Burned 2

Burned

Volume 2

S.C. Rosemary & S.N. Hawke

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by S.C. Rosemary & S.N. Hawke

All rights reserved. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, constitutes a copyright violatio
n
.

Chapter
1

I was wrong that I would feel better the next day. The massive headache I had been having last night didn’t go away. Then I realized that I was having an actual headache-the one that wouldn’t go away even I distracted myself with tons of kitten videos. And my throat was so sore even swallowing water was painful.

Darn it.

Why did I get sick at this time? Ethan just asked me to be his girlfriend. He even invited me to watch a ballet with his paren
ts. He was going to introduce me to them. And then I found out they were remarkable people. I was such a mess and nervous as I already was. How was I supposed to behave like a decent normal person when I was sick, pale and losing voice? Okay, take a deep breathe. I couldn’t be stressed out right now. Stress would just make things worse. I should have signed up that stress management workshop this semester.

I hadn’t seen Vicky since I was awake and I doubted she even came back at all last night. She probably spent the night with some “hot guy” again. It’s only Wednesday I had no idea how she handle
d stuff like that with school and everything else. I was only seeing one guy and I was already burning out my brain.

Thinking about burning, I felt I might have a fever. I debated intensively whether I would go to the European history class today.  I already got an A on the paper and I already read ahead on the chapters. Still, I always had good attendance ever since elementary school. Skipping was not my style.

The text message ring tone from my phone almost knocked me off bed. I opened the message and a bigger concerned emerged. A text from Ethan popped out the phone.

“How is my lovely girlfriend?”

He texted me first this time! I grinned like an idiot. A wave of happiness washed over me. I never thought that knowing there was a guy out there thinking of me would feel so good. I was new to this, like the first time I tasted candy. I liked it. Regardless who Ethan was, at least I was on his mind. Maybe this relationship would work out.

Now the problem was what I should reply to his question. Should I give him the standard “fine, thank you, and you” answer so it would looked like I had everything under control. Or should I tell him I was sick and my head was killing me?  

Why wasn’t Vicky back yet? I had the urge to call her right away but I resisted. This was my relationship after all. I couldn’t depend on a friend to make my relationship with my boyfriend work. If I had to make a mistake and learn from it, so be it.

I clicked reply on the phone and started typing. If I believed healthy relationships require honesty and trust then I must follow it.

“I think I have a bad cold but I’m hanging in there. I might go to class soon. How are you, boyfriend?”

I didn’t even double check my message. I hit sent right away. I was still so tired and my brain was just not up to anything other than suffering this headache. I hadn’t got sick for a very long time. I didn’t remember the last time I felt like a zombie. This must be how my Dad felt every day now. The worse thing for him was that I knew I would eventually get better again,
but he might not. The thought made my eyes burn. Why did I have to think of depressing things? I needed to think of something cheerful. Right, I had a boyfriend now. I reminded myself. But for some reason, that thought brought me more worries than cheerfulness.

I took deep breaths and continued to wait for Ethan’s message. My body was so limp I didn’t want to do anything. I just lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Time seemed to be frozen. I was just waiting for my phone to make a sound. I wanted Ethan to reply to my text and tell me how he was doing so time could start flow again.

At the ten-minute landmark, Ethan’s text arrived. I looked at my phone quickly.

“That’s not good. I hope you feel better soon. Sorry I can’t be there
for you. I am out of town for a leadership conference. Let me know if you need anything.”

He couldn’t be
here…

If he hadn’t mentioned this in the text, I almost forgot the possibility. Now he had mentioned it, I wanted him to be here with me so badly. Right now! Right here by my bed. Then I wouldn’t be alone
, sick, and miserable. I wouldn’t even care that I was in my pajamas. I just wanted him to be here so we could laugh together and enjoy each other’s company. He could even kiss my hand again and let that same thrill I had all over my body last night chase away the headache.

What in the world was I thinking?!

I got up the bed and changed into my regular shirt and jeans. I needed to go to my classes. If I just stayed in my room, I might think myself to death. I suspected that my headache was caused by all the thinking I had done lately. By that theory, if I could just stop thinking and go with the wind, I would be fine.

I was wrong about going to classes would make me think less. I had read ahead on the chapters so the professor’s monotone lecture inspired little interests. Ethan was all I could think about during
the class. Guess I couldn’t escape this feverish thinking no matter where I went. He was stuck in my head now.

When
the professor dismissed the class, I was ready to hit the bed again. My eyelids were so heavy and I could barely feel my legs moving. I was thankful that I really didn’t need to do much other than attending this class today. My part time job at the student store had a shift tomorrow. I would just push that to the back of my brain and worry about it later. I just realized the stuff I was doing wasn’t really that exciting. Even if I skipped classes today, no one would even notice. Ethan said he was attending a leadership conference out of town. He must be learning tons and meeting a lot of brilliant people there. He was having a very different life than mine, I supposed. I had no clue how our lives got intertwined. Wait, I did know - I met him on the internet. Technology made things possible.

By the time I walked back to my dorm, I felt freezing.  I forgot to buy something to eat. I didn’t feel like eating anything but my body would probably need some energy to fight this cold.
Whatever. I needed a nap first.

I opened the door and Vicky jumped in front of my face.

“Dana! Guess what happened!” She exclaimed. My head was going to explode.

“
Oww. Can you not talk so loud, please?” I pleaded.

“What? You have a hangover, too,” she smirked.

“No, I wish,” I leaned myself on the doorframe. “I have a cold. So stay away.”

“Oh, that explain the chicken noodle soup then,” she grinned.

“What chicken noodle soup?” Now I was suddenly getting hungry. Chicken noodle soup sounded great. I wanted some warm and nutrient soup in my stomach.

“Take a look,” Vicky moved away from the door and point at my desk.

I was stunned for a second. My brain needed a few seconds to process the sight as my battery was running low. A large bouquet of flower was sitting there. In fact it was so huge it almost took up half of the space on the desk. The flowers were also nicely arranged with color of pink, purple and fresh green. It was like spring took a visit in my room. I walked closer and touched one of the pink paddles – soft and smooth. It was real.

“Your lover boy sent them,” Vicky said. “I should have taken a picture of your face. You look like
that surprised kitten with those wide eyes.”

“It’s for me?” I asked, not comprehending the situation. I had never gotten flowers from anyone before. Vicky sometimes got flowers from her pursuers. But the bouquet had never been this large before. For a moment I thought the flowers were
for her and she was just putting it on my desk because her side of the room was too messy for anything.

“No, it’s for your plain boring desk!” Vicky crossed her arms. “Of course it’s for you. Read the card near the vase.”

Now I noticed there was a purple glass vase that came with the bouquet, matching the color of the tropical orchids. This delicate design must not from a convenience store. I took the card with butterflies design and opened it.

“Get well soon. Ethan.”

The letters were some artistic fonts. I could see the card was printed out from a special art printer or something. “How did it get here?” I heard myself say.

“Seriously?
You never heard about flower delivery service?” Vicky rolled her eyes. “The delivery boy was lucky that I was in the room when he got here…”

“You mean he was lucky or he
got
lucky?” I teased, folding the card in my hand carefully. This little card was going to my personal-sentimental-object-box later.

“Unbelievable, Dana!”
Vicky exclaimed. “What I meant was I was here to open the door for him or he couldn’t put that heavy vase on your stupid desk!”

“I know, I know,” I chuckled. My mood got much better after seeing the flowers I was already making fun of Vicky. If she was not here, I might cry tears. I was so touched by Ethan’s thoughtfulness. I didn’t know he had such a caring side and I was simply overwhelmed.

“I didn’t know they deliver soup, too,” Vicky eyed the box on the desk. “This Lancaster boy must have paid extra. Are you going to drink it? It should be still hot.”

“Of course,” I exclaimed with my harsh voice.
“Hot soup for my cold. Best thing ever.”

Vicky laughed. “I should record that too so you know how retarded you sound.”

I ignored her and opened the soup. I never knew chicken noodle soup could smell so good. Maybe it’s because my boyfriend got it for me. I smiled. So this was what it felt like to have someone. I hadn’t drunk the soup yet. But I could felt the warmth Ethan delivered to me and it was already casting my cold away.  “Do you want some?” I turned back at Vicky and asked. I felt bad not to share.

“No, thanks,” Vicky
shook her head. “You are the sick kitten here. Plus, it wouldn’t taste the same for me. It’s your first time getting a surprised gift from a boy, right? I know the look. I was like that before,” she laughed. I heard a hint of bitterness in her laugh but chose to not ask further. “I need to go to class. Enjoy the soup and get better, Okay?” She patted my shoulder and left the room.

I grinned at the soup and took a sip of it. And I got a sweet taste of being in a relationship with a nice boy. Having a boyfriend was good, I told myself. I hope I would be a girlfriend that
could make Ethan feel better on a rainy day as well. Now I would enjoy the soup and get better for the both of us.

Chapter
2

In
the next few days, Ethan’s flowers had been my best medicine for the cold. Well, maybe his texts were the best but he seemed to be busy out of town and couldn’t reply to my texts very often. That really didn’t bother me that much. Actions spoke louder than words-he got me flowers and the delicious chicken noodle soup. However, I did spend an hour debating with Vicky about whether buying flowers for girls could count as an “action.” She said I was like a little girl and could be easily lured with sweets. Apparently Vicky thought only an action like blocking a bullet for a girl could be counted as a “real” action. I told her that I was not yet at her level. Also, I was going to take baby steps and one step at a time. 

Thankfully my cold was mostly gone by Friday. Ethan sent a text asking me if I was looking forward to Saturday’s ballet performance.

“I am more looking forward to seeing you.” I texted him back.

“I can’t wait to see you, Miss Proper.” Ethan sent back a smiley face.

I grinned at the phone.

When Saturday came, my excitement level was as high as the Eiffel Tower. I couldn’t wait to see Ethan. I couldn’t wait to hold his hand and felt his warmth again. I missed the way he smiled at me and what I saw when I looked into his eyes. I would give him a big hug when I saw him and maybe a kiss too. Well, maybe not. The thought of kissing Ethan-to connect his lips with mine-made my heart beat like a panic rabbit. I did not know how to kiss a boy, as a matter of fact. I was not sure if I should move my lips or just stay there after they touched the
boy’s lips. I didn’t know if I should close my eyes or where to put my hands. But I imagined kisses would be something almost magical as so many literatures and the bed time fairytales described it. I wanted to experience a touch of that magic in my future kisses. Even I knew this was the real world and there probably wouldn’t be fireworks in the background when my first kiss happened. 

I was excited to see the Royal Ballet performance. Ever since I started practicing ballet when I was a little girl, I had heard legend
s about the dancers of the Royal Ballet. Now I could watch these extraordinary dancers in a live show. How nice it would be to watch this acclaimed performance with Ethan. We could see the wonderful dance technique and beautiful choreography together.

I was sure this was going to a romantic date. I almost forget that Ethan’s parents would be there
, too. I was most flattered that Ethan wanted to introduce me to his parents but part of me still wondered why Ethan thought it would be a good time for me to meet them. This was only our fourth date after all. He must have deemed our relationship great importance. I smiled at the thought. Still, I was nervous about meeting Ethan’s parents. Although this was not really an official meeting or anything, I had heard enough stories and read studies to know that the power of first impression should never be underestimated. I did not know how Ethan’s relationship with his parents was. My family was important to me and I valued their opinions greatly. So I didn’t want Ethan’s parents to dislike me.

I spent three hours digging my wardrobe for an adequate outfit and found none. Vicky was out to a visit to her cousins the whole weekend and she was out of dresses for virgins. Now I regretted never went shopping with Vicky. I almost tripped over trying
to reach an abandoned basket on the top of my closet. Saving myself with my hands on the floor, I saw the bag lying dormant in the corner. The dress from the apartment store! Why hadn’t I ever thought of it?

I opened the bag and took the dress out. Thank goodness it was not winkled. I felt the dress on my palm. The silk was smooth and radiant. The dress was pure white and simplistic. I just hoped
that it would fit. I had never tried it on before. Turned out I didn’t need to worry much about it. The dress fit me perfectly I almost just slid into it. After I put on the necklace Ethan bought for me, I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror. The design of the dressed revealed my shoulders and a part of my back-just enough to show some skin without losing the elegance. The designer must be inspired by the Hellenic Era clothing. If I put on a helm I could probably pretend to be Athena in a theatre show.

I stole a pair of Vicky’
s white heels and headed out my room. Ethan said he would pick me up at the parking lot where we met in our first date. I was almost baring the same anxiousness like last time, but at least I knew I would be expecting a gorgeous man out of the car.

“Dana, what a beautiful dress!”
A girl said behind me. Someone stayed in our dorm in a weekend.

“Thank you,” I said as I turned back to see who that was. It was the girl w
ho had issue with her roommate.

“Out for a party this early?” She asked.

“No, I am going to see a ballet…” I stopped. I was going to say “with my boyfriend.” But for some reasons the words didn’t come out. This relationship happened too fast. Sometimes I still couldn’t believe it was real. In the back of my head I worried this boyfriend of mine would vanish as quickly as he appeared in my life. Plus, I had no idea how school gossip was spread and how people would react to it. If Kate found out who I was dating, she might freak out like Vicky. Even Vicky didn’t know the part where Ethan asked me to be his girlfriend. I was scared that she might say that Ethan was just trying to get in my pants and then her “prophecy” became reality.

“Oh, a ballet?”
Kate pondered as if she was trying to decide if it was cool or not. I got this kind of reaction a lot, being the living fossil that I was. “Have fun,” she finally said.

“Thanks,” I nodded at her and headed out.

Ethan was at the parking lot when I walked out. He was there early since I left five minutes before the time he set for us to meet. It seemed like he was taking this date very seriously. I hurried my steps and waved at him. He was wearing a tuxedo! My goodness.  He had his back leaned back to the black SUV casually. He looked like a supermodel posing without even posing. If what I saw was a photo from an automobile advertisement, I would be so tempted to buy if the car dealership would give this guy to me as a complementary gift.

“Miss Proper,” Ethan stood straight. “You look gorgeous as always!”

“Says the guy in an eye-striking tuxedo,” I walked in front of him and stared. My smile grew wider and I stared at him some more. He was my boyfriend now. I could stare at him as long as I want. Ethan was doing the same. Well, he was doing more of a scan, taking in the length of my dress. “I want to hug you so badly but I didn’t want to make your tux wrinkled,” I said with a small giggle as we both stood there and didn’t move for a while.

Ethan laughed. He stepped in and hugged me, warping me with his arms. He was firm as usual. I felt his strength instantly. Underneath the delicate fabric of his tuxedo, I imagined there must be hard muscles. Did he have a six-pack or, even better, eight packs? The question was starting to drive me nuts and I wanted to unbutton
his tux to find out.

“Wrinkling my tux would be
the least of my worries right now, Princess,” Ethan smirked as he pulled back from the hug.

“Princess?
Another nickname?” I felt the corners of my mouth lift up.

“You look extremely elegant in this necklace, like a princess, born with royal blood,” Ethan chanted, caressing his fingers on the necklace. He was only touching the sapphire gems on the necklace, but the indirect contact with my
skin made me shiver. My neck was sensitive. My childhood friends loved to tickle my neck as pranks. But right now the sensation made me warm downward. I struggled to stand still in front of Ethan. I wasn’t sure if he was aware that he was teasing me but he had to stop or I would scream. “Dana,” Ethan whispered. He was staring at the necklace like he was considering something.

“Yeah?”
I look at him but he wasn’t looking into my eyes.

“Can I ask you something?” He hesitated, still staring at my necklace. I had the feeling his mind was somewhere else.

“What is it, Ethan?” I asked him quietly. We were standing very close. I could smell his cologne and even a hint of mint. Anticipation raised in the air we were both breathing. If he was going to ask permission to kiss me, I would give him a thousand yes.

Ethan dropped his hand and put his hands in the pockets. He looked down and chuckled. Was he nervous? “Can I borrow a million dollars from you?” He looked up at me. He was
joking, I could see that on his pressed lips that sealed a smirk.

“Of course,” I joked along. “Whenever I actually have one million,” I nuzzled him in the arm.

“Sounds good. I will keep that in mind”, he winked. He cleared his throat and his face was serious all the sudden. “Actually, Dana, I was wondering if you can avoid mentioning how we met to my parents when we meet them.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. The tight feeling I sometimes had when I was Ethan returned to my chest. Why would he make such request? Had he been treating our dates as jokes? Why did he want to hide how we met? All these days I thought Ethan was serious about us and that was the reason we were meeting his parents. But was he not? Something was not right here. No. Everything was turning upside down now.

“I am just worried,” Ethan quickly explained, seeing my face-it must look all twitchy and sad now. “My parents are … conservative. They might not be very familiar about online dating. You know, with so many the bizarre stories about meeting people online all over the media. People get the idea that dates from the internet are…unconventional. I want my parents to have a good impression of you, Dana. I want them to like you,” he looked at me with his brows squeezed together. He looked so concerned. His hand had reached out my shoulder, gently pressing it again. I searched his face, seeking the truth. All I saw was the crystal clear green eyes looking into mine. I felt that he needed me somehow. He wanted me to be at his side and it felt good to be wanted by someone, especially someone like Ethan with such a charming face and fascinating intellect.

“But I don’t want to lie,” I said in a low voice, unsure of myself.

“You don’t have to. Just say nothing and I will handle it,” Ethan squeezed my shoulder and nodded at me. “You know how parents are, always want the best for us,” his tone was more of a tease now, lightening the subject.

I shook my head. I wouldn’t know if I was the best for Ethan but I was certainly trying. But I didn’t want Ethan to have to “handle” anything to keep our relationship going. “I don’t want you to lie either,” I said in a serious tone, making my point.

“Oh I won’t,” Ethan smiled and looked at me like I was a silly girl. “I don’t lie. You wouldn’t want to date a guy who lies, right, Miss Proper?” Ethan slid his hand from my shoulder and held my hand. “Just trust me, okay?”

I had no idea what he was going to do. But Ethan was going to be a lawyer. He probably had some super skills to talk in and out of things. From all the TV shows I watched, a lawyer’s mouth was a wizard ward-whenever some Greek-like legal terms came out of those attorneys mouths, big cases got resolved, just like magic. I had a feeling that Ethan would be this kind of lawyer. I didn’t know Ethan enough to know if he was a trustworthy person. I did know he had been nice and treated me with respect since we met. So I nodded.