Enlightened

by Charlotte Michelle

  “She looks good,” Kyle whispers, his eyes downcast. I side glance at Dallas to see him frowning.

  “I’m sorry, Ky,” he says, his voice soft and comforting. Kyle shrugs his shoulders and walks over to sit at my desk chair.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, guys,” Kyle mutters, his voice stoic, lacking emotion.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Kyle,” Dallas and I say in unison.

  I wring my fingers together as silence surrounds us. I don’t want to sadden the boy any further. Perhaps we can dismiss talk of the murderer for today. We can just enjoy each other’s presence.

  “He has a tattoo,” Kyle mutters, staring intently at my carpeted floor. I suck my bottom lip in between my teeth and go about chewing it. “Inside of his right wrist. I remember it from that night.”

  Kyle shudders as he relives the moment he was killed, the man pulling the gun on him. So he’s right handed and has a tattoo. I’m not going to ask what it is. I decide that I am not going to ask anything.

  I’m sure Dallas is thinking the same, for he is silent as well.

  “It’s a heart with a heart rate line going through it,” Kyle continues and brings a hand up to scratch the back of his head. “He’s dark skinned. Perhaps from being in the sun too much. From what I could tell, he was stocky.”

  I scrunch my lips to the side, trying to recall someone who fits that description. But I am antisocial. I always sat in the back of the class with my nose in a book. I hardly notice the people around me. If anyone would know that man, it’d be Dallas.

  Looking over at Dallas, I see he’s already staring at me, trying to find reassurance that I’d know the man.

  I let out a sigh and return my attention to Kyle.

  “That’s all I can tell you about him. I can’t say anymore,” he says. I really wanted to know why he can’t. What is keeping him from just flat out telling us a name? “Are you guys, like, a couple now?” He waves his hand between Dallas and me.

  “Um…” I start.

  “Yes,” Dallas intervenes, looking over at me with scrutinizing eyes. “That is, only if Kayla will have me.”

  I notice, for the first time in the few months that I’ve known Dallas, a blush tinting his cheeks. I have to admit, it’s actually really cute.

  I guess I now understand why he calls my shyness adorable.

  “Um…girlfriend, boyfriend? I mean, me be your girlfriend?” I stumble over my words, pointing back and forth between us.

  Dallas smirks, and I’m eager to slap it off his handsome face. That smirk is so frustrating, knowing he’s teasing me again over how shy and innocent I am.

  Dallas nods his head, and I look over to Kyle to see him smiling widely. When he notices my eyes on him, he nods his head so quickly it rivals a bobblehead. I laugh.

  “All right. If you’re sure you want me.” Dallas rolls his eyes, and I feel butterflies form in my stomach.

  Did that really just happen?

  “It’s finally official. I can now formally say I was right,” Kyle says, crossing his arms over his chest, quirking a brow. I chuckle and walk over to wrap my arms around him in a hug. He pulls me tight, giving me a breath-halting squeeze.

  “You were right, Ky.” Dallas gets to his feet, and I move aside so he can hug his brother now. “I just wish I noticed sooner.”

  “Don’t dwell in the past, Dallyboy. Just be thankful of what you have in the present.” Kyle’s words are wise and what everyone should go by.

  We all sulk over what we don’t have, and in the process, we are blinded to what we do have.

  Dallyboy. I remember Kyle calling him that a few times after tutoring sessions. What a cute name.

  “I have to go. Happy Thanksgiving. I love you guys.”

  “I love you,” Dallas and I say just as he evaporates before us.

  Just as every time he leaves, a sadness overwhelms me. I turn to Dallas, and he frowns down at me. Reaching out, Dallas grabs the back of my neck and pulls me to his chest, tucking me under his chin.

  Just like at the beach.

  I smile softly at the memory of jet skiing. It was truly a wonderful day.

  I pull away from Dallas and flop down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. “We’ll have to keep our eyes open for anyone fitting the murderer’s description.”

  Dallas grunts in reply. “It doesn’t even sound familiar. The tattoo, I mean. I thought Kyle said we know him?” I twist so I am lying sideways and look up at Dallas. His arms are crossed over his chest, his beautiful blue eyes swimming with confusion.

  “Perhaps we do. We just don’t know it.” Dallas sighs and then heads over to lay beside me, gazing up at my fan. I drop my head onto my arm, watching him. Dallas’ features are so soft. His hair has a gentle wave, since it’s grown back now. His eyes are delicate, his skin smooth. His nose has the perfect curve; his jaw is angular. The only rough part about him is his blond facial hair. It’s subtle but very masculine, making him look older than he is.

  Dallas turns his head to look back at me, and I blush, knowing that I’ve been caught. I remember the last time I was caught admiring his appearance. It was not pleasant.

  “Are you done?” he snaps.

  I shiver at the memory and frown. What a different man he was. I can’t imagine Dallas snapping at me now.

  “What’s wrong?” Dallas asks, concerned. I meet his eyes again. Hazel to blue.

  “Nothing. Just remembering the time I was caught staring at you, that Saturday before,” I admit, not wanting to lie. Dallas seems a little confused before his eyes widen with recognition and then shame. He reaches over and brushes his knuckles along my cheekbone.

  “I was so awful to you.” His voice is small. “I’m so sorry, Kayla.” I shrug my shoulders and offer him a smile, trying to reassure him.

  It really doesn’t bother me now. It seems like a different life.

  “It’s okay, Dallas. That’s not who you are now.”

  “Is it not?”

  “No.” I move closer to him, our foreheads nearly touching as I run my fingers through his hair. “No, it is not.” My voice is firm and promising. No matter what anyone says, Dallas is not who he used to be. I can see it in his eyes. They have never been so soft and tender. To anyone, not even Kyle.

  And now, he holds so much love and kindness in them. It’s as if Kyle’s death opened up a whole new perspective of life to him. Does Dallas really want to be the playboy who sleeps with numerous girls? Or does he want to actually enjoy life in its purest of ways? Love is a fragile and wonderful emotion. I hope that one day Dallas will experience the full extent of loving someone.

  I know he will.

  No matter what, I know Dallas doesn’t want to go back. His old life was meaningless and cold. He pushed away everyone, sacrificing his relationships with his mother and Kyle.

  So, no. He is most definitely not the same.

  “I was thinking of making apple pie with my mom.”

  I smile, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. “I like who you are now,” I say, placing a hand on his exposed cheek that I just kissed. Dallas smirks and turns his head to place a kiss to the inside of my palm.

  “I never told you how beautiful you look right now.” I want to snort.

  Beautiful is too grand a word for me. It’s best suited for Ashley.

  Ashley always dresses like this. Always wears dresses and skirts, high heels and boots. Always slathered perfectly with makeup, her hair styled every day. She wears beautiful jewelry.

  Her style is beautiful. It’s what guys typically prefer, not that I blame them.

  “It’s better than the sweatshirts I always wear, huh?” I ask, looking down at my green sweater dress. I do have to admit how pretty it is. And it’s comfortable.

  Perhaps this dress is an exception.

  “Actually, no.” Dallas’ response catches me off guard, causing my eyes to snap back up to meet his. He smiles at my reaction. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re beautiful right now. But you’re stunning wh
en you’re in your comfort zone. I love when your hair is in that messy ponytail. I love that Cubs sweatshirt that is nearly two sizes too big for you. I love those faded jeans and your Chuck Taylors. I love that you play basketball and that you can very well kick my ass. I most definitely prefer your style over anyone else’s. That is a promise, Kayla.”

  I stare at Dallas throughout his whole confession, my mouth open in awe.

  Was any of this real? Did he really ask me to be his girlfriend? Did he really admit to liking my style above Ashley’s?

  Before I can stop myself, I practically shoot forward and attack his face. Or I’m sure that’s what he assumes I’m doing.

  I kiss Dallas with so much emotion behind it that I feel as if I am on the verge of crying. No one has ever said anything like that to me before, and it was raw and honest. He meant every word.

  Dallas grabs my hips in his hands and gives me a squeeze as he pulls me closer and kisses me back with just as much fervor. I reach up to slide my fingers into his soft hair, closing them around the thick locks.

  This is my second kiss, and I’d like to believe that I’m doing much better than my first.

  When Dallas’s tongue gently slides across my bottom lip, I lose my breath and pull away, ducking my head down in embarrassment. “Sorry,” he whispers in my ear, kissing the back of my head. His arms coil around my back, refusing to let me go as he holds me close.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, finally looking up at him, though I’m blushing a bright red. Dallas retracts an arm to rub the back of his hand across my burning cheek. “I didn’t mean to attack you.”

  Dallas lets out a barking laugh as he throws his head back in amusement. I frown, wondering why he’s laughing at me. I really am sorry. I probably scared him for a moment until he realized that I was kissing him.

  “I never want you to be sorry for kissing me, Kayla. Ever.” Sighing, I duck my head down, embarrassed again as I press my face against his chest in hope of hiding from him. Dallas brushes hair from my cheek and tucks it behind my ear. His touch is so soft, it sends chills up my arms and down my legs.

  This stupid sweater dress is failing to keep the chills at bay.

  “I enjoyed it,” Dallas whispers, his lips right at my ear. His breath tickles, and I smile into his tie.

  “Okay,” I mumble, not knowing what else to say.

  You’d think with all the romance books I read that I’d be more comfortable than this.

  Chapter

  Eighteen

  Crinkle

  *Dallas*

  December 11, 2015

  Christmas is quickly approaching. It seems every week is going by faster, and I’m still struggling with what I should get Kayla.

  It’s evident that Kayla isn’t one to gush over diamonds and pearls. She wants sentimental gifts, not materialistic.

  But those are also the hardest gifts to find.

  I’ve only known Kayla for a few months, and she has already become very important to me. I hardly know anything about her, but I also want to get her something special for Christmas. I want her to remember it as our first Christmas together.

  Because it will most definitely not be our last.

  “You’re crinkling,” I hear someone whisper in my ear. The mandatory smile that adorns my face whenever Kayla’s around makes an appearance as I turn to see her take a seat next to me in our Psychology class.

  “I’m crinkling?” I question. That is not the typical compliment one usually gives.

  Is it even a compliment?

  Kayla is back to wearing her usual jeans and sweatshirt. Her hair is in a messy bun today instead of a ponytail. I can’t help but find her ten times more attractive right now than when she was all dressed up for Thanksgiving. Kayla is comfortable and confident when she’s wearing these clothes, and that alone makes her gorgeous.

  Kayla lifts a hand and softly rubs her forefinger between my eyebrows. “Whenever you’re in deep thought, you crinkle. Right here.” Her touch is gentle and welcoming. I could live off of it.

  It surprises me, however, that she is touching me. She’s still self-conscious about us being together in front of our classmates. She’s worried about what they might think. I couldn’t care less about what anyone else thought. Kayla is extraordinary, and she makes me unbelievably happy. For some unknown, miraculous reason, she agreed to be my girlfriend, and that is the end of it. I don’t need anyone’s two cents on the matter.

  “Just thinking about Christmas and what to get you,” I admit. I came to the conclusion a while ago that I will not lie or omit the truth with Kayla. Her trust is fragile with me, and I will work hard not to break it.

  Kayla bites her bottom lip and then turns in her desk to look down at her notebook.

  I will never get over her shyness.

  “You still haven’t told me what you want,” I whisper, leaning closer. Kayla puts her left elbow on the desk and sits her chin in the palm of her hand. Her beautiful hazel eyes meet my blue ones.

  “I just want to be with my friends and family.” Kayla reaches under the table for my hand that’s resting on my thigh. She gives it a squeeze. “I promise.”

  I believe her. But I’m still going to get her something.

  “All right.” I lift our joined hands and place a soft kiss to her knuckles. “You shall have what you want.”

  “It’s too cold to go swimming. Isn’t the lake, like, frozen over?” Mikey says. I arch an eyebrow as Kayla and I near the cafeteria table, our hands interlocked.

  Tyler, Anne, and Mikey are in deep conversation, the three of them arguing. I’m glad that Tyler and Anne have found happiness with each other. Tyler deserves a girlfriend who’s as selfless as he is.

  Kayla sits across from Anne, and I sit beside her. “What are you guys going off about?” Kayla asks, dumping her lunch items on the table. Tyler reaches over and grabs her bag of Goldfish.

  Not long ago, we started emptying all of our lunch bags in the middle of the table, and everyone shares from each other’s lunches. It was Kayla’s idea, saying she and Anne have been doing it since middle school.

  I dump mine as well, and Kayla grabs the turkey sandwich. She takes a bite and then hands it over to me, knowing it’s my favorite sandwich out of the two PB&J’s and the ham and Swiss.

  “Anne and Tyler want to go swimming in Lake Michigan,” Mikey says, his gaze intense as if he’s shooting daggers at Kayla. She doesn’t seem bothered by it, but I was about to say something until Anne interrupts.

  “That is not what we said. We said we want to go swimming, and that’s what you assumed. Have you never heard of indoor swimming pools?” Anne rolls her eyes playfully. She’s so outspoken and confident, not caring how her attitude comes off.

  It’s a perfect balance, considering Tyler has always been more on the quiet side.

  Mikey grimaces at Anne but then offers her a small smile. “Fine. Where do you think we should go swimming then?”

  Anne meets Kayla’s eyes. “We have a membership at Lifetime Fitness. We can get you guys in.” I’m surprised by Anne’s words. Kayla has a membership? Lifetime Fitness is not cheap, and I don’t exactly peg Kayla as the working-out type.

  Kayla looks over at me and smiles. “We play basketball there once a week,” she answers for me. Hmm, makes sense. But that’s still not worth all the money she has to pay. “And my mom pays for mine. She has one of her own and bought me one as well.” Kayla shrugs.

  “All right, well, when were you guys planning on doing this?” I ask, looking back at Anne and Tyler. Tyler rolls his eyes as Anne clasps her hands together. Apparently, I just sealed our fate.

  “Right after school. We’ll run home, grab our swim suits, and then meet at the gym.”

  I look over at Kayla to see her smiling and shaking her head at Anne. If she wanted to go swimming, we could go swimming. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when Kayla and I planned to spend today together. But I could see she was excited, and who was I to deny her a good
time with her friends?

  I drape an arm around Kayla’s shoulders and place a kiss to the side of her head.

  Kayla may not know it, but I have already dedicated my life to making sure that beautiful smile graces her face every single day.

  “Come on!” Kayla drops my hand as she runs full speed to the edge of the pool and cannonballs in. I smile, shaking my head as I drop her bag of our clothes by a lounge chair, along with our towels. I then grab the back of my shirt and pull it over my head, tossing it on the chair to claim it.

  I watch Kayla for a moment as she swims with Anne and Tyler, having casual conversation with them. Tyler has his arms wrapped tight around Anne, who clings to him. Mikey decided not to come, not feeling in the mood to swim when it’s thirty degrees outside.

  I don’t know how I got so lucky, I think when I see Kayla throw her head back, her laugh resonating through the pool area. She doesn’t seem to mind as people look over at her with wide eyes.

  I smile at how adorable she is. I have been blessed with amazing friends and an equally amazing girlfriend. I will not take them for granted.

  “Why are you not swimming with her?” The smile on my face stretches as I turn to see Kyle sitting on the lounge chair next to me. I quickly sit down on my own so we’re eye level.

  “Hey, Ky,” I say. His presence is most welcome. Kyle smiles and nods in greeting before he turns to watch the three swimming.

  “I miss Tyler,” he whispers, and I feel my smile fall. It must be hard to see Tyler and our mom and for them to not see him back. I’m sure there are things Kyle wishes he could say to them.

  “He misses you too,” I say.

  Kyle grins and then reaches over to slap me on the arm. “You finally got the girl, man. Took you long enough.” I chuckle, shaking my head.

  Kyle seems to find pleasure in boasting about how he was right all along, that Kayla and I would make a great couple. Modesty definitely suits him…