Fledgling (7 page)

But the sign. It
had
to mean something.

“I’m sorry-I was distracted. Photography? Sure…how about a hike tomorrow after school? I know some hard to find places you’d enjoy. I’ll be your personal tour guide.” He tried joking as he regarded her delicate features, watching for any signs he had been mistaken about her interest in him.

Ana froze.

Chance noticed the deer in headlights look spread across Ana’s face and wondered about its cause.

Ana’s face softened and she replied, “Actually, out where I stargaze there’s some areas I want to check out. It’s so pretty around my house. I haven’t gotten to explore yet. If you want…you could follow me home tomorrow?”

“Sounds good.”

“See you tomorrow then.”

They both waved absently and turned in opposite directions, lost in their own thoughts.

As Ana walked to her van she snapped out of her torment. How much longer she could keep up this charade? Exhausted just doing normal activities, she doubted she could explore the woods behind her house without wheezing and sweating. Chance would notice for sure. A wave of frustration hit, and her eyes stung. For a moment she wanted to run away, and not deal with any of it. Then she reminded herself-
Now. Focus on right now, Ana
.

Her eyelids slid shut as she turned the key in the ignition and thought about picking up her sister and her calculus homework.
Just keep going. Things will work out,
she comforted herself. But a nagging thought kept curling through her mind,
But what if they don’t?

Chapter 9.

After the last bell rang, Ana and Chance walked out of English together, nervously glancing at each other, then settling their restless eyes on the parking lot.

Ana’s yellow van sat lazily next to Chance’s black truck, one in perfect contrast to the other. He walked around to the driver’s side as she called over to him, “Remember, I have to pick up my sister before we head to my house. She’s just around the corner at the elementary school.”

“I remember it well,” Chance said with a shy grin.

After they rumbled into the driveway, Eva jumped out and waited impatiently for an introduction, rocking around on the balls of her feet. Her eyes widened a little when he stepped out of his truck, towering above her and took a sidelong glance at her big sister.

“Eva, this is Chance. Chance, my little sister, Eva.”

Chance stepped forward with his hand out to the open-mouthed girl before him. Eva had to crane her head back to look up into his eyes.

“He’s cute,” Eva whispered to Ana from the corner of her mouth as they shook hands.

Chance laughed nervously, glancing aside to see Ana’s reaction, catching her blush. His stomach dropped seeing her flush at Eva’s comment.

Ana stepped forward, turning her back to her sister, and welcomed him to their home. “Let’s go inside-I should get my sister settled before we get started.”

Eva followed close behind as they entered the house, measuring him up, her green eyes squinting.

“Make yourself at home. I’ll just get something for Eva real quick-it’s my turn to make snacks today-you want anything? A drink or something to eat?” Ana asked pausing in the kitchen doorway.

“Don’t worry about me-I had something on the drive over.” Chance dropped down at the end of the couch, letting his bag fall to the floor. He scanned the room, noticing old school pictures of the girls hanging around the fireplace. A hesitant movement caught his attention and he turned to face Eva standing near the doorway with her backpack in her hands.

Sidling over to Chance, she sat down and positioned herself perpendicular to him, placing her hands gingerly in her lap. She wore a very serious expression and Chance pictured a detective from a police show, the only thing she was missing was the badge and a five o’clock shadow.

She began her interrogation, “So, Chance…where do you live?”

“I live out on Howe Mountain, it’s above the lake.”

“And how old are you?”

“Eighteen.” Chance caught her tone and kept eye contact when he responded.

“You like my sister?”

A metallic clanking came from the kitchen as something fell to the floor. Ana’s high anxious voice followed the sound. “Eva! Chance you can go out back to wait for me, if you’d like.”

Chance ignored the invitation and faced his interrogator. “Yes, I like your sister. She’s a great photographer.”

“Have any hobbies?” she asked staring intently into his eyes.

“Well, I like fixing up cars-I work over at Kenny’s Auto Shop. I prefer being outside and take lots of nature walks. But there’s not much else to do around here.” Chance answered unabashed.

Eva leveled in for her last question, narrowing her eyes, “What’s your favorite color?”

Ana’s green eyes flashed in his mind and he stumbled over the word, “Green.” Clearing his throat, he returned his gaze to his resolute inquisitor with a grin.

Eva took a long hard look at Chance studying his sincere eyes and grin, then broke into the sweet giggle that always melted her older sister’s heart and said, “I like you, Chance.” Then leaning in, and growing serious, added, “Don’t hurt my sister.”

“I would
never
.” Chance spoke honestly seeing how concerned Eva was.
Why is she so protective of her sister?
It surprised him.

Ana walked into the living room with a bewildered expression, setting a plate of apples and peanut butter on the coffee table and stared at her sister.

“Umm…ready Chance?” Ana stuttered, and then turned her wide eyes to her sister, “Here’s your snack, D. I can help you with your homework later, if you need it. Oh, and remember Mom wants you to go through that box in your room.” Ana wasn’t angry, and seemed to keep a kind and patient tone with her sister, Chance noted.

Eva groaned, “Fine.”

He stood up and shot a crooked grin at Eva. Ana clearly cared a lot for her sister, overlooking the embarrassment she caused a moment earlier.
They must be a close family
, he reasoned.

As they walked outside together Ana apologized, “I’m sorry about that-I don’t know what got into her.”

“No worries. Didn’t mind.”

Ana held up her camera and asked, “Ready? If you want…I could show you a kind of special spot I found… it’s my favorite place, actually.” She dropped her head waiting for his answer.

Intrigued, he coaxed her, “Lead on.”

Her mouth pulled up into a gentle smile and she wandered down the trail with Chance following close behind, gripping his camera tightly. When he was near her he got pulled in. It was like gravity. Something he couldn’t resist.

He couldn’t understand the intensity of his feelings. After just a couple of days, he was anxious when they were apart like a high voltage switch had flipped and he couldn’t fight the current. No matter how much he told himself he didn’t want or need a girlfriend-it made no difference. He was changed.

Ana searched his face before walking on. She wanted him to see it, as though it would help unmask her. Uncomfortable talking about herself, this seemed the most natural way to expose who she was, needing to show him the place that meant so much to her. He would be the first person to see her private observatory.

She broke through the copse and stood in the sunlight on her rock. The rays made the hidden auburn highlights of her hair shine and glow. Chance walked through grinning and joined her on the stone slab.

“This is where you stargaze,” he said matter-of-factly.

Ana nodded, tilting her face upward. “Yeah-I love it out here. I see lots of animals-squirrels, birds and bats.”

“Oh yeah? You like animals? You’re not afraid of running into a bear out here?” He peered curiously at her.

“Well…it would be pretty cool to see a bear. But I don’t want to become a rug. I just like animals-they don’t require conversation.” She shrugged.

Chance smirked, amused, “Well, you’re right about that. Want to sit a while, before we head out?”

She answered by lowering herself to the granite ledge and sat cross-legged facing the grassy fields below. Her hand dropped to her side and picked up some dried pine needles and started snapping off pieces onto the rock.

“It’s so relaxing-I feel like I can really breathe when I’m here.”

Chance joined her on the rock and noted the dark river line in the distance. “You’ve got a nice view of the Clark Bend River over there.” He picked up a stone and threw it out so far, Ana saw it arch then disappear among the distant evergreens. He leaned back and stared at the horizon. “So, you like being alone…don’t you?”

Ana took a deep breath and answered, “Sometimes, I’d rather be alone…it’s simpler that way. I prefer being here than at school…or anywhere else really.” She was beginning to feel the same way around Chance as she did out under the stars: comfortable and relaxed.

He breathed, “I thought so. You don’t seem comfortable at school. You look… different when we’re outside.”

Ana wondered, was she that transparent to everyone? Or was he that observant? Chance seemed to understand her well for someone she just met. She liked being understood.

Suddenly, it felt as if an invisible band compressing her chest had burst. Air rushed into her lungs and her heart beat like a mustang running free. Joy trickled through her willowy body, a smile played at her lips.

They sat in silence, observing nature. Ana decided to ask Chance something that had stayed on her mind, “I wondered how you know so much about my necklace? The Thunderbird?”

Chance turned to her and she met his clouded eyes. Taking a deep breath, he took a minute before speaking, “From my grandfather, really. He’s taught me a lot. He’s from a direct line of Navajo shamans or medicine men and lived on a reservation until he was a teenager. He’s taught me a lot about his life and the old traditions.”

“That’s pretty cool-I bet he has plenty of stories. Can you tell me more about the Thunderbird? What’s its story?” she prompted him, fascinated.

“He told me the Thunderbird is a revered bird to the Navajo. And other cultures. It’s supposed to be a large magical bird that protects the tribe from evil. It’s said it rides on the wings of a storm. And when it cries out, lightning’s heard.” Chance’s steadfast eyes found Ana’s with a mixture of unreadable emotions. One thing she
could
see was the fact he was holding something back. There was more to the story. But what?

Ana pulled out the small silver pendant from under her shirt. An arrow sat beneath the symbol of the bird.

“Do you know what the arrow means?”

Chance gazed again at the silver pendant, his brow wrinkling. “The arrow…it symbolizes protection. The Thunderbird and arrow are seen as good luck and a good omen-happiness.”

I could use a little of that-happiness and good luck
, she thought. She held it within her fingertips feeling the metal warming at her touch, imagining some of its fortune passing into her.

She studied Chance while he stared at the horizon. Dark hair moved over his head in short waves and she fought the urge to run her fingers through it, to feel how soft it was. Bronze skin framed the canvas of his face, his vivid eyes a brilliant umber in the light and following his strong jaw line down his throat, she noticed a thin leather band.

“What are
you
wearing?” she asked, moving her hand toward his neck and stopping short, unsure about touching his skin.

He pulled out a small silver pendant attached to the worn leather strip that was in the shape of a bear. An arrow ran along the center of its body, down through the heart. “It’s something Grandfather gave me. It was his. He said it’s called the bear heartline. The arrow down the middle shows what you allow into your heart from the outside world will affect you. Moving you toward good or evil. A kind of protector,” he shrugged. “Known for its power, strength and healing abilities. A leader.”

“It’s nice.” Ana smiled at him thoughtfully.

“You know, you’re the first person I’ve taken here,” she ventured, a rose blush settling on her cheeks. She had been battling with herself over and over, trying to remember why she had avoided boys for so long. It was so much better being with him, than alone. Like a stone dropping into a well, the realization sank down into the pool of her soul.

Ana took a deep breath, and acknowledged the time. “Well, we still need to take some photographs. Do you want to go explore a little?”

Chance jumped to his feet like a cat, holding his hand out to help Ana. She accepted his hand as he pulled her upright.

“Where do you think we should go? The field?” Ana asked facing the firs.

“If you’d like, I can lead us. I think it could be good this way,” he said pointing at an opening between two towering fir trees. “Maybe we can explore down in the field next time.”

Ana flushed,
There would be a next time,
she thought. She followed his lithe body moving through a thicket and tried to pursue her guide. Chance seemed to sense her pace and slackened his stride allowing her to catch up.

They stopped often to take pictures, seeing something striking or unique. Ana used the excuse to take a photograph when she grew tired or felt out of breath. She wasn’t sure if he noticed her fatigue, but at the very least he hadn’t said anything. For that she was thankful.