So are you going to tell me who you're going
Out with? Youre keeping him very secretive...We all know its one of those super hot guys, but which one??
-Mandy
“Think Layla,” I said to myself.
I wasn't hiding it, you should just open your
Eyes. Haha! And what is up with all you girls calling the guys I sit with super sexy or whatever? They're not that hot. And who is your mystery man anyway?
-Layla
That was all. I debated whether or not to tell the girls about what I saw three months ago; with Venessa and Robbie, but every time I decided to tell them I would end up changing my mind at the last minute. I just didn't want to brag or embarrass the two, I was a nice person. They would tell people when they were ready. It wasn't very hard to cover my disappearance from the movies either, I just told them that dad called and it was urgent that I got home immediately. They believed it.
I went downstairs with my homework, it was mainly math so it took me a while to finish because I was so crap at it, but I got through the eternal struggle eventually.
I thought I might want to butter dad up first so I put this daily paper on the table and decided to make his favourite desert; Apple pie with custard on top.
I heard the garage door open around 6:00pm and I thought I might as well get it over and done with, before I changed my mind and cowered up in my room.
“I'm home Lays,” dad shouted from the front door.
“Hey dad, I'm in the kitchen. Dinner will be served in a couple of minutes,” I called back.
He rounded the corner and he was still in his work boots and t-shirt.
“Smells good sweetheart,” he said, sitting down at the table and picking up the paper.
“Here you go,” I said, handing him his plate.
“Thanks, I'm starved,” he said, hooking into his food.
Typical male, I thought to myself with a smile. Give him food and beer and hes happy.
I sat at the opposite side of the table with my food and started eating slowly. “So dad... how was work?” I asked.
Thought I better work myself up to it.
“Yeah, good. Our trainee is doing well and we just got a big deal today. How was school?” he asked.
“Boring,” I said with a laugh.
He laughed too, the corners of his eyes crinkling up. He messed what was left of his hair on his head and started eating again.
“Ah dad... Friday night I'm going over to the Archers for a dance party sort of thing, and then I'm staying over,” I said slowly.
“Lays, you know I don't like ya going to parties.”
“I know, I know. But its sort of one of those old fashioned partys with classical dancing and fancy dresses. Plus, it's just next door,” I said.
He looked at me, slowly thinking before he answered. I couldnt bear it, he was leaving me in suspense with my heart beating a thousand miles a minute.
“Okay... and it's next door right?” he asked slowly.
He had stopped eating and was looking at me with his dark blue eyes.
“Yeah, and ah… Sam is going to pick me up from here,” I said quietly, looking down at the table.
“Is that so,” he said, just as quiet. “So Sam is your boyfriend?” he asked awkwardly.
“Sort of, I guess.”
He started eating again. “I guess ya gonna to need something to wear,” he said casually.
I blinked in shock. It was over that fast? “Uhh, no. I was just going to wear something out of my closet.”
“No, it's okay. I can take you shopping for something new tomorrow after school if ya wanna,” he volunteered.
“Ah… I don't have much money left. I'm actually trying to save what's left.”
“No problem, its on me. We'll leave when ya get home from school tomorrow,” he said.
He was taking this much better than I expected, and it sort of frightened me.
“Okay… thanks dad,” I said appreciatively, but confused.
He smiled at me mischievously. “Let me guess; you wanna to know why I'm so cool with this?” he asked.
I blinked in shock again, it was like he was reading my mind. Those damn aliens must have given him mind reading powers!
“Well... yeah.”
“I trust your judgment, and if you like this boy, then I have no objections. However...” he said, taking a deep breath.
Here we go, I thought, rolling my eyes with a smile.
“If he hurts you I'm gonna have to do something fierce to this boy.”
“Thanks dad, I appreciate it, really,” I said, trying to get off the topic.
“I'm not saying I'm not against the whole idea, but...” he trailed off and started eating his dinner again.
I think he knew that I knew what he was insinuating.
I started eating my dinner again, this time with a smile on my face. My dad was funny sometimes, even if he didnt know he was being funny, he made me laugh, especially when he said ya sometimes instead of you.
“I'm gonna go over to the Archers and help them set up for Friday. Your desserts on the bench cooling,” I said after I finished eating my dinner.
“Alright, be home by ten. And thanks kid,” he called behind me.
“Yeah, no worries,” I shouted back, grabbing my jacket out of the closet and shutting the front door behind me.
I walked down my driveway, glad that it was over and feeling grateful that the air was nice and cool tonight. I walked over to the gates at the Archer property and entered the pin code Jane had given me for the single gate. I walked up the driveway in a hurry, looking around me on alert. I think I was still superstitious as well. I kept thinking someone is just going to come up behind me and snatch me up at any moment.
I made it to the house within a few minutes and walked up the few steps to the porch to knock on the door. No one answered. I knocked again and this time I twisted one of the door handles and it was unlocked.
“Hello,” I called slowly, peeping my head inside the door.
I walked into the heated house and closed the door behind me.
“Anybody home?” I called.
I walked forward, through the living room, into the kitchen, and then I opened the small doors to the Ballroom.
“Hey Lays,” James called when he saw me enter the room.
“Hey, where is everyone?” I asked when I saw he was the only one in the room.
I went over to him and gave him a hug. I saw he was playing with the stereo and flicking through some CDs.
“They are upstairs finding some more CDs,” he answered me, distracted.
“Are Hunter and Fredric here?” I asked, walking over to the piano and sitting down on the stool.
“No, they had some things they had to take care of. They said they will see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I said, running my fingers over the keys.
I thrummed them softly to start with, then without being aware, again, I started playing... playing like a professional all of a sudden. I didnt have a clue what I was doing, but I wasnt scared this time, so I just let my hands play on.
I listened to the music flow and it sounded like something was missing, like a certain piece of it wasn't there. I didn't notice anybody come into the room, but suddenly Sam was sitting next to me. He started playing and that was the piece that was missing, it sounded beautiful put together. It wasn't long until words rose to my lips, I couldn't stop them, but I was singing. I didn't know what I was saying but it didn't sound like me, it was too good to be me singing. It was in some other language I think, and I didn't recognize the song.
I looked over at Sam and he had started singing as well, we were singing and playing beautifully in harmony, better than anybody I had ever heard before. We fit together perfectly, our singing and playing were completing each others. I would have never been able to do this before, but it would have made anyone cry it was that beautiful.
“What in the world?” James said slo
wly.
I could only just hear him as the song was slowing and coming to an end. It finally softened and drifted off into stunning silence, letting me regain control of my body.
“Okay, on a scale of one to ten on the freak me out chapter, I'd give it an eleven,” James said, looking back and fourth between us in amazement.
“Was that you two?” Elane asked, walking into the room.
I turned my head so I could look at her, then I looked back at Sam. He looked just as confused as I felt.
“I… I think so,” I said, answering her question, dazed.
“You know that was really…” she seemed to be struggling for the right words. “Really weird.”
“I'm going to go upstairs,” I rushed out.
I pushed away from the piano and left the room as fast as I could.
Its not that I was scared but... okay, so I was overwhelmed and terrified, yet I couldn't help but feel surer about Sam. Maybe we were meant to be. I know Im not really into that corny love stuff, but well…
“Ugh,” I groaned aloud, I sounded pathetically confused.
I ran up the stairs, through the hallway and came to a stop in the upstairs living room. I looked around me and my eyes rested on Sams door. His room was big enough to think in, even with my spastic brain and at least he would know where to find me when he wanted to talk.
I opened the door and closed it behind me quietly. I looked around and went over to the gigantic bed, sitting down on the edge and sliding into the far corner. I put my arms around my knees, hugging them to myself.
I didn't know if I could take anymore surprises. It is just too much to cope with. I know I am strong abilities wise, but what about mentally.
I heard a light knock on the door and snapped my head up.
“You can come in,” I said, clearing my throat.
The door opened and Sam stepped through, closing it behind him. He walked over to me slowly and cautiously with his hands raised in front of him as if he was showing me he was unarmed. I think he was misinterpreting my facial expression.
He came over and slid next to me on the bed without saying a word.
“You didn't have to knock you know. Are you angry with me?” I asked.
He looked at me confused. “Angry with you? Why would I be angry with you?”
“Because I ran off like a mental person,” I said, sniffling but not crying.
He sighed and put his arms around me gently, resting his cheek against mine. “No, I am not angry. I'm in just as much shock as you are. But why did you start playing?” he asked softly.
“I don't know. I just sat down and I started. It had happened to me before so thats why I didn't struggle... its like an inevitable pull. Is your piano cursed?”
I heard him laugh. “No, I don't think so…”
I shifted around so my arms were around him and looked up at him; his face was calculating.
“That was what happened to me. I was up here going through CDs and I heard your playing. I couldn't resist the invitation. Then when you started singing, I had to complete it… it was, it could be…” he didnt finish his sentence, instead he looked at me and searched my face. “Do you remember how I said we were built in pairs?” he asked.
I nodded warily.
He let go of me and I sat up straight while I watched him roll the sleeve of his shirt up.
“The legend that goes with that is when the two halves of a pair connect, their birthmarks will somehow align; imprint,” he explained.
He had finished rolling his shirt up to his shoulder and I could see on his hard arm muscle he had a birthmark exactly like mine, but it was reversed. I had never really noticed that before.
“I have one like that too,” I whispered.
I pushed the sleeve up on my shirt until I could see my birthmark.
“What now?” I asked.
“I am not sure… maybe…” he trailed off and touched his muscled arm to mine lightly.
The light that came off it was a spark of brilliant blue, I could feel the energy flow through me strongly. I looked up at Sams beautiful green eyes which were glowing, and I smiled in astonishment.
“Do you feel it?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Truthfully I could feel the exchange of power circulate through us. The light dulled after a couple of minutes and eventually stopped completely. We both pulled our arms away to look at the after math. It looked like the two birthmarks had imprinted themselves on each others arm. Now instead of my wave shaped birthmark, there was a certain pattern on both our arms. It was like the birthmarks had shifted around on our skin and intertwined with each others marking.
“It forms a double helix look-a-like. It is proof then, we really are created in pairs, and we have found each other and chosen not to destroy one another. My amator... I may not be religious, but I know you have my animus and I would not choose it any other way,” he said gently, touching my face with the back of his hand.
I didnt need anymore translation because Id heard him say that word before and I knew exactly what it meant. He was saying I held his soul.
“And mine is also yours,” I mused.
“We are the inevitable.” He smiled my favourite breathtaking smile.
“What do you reckon will be up with our abilities now?” I asked.
I remember feeling the power flow in and out of me but I didnt exactly know what I could do with it.
“I guess we will find out sooner or later. There is no rush,” he said, shrugging.
His mood seemed more uplifted than it did before, maybe that had to do with the whole light thing.
“Sam. Lays. Peter is on the phone, he wants to speak to all of us,” Jane yelled from downstairs.
“Tell me everything that happened?” Peter asked.
He was on speakerphone in the office and demanding to know everything that had happened. We had spent around half an hour telling the first part of the story and the findings of when they went to Brisbane city and how Sam and I almost died in a confrontation. Jane decided to skip most of the story after that and just explain to Peter what the current plan is.
“It is a long story and we will explain further upon your return. But for now we are inviting our friends over for a ball. If we can convince them to help us when the time comes, there should be nothing further to worry about. It has been over three months and nothing from the Warrigal, obviously they are planning something big Peter,” Jane explained.
“That is a good idea. Jane, try and do everything you can but do not push yourselves too hard. We were gone less than a fortnight and look at the arising problems. You are our children though, so we should have not expected any less,” Peter said.
“How long until you get back?” James asked.
“We are relatively finished the basic teachings so a rough estimate could be around another two weeks. We will try to depart from London faster if possible, but Rosetta isnt adapting to our way very well. The good news is that she is picking it up slowly,” Peter informed us. “You are all coping better than I would have hoped for in a situation like this.”
“Goodbye Peter,” James said.
“Goodbye Peter,” Jane said strongly.
“Goodbye father,” Elane murmured, a troubled look on her face.
“See you soon; Sam, Layla, James, Jane and my little Elane.”
The phone hung up and we were all quiet for a while, until I looked up at the clock.
“Shoot!” I said aloud.
I could feel everyones eyes on me curiously. “It's nearly ten thirty, I have to get home,” I said, running out of the room to get my jacket, then pulling it on while saying goodbye.
“I'll see you tomorrow morning,” I said, running up to Sam and pecking him on the lips.
“Okay, do you want me to walk you home?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me.
“No, I think I'll run. You guys just set up here, I won't be able to help tomorrow afternoon so I won't get to see it till the ni
ght of,” I blurted out. “Night,” I said before kissing him again.
Before I rounded the corner I waved to them all. “Bye,” I called again.
“Dad?” I asked, shutting the front door behind me.
I rushed into the living room out of breath after half-running, half -speed walking home, sacrificing my dignity by looking like a wounded crackpot.
The TV was on and dad was crashed out on the couch.
I smiled and shook my head. “Dad,” I said as I went over to him.
I shook his shoulder lightly and he half opened his eyes.
“Dad, I'm sorry I'm late, I lost track of time. You should go to bed though, you look buggered.”
I helped him walk up the stairs and let him walk the rest of the way to his room so I could lock up downstairs.
I finished locking up and walked up the stairs feeling sleepy. I jumped in a nice warm shower, then after I found some clothes to sleep in, I walked out to my room and collapsed in bed after a long day.
****
I woke in the morning, and for once I felt fresh and revived. I stretched and sat up, feeling great.
I grabbed my uniform and walked into the bathroom. I washed my face and got dressed, pulling my hair back with a headband. I walked out of my bathroom with a yawn and headed for the stairs. As I was walking down the stairs, my foot somehow missed the next step and slid to the next one, making me loose my balance and fall flat on my backside. I didnt scream as I fell, my eyes were just wide with surprise.
“Ahh,” I said slowly, in pain as I was lying on my back.
As I got up I realised that the stairs had scraped my back, making it burn. I got up slowly and could feel the stinging of my back. It felt as if my back had been set fire to.
I walked down the rest of the stairs awkwardly. I hoped it would heal fast, otherwise it would be embarrassing to explain why I was walking funny.
I hobbled my way to the kitchen and dad was making his usual morning coffee.
“Good morning sweetheart,” he said as he realised I was in the kitchen.
“Morning dad,” I said, a little strained.
“What happened to you?” he asked, taking in my awkward walking and my hand on my back.
“I fell on the stairs,” I said quietly, embarrassed.
The Hidden Revelations: First Light Page 26