by J. J. Melvin
Liam turned around. “Don’t start anything you don’t want to finish, Erika.”
That statement made me nervous. I hadn’t thought about what I was starting, all I knew was that I wanted to touch him. I couldn’t help myself.
Liam kissed my neck, making his way to my lips. My body was alive, pulsing, burning. He slipped my nightgown off my shoulder and gently kissed my bare skin.
“Liam, I’m sorry, I can’t. I… I’m not ready.”
“It’s okay, Erika. I’m not asking you to.” Liam kissed my forehead with a chuckle.
I was embarrassed of the conclusion I had jumped to. I guessed I’d made it pretty obvious what I had been thinking of— the when, the if I’m ready, the does he want to.
“I am going to jump in the shower and then let’s think of what we’re going to do today. We gotta get outta the house to let the decorators decorate.”
“Okay, you get in the shower,” I said, embarrassed, “and, uhmm, I’ll check with Jayson and Sofia.”
I ran out of the room smiling, still trying to recover from my embarrassing display.
Jayson was in his room with Sofia when I skipped in.
“Jayson. You look so handsome in your tuxedo.”
“I know, doesn’t he?” Sofia answered with a surprised tone to her voice.
“Hey, don’t sound so surprised, I clean up well. And what about the mask?” He held one up that had an eyepiece attached to a long crooked pointy nose.
“Uhhh, maybe a different mask,” I suggested.
“Definitely a different mask,” Sofia agreed.
“Liam and I wanted to see what you guys want to do today. We have to leave the castle so the party planners can do their thing. We were thinking of going into London; you guys game?”
“Sounds good, but you know we are not going anywhere without our chaperone,” said Jayson.
“Yeah, you may want to ask Mr. Blithe first.” Sofia raised her eyebrows.
I found Mr. Blithe pacing in the study on the phone. I didn’t need to hear the conversation to know that another Diamond had been killed, but not here in Oxford— this one was in Paris, one we had not found.
I knocked gently on the half-opened door to let Mr. Blithe know I was there. He summoned me in with a wave before saying his goodbyes and hanging up.
“They found another one?” I asked.
“Yes Erika, yes they did. A sixteen-year-old girl named Anne.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I wish I could have found her first, but it does tell us one thing, the Collectors don’t know the rest of you are here, or at least I think they don’t know. They could have also split up. Paris is not far.”
Mr. Blithe’s face looked riddled with pain. He rubbed his fingers across the unshaven bristles that outlined his jaw, his thumb slowly moving up one side while his other fingers crawled up the other. This unwitting repetitive movement along with his distant blank stare was broken when he realized I was still in the room. “Sorry Erika, did you need something?”
I was hesitant to ask. Going out, enjoying ourselves… it seemed so trivial. But looking at Mr. Blithe, I knew he could also use a break.
“Well, we are wondering if we could go into the city, and if you wanted to come. I guess because of the party we have to leave the house so the party planners can get it ready.”
“Oh that’s right, the party. I almost forgot.”
“Mr. Blithe, we can cancel it. I don’t mind.”
“No, no don’t be silly. We will still have the party. After all, you only turn seventeen once. Even though you are one of the Four Points, I still think you should have a childhood. Yes, yes let’s go to London, they have amazing museums that you haven’t been to yet.”
Mr. Blithe looked at me, trying his best to smile and be in the moment. But Mr. Blithe wasn’t really there, he was still in Paris.
“Okay, we’ll meet you downstairs in about an hour.”
Mr. Blithe started to frantically look through the stack of papers that were strewn across the large mahogany desk. Looking up for just a moment, he answered, “Yes, yes. Will do.”
I closed the study door behind me. A loud swishing thud resounded moments later, which I suspected was the violent sound of the books and paper from the large bureau colliding with the hardwood floor. I walked down the hall trying to block out Mr. Blithe’s private profanity-laced tirade, but his thoughts still materialized in my mind: his overwhelming guilt, his thoughts of failure, and his concern over what would happen if he failed us. He felt it was his duty to find all the Diamonds, and he blamed himself for the killing in Paris.
Liam was standing in my room waiting for me when I returned.
“Is this the dress you’re going to wear to the party?” he asked as he brushed his hand down the beaded front.
“I think so.” I picked the dress up from the bed and hung it in the closet. I returned to sit on the bed by Liam, where I proceeded to tell him about the girl in Paris and about Mr. Blithe’s thoughts.
“Erika, it’s hard sometimes having powers. You hear things sometimes that you don’t want to hear, and I see things sometimes that I don’t want to see. But that is who we are. Don’t let the thoughts of others consume you. Mr. Blithe knows it’s not his fault, he’s just angry right now. He’ll be okay. We’ll all be okay.” Liam pushed me back on the bed and laid on top of me. He kissed me on the forehead and then his eyes focused on mine as if he wanted to say something. We stayed that way for what seemed like eternity, frozen staring into each other’s eyes.
I was the first to break the long silence. “Liam, I think I am falling in love with you.”
“Did you just read my mind, Erika? I was going to say those exact words. Did you only say that because you heard my thoughts, or because you mean them?”
“Liam, I can’t read your mind, you know that.”
“But those are the exact words that I was repeating over and over in my head. I was just trying to muster the courage to say them.”
“I don’t know. I felt I could hear you, but I said them because I felt them.”
Liam kissed me passionately, rolling me until I was on top of him. I sat up. His hands rested on my hips as he looked up at me. “I do love you, Erika. I don’t think it, I know it.”
I kissed his lips softly and laid my head on his chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeat, thinking I had never been so happy in my life. I was undeniably, utterly in love with the most wonderful man in the world, and he loved me too.
Chapter 21
JAYSON AND SOFIA
Mr. Blithe took us to the Museum of London, giving us a history lesson at every turn. Liam and I were inseparable that day, glowing and grinning from ear to ear. We barely ever let go of each other’s hands as we walked through the different galleries. The first gallery was named London before London, the next, Medieval London, and another Roman London.
Walking through the museum I could hear the thoughts of the other visitors, Liam and I reminded older people we passed of being young and in love. For once, I liked hearing the thoughts of others, it was nice to know that our love made people feel good.
I heard the thoughts of girls as they walked by Liam, thinking to themselves about how gorgeous he was. They were right, and I loved that he was mine. I held tightly onto his arm, as he kissed the top of my head as we walked.
Two people who weren’t thrilled about our show of affection were Sofia and Jayson. They kept remarking on how gross we were. As we all looked at a painting, Jayson stood alone across the room staring at a different one. I left Liam’s side to talk to Jayson.
“You know Jayson, if you like Sofia that much you have to make a move.”
“Erika, she doesn’t know I exist.”
“Yes Jayson, she does, but a word of advice: don’t act like you know she does.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you know I read minds, and everyone who Sofia walks by immediately thinks of how beauti
ful she is…”
“That’s easy to see,” Jayson sighed. “You don’t have to read minds to know that.”
“Yes Jayson, but why did Sofia think she liked Liam? Because Liam wasn’t into her. She’s used to guys fawning over her; she wants a challenge. Be that challenge, Jayson.”
I finished just as the others walked up. Jayson smiled at me to let me know he got it.
The rest of the day was hilarious. Whenever Sofia tried to talk to Jayson, he would start up a conversation with one of us. He stopped looking at Sofia in awe of her beauty and barely glanced her way all day. He even flirted with some tourists from the States, which you could see was really starting to get to Sofia.
“Hey Erika, do you think Jayson’s acting weird today?” Sofia asked as we walked through the aptly named War, Plague, and Fire exhibit.
“No,” I said, acting surprised. “What do you mean?”
“Oh nothing, I, I… just forget it, it’s nothing.”
“Ohhhkay, but seriously, how handsome did Jayson look in his tux today? I never knew Jayson was so cute.” Not waiting for Sofia to reply, I walked back to Liam.
I could see Sofia thinking and I knew that she agreed. On the subway home Sofia was quiet. I could tell she was contemplating her feelings for Jayson. Jayson sat across from her reading one of his gaming magazines, wrapped up in its content and ignoring Sofia. Sofia wasn’t used to this from Jayson, and no doubt her furtive glances were to check if he was looking at her. He wasn’t. He didn’t for the whole trip home.
Back at home, we all went into the sauna after a nice South African dinner consisting of biltong, mealie, fried hake, and green bean salad.
“Jeez Jayson, how much are you training? Your muscles are getting huge!” I exclaimed. Jayson had just taken off his shirt, and I wanted Sofia to notice.
“Well, gotta give the ladies what they want,” Jayson replied with his regular fraternity boy grin.
“Oh, like the two girls you were talking to today at the museum?” Sofia said.
“Sounds like you’re jealous,” Liam pointed out.
“I’m not jealous, I was just saying.”
“Yeah, after all, Sofia and I are just friends, right Sofia?” Jayson said, smiling.
“Right,” Sofia agreed.
“Hey Erika, would you mind if I invited the girls I met today to your party? The taller girl, Melanie, gave me her number, and she’s really cute. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her a little better.”
“Yeah cute, if you like girls that look like birds. She looked like the mask you wore this morning. Plus, I am handling the invites and I already gave the caterers the final number, sorry.” Sofia twirled her wavy hair around her index finger, shrugging her shoulders at Jayson.
“Alright, alright, calm down. It was just a suggestion. I’ll just have to take her out another time.”
Jayson’s plan was working, and he was having a blast messing with Sofia. I couldn’t blame him, it was pretty funny. Sofia wanted him to not be so nice, and this definitely was not the nice Jayson Sofia was used to. Jayson was undeniably handsome. He could get any girl he wanted, but he wanted Sofia. He never noticed any other girls.
Liam stayed with me in my room that night. We had never spent the night together— after all, I was only seventeen… well, almost seventeen. We laid there on our sides staring at each other, not talking, our hands wrapped tightly under our pillows until he slowly began to kiss my lips. His kisses began to have more of an urgency to them and he rolled his hard body on top of mine, using his arms to hold himself up enough so I didn’t feel his full weight on my small frame. I caressed his strong forearms, feeling the slight bulge of his perfect muscles. He laid the lower half of his body firm against mine. His breath was heavy, his body hot. He suddenly stopped kissing me and rolled onto his back, breathless.
“Sorry, I have to calm down.”
I laid on top of him and kissed him more, but he pushed me off.
“Erika, you’re killing me. I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
“I just want a couple more kisses, pleeeassse!” I begged.
I could tell Liam’s body wanted more, but he wouldn’t give in. He held me back with his arms extended to hold me in place, away from his lips. He stared intently into my eyes as I stared back smiling.
“Erika, I am madly in love with you.”
“And I with you,” I replied.
We talked for hours— him on his back, me laying on his chest— until we fell asleep. I awoke to him lying on his side brushing the hair from my face.
“Good morning, my birthday girl. How’s it feel to be seventeen years old?” he asked.
“The same as sixteen.” I sat up yawning.
“You know you were testing me last night. I could go to jail because of your age.”
“Oh lord Liam, you’re two years older than me.”
“But in the eyes of the law you are a child and I’m an adult,” he teased, laughing as he gently kissed my lips. “This is your first present,” he said, handing me a wrapped little box.
“You didn’t have to get me anything; you know I hate presents.” I opened the box, and inside were beautiful diamond earrings.
“Diamonds for the rarest diamond of them all.”
“They’re beautiful Liam, I love them.” I stared at the sparkling diamonds, turning the box left to right, watching the light dance around like a disco ball making shimmering twinkles wherever its reflection landed. The earrings were clear, beautiful, and flawless, like the wedding rings my mom had been given. Tokens of a love that never lasted that now lay hidden in a drawer, never to dance in the light of day again. I shut the box.
“Are you okay, Erika?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I couldn’t help my eyes from watering. I pushed back the tears. “Liam, they’re just so beautiful. I’ve never been given such an exquisite gift before.”
“Will you wear them tonight? I want to see them on you.” Liam’s face glowed.
“Yes Liam, yes of course I will.”
“I’m going to my room to take a shower, want to join me?” Liam jumped out of bed.
I looked at him, shocked.
“Okay, just a suggestion. Plus I was only kidding, remember jail.” He walked away laughing.
Liam left to go to his room. As I lay there in bed thinking about the most amazing night of my life, I wondered when it would all end. Everything good always came to an end. I got up and jumped in the shower.
Downstairs, the castle had been transformed with beautiful flowers covering every corner. It was as if I were transported back to the 1800s.
“Wow, this place looks amazing,” I said as I met the others, who were already seated for breakfast in the dining hall.
“I agree.” Sofia looked around. “The party planners did do a great job making my vision come to life.”
“Mr. Blithe,” I asked, “Isn’t it dangerous to have all the Diamonds in one place tonight?”
“Don’t worry Erika, we will have the castle heavily guarded. I don’t think we have to worry. We believe the Collectors are still in Paris.”
Liam walked in and I couldn’t help blushing. He walked over with a muffin that had a candle in it. The others all joined in in singing Happy Birthday. He placed the muffin in front of me and told me to make a wish.
I closed my eyes and wished that nothing would change, that the way I felt, the happiness I felt, would stay forever. I blew out the candle.
“Erika, I am so excited to give you your present. It’s a combined present from all of us.” Sofia looked like she was going to explode with excitement.
“Hey wait, weren’t we going to wait until the party to give it to her?” Jayson asked.
“Well I want to give it to her now, Jayson!”
“And I think we should wait until the party, Soofiiia.”
“What do you want, Erika?” Sofia asked, looking at me.
“I don’t know, whatever is fine,” I said, trying to be neutral.
“See, that settles it. We give it to her after breakfast.” Sofia placed her napkin on the table as if to gesture that the conversation was over.
“Whatever, bossy Miss Bossenstein,” Jayson muttered.
After breakfast I followed everyone into the garage. Waiting for me was a shiny burgundy car with a ribbon on it.
“You guys got me a car!” I said, stunned.
“Not just any car, Erika, an Aston Martin Vanquish,” Jayson replied.
“Yup, we felt the name was perfect since we are going to vanquish the Collectors,” Sofia added.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you guys got me a car!”
Mr. Blithe handed me the keys.
“Okay, just one problem: I don’t know how to drive and I don’t have a driver’s license.”
“That’s not a problem. We will all take turns teaching you, and then you can get your license.” Liam kissed me softly on the cheek.
“Thank you all so much! I can’t believe you guys did this.” I hugged each and every one of them.
“You want to go for a little spin just around the castle?” Liam asked.
“Okay, but you drive, Liam.” I put the keys in Liam’s hands.
“I’ll stay behind,” Mr. Blithe said. “You guys go on without me.”
Jayson and Sofia sat in the back. My advice to Jayson seemed to be backfiring; they acted as if they hated each other. I don’t think being squished in the tiny backseats of a sports car was helping much either.
“It’s so pretty… I can’t believe you guys bought me a car,” I said again as I played with all the gadgets.
“It’s not just pretty, Erika. The Vanquish has a V-12 engine and can easily do 0-62 in 4.1 seconds. Plus, I made sure they put a kickin’ speaker system in here. Try the music.” Jayson pointed to the stereo.
It was tuned to all of Jayson’s stations, rock. I turned the station and put on something a little more my speed, soul. I found an Adelle song that was perfect. Set Fire to the Rain blasted as it started to drizzle.
“I hope it stops raining before tonight.” Sofia looked sadly out the window.