Luminescence Trilogy: Complete Collection

by J. L. Weil

  Each time Gavin or Jared bowled, they would line up and eye the pins. It was then I noticed the bizarre glow in them, the same glow I saw at the coffee shop. Before they released their throw, the gleam shined brightly. Over the last few frames, I came to expect to see it. I considered the possibility it was a trick of the dimmed lights, but the moment Sophie went to bowl, her eyes remained the same. No glint, no glimmer, no unearthly glow.

  I was being ridiculous.

  When the night ended, Gavin offered to drive me home. We had dropped my car off earlier, before going out. The prices of gas were outrageous, and I needed to save a buck where I could.

  The night was late, and the moon was mostly hidden. Gavin’s shadowy form was outlined by the neon blue of his interior lights. I shifted in the leather seat, laying my head on the back of the headrest and watched him.

  This was the first time we had been alone since we kissed earlier, and I wasn’t really sure what to say. So of course, I complicated matters by saying what had been on my mind the better half of the night. A part of me thought I was making a gigantic mistake by bringing it up. He could very well think I was a lunatic. And probably would.

  I didn’t want to admit how much that would hurt, but there was no way I was going to let this go, especially, if there was an off chance I was right.

  “You’re different.” My quiet voice broke the silence through the steady purr of his engine.

  “What do you mean?” He had both eyes on the road, but he wanted to look at me. His jaw tightened ever so slightly.

  “I don’t know, just different.” I had such a way with words It was uncanny.

  “Different how?” he asked, his voice had stiffened, and I knew I hit a nerve.

  I heaved a sigh. “I just feel it. There’s something different about you.” I explained warily.

  He gave in and looked at me with a perplexed expression.

  “Tonight…I saw your eyes glow. Jared’s too. I’ve seen it before.” I rushed the end of the confession—absurd as it was. “What are you?” I asked.

  Cutting his gaze back to the road, he was silent. “I’ve been too relaxed with you,” he mumbled, chastising himself. Or at least, that was what I thought I heard.

  “Are you a werewolf or something?” I was only half-joking. Though a part of me actually thought he might just be a werewolf.

  “Bri, do you really think I turn into a wolf and howl at the moon, or that I am any different than you?”

  I bite my lip. “I don’t know,” I admitted, more unsure than ever.

  His lips thinned. “I’m not.”

  It was hard not to believe him. Maybe this whole thing was just me. Maybe I was the one who wasn’t normal. Right now, I didn’t even know what normal meant. I regretted asking.

  We didn’t talk at all the remaining way home, each caught in our own thoughts.

  When he pulled up to my house, I hadn’t the first clue how to undo the tension. “Gavin—”

  He cut me off. “Bri, just let it go.” He tried to sound lighthearted but failed. I could still hear the strain in his tone. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  I nodded and got out of the car without another word, no matter that I had a hundred more questions and an apology I badly wanted to utter on the tip of my tongue.

  Later that night, I laid spread on the bed, hands propped under my chin and feet dangling in the air. The television was on low while I artlessly riffled through the channels, not really paying attention to the screen.

  I was mentally trying to dissect the puzzle of Gavin and his family, or the possibility it was all me. There was the crazy way I felt about him. He caused elevated emotions, and I was drawn to him in an irrevocable pull, both terrifying and confounding. Uncontrollably compelled by him, I was taken in by the sultry sapphire of his eyes.

  Then there was humming vibration I sometimes got when he or Sophie touched me. Or the strange light of his and Jared’s eyes, like at the coffee shop or tonight. He might want me to drop the suspicion, but my mind was having a difficult time of it.

  How had I let any of this happen? It was stupid—absolutely stupid to fall for someone like Gavin. He could be so grating, and his smirk infuriating. Those seemed petty and insignificant excuses compared to the sputter of my rapid heartbeat. He made my head spin and left me feeling breathless when we were together.

  I fell asleep with the television flicking in the background, the barely audible voices drifting with me in dreams. And like most of my dreams, they were of Lukas, a detail that ate at my guilt. Only seconds ago, all I could imagine was Gavin. How messed up was that?

  Chapter 12

  “I missed you,” were the first words out of his mouth as soon as he saw me. We were in a park, sitting on a marble bench, an elaborate stone fountain bubbling at the heart. Robins and blue jays sang from the treetops, chasing each other through the branches.

  “Me too,”

  I agreed. I had really missed him.

  “We’ve seen more of each other the last few weeks than we have…ever,” he commented. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  We had. It made me wonder if something had changed. I shrugged. “Who knows how my mind works.”

  He laughed and put an arm around the back of the bench, encompassing me in his nearness. “I like the way your mind works.” Grinning, he inched closer. The air outside was comfortable and sunny. A flock of robins picked at the grass in front of us.

  If I didn’t know better, I’d think the golden boy was flirting with me. “That’s just sad,” I retorted, unable to believe anyone liked my mind.

  He laughed. “Oh Brianna, when will you see what I see?”

  I had no idea what he saw, but I doubted in the real world, it would make a difference. “I think you need to get your eyes checked,” I suggested.

  He ignored my comment. “So have you seen the new guy?” Although, he tried to sound nonchalant, I could hear the underlying disapproval.

  “It’s impossible not to. He’s my lab partner.” I was a little annoyed by the fact he brought up Gavin. Something in his tone rubbed me the wrong way.

  A warning?

  A scream of caution?

  An accusation?

  I couldn’t figure it out. “Does that bother you?” I absently kicked the dust under the bench.

  “Just curious about him.”

  Oh, it seemed like a whole lot more than curiosity bubbling under the surface. Didn’t anyone ever tell him that curiosity killed the cat? “Why?” I couldn’t resist questioning him to prove it a point. I didn’t believe him.

  Lukas gazed out into the park at an aging statue of a horse with a warrior on its back. “I can see he means something to you,” he finally admitted.

  How was I to respond to that when I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling? He was accurate Gavin meant something to me, but it wasn’t any of his business. And how exactly did he know that? Was it because I thought about him when I was here with Lukas? My brows muddled in confusion. I couldn’t deny my feelings for Gavin and lying was an option. He would see it in my face. I was a sucky liar.

  “We’re friends.” I was trying to be evasive.

  “I can make you forget him,” he pledged, emerald eyes locking with mine, and he saw the stunned expression on my face. I didn’t want to forget Gavin, but that didn’t stop Lukas from taking full advantage of my speechless shock.

  He leaned toward me, pressing his lips lightly to mine. And, I let him.

  I didn’t pull away.

  I didn’t stop him.

  If anything, I wanted it.

  This kiss was something I’d wondered about too often to let slip away.

  His lips were soft, smooth, and dreamy, as they moved expertly over mine, drawing out each heavenly sensation and causing me to forget any doubts. The tips of his fingers moved lazily on the small of my back, gently coaxing me closer. He tasted of golden honey and sugary spice. Degree by slow degree, I submerged into the kiss, letting it carry me to ecstas
y. He cupped the sides of my face, hands tender, keeping us locked together. His thumb stroked my cheek with affection. He made my head feel like it was flying with the clouds, floating on desire that felt endless. The kiss was perfectly sweet.

  Perfect, except it lacked the punch my kiss with Gavin had, or the passionate desperation—like my last breath depended on him. Lukas’s kiss was nice, gentle and wistful. I’ve been kissed twice in one evening, and I had no reason to complain. This was only a dream.

  Then why did it feel so real?

  As sure as this kiss would end, I would feel overwhelming guilt. His lips lingered for a moment before leaving mine, and his pure green eyes opened slowly. Our faces close enough, and he traced a feather-soft finger over my thoroughly kissed lips.

  “I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” he murmured, his voice like silky honey. “Something for you to think about.”

  I didn’t need anything else to think about, and my body must have agreed as the dream started to drift slowly away. I could feel myself being sucked back into my sleeping form. His emerald eyes and the sunny scent of him wafted with me.

  Before I was completely tossed out, a woman’s raspy voice slipped in through the journey. “Be careful what you trust. Dreams aren’t always what they seem,” she warned, her voice fading off in the distance.

  When I woke up in my dark room, the taste of his honey smooth lips lingered on mine, and my body was humming and electric. I lay there the rest of the night, too wired to fall back asleep. The woman’s voice and her warning played over and over in my head. Who was she? What did she mean?

  When I got to school on Monday, I was in a zombie-like state. Yawning endlessly, my eyes were heavy, like there were weights pulling them down. The extra effort it took to keep them open proved to be too much during first period, when I feel asleep on my desk.

  Not my finest moment.

  Mrs. Schwab’s voice echoed in ears, and I hadn’t fully realized she wasn’t talking in my head.

  “Brianna…Brianna…would you like to join the class?”

  I jolted upright, wiping the drool with the back of my hand. “Sorry,” I barely managed to mumble.

  She eyed me with disdain, before giving me her back and continued her lecture. Austin caught my attention a row over and gave me a, what-the-hell look. I sighed, my shoulders slumping in exhaustion.

  He walked out with me after class. “Hey, babygirl. Is that hot piece of boy candy keeping you up at night?”

  I snickered. “Not exactly.”

  “You okay?” There was a touch of worry shadowing his forehead.

  “I haven’t a clue. Just tired I think.”

  “We still on for Friday right?” he asked, reminding me of our plans.

  Friday was Halloween. Tori, Austin, Gavin, Sophie and I planned on going out. It was all Austin’s idea. I loved Halloween. We were going to the Haunted Trails at Morris Landing. Sophie, Tori, and I had decided to dress up. The three of us were getting together later this week to shop for our costumes. I was actually looking forward to shopping, for once.

  “Of course. I am so excited!” I assured.

  “I know. It’s going to be a scream.” His sense of humor was so lame. I adored him.

  Today however, everything went over my head. I couldn’t even muster up a grin. “Funny,” I replied.

  “See you at lunch,” he called as we broke off in different directions.

  By the time third period hit, I was finishing my second cup of coffee and hoping for an adrenaline boost. Gavin caught up with me as I knocked off the last of my caffeine and tossed the evidence in the trash.

  He arched his brow lifting the silver bar in query. “Why so glum?”

  A yawn escaped the second I opened mouth. “There is something wrong with me. I shouldn’t be so tired after the amount of caffeine I just inhaled,” I admitted.

  He studied my face as we walked. “Didn’t sleep well?”

  I shook my head, stifling yet another yawn “It’s my dreams that are keeping me up, if that makes any sense.” Neither of us mentioned the previous night, or what I had accused him of. I was too tired to even care at this point. He could be a zombie or a werewolf, and I wouldn’t have blinked an eye. I was glad there wasn’t any weird tension between us. However, I could also be so out of it, I just didn’t pick up on it.

  “Are you fantasizing about me? I could see how that could be disrupting.”

  I choked at his words. “Maybe.” I teased, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking about Lukas and the kiss we shared. God, if he only knew. Better yet, I was glad he didn’t.

  “If they’re really keeping you, try tea. I think my mom has a recipe that might help.”

  “Thanks. I just might take you up on the offer.” I fumbled with my books. This topic was making me uncomfortable. The last thing I wanted to do was dwell on Lukas with Gavin.

  As we walked, my mind started dissecting my relationship with Gavin. There were a hundred girls at Holly Ridge that were prettier than me. What was it about me that made Gavin interested in me? I didn’t think his type was dorkish with a dash of sarcasm. Surely, I wasn’t his first choice. What was so special about me? He had once told me I was special, but I didn’t see it. I was just some girl. The next thing, I knew I blurted out, “Why did you pick me?”

  Gavin gave me the side eye. “What do you mean?”

  I wanted to crawl under a rug. Why did I have to open my big mouth? Why couldn’t I just let things be?

  We were in a good place after last night, so this was just asking for trouble. Was I sabotaging something before things got serious?

  I sighed. I’d already started this conversation, why not see it through? “There are hundreds of girls at this school, why did you pick me?” I repeated. A few students passed us by.

  “Is it that hard to believe?” He raised his voice an octave.

  A question with a question. I found that nerve racking. I shrugged, feeling more exposed than I thought possible, and defeated. What kind of admission had I been expecting? That he was madly in love with me and couldn’t live without me?

  “It just is,” I argued.

  He ran a frustrated hand through his midnight hair, the leather cuff on his wrist shifting with the movement. “Besides being gorgeous and insanely attracted to you, we have something in common,” he said.

  “What?” I asked, taken by surprise. I wasn’t expecting a declaration of love, yet my heart faltered a tad.

  “Isn’t it enough that I am attracted to you?” He disputed. His evasiveness wasn’t lost on me.

  I don’t know, was it? His words affected me, giving me a river of thrilled sensation. I stared at his eyes, waiting to see some form of deceit. They were clear, blue and honest.

  The bell sounded through the hall, announcing the beginning of third period. For now it would have to be enough, because we were both late for class, and I was too exhausted to continue.

  I don’t know how I made it through the whole day. But as soon as last period ended, I went home and slept like the dead.

  Dreamless.

  Chapter 13

  After school the following day, Gavin came over to study for our chemistry group test we had tomorrow. By group test, I meant Gavin and me. While I planned on studying, Gavin had another idea entirely. Honestly, I would have preferred to study without him sitting across the bed from me. He was a distraction from even the simplest thoughts, let alone an entire chapter of science. But the study session had been his idea, and I had yet to refuse him anything.

  I had the textbook open and a spiral notebook with minimum notes spread out around us on the bed. Biting the end of my pencil, I flipped through the study guide Mr. Burke had given us. It outlined the points in the chapter we would be tested on.

  “Are we really going to study?” he asked, complaining.

  “Yes,” I replied, exasperated. “I have to pass this class. So do you.”

  He grumbled beside me, doodling on the notebook.
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br />   I yanked it out from underneath his pen. “Hey,” he protested. “I wasn’t finished with that.”

  “Chemistry, remember…we are supposed to be studying.”

  “You are a slave driver,” he stated, fumbling with his pen cap.

  “And you’re a slacker.”

  “Ouch. Can’t we take a break?” He was bordering on whining, and I felt like I was babysitting a two-year-old.

  I laughed. “We just started. Here look up question ten in the text.” He needed a task to keep his mind busy and on other things.

  A few minutes later, I peered at him over the top of our study guide. He was flipping through the pages of the textbook, looking sexy as sin. It was hard to believe that he was here in my room with me. When I imagined dating, I never pictured someone like Gavin—dark, edgy, or with so many piercings. But now, I didn’t want any other boy at my school. He ruined all other prospects for me.

  Yesterday’s tizzy in the hall had been forgotten. We couldn’t seem to stay upset with each other.

  I bite the end of my eraser, and he looked up, catching me staring at him. My cheeks stained pink. He smirked, and I quickly averted my gaze back to the study guide. My concentration had been shot to hell.

  “You’re not studying,” he playfully scolded.

  I kicked him lightly from across the bed. He grabbed ahold of my leg before I had the chance to escape his reach.

  “Hey!” I screeched.

  “Just remember that you started it.” He pulled me by the leg toward him. I was laughing and squealing at the same time. As soon as he had me in his grasp, he picked me up effortlessly and tossed me to the other end of the bed on a pile of pillows. My laughter pealed out over the silence of the empty house. So much for studying.

  Sometime later, I looked over at the clock on my nightstand. My stomach rumbled in response as I thought about dinner. My aunt wasn’t due home for a few more hours, and it was my turn to cook. Even with her gone most of the time, she insisted on trying to make sure I had a balanced diet and was well taken care of. It grated on her that I was alone so much. On her nights, she usually had something in the fridge ready to be heated up