and Z gave him a jab to his ribs.
“No,” Tru continued. “No one is picking C up.” He rubbed his face and smiled. “Well, no one but me,” Tru chuckled, a deep-sounding laugh that got everyone to laugh as well.
I walked over and hugged him and kissed him deeply. “Thank you,” I murmured.
“I hate to cut in on your moment, Charlie,” Jolon said, not sounding like he hated it at all. His hands were in his pockets and he shuffled his feet back and forth in a nervous way. “But me, Z, and my right hand Paco.”
Jolon coughed “loser,” but he smiled a warm friendly smile directed at Paco. Jolon continued. “Well, we all got you something together,” he finished.
I smiled holding out my hand. I was so starting to like this gift-giving stuff, oh yeah. Jolon grinned. He took me by the hand and pulled me outside to my car. I was starting to wonder what in the world could they have gotten me that would be outside. However, when I saw the M3 without tinted windows, I jumped up and down clapping my hands.
“Yeah,” Z said. “Remember how you told me if you ever got a car it wouldn’t have tint on it like your mom’s car? Well, I told this idiot here.” She pointed at Paco with her thumb. “And he told his other half.” Z switched hands and pointed at Jolon. “Your birthday was so close, and we had no idea what we should get you. So we decided to ask your parentals if they were buying you a car. However, I was too embarrassed to ask the parentals if they were going to buy you a car, so I left that to P-J. Besides, Charlie, no offense but what if your mom and dad weren’t getting you a car. Then I would’ve looked like dumb and dumber here.”
Z said it with an exasperated sigh adding, “Anyway, we found out that your parentals decided to give you their car. P-J had my bright ideal to remove the tint. It took a lot of maneuvering and pleading to God that you wouldn’t notice. Thankfully, we managed to sneak it by you without you ever knowing. So here we are. No thanks to these two, Charlie. You should have seen their bickering, just like an old married couple.”
“Hey,” they said at once. “At least it worked, r
ight?”
“Luckily,” Z murmured under her breath. It was barely audible.
“Well thanks. This is just what I wanted. You know I was just telling the parents that the tint had to go. So I’m very happy with this gift. If I ever need some spying or military espionage, I will know who to look up. You guys slid this right under my radar.”
I smiled. P-J loved the comment. Both of them ruffled my hair saying, “Military espionage sounds like a whole lot of fun.”
Z thought about it. She smiled a mischievous smile, maybe thinking she should go into the espionage biz. We all headed inside. Tru pulled me close to his strong body and led me onto the dance floor. That’s when he pulled out a small box. “If I haven’t said it yet, happy birthday. You look amazing.” Tru placed the box in my hand.
I smiled while opening it, wondering what kind of jewelry it was. But to my, surprise it wasn’t what I’d expected. Inside the box was a small wooden wolf, dark brown with metallic eyes. Carved on the wolf’s back was a heart that said “love” in the Cherokee language. Yeah, still was not sure on how I could read it, but I could. It would be a surprise when I said something to Tru in his native tongue. Boy, that would shock him. I could already see his face.
“Thank you.”
He grinned. “This is what we’re given the night of the ritual, although thing’s turned out badly for you.” He laughed. “Well, kinda bad. We did make our relationship official. And that was the best part of the night. I want you to have this.” Tru sighed and touched my cheek with his hand. I smiled up at him. He gave me a grin in return then added, “See, we are supposed to give it to someone we trust and love, the person we imagined growing old with. You know that kinda stuff.” Tru hesitated looking unsure every minute. He rubbed my cheek absently. “Anyway,” Tru glanced down. He pulled me close and hugged me. “Uh, my grandfather told me that I need to give it to that one special person, and C you’re that for me.”
My mouth felt like it dropped onto the floor.
A Spark Of Magic: Chosen Saga Book One Page 28