The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  Eden tapped her foot, waiting for her email to upload, not really expecting anything. She used to check it every day, hoping for an email from Micah, but it’d been weeks since she’d last looked. Dating Andrew, she felt she should try to sever feelings for Micah. For her, each day she didn’t check was a personal triumph.

  She gasped.

  He emailed back! Guess my birthday’s a lucky day after all!

  Stomach in knots, she clicked the mouse. The email was dated two weeks ago exactly.

  Hey Eden!

  I have so much to tell you, but I’m not really sure how much I should—story of my life, right? First off, I want to say, I glad you’re safe. I can’t believe you were attacked by a demon. I was afraid it might happen, since I was too. Out in the forest, it was pretty freaky. But I’m fine. You’re right. Sage’s my guardian. She fought the demon off and appeared to Trent too. Trent’s helped me a lot here. And yes, he’s done his best to hook me up, but my mind isn’t on that now.

  You’re right. We’re in the middle of something big. Bigger than I’d ever imagined possible. I’m getting more and more caught up in it; wish I could explain more now. The whole experience has been an eye opener for me, in more ways than one.

  As for Andrew, he’s a lucky guy. You deserve the best. I wish we could’ve stayed closer over the years. I’m glad you’re hanging out with my friends. They’re pretty good guys most of the time. Just got to watch out for Chase every once in a while, right?

  Eden paused. Does he know about Chase hugging me? She continued to read:

  I’m glad you’re happy and I don’t think you’re cheesy Andrew’s a good friend, and like I said, he’s lucky to have you.

  That’s crazy you don’t need glasses anymore! I guess sometimes, life hands you a miracle Rome’s great, but I’m anxious to get home. I miss you, Eden. You’re friendship is everything to me.

  Micah

  She read it again. So he’s happy for me? He’s glad I’m dating Andrew? She supposed she shouldn’t feel disappointed.

  What was I expecting? She shut her laptop. That’d he says he’s head over heels for me?

  Stupid, stupid me… like Jessie said… we’re just best friends. Why can’t I just be satisfied with that?

  Jessie glanced around. “Sheesh, nice house.”

  Caitlyn silently agreed.

  Eden was glad her friends were comfortable in Andrew’s home. It was Eden’s sixteenth birthday, and he threw her a party, inviting half the school, it felt like. Since the McCarthy’s townhome would have been busting at the seams, her parents had allowed it to be at Andrew’s.

  Eden decided the agitation she was feeling was not over Micah’s email, but rather the fact that Andrew had yet to kiss her. I guess we’ve only been dating a month, that’s probably normal, she told herself as Chase and Willow walked in. Jake waltzed in next, with Megan beside him. Eden whirled around to Andrew.

  He held up his hands. “I invited Jake, not Megan.”

  Great, now I get to have Megan snickering at me at my own birthday party.

  She sighed. “That’s ok.”

  Andrew mouthed sorry as Jake and Megan came over.

  Jake and Andrew greeted each other naturally, with, “What’s up, man,” while Megan glared at Eden, her mouth set in a frown.

  Eden forced a smile. “Hi Megan.”

  She grimaced. “Happy birthday, Eden.”

  To Eden’s shock, Willow appeared by her side. “Come off it, Meg. Everyone knows you broke Micah’s heart, not the other way around. And in no way is it Eden’s fault. So if you’re going to play mean, just leave. It’s her party, not yours.”

  There were collective gasps by Eden, Caitlyn, and loudest of all, Megan.

  Megan’s eyes narrowed. “Whatever, Willow.”

  Chase stepped next to Eden now, pushing his way into the small ring, making room for his large frame. Eden gaped over at him.

  Now what’s he going to do?

  He grinned at Megan. “Oh, Meg, don’t be like that. Everyone loves you and you know it. Just let Eden have her night, that’s all. Willow just wants you to play nice, no biggie.”

  Willow stared at Chase. Chase continued to soothe Megan. “What do you say?”

  Megan’s face slowly relaxed. She glanced at Eden. “Sorry, I’ll go if you want me to.”

  Dumbstruck, she shook her head. “No, you can stay, Megan.”

  Megan nodded and turned to Jake, who looked anxious to keep his date at the party. They stepped away, and Chase glanced over at Eden.

  “Everybody cool?” he asked.

  “Yeah, thanks Chase and,” Eden searched for Willow, but she was gone, “Willow,” she finished.

  “Well, that was strange,” Andrew stated next to her. “Sorry I didn’t rise to your defense like Willow and Chase; they sort of beat me to it.” He gave her a crooked grin.

  “Yeah, I noticed.”

  She expected a witty comeback, not for him to lower his head. His lips brushed hers, goose bumps crawling down her skin. He drew her into his arms, his mouth pushing harder on hers. She was lost in the moment, absorbing his taste, smell, and feel. When he pulled back, she toppled into him, her eyes half open.

  He chuckled, holding onto her arms.

  Her eyes opened fully. His emerald eyes gazed back at her, expectant.

  She smiled. “I guess you’re forgiven.”

  Eden lips were still tingling where Andrew’s lips had been. The rest of the party was sort of a blur. After eating, Andrew cranked the stereo, and they had an impromptu dance in the living room. Eden didn’t care what they did as long as Andrew stayed close; she felt sort of intoxicated by him. Glancing over, she discovered Caitlyn next to them, dancing with a boy Eden had met earlier, but whose name had eluded her. Just as Caitlyn grinned back at her, Caitlyn toppled forward and landed with a thud on the floor.

  “Oh my gosh! Are you ok?” Eden asked, dropping down by her.

  “Stupid shoes, knew they were too tall,” Caitlyn muttered. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  The boy she’d been dancing with reached down and helped pull her up. Eden stood up too as Andrew asked, “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I just tripped.” Caitlyn stepped away from the boy holding her arm and winced.

  “Twisted your ankle, didn’t you,” Andrew stated.

  Caitlyn nodded. “I’m such a klutz.”

  “Come on. Let’s go to the kitchen for some ice,” Andrew said, as Eden placed her arm around Caitlyn’s shoulders.

  The boy took her other arm, and they hobbled from the room, with Caitlyn groaning, “Guys, I’m fine. You’re practically carrying me.”

  Once in the kitchen, the boy helped her sit on one of the stools. Caitlyn smiled at him. “Thanks, Dave.”

  Finally, a name for him, Eden thought, going to the freezer.

  She returned to see Andrew had removed Caitlyn’s shoe and was down on his knees with his hands on her ankle. Knowing how Andrew enjoyed learning about medicine, she thought nothing of it. Although, she did notice how Caitlyn’s face went from grimace to smiling. He removed his hands and stood up.

  “Wow! That really helped. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Caitlyn said, flexing her ankle.

  Eden held up the ice pack. “Do you need this still?”

  Caitlyn shook her head and tentatively stood up, testing her foot on the ground. Her smile widened. “Wow, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

  “Good,” Andrew said.

  Once they were back in the living room, Willow hurried over to Caitlyn. Eden went to join them, but Jessie walked up.

  “Can’t believe it,” she breathed out, grabbing Eden’s arm.

  “What?”

  “Check out Miss Priss.” Jessie motioned with her chin. “She’s actually being nice.”

  Eden glanced over, and saw Megan talking to some of her friends. Jessie was right; her face appeared happy, even relaxed.

  “Huh,” Eden grunted. “That’s good.”

 
; Jessie’s eyes widened; Kevin was coming over. He was in Drama club with Jessie and Eden suspected she had a crush on him, though she’d never admit it.

  “Hey Eden, hey Jessie,” the freckled, towhead said.

  “Hi Kevin,” Eden replied, noting how bright his green eyes were. And he’s got a nice smile… Ok, I see the appeal now.

  “Hey Kev,” Jessie said, already dismissing him as she walked away.

  Jessie, quit running away from boys! Eden wanted to scream.

  Kevin hesitated, not sure what to do.

  “Go ask her to dance,” Eden said. He looked at her, surprised, and then grinned. He was gone as Andrew returned to her side.

  A slow song began, and Andrew’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him.

  “You must be learning a lot at the hospital,” she commented, as they danced.

  “I am, actually. Why?”

  “You seemed to know what you’re doing with Caitlyn.”

  “Do I detect some jealousy?”

  “No.” She gazed into his eyes. “Should I be?”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “No way,” he murmured, as his lips found hers again.