Bella Notte (30 page)

I felt better about
making a decision. I texted him my suggestion and he let me know he'd
meet me at my house at noon.

Dominic and I got on
the plane and I could sense that he felt the same. I didn't know what
to say. Instead, I said nothing and cuddled against him in our seats.
I still didn't understand anything but I was trying. Things with Dom
felt just right. With Mike though, I had to work for it these days.
Dom was my childhood love, the one I had thought I would grow up and
marry one day and possibly a current love- Mike was my first real
love, my heart ached as I thought about being without him.
Gah!
Confusion and love go too well together.

We sat in silence,
pressed up against each other’s sides.

When the plane
landed, I felt the gentle distance come between us. I wanted to cry.

Dominic and I spent
some time apart for the next few days. I focused on healing my tired
muscles for Friday. I wanted to be absolutely fine while I was with
Mike. I kept thinking about Dom.

It was hard to get
everything ready with my mind so distracted, but I managed.

Friday came and I
was dressed, fed, and ready to go when Mike showed up late. I let it
go.

“
So, you ready
to go?” I asked enthusiastically.

“
Yup. Yup.
Sorry I'm late, Em.” He looked at the floor.

“
No worries.
Let's go,” I said as I jumped into my black beauty. Mike
followed slowly.

I drove out to the
highway and turned left. I kept my eyes peeled for the turn off. Mike
didn't say anything. I found it and cut across the two-lanes.

“
Jeeze, Em,
you coulda waited til that truck went by,” he said as he white
knuckled my door frame.

“
I had plenty
of time,” I responded as I drove down the small dirt road.

I stopped right in
front of the small mine. They used to dig for different rock types
here, but, when we had a recession, the mine fell through. No one
ever came up here anymore, besides me, but it didn't bother me. I
hopped out and grabbed my pack and both flash-lights. I tossed one to
Mike and he caught it.

“
Come on. It
will be fun. If you're scared you can hold my hand.” I held out
my hand and raised my left brow.

Mike sighed and
walked up to the entrance.

“
I'm coming.”
I jogged up to him. “Don't get lost, there's no cell reception
so it would be hard to find you.” I winked.

“
Come on,
Emma.” He gestured for me to go.

I walked into the
darkness and felt at home. Mike clicked his light on.
Way
to kill the mystery
.
He shone his light over everything; the old lanterns, the abandoned
boxes, the lonely helmet, and the ancient elevator.

“
We aren't …?”
I could hear the hope in his voice.

“
Only way
down.” I nearly laughed as I walked into it.

Mike looked scared
but joined me. I flipped the switch and we sank into the deep
darkness of the mine. The air was cold and smelled of earth. Being in
the mine was like living underground. I knew Dominic would appreciate
it.
Funny
how I think of him even now.

The elevator hit the
bottom with a jolt. Mike jumped and I shook my head.

We walked around for
a few hours and I explained to him all about the history of the
place. When we went into my favorite room that had a rock formation
like the 'vampire star' one in Italy- I told him all about it. His
light was always on so the effect wasn't as great and the glow of my
crystal necklace didn't show- something I really wanted to show him.
I could tell he was beginning to panic though. That happens to some
people when they don't see daylight for some time. I led the way back
to the elevator. He gratefully got on and we left my dark sanctuary.

We were soon back in
my car, on the drive back to mine. “So, did you have fun?”
Please
lie.

“
Yeah. Kinda
creepy though, Emma. Really dark.” He lied but his tone was
obvious.

“
I love that
place. Oh well, 'to each his own,' right?” I wanted to be
positive.

“
Yup. Yup. Any
ideas for other stuff we could do before the end of break? I thought
maybe another movie or we could all hang out or something?” He
sounded hopeful for something normal. I wasn't sorry to disappoint
him.

“
I wanted to
go creep around the graveyard in town actually.” I wanted to
look at him but I knew his mouth would be open.

“
The
graveyard? Why?” He nearly squeaked it out.

“
I thought it
might be haunted. Hey, if you don't want to go, I understand,”
I said.

“
Good.”
He breathed.

“
I'll ask
Dominic.” I wanted to laugh. I knew this game well now.

“
No. No. I'll
go. We'll have to go on Tuesday evening after I get back from my
trip.” He looked sheepish.
I
wonder what's up?

“
Okay. Sounds
great. Have an awesome trip.” I wouldn't rise to the bait and
we were at my house.

“
Thanks, Em.”
He looked relieved as he jumped out and got on his bike. “I'll
see ya on Tuesday.” And with that, he left.

“
He is so easy
to scare.” I laughed.
When
did that happen?

I spent the next
days alone because Mike was away and Dominic had to go to Italy, for
a meeting about Bella Notte. He offered me to go but I didn't want to
impose on his business stuff. I was bored to say the least but I did
some extra homework and watched movies.

I was excited when
Tuesday came and Mike texted me to say he'd be back at nine that
night. I texted him back and told him to meet me in town at eleven.

I got ready at ten,
dressed all in black. I looked like a cat burglar, the only thing
missing was the black paint … I had considered it.

I drove into town by
ten thirty and grabbed some pizza and sodas before the pizzeria
closed.
Perfect
midnight snack
.
I had asked Mike to meet me at the movie rental place, next to the
theater, since it was as close as we could get to the church and
graveyard without meeting at the fire-house. He was there on time.

“
Hey you. Have
a nice trip? I brought food for our mission.” I smiled at him
with blackened lips.

“
You're so
strange. The trip was fun. Are you sure you want to do this?”
He looked really nervous.

“
Dude, you
can't back out now. I'll be all alone with the zombies and things
that go bump in the night.” I mimicked being a frightened girl.

“
No worries,
Em. So, what's to eat?” He clearly didn't want to do this.

We sat on the curb
on the corner, ate the pizza, and sipped our sodas. At eleven
forty-five I decided that we should go. We quickly snuck across the
street to the churchyard. It was almost completely dark.

Mike helped me over
the little fence then hopped over himself. We ran from the front of
the church to the back. We found the little dirt path and walked
along it. It was covered by trees and the moonlight flashed down onto
the ground through the branches. We both breathed a little faster
than usual.

“
Em. Maybe we
should go back, what if we get caught?” His nerves seemed to be
right on the surface.

“
Oh, don't
worry about such things Mike. We'll be fine.” I smiled at him
and took his hand.

We walked into the
clearing and the moon shone brightly down on the graveyard. It was
absolutely beautiful. The ground held a slight fog and the deep gray
stones held some of the light themselves. There were ancient tombs
and angelic statues all around.

We strolled through
the tall glistening stones holding hands. Mike's arms were covered in
standing hair. I wanted to laugh at his silliness. I had no fear
whatsoever but I found out that Mike was really scared. A crow cawed
and he jumped high.

“
Okay, Mike, I
think we should go.” I felt bad for dragging him out here.

“
If …
if you're sure, Em,” he said as he turned to walk the other way
… and that was the end of the evening.

Mike rushed as
quickly as he could back to his bike. He said 'goodnight' and took
off. I laughed but felt alone. Mike didn't understand some of the
stuff that I greatly enjoyed.

The next four days
were empty. Mike didn't call but I knew I needed to pick him up on
Monday for school; he was having trouble with his bike. Dom promised
to come by on Sunday. So, I waited …

Sunday brought
Dominic back and brought me some sort of cold. I felt like crap. I
didn't even leave my bed when Dom came over.

Grandpa kept
checking on me with an odd expression on his face, but he let Dom up.
Apparently
I'm not contagious.

He looked worried
when he walked quickly to my bedside but his expression turned weird
too.

“
Dude, am I
green or something?” I asked.

“
No, I was
worried it was something horrid. I'm sure you'll be fine in a day or
so.” He smiled and I felt like I was being left out of
something, yet again.

“
Okay, I
guess. I kinda feel horrid. But, hey, I missed you, you know.”
I sighed.

“
I missed you
too,
mia
bella
.
Don't worry about this cold, I promise it will go away as quickly as
it came. Soon, you'll be absolutely perfect. Whatcha gonna do about
tomorrow?” He lifted a brow.

“
I'm going to
school and driving Mike and Acacia, and how do you know I'll be
perfect or that it will go away, I feel horrible,” I mumbled.

“
Then I'm
going with you guys. When should I be here?” He laughed.

“
Afraid I'll
drive off the road? And that doesn't answer my question, Dominic what
do you know that I don't?” I tried to huff but it didn't work.

“
Something
like that. Don't worry yourself, Emma. All things come to those who
wait.” His smile was crooked.

“
Fine. Seven.
Be here at seven since I have to drive to get Mike and Acacia too.
And know that I am serious annoyed with you and your vague answers
and dismissal of my slow death here.” I yawned.

“
I'll be here.
You need to sleep now. Perhaps death is only the beginning?” He
kissed me on the forehead.

“
Yeah, like I
wanna go to sleeping thinking that. Gee, thanks. Go away, Dom.”
My eyes were really heavy and my world hazed away.

Waking up was a
nightmare. Every ounce of me hurt, even my teeth. I didn't want to
move, let alone get out of bed and go pick people up to go to school.
Dominic found me curled in a ball on my bed as I struggled to get out
of bed.

“
Em, perhaps
you should stay home.” The concern was evident, but his voice
held something I couldn't identify which just brought on my annoyance
from the day before.

“
I so can't
miss more school. I just got caught up and Mike and Acacia need me to
pick them up.” My voice echoed in my head with each word, I
knew that small men with hammers were having a field day with my
brain.

“
I could go
and get them. Emma, you really shouldn't be driving.” He looked
at me with worry as he gently put his hand on mine.

“
You can
drive, but I'm going.” My voice was set, I hated to be babied..

“
Fine. I'll
wait while you get ready. You'll have to hurry if you don't want us
all to be late.” His smile looked forced as he left.

I threw on my sweats
and a t-shirt that didn't reek from my night sweat. I brushed out the
knots in my hair and pulled it back. I even put on my fuzzy leopard
slippers. I headed downstairs and found Dom with a glass of juice
waiting for me.

“
I don't
expect you to eat, but at least drink this. It's apple juice. Maybe
later we'll get you to eat something.” His face was still
concerned, he handed me the glass.