Talent Storm (16 page)

I stepped closer and clasped her hands. “Yes.”

She pulled away, her brow furrowing. “What about Jasmine?”

“There’s nothing between us. She only kissed me because she felt bad for me. I didn’t want her to and pulled away as soon as she did. She has a boyfriend anyway.”

She shook her head. “That’s weird.”

“It is. Right?”

“You and Danessa are just friends?”

I nodded. “Just friends. I only want to be with you.”

Her smile beamed with delight. “I want to be with you too.”

She took my hands, leaning close, her lavender perfume exciting me. She closed her big eyes before tilting her head up with puckered full lips. My desire battled my anxiety, and I hesitated. After a moment though, I leaned in and thanked my desire for winning.

“Ooo, what are you guys doing? Something inappropriate it appears.”

I pulled away an instant before my lips touched Lilly’s. Sid. Damn him. Lilly’s face grew red as she looked down. Whirling around, I clenched my fists. It was bad enough that he set me up. Interrupting a kiss from Lilly was the last straw.

Raising my balled fists, I flexed my telekinetically enhanced muscles. “I’ve had enough of you. Let’s see whose better, once and for all.”

He shrugged before removing his glasses. “I would like nothing better than to destroy you.” He raised his now glowing blue hands, his jaw clenched. “Bring it.”

Just as I was about to strike him, I felt Lilly’s hand on my shoulder. “Jaden, it’s not worth it. Let’s go for a walk.”

I open and closed my fist once, grilling Sid.

“Please.”

At her tone, my anger melted away. Nothing could have stopped me from destroying him, nothing but her request. Besides, I’d soon get my chance to fight him in The Ring. I slowly turned from Sid, breaking eye contact at the last second. With our backs turned on him, Lilly and I walked away.

“I thought so,” he called after us.

For an instant, I wanted to charge him but decided against it. It was much nicer to walk with Lilly.

☼☼☼

A week later, Lilly and I sat on a large blanket, eating dinner in the park. We had been together every day since our confessions. When I was with her, I felt like a different person, one who didn’t lose his best friend a few weeks ago. When alone, especially at night, I was haunted by guilt and horrible images.

“It’s beautiful out today,” Lilly said, pulling me into the present.

I smiled and then gazed into her dark brown eyes. “Thanks to you it is.”

She blushed before lowering her head, grinning.

“What do you do for fun now that you’re all grown up?” I asked.

She angled her head, her hair swinging to the side. “Steal, cheat, and smash mailboxes.”

“What? Did you break your own?”

“I couldn’t help it. Sometimes I fly into rages.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I’ll have to be careful around you.”

“Yes. You better.”

We exchanged smiles, captured by each other’s eyes.

“Hey guys, what are you doing?” someone asked next to us.

My gaze jerked toward the direction of the speaker. Danessa stood a few feet from us, twirling her hair.

“Hey, Danessa,” Lilly and I both said.

She flashed me a sideways smile. “Jaden, your eyes look stunning in this sun.”

I felt my face flush as I glanced at Lilly’s frown. Danessa pointed at our lunch. “Having a little picnic? Are you guys on a date or something?” She smiled devilishly.

Lilly looked away, blushing.

I stared blankly at Danessa, not knowing what to say.

“Ooo, it is. Lilly and Jaden sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love—”

I waved my hand, shaking my head. “All right, come on Danessa, enough.”

She pouted. “Aww, somebody’s sensitive. Giving up on me already?”

Lilly squinted at me, pressing her lips together.

“What?” I asked. “We haven’t been together in years. And, if I remember correctly, you’re the one who broke up with me.”

“I know, I’m just kidding. Have fun you two,” she said and walked off.

A distance away, Danessa turned back with a frown focused solely on Lilly. She glared for a moment, then left.

Lilly glowered back, her brow furrowed. “Sometimes she gets to me.”

“She’s just kidding around. Don’t worry about her.” Gently touching Lilly’s thigh, I brought her attention back to me. “Let’s enjoy our day.”

She smiled broadly at me, once again her cheerful self. “I’d love to.”

We enjoyed the rest of our meal in the sun, as if Danessa had never intruded before going our separate ways for the night.

☼☼☼

I lay on the cold ground, in a dark forest, staring at the black sky. No leaves rustled, no sticks cracked, and no birds sang. The ominous silence weighed on me, filling me with dread. I propped myself up to scan the area. Thick, gnarled trees surrounded me like a cage, and a blanket of gray fog hung in the air, distorting my vision.

I twisted to my left, knowing what I’d see and dreading it. Ben lay still, his face a bloodless mask. Black rings encircled his closed eyes, and his naked chest was gashed and bloody.

“Ben. I’m so sorry.”

His lids shot open, revealing cloudy orbs. I scrambled back along the ground, my body suddenly shaking. He stood, slow and unsteady, as if he just learned how. Heart thumping, I trembled, unable to look away from the horror.

His mouth drooped opened, and he spoke in a thin, scratchy voice. “You killed me; you selfish bastard. I want revenge.”

He stepped forward and teetered like a drunk. I leapt up to run, but before I took a step, something ripped me down. The ground slammed into me, driving the air from my lungs. Through the pain, I lifted my head to see him. He was shaking his glowing, green finger back and forth.

“Look,” he said with a smile. “I finally got talent.”

I reached for my own, so I could escape, but it was gone. I was his prisoner. It felt like an eternity as the bloody zombie stumbled over to me. With each step, the alarm bells in my head grew louder. When he reached me, I cringed back, wishing I were anywhere else. He lunged forward with surprising speed and clawed at my stomach. His fingers dug into my flesh and pulled out chunks of it. I screamed, redoubling my efforts to flee but couldn’t move.

He smiled before stuffing my flesh into his mouth. “Mmm. You should try some.” As he ate, the wound on his chest healed and the color returned to his face.

He licked the blood off his fingers and reached out for more—

I jumped up in bed with a gasp. My hands shot toward my stomach and felt for wounds. I jerked my head around the room, my shirt damp with sweat. A dream. Just a dream. I took a slow, steady breath to calm my heart. Would the nightmares every go away?

☼☼☼

Lilly and I enjoyed the next few days with each other. Each time I saw her, I felt more connected with her and couldn’t wait to see her again. It seemed like we’d been dating for a year rather than a couple weeks.

Together again, we walked away from the park, where we spent our day off. The sun shone brightly, birds sang cheerful songs, and the sweet smell of flowers drifted by.

“Are you all right? You look tired,” said Lilly.

I ran my hand over my face. “I’ve been having trouble sleeping, but I’ll manage.”

“I’ll make you valerian root tea. It should help.”

I smiled at her kindness. “Thanks. I’d like that.”

We walked on, and I focused back on the present—the feel of her soft hand and the meadow of purple flowers that we passed through.

Lilly pointed at them. “Aren’t those pretty. They’re like stars.”

“They’re called May Day flowers. I always liked them too.”

She poked me in the ribs. “You’re so wise.”

I smiled at the compliment. “I’ve been told that.”

We passed an ice cream stand, where two kids licked dripping cones. I reached into my pocket, searching for money. At the clink of a few chits left over from my stipend, I pointed to the stand.

“Do you want ice cream?”

Her eyes lit up as she smiled sweetly. “Sure, I’ll take a small.”

“All right. I’ll be right back.”

After I reached the ice cream stand, I ordered two small vanilla cones from the old man behind the counter. He located two cones before scooping ice cream into them, then mumbled something.

“What’s that?” I asked.

He cleared his throat and met my eyes. “I said you’re going to lose your girl.”

Feeling my heart pound, I wheeled around. A tall, burly man stood next to her. Lowering my eyebrows, I crossed my arms. Who was that?

I quickly paid before marching back to Lilly. When I neared the two of them, my stomach knotted. I hadn’t seen him since he moved to Alliance City, but I’d never forget him. Sven. I couldn’t believe it. Was that his hand on Lilly? Scowling, I hastened my pace toward the two.

She pushed his hand away. “I said no, Sven. I’m not interested. I’ve already told you.”

I exhaled. Good, she didn’t like him.

“Oh, come on baby. You know you want me.”

I growled. “Stop.” Sven jumped the slightest bit, causing me to smile. “Remember me?” I asked.

He turned his huge frame toward me. Squinting, he scratched his head. He nodded. “Oh yeah, you’re that little weakling I used to mess with.”

He shrugged as he grabbed Lilly’s arm. “Come on baby, let’s go.”

“No,” she yelled, pulling away.

I stepped between them and placed my hand on his chest. “She said no.”

He threw his head up, bursting into laughter. “What are you going to do?”

“Stop you.”

The insides of his eyebrows dipped. “I’ll show you.”

He swung at my head. Before impact, his fist froze, and his eyes widened. When his entire body began to glimmer green, his gaze flitted over his body.

Standing a little straighter, I puffed out my chest. “I’m not so weak anymore. The size of my muscles is inconsequential.”

I raised my hand, fire in my eyes, and his feet cleared the ground. I desperately wanted to punish him for all the times he beat and embarrassed me in front of others. It would be so easy to smash him to a pulp, to show him how it felt. I hesitated, feeling my anger bubble inside me. With a flick of my wrist, he could be out of my life forever.

It was wrong to hurt people though. Besides, what would Lilly think? Instead, I slowly pushed him back ten feet before releasing him. Still, it felt good to have power over my bully.

He took a quick step forward, raising his fist, teeth bared.

“Stop,” I said.

He froze, this time on his own accord.

He wasn’t as stupid as I thought. “You’re no match for me. I could crush you, literally, but I won’t. Some victims would make you regret your bullying, but it’s not right. Hurting you back would only perpetuate the cycle of bullying. It would show you that might makes right. It’s not acceptable to hurt and intimidate people.”

He shrugged, throwing his hands up before turning away. “Take it easy. I was just playing around.” The brute meandered away, his head lowered.

“Oh, and Sven... don’t go near Lilly.”

I faced Lilly. She smiled as she looked down. “Thanks for sticking up for me. You’re the best.”

I handed her an ice cream cone. “No, you’re the best.”

Her smile grew, dimpling her cheeks as she stepped close. My body tingled at her nearness. Her big dark eyes found mine, her look radiating warmth inside me. I slowly released my breath, feeling my heart pound. Her fingertips brushed her collarbone, drawing my eyes down. My breathing accelerated as I glanced down at her thin waist and tight shirt. I wanted to tear it off. Looking back up, my eyes lingered on her full rosy lips. I met her eyes again, smiling slightly. Should I kiss her? The answer was obvious. I leaned in, lips puckered.

She jerked back, her eyes darting down. “Oh!”

Streams of melting ice cream ran down her hand.

“I guess I have to eat this quicker.”

I exhaled, slumping. There goes my chance. My eyebrow rose though as she licked ice cream from her hand. I imagined the feel of her tongue gliding along my neck.

“Come by my room tonight,” she said.

I raised my chin. I’d have another chance. “I don’t know. I’ve got a lot going on.”

Her lips curled into a slight smile, and she met my eyes. “I was thinking we could continue our moment.”

“I could probably move some things around.”

Her eyes lit up. “Okay, Cuddle Bug, it’s a date.”

A pet name. Things were progressing.

She stepped close, linking my arm before leading me back up the path. I smiled and rested my hand on hers.

☼☼☼

That night I stood outside Lilly’s dorm-room with May Day flowers in hand. I knocked.

“Come on in.”

I opened the door, and my eyebrows rose. Lilly wore a form-fitting black dress, decorated with embroidered cherries. Her pinned up hair revealed the creamy, smooth skin of her neck. Suddenly, my heart was pounding.

“Hey Pumpkin Seed.” She spun around. “What do you think?”

I loved her dress, but her beauty was an emerald twinkling in the sun. “You’re beautiful.”

She smiled before looking down, face reddening. “I meant the dress.” She playfully pushed my shoulder. Then she eyed my hand. “Flowers. For me?”

I shrugged, my head dipping with the motion. “Of course.”

She flashed me a dimpled smile. “Thanks. That was so sweet of you to bring me my favorite flowers. Let me put them in some water.” She took them from my hand before locating a vase.

I walked over to her dresser and picked up a small round box with a dragonfly on top. The inside was empty. I picked up and put down various other trinkets, examining each for a few seconds.

She tapped my shoulder. “Come on, let’s have a seat.”

I put down a turtle figurine and turned. She smiled, taking my hand.

With my other hand, I waved at her dress. “So, what’s the occasion? I feel a bit underdressed now.”

She shook her head. “Yeah, you look like a slob.”

I looked at her sharply.

She hit me, grinning wide. “Just kidding. You look cute.”

I smiled wide. She thought I was cute. She leaned in closer, adjusting her neckline. My eyes followed the motion to her flaunted cleavage. Catching a scent of her lavender perfume, I felt my desire stir. Talent, she was beautiful.