by Sonya Bria
“When did you become so wise?” I asked, hugging her.
“Not wise, just practical. You needed to find these things out for yourself.”
“So did you know about my telepathic abilities when I was younger?” I asked.
“Yes. I had my suspicions. You should have heard some of the stories you used to tell me about your friend. Then one day, when I asked you the name of your imaginary friend, you didn’t hesitate in saying Ian.”
I laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t have a nervous breakdown.”
“I’ll be honest, it gave me quite a shock, but I didn’t think he was doing any harm. Heaven knows, I couldn’t calm you after your nightmares, but Ian seemed to know how.”
Wow. This was a lot to take in.
“Now go to sleep. You have school in the morning, and I don’t want another call from the office that you’ve missed classes again,” Grams said.
“I know. I know. Believe me; I don’t want to go to Summer school either,” I replied. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about our family, but this is enough for tonight. Love you, Sophie.” Grams kissed my cheek.
“Love you too, Grams. Goodnight.”
Grams turned the light off as she left the room. I snuggled into my bedcovers, noticing that it was close to midnight and still no Ian. I couldn’t hide my disappointment. I missed him already. Okay, focus, Sophie, I thought to myself. Center yourself and concentrate.
***
“I shouldn’t have come,” Ian muttered as he paced in front of her house. He probably looked like a lunatic coming and going several times from the front steps. When did he start behaving like a love-sick puppy? Why was this given to him? Ian thought in desperation. Curse the guardians for ever bringing him into this mess. Everything was all messed up. Ian was torn. Sophie meant more to him with every passing day. He needed her; the warmth of her touch made him feel almost human again. Something he longed for, but had long since given up hope for. The best he could hope for now was to be content in spending what little time was left to make her happy.
***
It’s dark in his mind, I thought as I saw Ian pacing. What was he trying to figure out? Whatever it was, it was tearing him apart. It suddenly dawned on me—I was the one who was causing him so much pain.
Oh Ian, I thought. I wish you’d talk to me. Wait a minute, that’s Gram’s yard. He’s in front of the house? I quickly shed my covers and opened up my window. I felt him more than saw him standing on the sidewalk. I whispered, “Ian.” Instantaneously, he bounded from the sidewalk to the branch of the tree outside my window. Amazing. He was so graceful. His long muscular legs…
“Did you miss me already?” Ian interrupted my train of thought. I didn’t have to say it; I knew he saw the desire in my eyes, but I knew he was looking for a verbal confirmation.
“Yes, I haven’t had my goodnight kiss,” I teased.
“I’d be happy to oblige, my lady,” Ian replied. His antiquated speech always sent chills down my spine. He made me feel cherished and simply wonderful inside.
Ian slid off the branch and climbed through my bedroom window. I merely held out my hands and found myself wrapped in a comforting embrace. Ian settled his chin on top of my head while toying with a stray locket of my hair. This is nice, I thought, sighing.
Nice? Ian mused. I see I’m already failing at my boyfriend duties.
I giggled. “You know what I mean.” I pulled him to my bed. He tucked me in, and I nestled against his chest. I breathed in his scent; it was indescribable. I felt him tense. “Does that bother you?” I asked.
“No, not really. I can’t say I’ve had anyone do that before,” he said with a smile. He was teasing me, so I rolled over on top of him. He pretended to let me pin him down. “How about this,” I said as I grazed my lips down his cheek. I laughed as he held me closer.
“Sophie,” Ian groaned.
I realized I’d gone too far again. “Ian, I’m so sorry. I keep forgetting. Here, let me up,” I said apologetically. I didn’t get another word in as he pulled me back down and crushed me with his lips. In the excitement of discovery, I bit my tongue or Ian did. I felt the warm blood pool in my mouth. He’d tasted my blood. Blood. I could feel the power surge in him. I could also see the demon within beckoning him to be released. His mind was so dark, and at first I tried to resist its pull, but it was so sensual and inviting. It all happened so fast, but it was exhilarating! It was like riding Ian’s bike up the mountain—dangerous and reckless. I didn’t want it to end. It was as if our mutual thirst had not been quenched in days. We were desperate souls. Ian was desperate to stay in control. I was desperate to feel that connection to his soul. He wanted me. Oh Ian.
Ian realized my surprise and abruptly released me. He lay on his back, and I rolled over onto mine. “Ian, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tempted you again. I can’t seem to help myself,” I said frustrated. “Sophie, not now,” Ian said darkly. I wasn’t sure what to do with that response. This was more than awkward. He reached for my hand. “I’m okay now. Did I hurt you?” Ian asked, searching my face. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry about what? The kissing part or the tongue biting part?” I responded with a glint in my eye.
Ian ruffled my hair and said, “Sophie, you are going to be the death of me!”
“But you’re already dead,” I jokingly replied.
“Ugh! Come here,” Ian commanded. I obliged and fell asleep in his arms.
DESTINY
“Good morning,” I said sleepily. I could get used to being awoken with Ian’s kisses. “You’re still here!”
“I told you I’d stay, but your grandmother is awake. I don’t think she would approve of this overnight guest,” Ian said rising.
“Oh, don’t take it personally; I don’t think she’d approve of any man in my room.” I laughed. “I’ll go around front and pick you up for school,” he said, then climbed out of my bedroom window.
“Wait! Give me at least an hour,” I said hastily. “I need to take care of some necessities.” Ian laughed. “You are such a girl—impossible.”
I blew him a kiss, and he acted like it pushed him out the window. I’m impossible, I thought. I think he might actually have a sense of humor. I rushed through my morning routine, but took a little extra time in the make-up department. Hey, I had someone to impress now. Clothes, couldn’t forget those. Okay, totally juvenile, but I wondered what he liked. Ian definitely had taste—expensive tastes. I pulled on dark khakis and a casual green blouse. This would have to do. I headed downstairs.
Grams was already at the table, paper in hand, and sipping her tea. “Good morning, Grams.” I said cheerfully. “I overslept.” I grabbed a slice of toast and gulped my juice down.
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with our overnight guest, would it?” Grams casually mentioned, not missing a beat. Yikes, busted. She was good. Okay, how to phrase this? “Before you freak out, Grams, let me explain. We talk….” I rambled on. “Okay, mainly I talk and Ian listens as I ramble on and on.” My words came rushing out like I was on trial fighting for my life. “I feel safer when he’s around, I can’t really explain it,” I said as I pathetically sunk down in my chair at the kitchen table. “Sophie,” Grams said with a twinkle in her eye. “I trust you and your judgment. I was once young too.”
“Really?” I teased. How cool was my grandmother!
“Just be careful,” Grams replied.
“Wow, Grams, I didn’t know you were so liberated!” I laughed in awe.
Grams laughed again. “I’m not, but this is way beyond your normal relationship and frankly, way beyond my expertise. I think your Ian is here now.” She nodded toward the front door. The doorbell rang.
“How did you know?” I asked in amazement.
“You’re not the only one with abilities my dear,” Grams said. I let that one slide; it would have to wait till after school. I opened the door and Ian was all smiles. I beamed.
“Hi stranger,” Ian said as he
grabbed my backpack from my shoulder. “I’ve got this.” “Are you seriously going to carry my books?” I asked astounded. “You are entirely too precious!” Clearly embarrassed Ian said, “I’m not entirely sure what to do here, but I’m trying to act like I’m supposed to as your boyfriend.”
“Well,” I said, getting into his car, “I guess we need to define what this is. Do vampires even date?” Ian rolled his eyes. “Okay, dumb question. Obviously not.” I climbed into the passenger side of his car. “What did you do before you became a vampire? Didn’t you court or something like that?” I teased.
“I honestly can’t remember,” Ian said sadly. He backed his car out of the driveway and headed down the street. “There is very little that I remember clearly.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I did it again,” I said, shaking my head. “How is it that I always do that?” I asked frustrated.
“Do what?” Ian asked perplexed.
“Make you sad,” I replied.
“Soph, it’s not that, I’m just really, really bad at this dating thing.”
“So we are dating!” I excitedly replied.
Ian shifted gears. “Yes, I guess we are.” My heart soared!
I wasn’t late for school, not with the way he drove anyways. I leaned over to kiss him goodbye. “I’ll pick you up after school,” Ian said. “I think your friends are waiting for you.” He pointed out.
“Yikes, I’ve ditched them pretty much this whole time, haven’t I?” I said.
“Better go. Miss me?” I said, climbing out.
“I miss you already,” Ian said smiling. “Now go, graduate already. This is getting really embarrassing that my ‘girlfriend’ is still in high school.” Music to my ears!
“Max. Em! Hey, wait up,” I called across the lot.
“Well, well look who rolled into school with the fancy car,” Max said enviously. “What’s up with that?”
“Oh, that’s Ian’s car, not mine. He picked me up this morning,” I said.
Emily grabbed my arm to get my full attention. “I want details. What happened to you this weekend? I called, but your Grams said you were already asleep.” Emily rushed on, “Why didn’t you text me? I’ve been dying to find out!” she exclaimed.
“Okay, wow. Give me a minute,” I said a bit overwhelmed by the onslaught of questions. We headed into school and to our lockers.
“What’s going on? Are you guys going to clue me in?” Max asked.
“Okay, speed version,” Em said, looking at Max. “That was Ian. Remember? From the movie theater?”
“Actually, boyfriend,” I chimed in.
“Double wow. New development.” Emily giggled excitedly. “All right, he picked her up after school on Friday and they spent the whole weekend together.”
“Whoa, time out,” Max said his voice escalating. “Boyfriend? I only missed one day of school and you have a boyfriend?”
“Look guys, I’ll explain it all at lunch,” I said, hurrying to my locker.
“Okay, but hurry or we’ll be late for Harris’s class again,” Em said as she slammed her locker shut.
“Yeah, okay later! But you owe me an explanation, Sophie Flynn,” Max yelled down the hallway.
Mr. Harris’s class was seriously a bore. “I don’t think he really knows much about calculus,” I whispered to Em.
“Seriously, if I hear another calc problem explained in football mumbo jumbo, I’m going to scream!” Emily concurred. “So, tell me, what is he like?” Em asked, leaning conspiratorially close to my desk.
“Who, Mr. Harris?” I said to avoid the subject of Ian.
Emily rolled her eyes. “Ian. What’s he like?”
I sighed and said, “Dreamy. Absolutely perfect in every way, and I don’t see what he sees in me.” “Well, it’s obvious from the two times I’ve seen him that he worships the ground you walk on,” Emily stated.
“What?” I denied. “No, it’s just that we have this connection. It’s hard to explain. You know I said we’ve been friends for a long time, and I just know what he’s thinking even before he says it.” There, I thought. Let’s see how Em digests that nugget of info.
Emily was blown away. “That’s so cool and way over my head, Soph. Is it the same for him?” “Pretty much,” I replied.
“What does Grams think of him? I can’t believe she gave you permission to go. How cool is she! I want her for my grandma,” Emily proclaimed.
“I think Grams likes him, at least that’s what she told me. She’s known him just as long,” I said.
After the first four classes we met Max in the quad to head out for lunch. “I’m craving a Frosty like no other,” Max said, putting his arms around both me and Emily. “My treat?” he asked.
“Sounds good to me,” Em said.
“Me too,” I replied.
“Well, my car is not quite up to speed like your boyfriend’s, Soph, but at least I have one, right?” Max said.
“Max, give Sophie a break!” Emily said as she punched him playfully in the arm. “You can be such a jerk sometimes.” Emily turned giving me her full attention. “Now, I want details…what else happened?”
“So the bike was cool; I was a bit nervous, but he handled it so well that I barely knew I was on it,” I stated.
“Okay, fast forward,” Em pushed impatiently, “what else happened between you two?” “Well, we went to his ahh…family’s cabin up past Sequoia. I really wasn’t paying attention. Somewhere off of the Twenty. They have this library that is too cool. I spent an entire evening reading!” I said excitedly.
“Reading? Where was Ian?” Em asked.
“Oh, he went hunting,” I replied. It wasn’t a lie.
“Hunting?” Max asked clearly confused.
“Yeah, you know, a guy thing. Look, it was totally fine. You know how I like my alone time,” I said, stressing my point. “Anyways, he cooked, we went for a walk, and found an awesome meadow full of wildflowers that he picked for me.”
“Aww, that is so romantic!” Em interrupted. “So. Not. Fair! I’d love a guy to pick me wildflowers.” Em sighed.
I jabbed Max and gave him that look. “What?” he winced.
“Never mind,” I said. Boys could be so dense sometimes. “Is he taking you to the Senior Ball?” Em asked.
Senior Ball! I’d totally forgotten again about signing up for the dance committee. “I don’t think school dances are his thing. I really can’t imagine him wanting to come back to high school,” I said.
“How old is this guy, Soph?” Max asked in a concerned tone.
“He’s only twenty-three,” I said defensively.
“Where does this guy go to school? Does he work? What does he do when you’re here?” Max quizzed.
“Jeez, Max. What’s with the twenty questions? You’re not my dad. He’s a great guy,” I replied a bit too harshly.
“Maybe we could all go out for dinner and bowling sometime,” Emily said, trying to smooth over the tension. I wasn’t sure. For all I knew, Ian probably hated bowling. “Let’s go out Friday,” Em said anxiously.
“Sure, I don’t see why not,” I trailed off. I hated to commit Ian to something he was sure to dread, but I felt like I had to make some sort of effort with my friends. “I’ll have to run it by Ian. He might have to work late or something,” I added.
We pulled through the drive-thru and Max ordered our food. We sat in the parking lot, inhaling our food before lunch period was over. Emily rambled on between bites about her weekend and what she hoped to wear to the Senior Ball.
I was silent as I chewed on a piece of my burger. I felt a shiver run through my body. Ian, I missed you! I thought. I could see Ian smiling.
Finally I can get a word in. Does Emily ever stop talking? he asked.
I laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?” Max asked.
“Oh nothing, just thinking about something Ian said. Not important,” I replied, stifling my laughter. Have you been listening the whole time? Are you spyi
ng on me? I teased.
Honestly, I was bored with the conversation, so I wandered in and out of your mind, but I did hear we have plans for Friday. Clearly Ian was amused.
Yeah, sorry! Would it be okay? I don’t think they’ll leave me alone until they see us together in some sort of social setting.
Ian laughed. Dinner might be awkward, but bowling would be okay.
My interest was piqued. You bowl?
Guess you’ll just have to find out, Ian said teasingly.
When we conversed telepathically, I pictured us together sitting at his cabin on the swing. It was weird how I could be with him there mentally but in the car with my friends at the same time. It still wigged me out a bit! Gotta go, we’re back at school. Still picking me up? I questioned.
Still picking you up. Ian blew me a mind kiss.
PE was seriously dumb. How many times did we have to play badminton? What was the practicality of it? Two o’clock couldn’t come soon enough. I wanted desperately to escape high school. I felt like I had so little time to find out everything I could about Ian. He was becoming an obsession. True to form, I felt Ian’s presence before I saw him at the end of school. And there he was leaning against his car all casual like.
“Hi,” I said as I hugged him. “Were you waiting long? I had to get a list from one of the girls on the dance committee and got bombarded with one assignment after another,” I apologized profusely.
“No problem, Soph. I’ve had years of practice in being patient,” he replied.
I stopped. “This isn’t what you signed up for. Are your regretting being the official boyfriend?” I asked.
Ian smiled. “No, it’s refreshing to think about and do something else. Sometimes, I forget that life does move on.”
Climbing into his car I said, “Well, I’m glad I could be of service to you then, kind sir.”
We drove in silence for a bit. “Sophie, I’m going to be gone for a couple of days,” Ian blurted out.
“Hunting?” I asked.
“Yes, I wish you didn’t know that side of me,” Ian lamented.
