Hidden Monster

by Amanda Strong

“Look what I can do,” I boasted to Blake, but he kept lifting my bag up and down, staring at it. We were at our rendezvous spot, some place in the middle of nowhere, waiting for Mack to show. At some point while I slept, Mack must have returned home, because I woke up to an empty bedroom. Blake had shown up an hour later to pick me up.

  Now he was hefting my bag around. I had no idea what his interest in it was, but I decided this was a good time to show him what I’d finally learned to do.

  “Blake?” I said, hoping to draw his attention back to me, but instead he flopped my bag on his hood and unzipped it.

  “Sam, you’re going to have to leave some of this stuff behind. I mean, we’re only going to be gone for two days. What do you have in here anyway?”

  I stepped forward, not thrilled with the idea of him going through my personal things. He turned to me and held up the one thing I hoped he wouldn’t find. It had been an impulsive thing to add. I’d stolen them from Krista’s closet.

  “Really?” he asked, a grin spreading across his face. “Not sure how well black stilettos will hold up in the sand, but I’m so game for these.”

  I snatched the shoes from his hands. “Well, I didn’t know what it’d be like there. Sue me for thinking it might have a restaurant or two.” I prayed my irritation would hide how mortified I felt.

  In the movies, the girl always has a little black dress and heels…

  “Why are you going through my bag, anyway? Its private property, you know,” I snapped, trying to grab it from him. He swung it out of reach.

  “You are right. There are a few restaurants. Good thinking.” He grabbed the shoes from my hands and shoved them back in, “Okay, those are coming. And so is this.” His eyes widened, his fingers holding up silky, black material.

  Darn it, he found the dress I’d stolen too.

  “Look at you packing for our romantic getaway,” he cooed, his eyes dancing.

  I slugged his arm. “You just changed my mind about what I want to bring. Now give me back my bag.”

  His smile only deepened. “Oh, don’t get all huffy. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just, we’re going to be flying for a while, and with you being the stubborn girl you are, insisting on carrying your things, this is going to get to heavy. I’m only trying to help, honest.”

  “Oh.” I suppose I hadn’t thought about the weight of it all. And I had just told Blake in the car that I would be the one toting my bag. “I’ll be fine. I’ll take stuff out.”

  Blake zipped up the bag and threw it over his shoulder. “Nope, I’m carrying this now. There’s no way I’m letting you take that swanky, black dress out. Or those heels.” He winked at me. “Now, what were you about to show me?”

  I tucked my hair behind me ears, still feeling flustered by Blake going through my bag and insisting on being chivalrous.

  “Okay, fine, I give,” I said. “But I get to carry it for a bit, okay? Even if it’s only twenty minutes.”

  “My little mule.” He gave my chin a nudge with his knuckle.

  Argh… sometimes he nettles me to no end. Half of the time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to slap his face or kiss it. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind.

  “Okay, hold on. I have to find my center.” I giggled a little at how silly that sounded.

  “Take your time,” he said, no longer smirking. His eyes watched me intently.

  I morphed into a damsel, glad I’d pilfered a few of Jocelyn shirts, since she liked the more open-back style, anything to show off her shoulder blades. I’d found them too revealing and cold, but now, they were very convenient since stripping my shirt wasn’t exactly an option for me, like it was for the boys. And after last night, I’d realized I couldn’t rip through every T-shirt I own.

  Something tickled my arms and back. I glanced down and saw long, blonde hair. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to my damsel side. I closed my eyes and focused on what Mack had said. Find my dark, quiet place and crawl in.

  It took a second, and I wasn’t sure if I’d done it, until I heard Blake exclaim, “Sweet!”

  I opened my eyes, expecting to see him, but he must have camo’ed out, because I was left with nothing but his scent. Then his hands landed on my face. At first softly, feeling for my contours, and then slipping down to my shoulders and then behind my waist. His lips landed expertly on mine, as his hands pressed on my lower back, bringing my body closer to him. It was a strange sensation, kissing someone you couldn’t see, only feel. It awakened all my other senses, heightening the taste, the sounds, the feel of Blake’s mouth pressing down on mine.

  Kissing as a damsel magnified everything; my stomach plummeted to my toes, my knees threatened to buckle, and the instinct to wrap myself up in his arms overwhelmed me.

  “Hey you guys, I may not be able to see you what you two lovebirds are up to, but I can hear all too well, remember,” Mack said, appearing close to us.

  I jerked back so fast, embarrassed and terrified by my own actions. Blake ditched the camo before I did. I took a minute to recompose myself, smoothing down my hair—since it had decided to be waist long again, it needed some taming—and letting the heat fade from my face. Thank heavens for Mack. I’m going to have to learn how to control my damsel self.

  When I finally reappeared, both boys ogled me.

  “What?” I asked, instinctively glancing down. I saw why their eyes were like saucers; I no longer was in jeans or my sister’s shirt. The long, blue gown was back, shimmering, and hugging my hips.

  “What the heck!” I groaned.

  “Must be that special blend,” Mack said with a whistle.

  Blake shrugged his shoulders. “Just one more thing to ask Tonbo about.” He stepped closer to me. “But in the meantime, you do look breathtaking, my dear.”

  “Ugh,” I grumbled. “How the heck am I supposed to fly in this getup?”

  Blake wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “You did it before, remember. Only this time, you know you’re not dreaming.”