Moonfire

by M. Rae Gogetap

  First friday in Flag = fab!!

  FFFF- hopefully tomorrow is SSSS ;)

  Como?

  second-day saturday with sex = scintillating!

  I rolled my eyes at my friend’s attempt to be a naughty influence. She knew my experience with the opposite sex was minimal. I chose not to date due to the aura complication. It took a lot of mental exercises to be able to stand in the same room as people, much less get to know them on an intimate basis. I’d put the whole boyfriend aspiration on the back burner until I could figure out more about myself.

  speaking of which, any hotties around campus?

  Haha, still on the prowl

  I chuckled. Poor Seema. Her life had been planned out from the time she was born- go to med school and marry a man of her parents choosing- no discussion. I’d never met Seema’s parents since they were on mission trips to third world countries most of the time. Seema was the smartest person I knew; her photographic memory made her a natural at studying medicine. Like her parents, she wanted to become a surgeon. Her parents practiced general surgery, but Seema leaned towards plastic surgery. Yes, Seema’s unconventional style placed her at odds with her parents in more ways than one. Despite her open-mindedness, Seema never approved of my brief affair with Dan back in high school.

  I giggled, recalling Seema’s reaction when I told her I had invited Dan to my house one Saturday afternoon.

  “What do you mean you invited that moron to your house? He’s a tool, Chelsea! A sleaze.” I held my phone a few feet from my ear, waiting for her Australian accented ranting to cease.

  “Seema, calm down, I have protection,” I said, teasing. Dan did offer a metaphysical protection. A peacefulness that insulated me against auras whenever we were together. But I was nowhere near ready to pack condoms.

  “Not funny. Don’t let him into your house, do you understand? He may be tall and gorgeous, but I don’t trust him. And he’s too old for you!” Seema yelled over the phone.

  The doorbell rang. “Old? Seems, he’s like 18, maybe. Anyway, bye, gotta go!” I said.

  I smoothed out the white scoop neck tank over the knee length green sweater skirt I wore. My gray sling-backs clicked on the hardwood floor of the entry way, echoing the beating of my heart. As I closed the distance to the front door, my steps quickened. My heart raced faster.

  Breathe. He’s just a guy.

  I took a quick glance in the gold plated mirror of the entryway, scrunching my wavy brown hair for the hundredth time. The red lip gloss made me appear older than sixteen. Old enough to date a senior.

  I gave myself a reassuring smile. Luckily Aunt Mer would stay busy with clients all afternoon.

  I opened the door to see Dan filling the doorway, wearing a dark gray short-sleeve button-up and jeans.

  “Hi,” I whispered. I cleared my throat. “Come on in.”

  Dan’s eyes, which reminded me of a tiger the more I saw them, met mine. His gaze traveled down my body. His eyes heated with golden flecks when they met mine again. I inhaled through my nose.

  “Hi yourself,” Dan said. He stepped into the entryway and pulled the door shut behind him, never taking his eyes from mine.

  I cleared my throat again, motioning to the living room. “I know you wanted to teach me more of that meditation technique, let’s sit in the living room. I’ve got coffee. I know you prefer tea, but coffee’s all we drink around here. If you’re hungry, we can-“

  Dan brought his hands to my shoulders from behind and gave them a quick squeeze. “Coffee is fine, Chelsea. Don’t be so nervous. It’s meditation. You’re supposed to be relaxed. In fact, let’s chill for a while before we ingest any more energy.”

  Nodding, I walked to the living room. We sat on the brown leather sofa, and Dan continued his lectures on meditation.

  I listened for several minutes, catching myself getting distracted by his gesturing and his long, muscular arms.

  “So if I spend twenty minutes a day meditating, I’ll be normal again?” I tried to focus on his words.

  He shook his head with a small smile. “Chelsea, you’re never going to be normal. You have a gift. There are others who… who also are gifted. When you figure out how to control your ability, you’re going to lead an amazing life. Like all those so-called ordinary people.”

  I crossed my arms and sighed. “So you’re gifted with this fabulous ability, too. Who taught you about how to control it? And how did you know about me?”

  Dan stood and walked to the Bose sound system where my iPod sat plugged in. He removed his own iPod from his jean pocket and replaced mine with his. He clicked play, and a rhythmic island beat filled the room.

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t have control for a long time. It took ages to learn how to be at peace with myself.” He ran his finger on the shelf, head down.

  Ok. Touchy subject.

  “Okay, so you can feel people’s auras and their emotional projections, too. So tell me already, how do I deal?” I blinked, eager for answers. The headaches felt more intense lately, and over-the-counter pain relievers couldn’t relieve the pain. Cloistering myself inside of my home helped, where the walls protected me from pounding auras of other people. However, I had no desire to lead a nun-like existence for the rest of my life.

  Dan ran both hands through his hair, turned and gazed out the window. “What works for me, may not work with you. But let’s start with the easy stuff.” He sat next to me, angling his legs towards mine. Long, muscled and tan. Leaning his left elbow on the couch, he brought his hand to his face and closed his eyes, smiling. I watched his every move, mesmerized.

  His amber eyes crinkled as he opened his eyes. “Hey silver girl, you still with me?” His hands grabbed mine. His touch felt heated. His lips moved inches away from my own.

  “Oh yeah, I’m here,” I whispered, wondering what it would feel like to kiss him. I couldn’t sense his energy projections, no hint at how he felt other than his actions. My inability to read his energy intrigued me. Was he attracted to me as well? Mixed emotions of anticipation and fear filled me.

  “Why can’t I sense your aura? I can feel them all, all except you.” I cleared my throat, trying to cover the panicked edge to my voice. “Most everyone else projects their feelings through their auras…”

  He chuckled, laughter filled with a surprising mixture of sweetness and masculinity. The little hairs in my ears danced at the sound. Who knew a laugh could have texture?

  “Depending on the source of the power…” I noticed his hesitation again. “People with these gifts can build a sort of immunity to outside powers.”

  He sat back on the sofa. The space between us felt canyon-like. I shook a mental fist at my hormones. Get a grip. Be a good student.

  “Which brings me to a good point. Have you ever noticed your abilities change over the course of a month?” he asked.

  “What, like my power PMS? Yep, my favorite time of the month,” I said.

  He laughed again. “Okay. You’re observant. And the term fits, I guess. Our abilities are cyclical. Not based a woman’s cycle, but rather a lunar cycle.”

  I put my hand up in a stopping gesture. “Wait. You were making sense… Please don’t tell me you’re a werewolf. Or I’m a werewolf. I don’t want to kick you out, but my open mindedness only goes so far.”

  Dan smirked and raised his eyebrows. “Not a fan of the supernatural? You’re different from other people of your generation.”

  “Hey, I enjoy a sweet romantic vampire tale as much as the next girl. Fiction is an excellent escape. But not a substitute for reality. And, ahem, we are in the same generation.”

  Dan snorted. “Fantasies aren’t all unreal.”

  I smirked. “You are suffering from ridiculosis.”

  “Riduclosis?” He asked. “That’s not an affliction, Chelsea. That’s not even a word.”

  I grinned, my heart fluttering in my chest at the use of my given name.

  “Although, you might wish for that simplicity someday.
” He took my hands again, stroking my thumbs with his own.

  “Why?” I closed my eyes, preparing myself for the worst.

  “Most legends and fables created by humans are derived from their interactions with… individuals who wield energy,” he said. “Like us. There are different kinds of powers, thus leading to a wide array of stories. From werewolves to vampires to angels and demons. Most stories are rooted in truth, not ridiculousness.”

  “So you are saying I’m a werewolf?” I whispered, unable to find my voice while his fingers stroked my hand.

  He laughed. “This might be easier to explain if I show you. Close your eyes.”

  Oh. God.

  He’s crazy. I’d never grown fangs or extra hair, or howled at the moon. Had I? Maybe I just didn’t remember. Maybe I was a psychotic teenage werewolf, like that show…

  He squeezed my hands, and my heart rate slowed.

  “Chelsea, stop overthinking this. Breathe. You’re not a werewolf. Close your eyes.”

  Thank. God.

  “Remember, none but ourselves can free our minds,” he said, gripping my hands in a firm hold.

  “Okey dokey, Mr. Marley.” I returned his hand squeeze.

  “Hey, reggae is way more hip than that folksy stuff you listen to.”

  “I do love me some Simon and Garfunkel,” I said. “And the Beatles, and Janis, and the cooler Bob.”

  “My Bob is a bigger legend than yours,” he said.

  Before I could argue, a wave of power rushed towards me. His energy hit my own, building and swirling and cocooning around our bodies. Wind like energy funneled from my feet to between our hands. Air sirened making my ears pop. My eyes widened and stared into his own. Dan’s eyes narrowed.

  I gasped. His energy waved in a muddled violet, a thin wisp. While I had felt other people’s auras, I had never seen them before. A wavy light show of violets and blues. Like a halo, enveloping his body. The muddled aura felt like fear, a pulsating panic.

  Why on Earth was he scared?

  My heart raced as I reached my hand out instinctively to soothe him. He shoved my hands away from him in a blur of movement and stood. He swore. I blinked.

  “What happened?” I asked. I swallowed a lump of fear. Did I do something wrong? His reaction disturbed me. My toes cramped.

  “I’m sorry. Your aura is incredible. I’ve never seen one. But yours- it’s beautiful.”

  “You saw it?” he shouted, running a hand through his hair. “Damn, what is going on? I thought I could- never mind. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  To my horror, I felt wetness on my cheeks. What was with me? I never cried.

  “Ah, Chels, shit. I’m sorry, it’s not your fault,” he said, softness returning to his voice.

  “I’m fine.” I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand. “Maybe a little overwhelmed.”

  He shook his head, gathered me in his arms. The soft cotton of his shirt smelled like coconut. I rested my head on his chest.

  “Don’t lie to me, silver girl. You’re a lot overwhelmed. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, especially to me. I can handle it. But I’m a bad teacher; we need to begin, well at the beginning, again.”

  I lifted my head to look at him. Dan brushed the tears from my cheeks with the backs of his fingers. His thumb touched my lips.

  “You’re right, you’re a bad teacher,” I said, my hands moving up his back slowly, along his strong shoulders. “Teachers aren’t supposed to hold their students like this.”

  He lowered his mouth to my ear, lips touching and sending shivers down my spine. “True. Let’s say I’m a tutor, a peer. Definitely don’t want to be your teacher,” he whispered.

  Soft brushes of his lips moved to my chin, then my lips. He tasted like heat and male and pure energy. Power surged around us again, bright, loud and pulsing. He lifted me into his arms, to get a better angle, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He groaned as his tongue delved into my mouth, teasing, tasting me. Using one of his hands to hold my bottom, he tangled the other hand in my long hair. I returned his kiss, my tongue exploring his with hesitation at first. But the feel of his hand in my hair sparked something inside of me. As I leaned away for air, he continued kissing my neck.

  “Dan,” I whispered. He moaned again and pushed me against the wall. I ignored the painting against my back, and Dan propped me up further. We consumed each other.

  The painting behind us probably would have been destroyed if not for the interruption.

  “What in all of existence?”

  My heart slammed in my chest.

  Shit.

  In less than a second, Dan had me pushed behind him. Meredith stood, wielding a knife in one hand and a phone in the other. “Step away from my niece. I’m calling the police if you don’t leave about five minutes ago.”

  “Aunt Mer! Hey-“ I said at the same time Dan said-

  “Hey, sorry to meet you like this, but my name is-“

  “I don't give a damn who you are or what your name is. Get out now!” Meredith shouted, her knife hand shaking with nervous tremors. Dan put his hands in the air. My mouth dried.

  Holy Crap.

  Was Aunt Mer on drugs? My aunt never appeared anything but calm and collected. Her red power suit and black pumps did little to hide her menacing stance with the knife. She looked like a ninja, not a real estate agent.

  I glared at her.

  “Aunt Mer, holy over-reaction much? It’s okay. He’s a friend from school.”

  “Chelsea Danika Shephard, get to your room immediately,” she said, never taking her eyes from Dan.

  “I’m not leaving my friend alone in a room with you right now. What’s going on Aunt Mer? Were you drinking?”

  But I knew that wasn’t the problem. Aunt Mer did have a penchant for dirty martinis, but she knew her limit with alcohol. I walked backward towards the stairs, facing Meredith’s back.

  “Keep going, Chelsea. Your room, now,” Meredith said to me. “You,” she said, waving the knife at Dan again, “Keep your hands in the air and start walking towards the front door.”

  Yep, definitely drugs.

  “Aunt Mer, we were making out! This isn’t an armed robbery. You’re the one holding a knife. Are you drunk? I’m calling the police-“

  “No!” Both Dan and Aunt Mer said.

  “Chelsea, just listen to your Aunt. I’ll talk to you tomorrow-“

  “Over my dead body!” Aunt Mer moved to block my escape away from the stairway.

  What was it with people and Ginsu knives lately, anyway?

  I walked towards the stairs leading to my room, and turned to give Dan an apologetic look. I’ll call you, I mouthed. His amber eyes darted to my own, I saw a flash of a grin.

  “Chill, Meredith. I’m leaving.” He grabbed his iPod from the Bose, then held his hands back in the air. “It’s not what you think-“

  “You are one sickva-hee.” What? Meredith was slurring words now. “She’s 16. If you ever lay your hands on her again, I swear I’ll make sure it’s the last female you ever touch. She will live. You tell that-“

  “CHELSEA shut that door!”

  My throat tightened. Why did Meredith think Dan was about to kill me? Had I alienated myself so much that a guy in our house meant malicious intent? Sure, Meredith, Seema, and Dede made my circle. I was an introvert, but this was insulting.

  I shook my head.

  A loud pounding on the door alerted me to the coming inquisition.

  “Come in,” I said, laying on my pink and gray quilt, arms across my chest.

  “Chelsea, what were you thinking? I told you never invite strangers into our home, especially when I’m not here. Look what you did! So scandalous. Not to mention dangerous. You don’t know what men are like.” She paced in front of my door as if guarding an impending escape.

  I shot from my bed, hands fisting. Aunt Mer dated a different man every month. And she lectured me on scandal?

  “Aunt Mer, are you raising me in a
different decade than you live yourself? Dan’s a friend. He was… tutoring me. Things started happening, and-“

  Meredith stopped pacing and faced me, her hands on her hips.

  “Exactly my point. No more tutors, not unless I approve them first. Understood?” she said, her eyes full of anger. And something else. Fear?

  I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. Debating with Meredith in this state would be pointless. No amount of yelling or crying or arguing would help me. I’d probably earn a lengthy grounding and possibly a longer sentence with Yolanda.

  “Sure thing, Meredith.”

  She nodded, pleased with my response.

  “Chelsea, there are things you don’t understand yet. Please trust me. I’m looking out for your best interest. I swear.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m 16 years old, Meredith. Give me a little credit. I know I haven’t dated much-“

  Meredith’s pumps on the oak floor echoed through the room as she walked out. Her hand paused on the doorknob. She sighed, then turned towards me.

  “I’m not just talking about hormones, for god’s sakes, Chelsea. Frankly, I wish it were that simple. Then I could run to the drug store and buy you protection.”

  My cheeks flamed. “Well, what’s with you? Why are you acting like this tonight?”

  Meredith shook her head, and something like regret shined in her eyes. She looked at the ceiling for a moment. When her eyes met mine again, they glistened. Were those tears? Stunned, I met her eyes, waiting for her confession.

  Alcohol withdrawal? Insanity? Times like these I wished my ability worked on Meredith.

  After a minute, no tears fell.

  Whatever bothered Aunt Mer, she wasn’t sharing.

  “Just do what I say, Chelsea.” The door clicked shut on her way out.

  Chapter Six

  First impressions

  “THE REMOTE IS literally three feet in front of you,” Fia said, coming out of her bedroom. “You don’t have to stare at the empty screen. Unless you’re trying to turn it on with your kinetic willpower.”