“I scintillate!” I burst out laughing. “That’s ridiculous.”
“You see, you’re doing it now.” He stared at me. It almost felt like he was looking into me. “Your face is radiant. I wish you could see it.”
“We should get going before I literally grow wings and become your personal angel,” I said sarcastically and picked up my bouquet of flowers. “Having you for a boyfriend would either help a girl’s self-concept or make her really self-conscious.”
“Huh,” Nick looked over at me incredulously. “Did you just refer to me as your ‘boyfriend’ and not as your ‘really good, special, guy friend’?” We entered the crowded hallway and headed towards the exit.
“Pfft, don’t let it go to your head.”
“Wow, I’m moving up in the world,” he said. “I guess that necklace is working its magic already.”
I slipped my hand under my leather coat to search for the ornate chain and butterfly. It was still there, resting against my sweater. “Thanks again for the necklace. It’s beautiful.” I looked at him as we stepped into the cold night. Stars twinkled, and his warm hand took mine.
“I’m honored that you’d wear it.” We stopped under the portico, oblivious to those around us.
“Please wear it at all times,” he urged. “The lady who designed and forged this necklace is very… how can I put it? Religious.” I raised an eyebrow and gave him a crooked smile. “Bear with me,” he said as he ran his fingers through the loose ends of my hair. “She put an enchantment on it. That necklace will help protect whoever is wearing it.”
“I’m religious, not superstitious.”
“That doesn’t matter. Your beliefs are inconsequential. The miraculous in this world is not dependent on us. Humans, we, are too weak to control such power. Besides, sometimes faith gives people great comfort. In ancient Greece, they believed that butterflies were the souls of their loved ones. So you can see why the butterfly is important to Greeks.”
“Since it is from you, I will never take it off.” I rose up on my tip toes, placed my hands on his face, and pulled his lips to mine. We kissed a simple kiss in the lights under the portico.
Love
Chimes filled the house as the doorbell rang. My heart raced knowing that Nick stood on the other side. I headed down the stairs to answer it.
“Ugh, he’s here, isn’t he,” Reese groaned as he came up the stairs.
“Yes, and you better be polite,” I warned, trying not to collide into Reese as we passed on the stairs.
I jumped off the last step, rounded the corner, and opened the front door. Nick stood before me in all his heavenly glory. His dark blue jeans contrasted nicely with his hunter green Polo shirt.
“Hello, come on in.” I took his coat as he walked through the threshold. Reese’s bedroom door closed loudly as Nick and I walked through the short hallway that led to the family room. “I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t wait to give you your present. Although it’s not nearly as nice as the one you gave me.”
“What? I can’t wait to see what you’re giving me.” Nick’s arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and he playfully lifted me off the ground. “Gifts aren’t a competition.”
I squealed, and he set me down. “Says the one who gave the better gift.” I walked around the sofa and headed for the Christmas tree.
“Can we turn on the fireplace?” He stood in front of one of the built-in bookcases that flanked the fireplace. “You got to love gas,” he added with a juvenile laugh, his hand on the control switch.
“Guys.” I rolled my eyes and subtly shook my head. “Yes, that’s a great idea.”
He flicked the switch, and the starter ignited. Orange flames flickered to life behind the glass.
We sat down beside the nine foot Christmas tree. Fancy glass ornaments sparkled on the tree. Brilliant colors and glitters added life and pizzazz to the evergreen boughs. Two colorful glass birds with tail feathers appeared to be singing sweet songs to each other.
Handmade ornaments of all kinds adorned the tree. Some of Mom’s favorites were the ones that Reese and I had made in elementary school. Store bought theme ornaments also decorated the tree and revealed the phases that Reese and I had gone through in life. Several princesses adorned the tree, while Reese had chosen sports themed ornaments.
White lights graced the boughs of the evergreen and added a brilliant shimmer to the already beautiful tree. A serene angel, perched atop the tree with her feathery white wings spread wide, looked down as if guarding the multitude of presents.
“Where are your parents?”
“They’re downstairs. They promised to give us some privacy. Reese is hiding out in his room. Hopefully he’ll stay there.”
“I think he’s taking my, uh, presence in your life a bit hard.”
“Hmm, you’d think he was solely responsible for my virginity,” I joked. “If they still made chastity belts, he would’ve put me in one by now.”
Nick laughed. “Reese is kind of funny. I wish I could get in his head and hear his thoughts. I bet they’d be a riot.”
“Riot, as in scary, out of control, destruction?” I asked and glanced at Nick through loose strands of my blonde hair.
“No. Riot as in funny, hilarious,” Nick corrected with a laugh. “You know, there’s a saying that a brother is born for adversity.”
“Yeah, well Reese has that under control. Ugh, enough of him. Let’s move on to better things.” I picked up a large box. “This is for you.”
Nick laid the box in his lap and ran his fingers over the red, green, and gold plaid paper. “You did a great job wrapping this. The gold bow is a nice touch.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s heavier than I expected.” He lifted the box up and down like a barbell. “I have no idea what it is.”
“That’s the idea.” I smiled.
He tilted it to one side and produced a low thud. “Huh, it sounds like something solid.” He gently lifted the other side of the box to get the object to slide to the other side in the box. “Will it break if I do this?”
“No, it won’t break.” I bit my bottom lip and enjoyed his anticipation.
He eyed me carefully, and then he slipped his finger under the paper. “I think it must be a book, but I’m not sure what it’s about.”
“I’m not telling,” I teased. He removed the paper to reveal an ordinary box. “I’m sorry. I don’t have an inlaid masterpiece for you.”
“Funny.” He removed the lid. White tissue paper concealed the gift. It crunched softly as he carefully folded it back to reveal a wooden photo album. Nick ran his hand over the smooth grain of the cherry wood cover. “It’s beautiful. What is the binding made of?”
“That’s purpleheart,” I replied. The dark wood had hints of purple and red which contrasted nicely with the cherry wood cover.
“I love these brass hinges.” His fingers traced the ornate edge.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” He carefully lifted the album from the box and placed the box beside him. He opened to the first page.
His fingertips lovingly brushed under the pictures as his eyes took in the details. Under each picture I had written a sentence. In the first photo we were sitting on the sled in the snow in Asheville. I was in front and his arms were wrapped around me. His chin rested on my shoulder and my head was tilted back, looking at him. We were at the top of the hill, and it was the beginning of the day. The sun was high, and light sparkled off the snow.
There was also a picture of us in the hot tub. His arm rested on the edge and I was nestled close to him. Neither of us knew at the time that Meghan had taken the picture.
Another candid was when we were playing Wii. Our faces were enthusiastic and competitive. Nick ran his finger along the edge of the photo. “That was fun,” he said and glanced between me and the picture.
The final and largest picture of us was from the Christmas concert. The poinsettias behind us created a dramat
ic backdrop. Nick’s dark navy suit and my white angel costume popped against the crimson ocean. His arm was wrapped around my waist, and I had one arm around his waist. “This one is my favorite,” I said.
“I can see why.” He gave me a slow, lingering kiss. “You are absolutely beautiful. The camera really caught your essence.”
“You look very handsome.”
“This,” He shook his head and looked at me, “this is absolutely wonderful, Kate. Thank you.” He leaned over and kissed me again.
“You might have noticed that there aren’t very many pictures in the book. So I guess we’ll have to get busy having some more adventures together so we can fill this thing up.” I patted the book.
“That should be easy. I think adventures will find us.” He looked at the book again. “We just might not be able to put them in the book.”
“And why not?” I playfully shoved his knee.
He laughed softly. “We might not always have a camera handy.” He set the book on the floor.
“Mm-hmm.” I eyed him suspiciously. “Maybe Reese is right about you. Maybe I should be on my guard.” I leaned forward and brought myself face to face with him. “Do I need to be on my guard with you?” I flirted, and then placed my lips on his lips.
His lips responded, as well as his hands. He grabbed me under the shoulders and pulled me around so that I sat in his lap, cradled by his arms. “You’re not honestly listening to Reese are you?”
“Ooh,” I gasped as this quick movement took me by surprise. “I’m impressed.” I wrapped my arm around his back.
His eyes looked into mine. “Kate, I love your gift. I will always treasure it.” Once again his lips pressed against mine, and he awakened the butterflies in my stomach. Their wings tickled me from the inside out. “I love you,” he whispered and nibbled on my lobe.
The butterflies froze. Did he just say what I think he said? I clutched his arms, my palm on the curve of his bicep.
He didn’t hesitate, but continued to kiss me as if nothing happened, as if nothing momentous was said.
His mouth grazed across my throat and found my other ear. “You can relax,” he whispered. “I just wanted you to know that, in case something happens.” His hands slid down my tense back and then up again, trying to relax me.
I pulled away and looked at him. “Why do you say stuff like that?”
A confused smile spread across his face. “Because it’s true. I do love you, and I think you should know it.”
“Ugh,” I gritted my teeth, “that’s not what I meant. Why did you say, ‘in case something happens’?” I mocked in a deep voice. “That sounds so fatalistic.”
”I can’t tell the future.” He shrugged. “I guess I want to be prepared. I really didn’t think it was such a big deal.”
I relaxed a little and traced his hand as it rested on my leg. “If you want to know the truth, it bothered me because… I love you, too.” I smiled, opening my heart to him. “I don’t want to think about something happening to you.”
His fingers caressed my face. “That’s the second Christmas gift you’ve given me.” His fingers followed my chin line and brought my face to his. I was utterly lost to our surroundings as we continued to kiss.
“Ah-choo!” Reese stood in the kitchen with his arms crossed and his foot tapping. “I got thirsty. Don’t let me interrupt.” He waived his hand dismissively and then walked to the refrigerator.
My blood boiled, and not for the fun reasons. I felt the muscles in Nick’s stomach contract as he held back his laughter. I, on the other hand, did not feel like laughing. “I’ll be right back.” I stood up and marched over to the kitchen. “What are you doing down here?”
“I’m getting something to drink.” He waved his can of soda in my face. “I’m pretty sure I said that. Perhaps you didn’t hear me over all that panting.”
I glared at him, wishing that the daggers I was mentally stabbing him with were actually inflicting pain on him. “Take your drink and go. You’re not wanted here.”
“I may not be wanted, but it appears I may be needed,” Reese said. “Did he say he loved you? Did that melt your pathetic little heart?” He shook his head. “Tsk-Tsk-Tsk. This guy is dangerous. I feel it in my bones.”
“Yeah, I’d like to break a couple of those bones,” I said. “I don’t need you to babysit me. Leave!”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Reese took his drink and walked past the island. He stopped and glared at Nick. “Later.” He walked out of the kitchen and headed up the stairs.
I walked back towards Nick and sat beside him on the floor. “I am so sorry about that. I don’t know why he insists on being such a jerk to you.”
“I do,” Nick replied. “If I had a sister like you, I’d be very protective of her too.
“Well, something tells me you’d probably have better manners and judgment.”
“I don’t know. It’s not easy to be rational when you’re trying to protect someone you love. Your thinking gets clouded and that affects your judgment. Lives have been altered forever because decisions were based on emotions instead of logic.”
“I guess that’s true.” I curled up on his lap again, like a cat settling down on a favorite pillow. “How about we forget about Reese and get back to what’s important.”
“Us.”
“Yes, us.”
Celebrate
“Hey,” I said as I leaned against Reese’s bedroom doorway. “Try to be polite tonight at the New Year’s Eve Party. You only make yourself look bad when you‘re a jerk.”
Reese stood up from his bed and put his hands on his hips, taking a defensive stance. “Look, I don’t trust Nick. There’s something not right about him. I know you can’t see it because you’re all caught up in this ‘love’ thing, but he’s not normal.” Reese slowly shook his head from side to side, as if that would help me see his point.
“O-kay.” I nodded my head, knowing that even he would catch my sarcasm. “Everyone else at school likes him. All our friends think he’s great. Mom even likes him. You’re the only one who hates him. So you have some super-sense,” I wiggled my fingers at him, “and know that he is not ‘normal’, but the rest of us can’t see it.”
“I know you’re mocking me.”
“Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you’re the one with the problem?”
“Yeah, I do have a problem. His name is Nick.” Reese walked to his desk and he picked up his football. He squeezed and rotated the ball around in his hands. “Look, I know you don’t understand, but there’s something different about him. He rolled into town and snuggled right up to you. He never even looked at other girls. Don’t you think that’s a little weird?”
“What!” I seethed. “No, I don’t think that’s weird.”
Reese slowly inhaled, as if he was inhaling thoughts from the air around him. “It’s just… it’s like you had a target on your back and Nick hunted you down. He basically hasn’t let you out of his sight since he’s been here. I mean, come on… he even went to Asheville with us.”
“So you’re back to that again. You’re being ridiculous. Now Nick’s some sort of hunter and I’m his prey. That’s a good one.” I gave up and walked away. Was it possible for Reese to get any more ludicrous?
A knock sounded on the front door. “Finally,” I mumbled and skipped down the stairs.
“Hi there,” I said as Maggie and Meghan walked into the house.
“Brrr, it’s cold out there,” Maggie shivered, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest. “I’m about to turn into an icicle.” A frigid gust blew in and whipped our hair around.
“I’m glad we aren’t going to First Night down in Raleigh with these record cold temperatures.” Meghan took off her coat. “Dancing in the youth group chapel sounds perfect.”
“For sure,” I replied. “We spent today decorating. It looks really great.” I led them up to my room. “There are a couple of funky disco balls, twinkle lights, streamers,
and the balloons are set to drop at midnight.”
“It sounds awesome,” Meghan exclaimed.
“Did Nick help set up?” Maggie asked as we walked into my room.
“What do you think?” Meghan sat on my bed and pulled her legs up to her chest.
I smirked. “Of course he did.”
“I thought so. He really doesn’t let you out of his sight, does he?” Maggie laughed and nudged me. “Don’t let him get too possessive. Make him work a little for your attention.”
“Ugh,” Meghan sighed loudly. “Would you just let her enjoy her boyfriend?”
“I’m just teasing her a little,” Maggie declared. “I don’t see Kate as much anymore, so I have to do it when I can. I’m actually very happy for you, Kate.”
“Thanks, I’m very happy.” I opened my closet. “So, what do you think I should wear tonight?” Shirts, t-shirts, blouses, camisoles, dresses, and dress pants hung from a bar that began at one end and stretched to the other. Sweaters lined the top shelf of the closet. “I don’t have a thing to wear,” I moaned.
“I know. I have the same problem,” Maggie said, commiserating with me. “Ugh, it’s so frustrating.”
“You two are pathetic,” Meghan said. She drapped her legs over the side of the bed and leaned back on her hands.
“Okay, how about I put it this way?” I looked over my shoulder at Meghan. “I have plenty to wear, but I don’t want to wear any of it. Is that better?”
“Well, that certainly seems closer to the truth,” Meghan said. “Now that you’ve addressed the real problem, you can deal with it.
Maggie twirled one black ringlet around her finger. “Well, you definitely want to look hot because it’s New Year’s Eve. Plus Nick will be there, so you should focus on your best features. Your eyes are a fabulous blue, your blonde hair is gorgeous, and of course that incredible necklace should all be considered in picking out your ensemble.”
“Ditto.” Meghan tapped her feet against the edge of the bed. “We’ll be inside, so you don’t need to worry about dressing for cold weather. Nix the bulky sweaters.”
Scintillate (Scintillate Series Book 1) Page 18